I know, I am as startled as you about all the amazing things going on around us. I got a suggestion that the continued use of the term “Swamp Postcard” didn’t actually convey what is going on within and emanating from our Nation’s Capital. I had to agree. It has been a year of curious social suspension. Can you a remember a time when leaving the property to visit a store was a matter of discussion and planning? Beyond “Where the heck did I put the keys?”

There was one such conversation at Refuge Farm this morning. It was in light of some errands that had piled up; packages to be sent, a local vote for a County official to be made, some critical supplies and medications to be acquired at the pharmacy.

All were accomplished, and due to complications of parking, cane and production of identification made me forget my mask at a couple of the venues despite the best of intentions. No one seemed to care.

When I eventually returned to my own property, where rules I follow are up to me, the matter seemed to reflect a lessening of the panic over the dread disease. People wanted to make us alarmed, partly because of COVID, but also part of a variety of other things. Now, the utility of the prevention steps seems to have lessened. In fact, all of our hand washing, masking, social avoidance, and self lock-down seems to have eliminated the annual flu season. Or perhaps just called it something else.

That is what is so perplexing about all of it. Since everything is intensely political these days, I am reluctant to slide into another largely political set of issues, but it seems there is something unusual going on. Our President doesn’t seem to working at the top of his game, which admittedly has a track record of interesting lapses. His Press Secretary, Ms Psaki, is now noted for her “circle back” responses to reasonable questions from reporters, or invitations to talk to affected Departments and Agencies directly for answers.

It almost appears that no-one is completely in charge, and our Executive Branch is currently a sort of committee function. The response to swarms of undocumented pre-citizens (is that a correct term? It seems to change rapidly) is a case in point. It is not a crisis. It is a challenge.

The Editorial Staff agrees, being challenged itself and with cocktail hour still so far away. The Lady In Red on the flatscreen tells us we will be within shouting distance of 80 degrees (F) today, and it may cause me to lose a layer or two of winter weather avoidance clothing to relax on the deck out back. But there also may be an opportunity to actually leave the property. That is why the “Postcard” is changing with the pending arrival of some new season.

An alert staff member earnestly announced a touch of blush on one of the trees leading down to the pasture. There may be a change coming, and that will have to be the Weather Report for the week.

Copyright 2021 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com