Live Long Enough — You See Everything

I went to three different grocery stores this weekend to make sure I wasn’t in an apocalyptic dream, but in every store, shelves were bare, like I was in some impoverished, third world country. It was so very bizarre to see the freezer case empty at our local Trader Joes. Pavilions was even worse, their produce section was a ghost town where vegetables and fruit used to live. And Vons bread section looked like it was vaporized, except for the King’s Hawaiian bread, which people apparently don’t turn to in times of crisis.

My beloved Italian store, at least had food, but I had to wait one hour and 15 minutes to get it, among a crowd. So much for the three foot rule. Thank God salami and mortadella are worth it – even if they weren’t the reason I went there. I made the trip for grated cheese, but I figured if this ends up being the apocalypse, then, what the hell, I may as well leave this world with a little cholesterol in my veins.

It’s further confirmation that when Italians are stressed they cook and eat, Corona Virus be damned. I’m guessing everyone else must just poop because toilet paper is a very hot commodity right now. And it goes without saying that you’ll have to get scrappy if you want face masks, or hand sanitizer. Good luck. It’s hard to believe it’s come to this, but live long enough and you get to see everything.

As for me, I’m hunkering down, to get some writing done, and am looking for an online replacement for my yoga class. I’m trying to figure out if I should go to work on Monday or just work from home. My cubby mates tease me every time my sinuses make me cough, so maybe I’d be doing them a favor. I feel lucky to have the option, since a lot of people don’t.

I’m hoping my daughter is OK. Of course, she would decide to move to Seattle, where the biggest outbreak of Corona Virus is. I just pray she stays safe. If you’re reading this Milena, stay home and keep washing your hands.

So, I’m going to cook because when times get tough, I make pasta sauce. I invited my son over and we’ll spend a little time together. Don’t worry, we’ll disinfect first. And I’ll watch Netflix and go for long walks. I suggest that whatever it takes to calm you, you do it too. Meditating, long walks, baking, singing along with, or dancing to your favorite songs — all of those work. Or organize a conference, or video call with family or friends. It could be fun, just like you’re together, only without the germs. And most of all, stay healthy and safe, even if it means you’ve washed your hands to nubs.

Or you can do what this wonderful group of Italians did on a dark, deserted street in Sienna, Tuscany. They sang a song together. It was like being with my family in Italy — so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes. The song is called Canto Della Verbena, a popular folk song in Siena expressing local pride. Click on this link: Corona Virus- Italy- Siena and take a listen.

Stay strong, we’ll get through this.

Canto Della Verbena (here are some of the verses)

Nella Piazza del Campo

ci nasce la Verbena,

viva la nostra Siena

viva la nostra Siena.

nella Piazza del Campo

ci nasce la Verbena,

viva la nostra Siena

la più bella delle città.

In the Piazza del Campo

there grows the Verbena
long live our Siena

long live our Siena.
in the Piazza del Campo

there grows the Verbena,
long live our Siena

the most beautiful of cities.