The horror. The horror.

Mostly cloudy, temperature in the low 80s. We had a brief shower late in the day. This morning, we headed back out to the causeway. The wind was blowing around 13 mph. Lots of people out, most wearing masks or some sort of face covering. It sounds like that may be the norm for a while. We are all going to look like bandits or bank robbers before this is all over.

Sadly, I read where a black man was detained for suspicious behavior simply because he was wearing a scarf around his face, trying to protect himself and others from getting sick.

On the causeway, we spotted the above collection of rocks with people's names painted on them.  Then we noticed the lone, green rock to the side. We got close to see that it said, "Alone together." Nice symbolism.

We are very lucky to be able to take walks during the lock down at such a beautiful place. I can't imagine trying to get through this in New York City. The beauty of the water partially salves the heartache of what we are going through. The pandemic is bad enough, but the lack of leadership deepens the tragedy.

The lies, incompetence, threats, self-aggrandizement, vanity, childishness, pettiness, displacement of responsibility, unconstitutional behavior, gaslighting, etc. would drive me crazy if I had to stay inside all day and had no outlet.

My students just got through reading Conrad's The Heart of Darkness. The famous line, "The horror. The horror" speaks to what happens when we lose our humility. The main character Kurtz seeks greater and greater riches and power, as he ignores any sense of responsibility for his fellow humans. He exploits the natives in Africa and cons them into worshiping him. His ego knows no bounds as he seeks dominion over all things and defies any authority to reign him in. In the end, he realizes what he has done and utters his famous last words. The only difference is that Kurtz at one time had high ideals and a sense of morality, but he lost it when he gained power. I doubt there will ever be a similar, final self-accounting of the horrors committed by this president. He will be too busy "winning," even in defeat.

We came upon this black snake as we crossed one of the bridges. He's a good snake because he helps keep rodents under control. But I agree with Emily Dickinson when she talks about "This narrow fellow in the grass." "His notice sudden is--" and when she sees him, she feels "Zero at the bone." Notice all the "s" sounds in the second quote. She conveys the chill upon seeing a snake in her poem without ever mentioning the word "snake." I, too, moved on quickly.

A kind neighbor puts out bird seed every morning, so this spot on Palm Blvd becomes very popular with parakeets, ducks, and what have you.

This Easter lily is working hard to show that beauty can triumph.