The headline reads, “you can be arrested for coughing.” and “you can be arrested for spitting.” OK, I understand, but I picture people perhaps doing so without fully directing their cough or sneeze directly into their sleeve or hanky. NOT SO. People are coughing on purpose into the face of health workers, deliberately spitting into the face of a policeman, health workers and food delivery personal. Reportedly, a 8 year old child spat into the face of an elderly woman, a prisoner spat into the face of a policeman, a person in a shop spat into the face of a woman clerk when told a product was not in stock; and more horrendous behaviors in the same vain.
Another appalling report; A plea from a trauma physician in Philadelphia reads, “Please Stop Shooting. We need the Beds.” She is referring to the ICU beds sorely in great demand by the Corona Virus victims, numbers rising faster than a rocket launch, well maybe a hot air balloon. In face of this crisis, people are still shooting people and the numbers are accelerating. Yes, this is a time of togetherness, families at home, stuck inside, children ansy and not in school, parents laid off work and so stressed. “Firearm injuries are calamitous for the more than 120,000 people shot each year in the US.” The victims, and attempted suicide victims stress the already impossible demand for ventilators, gloves, masks, meds, blood supplies, staff and more. She goes on to point out that “crime is reportedly down in the US, but shootings have not slowed and even may be increasing. Gun sales are increasing putting children in jeopardy of playing policeman and killing a loved one.
What goes? Again I say, mankind is not “kind,” nor manly/womanly nor capable of coming together in such a crisis. My dream of global cooperation and unity has vanished into the vast deep, dark ocean of toilet paper, wipes and cleaners hoarded world wide. I am desperately trying to maintain my optimistic self and believe in people. It is harder and harder every moment. The adage holds, as citizens trying to live each day, reaching out to one person at a time is feasible, reaching out with love and kindness, caring and controlling tempers is essential. It is possible with some self discipline, understanding and learning to love. Throw away hatred. I can dream can’t I? Be Well all.
Will we learn, can we learn and do everything possible to keep these levels at bay once we get back on the road? If we can not let go of our 4 wheeled autos and everyone wanting to be in the same place at the same time then we will return to the same high pollution levels. Instead, it is imperative that we do learn and stop destroying our earth with our selfish ways.
We knew it was haunted, no live person seemed to live there. We crept by it carefully but bravely. As we grew older we heard stories of the Cobb house being a refuge for the underground railroad which we understood to be a road to freedom for freed slaves in the 1800’s. (the process referred to as “conducting” in the book). We took those facts for granted never questioning the tough process of making this a reality. I thought I knew something about their methods until finishing this startling novel. How juvenile I was in my thinking. The process was thoroughly developed, people were trained without their even knowing exactly what some of their sufferings of torture, stress, uprooting and expectations were to mean. Harriet (Tubman) is quietly introduced as she played her huge role in the stories of rescue. 
Entering from Nashville heading south, passing mile 65 on the Trace, it happened. We were deep into our Audible book (book #14) by Laurie King and her irresistible stories of Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell. This one entitled The Murder of Mary Russell.
