There are no verified facts of the origin of the phrase “May you live in interesting times” but it’s pretty well agreed upon it’s a curse and if so, we’re certainly there now.

The neighborhood Facebook pages are filled with posts aimed at connecting us. A neighbor has been posting a series of video kitchen how-to recipes using ingredients most commonly found and ofttimes buried in the back of the cupboard. People are sharing photos of family/pets/backyard wildlife.

Unfortunately there are also a number of sadly hateful trolling posts aimed at feeding the worst part of us.

I’m not buying into it.

I’m an ex-New York City guy who accumulated my home here when my late wife dragged me kicking and screaming into this city, Ypsilanti Michigan for those of you not in this area. Living in a smaller city has its ups and downs but the best of it is the feeling of a tight community and that’s our best and most treasured weapon against the threat of this pandemic.

Early in February I took the first vacation in over 7 years and visited my two daughters in Florida just before we became aware of the spread and danger of Covid-19. I photographed my .. I guess step-granddaughter is the term at the beach in Cape Canaveral, then took some photos of my daughter’s grandmother on her biological dad’s side for her 92nd birthday. Then on to the Tampa area to see the other of my daughters and spend time with her.

The lead blog photo is of the Tampa daughter and the composites below are from that trip including a couple of me she took on a non typical chilly and blustery day near Tampa.

Clicking on the composites will enlarge them full size:

Stay safe