Here's hoping that there comes a time when you read this and think, "Oh yeah, I believe I remember that virus thing." Right now, it's pretty much the only thing on the news. Thanks to our meatball President, we blew any chance we had to get on top of this pandemic, and by the time the Federal Government (that is, our Dear Leader) started taking it seriously, it's everywhere. A week ago, we decided to cancel our flight to visit Audrey and Tom in Kansas City. Today, we realize that it was not a good idea a month ago.
Well, as you know, Deborah loves her family, people in general, and travel. This "social distancing" business is not her favorite thing. (I, on the other hand, actually have the moral high ground being the hermit I always wanted to be.) She did say today that if she had to be confined with just one person, I'd be the one she'd choose. I feel good about that.
We're both healthy so far, but of course that can change at any time. We have not isolated ourselves completely; maybe we're bad citizens. I had an eye exam, and Deborah went to the dentist. These visits weren't on a whim; they were overdue, and we decided to get them in while we could. We go to the grocery, and we've gone to a place we bought bird food and to Home Depot. Fortunately, we did not go to several optional outings/visits with friends; that would have been irresponsible. Our anniversary trip to Vienna in seven or eight weeks is looking less and less likely to happen.
There's always the telephone, and the internet, and streaming entertainment. Movie theaters, restaurants, hotels, bars, live performances--out of business for the foreseeable future. Political events have been totally overshadowed. May better times get here in not too long. I'm afraid our concept of 'normal' is going to take a severe beating.
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Friday, March 6, 2020
No Argument
When I read about marriages between people with radically opposed political views, like Mary Matalin / James Carville, George Conway / Kellyanne Conway, or Margaret Thatcher / Fidel Castro (those two crazy kids!), I wonder how it could possibly work. Wouldn't they be arguing constantly? How can they respect each other's values?
I don't have to worry about that. Deborah has the correct political views on everything important. I know they're correct because I have the same views. The most recent example of this is our volunteering for Elizabeth Warren in the current primary season. (Warren dropped out of the race, but thankfully only after sparing me from having to choose between Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden on a ballot. For this I am deeply grateful to her.) I'd have a very hard time sharing much time, let alone a life, with a committed Republican. Deborah may be more tolerant, but she won't have to worry about me going over to the dark side.
We have very similar positions on religion as well: we're straight-up nonbelievers.
On the thousand and one decisions, big and small, that have to be made in life, we have frequently taken opposing positions. We generally defer to the other person when we see that they care more. For instance, Deborah wanted to buy a house before I was ready. I saw that she was determined that this was what we should do (and she was right), so we did it. She deferred to me about whether to stay and add on or move when we needed more space. (I love our neighborhood.) We alternate on choosing cars; she buys Subarus and I buy Hondas.
Money has never been a bone of contention (grrr!), partly because we both had decent incomes and no debts, but mostly because we have similar attitudes about it. Once you have enough to live reasonably well for the foreseeable future, it's not worth worrying about getting or keeping more of it. We don't crave luxuries. Deborah likes traveling; I go along with the bother and expense without much comment. We trust each other completely, so there was no need for separate bank accounts.
It took a while, but eventually Deborah impressed upon me the desirability of having standards of neatness and cleanliness higher than the ones I took into our marriage, and the need for my participation in maintaining those standards. Now I actually look forward to Laundry Day (usually Sunday) and take pride in my dishwashing prowess.
As much as I like arguing online, I don't want to do it at home, and thankfully I never have the occasion to.
I don't have to worry about that. Deborah has the correct political views on everything important. I know they're correct because I have the same views. The most recent example of this is our volunteering for Elizabeth Warren in the current primary season. (Warren dropped out of the race, but thankfully only after sparing me from having to choose between Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden on a ballot. For this I am deeply grateful to her.) I'd have a very hard time sharing much time, let alone a life, with a committed Republican. Deborah may be more tolerant, but she won't have to worry about me going over to the dark side.
We have very similar positions on religion as well: we're straight-up nonbelievers.
On the thousand and one decisions, big and small, that have to be made in life, we have frequently taken opposing positions. We generally defer to the other person when we see that they care more. For instance, Deborah wanted to buy a house before I was ready. I saw that she was determined that this was what we should do (and she was right), so we did it. She deferred to me about whether to stay and add on or move when we needed more space. (I love our neighborhood.) We alternate on choosing cars; she buys Subarus and I buy Hondas.
Money has never been a bone of contention (grrr!), partly because we both had decent incomes and no debts, but mostly because we have similar attitudes about it. Once you have enough to live reasonably well for the foreseeable future, it's not worth worrying about getting or keeping more of it. We don't crave luxuries. Deborah likes traveling; I go along with the bother and expense without much comment. We trust each other completely, so there was no need for separate bank accounts.
It took a while, but eventually Deborah impressed upon me the desirability of having standards of neatness and cleanliness higher than the ones I took into our marriage, and the need for my participation in maintaining those standards. Now I actually look forward to Laundry Day (usually Sunday) and take pride in my dishwashing prowess.
As much as I like arguing online, I don't want to do it at home, and thankfully I never have the occasion to.
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