TALES FROM A TIME OF COVID 19 – ELEVENTH IN A SERIES

ALL ABOUT THE ARTS

I may not have been as adversely affected by Covid-19 as some have been.

Retiring over 10 years ago and being widowed 7 years ago already necessitated some adjustments to the life I knew and loved.  I do not watch television at all, but, since live performances have been on hold, I have rediscovered listening to the wealth of high-quality CDs that I have.  I find them more satisfying than most of the admittedly well-meaning and admirable attempts at virtual performances.

Of course, not being with close friends is a loss, but in addition to talking with them by phone, I have been calling some really out-of-the-past friends that I wouldn’t have seen during the last 9 months even without a pandemic, and have loved reconnecting with them.

Though I’m not a fancy cook, I am a natural-foods person and have tried to make healthy new recipes and interesting dinners, even for just one person and even during disheartening times.  I’ve also taken the opportunity of more time at home to go through closets, storage areas, filing cabinets, drawers, book shelves, etc.  Each project feels good when it’s done, but the first step is usually the hardest!

Of course, it’s rewarding to feel needed!  Though I didn’t have children, I have a niece in town with 2 children doing all online school while Mom works 4 days a week at Children’s Hospital.  It’s been a joy to be with them 2 days a week.

I have the blessing of good health and rarely miss a day of walking 2-3 miles.  I try to thank God for His purposes even in seemingly bad circumstances and ask Him to enliven my spirit with His.

Judy Martin, musician

Published by ALL ABOUT THE ARTS

Rafael de Acha has enjoyed a distinguished career in the arts as a performer, stage director, producer, and educator. He was born and grew up in Cuba. At the age of 17 he moved to the United States to study Drama at the University of Minnesota, and later Languages at L.A. City College, Music at the Juilliard School of Music, at the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music, and at the New England Conservatory of Music, from which he received the Master's degree. He has taught courses on the History of Music at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and at Florida International University, and contributed writings and reviews to Seen and Heard International (www.seenandheard-international.com ) and to this blog. He co-founded the award-winning New Theatre in Coral Gables, Florida, where he produced and staged twenty seasons of classical and contemporary theater, including fifty world premieres of plays that went on to have international and national productions on and off Broadway, including Ana in the Tropics by Nilo Cruz (Pulitzer Prize for Drama 2002 and Tony Nomination 2003.) In 2006 he was presented with a citation from The Dade County Cultural Affairs Council for “trailblazing contributions to the arts in South Florida.”