A Cost/Benefit Analysis of the current situation. Virtual is defined as “not physically existing but made by software to appear so.” Through the miracle of modern technology I have been able to do many of the things I did before Covid 19 while still observing the guidelines.
On Sunday I “attend” the eleven o’clock Mass live-streamed from St. Louis Church in Pittsford. I can see the priests and hear the readings, homily and music; and communicate with the other participants with comments in the chat bar, usually at the sign of peace. The one thing missing is the reception of the Eucharist; but I use Oplatek (communion wafer) left over from Christmas Eve.
I registered for six courses at Osher and marvel at the devotion of the staff and course leaders, their wealth of knowledge and willingness to share it through Zoom. Monday morning is Memoirs where twenty classmates get to know each other through their stories. The afternoon class is Wild about Wilder—a study of films directed by Billy Wilder. So far we’ve done Double Indemnity and Sunset Boulevard and this week we’re studying Ace in the Hole. Having the background information gives me a greater understanding and appreciation of the film.
Tuesday morning is The Geology and History of the Finger Lakes which started with the creation of the ancient Greenville Mountain Range around 1.2 billion years ago and continued through the formation of the Lakes after the last Ice Age about 22,000 years ago when the glaciers receded northward and created a new landscape. Next week’s class will cover the Finger Lakes today: tourism, wineries, and culture; and the impact of pollution, economic woes and climate change on the future of the region.
The afternoon continues with the Evolution of Life: Earth the First 4 Billion Years. The numbers and technology boggle my brain. I still believe that God created life, but the biblical story that it was done in seven days has been debunked. Suggested reading includes The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert and The Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, interesting reading and thought- provoking, eye-opening concepts.
Wednesday’s class is Medical Ethics. The course leader, a retired OB-GYN presents cases for us to discuss. Here is an example of a case about which I had a very strong opinion: A 47-year old man has been on Oregon’s death row since 1996 when he was convicted of repeatedly stabbing two sisters he had met in a farm-labor camp. One sister survived to testify against him; the other died. Every year Oregon pays a reported $121.000 to keep him on dialysis. In 2003 the prison doctor determined he was a good candidate for a kidney transplant. Oregon has not executed anyone since 1962 and has a moratorium on executions. According to the United Network for Organ Sharing, almost 57,000 Americans, including 792 residents of Oregon were waiting for kidney transplants. The class broke into teams to discuss who should decide and what criteria should be used. Personal principles came into play and made for spirited conversation.
No classes on Thursday; that’s the day I do laundry and some cleaning, since my service was temporarily discontinued. I called to have them resume next week.
Friday’s class is Gold and the Making of California beginning with the native cultures before European impact, the mission system, and colonization; then the examination of the first Anglo/American overlanders; Manifest Destiny and the Mexican War; the discovery of gold and the rush to riches (getting there by sea around Cape Horn or crossing on the overland trails).
Since the cruise to Alaska I was scheduled to take this summer was cancelled, I’ve “booked” a few virtual field trips. This week AAA offered a tour of the American National Parks and next week we are going to my favorite place: Bermuda.
Social times include “Hangouts” with friends and book club discussions. I even participated in a wine tasting event where we sampled Rieslings from Finger Lakes vineyards paired with hors d’ oeuvres of our choosing. The sommelier described the qualities of each vintage and gave a plug for each of the wineries; but it didn’t take long for the gathering to turn into a very merry party with everyone talking and lots of laughter. We all decided to do it again next week.
For the past few years I’ve been doing my banking and paying bills online and was introduced to the convenience of online shopping. Last month I bought a few books, a new set of cookware and a replacement watchband.
As for cooking, I looked up some recipes on line and have tried a few, but I’m committed to keeping a safe distance from my kitchen. For Mothers’ Day I will treat my family to dinner from one of our favorite restaurants–using curbside pick-up.
Fitness not forgotten. The JCC offers online classes, and I signed up for Senior Sneakers and a couple of specialized sessions to help with balance and strength. No delusions of reclaiming youth, I just want to be able to take care of myself and be independent.
I heard that women on average live to the age of 81. In December, I celebrated my 80th birthday, so perhaps this is my last year. Not that I’m being morbid; I just don’t want to have any regrets, so I will follow one of my favorite sayings:
See each morning a world made anew, as if it were the morning of the very first day…..treasure and use it as if it were the final hour of the very last day. Fay Hartzell Arnold.
Last weekend I watched the 1985 Oscar winning film Cocoon, directed by Ron Howard, a fantasy in which the residents of a Florida rest home get a new lease on life when they stumble across a “fountain of youth” in a vacant vacation home. Unbeknownst to them, aliens have been using the swimming pool in the house to store their cocooned brethren, giving the waters a powerful, rejuvenating quality. When the aliens prepare to return to their home planet, the residents of the nursing home are given the opportunity to go with them. The benefit would be living a healthy, stress-free life for thousands of years. It made me wonder for just a moment whether I would choose to go. I’m curious, I love to learn and experience new things; but doing them without MY belovED is not as much fun—I’ll wait for him to call me.
Happy Mother’s Day to everyone who has a Mother! Lots of LovEstelle
This was a great post. It continued the thoughts I’ve been having about living this secluded life. We went to visit my husband’s 97 year old Aunt last week. She is in amazing health and lives on her own in a small apartment. Luckily she lives on the first floor and has a small fenced in patio that faces the parking lot. We get to visit her by her coming out to the patio and we stand a safe distance from her in the grass. She told us that she wants to hug us. She said that she would rather be with her family for one day and then die then not see them for 2-3 months at all. Isn’t this the truth? It is how I am sure i will feel at her age (God willing). She has no idea how long she has left. She doesn’t care if a virus or a heart attack kills her. She wants her days with her children, grandchildren and great grand-children near her. She comes from a large Italian family and they mean everything to her. So I constantly think about this while I stay away from my friends and family too. I know I am protecting them and me by doing this but at what expense? Missing my granddaughter at the age that she is. Her little arms around my neck and snuggling. There is so much to learn through this. So much to contemplate and grow from. I will never take another hug for granted for a very, very long time when this is over and we live a new normal.
Yes, I have been attending several things via “Zoom” also. It’s so good to see faces from my Church. I’ll continue to do this until we can get back together in person. God willing, that will come sooner than later. God bless! I am also working on a new painting honoring our Lord Jesus.
Great Blog!
That’s impressive!