I received this epistle from Eileen Hennessy who is an attendee at the Tuesday Club when they come to NZ each year.
From the porch of a little wood house in the Tennessee, America- countryside. Met by an early am birdsong.
I opened your letter and read David’s poem. How fitting after a night of fierce thunderstorms and tornado warnings. Thank you.
As a couple with feet and heart in both countries-
We were in Central Otago on an angling walkabout (which was spectacular early autumn) when all the news broke and Barry and I made the decision (and dash) last Sunday to go back to the USA to be closer (but not too close!) to elderly family and siblings with health challenges.
Los Angeles Airport was ghostly vacant of all but employees.
We are in two-week isolation in a friend’s cabin, as our house is rented until mid-April. Mostly, been sleeping off jet lag and stress of getting our departure for Christchurch and arrivals sorted in 24 hours.
I concur that America is a such a complex place. A country of many countries really. These are very challenging times as we say over and over. My eternal optimist nature continues to hold fast. Though we live in one of those rudderless states. Only direction is coming from the tremendous medical and scientific expertise that is here. For that we are thankful.
The briar in my lip (old Appalachian saying):
Please remember that the current president lost the popular vote of the voters of America. The voters of America elected someone else. The failure was the system and the “strategy” of winning votes in the wrong states. Sadly, this is the result.
This is a rural agricultural community- farming continues. Feed and seed co-ops are busy. It’s finally stopped raining after three months. Perhaps the fields will eventually be dry enough to work.
The Spring woodland ephemeral wildflowers are magnificent. There are many that exist on the Planet only in this small place- the remarkable meeting up of the northern Appalachian and southern Appalachian ecosystems.
Our family members are safe and healthy, though some are in the hot zones of NYC. We worry most about them. Barry’s 92-year-old mum is in her Vermont farmhouse learning new technology. She and I FaceTime. Even when we have not combed our hair.
My nephew defended his dissertation via zoom with his international committee on Friday (a STEM guy and physicist). The Doctor, and his life partner Teresa, await their first baby in 3 weeks.
My god daughter Nora is 10 days from delivery her first also— baby girl, Leona. She has made a most difficult decision to leave Boston and have her baby in New Hampshire at the same hospital her brother was born. And live with her parents for a while. She is lucky to have the choice.
Less virus there but there are no guarantees.
So – we have yet to crack open the work laptops- that will happen tomorrow.
I am finishing up a book about how the Irish saved western civilization. I am surprised about the multiple mentions of cats. What it is about the Irish and cats?
Be well – keep that fidgety mind going – yes! So many of my brilliant school friends would have had their lives muted by drugs in this day. Thankfully – their genius is helping world kind.
Nga mihi aroha
Eileen
Lovely to hear from you Eileen and pleased to see the Tuesday Club notes are being read around the world.
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