Enjoying my fortress of solitude

by chuckofish

Easter will be odd this year, what with online services and self-isolation. There won’t be any family get-togethers or shared ham dinners, and there probably won’t be many Easter baskets, but we’ll all make do. My goals involve getting outdoors to look for signs of spring,

and baking a yummy cake, albeit not one this elaborate.

It’s cute, but not very appetizing.

We will attend a short church service via Zoom (and maybe get hacked as a result), but aside from doing no work, I’m not sure how else I can make Easter different from the rest of the week. I guess that’s the point; we should remember Easter every day.

Above all, this self-isolation has made me realize what a cloistered life I lead and how little I miss contact with people outside my very small circle of family and friends. We live in a country where it is assumed that happiness requires a busy social life. The truth is that many of us prefer solitude and only feel comfortable among a select few. Limiting my social circle suits me fine. It may not make for many entertaining blog posts but it does make me happy. Here’s to puttering, thinking and cultivating repose!

Once this pandemic is over and we get back to ‘normal’ I’ll be channeling the comic book guy from the Simpsons (I think I’m beginning to look like him, too):

Have a Happy Easter and remember, solitude does not mean that you are alone in the world.

Come unto me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matthew 11:20).