I have of late - but wherefore I know not - lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of exercises; and indeed, it goes so heavily against my disposition that this goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory; the most excellent canopy, the air, look you, this brave o'erhanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire - why it appears no other thing to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapors. (Hamlet, Act 2, Scene 2 by Shakespeare)

Spoiler Alert – I had my first go-around with COVID. SonHerisme was mostly spared (which may or may not be an okay-ish thing). MotherHerisme landed in the hospital for a few weeks, followed by a few more weeks at a rehabilitation facility.

I am struggling to wrap my mind around what seems to be the standard COVID PR messaging where this viral infection is like any other cold or flu virus we see every year. This comparison is absolutely scientifically complete horseshit, but we (including health care and others in public health leadership roles) are lapping this PR up like thirsty puppies having spent days lost in a desert, or Swifties/anti-Swifties melting over glimpses of the newish Americana “it” couple. Until we get this gaslighting righted, we are f*cked.

I am okay and grateful to the g-ds of vascular/breathing body bits plus access to meds and nourishing foods, that I am.

COVID/war/how we treat vulnerable people, and our collective responses are truly congregations of foul and pestilent vapors. About 400 years ago Shakespeare called out humanity in multiple ways for our dedication to being inhumane. There are of course, pockets of helpers even though inhumane behaviors are the prominent societal trope. Despite technological advancements, access to vetted information, and connectivity, we struggle to get our shit together over the most obvious and simple things. We are what we are, I suppose. But I’d rather not spend what little precious time we have left to know each other and love our families/friends/community, on addressing needless dumpster fire end-of-human-times level behaviors. Alas, they do/will need addressing. But, wouldn’t y’all rather meet up for a hot cocoa or even cold cocoa (outside, distanced, natch).

Also, this blog is going away.

It isn’t you – it’s me. I’m the problem, it’s me. I have been “discovered” and this is no longer a safe space for me.

I will continue to write and possibly blog elsewhere. If you’re interested in following me to a new blank space, please send a message and I’ll respond with where the “coming soon” will be coming soon.

This journey has been deeply spiritually meaningful to me. I appreciate all of the space you have held for me, my wandering brainiac, my intense situations, and silly little wordsy waltzing hither and thither.

You all are simply the best of the best, of that I am 100% sure.

Love, Ms Herisme xoxo

ps. While I am not in a position of being counted among the Swifties group, I am in full support of living your best life by courageously showing up creatively and bravely sharing yourself and your work in positive, clever, vulnerable, and inclusive ways.

pps. I am sending out as much love from my heartsoul as you can receive! Meetcha out on the deck sometime soon.