COVID Calgon Moments: Virtually Impossible (?)

Hearken back, halcyon:  As the social and psychological effects of the pandemic continue to be felt by all, it is natural to look back in search of the "good ol' days". You know, the time before this viral varmint came a calling to our country, county, and eventually home town. Okay, so you can't literally turn back the clock, but perhaps you can at least 'suspend' time and space for a brief period in order to achieve some respite: "Can't I get a reprieve from this constant cacophony of negative news...from all the demands of others?!" Yes, Virginia, there is such a thing, at least 'virtually'! If we can't make COVID go away on our time frame, we can at least take ourselves away from COVID, at least for a.....'New York Minute'. For those of you over the age of ?, you will readily recall the Calgon commercial, featuring the caption "Calgon take me away! Lose yourself in luxury". The idyllic scene depicts a woman soaking in suds (we are led to believe she sought the sanctuary of her bathroom, away from children and other household responsibilities, sans a cell phone--the glass of Chablis I imagined in the background has come to be replaced with a Starbuck's latte...). Ahhhhh, paradise!                                                                                                                                                 

Love, Hate: "Water always wins" A highly used quote by both meteorological prognosticators and home improvement hosts. It's a nod to one of the most powerful forces of nature. Duh! Too much and you get torrents of rain, floods, and tsunamis; too little, draught and increased risk of fires (just ask our western U.S. brethren). We seek just the right level, an equilibrium of tranquility, as did Goldilocks (oh, is that the metaphor the original author of this fairy tale was trying to get me to see, as in the locks for ships, which go up and down as to level out, allowing for a smooth voyage after a brief pause; after all these years!).

In Vitro, In Vivo (Immersion): Terms from behavioral psychology, who frequently expose people to their phobias and fears first through active imagination, then through real life engagements (homework), in gradually extinguishing their disruptive nature. In the current context, I hope you, too, can engage your imaginations to create your own 'Calgon moments', to immerse yourself (whether body or mind). Even if you can't steal away enough time or resources to go boating, kayaking, tubing down a stream, or swim at your local public pool (some finally opening up again), you can at least take a walk in the rain, build sand castles at the beach (or in your backyard sandbox with just a little water added, you're not too old!), or, at the very least, run through a sprinkler (like me with grandsons a few months ago, which brought to mind a vivid picture of our dad doing the same with us decades earlier--halcyon achieved!). And, in just a few months around this region, SNOW ANGELS! "Come on in, the waters' fine!" 

Calgonus Interruptus: Paradise lost? Not long after Calgon offered the idyllic imagery in 1980, just when you thought it was safe to seek the sanctuary of your tub, along comes Calgon itself to pierce the tranquility with "Miss Piggy's Pink Bananas" and "Kermit's Krazi Berri Bubbles"..."Mom, come in here, I need more bubbles, more water, the water's getting cold...!" Oh well, at least there's your imagination and meditative apps you can employ anywhere, any time of the day. So, when your kids are doing virtual education, you are sitting near them, and they are imploring you to help, you can simply reply, "I'll be back in a few, right now Calgon has taken me away..." Enjoy!!