IJ readers share tales of pandemic changes
IJ readers share how pandemic has changed them
We are approaching February, the month many of us equate with love, thanks to Valentine’s Day.
No matter how you feel about the day, a fabricated “Hallmark holiday” or a way to acknowledge your partner or a way for women to celebrate their female friends, aka Galentine’s Day (sorry, guys, there’s nothing comparable for you), it tends to flavor the month.
So for February, please share with the IJ a six-word story about what you’ve learned about love you. Please make it a story with a beginning, middle and end, and not just six adjectives — make us laugh or cry or at the very least feel something.
If you want your story to run in the IJ, please:
• Write “Six-word story” in the subject line
• Send one story. Just one • Include your full name and Marin town in the body of the email (not in the subject line)
• Write your short story in the body of the email (not in the subject line or in an attachment)
• Use proper punctuation (check the dictionary, please)
• Use correct spelling (check the dictionary, please)
• It does not need to rhyme and probably shouldn’t
Send your six-word story to lifestyles@marinij.com by Feb. 12 with “Six-Word Story” in the subject line (this acutually matters). Then look for your story in the Feb. 23 lifestyles section and online.
Last month the IJ asked readers to reflect on how the pandemic has changed them. Here’s what they had to say.
“Leave me alone!” Now it’s acceptable. — Jon A. Marchant, San Rafael
An extended relationship with my pajamas. — Marty Barry, Novato
Elevated to high art: couch potatoing. — John C.
Sakellar, Point Reyes Station
Mom died. Family shattered, grief reigns. — Louise Berto, San Anselmo
Learned I can be very inventive. — Karin Granados, San Rafael
Same old stresses; handling them better. — Judy Ziegler, San Rafael
Another lesson in patience: I flunked. — Linda Allison, San Anselmo
Ever-expanding spiritually while also reducing weight. — Kerstin Nash, Mill Valley
Faced a slower pace, embraced patience. — Cheryl Chakler, Larkspur
Extremely we social settled for e-social. — Frank DeSimone, Tiburon
Alexa, can you cheer me up? — Cindy Ross, Fairfax
“An extended relationship with my pajamas.” — Marty Barry, Novato
Found peace becoming an indoor cat. — Janice Kohnhorst, San Rafael
Ten pounds up and new hairstyle. — Loulie Sutro, Kentfield
Pandemic plus conjunctivitis equal intense itching. — Barbara O’Brien, San Anselmo
Having much gratitude yet more concerns. — Kathy Barrass, San Rafael
Weary and tired, patience has expired. — Courtney Sadowski, San Anselmo
I have read more interesting books. — Robert Stenson, Larkspur
Like Caesar, it came, it conquered. — Hank Simmonds, Kentfield
I have learned patience, damn it. — Buz Johanson, San Rafael
Started cooking, kept cooking, still cooking. — Sue Torres, Fairfax
Empty nest divorce, full nest Zoom. — Mary Allison Tierney, Sausalito
We all need peace and love. — Tho Do, Novato
I can’t deal with my parents. — Kendall Johnson, Larkspur
Walking daily produced less of me. — Susan Savage, Novato
More comfortable alone; created new routines. — Jim Koger, San Rafael
Compassionate tears, months alone, sadness grows. — Katherine Ware, Belvedere
Hello COVID blonde, welcome to 2021. — Laura Miller, Novato
Deepened my faith and community commitment. — Sharon Eide, Novato
Understanding of aging and death grew. — Louise Murphy, San Rafael
Now grateful for friends, family alive. — Jesse Jensen, Terra Linda
My artwork has more intense colors. — Cynthia Pepper, San Rafael
Saved by family, friends and pets. — Debra Fletcher, Kentfield
Stopped blowing leaves and burning wood. — Mary Geving, Woodacre
From beauty queen to SIP, peaceful. — Miki Chavez, San Rafael
Less rushed, quieter, delightful home cooking. — the Rev. George McLaird, Mill Valley
To live life like a cat. — Madeline Kellner, Novato
Still me: writing more postcards, letters. — Nancy Greenfield, Larkspur
Retired: Freedom, travel. Stay home instead. — Rita Lakin, San Rafael
Woke up on the wild side. — Rick Johnson, Novato
Reinforced my faith in God’s sovereignty. — Gigi Bibeault, Terra Linda
Surprise! My hair grew out white. — Susan Storch, Greenbrae
Former road warrior, now happy homebody. — Mona Steinberg, San Anselmo
Adopted Muttville dog, best decision ever. — Nancy Heinemann, San Rafael
Now I’m heroic just staying home. — Kenn Kovitz, Novato
Slowed down and smelled the roses. — Alta Ridley, San Rafael
A greater appreciation for each day. — David Leipsic, San Rafael
Scary blackouts, stopped rushing, confidence regained. — Gailya Magdalena, Lucas Valley
Lost then found in old photos. — Katheryn Holt, Mill Valley
Preparation and vitality yielded peaceful resiliency. — Burton Eubank, Inverness
Cooking like I never cooked before. — Duffy Hurwin, Tiburon
My significant other is truly significant. — Sarah Weller Leipsic, San Rafael
It’s not the pandemic, it’s Trump. — Stuart Brown, San Rafael
Bull mastiff now my best friend. — David Swaim, San Anselmo
How much I appreciate my wife. — Sam Fleeger, Marin City
Renewed realization of what really matters. — Irene Tabet, Mill Valley
Changed from being extravert to introvert. — Erika Zettl, Forest Knolls
My vocabulary grew to include COVID-19. — Claire Miller, San Rafael
Eyes open, brings me new beginnings. — Stacy Burroughs, San Anselmo
Becoming more accepting, but wanting change — Cece Jonsen, Novato
Virus war, coping fatigue, longing hope. — Paul H. Gusciora, San Rafael
Hardened and embittered by Trump-tainted era. — David Curtis, Novato
I love eating in my car. — Diane Wagner, Kentfield
Found myself praying day and night. — Leslie Purdy, Novato
Strengthened family ties; resisting organ recitals. — Susan Mines, Terra Linda
My inner hermit’s no longer inner. — Donna BorokMoss, San Rafael
Sheltering home alone, not so bad. — Richard Schneider, San Rafael
Be more mindful consuming Earth’s resources. — Sandra Massen, Mill Valley
I have become a news junkie. — William Nicholson, Ross
My hidden introvert has achieved dominance. — Lyssa Friedman, Mill Valley
I have become a creative cook. — Everett Bandman, Novato
Normal times, better times, new ideas. — Sue Beittel, San Rafael
Patience — not my virtue, finally learned. — Beverly Rodgers, Mill Valley
More appreciation of friends and freedom. — Barbara Tarasoff, Novato
Masking my face, saps COVID’s pace. — Lois St. Sure, Novato
Patience, understanding, humility, practice makes perfect. — Michael C. Vogel, Mill Valley
Appreciating what was taken for granted. — Maureen Keating, Novato
Confirmed Luddite, first laptop computer WFH. — William Dewey, San Rafael
Granddaughters, remember me? One year lost. — Jerry D. Moore, Novato
I learned to be more patient. — Sergio Franco, San Rafael
One door closes as another opens. — Marilyn Bagshaw, San Rafael
So miffed living like a hermit. — Janice Burke, Novato
Zoom! Renew old friendships. Learn painting. — Barbara Rowe, Mill Valley
Less world travel, busier than ever. — Francis Parnell, Ross
2020: One year suspended in space. — Pamela Lunstead, Novato
Say I don’t give a f$&@. — Karen Arnold, San Rafael
Keeping Joe locked in basement prevents Kamala. — Glenn Axworthy, San Rafael
Patience, impatience, adaptability, flexibility, unbelieving, acceptance. — Joan Watson, Mill Valley
Tragedy losing Trump; need his strength. — Vivian Joy, San Rafael.
“Surprise! My hair grew out white.” — Susan Storch, Greenbrae