Up & Coming Weekly

May 18, 2021

Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.

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WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM MAY 19-25, 2021 UCW 5 OPINION MARGARET DICKSON, Columnist. COMMENTS? Editor@ upandcomingweekly.com. 910-484-6200. As North Carolina approaches a 50% vac- cination rate and begins to climb out of our COVID hole, it is almost impossible not to take stock of where we have been and where we are now. Each of us has experienced this time in our own ways. For me, as frightening and sad as the last year and a half has been, this time has pared down and simplified the way I live. Like millions of others around the world, I have seen mostly my own family, my neighbors with whom I cross paths because of proximity, and a few friends who I knew were being as careful as I was, if not more so. I have not shaken hands with an-other hu- man being in months, and many of my in- teractions have been via Zoom. I am grateful for that technology, but it is not the same as face-to-face contact with family, friends and colleagues. Normal life coming to an abrupt halt in March of 2020 left me with time to fill, and although I am not confident I always did so ef- ficiently, I did learn a few things. For one, I experimented with cooking. Hav- ing lived in and cooked for a family of five, I know how to fill hungry bellies. What I learned during COVID was to try different foods and incorporate them into newly emerging life. ink curry, tarragon, chèvre and, as summer looms, heirloom tomatoes and foods from other cultures. Some dishes have been won- derful, and others not so much, but I learned from every culinary experiment. Not being much of a television consumer — news shows notwithstanding, I discovered the vast programming out there on various stream- ing platforms. And, yes, I did my share of binge-watching, and I feel more pop-culturally literate than I have ever been and recognize some previously unknown-to-me actors. And, more than ever this spring, I have really enjoyed potting plants for the summer and watching them relaxing and growing into the warm weather. Terrified of the COVID-19, pounds that is, what one friend described more vividly as the COVID-40, I tried to keep up with an exercise program even though gyms were shuttered for months. I walked and tried TV yoga, but disci- plining myself to turn video exercise remains a challenge. Millions of us are sporting COVID souvenirs on our bodies. I watched as several of my young friends, both relatives and acquaintances, struggled to get married. ey planned weddings that could not happen. Some postponed them. Some got married quietly with only their families in at- tendance and planned for a later celebration. At least one of those newly married couples has canceled said celebration as they are too busy looking after their new COVID baby! Distance from the busyness of life over the COVID year has reminded me of the Penn- sylvania Amish, a group of people descended from German and Swiss immigrants who to this day choose to live "plain" lives, retaining their traditional 18th and 19th century cul- ture. Many observe prohibitions on electricity, telephones, cars and adhere to dress codes from years gone by. Family and religion are at the center of their lives. While it is hard for me to imagine living that way, I can imagine the peace and serenity that must come with such an ordered life. No one wanted COVID and few expected the pandemic to last as long as it has. Just as the influenza pandemic of 1918 defined the early years of the 20th century, COVID has done that for the early 21st. Both left death, heartbreak and economic disruption in their wakes. ey also reminded us that while hustle- bustle and a go-get-'em attitude can move us along life's road, simplicity and reflection shape our lives as well. Sometimes less really is more. Simplification by MARGARET DICKSON After a pandemic year, many are taking stock of the value of simplicity in their lives — learning new things, taking care of ourselves and spending time with family and friends.

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