Self isolation then and now

Many of us old folks who grew up in the 30s and 40s lived in isolation and social distancing, it was called living on a farm. Entertainment was scarce so we made our own. We cranked up the Victrola, played a lot of checkers, and if we were lucky enough to have a telephone, we did a little rubber-necking, okay, well maybe a lot of rubber-necking. Our neighbors, the Repps seemed to have the most interesting stuff! It was a special occasion when we would hear the clanging of the distinctive bell and we kids would rush to the window to view the herd of sheep going to another pasture. My mom told me to never go outside alone because people would grab children and make them be apart of their family. Talk about a set up for panic attacks! Fast forward to today, social isolation, but the internet, the cellphone, and the crossword puzzles are helps. We can always turn on the radio and hear Steve Grubbs and his classic western music – bless your heart Steve. I think that these conveniences that we have now make our solitude a little easier.

Carol Stueckle,

Pullman