Page 40 - Sonoma County Gazette May 2020

As we settle into spring, we are all adjusting to vast changes in our lives.
I asked some local folks a few questions regarding basic actions while at home.
Well, that’s been a month I will remember.
Elaine lives above Northwood and tells me that there are two in her household and that the other person shops. She does order supplements online and does not always get dressed. She reminds us that the pandemic has cleared the air of much pollution. If free to go, she would hit the beach.
I know this has happened before, but not in my lifetime.
There is one in the household at Kathie’s in Caz and she does go shopping and also cooks. She doesn’t make any online purchases and does get dressed. She would like to resume her movie nights with friends.
The Spanish Flu killed 2.5 percent of the world’s population in 1918. That would be two hundred million people today. We’re not there yet, so count yourself lucky. We’re not going to get there ever, because we have learned a thing or three since 1918: modern medicine, instantaneous communication over any distance.
And soon enough, we will have our foot on our enemy’s
throat, and we will be merciless.
This language may make you uncomfortable. I get that. I suspect you
are already uncomfortable, especially in the neo-hippie enclave that Camp Meeker can be. We are, as a group, much more inclined to loving and accepting and supporting, and tend to be repelled by talk of war and killing. But hear me out here: all the war propaganda you’ve ever been exposed to applies here, and applies exactly: this time we really ARE facing a mindless, soulless murdering machine, that will eat your lungs to feed its young, which will then repeat the process on your neighbor. This enemy must be exterminated, and I say that with no hyperbole whatsoever. So screw your courage to the sticking post, and do what needs to be done. For yourself, for your grandmother, for all of us.
That is not to say that the peace and love talk is worthless in
this war; oh no, gentle reader, never in life.
Love is never more needed than now.
I picked up some fish and chips last night from Cape Fear. They were working hard, and did not look like they were having fun. I’ve seen this in the faces of everyone I have come across out in the world. They would love
to be sitting at home by the fireplace complaining of cabin fever. LOVE it.
So when you’re out there getting your fish and chips or your gas or your chamomile tea, when you get frustrated that the store is out of what you need, and your mask is reflecting your own warmed-over breath back to you and everything costs too much and you don’t know when your money is going
to run out and you’re ready to scream at someone...remember that when this tense, exhausting twenty minutes is over for you...you get to go home. They get to stay there and repeat that tense, exhausting twenty minutes over and over and over again, all day, then get up and do it again tomorrow.
If you’re in a position where you have a little extra, throw it in the tip jar. Wherever you are, find someone who is coming up a little short – you won’t have to look very far, I promise – and tide them on over.
All right. I’ve hectored you enough for one day. You’re a soldier too. When you’ve had enough of the world, it’s okay to let go. Give yourself permission to stop for the day. Put your feet up, have a hot chocolate, watch some reruns of Barney Miller. Or whatever brings you comfort. When you relax, relax totally. Get your rest. We’ll need you tomorrow.
We will get through this, and we will be stronger as a result.
David, in Caz, has two in the household and one usually shops. Both do cook. He does get dressed and orders pet food and household supplies online. He would go to open his business in Guerneville.
I know that is cold comfort: it is a very unsettling brain stem sensation to realize that, however temporarily, you are not at the top of the food chain. To a virus, humans are slow, stupid prey animals, and this virus is having itself a feast. Too bad for old COVID 19 that humans are not stupid. Slow maybe, but not stupid. We will harden ourselves by boosting our immune systems, and we will fight. We will disrupt the enemy supply lines and make it jump to its death trying to bridge the long, lonely gap between suddenly wary humans. We will study its weaknesses by suborning members of this zombie virus “species” and having them teach our antibodies what to look for.
Nancy has two in her household and one shops. She does order pet food and household supplies online. She does get dressed and would go to the ocean. Linda in Caz has two in the household. Both shop and one cooks. Both do
get dressed and do not order online. She would go to Trader Joe’s.
Caz Gal has one in the household and one shops and cook. She does orders
some food online. She does get dressed and works on her lovely old furniture with beeswax and would take the dog to Doran Beach.
Gregorio in Caz has two in the household. One shops and both cook. They do get dressed and don’t order anything online. He would go to the Salsa Bar at El Favorito in Sebastopol..I would go to the Boathouse in Bodega Bay.
If you are tired of cooking, remember that some of our great local restaurants offer take-out or curbside pick-up or delivery.
Gold Coast Coffee and Bakery in Duncans Mills has a very efficient tent system for yummy baked goods, fresh roasted coffee beans or beverages. Check with Raymond’s Bakery regarding their take-out offerings. Cape
Fear Cafe in Duncans Mills has take-out available, and both Duncans and Cazadero General Stores have sandwiches and soups to go. The Rio Grill
@ Lucy’s in Monte Rio has a variety of take-outs, as does the wonderful Lightwave Cafe next to the skate Park on Bohemian Highway. They feature tasty Israeli/Middle Eastern and California dishes and excellent baked goods. Both Main Street Bistro and Smart Pizzeria in Guerneville offer take-out, plus the Tapatia Taco Truck is always reliable, located in the Safeway lot corner. Cazadero Supply continues to have many items that you need for household, garden and vehicular projects.
The Cazadero community Club sends greetings to all members and others. Dues of $15 for one & $25 per family, send to P.O. Box 3, Cazadero, 95421.
I extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Alby Kass of Guerneville, who passed away on March 31 at the age of 89. Alby
was a generous, wise and talented person, who co-founded the Russian River Jewish Community, sang traditional Yiddish songs, often with Jubilee Klezmer Ensemble. He, and wife Wallie, operated the Riverlane Resort in the middle of Guerneville and helped to found the Russian River Jazz Festival. His two sons and their wives, Larry and Perry, Jonathon and Sarah, and their four children (collectively), all really love the River. Hearing Alby sing Go Down Moses at Passover was an absolute rite of passage. Rest in peace - Alav Hashalom Alby!
So be nice. Give them some love.
We also mourn the loss of true River Rat Doug Norton of Monte Rio at age 68, He was a fervent Giant’s fan. I always think of him dressed as the Chupa Cabra on Halloween in Mexico. Here’s to games at Mays Field!
Give them the best of you. They are your fellow soldiers in this battle.
I wish a very happy May birthday to Marisa Heminway on the 5th and Kelly Amanda Pence on the 6th. Happy anniversary to Cathy and Dennis Schezer on the 12th. Dear friend Tara Caplan will celebrate on the 15th and Christopher Quinn Kelly enjoys the 17th. Brittany Parmeter has her day on the 24th and good friend from Monte Rio, Jan Perlman, on the 25th, with Alphea Johnson on the 26th, Dustin Hubiak on the 29th and Merlin Velasquez-Greer on the 30th along with Greg Parmeter. Celebrate and eat cake!
40 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 5/20