It’s like we’re living a movie. Specifically, Groundhog Day - the 27 year old Bill Murray film in which he’s trapped in a time loop, only to live the same day over and over and over.  

• 645am wake up
• 700am walk the dogs
• 8am read the newspaper, get frightened
• 9am turn on CNBC. Get frightened
• 930am Run
• 1030am Walk the dogs
• 11am Practice drums
• 12pm Lunch
• 1pm Executive time, like Trump :)
• 330pm Walk the dogs
• 430pm Visit neighbor, socially distancing
• 530pm Watch CNBC, get frightened
• 630pm Dinner
• 730pm Watch NBC Nightly News, get frightened
• 8pm Watch Mad Money w Jim Cramer, get frightened
• 830pm Netflix
• 10pm Lights out
• Rinse, Repeat

That’s what it’s been like during the almost four weeks of self quarantining  here in Hilton Head, SC.  Probably not much different from what life is like for you in Wiscasset and the midcoast. Those lists of things to do and notes on calendars by which we lived a month ago - well, not so important now.  Not so full, either.

This last week began with a friend being admitted to Miles Memorial in Damariscotta. He came home a few days later, with more questions than answers.  But, he is home.

A friend called, just to chat and offer info about how pretty the weather has been and how some flowers are poking through the ground, despite bits of snow and ice on paved driveways.  No such cold stuff here.  Temps have been in the low 70s with clear skies.  Ironic - such gorgeous weather while none of us is in a position to fully appreciate it as long as we have Covid 19 lurking.  The question really is how to live with the Lurker. 

For you in Wiscasset and us in Hilton Head, our response has been to be creative and kind.

Ames True Value is offering contactless commerce: call and place an order and they’ll bring it out to the car.  Mammy’s Bakery, Water Street Kitchen, and LVB are also doing takeout - high quality offerings. Elizabeth Palmer, Peter and Terri Wells and other denizens of Federal Street began ringing church bells and cow bells at Noon to show solidarity in the face of the Lurker.

While in Hilton Head, the Easter Bunny sent an email to the nabors on our street saying he/she wanted to visit.  By mid-afternoon, dozens of people had unfolded their lawn furniture and lined the chairs alongside the road as if they were on Federal Street for the 4th of July parade.

I’ve learned a number of things over the past four weeks.  One lesson is that, while I may think I’m a loner, I’m not.  24/7 with my wife is fine.  But Barbra Streisand and Bette Midler and Perry Como were right. “People” need people, and “You Got to Have Friends”.