Totem Remnant

Almost three years later, the Visitor/Void pole that collected all the sticker badges patients had to wear during the height of COVID-19 has been reduced to only what you see here. It makes me sad. That pole was an odd memorial to that period of time when we were actively trying to stop the spread. Not that I want so see another pole like that in my time. Then again, we don't have that choice, do we? Or maybe we do, and that's the tragedy.

Five Years Later

Here is an essay by Kimberly W. Heiman to help us mark the fifth anniversary of our COVID holidays. Thank you for reading Oddball Magazine this particular Tuesday.

City Haiku

Another blue mask

found outside cemetery,

body still missing.

This Week's Friendly Reminder

There's too much that needs fixing that won't be for a long time.

Things That I Could Have Done Without in 2023: COVID

The year started with COVID. My girlfriend got it in January. It ended in COVID, with both of us getting it in January.

I think 2024 will start with COVID again. If not for me, then someone close to me.

And that death will be normalized. Even if it's my Mom.

 

For Our Special COVID Christmas

Girlfriend made an ingenious addition to her holiday bouquet.

My Personal Post-COVID Christmas

Everything is ready for Molly to come back home for a holiday meal so long as I test negative. Hope the rest of you stay safe regardless of where you travel tomorrow.

Friends

 Enjoy your holiday time as much as you're able to.

Today was my last day of COVID quarantine.

I'm just looking to get into trouble and am welcome to suggestions.

My Girlfriend's Mother After Telling Her I Got COVID

"Okay. Sorry for the plague."

Far more heartwarming than the waves of denial I get when I tell most people.

How Things Work Out in My Home

Sunday Morning

Girlfriend: Chad, I just tested positive for COVID.

Me: Okay, I'll get you soup and other food for the week.

It Happened

My girlfriend tested positive for COVID on Sunday. 

This morning, I tested positive. Almost took me five days. 

In January, she tested positive, and I dodged a bullet.  

I had a small cough but was otherwise asymptomatic until last night. 

I really thought I made it through again.

This morning, no denying. 

I feel awful about this. I was sending Christmas Cards this weekend and saw my Mom on Saturday. 

She's fine so far. 

Sorry friends. I was trying to be a good person.  

I'm also pissed. I'm already trying to get into trouble on social media. 

Totem Update

Haven't checked the Visitor/Void pole since March. Checked it out on Tuesday. Glad it's still up, though it's lost some mystique. Why else would people be putting flyers on it?

Mask Up!

Looks like things are going to get rougher out there, even in Massachusetts. If you've stopped wearing masks, I'd start wearing them again.

How You Used to Be

A post-Covid fiction piece by Shannon O'Connor (who also supplies photography) keeps us going today at Oddball Magazine. 

 

Ditch a Rainbow

 

Taken in late April.

When the Monster Never Sleeps

Glad to have a photo paired up with a poem by Terry Loncaric. Tuesday kicks off nicely over at Oddball Magazine. 

It Survives

It's the first day of Spring, and the Visitor/Void pole has survived another Boston winter. 

This Week's Friendly Reminder

Thanks to people like my girlfriend's students who probably follow good hygiene rules better than most adults I[m around. Please try to follow their example.

All Aboard the Covid Boat!

Girlfriend is feeling better. 

 I still don't have COVID. 

Making her food later. 

Steady as she goes.

First Wednesday Poetry of 2023!

In our week of firsts, welcome Amadeo Mendoza. Given the rising concern of another outbreak, I'm glad to have my photography paired with Armadeo's poem for the first Wednesday entry of the year at Oddball Magazine.