We Americans assume that the rest of the world knows our current social gossip and every other stupid thing that we do. As an aside, did you know that a thing is an old English/Frisian word which means a gathering? The title of this post refers to an actress with less dramatic skills than me who has made a fortune making Hallmark movies. How to explain Hallmark movies? Shmaltzy movies where there is always a happy ending and they use the same actors again and again. It so confusing when you think, “wasn’t she in Alaska last week with creepily handsome veterinarian?” Now she is in a Cajun Christmas where they all eat turducken. It’s not just Icelanders who eat gross food…
Lori Loughlin was recently jailed for a ludicrously short period of time for committing fraud to get her underachieving kids into a good college. LOTS of money was involved and there were other famous perps such as Felicity Huffman who shamefully decided to admit her guilt and take the punishment. Is it just me or did anyone else admire Martha Stewart’s chutzpah when she just admitted her guilt to insider trading and went straight to prison? When released, she walked out, head held high, with a handknitted poncho. Who knew she would be Snoop Dogg’s Bubala? If you are wondering about the Yiddish words, one of my DNA sites revealed, at Christmas, that I am now 1% Ashkenazi Jew. I am embracing all parts of my heritage and I really love Yiddish words – they have that onomatopoeic quality to them.
Why am I pretending to be Lori Loughlin? Having looked through the provisional list of who gets vaccinated in Texas: I am right at the bottom in Group D. That means I will probably have to stay in personal lockdown until April or May. Batshit crazy does not count for anything nor do dodgy cysts in lungs. Teddy might be included in one group of essential workers because he works in Energy.
Just like Lori Loughlin I am also going to prison, figuratively, for the next four months or so, and will I do any of the life affirming challenges I set myself? No and **** No. I really tried in 2020. I wrote funny blogs, I was positive, friendly, checked on elderly family and friends. At first, I lost weight and exercised. One of my neighbors said, ‘there was not a pick on me’ – a chicken reference. I could not bring myself to mix socially so gave ALL of my attention to Teddy. Sometimes I played BOO, other times I walked towards him like a penguin and tried every conceivable way to make him laugh in a difficult time.
Meanwhile I was not processing that I had lost all my contract work with no hope of any more for some years (and how that would affect my self-esteem). I had no inclination to work with the public although I bow down to those that did. My OCD made it impossible for me to be rational about the pandemic. Still wiping down all the packages with disinfectant wipes, even the squirrels’ food. After the summer my mental health faltered in increments, not helped by forgetting to eat but not forgetting to drink…
What I really want to know is, will you still write to me? Physical visits are out but I need some contact with the world. I might create some more Vlogs since Sit Down Comedy was well received. It was exhilarating putting on some makeup and washing my hair – Woo Hoo! I met one of my neighbors in the street and she seemed concerned that I would continue (post vaccination) to be social or even host parties. I said yes but I don’t think it was the truth. Just like everyone else, I have changed profoundly during 2020. I hope I am not less kind but perhaps a little less compliant. Do I really need more societal contact or do I need to live a solitary life better?
I hate to be the one that says it but I really think life will get worse before it gets better and we will be wearing masks for much longer than we think (if we care about other’s safety). Those vaccinated soon will not be fully immune until the second injection and if you don’t get it, will that invite Corona virus mutations? If you are able to, just go to prison with me, and maybe next Christmas will be worth celebrating. If not wear a mask, long after vaccination.
Sending off to Amazon for an orange jumpsuit – only method acting for me, darlings!
Wish for a HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2021 and keep your expectations low without giving up hope.
Postcards from Kerry 