Mark’s Covid Diary… August 6, 2020

A few days ago, while drifting aimlessly around town with my son, he asked why it was that we were happening across the bodies of so many small, headless creatures. It seemed like something I should know the answer to, but I didn’t. I think we finally settled on the idea that the top halves of animals must taste better, but maybe it’s because the bottom half is where the guts and anuses are. Whatever the reason, now that we’ve started talking about it, we can’t stop finding headless animals. Every day, it seems, we find another mouse, frog or rabbit without its upper half. And, now, it’s become our mission to see if, before the ground is covered by snow, we can find the top half of an animal. [This is what four months of isolation has brought us to – absurdly long walks, competing against one another to be first to find a chipmunk head.]

Speaking of wildlife, has anyone else noticed that there are considerably more rabbits this year in Ypsilanti? I’m right about that, aren’t I? Maybe, I’m thinking, it’s because more people are growing produce in their yards due to the pandemic. Could that be possible?

As for our walks, Arlo and I are still doing about five miles every evening, with him on his bike, and me trudging alongside on foot. And I’ve already started worrying about what we’ll do when winter comes, and we can longer just meander around town for hours on end, chatting about monsters and American history. [This week, there’s been a lot of talk about designing hybrid creatures à la Dr. Moreau. One of the more memorable ones was a polar bear with a human brain, a hide of snake skin, and the tongue of a goose.]

I voted the other day, in person, like one of our ancestors might have. I hadn’t planned on it, but my ballot never came in the mail. It felt weird. Almost no one was there. And I didn’t get the thrill I usually get when heading into a polling place. I just found myself feeling really worried for the health of all the older volunteers. They were behind sheets of plastic, but it didn’t feel right.

But, then again, nothing feels right anymore, does it?

The more strange things get, the more my mind has turned to owning a kayak. It’s kind of meditative. I just kind of zone out a few times a day, and imagine what my life would be like if I owned one. Or at least that’s how it started. The dream, at first, was just to own a kayak. Now, though, I’m allowing myself to imagine having a house on the river, with a dock that I can tie my kayak up to… It’s probably an OCD thing, but, when I would just imagine having a kayak, the good feelings would be short-lived, as it would eventually occur to me that I’d have to find a way to get my kayak from my house to the river and back. And that’s when I started imagining just having a house on the river, so as to make the dream of kayak less problematic. Maybe it’s a COVID-19 thing, but I’m really liking the idea of spending my days in the middle of the river, away from everyone else, and the headless animals, paddling around in search of herons.

One of these days, I’m going to post the entire list of things that I like on this site. Here, for those of you who can’t wait, are just a few to get you started; composing, ferns, dawn redwoods, digging up old bottles, herons, kayaks, hiking boots, pre-war jazz, pre-code movies, country ham, El Caminos, tabby concrete, self-taught art, frogs, Columbo, otters, Vonnegut, panna cotta…

OK, I’m out of time. Good night, my friends. I hope you’re all well.

One last thing… As weak and dementia-rattled as Joe Biden might be, he still has it within him to destroy God. And that’s why we have no choice but to rally behind him. While it’s certainly true that our America-hating scientists are now developing vaccines using alien DNA to keep people from becoming religious, the work isn’t advancing as quickly as we’d hoped. And we need someone like Joe Biden in the White House to destroy God, should a final face-to-face battle become necessary. [It would be the biggest pay-per-view event ever.]

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34 Comments

  1. Wobblie
    Posted August 6, 2020 at 10:01 pm | Permalink

    I think your right about the rabbits. It seems like Ive seen more this year than Ive seen cumulatively over decades. I have also been watching a very successful invasion of small red squirrels. They are aggressive little beasties and have been driving out the grey squirrels. The black walnuts and maples support a pretty large local population.

  2. Posted August 6, 2020 at 10:27 pm | Permalink

    Yes. Just a few days ago, I found a dead red squirrel on the sidewalk in front of my house and buried it. I don’t remember them being around in the past. As I didn’t see any signs of foul play, I’m thinking it must have fallen out of a tree and died. I don’t think that happens very often, though.

  3. EOS
    Posted August 6, 2020 at 11:57 pm | Permalink

    Maybe there are animal zombies that eat the brains of other animals?

  4. Any P.
    Posted August 7, 2020 at 7:21 am | Permalink

    That explains my very uncoordinated cat, Cowboy, traumatizing me and two baby rabbits this summer, when I’ve never seen one in the 6 years in my house. I also am
    Not a fan of the spastic red squirrels giving my regular squirrels a hard time—first year for red in my trees. The headless animals… that is very freaky. I do see hawks quite a bit, perhaps they eat heads and drop the lowers?

  5. Janice Anschuetz
    Posted August 7, 2020 at 7:24 am | Permalink

    I live about 2 blocks from the river and have seen people carrying canoes down to the river and a month ago a row boat with fishing gear in it on a modified wagon being pulled to the river. We used to blow up and float in rubber boats from Frog Island to Ford Lake – a very pretty trip. The river has a lot of bends i it.

  6. Anonymous
    Posted August 7, 2020 at 10:54 am | Permalink

    Washington Post:

    Donald Trump called Pope Francis “disgraceful” for saying in February 2016 that “a person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian.”

    “No leader,” the Republican presidential candidate said in South Carolina, “has the right to question another man’s religion or faith.”

    On Thursday afternoon, campaigning in Ohio, President Trump did more than question the sincerity of Joe Biden’s faith. He claimed that his Democratic challenger would “hurt the Bible” and “hurt God” if elected.

    “No religion,” Trump said of Biden. “He’s against God!”

    Biden, the first Catholic to serve as vice president, called Trump’s “shameful” attack “beneath the office he holds.”

  7. Eel
    Posted August 7, 2020 at 11:22 am | Permalink

    The thrice married serial adulterer, who has yet to confront the myriad of rape charges in front of him, is saying what? That the good Catholic Joe Biden is prepared to “hurt” God? That’s a fucking riot. His followers are such suckers.

  8. EOS
    Posted August 7, 2020 at 12:04 pm | Permalink

    Did you hear? Joe Biden told his staff to pick any black person for Vice President, because they all think alike anyhow.

    You can’t be a good Catholic and not do everything in your power to stop abortion. But it is not possible for any human to hurt God.

  9. Kim
    Posted August 7, 2020 at 12:10 pm | Permalink

    EOS, are you saying that Donald Trump lied when he said that Biden would “hurt” god?

  10. EOS
    Posted August 7, 2020 at 12:22 pm | Permalink

    I don’t think lied is the correct label. I think he is misinformed. I don’t agree with that statement.

    And the Pope has no authority to declare a person is not a Christian because they protect the borders of their sovereign nation. I don’t agree with that statement.

    Did you see that Antifa is burning copies of the Bible now? If Biden doesn’t condemn the actions of Antifa, then he is certainly not acting like a “Good Catholic”. If he doesn’t condemn violent protests, then he is certainly not acting like a “Good Catholic”.

  11. Elliott
    Posted August 7, 2020 at 12:36 pm | Permalink

    I’ve heard good things about frog legs. For a bird in flight it might be difficult to get to them without getting a mouth full of butt though.

  12. Wobblie
    Posted August 7, 2020 at 1:56 pm | Permalink

    EOS provide any proof that more than one protester burned one book alleged to be a bible. I know how you take things , like exaggerated accusations against your political enemies, on faith.
    The new Pope actually believes in that whole forgiving God thing. Letting divorcees and homosexuals back into the church, letting traditional practices become new catholic rites—really pissing the old Fascist cardinals off. He might even get me back into communion.

  13. EOS
    Posted August 7, 2020 at 2:11 pm | Permalink

    The new Pope is communist and jockeying for a major role in the New World Order. You are right, he advocates teachings opposed to the Bible and what Jesus taught. Did God change his mind? Do persons in this enlightened age know better than God? What hubris.

  14. Wobblie
    Posted August 7, 2020 at 2:44 pm | Permalink

    Ill take a communist Jesuit Pope over your heretical believes any day. I mean they (Jesuits ) take their vows seriously. You wont find them advocating lesser evil voting. Absent true acts of contrition your likely to end up in hell.

  15. Wobblie
    Posted August 7, 2020 at 2:46 pm | Permalink

    Got nothing to back up your earlier slander, that is yet another sin, depending on your intent it could even be mortal—without contrition God will make you pay for your slanders.

  16. EOS
    Posted August 7, 2020 at 2:47 pm | Permalink

    Yep, we see how serious they take their vows of celibacy. I’ll leave the judgement to Jesus and not any lapsed Catholic.

  17. EOS
    Posted August 7, 2020 at 2:51 pm | Permalink

    I guess all the pictures on the Internet were photoshopped? I wasn’t there, I didn’t pull any book fragments from the ashes. I believe the eye witness reports from the police.

    God has forgiven all my sins, past, present, and future. You can’t get into heaven by keeping the law. I thought Luther settled that.

  18. Wobblie
    Posted August 7, 2020 at 3:04 pm | Permalink

    That is a pretty good deal you got with your god who forgives you your sins before you commit them. Kinda the opposite of original sin. Didnt think you were a real christian. Contrition does not seem to be a part of your theology—so you would obviously despise a faith based on forgiveness No sin no need for forgiveness mor contrition.
    Police are like you, notorious for being fast and loose with the truth. Since you have already been forgiven, honesty clearly is unimportant to you.

  19. EOS
    Posted August 7, 2020 at 3:20 pm | Permalink

    I don’t hold to the tenants of your sect. I believe the written Word of God, not an assortment of man made traditions. Christ’s death on the cross paid for my sins. Read the Book of Romans if you think you can handle the truth. Contrition is a part of Christian doctrine, but not the part about venial/mortal sins, purgatory, or limbo. And you can’t pay the Pope to get a free pass into heaven.

  20. Erin
    Posted August 7, 2020 at 5:03 pm | Permalink

    Any day I spend time in my kayak is a good day – even though I have to transport it to a river or lake. Totally worth it.

  21. ElsieGal
    Posted August 7, 2020 at 7:25 pm | Permalink

    Love your starter list, so I will offer some things I like. Redwoods anytime, Lake Michigan, early- to mid-20th century classic home items (cast iron cookware, Waring blenders, Kenmore sewing machines, etc.), fireflies, bats, paper maps, wool blankets, hummingbirds. Many more, for sure, but I am posting a few to keep the good list going. Congrats on the walks and thanks for the observations.

  22. Lynne
    Posted August 7, 2020 at 10:58 pm | Permalink

    Kayaking is nice for sure. I have one. Or maybe I should say used to have one since my sister decided to take it and keep it at her house LOL. I can still use it whenever I want but really I prefer swimming anyways so I just do that.

    One of the nice things about kayaks is that they are pretty easy to get to the water even if you don’t live on the water. I even took mine to Nova Scotia and had a blast kayaking on Bras d’Or Lake. They aren’t that expensive either.

  23. Wobblie
    Posted August 8, 2020 at 7:37 am | Permalink

    Trumps key campaign effort—destroy the US Postal system. It has been apparent that the mail system is being destroyed in preparation for privatization.
    It ia also key to his fake reelection. Obvious from Michigans primary this week that we will sweep the grifters out of Washington. SMASH THE POSTAL SYSTEM BY OCTOBER 30 MAGA.

    https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/07/friday-night-massacre-us-postal-service-postmaster-general-major-trump-donor-ousts?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR1WKAEkY02YK7Zp3wfIPAyvn5HfK6iUHthXVucIP3HF7_IAuvuyakstPPk

  24. Wobblie
    Posted August 8, 2020 at 7:48 am | Permalink

    This past week 200000 + more people voted in Democratic Primary than in Tepubulican Primary. A preview of the blowout the death cult will suffer in Michigan. The death cults only hope is chaos. Trump knows this, everything he does will only have one purpose—his reelection. None of our needs matter. Only thing that matters is Trump MAGA

  25. Wobblie
    Posted August 8, 2020 at 7:56 am | Permalink

    People voting will be the end of the death cult.

    https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.mlive.com/public-interest/2020/08/turnout-for-michigans-august-primary-shatters-records-what-does-the-mean-for-november.html%3foutputType=amp

  26. EOS
    Posted August 8, 2020 at 1:21 pm | Permalink

    Wobblie,

    I voted for Democrats in the primary. There were no races on the Republican side. Don’t get your hopes up – remember the tears after the last presidential election? U of M set up safe spaces with coloring books the day after.

  27. Wobblie
    Posted August 8, 2020 at 7:13 pm | Permalink

    That lie your god already forgave.

  28. Jean Henry
    Posted August 9, 2020 at 9:11 am | Permalink

    Many creatures are more visible now because there are fewer people and cars around and more habitat left to grow. Less trimming is happening along railroad tracks and roads.It has been a very good year for meadow grasses and wildflowers due the all the rain and heat in even cycles. I’m not sure if there are more of them,but they are much more bold right now. This is true of wildlife generally. Lots of habitat. Maybe the predators are full and so are only consuming the more desirable parts of the animal (to them because frog legs are delicious) the way we Americans eat mostly white meat from chickens because we are so rich and bland.

    Wobblie– don’t count on that election. The latest in totalitarian creep: https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/07/friday-night-massacre-us-postal-service-postmaster-general-major-trump-donor-ousts

  29. Frosted Flakes
    Posted August 19, 2020 at 2:14 pm | Permalink

    “How weak is God that he can’t stand up to someone like “Sleepy Joe” Biden, who, according to Trump, is suffering from “serious cognitive decline”?”—MM

    How childish does someone have to be to make such a comment? I had some kindergarten level questions for you in the other thread about facts and stuff. Maybe you will answer them like a good boy?

  30. Wobblie
    Posted August 19, 2020 at 3:07 pm | Permalink

    Skylor Jernigan Must be another one of those fine folks who are FF’s good buds

    https://www.wweek.com/news/2020/08/17/far-right-protester-fired-two-gunshots-at-black-lives-matter-demonstrators-last-weekend/?fbclid=IwAR2R-AyT-y1xIgEQtgC55xvpTKekyVHXWFjZY1MIWB0Z4T5uw2weXzBjLgo

  31. Frosted Flakes
    Posted August 19, 2020 at 4:31 pm | Permalink

    Wobblie,

    That is the third time you have insinuated that I am “friends” with violent criminals who attack people. You have proven yourself to be a sleazy fool. Therefore your new nickname is “Scummy Dummy”. You have earned it.

  32. Wobblie
    Posted August 19, 2020 at 6:15 pm | Permalink

    “Scummy dummy” is weak. It implies that I am just dumb which would imply you could educate me. Go with my old handle, dogmatic dolt, it seems so much more descriptive.
    I dont mean to insinuate. I think you are an obvious apologist for right wing violence. Your demonstrated knee jerk reaction is to defend these “lone wolfs”.
    FF clearly stands for faceless fascist.

  33. Frosted Flakes
    Posted August 19, 2020 at 6:49 pm | Permalink

    Which Lone Wolf? Which Knee Jerk reaction?

  34. iRobert
    Posted August 19, 2020 at 10:06 pm | Permalink

    Nobody gives a shit about either of your pseudonyms.

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