Shelter in Place, San Francisco, December 27, 2020
This is the week when the media, the critics, and the pundits summarize the year: the best, the worst, the highs, the lows, the most bizarre. For me, a review of 2020 feels like a foggy, slow-motion dream of barely skirted disasters: the virus, of course, racial reckoning, the fires, the growing drought, the near demise of the democracy I’ve always taken for granted — apocalyptic threats that swirled around my cozy, sequestered life but never quite came through my door. I know how lucky I am.
Inside, there were smaller pleasures to be had: a deeper, albeit remote connection with my siblings, friends, and kids; new hips implanted in-between the virus spikes; pure awe and gratitude for the dedication of the journalism, medical and science professions; some remarkable performances that heralded the survival and the healing power of the arts; an affirmation and strengthening of the bond with the man I share this house and life with; a garden, of course, and a photo project that started as a whim and has grown into a lifeline.
To have the strength to take a walk around the block and to find this little bit of artistry chalked outside a neighbor’s house are miracles in themselves, and the drawing on the sidewalk pretty much sums up my year.
Day 276: Christmas 2020, with love to friends and family
Shelter in Place, San Francisco, December 24, 2020
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on
Our troubles will be out of sight
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yule-tide gay
From now on
Our troubles will be miles away
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Through the years we all will be together
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithfull friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
Through the years
We all will be together
If the fates allow
So hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now
— Hugh Martin, 1943
Day 274: Staying Home
Shelter in Place, San Francisco, December 23, 2020
The butcher shop near the church is packed this morning, honoring us old folks with an early and uncluttered extra hour. Across the street, its regulars have formed a small, respectful line in front of the corner store to buy lottery tickets they hope will counter this wretched year. Nearby, the strange little costume shop sports cheerful nutcrackers big and small, though no line of people wait to get inside. Farther along, the tea shop is offering takeout cucumber sandwiches, and the Chinese restaurant on our corner has opened early for takeout dumplings. This is our neighborhood.
We’ve tried, this Christmas season, to buy from small businesses, art organizations, and individuals - local, when possible - in order to support those most in danger from the shutdown and the reticence of the federal government to do its job. There is something special about rediscovering the lifeblood of our neighborhood in these dire times and doing what we can to help local businesses survive. We are grateful for their presence along these empty streets and, as we spend the holidays at home, we hope they will still be here when all of this is over.