Pat Edwards
Week 6 of the COVID-19 “social distancing” is here and I, for one, am not having a huge problem with it. I am, for the most part, an introvert, anyway. My comfort zone is at home. Jim and I will never be among those seniors who decide to sell their home, store their belongings, uproot their lives, and take off for parts unknown — to see more of the country, experience new and exciting things with the intention of finding a new home when life begins to slow down.
I love to travel and visit places where I’ve never been, especially, but being away for more than two weeks at a time is just not for me. I want and need a home base to return to and family close by with which we can continue to share our life and experiences. Jim is the same, so we are very compatible in that way. We are anxious to plan our next vacation — hopefully with other family members who can travel with us, but until then, we are content to let life slow down a bit; take time to notice jobs that need to be done around the house and yard … and do them instead of passing them by, vowing to get them done … sometime.
I sympathize with those who are much more social than we are — the ones who are champing at the bit to resume get-togethers and activities without worrying about that six-foot spacing required by social distancing. It has to be hard to be confined to the house when, until only recently, it has only been a place where they mainly sleep and sometimes eat each day. Am I wrong? Or does it seem that some of the younger generation don’t have a real sense of “home.” Their jobs and their social activities take up most of their time away from where they live. I’ve also noticed, too, that many more of that same generation are exploring the important role that the concept of “home” can play in their lives. I love seeing and reading about them learning to bake bread, plant gardens, can produce and work and create beautiful things with their hands and hearts. My hope is that this experience of “staying home” will show the others how special “home” can be in our lives if we allow it.
We were able to take a mini-trip today while still social-distancing ourselves from others. Our daughter, Gloria, came by and picked us up to take us with her to Roseburg to deliver a 5th birthday gift to our sweet Harper Lorane Furlong … our oldest great-granddaughter. We first made a side-trip through Wildlife Safari where the beautiful animals were all out and fairly close to the cars as they went by. The sun was out, the grass was a vivid green and our spirits soared. We then dropped off the gift to Harper and were able to talk and throw kisses to her and her sisters out the car window until it was time to leave. I miss those hugs, but seeing them that way was much better than not seeing them at all.
Lil Thompson shared how Lorane residents are able to attend church on Sundays while social-distancing themselves … “Our lovely community enjoyed another wonderfully uplifting service at Lorane Christian Church’s drive-in service on Sunday.” Those wishing to attend this 10 a.m. service, drive their cars into the parking lot and turn on a designated FM station to listen to the church services being broadcast. They sing the hymns together and pray together within the confines of their respective cars. We’ve all learned to be creative while staying safe.
I wanted to alert everyone who drives Territorial toward Lorane to be extra cautious as they traverse the curves at Stoney Point, north of Lorane. Trees have been cut and the drop-offs along that already narrow road are severe as they prepare to begin the rerouting of the road and eliminate the sharp curves in that area. The actual road construction is not due to begin until July 1, but the county is planning to widen the road enough where the trees have been removed and provide a barrier in order to make it safer to drive during the interim.
They have also canceled the meeting set for May 19 at the Lorane Grange to go over the construction plans for this year. It will be rescheduled once the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted.
Above all, stay safe and drive with caution, everyone.
Be sure to check out my personal website! http://allthingslorane.com
