Category: walkabout / local

Coronavirus Diary: April 9, 2020

“Will we be okay if we eat carrots?” I hear a small boy ask his (presumed) mother as they approach me on the sidewalk, and I step out to the street’s bike lane to let them pass at an appropriate social distance.

Today I walk to the local cemetery, while Kim and Charlie exercise in the nearby Tietan Park, all but empty. In contrast, a quick count of walkers within eyeshot among the trees and tombstones comes to twenty-three as I duck into another row of graves to avoid oncomers.

Walking along the street, approaching walkers negotiate for safe passage, often silently, but almost always with a wave, if not a cheerful morning greeting. In two instances, dog walkers stop from across the street and engage in conversation with me and I make impromptu portraits of them and their charges. One notes the irony of the utter splendor of this spring day in contrast to our shared existential fear.

Then I return home to await the YouTube premiere broadcast of Radiohead’s 2000 Dublin concert.

The Prayer Lady

If I head downtown in just the right window of time each day, I can usually see her walking very slowly to some unknown destination.  The first time we encountered, I was walking much faster from behind and called out to avoid startling her.  I could hear, from some distance back, that she seemed to be talking rather loudly to herself or some one unseen.  When she heard me, about to overtake her, she said “Don’t mind me.  I’m only praying.”

We have crossed paths several times.  She always waves and smiles, and then continues to pray aloud.  I have learned that she lives about two blocks from us, caring for and living with her adult autistic son, who has a black belt and martial arts trophies.  Sometimes he is with her, and I notice how gently and carefully he treats her, belying his almost fearsome appearance.   Her daily destination remains a mystery.

First Avenue – 1 April 2020