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| 3/6/20 Green Lake neighborhood |
Toward the end of the week after the first COVID-19 deaths in
King County – the first in the US – had been announced, I was feeling very
glum. Up until that news, the Terrible Silent Killer was an ocean away in Asia and
Europe. I had been concerned and wary, but not distressed. Suddenly, the Killer could
be sitting next to me on the bus, handling the apple I was about to put in my cart or opening
any door ahead of me.
On Thursday I quarantined myself at home as officials urged us
to avoid “large groups” (defined as 10 or more) and keep our distance from
others. Seventy percent isopropyl alcohol became the only thing between me and
every deadly bug in the universe. The University of Washington announced that it was cancelling classes – the first US college to do so. Meanwhile, the
other USk Seattle admins and I were discussing by email whether to cancel scheduled
sketch outings. It was downright depressing.
The next day I had a few errands to take care of, so I went
out into the maelstrom of nastiness that was surely swirling all around me. My
first stop was the Green Lake library to return a book; thankfully, I could use
the drive-up bin and avoid facing all those germy staffers and patrons inside!
Before contaminating myself by opening the bin, I thought I’d
try to find a sketch from the parking lot. I’m used to sketching from my car – I
do it every winter – but this day felt different. Sequestered in my car out of
fear was a terrible way to sketch, and I felt more depressed than
ever.
Just then, I spotted a small tree just beginning to blossom –
a pink spot of hope on a bleak, gray day. COVID-19 be damned. If this is the
way I must sketch on location, so be it.
Thanks for the uplifting sketch! Keep safe up there.
ReplyDeleteYou take care too, Cathy... we all have to!
DeleteGlad you found a pink tree to brighten your day. In addition to not being able to visit Jerry, almost everyone from our Wed sketch group decided to cancel our evening of sketching. I'm glad it was a nice day and I was able to sketch at the arboretum with nobody around to worry about germs. It isn't a pleasant way to live...and then I just read Mark's post canceling our sketch group this weekend and possibly longer. I probably wouldn't have gone anyway...too much of a chance of contact with an affected person on all the public transportation I would have to take. I'll have to find a spot to sketch out here.
ReplyDeleteAs long as we avoid getting too close to others, it's safe to be outdoors sketching! We cancelled our outings too, and I miss my sketch buddies, but I'm not letting a virus keep me from sketching! Good to hear it's not stopping you, either. Take care, Joan, and stay well.
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