Covid Journal, Day 241: The Importance of Connection

42 this morning, cloudy and windy with occasional bursts of rain. It cleared up during the morning but remains cold. 

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I expect a freeze tonight. A few flowers are still bravely hanging on. I especially like this little volunteer sunflower that just bloomed yesterday amidst a pile of kindling for the firepit. Should I pick it and bring inside? I think I will as it will surely not survive the cold tonight.

One thing that has been reinforced to me during the pandemic is the importance of staying in touch with people. I admit, I'm not the best at calling or writing, but I try to keep up with my online friends, either on Facebook or here on Blogger, as best I can. 

It might seem odd to some that we can feel such connections to each other when we only know each other through our blogs. Over the years I have met a few fellow bloggers, like Connie at WV Fur and Root, Tipper of Blind Pig and the Acorn, and Gretel of  Middle of Nowhere--and of course my cousin John in England, who writes By Stargood and Hanglands, and who I actually got to know through his blog before I ever met him in person. I've talked to a few on the phone too, like Quinn at Comptonia, and private messaged with Joy at A Vintage Green as she helped me learn the ropes of setting up a booth. 

I was surprised when a commenter on this blog, who lives in Washington state, turned out to be the mother of a lady I worked with at the library. Talk about a small world. So of course now I follow Jo Ann's blog too, at Scene Through My Eyes. It's been such a pleasure to get to know all of these online friends, and each one's writing has enriched my life, often providing some lively entertainment, or glimpses into other ways of life like Bill Burke at Somewhere in Ireland, or Jenn who blogs from Canada at Coffee on the Porch With Me or Steve Ferendo's amazing nature photography at Natural World Through My Camera. 

All of these are an enjoyable part of my days, as I check in to see what everyone's been up to. During the pandemic, most aren't posting as often as usual since, like me, they're staying home most of the time and have nothing exciting going on. But I was worried when Weaver of Grass, a blogger I've been following for years, didn't post for a week. Pat is in her mid 80's,and she usually posts almost every day. Other readers learned what happened and shared it in the comments, so that was a relief. Pat was in the hospital, I learned, because she'd fallen and broken her hip. 

More weeks went by, and then a few days ago, a post! Pat is recovering at home now. Praises be, she is one strong lady. 

You might wonder, why do I follow an elderly lady blogger from Yorkshire, England? We have nothing in common except a love of gardening and reading. I can tell you why, though: it's because Pat writes in such a conversational way, sharing what she's cooking or eating, the pain of losing first her husband and then her little dog, the books she's reading, what friends popped by. Honestly, it's like sitting in the kitchen over a cup of tea with my own late mother. I've also enjoyed several books Pat recommended, and am always fascinated by her reports of the weather in her part of the world.

Most of the other bloggers I read are the same--they write in a casual, comfortable way, more like a conversation than anything else. My world is broadened by these far-flung friends, and I am appreciative and glad to have all of them in my life.

As for Pat, I am thrilled to know she's recovering, and hope she will soon be back to blog about the doings of her gardener and how she is still managing to get around and life her life to the fullest.

Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.