Backwoods Blog

MILES DAVIS

The Isolation Blues;

reflections during covid-19

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“I’ve been painting and sketching all my life. Also, for my tailor I used to draw my suits, ’cause he couldn’t speak English…It’s like therapy for me, and keeps my mind occupied with something positive when I’m not playing music.” 

Miles Davis

Here we are one week into the new reality of COVID-19.  Just a scant ten days ago I was having a drink with a colleague in a crowded little pub along the Bucksport waterfront and now that seems like a lifetime ago. Now we are hunkering down (for who knows how long) in our homes and secluded locations heeding recommendations of the CDC and national leaders to withdraw from direct social contact as much as necessary in hopes of “flattening the curve.”  Social-distancing and self-quarantine are the new buzz words as we try to contain the spread of the coronavirus.  But these self-isolating practices also introduce a new challenge into the mix, how do we keep from feeling isolated, lonely or bored when so many of our social constructs have been removed? How do we survive the isolation blues? This writer’s blog is my attempt to sort it out (perhaps) and offer occasional insights from my circumstance-imposed isolation in the backwoods.  

Of course I am not self-isolating alone.  Linda is here and there are two cats involved as well, so that keeps things pretty interesting right there. It also leaves plenty of time for Netflix and other streaming options. There is a new Miles Davis documentary on PBS titled “Birth of the Cool” that Linda and I just watched. As many of you know I’m a big Miles Davis fan but I never realized he was also an accomplished artist. Painting, sketching and music (as well as his wardrobe and snazzy sport cars) were all creative outlets for his genius.  As Miles said, “…art keeps my mind occupied with something positive when I’m not playing music.”  Artistic expression keeps our spirit alive even if outer circumstances are not favorable.  Cooking, gardening, woodworking, writing, painting or music are just a modest sample of our human creative expression.  Since the time we once spent in social contexts is now being spent at home, why not spend it doing the things you always wanted to do but never had the time? Instead of a closing, perhaps COVID-19 could be an opening to something new and creative. For me, just putting on some Miles music instantly changes the mood and swing of the moment. It’s hard to stay too down for too long when the music is on. The jazz and blues greats used to say, “To really sing the blues you have to earn the blues.”  And when times are hard and life is unpredictable that’s when the blues really come into play. This is our time to earn it. These are the days of the isolation blues…

In the woods,

Dave

March 20, 2020