Apr 20 2023 - Pandemic Done

 

We haven't been thinking about COVID lately.  We see a few masks on people.  The Canadian website has the latest status as of April 17 2023, and there are still thousands - just over 3,000 - people in hospitals and over a hundred in ICU.  There isn't a number given for weekly deaths - only a weekly change in deaths at 57.  I can't tell you want that means.  But it is clear there are still deaths every week from COVID. But it isn't "news" anymore.  CNN stopped updating its tracker on March 20, 2023.  Other sites stopped collecting on March 10, 2023 when data sources were no longer reporting, So is it over?  "Many pandemics eventually become endemic, meaning the infection is still present in a region or population but its behavior is predictable and the numbers of cases and deaths no longer spike. Learning to live with a virus is a key feature of an endemic virus; think flu or even the common cold. But it’s probably true that the transition from pandemic to endemic can only be recognized after it happens." There will be no declaration that the pandemic is over, and the declaration that it has moved on to endemic status will be a hind-mirror moment.  Don't we wonder when that might be.   I am making wreaths in support of Nelles Manor Museum.  It is the oldest heritage house between Kingston and Niagara -on-the-Lake.  I've sold a few already, so hope we might reach the stretch goal of $1,000.  The wreaths are priced in the range of $60 to $80 each, a fabulous price, and no tax!  If you are within driving range, and would consider buying a wreath, check out the Pinterest wreath page HERE.  Or search for Marilyn Cornwell Pinterest Wreaths and they will pop up.   Read more daily posts here: marilyncornwellblogspot.com Purchase works here: Fine Art America- marilyncornwell.com Redbubble - marilyncornwellart.ca

July 11 2020 - Exotic Canada

Canada and exotic do not intersect in my mind.  The definition is 'originating in or characteristic of a distant foreign country, unusual and exciting because of coming (or seeming to come) from far away, especially a tropical country'  Exotic came into use in the 16th century — from Latin and Greek words for "foreign," which came, in turn, from exo-, meaning "outside." By the 17th century it was also being used to describe things that are striking or unusual.  Sounds like European expeditions traveling to tropical regions not explored before.  That's what the Wikipedia timeline looks like.   Aren't we exotic to others particularly with our winters and snow?   There are exotic winter destinations:  For example, CNBC has an article on the top 5 - but they have  chosen Sweden's IceHotel over ours. The list is HERE.   Whistler shows up in other lists.  And isn't Niagara Falls considered a great exotic winter destination with its ice formations?   I wonder all this now in the middle of the extreme heat wave - it seems nostalgic.   Here's Brian's winning image from last year's Lily Show.  The show would be this weekend this year.  This seems nostalgic too.    Nostalgia is a topic of many articles during the Pandemic.  Today there's a headline in the Globe and Mail - what we will find nostalgic about the Pandemic.  I've never heard either of my parents reminisce nostalgically of the Great Depression.  Their stories were of misery and  hardship. This speaks to how well off our society currently is - that we may look back at this time with positive memories.  And then David Berry's story is more about how the brain works than about our social circumstances. Enjoy Brian's favourite results of his hybridizing work.

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June 16 2020 - Pandemic Existentialism

I haven't seen the term existential used this much since my literature classes in University. Here are some of the headlines: The existential crisis you should be having... Triple crisis of pipelines, pesticides and pandemic is an existential threat to... The response to the coronavirus pandemic holds some critical lessons for the other existential crisis facing the planet: climate change. California public transit services face existential crisiswith COVID-19 pandemic... The MBTA faces "existential" long-term budget challenges as the pandemic's impact on revenue... NYC's urban model faces existential crisis in post-pandemic world Pushing mid- and small-sized hospitals into existential crisis .. We hear the term so much, but what is an Existential crises? It is when individuals question whether their lives have meaning, purpose, or value.  There are four key areas:  death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness, according to definitions.   Perhaps it is mostly death and isolation that has taken centre stage in the pandemic. However, there's a second word showing up a lot:  Nihilism.  This is the philosophy where all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or communicated.  The definition says that it is associated with extreme pessimism and radical skepticism that condemns existence.  A true nihilist would believe in nothing, have no loyalties, and no purpose other than, perhaps, an impulse to destroy.  We know who is being associated with this philosophy: Trump Toys With a Let-Them-Die Response to the Pandemic ...Do we embrace therapeutic nihilism and just shrug our shoulders in the face of a pandemic, hoping that it will quickly extinguish itself? The nihilism of Mitch McConnell ... more money to state and local governments as they are dealing with the fiscal catastrophe of the pandemic. I think that the Police Brutality/Black Lives Matter movement has overpowered the pandemic existentialism crisis.  I interpret this to be a war for freedom and meaningfulness.  So while I thought existentialism might drift off, it now seems it will be more and more in the news.  We're back to Marion Jarvie's garden in Toronto, with a few more views.

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May 3 2020 - Sweet Dreams

The Pandemic Nightmare?  People constantly bumping into you. Being late for Zoom meetings.  These are the sorts of dreams being reported. The expert on the CBC talked about the top happy dreams as well.  Flying is a happy dream for most people.  "The dream encourages a person to let go of current issues and allow things to fall naturally into place."  But alas, there are no top ten lists of happy dreams.  Just nightmares.  And of course, lists and lists of what people wish, want, and dream about. These dreams and wishes are something other than what happens in sleeping.  Dreams are things that people think about as cherished aspirations, ambitions or ideals - for example a childhood dream.   Goals are something people do something about - the object of someone's ambition or effort.  It may be that they are connected, that dreaming is a stage of forming goals: "You have to dream before your dreams can come true." ~A.P.J. Abdul Kalam "A dream doesn't become reality through magic;  it takes sweat, determination and hard work. ~Colin Powell Follow you passion, be prepared to work hard and sacrifice, and , above all, don't let anyone limit your dreams. ~Donovan Bailey Our picture today is the orchard of sweet dreams under the night sky.

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