The Lighter Side of the Pandemic

The pandemic isn’t anything to laugh about. Still, it helps to look at the lighter side sometimes.

Who thought up the name of this pandemic? The Black Death, Spanish Influenza, and Bird Flu have a romantic sound. Even AIDS and EBOLA have a bit of a ring to them. But Covid-19?

My nomination is Rose Burr. If you look at the photo from the CDC, it looks a bit like one of those burrs you get in your socks and pants when walking across an uncultivated field, except that the stickers in Covid-19 are rose-red.

Here are some changes that have resulted from Rose Burr:

·       Observing “Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day/Week/Month/Year”—this is not me, though; I’ve been working from home for years and discovered early on that I take it more seriously if I dress as I used to when I went to my office in Chicago;

·       Losing track of the days and wondering if it is Facemask Friday yet;

·       Buying masks as fashion accessories—if I have to wear one in public, it should coordinate with my outfit;

·       Wondering what people are afraid of when they wear masks while driving alone in a car;

·       Using quarantine and social distancing as an excuse to stay away from people we don’t like;

·       Justifying the money spent on take-out and delivery as a way to support the restaurant industry—I’m in favor of this, by the way;

·       Getting up at a ridiculously early hour to do grocery shopping with the “at risk” segment of society before the store has a chance to get contaminated after its deep cleaning—and then fearing that I will get the virus from those employees who seem to believe that a face mask can be effective if it covers the mouth but not the nose;

·       Standing in line in the rain because there are too many people in the store already;

·       Learning that “one way” applies to grocery store aisles as well as streets;

·       Experimenting with tried and true dishes because the tried and true ingredients aren’t available;

·       Marveling that we and our non-techie friends have learned how to “attend” livestreamed church services and Zoom Bible studies;

·       Celebrating when we can finally get a haircut—and mourning for friends in states where that hasn’t happened yet.

The first time I saw a picture of the virus I thought, “How pretty.” But I have used my photo software to come up with some that are even more interesting. Here they are:

So hang in there, but don’t forget to look at the lighter side.

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The image at the top of this page is from the CDC and is in the public domain because it is a document produced by the government. The other images are my creative adjustments to the CDC image.

Celebrating at Home

This past Tuesday was Roland’s and my 41^st wedding anniversary. Unless we are traveling, Roland usually takes me out to dinner at Café Borgia and I give him a small but tangible gift. This year we did things a little differently.

Since Café Borgia was still closed to dine-in patrons, Roland and I did the next best thing and ordered take-out meals to eat in the privacy of our home. Roland had ravioli and I had lasagna with cheesecake for dessert. And, of course, lots of their good bread. We used the good dishes and silverware but left the everyday tablecloth on.

My anniversary gift to Roland was also different this year. Instead of getting him something tangible, I ordered the sheet music for “If I Had to Do It All Over Again” by Bobby Springfield. Roland and I listened to Roy Clark singing it on our many trips to Nashville last year, and each time I heard it I thought, “That would be a perfect song for our 50^th wedding anniversary.” But that’s nine years away, and would I even remember about it then?

So I found the sheet music on eBay and sang it to Roland as my anniversary present to him. I can’t give you the full text, or even most of it, without violating copyright laws, but the general message is expressed in the first four measures of the chorus: “If I had to do it all over again, I’d do it with you.”

And I would.

Different Yet Unchanged

The governor of Indiana has lifted the ban on church services if appropriate social distancing measures are in place, and yesterday was my church’s first experiment with inviting people back into the pews. The pastors and deacons didn’t expect social distancing to be a problem because they assumed most people would continue watching the livestream for a while, and they were right. We could even have filled a few more pews, although the communion elements might have run out.

The picture shows only half the sanctuary and doesn’t include the people sitting under the balcony, but it gives you an idea of how full the church was. Since the virus is still out there, though, the attendance probably wasn’t bad.

Choir is unlikely to reconvene before the fall, so any special music consists of solos and family ensembles. That’s why I was in the balcony—to sing a solo for the prelude.

Listening to the recorded version afterwards, I wasn’t happy with my performance. Fortunately, people’s memories of my execution will be fleeting, and that’s as it should be. What’s important is not HOW I did but WHY I did it, which was to praise God and give Him glory. If that’s what my solo conveyed, then it was successful.

As I looked down on the congregation, I thought how different everything looked. But as I participated in the liturgy, listened to the Word, and took communion, I was reminded that the important things are unchangeable. God does not change, nor do the scriptures nor the sacraments He has given us. As it says in Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (ESV)

And no pandemic can change that.

Time to Read Those Long Classics

Although things are beginning to open up, we are still being encouraged to stay home as much as possible. It may be weeks or months--or never--before life goes back to normal, so this may be a good time to read one of those longer classics that you have been putting off for lack of time.

Below is a list of long novels you may wish to read. The page count comes from Amazon, but every version of a novel has a different number of pages. I did not want to take time to check out font sizes, etc., so the given page count is either based on a single unabridged version from a publisher I trust or is an approximated average using several versions.

I have not read everything on this list, but reading tastes differ. They are all well-known and highly regarded, so you may enjoy them more than I think I would. But I will start the list with two that I have read and enjoyed very much.

·       Middlemarch, by George Eliot, approximately 880 pages. George Eliot is one of my favorite authors, and I have read this book several times. It is sort of a multiple romance story but is not light reading like Jane Austin’s books.

·       Bleak House, by Charles Dickens, approximately 960 pages. This novel is partly a satire on the English legal system, but you don’t have to be a lawyer to enjoy the twists and turns and the plight of young love.

·       War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy, approximately 1296 pages. I downloaded this to my Kindle with the hope of getting to it some day. Unfortunately—or perhaps fortunately—I have such a long reading list that it may be a while.

·       Les Misérables, by Victor Hugo, approximately 1462 pages. This is the book behind the musical Les Mis. As with War and Peace, I have downloaded this novel to my Kindle but don’t expect to get to it soon.

·       The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien, approximately 1178 pages. This is another book that I may get to “some time.” It is still under copyright so there is no free Kindle version yet. I don’t mind paying, but I’ll wait until I’m closer to actually reading it. I saw the movie and have also read The Hobbit, which is a sort of prequel to The Lord of the Rings. It should be a good read for anyone who likes fantasy adventures.

·       The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas, approximately 1200 pages. I have not read this book but it should be good reading for people who are interested in early thrillers.

·       Don Quixote, by Miguel de Cervantes, approximately 976 pages. I have not read this novel, either, but many people love it.

For additional suggestions, including a number of more recent books, check out this link: https://www.vulture.com/2016/11/long-books-worth-your-time.html.

Then get reading.

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The picture at the head of this post is one of the original illustrations for Bleak House. It was drawn by Hablot Brown (a/k/a Phiz) in the mid 1800s and shows the three youngest protagonists in this multi-character novel. The drawing is in the public domain because of its age.

It's Still God's Beautiful World

It’s easy to get depressed in the midst of the pandemic, but there is a lot to celebrate, and I’m reminded of it every time I take a walk. In an effort to cheer up everyone (including me), I’m posting photos I have taken since the “shelter in place” order took effect. As you can see, it is still God’s beautiful world.

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The photographs are all © 2020 Kathryn Page Camp.

Coping with Condo Fever

With the coronavirus cancelling many of my activities, I have gotten condo fever. Yes, I can write from home and have plenty to read, but fewer activities create a boring monotony. Still, some good has come from it.

Starting with the Frivolous

My sock drawer finally got organized. (Literally, as you can see from the photo.)

Maintaining a Routine

I am learning that the days tend to blend into each other unless I follow a weekly routine. The markers used to be Women’s Bible Study and photo club on Tuesdays, Stephen Ministry on Wednesdays, choir practice on Thursdays, and church and Adult Bible Class on Sunday mornings. Except for doing church remotely (and an experiment with Adult Bible Class via Zoom), I have had to look for other markers. The ones I selected aren’t new, like my walks on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings and doing laundry on Fridays. But it’s important not to let them slide.

I also find that the week feels more normal if I change as little as possible when adjusting to the new circumstances. For example, I still dress up for church on Sunday mornings even though I attend services in my living room.

Conferencing Flexibly

My normal practice is to attend at least one and preferably two writers’ conferences a year. But the ones I am most interested in may conflict with other activities and obligations. Since we can’t meet in person right now, many organizations are providing learning experiences online at my convenience. Some of that was happening already through various podcasts and webinars, but the offerings have expanded.

The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators had to cancel its summer conference (which didn’t work for me, anyway), so it is providing members with free digital workshops via Zoom. For those who don’t register in time or can’t meet during that time slot, a recorded version of the workshop is available for one month. Two of these workshops are of particular interest to me, and I would have missed out without the pandemic.

Capturing Feelings

The next middle grade historical novel I plan on writing is about a girl whose family lives in a lighthouse. One day when I was suffering from condo fever, I realized that my protagonist will be in a similar situation. So I can draw on how I feel now when I write the scenes that portray her feelings about being stuck on a lonely island.

Trying Something New

I’m ahead on my writing and am ready to begin my next book. My plan was to start the middle grade historical novel I mentioned above. Writing that book would have been fun, and I’m still going to do it. But I’ve been wondering if this wouldn’t be a good time to change things up a bit and try writing a murder mystery for adults. I read the genre but am not sure I’ll be any good at writing it.

Still, this is a good time to take a risk. I don’t think P.D. James has to worry about the competition, but if I can be half as good as she is, I’ll be happy.

So get creative and find your own ways to cope with condo/apartment/house fever.

Nothing Can Stop Easter

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Holy Week and Easter were a disappointment in many ways. Singing in the choir at Easter services and attending Easter breakfast at church have always been highlights of my year, and I missed them greatly. But we can still celebrate what Christ has done for us without all the trappings we have come to expect.

In some ways, Holy Week is the perfect time to suffer through a pandemic. Our suffering reminds us that we suffer because we are sinners. We deserve the effects of this fallen world—including the coronavirus and the current restrictions. But Christ was tempted like we are, yet without sin. [Hebrews 4:15] His suffering was undeserved but chosen. He died to save us from the consequences of our sin. Our suffering during Holy Week reminds us of His suffering and makes us grateful for His agonizing death on the cross and glorious resurrection.

This year I watched my son-in-law’s Easter Sunrise service and joined in with the liturgy and hymns. After that, I watched my own church’s service, again joining in with the liturgy and hymns. Then I had a breakfast somewhat similar to the Easter morning ones served at church in past years. I even dressed up in a new Easter outfit.

Was it the same as worshiping with and enjoying the fellowship of my fellow Christians in other years? Of course not. I miss the physical interaction with my friends and the entire congregation. But it was still a celebration of Christ’s victory over death, and that’s what Easter is all about.

Nothing can stop Easter. The Pharisees tried to kill Jesus, and so—reluctantly—did the Roman authorities. Satan probably danced for joy while Jesus hung on the cross. But none of them succeeded in the end. As it says in 1 Corinthians 15:54b-57 (ESV):

“Death is swallowed up in victory. ⁵⁵O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 

⁵⁶The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷But thanks be to God, who gives the us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

As we celebrate Easter this year, I am reminded of one of my favorite Bible passages. It’s always good to remember Romans 8:35-39, but it seems especially appropriate right now. So my Easter post will leave you with Paul’s words as taken from the English Standard Version.

³⁵Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger or sword? ³⁶As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long,

we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

³⁷No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

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The picture is a stone relief on the exterior of the Helsinki Cathedral in Helsinki, Finland. I took the photo during a trip there in 2019.