It’s like someone hit the pause button on life. Freeze-It! Every morning I run by the restaurants and shops that have yet to open. There’s no sign of life…no pulse. Every chair is in the same place it was seven weeks ago. Window manikins wear the same outfit. Parked cars haven’t moved in months. The homeless have found new doorways to sleep in, knowing that customers won’t soon cross the threshold. It truly is a ghost town. 

I was struck by the new Rolling Stones single, “Ghosts in a Ghost Town.” It came on the radio – at least, something new. Apparently, it was written months ago, but the words were changed before release, capitalizing on the current state of our dying cities. Yes, a few places have re-opened in the neighborhood, mostly coffee shops and bakeries. Maybe all this caffeine will pump some life into us? 

It’s disturbing how sedate my life has gotten. I haven’t driven my car in weeks, concerned that it may not start when I need it. I didn’t even feel like walking down the street for take-out last night. My wife is frustrated because she needed some variety. We did get a visit from her daughter and her husband last night. They picked up their dog, Falco, after a few nights in our care. As new homeowners, they are taking advantage of “shelter in place” to work on their roof, gutters, and yard. All the noise is disturbing to puppy ears, plus Falco can romp with our schnauzer Tally. Today, both dogs are depressed without companionship.

Double-dog duty is more challenging, but a pleasant disruption from our boring routine of late. I’d blame it on retirement, but most people are now living at a slow pace. They’re either working from home our out-of-work, stuck in front of the TV like most retirees.  Under normal circumstances, we would be packing for Bali. Are better times on the horizon? Some states are opening for what I think is risky business. This virus is tricky and I’m worried that it could once again take control, setting us back from recovery. Maybe they need to hit the “pause button?”

Oregon seems to be content waiting another few weeks to see what happens elsewhere. Everyone is certainly hungry for the streets to return to normal and our economy suffers more with every day of missed work. It would be nice to push “play” and get on with our lives, but too many want “fast forward.” I just don’t want to have to “rewind” only to start this whole thing over again.