April Blog

I Saw a Cardinal from a Distance
by Yvonne Dagger

---

"Cardinal" 8"x10" Oil on Canvas by Yvonne Dagger

The other day as I was looking out of my studio window I saw a Cardinal sitting on a branch in a very large tree in my neighbors yard. The little red bird was alone. Sitting and looking from the height of the tree, he seemed isolated, yet I'm sure he knew that his fellow bird friends were close by. In fact, shortly after seeing this little red bird, I saw another red cardinal on another branch on the large tree. 
"Wow..., I thought, "they're practicing "Social distancing" too." 😁

---

In the last month and a half, here in America
and all across the globe,
we humans have added many new phrases
to our vocabulary such as:
Social Distancing
Flattening the Curve
Self-Quarantine
Super-Spreader
Community Spread 
Patient Zero

We are asked by Dr. Anthony Fauci, an infectious disease expert, to "Hunker Down" meaning that we should stay in place...stay at home with the hashtag #AloneTogether.  Our New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, talks about the Apex and flattening the curve...an apex, I've since learned, is the upper most point on a curved path. These phrases have become of late common place. We speak of them as if they had been a part of our speech for years.  Yet, they are all new and quite honestly scary.  It has become for all of us throughout the world a very frightening and uncertain time. ​

As social creatures, many have found the "isolation" part of this pandemic stressful and unnatural. It's in our nature to be social. I think of phrases such as "Reach out and touch someone" and "Give a hug and make someone's day." Not now, though. Now we have to refrain from doing these things. We must adhere to the guidelines placed by the doctors our leaders in order to stop the spread of this deadly COVID-19 virus.  And it's not easy!!

Our lives have changed drastically. People are out of work. Schools, colleges and Universities are closed. Stores are closed. Churches are not holding services and mass. Movie theaters are closed.  Broadway in New York is closed. Restaurants are only serving take out and you have to pick most up at the curbside. Only essential businesses are open and even they are taking great precaution when serving the public. It is unprecedented and extremely way out of the ordinary for us humans. Personally, Dagger and I have had to put his workshops on hold until it is safe to venture out again. It's sad because our main purpose as a team was always to bring education and community service to the patrons and students in libraries and schools. As a result of this isolation, we are unable to share Dagger's message and give the funds we receive to charity.  BUT, we a hopeful that one day soon we will be back to doing what we love so much.

What I have found very interesting during this time are all of the TV, entertainers, comedians and movie stars who have taken to social media to share with the public. Most are cooking and sharing their recipes and creations with the world.  And then some are just talking and sharing their thoughts. It's a great way to keep connected with the outside world.  Somehow these sharing's make one feel less alone.  That's such a God send.

Social media channels truly keep us connected through the waves of technology.

Technology has also helped with schools and teachers.  Children are able to get their assignments on a tablet and have a meeting with their teacher through an app called "Zoom." I never heard of Zoom before, but now it is part of my daily language. By the way, if you don't know what "Zoom" is...it's a video communication and conferencing device to connect others through video and chat.
​Very cool!
There are many God sends that this challenging time has sent to us. 

With all that is going on how can we look on the bright side of things?

I know that with all that we have to encounter currently, we can lose sight of the bright spots in our lives. And if we find ourselves getting  to a point where we'll feel like we're "loosing it" we can bring ourselves back to a place that makes us feel happy and comforted. That place could be a summer scene on the beach or a family gathering.  Whatever it is, it does help to take the stress away.
Then think of all of the people and pets who you love and love you in your life.  Make an imaginary circle of love in your mind with the people and pets in your life. These are the things that help me get through the tough times.  It truly does help...it's so comforting and calms me down so much.

​Another great way of brightening your days is to FaceTime your relatives. We do that all of the time with our grandchildren. It's a fun time.  We love it!!❤️
​
​Being isolated from others is also a wonderful opportunity to do something that you've been meaning to do and that you've never had the time for. Actually starting and finishing a project around the house is a marvelous way of using your time wisely. Read a book, watch an upbeat, funny video or movie. Paint and/or draw a work of art, begin writing a journal and or a book. Do a puzzle. I love word searches😁 I try to time myself and as I do more and more I get faster and faster at solving them. It's fun!
​
In addition, you can practice random acts of kindness by thanking all of the people out on the front lines working to save lives...the healthcare professionals for humans and pets, the grocery workers, truck drivers, delivery people, postal workers, your mail person and on and on...Think of the myriad of ways you can contribute just by staying home and sending a big thank you out through social media. The examples are endless. You could even give your neighbor's a call and brighten their day.   There are so many ways to feel that you've added positive energy to you life and the life of others. It's a remarkable thing , but whenever I send or say "thank you" to someone I feel better than the receiver of the thank you. ❤️🦋😁

Take a moment right now and listen to the birds outside...they are singing songs of hope and happy days ahead.  It's a beautiful song of springtime and new life.

Isolation is what we make of it. It takes a great deal of patience and discipline.  I'm sure that those two little red cardinals I saw sitting on different branches of that big tree knew that each were there even though they were a distance apart. Like the little red cardinals, we need to be reassured that people are there for us...
maybe not at an arms distance or even a paws/hands distance...
But they are there for us...
praying for us, caring for us
and wishing us the best of health and happiness.
​ I wish that for all of you😘
​Can you do the same for me?
​🌸THANK YOU...(I  feel better all ready😁)🌸

🦋💐💐🌷🌹🌸🌼🌺
God Bless you all.
​Have a blessed
🦋🌸Easter and Passover!🌸🦋
Please Be healthy and Be safe,
Happy tales to you,
xoxo Yvonne