Massage to my Social Media friends

I'm just fully over a very mild covid infection I acquired on the trip to Denmark. I thought it was a minor sinus infection (which I'm prone to) but I tested positive when I got home. I give the credit for my easy case to the 5 vaccine shots I've had and a course of paxlovid antiviral medication. I hope all of you have taken advantage of the amazing vaccines we in the USA are so fortunate to have. If you get symptoms, call your doctor and get tested right away! And have a great day!

From Denmark to COVID

I arrived in Copenhagen on Friday morning, March 3, exhausted. I spent the day in our room at Hotel 71 Nyhavn waiting for Jenny. We went to sleep early on preparation for 4 cold days of touring palaces, castles, churches and museums involving lots of walking and train rides. On Sunday or Monday, I began to have symptoms consistent with a sinus infection. I flew home on Wednesday and did a covid self test this morning (Thursday, March 9). It was positive. Mary Lou left to visit Jenny in New York. I drove her to the airport at 5 am before I took the test. Cody picked me up in New Orleans last night, so I also exposed him to the virus. My own case has been mild. My sx haven't progressed and I feel pretty good. I conferred with Dr. Waguespack today and was prescribed Paxlovid. I should be ok. 

Civilization

(Old draft I never completed(.

Certain events and circumstances in the USA and globally, in particular but not limited to the destructive path of the GOP and Putin's invasion of Ukraine, are quite distressing to me (and to millions of others). They raise questions in my mind of why our species hasn't done better in securing peace and prosperity for all of us. Our well known capacity for narcissism, violence, and dysfunctional ideology has proven resilient despite widespread endorsement of religious and philosophical systems urging us to practice love and compassion with one another. 

At age 70, I've accepted I won't live to see us achieve an enlightened global society. How sad this makes me. I've found myself needing to reassure myself civilization isn't a mistake and a failure. These concerns are embedded in those timeless questions about our place in the universe. 

Where am I with all of this? Here are some thoughts. 

1) We're part of nature, that is, the totality of the knowable universe. That totality is vast, magnificent and mysterious. No manifestation of matter and energy is permanent- everything is dynamic and transient. The universe doesn't resolve around our species; We are a tiny and transient phenomenon that isn't heading toward a teleological goal. Nietzsche captured this in the opening words of his early essay "On truth and lie in an extra-moral sense." 

Or, as I wrote, "In the great scheme of things/no one counts for much/Like seasons on the wind/we come and we go." (from my song "Love's fool").

2. Our species as a whole is intelligent and creative. Over a few thousand years, we've accomplished much. Civilization has produced great benefits for many of us. Our scientific and technological achievements are astonishing with no sign of letting up. We have the capacity to solve every human problem and to achieve universal peace, justice, and prosperity. However, we're not required to do this although one might think Darwinian forces would favor it.

3. My personal situation is close to ideal. I've enjoyed health, success, security, and numerous wonderful experiences. I'm grateful and humbled and my happiness seems unfair in comparison to what unfolds with most other humans. 

4. I was brought up as a Christian in the Methodist Church. The teachings took root and have remained a powerful force in my thoughts, emotions, and actions. I don't believe in traditional Christian dogma but I admire the Biblical Jesus and try to follow his moral and spiritual teachings. I can't conceive of the universe coming into existence without a transcendent agency making it happen. 

5. 

Off to Denmark

Waiting at MSY for the first leg of my journey to Copenhagen. I'm flying first class, having promised myself after our Africa trip I would do so if ever I fly across an ocean. I'm meeting Jenny who invited me to join her after her company meeting in London. How fortunate I am to be doing this. 

If all goes well, I'll arrive in Denmark by way of Detroit and Amsterdam at 9 am, local time tomorrow. We'll stay 5 days before returning next Wednesday. Copenhagen wouldn't have been my first choice for my next international adventure but I couldn't say "No" to time spent with Jenny.