I hate lemons!
I love lemonade!
It’s weird, I know, but I never claimed to be a “normal” guy.
I hate tomatoes but love tomato soup.
I could go on and on, but I really do have to get to the point.
More naps these days
I’m not a panic kind of guy. It’s all about upbringing. My dad simply looked at obstacles as challenges and nothing more. Landing at Anzio and being pinned down by German guns for a couple months? A challenge! Broken back in a car accident? A challenge! No education beyond 10th Grade and in need of a job? A challenge! He simply would not allow his only son to shrink in the face of adversity, not after all he faced in his life.
We are definitely facing adversity right now, aren’t we?
I hate pandemics!
I love a challenge!
If my dad was alive today, he would face COVID-19 the same way he faced every other challenge in his life: Head-on, bring it on, always move forward and never let the bastards know you are concerned.
I laugh as I write that, but it’s the truth, it’s how I was raised, and it is how I’ll get through this pandemic stuff.
I cleaned the garage last week. I worked in the garden this past weekend. I have increased my writing since the pandemic occurred and, interestingly, my freelance writing business has increased. My to-do list around the house is longer than my arm and I now have no external excuses to keep me from tackling it.
And, of course, I have four books which need to be written!
Instant attraction
Meanwhile, Bev is home, laid-off for six weeks, and she is working on herself. She’s working on time-management and a healthier lifestyle in an attempt to lessen her natural stress levels and also to reduce her asthma problems. She stays busy!
We are being productive! We are not hiding under the covers hoping the Big Bad Wolf will go away. There are things to do, things which can be done while practicing social-distancing, and we are doing them.
“The marvelous richness of human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome. The hilltop hour would not be half so wonderful if there were no dark valleys to traverse.”
Lemonade from lemons!
I am not delusional nor am I hiding from reality. I just see no reason to panic. We were not created to live in fear. We were created to fly with the angels and, by God, that’s what I’m trying to do.
I wish you all good health and happiness.
If you are in need of a writing coach, email me at holland1145@yahoo.com. I charge $50 per month, no minimums, and if I can’t help you with your particular problem I’ll let you know.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
Aw, Bill what can I say, but I am with you and trying my best to thrive on the challenges set ahead now. Thanks for the great outlook here, as I truly needed to read this one now more than ever. Wishing you a healthy, productive week ahead now 😉
Hang in there, Janine! These are upsetting times for sure, but you are made of tough stuff and you will get through it. Just put some Beatle’s music on and rock out!
Your father was a very wise man. I’m taking this pandemic one step at a time without panic. Doing everything that is suggested which is all that we can do. Challenges … always up for a new one 🙂 Take care and talk to you soon.
Thanks Susan! You are a survivor. I have no doubt you will make it through this bump in the road of life. You always do!
Wise words, Bill. Times are tough, but the best part is we all into it. So, just have to breathe and be mindful of each moment. Take care, and be safe. Love n Light.
Thank you Ruchira! Be mindful…I love that phrase. Thanks for reminding me.
I think I’ll share this on FB. I’m tired of reading the negatives and the things that cause more anxiety. I’m not a panic sort of person. I react after the fact if need be, most of the time. However, this thing is so in our faces that sometimes I have to purposely turn it all off, so to speak, and recenter myself so that I don’t feel anxious. Stay safe!
Same with us. I only allow myself to watch a half-hour of the news each day, to make sure I didn’t miss anything important. After that I’m looking for entertainment to get me away from the negativity.
Thanks, Shannon! You stay safe as well.
I have lots of lemons if you want them! Hugs to you and Bev! Strange times! I am trying to write and breathe and find places of calm within me–hope you continue to fare well–I hope we all do!
I’m with you in spirit, Audrey! These are strange times, unsettling times,and hopefully they will come to an end sooner rather than later. Blessings and good health to you!
Right Spirit! I think that there is an alternative magazine with that name. Way to go Bev … Bill. God speed!
Blessings Manatita! We are all well and happy.So far Bev and I have not driven each other crazy! lol
Love this, Big Bro. Love your attitude. After reading your memoir, I can say that without a doubt, what you wrote here sounds just like your dad. 🙂 Haha.
Sending hugs. I’m gonna go draw another mandala.
Hugs back atcha, Lil Sis! There’s no doubt about it, my dad is everywhere I go. 🙂 Be safe and happy this Wednesday of our new reality.
Glad to hear you are both well and continuing to get on with life. So am I, Something great came out of something so bad and I got the agreement I wanted with a San Francisco company and now I am also writing for them I was looking forward to this and it is an interesting challenge for me. Wishing you all the best and stay safe,
Congratulations on that writing gig,Rasma! That’s great news. Best wishes to you always, and thank you for the visit.
Bill
Totally agree.
We’re in total ‘lockdown’ as of today, but the government wants public transport to still run.
I thought about that as I was driving around earlier, I mean it seems to make no sense, buses with no one on using up Diesel and costing the ratepayer! Or does it?
It dawned on me that people can still go get the important things, and as they go outside, or just stand at their windows, they see a bus trundle by and it says, “we’re still running, and everything will return to normal soon!”
It’s a message that we will come through it!
That’s why the older folks are not that worried beyond taking precautions,they’ve been there, they know we will.
Lawrence, I agree, we will make it. Not all of us, of course, but as a species we will soldier through.
You be well and safe, public transportation be damned. lol
Bill
I’m glad to be allowed out, but the boss did ask me to take some leave so as to allow others (who have no leave to take) to be able to earn their wages.
Naturally I’ve obliged and as of the 7th in going to have three weeks off to write, so looking forward to it!!
Lawrence, enjoy that three-week break. Regenerate and relax, my friend.
This was an inspiring post…especially in a world where you get scared by the mounting numbers each day. Hope those who work for daily wages get some relief.
I hope so too, Nightlake! We will make it through this. My solution to peace of mind….don’t watch the nightly news. lol
Yes:) That is when they give updates on the number of cases
Evidently there is nothing else happening in the world but this virus.
Many years ago, I did a term paper on the Black Plague during the Middle Ages. Compared to what those people suffered between the illness and the subsequent breakdown of society, this corona thing is a walk in the park. I remind myself of that when the news reports threaten to destabilize my equilibrium.
Where in lockdown now. The PM has basically said no one leaves their home unless they’re shopping for essentials, exercising alone or with a family member, or are going to work. No more than two people may congregate, staying at least 6 feet apart. Police are empowered to disperse crowds of three or more and issue fines when necessary.
One of the cats has presented me with the challenge of trying to get her to the vet’s office. Assuming I can get an appointment, I’m curious how I can pull this off while social distancing. Should I wear a hazmat suit? Do I slide the carrier across the floor with a forceful push using my foot? Should I wash my foot afterwards? So much to consider. (sigh)
Enjoy your day, Bill, and stay safe.
It is an interesting world we live in. We are in the same type of lockdown in Washington State. We went to the vet last week, and they had an employee standing by the front door admitting one customer at a time. No one else admitted into the building until that customer was done. It was tedious at best. 🙂
Best wishes to you. I’ll pass on that Black Plague stuff. No way would I survive that bad boy.
Be safe!
One at a time? I guess I can understand that. Less chance of exposure, I suppose, and it would give the staff time to clean up a bit before the next patient. Still, it must be frustrating.
As for plague, at least that can be cured with antibiotics. Corona has to run its course. All we can do is limit the damage. I wonder how the landscape will look after all this done and dusted?
Take care, Bill.
I’m sure they lost business doing it that way, but the customers were reasonable and it all seemed to go smoothly.
Take care my friend! I don’t want to lose any friends to this crap.
Truth be told, Bill, more people get broken backs and permanent injuries from car accidents than fro COVID-10. Actually more people die from car accidents. More people die from the flu every year. I want to be sensitive to those who have suffered from the virus. Their pain is real. But, really! It’s blown way out of proportion. There are many more serious things to be concerned about. Just my take.
I don’t think you are alone in your thinking, William. I don’t know what to make of it all. Truthfully it doesn’t affect me too much. I stay busy, virus or not, and I always have things to do.
Hey Bill! Always get positive inspiration from your postings. Love how you and Bev are facing this time of our lives with such enthusiasm. God bless you.
Thank you Dee! Love the new hair! 🙂 Be safe and bless you always!
Wonderful that you take this attitude… Its the best possible way of navigating through this testing time for us all..
I think humanity has to take a good hard look at itself and maybe many more will, with the time they now have rethink their lives.. And take a look at how to reshape and adapt themselves within the new circumstances they find themselves..
It is all about our perspectives and what we perceive as Lemons or Lemonade..
Thank you Bill for your wisdom.
Take care of yourselves both of you.. ❤
Thank you Sue! I would hope people are using this time for some reflection and introspection. I truly hope that. We shall see, my friend.
Peace and blessings to you. I hope you are safe and well.
Thank you Bill.. Lets hope so,…. Take care 🙂
Can you be a melancholy optimist? I think ultimately that’s what I am. Although I may seem to have a melancholy view of things, I’m usually optimistic about how something will turn out. I think experience has taught me too that in most cases, things will work out much better than we think.
I’m with you, Andrea. I’m a big old grumpy bear, but I’m certain that I will make it through the grumpiness and the setbacks. I laugh when I write that, but it’s pretty accurate. 🙂
Be safe my friend, and thank you!