I have always been a writer. I grew up at the hip of a writer/poet/artist - my grandmother. She wrote all the time. It's a shame more people don't.
When I was a kid, we used to take massive roadtrips. I didn't have movies to watch, a phone, or a handheld video game. I had the windows, a book or two with plenty of pictures, a Mad Magazine, and a notebook with tons of pencils and colors. That was where I stayed engaged. I drew, I wrote stories, I wrote was was going on. I remember, several times, I would write about the stages of road trips.
1. At first, you're all excited. You can't wait. The day holds nothing but potential. Your heart is full of joy for the days ahead. You're going on vacation!!
2. This is a few hours in. Sadly, you've already gone through every single page, book, magazine... And, to top it off, you've hit the dreaded Panhandle. NOTHING to look at. It feels like you can only see about a mile in every direction due to the curve of the world. But, hey, you're in the panhandle! Even closer to your destination! You're still fired up.
3. Getting a little restless. Your legs need a bit of a stretch. You're starting on the snacks - fixing everyone Ritz and Cheez Whiz in a can. You're thankful when it's time to get gas. That's when you get out of the car and everyone slowly gets out, stretches, and moans before they start out to find their way to the gas station restroom. But, still, you're happy. You are headed to the mountains!
4. This is one of the latter stages. Irritated restlessness. This is where you have got to put your legs on the roof. Roll around. Sleep, if you're able. You pull out your trusty entertainment items and give it another go. Perhaps you didn't see all the little margins of the Mad Magazine. (Dude, I need a Mad Magazine! I miss those! They're like Saturday Night Live on paper.)
5. This stage is the last stage - the end has occured. You're still. You're done looking at your stuff. You just sit. It was inevitable. You've hit the coma. The fight is over. Your butt sinks into one spot and doesn't move. It's a heck of a fight until you get to this point. But, once it hits, you know even getting out at the gas station isn't appealing anymore. This is the final stage. Every stage leads to this one. The comatose traveler.
I noticed these stages in myself every single time I traveled. I'm wondering what my stages to this pandemic will be? I've got to stay busy. I haven't been locked up in place yet. I read an article last night that said it was inevitable. That lady needed to just shut it. I harbor no hard feelings toward her, but I don't want to hear that crap. I've already thought about it. I'm afraid it may happen. I'll report on my stages, when it does. But, I do know, with all my heart, that the key to getting through this is positivity. Everything doesn't have to be gloom and doom.
Ugh. And these stupid young people still partying. Okay, y'all. Sure. "If I get the corona, I get the corona - I'm not gonna let it stop me." I just heard someone say that. I don't care if you get the corona. But, don't you care about the people you'll give it to? That's my main concern. Honesty. Lily and I helped an elderly lady load her groceries a couple of weeks ago. Her eyes were the most beautiful green I've ever seen. She was beautiful. I've thought of her so much. I would never do anything to put her at harm. Or anyone. Most of these restrictions are to not only benefit you, but others. Weaker ones. I don't want to get it, but I'm not worried about it. I hate fever. And I DO NOT want it. But, carrying it around to anyone else, I can't even. This party in the face of the viris - not wise, moron.
I just saw that they're going to put these incredibly tragic pictures on every pack of cigarettes. People just hate smokers, man. I'd like to see them do that with everything that could cause people problems. What's coming next? Wrecked cars on beer bottles? An overweight person on a twinkie wrapper?
Galatians 5 - Yesterday I talked about that freedom. Christ set us free. Free from sin. Free from that old law. Free from fear. Paul expresses that several times in Galatians 5. I really like verses 13-15. "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do no use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed." We have been set free. But we have a responsibility. We aren't free to go run wild. We are free to pursue sin and selfishness. Our responsibility is to serve others. I think our country could use a message like this right now. This virus has got us prone to selfishness, in one way or another. Some people are partying, some people are hoarding toilet paper... Let's put it into balance, y'all. Every time I see someone on the trail, I smile as big as I can, and I talk to them. I want them to know that people are still out there. That we are in this together. Kindness is immune to the virus. I went to a restaurant yesterday, Bund Wok, in Plano. You should go there sometime. Those people are so nice. Everwhere I go, I wish people the very best. And, they wish me the same. We are all in this together. Love your neighbor as yourself. Sure, we've heard this since we were a kid - in elementary school at the very least. But, listen to it. Let's not just sit in our homes, thinking of ourselves. Let's make some phone calls, texts, positive posts. Let's reach out, any way we can, to one another, in love. Let's not bite and devour one another over toilet paper. We are all in this together. And we will get through this. God is in complete control. When things seem like they're spinning out of control. Just stop watching the news for a minute, and go outside. It is absolutely beautiful out there right now. Say a prayer. Calm yourself down. You can do this. God's got you.
Spaghetti - a good "go to" food. Easy - and one of the very first things we all learn to make, besides scrambled egg.
What you'll need:
1 small can tomato sauce
1 normal sized can crushed tomatoes
Spices (oregano, brown sugar, salt, pepper, italian seasoning, garlic)
(or, you can buy marinara sauce - whatever you fancy!)
Meat options:
Baked chicken (350 for about 30 minutes) - ground meat - Italian sausage - breakfast sausage - anyway you want it!
Noodles - any kind - don't let the names fool you - they're all the same. I find that it is quite hard to wrap lasagna noodles around my fork, but hey, do it if you feel it.
All right, let's get it prepared.
Fill up a pot with water, not too much water, it'll boil over. Put some salt (1 tsp) in there, and some olive oil (1 TBS). Bring to a boil, and follow the directions on the box for time. Every noodle type is different. Once done, drain, and rinse with hot water - this keeps the noodles from being too sticky.
Now for the sauce. You can use any meat you want, or not. Every meat I use, I'll put in chopped onion, a bit of fresh, crushed garlic, and cook it until done. I drain it, and while it's draining, I wipe out that skillet I used to cook the meat. Then I pour in my tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes. I will season that with salt, red pepper flakes, oregano, Italian seasoning, and a bit of brown sugar (this sounds grody, but it takes the acidity out of tomatoes). Add the meat, and simmer a until it's all warm.
Make a salad - make some garlic bread in the oven - butter and a little garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and parmesian cheese on top.
Put these things together - enjoy! (I sure like a little feta on my spaghetti!) This dish is like an outfit you can accessorize - look at me - TOTALLY NOT a fashionista... But, I do love food.
I wish you all the very best. You're not alone. Be kind. Think of others. We will get through this. Love.
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