Well, Well. As our sinister 2020 continues galloping along, with election day less than two weeks away, our third national wave of COVID is in full swing. And this time, Montana is not immune. Nearly 1,000 new cases yesterday, and a handful of newly recorded deaths. As some folks continue to nonchalantly traipse around sans mask, it's no wonder infections continue to waft around the population.
The ever evolving stages of isolation, although each unique in its own way, seem to have plateaued with a sameness that is by now familiar. I'm even beginning to make peace with the reality of another long, cold winter. A foot of fresh snow is expected in the next 24 hours, including overnight lows dipping near zero.
I hemmed and hawed all day whether to run today in moderate conditions, then skip tomorrow in the snow storm. Determined instead to enjoy my off day to its fullest, as I look out into the whiteout, my second thoughts are moot. I have run so many winter days, in crappy conditions, my final verdict was that tomorrow I will do so again. Besides, I would have missed the throw back showing of Back to the Future at Cinemark, for $3, which I hadn't seen in years. Great, fun flick. And that's what I'll keep telling myself for three miles tomorrow, tromping through snow banks trying to see my way with blurry, wet sunglasses.
All is not forlorn however. I had a garden for the first time in nearly a decade, complete with heirloom tomatoes, and while not abundant, each tastes like a rare delicacy. The small bag of tender carrots amounted to more than I expected judging from the sparse green tops visible at the end of the season. With a new dry pea/rice/barley mix I picked up this week, I'll add my tomato sauce base, some red potatoes and carrots for a hearty soup. Additionally, I have a new online library account and have made fast progress, just today beginning my third book.
As we all hold our breath for election night, vigilantly praying for a different outcome than four years ago, 2020 threatens to dash our hopes. It all depends solely on who votes and who stays home. I have no doubt the monumental turnout will break all prior voting records by millions. It feels like this is the last ditch effort to rescue the heart and soul of America. Although once the masses have forsaken their goodness, ethics and honesty, the climb back to humanity may be insurmountable. Nothing less than a miracle will save us.
