Backwoods Blog

NEW NAME

Backwoods Blog;

in the woods and on the road…

It’s hard to believe that it has now been two years since the coronavirus pandemic changed the world as we knew it. When I reflect on those early days of Covid-19 we were ill-prepared (most likely in shock) and we had no idea what was about to come. Many of us thought the shutdown would be relatively short-lived and then we could return to our lives as they were before. Well, it looks like that is not going to happen. Here are the words I wrote at the time in the first blog post back in March 2020.

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. 

Now at the two year mark, I can understand how people want to move ahead and put this covid-era behind us – but metered caution and wariness may still be needed in the months to come. The latest variant (BA.2) is only now beginning to peak in Western Europe and the United Kingdom, with cases already appearing in the US. We just don’t know where this is heading until more data is collected in this ever-changing pandemic. We also need to pause at this two year point and reflect on how much we have lost and the accumulated toll on human lives and humanity. Over six million people world-wide have died from covid and just under one million in the United Sates. This is more deaths in the United States in a two year period than the infamous 1918-19 influenza pandemic when 675,00 Americans died. Move on we must, all I’m saying is we must move forward as changed individuals, holding this collective experience as a reminder of our shared humanity and instilling in each of us a renewed vision for the future.

As you may recall, I started this writer’s blog two years ago in an attempt to make sense of the covid-related havoc we faced in these disrupted times (plus, I suddenly had extra time on my hands). I called it “The Isolation Blues; reflections during covid-19” and while it covered those topics it also expanded to include personal stories, family stories, cultural commentary, an occasional travelogue and even a couple of food reviews. Well, after two years I think it’s time to change the name to better reflect where we’re at now. Since I found myself usually referring to the blog as the “Backwoods Blog” anyways, why not just make the switch and call it that? So there you have it. If you look at the header on top of today’s post you will see the new branding look, “Backwoods Blog; in the woods and on the road…” and we keep right on rolling. 

Comment on the photo: I took several shots of the wood stove in the cabin a couple of weeks ago and nothing seemed to work until this one. All of the other compositions seemed lifeless, just a black stove contrasted to wood tones, other metal surfaces and sunlight. What I liked about this picture was the slender illuminated crack of orange light along the top of the stove. It brought the image to life as it hinted at the blazing fire inside. Have a good week everyone.

Still in the woods,

Dave

March 23, 2022