Notes from the Pandemic: Chapter One: These Days: These Days

ThreeBetween the Rains. March 20, 2020It’s been pouring in Los Angeles, off and on for days. To my mind, the rains started coming right around the time the coronavirus started becoming a topic of daily conversation here. Every time a new burst of showers starts tapping on my roof, I can’t help think about things being cleansed – and about the constant number one reminder to everyone, everywhere, to wash their hands.A photographer friend of mine in Jordan emailed me the other day from her home in Amman, where the government has told residents to stay inside. She spoke of things she’d read, about the pandemic being a result of humans’ massive interference with the earth and its ecosystems.“Sitting at home right now, looking through the window, streets are empty,” she wrote. “For the past few days it's raining and thunderstorms, I wonder if it’s Mother nature taking matters in its own hands, washing away everything, protecting us again. Once again I say it all fits in.. as we wait for the aftermath of all this, I can’t help but be hopeful that at the end, like after a fire, the land will live to produce again.”There was a short, sharp outburst of rain yesterday and when I came out of my studio into the garden, the sun was shining brilliantly, everything green and bright and wet. I think my friend, Nadia Bsesio is right that the land (that we humans) will live to produce again. Happy first day of spring, Nadia, from Los Angeles to Amman.
These Days

Three 

Between the Rains. March 20, 2020 

It’s been pouring in Los Angeles, off and on for days. To my mind, the rains started coming right around the time the coronavirus started becoming a topic of daily conversation here. Every time a new burst of showers starts tapping on my roof, I can’t help think about things being cleansed – and about the constant number one reminder to everyone, everywhere, to wash their hands. 

A photographer friend of mine in Jordan emailed me the other day from her home in Amman, where the government has told residents to stay inside. She spoke of things she’d read, about the pandemic being a result of humans’ massive interference with the earth and its ecosystems. 

“Sitting at home right now, looking through the window, streets are empty,” she wrote. “For the past few days it's raining and thunderstorms, I wonder if it’s Mother nature taking matters in its own hands, washing away everything, protecting us again. Once again I say it all fits in.. as we wait for the aftermath of all this, I can’t help but be hopeful that at the end, like after a fire, the land will live to produce again.” 

There was a short, sharp outburst of rain yesterday and when I came out of my studio into the garden, the sun was shining brilliantly, everything green and bright and wet. I think my friend, Nadia Bsesio is right that the land (that we humans) will live to produce again. Happy first day of spring, Nadia, from Los Angeles to Amman.