The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

Having grown up near the Missouri River in an isolated area, I don't really notice self-quarantine! We were always more than 5 miles away from anyone and are still pretty much that way today. My Mom and our family moved here in 1951; she had an outhouse and toilet paper was a luxury item they couldn't often afford or get to town to buy. Sears and Roebuck catalogs provided for their necessary needs and sometimes grass and sagebrush. So, the toilet paper shortage wouldn't have affected them much. She taught me to be a person who prepares for the unexpected, such as storms, road closures due to being washed out or to much mud or snow. Knowing those times can stretch into days, weeks, or once in a while months, I keep well supplied with groceries and necessities. One year the roads, as well as the power lines, washed out in April from a wild storm and a flash flood we were stranded over a month or more, my Mom had dreams about someone bringing a fresh head of lettuce. Being near the river and far from the crowds, it is easy to forget the quarantines and the struggles for groceries and the necessities of life, isn't it amazing how our important necessities have changed in the last 50 years?

The Meadow Larks have come back to the riverbanks and are warbling their beautiful song. They are so beautiful singing and swinging on their sagebrush swing. The grass is greening, the trees are budding out, and Spring is in the air. It is incredible to feel the sunshine's warmth increasing and see the animals basking in it to their heart's content. It takes me away to a world of peace and quiet, where all is right with the world.

Then out of the blue, my tooth starts hurting, darn, I must get back to the city life and get it fixed! I call my dentist and can get in quickly, very unusual, but we are in quarantine, I guess most people are canceling appointments also. Hopefully, I can have my tooth fixed and stay 6 feet away from anyone but the dentist. I am not thrilled about the risks involved in going anywhere near the public but prefer it to have a miserable aching tooth. I believe social distancing is essential to putting an end to coronavirus. Our friend, Andrew, who lives in Italy, tells us how bad it has become over there. I hope and pray; we can keep our country from similar circumstances. The Governor announced we are on lockdown, go out only for essentials, help your elders, stay home, wash your hands, use lots of soap, and remember this too shall pass. We are all in this crisis together, and each one of us can make a difference. Find a country road to walk down and enjoy God's beauty that surrounds us, take your child or grandchild and make some memories.