It’s so good to be reminded that, as Hamlet said in Act 2 Scene 2, “There’s nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.”
We’ve been despairing about the way we humans have been destroying the natural world we depend on. We are a dangerous species. Out of our reckless greed has come the present pandemic. And out of the pandemic has come some extraodinarily good things. It has evoked the best sides of human nature. (I won’t mention the way it’s also evoked the worst sides of a minority). There ae some marvellously cheering videos going around. The most joyous I’ve seen was one made by African children, dancing a covid-avoiding message. Then there’s a very funny one, The Sound of Music scene on the mountain top but with new words. Self-isolation seems to bring out the creativity in people who usually don’t have the time for it. My study feels suddenly crowded with digital warmth and companionship from a host of unknown people who are usually out at work.

Let’s celebrate the best in human nature. Today two good Chinese friends brought us a cooked meal which they left in our porch. I had flowers from the garden ready to put there before they came, but they were too quick and silent. So I’ve taken in the fried duck and photographed the bouquet which I’ve sent them as an email attachment. Were it not for my eagerness to eat the fried duck and trimmings, I would add the photo here in thanks, not just to Lansi and Amie but to everyone who is cheering everyone else on – thanks to the virus!