Page 30 - Sonoma County Gazette May 2020

The silence was blessed.
It’s Spring In The Time Of Coronavirus!
So, what are you up to as the plague keeps us under wraps? Staying at home may mean the opportunity for observation is limited. However, keep your eyes peeled - a myriad of observations are there to be made.
In the first few days after the pandemic came home to roost and we were told to shelter in place, the chatter stopped. We didn’t know what to say. We were not prepared for a pandemic. That was supposed to stay in China where there are so many, many people, or in Africa, where the living standards are so low. The Executive-in-Chief mirrored our disbelief, saying it was nothing, it would disappear “like a miracle.” My son wrote, “It’s just a flu.” We shrugged and stayed home. It was a vacation.
Birds and Wildlife: Not being an aviary expert my only method of identification is size, color, and behavior. Each morning many birds land in the garden to search for seeds and insects. Blue Jays, identifiable by color, stand erect with chest thrust forward and exude an attitude of superiority. Around them flit many small birds that dash about seeking foodstuffs in the trees
and garden. Interestingly wild turkeys pass in procession, some of the males strutting their stuff, calling out a cacophony of clucks as they pass along.
The traffic slowed down. Optimists said this might be the cure of global warming. See how easy it is, how nice, to stay home with our families.
But little by little, the traffic returns. And the chatter, on Facebook, even on the neighborly Next Door once filled with missing pets, moved on to commentaries, comparisons of who was really playing by the rules, and who was not.
Hummingbirds flitter among fresh spring flowers as small grey birds land and take off in unison. One day our little dog was animated by a large black bird resting on an Oak limb. It was likely a crow. The dog ran barking after the bird as it flew away. Following from behind and above a second large crow descended and swished the dog with a Darwinian move missing his backside by three to four inches.
The rules tightened, and so did our isolation. If we saw someone walking the trail without a mask, we glowered and moved twenty feet away, just in case. Now separation replaced the surge of unanimity; we were no longer “all in this together.” Once again, some were better than others.
We lost the right of assembly. Told not to go to church on Sunday, some roared that we had lost the right to practice our religion.
This year a neighbor used weed poison to kill grasses on the adjacent property bordering 6-8 homes nearby. As a result the deer seldom graze on this part of the property as they used to do. That’s probably good because it’s possible the poison may cause cancer in the wild ones. Does anyone know about the impact of Round Up and other weed killers on wildlife?
Last week, when we were told masks were now mandatory, police cars appeared at the entrance to the Regional Park.
Gun sales increased, as did domestic violence.
Where have all the people gone? At Whole Foods last week, the aisles were empty, except for a few brave (or were they stupid?) souls, all wearing masks.
The Healthy Parade: Out front the hill on the street crests as the road extends in a circular fashion to another street and forms a lengthy “U” shape walking/running/hiking path. From early in the morning through late evening hours a sporadic line of people, children, and dogs pass by there. We often note, “Here comes the parade,” when families pushing baby carriages and children holding leashes pass by resplendent in a variety of colors. Others following the path are serious joggers who check their watches at the top of the hill. Interspersed are a variety of dog walkers, some leashed, others not, depending on the dog’s behavior and the owner’s sentiment. There are dogs in multiples and singles. Dog owners exchange pleasantries and always ask the usual questions. “How old?” “What kind?” “Friendly?” “He/she’s a beauty.” “Come here, Bruiser.” While all this takes place the dogs are sniffing each other, barking and jumping around on extended leashes.
It would be great to hear or read about the things happening in your community. There must be many interesting stories that arise when neighbors have time to interact. What trials and tribulations have arisen as a result of having to stay home during this period? Send a letter to this paper. Of all the editors in Sonoma County, the editor of this paper is the most likely to print your observations.
Repeat Performance – Last Month’s Message:
We have lost the right to smile.
Despite cheering promises that the Fed would “open the economy” soon, the crisis hovered over our heads.
Yet...the Farmer’s Market was lively. We have learned to chat through our masks. We were used to the maze of lines at the entrance, just like baggage claim. We knew we couldn’t touch the food. We didn’t.
The farmers served us. It was like the old local grocery stores I remember from childhood. We pointed to what we wanted, and the farmer set it aside. We had a special place to check out and pay.
Our farmers had rallied. Responding to a surge of requests for food boxes, farmers, devastated by loss of their primary markets, the restaurants and the schools, switched to food deliveries and doubled their Community Supported Agriculture, taking orders and preparing weekly food boxes for pick-up at the entrance to the farm or in new locations.
So, what’s happening in your neighborhood?
The vibrant Sonoma County farm advocates rallied. Web sites, starting with the FarmTrails website, displayed offerings from local farms. Zoom calls presented discussions about how to install new CSA software.
Ross Cannard’s farm had supplied produce to the iconic Chez Panisse restaurant. Responding to the challenge, Chez Panisse offered food boxes supplied by its usual sources. Cannard Family Farm was in business.
Stay well – Make your change of pace a creative and friendly one!
Ross added a local CSA. He delivered boxes for pickup at Baker & Cook in Boyes. Co-owner Nick Demarest is a friend; he had worked at Chez Panisse. Another friend Phil Catouri iss a vintner; Cannard added wine to his menu. Baker and Cook sold their scrumptious pastries. The number of boxes doubled.
Be certain to complete your CENSUS questionnaire!!
Next weekend, the Sonoma Ecology Center will be giving away Victory Garden packages of seeds and starts in front of City Hall.
Most people have received an invitation in the mail to complete the 2020 U.S. Census on line or by mail. To complete the Census on line go to the website: my2020census.gov and follow the instructions.
Our exemplary food network, which had lapsed into quiescence, gone boutique, has re-emerged out the gloaming.as farmers leap into action and a gateway of brilliant possibility opens.
If you do not have access to a computer, at some point, someone will knock on your door and announce he/she is your friendly local enumerator from the Census Bureau. The person will ask who lives at the address and leave
a Census Questionnaire with you. It’s easy to complete and return. Return postage is free. Your answers are confidential. Be counted today!
We could drive less and eat well, repairing our battered planet, coming out of doors to walk and picnic, playing with our kids and having parties, working together to repair the world, tikkun.
It’s to your advantage to be certain you are counted.
If.
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