Science Fiction

I'd originally planned to take the cruise a year earlier, but it got postponed.

It was wonderful. I was on Holland America which has smaller ships for the most part and does an amazing job of everything, including cleaning. Indeed, as the cruise progressed the increased cleaning was obvious.

We were very much protected from what was going on at home during that time. On board our conversations tended to be of the "What's the big deal?" variety.

Then we arrived back in San Diego and I flew home to Santa Fe. I found myself in the middle of a very badly plotted s-f novel. And believe me, I know about bad plotting.

I am so very glad I took that cruise. For one thing, it's going to be a while before any of us are getting on a cruise ship again, which for me is too bad because I do love taking a cruise. Even though this was only my second ever.

Once all this is over, a lot of things will be very different. I have my own notions of what those differences will be, but my notions aren't important. Sort of like after the Great Depression and WWII ended, in 1946 is was NOTHING like life in 1927. Likewise, after this so many things will be different that we won't recognize our lives. I truly hope much will be for the better. I do believe that overall we will be looking out for each other in ways we didn't before.

On a mundane and personal level, when I go for a walk in my neighborhood, and if I stop to chat with someone, there's a level of friendliness that I never experienced before. And I do think I sincerely hope, this will be maintained.

I live in a small double cul-de-sac, with about 30 units, and when I see a neighbor I tell them that when this is finally over, even though it may well be a year or more from now, we'll have a block party. Everyone thinks that's a great idea. I do too. And yes, I really do think it will be at least a year before we can have that block party, but when we do it will be wonderful!