Our Worries Shift. It’s the Small Things That Count.
Two years ago, I rebooted this blog with the intention of documenting life during the pandemic. I wrote about our fears and worries about getting Covid-19, the changing political landscape, and my journey as a writer.
Now a war has erupted in Europe, with bombs being dropped 15 miles from the border of a NATO country, Poland. Russia, specifically Vladimir Putin, seems determined to conquer Ukraine, under the pretense that because it was once part of the defunct Soviet Union, it should be part of it again. In the United States, most citizens are outraged that the sovereignty of an independent country is being challenged with brutal and savage attacks on unarmed men, women and children. An entire country-farmland, hospitals, churches, homes, factories and historical sites-all are being decimated. We’ve imposed sanctions on Russia and sent aid to Ukraine while pledging not to directly involve US troops in any type of military operation. Still the possibility of a World War III looms, as I recall my history lessons outlining the events that led up to World War II. Anything can happen. Life is precious.
So while the spread of the coronavirus has subsided and is beginning to become considered by some scientists more of an endemic than a pandemic; we have other things to worry about. Two weeks ago I was fretting about nuclear contamination as the Russians set fire to a Ukrainian nuclear plant. This week Russia is asking China for some kind of assistance to counteract the economic hit they’re experiencing on the global market as well as the possibility of military supplies. It’s scary when the world powers start taking sides.
One thing most people can agree on is the depravity of Russia’s actions. Our previous President Trump 2016–2020, initially said that Putin “was smart” in his actions to enter Ukraine and declare the Russian army were “peacekeepers.” Hopefully every American can agree that Putin is a liar who has only one agenda, to expand Russia until it resembles the former USSR and to create as much discord in the United States and other free western nations as he can. And as far as the discord goes, the operatives who utilize social media platforms to advance hatred and divisiveness have done an excellent job.
Those who lean more towards the right, are blaming the rising gas prices on President Biden rather than on Russia. Gas prices are complicated and the war in Ukraine was the most recent excuse to escalate the price at the pump, but it’s also related to inflation and it’s the global pandemic that has stalled supply chains and reduced productivity escalating prices.
Yes, everything including food is more expensive. How quickly we forget when our supermarkets had empty shelves. Instead of being happy that once again we can go to the store, dine at restaurants, socialize indoors with friends, I’m hearing complaints about the need to economize. In Maryland, the crocuses and daffodils are in bloom and the previous Sunday we had a St. Paddy’s Day Parade!
We all have our different ways of dealing with stress. I escape into my own little world by creating a new recipe. My husband Peter went a little overboard this week buying too many mushrooms, tomatoes and peppers, so I’m musing over what I’m going to put inside some stuffed peppers while using up leftovers so nothing goes to waste. I wrote a little flash piece about a cake I baked over the weekend and I’m having fun with the sentences. The sun is shining today after unexpected snow on Saturday and a walk always clears my head.
So I close this week on a positive note despite the doom and gloom of war. I hope everyone reading this will keep positive thoughts in their hearts for the people of Ukraine and send financial support if you are able- here are a few organizations: International Committee for the Red Cross Razom, NovaUkraine and Revived Soldiers Ukraine .
Published by Nadja Maril
Nadja Maril is a communications professional who has over 10 years experience as a magazine editor. A writer and journalist, Maril is the author of several books including: “American Lighting 1840–1940”, “Antique Lamp Buyer’s Guide”, “Me, Molly Midnight; the Artist’s Cat”, and “Runaway, Molly Midnight; the Artist’s Cat”. Her short stories and essays have been published in several small online journals including Lunch Ticket, Change Seven, Scarlet Leaf Review and Defunkt Magazine. She has an MFA in creative writing from Stonecoast at the University of Southern Maine. Former Editor-in-Chief of What’s Up ? Publishing, former Editor of Chesapeake Taste Magazine a regional lifestyle magazine based in Annapolis, and former Lighting Editor of Victorian Homes Magazine, Maril has written hundreds of newspaper and magazines articles on a variety of subjects.. View more posts
Originally published at http://nadjamaril.com on March 14, 2022.
