
Monday, March 23, 2020 is a hazy, warmer day on the bay in downtown Petoskey. Yesterday, I worked at my retirement haunt, Symons General Store’s Wine Cellar, and we were busy! Today, we’re not – so far at noon. These are the only two days I spend somewhere other than home or the writing studio, and I thoroughly enjoy being in the downtown community, talking and selling wine, and being able to help in the general store and at our connected Chandler’s A Restaurant. The Symons family has been fantastic to me these last nine years. But today we were on pins and needles waiting for Governor Whitmer to announce her decision concerning Michigan closing all non-essential businesses. She did. So far, the store is considered a food source, and the restaurant does curbside service, so here I sit. The numbers of people positive for COVID-19 are rapidly climbing as are severe cases requiring hospitalization, and unfortunately, so are deaths. In the midst of those data points, I’ve received a request from a home-bound couple to shop for them and fix their car, which I will do tomorrow. I also signed up for hospital transfers for the mentally ill – hospital to home. My intention is to stay safe and yet feel like I’m contributing. And that’s my Monday. At least for me today, it’s a mundane Monday. Whew.



I am starting to long for the mundane! Stay safe, my friend.