Another Sunday in social distance mode. I realize everyone’s daily routines have changed drastically in recent weeks; but my life on the farm hasn’t changed as much as most of yours. The seasonal daily work is pretty much the same with the exceptions that I’m not doing riding lessons and don’t have as many people dropping by as usual.
A number of years ago Ann made the comment, “I’m not sure how you can stand being home by yourself all day. Don’t you miss being with other people”? She was surprised when I responded by going down the list of people I’d interacted with that typical day. Between the students and their family members who often accompany them during lesson time, the various groups that come for programs, a number of volunteers that come a day or two each week, and other individuals that just drop by for one reason or another, the number, especially during the summer, can be measured in the dozens.
The foot traffic on the farm has all changed since the social distancing was implemented. The typical number of people I interact with each day now can be counted on one hand and they are often drive-by visits for some farm-related thing or just to have a brief chat. Ann still interacts with tons of people during phone or electronic media meetings but hardly anyone other than me in face to face discussions these days. It’s a good thing she and I get along!
Sunday afternoons are the one day each week we try to do something off the farm (still in a socially distancing way) so that has become part of our new routine. Sunday mornings are a different story as that usually includes church time and we’ve been listening/watching worship services together the past few Sundays. It’s brought up some questions I hadn’t really thought about before. Such as:
Is it irreverent to listen to or read a sermon while you’re still in bed? Or is it wrong, even blasphemous, to have a live running commentary between us critiquing a sermon or service? And how come some preachers can deliver a message that ties our lives with current events like this pandemic and some sermons can be strong theologically but seem out of touch with the reality of our daily lives? And will people be moved and inspired to grow spirituality as a result of this crisis or, when life returns back to something somewhat normal, or will historical worship service attendees adhere to a new routine that doesn’t include weekly church attendance?
Just pondering on a Sunday evening. It’s an interesting time…
Best trail cam photos of the week:
Note: Wildlife must be socially distancing. I only captured wildlife photos of a rabbit and a raccoon this past week and they weren’t very clear so I’m not including them.
First photo: No, it’s not a coyote wearing a collar. It’s Chub, a Portuguese Podengo, our neighbor’s young dog from next door at Jordan Dairy Farm.
Second photo: It’s Cooper, our English Shepherd and her friend, Watson, Den and Meg’s Australian Shepherd.
