pandemic magic

I can’t stay down any longer. I am never fully awake or asleep. For a recovering addict, boredom is my enemy. I need projects and goals to keep some productivity in my day. Without the feeling of accomplishment, my days feel empty.

Tomorrow I will plant my first Victory Garden. All the neighbors are doing one. I’m the weird newcomer but willing to learn. I learned today that saving human hair clippings and spreading them around the yard keeps animals away because of the scary human scent.

I made friends in a new area which is always risky because I’m obviously ‘not from here’. Just the mention of the ‘C’ word elicits many groans of despair that such weirdos can breathe our Texas air. California represents everything that Texas is not. Each is perfect in his own way, but none is satisfactory in the long run.

Artists and weirdos tend toward the west coast. I’m not sure why. Perhaps the sun or the early days of Hollywood continue drawing in Lost Angels the land of light and shine. It’s all based on good health, while the Midwest doesn’t seem to care. The little ‘healthy nut shacks’ set up in some stores reflect just how weird our way of eating is.

Perhaps Native American history or nearby reservations give life to such ancient forms as herbal healing, ritual healings for men in sweat lodges, and certain sage and sweetgrass blessing ceremonies. Treatments for PTSD were being discussed when I left the mountain with great success.

Tribal and Western customs often clash. Reaching for an herbal remedy first, like cranberry juice or echinacea, is a difference between Texas and California. Acupuncture is wonderful and they are common. A 20 minute treatment left him in a relaxed and peaceful state for around 24 hours.

In Texas, people interact with more animals. Sure, it’s cattle land, but pets abound. There are so many strays here that I have made it my goal to only control the area I stay in. I think there were 10 cats before one had 8 kittens recently.

Three stray dogs have turned up in recent months in Piney Woods, one brought to the shelter before the virus shut them down. The other two are still hanging around. Una is a good animal and I bring her inside. She is a rottweiler with an intact tail. Her name is Madam.

I can’t wait for this quarantine to produce miracles that restore health and well-being to the world. That the species regenerate, the forests are renewed and the air is cleaned. As the ozone hole closes, we will all breathe His Light, His Magic, and His Spirit. He will walk among us since we all embody him. He lives in us.