Day 11: Journal from the Edge of Survival (COVID-19 Shelter-in-place Diary)

We join spokes together in a wheel, but it is the center hole that makes the wagon move. Tao te Ching   Yesterday we ventured out of the house, INTO the heart of the zombie apocalypse. While traffic was definitely thinner than usual, I was surprised not to see the empty streets I expected, replete […]

Day 10: Journal from the Edge of Survival (COVID-19 Shelter-in-place Diary)

The Master stays behind; that is why she is ahead. She is detached from all things; that is why she is one with them. Because she has let go of herself, she is perfectly fulfilled. Tao te Ching   Charlie went missing today. Obviously not TOO missing. There are only so many places he can […]

Day 9: Journal from the Edge of Survival (COVID-19 Shelter-in-place Diary)

Yet mystery and manifestations arise from the same source. This source is called darkness. Darkness within darkness. The gateway to all understanding. Tao te Ching   “Can we watch something normal tonight?” I looked at Charlie, trying to decide if I should point out the narcissism of assuming that what I like to watch is […]

Day 8: Journal from the Edge of Survival (COVID-19 Shelter-in-place Diary)

In which I journal my experiences of being trapped in a house with my husband all day and all night. Every day. Every night.   Practice not-doing, and everything will fall into place. Tao te Ching ————————-   Charlie Doesn’t Listen Let me digress before I even start. It’s important to start this entry with […]

Day 7: Journal from the Edge of Survival (COVID-19 Shelter-in-place Diary)

  Empty your mind of all thoughts. Let your heart be at peace. Watch the turmoil of beings,but contemplate their return. Tao te Ching I walked into the room to hear Charlie talking to himself. This is not unusual. Despite his tendency to clam up around other people, Charlie is his own favorite conversationalist. Those […]

Day 6: Journal from the Edge of Survival (COVID-19 Shelter-in-place Diary)

  If you don’t realize the source,you stumble in confusion and sorrow. When you realize where you come from, you naturally become tolerant, disinterested, amused,kindhearted as a grandmother, dignified as a king.Immersed in the wonder of the Tao, Tao te Ching I want so badly to write about something quirky or kooky that Charlie did. […]

Day 5: Journal from the Edge of Survival (COVID-19 Shelter-in-place Diary)

The Master observes the world but trusts his inner vision.He allows things to come and go. His heart is open as the sky. Tao te Ching Charlie made me go for a walk. He slipped on the harness, grabbed the leash, and tricked me with treats. OK, maybe not EXACTLY that way, but this is my journal […]

Day 4: Journal from the Edge of Survival (COVID-19 Shelter-in-place Diary)

  Be content with what you have;rejoice in the way things are.When you realize there is nothing lacking,the whole world belongs to you. Tao te Ching   Charlie Does Laundry This is not new, or survival-related. Charlie does a lot of the laundry. He’s a house-chore hero on a regular basis. This time, though, as […]

Day 3: Journal from the Edge of Survival (COVID-19 Shelter-in-place Diary)

When a country is in harmony with the Tao, the factories make trucks and tractors. When a country goes counter to the Tao, warheads are stockpiled outside the cities. Tao te Ching Charlie has braved the plague of zombies in California to head to the grocery store. While we have a nice stock of canned […]