Returning home means return to reality

The best thing about a vacation is the total lack of news from the rest of the world. The worst thing about not being on vacation is listening to the news from the rest of the world. Actually, that is not the worst, but it is distressing.
Only a few short days since we returned from our recent visit to my daughter and her family, I was sending frantic messages to my sister-in-law. Her reply worried me. The shooting on air of the reporter and cameraman happened eight short miles from her house. Thankfully, the shooter took his own life before taking anyone else’s. I know that seems heartless and cruel of me to say and I cringe as I type it, but we, as a people, do not seem able or willing to fix the problem of disturbed people with guns. Death is the final resolution to the problem.
We watch at least two news shows every day. We read two different newspapers. We constantly check the Internet for updates about what is happening in the world. We are bombarded with tales of how dysfunctional, cruel and random life can be.
We watch hoards of people fleeing their countries and are thankful that we are not among them. With winter coming, we wonder what will happen when the snow flies. We feel helpless to remedy the reasons that all these people feel the need to leave their homes to face an unknown future.
We watch footage of wildfires. We listen to story after story of both natural and unnatural disasters. We read about people who do unspeakable things to their children and spouses.
With all this bad news is it any wonder that cat videos are so popular? Is it any wonder that I clicked on the video of a bear cub playing on a hammock not once, but twice?
Then there are all the political ads and phone calls. One caller outlined the candidate’s position and asked if I would vote for him. I told them no, as I disagreed with him on every single thing I was told. I think the lady on the other end of the line was shocked as she quickly ended the call.
I don’t see the point in supporting any candidate at this time. By the time I get a chance to vote, most of the hopefuls will have dropped out. I’d rather wait until the field gets down to a reasonable number before making my choice.
Even though we have been home for less than a month, I feel the urge to get away from all the bad news. The house is demanding upkeep. Bulbs are gathering like sparrows, waiting to be tucked into the still warm soil. Houseplants are nagging me to clean and repot them before the annual migration into the house. The porch swing reminds me that I promised it a coat of paint this year.
The tomatoes that are finally ripening are calling me. Something has taken a bite out of some of them already. If I don’t enjoy them now, I might not get to later on. The last onion is waiting to add its goodness to the chili I’m planning on having for supper. The rest of the garden is ready to be cleaned out and buttoned up for the winter.
There is so much that needs to be done. I relish the chance to get away from all the bad news in the world. I can’t find homes for people fleeing their countries. I can’t prevent a deranged person from shooting or mistreating anyone. I can’t put out any wildfires. I can’t solve the world’s problems.
What I can do is make my little corner of the world a tiny bit better. I can plant flowers, pick produce and paint a porch swing. And I can ignore the news for at least a little while.