A Moment in History

Lately, I'll have a moment when I think about the momentousness of living through this worldwide event, and it almost becomes surreal—especially when I look out at the sunshine and everything appears normal.  Could we ever imagine—the government telling us to stay home, schools closed, stores stripped of products, even the tax deadline is changed—it’s huge!  Yet I don’t feel scared, and no one I’ve come in contact with seems scared either--just cautious.  Almost without exception, the first thing people say to each other these days is something concerning Covid-19 or precautions we're taking.  Right now, we each have one thing in common with every other person if the world!  

I'm continually shocked when they talk about the risks to "older people over 60."  I double-take when I realize that includes me!  Wait!  My parents are the elderly!  Fortunately they're fine, and were surprised I think, when I told them I couldn’t in good conscience drive up to Seattle to visit them this weekend.  My daughter and her husband are working from home and finding creative ways to socialize online.

I realized it would be odd to let this unprecedented moment in history pass without noting it in my online journal--and of course how it relates to my house building.  I’m stocked up on food (not enough toilet paper) and my only outings are to the house site—where we’re mostly outside and can keep our distance.  Nothing has slowed down there—those guys need their paychecks and won’t quit unless forced!  Which is all good for me.  It hasn't escaped me how privileged that sounds under the circumstances! 

Today I’m doing something unusual.  My 15 year old BMW is slowing letting me know that it's old and tired.  The sunroof is disabled, the side mirrors won’t stay in place, the back windshield wiper is broken, the front windshield wipers have only one speed, my lights no longer turn off on auto, my warning beepers are intermittent, the heating/AC fuse keeps blowing, it's going to cost me close to $1000 in service to pass the Oregon emissions test, and yesterday (the final straw) one window refused to roll up.  You can't live in Oregon with one window down!  I've thought of these inconveniences as superficial and age-related, like gray hair and wrinkles, because despite these things, I've always kept up on engine maintenance and it's remained a trustworthy ride.

So this morning I got out the recent Consumer Reports 2020 Car Guide, researched a bit, and narrowed it down to Audi or Lexus.  I went on their websites and “built” (color, options) the car I wanted.  Then I went to Costco.com and entered the same.  Costco hooks you up with participating dealers—who call instantly, they're so bored and hungry—who then check their inventory.  And now in 20 minutes, the Audi salesman is bringing a car to my home for me to test drive!

This is an indication of how some things--while becoming more remote and also more customer friendly--will probably never go back to exactly the way they were.  The pharmacy will now deliver my prescriptions.  My vet comes to the car to get the dog.  My hair gal has offered to make house calls.  And even Starbucks is delivering.  We'll all get lazy, while keeping our distance.  It's an altered world.   

But, there will be some pluses to come out of this whole exercise in isolation—renewed connection.  I've gotten phone calls from friends who I hadn't spoken to in ages.  I've gotten random emails and texts just asking how and what I'm doing.  I know it's from boredom, but that's okay.  I think without the option to interact, we're all beginning to recognize our need for personal connections.  And families are experiencing forced togetherness--I figure in nine months there'll be a lot of babies, and unfortunately, some divorces!  

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Epilogue:  6:30 pm. - I'm home with my new Audi!  I drove back to the dealership with the salesman (he sat in the back seat), filled out the paperwork, wrote a hefty check, and voila!  Two notes.  First, Audi and Lexus are fairly comparable, but I decided not to even test drive the Lexus, because I strongly dislike its current streamlined, flashy look.  And two, Costco is the way to go.  Members get a discount, dealers have to give the lowest price to Costco member, and there's none of that frustrating negotiating!