October 2020 – Spicy…

In my last post, Marred Vision, I told y’all about my excursions with Mr. K, to museums, protests, family visits and such. Did I mention that I have every kind of mask imaginable – batik, African, Good Trouble, A No Justice, No Peace, Project Say Something mask, elastic over my head, some around my ears. I don’t leave home without one. I also wear glasses. Oh yes, I practice COVID-SAFETY. What..,no Where…no, How…Did I contract “IT?”

I thought I had my annual virus, yuck feeling, a few chills, and a three-day heal. Of course, I checked the CDC symptoms. No headache, no fever, no aches, breathing well with maybe a mild, infrequent congested cough. On the fourth day, Tuesday, I felt a sense of malaise. Mr. K thought maybe I was just bored. Hah! We stopped to pick up lunch, went home, and I needed to nap. ( I told y’all about my naps.) So, no problem there, except I slept through the night. The next day I felt tired, but tried to do light housework and made myself take a walk. When I got home, out I went again. This time, I would not leave the couch. I would awaken, feel this nausea, then back to sleep I went, I only awakened to bathe, change ~~underwear~~, then back down to sleep. Maybe every hour or so I would wake up, but feel this yuck, nausea, and back down I’d go. This lasted for 3 days until my daughter, Camille~~, the Dragon Lady,~~ put the kibosh on me. “You gotta go to see your doctor!” Monday, I went; Dr. Santiago tested me for COVID, but not without pondering thyroid problems and even Mono! Tuesday, I learned I tested positive. Today is Friday, and I am still extremely lethargic, with no energy and the yuck feeling every now and then.

Why the transparency? I want you guys to know that :

Don’t play. We were around several people that were not wearing masks. Even though we had ours on, I got IT. I thought I got IT from my son, Miles, who lives with me, but he tested negative. Unfortunately, Mr. K was +.
IT is an enigma. It may not look the way you think it should. If you feel any way outside of normal, GET TESTED. Mr. K is asymptomatic.
VITAMIN UP! I have religiously taken Vitamins D and C for years, adding Zinc during COVID. I do believe that may have helped my condition.

Y’all, I am so blessed! Age 70, with asthma, and here I be, a COVID survivor. I’m not 100% yet, but I’m here, and I do not take IT for granted. I am being cool and healing smart. What?!

_______________________________________________________________________________

Joy Juice

Every day I pray for those that have been affected by this pandemic. I am forever grateful for my loving family and friends that fuss about me. In the midst of these changing times, it is always the time to love strong, not to take a moment for granted. Remember

It’s all good/ love/God – Victorine

Featured Photo by visuals on Unsplash

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Victorine

Author of Be S.A.F.E., StillAware, Faithful, Excellent, now available on Kindle Amazon as an e-book.

“…the book title and its content are intended to be a whisper, reminding us that by taking the time to connect with our spiritual self, we can center through anything and that we are forever within the bubble of God’s protection.”

Don’t forget to check out Garden Spices Magazine, Celebrating our differences.

Mr. K is here visiting from South Carolina. We are COVID safe and cozy here in Bama. What us gon’ do? No more dances and concerts, but plenty of TV. My son is like, “Why y’all looking at your devices as you watch TV?” I’m like, “‘Cause we grown.” We go for masked visits with his folks, walks in the park, silent protests with my folks, and do what we both love – hitting eateries and museums. What?!

Sunday we visited the Huntsville Museum of Art Loved it, especially the Red Clay Survey, displaying work by Alabama artists. Then we picked up some food at my favorite Caribbean restaurant, Mango’s – oxtail and red snapper dinners. Shut up! I was grinning ear-to-ear. Wednesday, we drove to Savannah, TN. After eating delicious catfish at the Catfish Hotel in Shiloh, my history buff, Mr. K. suggested we drive through Shiloh Park. I’m like, “Oh Lort! Art, yes, but a battleground park? Ugh…”

Upon entering the pristine park, we met a few canons and cannonball sculptures, and as we drove further, I noticed the dedicated monuments to Northern states, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa. Of course! The Union won this battle. There was southern representation too, and a massive cemetery, commemorating the dead.

This ground, so reverently silent, had been the backdrop of mass carnage. Young men fighting for what they believed to be just, and death taking no prisoners. This battle killed over 23,000 men.

Shiloh Cemetery

I could not help but think about the subverted battle cry of our current Commander in Chief, receiving nationwide coverage September 29, 2020. How can any American review our bloody past, our Civil War, and invoke a “stand back” and a “stand by” for white supremacists, the misnomer, “Proud Boys?” What do we do to combat a vision of division, the ensuing battleground held by the person at the helm of our country.? We are implored to hold our own perception and act upon it. We must identify the malady of racism by calling it out, denouncing it, and it starts in your neighborhood.

In my small town. Florence, AL racial justice activists are antagonized daily. Mayor Holt is at our helm, and he and other city administrators are complicit by their silence. They will not speak out against Confederate symbols, racism, and how they affect the community. . They will not speak out about the threats of violence received daily on social media. This denial breeds more division, with white supremacists feeling empowered by the silence of the city administration.

The sages say, “Everything must come up to come out,” This is the only way we can find our way to healing. We can no longer stay within the state of denial.

Mayor Holt and the City Council of Florence, I challenge you to step up and publicly denounce racism. Do it before the election, even with the fear of losing racists voters.

This is the first step to a true vision for a small town, then perhaps a nation.

Joy Juice

Critical mass. Those of us willing to transcend the news of the day to hold a vision of togetherness can have a great impact on our country. Counting on a few good men/women to join me. It ain’t easy, but it’s what I can do.

It’s all good/love/God – Victorine

Featured Photo by Alexis Fauvet on Unsplash

Please Like, Subscribe, and Share

Victorine

Author of Be S.A.F.E., StillAware, Faithful, Excellent, now available on Kindle Amazon as an e-book.

Don’t forget to check out Garden Spices Magazine, Celebrating our differences.