October 23, 2023
An interlude
It’s hard to believe the pandemic started 3 1/2 years ago and we are still dealing with it. Fortunately, we have vaccines that protect us from serious illness and meds that can help prevent serious illness if needed. We learned much about masking and ventilation that can help prevent other respiratory illnesses. Now, I am careful but not fearful.
I read a recent piece in New York Magazine by Katy Schneider describing something she calls “The Pandemic Skip.” I think it’s an accurate description of those years. Were they really lost? We lived them, experienced life, grew in new ways, and yet, the years are missing in a unique way. Am I really already almost 70? How did that happen? Time moves on regardless of circumstances, but this was unique.
Things are returning to the new normal and we are re-emerging. I don’t know about you, but I channeled my Inner Introvert over the past 3 years. I became much more comfortable being alone or in a small group, more leery of big crowds. Not always excited to go out, then unexpectedly happy when I do. Then I forget about that until the next time. Repeating the scenario regularly.
This weekend I went to Old Growth Old Time, Seattle’s new old time music festival. I had so much fun, delighted to see old friends, reveled playing tunes with others, awed by the performances of bands like the Hurricane Ridge Runners, the Paradise Drifters, Dear Crow, and the Horsenecks, among others. Learned some C-tunes from my old teacher Greg in a workshop. Wore my mask some of the time, but not all the time. Took my chances. All felt right with the world.
Lynn, one of the organizers, was thrilled with the turnout. She was happy to sit at the table selling raffle tickets, near a jam that went on for hours. She wondered if Old Time Music somehow releases oxytocin, which has been described as “The Love Hormone.” More commonly associated with breast feeding and childbirth, it is known to promote positive feelings. Exercise and music can help release it into the system, as can touch, including hugging.
I think she’s on to something. Perhaps that’s the secret reason we love Old Time Music. We sit close together, playing tunes, listening to each other, bonding together. As the band Roustabout printed on their gimme caps: “Old Time Music, Better than it Sounds.” Mark Rubin wrote a wonderful description of Old Time Music for the Austin Chronicle in 2007 with that as its subtitle. The combination of community and music make something special. The world needs more of this. No need for dominance or greed.
Remember to have some fun, hug, laugh, take that awe walk, listen to some music, play some too. Don’t forget to repeat your test in a couple of days if it was negative and your symptoms just began. It can take longer for the test to turn positive now.
I’ll write more this week.
And finally, my caveat is that this is my experience and my opinions, which are subject to change as more information is available. Thanks for reading.
Share this post if you know of others who may be interested. All links are listed at the bottom of this post.
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https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/oxytocin-the-love-hormone
https://www.thecut.com/article/post-covid-pandemic-age-essay.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2022/09/13/mental-health-hope-fatigue-coping/
https://www.discogs.com/release/5750225-Roustabout-Better-Than-It-Sounds
https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2007-03-30/460792/
https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/106901
https://oldgrowtholdtime.org
https://theparadisedrifters.com
https://dearcrowmusic.com
http://www.horsenecks.net