I don’t remember where I first heard of the “curse”. However, I do remember reading about it in several novels by Terry Pratchett. Here is the curse:
May you live in interesting times.
This is now the curse where we find ourselves. Last night I did something that may in a few short days be considered quite risky.
I went to the Theater District of Houston. My Dear Friend and I went to dinner at a restaurant called the Blue Fish. It was crowded. Lots of folks enjoying the sushi and other delectable items. My We shared the grilled salmon.
Then we went across the street to the Wortham Center and saw a work that had been commissioned by the Houston Grand Opera. It was called Marian’s Song.
This short opera told a part of the story about Marian Anderson. She was one of the most celebrated singers of the 20th century who broke racial barriers throughout her career. This was a fusion of opera, spoken word and multimedia projections. Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton wrote the libretto. The performance was inspiring. I was moved. I hope this work grows and moves into the arena of operas around the world. I am looking forward to hearing Ms. Mouton speak at the March meeting of the Women in the Visual and Literary Arts (WiVLA).
What was so risky? I went out in public. I washed my hands 
frequently. I tried not to touch door knobs. I have been practicing punching elevator buttons with my knuckle. The coravirus or COVID-19 could pop up anywhere.
This week I have gotten used to going to any grocery or drug store and seeing people with masks and/or gloves. There is no hand sanitizer, water, toilet paper, etc. available for purchase. I have my small supply. I wash my hands frequently. I am getting to know local pharmacists so they will tell me when the next shipment of supplies is due. Every time I get home, the first thing I do is wash my hands. I am amazed at how many people don’t know how to wash their hands. Isn’t this one of the activities of daily living that we all should have mastered by.….I don’t know.……age 5 or so?
The fear is palpable.
Is this the price I pay because I love living in a big city? I love the Theater District in downtown Houston. What if this all gets worse and performances are cancelled/delayed? Many of the arts were adversely affected by Hurricane Harvey. What could a pandemic do to them?
As I sit at here, having washed my hands twice since getting home 
this afternoon, I contemplate this. I plan as best I can and I contemplate.
Even my cat, Hannah, is showing an interest in how I keep the two of us safe.
Next weekend my Dear Friend and I have tickets for the Houston Ballet and Houston Symphony. I still plan on attending both. I will wash my hands, use hand sanitizer and whatever else I need to do. I still love life in a big international city. We have survived SARS, Y2K, and several hurricanes. When faced with a hurricane, all one can do is grab supplies and hunker down until the danger is passed. We have many more options to survive a pandemic. We will survive COVID-19. We’re Texans by God. Remember the Alamo! I will keep you posted on how it goes.
Until next week.……
