After a fortunate two years, the dreaded illness finally entered our house in June after my husband’s business trip. And while we both managed to stay out of the hospital and recover from our initial symptoms, other lingering problems require us to rest and recuperate, a state of being neither of us has the patience for. With flower and vegetable gardens in full swing during a drought, the timing couldn’t be worse.
The fatigue they always talk about is real, requiring us to take turns with the yard duties depending on who has the energy or not. Either way, by high noon, we are relegated to sitting on the patio and watching plants and wildlife do their thing, whether we approve or not. This inactivity has become an exercise in Zen meditation, where nothing is good or bad, it just is. We are too tired to intervene.
Among our observations I’m sad to say that there are fewer pollinators at our house this year, although the lightening bugs are back in force rising up like little satellites of hope at dusk. On a positive note, wrens have finally built a nest in the wren house I put up that sat empty last year. And the bluebirds are back, always a symbol of happiness when they flash their beautiful blues. The rabbits have been quite brazen this year, particularly a buck we call Bad Bunny who was with us last summer. We know it’s still him because he’ll come right up to you, arrogantly munching our clover with a look that says “Yeah, so what are you going to do about it?”
Friends and neighbors have been very kind to us during quarantine, offering to bring us food and run errands. For the most part, we enjoy staying home and sitting out in our garden, comforted by the sense of community offered and counting ourselves lucky even though June hasn’t been the happiest of months.
The bluebirds are here to remind us that joy can still be found if you are waiting for it.
Suburban Satsangs 
This virus is nasty business, and I’m very sorry it has come to you. Your photo is gorgeous.
It’s the gift that just keeps on giving, unfortunately. I hope that you are safe and well these days, my friend.
Sorry to hear the bug finally got you. It seems almost impossible to take enough precautions to avoid it and still have any kind of life. We have been dealing with some long-term effects since at least January, although, for me, it is hard to tell where the fatigue part of it is coming from as there are multiple suspects. I had to go to part time. (So I guess there was a silver lining.)
Hope you are over the worst of the aftereffects in a month or so. Love your garden photos.
Thanks, Mike. I’m sorry that you and Vera have been dealing with this virus, too. I should be grateful that we aren’t worse, but the ups and downs are really frustrating. May you both continue to heal.