I broke out for breakfast last week. I was double-vaxed and rarin’ to go. My double-vaxed friend was too. We were inmates released from prison—sentence served, doors flung open.
When those doors slammed shut a year ago, I was fortunate to have a lovely cellmate. We were in a prison of peace, love, and understanding. (Mostly.) Funny how refreshingly interesting a spouse of 45 years can be when you’re doing nothing but time together. I hope you were as fortunate.
Sprung at last, I sprightly approached the restaurant door.
No masks. No service.
Before COVID that door displayed a different sign: No shirt. No shoes. No service. I often wondered why there was no requirement for pants. Would I be served with no pants on?
Anyway, I didn’t mind the mask requirement. After all, the CDC was waffling. And, besides, once seated we were allowed to unmask.
We were chatting about the pandemic and the economy when suddenly our server (masked but unmuted) went on a spitting rant. (Thank God for her mask!)
“Our country is in big trouble. We’re headed for disaster.”
What do you mean? I asked.
“We’re running out of gas, cars are lined up for miles, nobody wants to work anymore, everybody wants to sit at home and get paid by the government. ‘Help Wanted’ signs are everywhere but there’s no help to be had.”
She took a breath.
Well, I think most people would like to work if the conditions and wages were right.
“I doubt it.”
I paid my check and left a 100 percent tip. (These are still stressful times for restaurant servers.)
I walked down the street to the coffee shop. (You can’t go in, so orders are taken and served through an open window.)
How’s it going? I asked the proprietor.
“Terrible,” he said. “I’m shorthanded and can’t get anyone to work. They’d rather stay home and collect unemployment insurance.” (That’s the shortened, sanitized version.)
Well, I think most people would like to work if the conditions and wages were right?
“I doubt it. What would you like?”
I was wondering if you’d mind posting this flyer on your front door window.
I gingerly handed him my “Book Launch & Signing” flyer.
He took one look and said, “Cool. I will.”
And he did—by himself.
What a nice guy with a very cool business!
He deserves a hand.
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For information on my new book, 80 Dispatches from the Devil’s Domain, click here and scroll down.
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See Paula’s photo “Redbud Sunset” on the home page. Posted May 9.
Indeed – “if the wages & conditions were right…”
yes, & locked up with a fun, interesting & resourceful partner for the past year & a half has made all the difference.
Counting all those blessings keeps me sane & hopeful as we move forward – building back better, amidst the resistance…
Listening to the growing, undulating hummmm of life re-emerging after a cycle of hibernation reminds me how forceful the urge for life is in us, and in all of nature…singing “we will survive”!!
A grouse and a kindness are preferable to a humidified grouse, any day. I look forward to the next chapter in the recovery.
Here is the flip side to this comment: I am part of a group of “distributors” who are volunteers (selected by someone) who are asked to find people who should be gifted by a random act of kindness. We give them cash, and it’s designed to reward those folks who are working, serving, saving others in spite of Covid, and in the spirit of building back better. No political agenda, we all are guided by just thanking and appreciating our fellow human. It’s interesting, and rewarding.
My blessing is that we are rural so I could walk unmasked every day every day as I wandered thro the orchards and fields with my dog. My husband stayed in the car and I went in masked to the stores. and remember the idiot shortages. Watching Cuomo and Fauci. Avoiding watching he who must not be named. Driving to see my dying mother in downstate when few vehicles were on the road save truckers. From Canada really?! Were the borders not closed? Trying to find an open rest stop. Missing church. Missing festivals. Missing the Billy Joel concert we paid big bucks for. Missing people. And friendships. Not able to give mom a proper home going. Cajoling friends for walks. Arranging a quick trip to va beach when Cuomo took Virginia off his naughty list. Missing friends and my family. And as a child who had to always get vaccinations to travel overseas and who was born before the polio vaccine was available and whose decorated Air Force uncle flew bombing missions for the RAF and then died of polio when he went back to England to clean up. I say get your vaccine. For your sake and the rest of the world. Blessings.