Voice: Letters

Hval’s Front Porch offered silver linings

Dear Cindy,

I always enjoy your column and today was no exception (“Front Porch: Finding silver linings in cloudy COVID-19 world,” by Cindy Hval, Voice sections, July 30). I do the morning crossword puzzle every day to help keep Alzheimer’s away! I would never be bold enough to do one in ink. But I prefer mechanical pencils I don’t have to sharpen and the erasers are always good.

I don’t really think of myself as an introvert, but I have not minded being “grounded” because I love to sew and read and do hobbies.

Of course, I am not worried about a job, feeding family (I have food storage and money in savings), house payments etc. because I’m old.

I do feel for those who are affected by the virus either by their own health issues or the financial stress of job loss, etc., many in my own family included.

I do have young grandchildren living in my home so the whole school thing has created a lot of chaos. Their mom is a teacher and capable of holding home school; however, being a single mom, she needs a paying teaching job.

I have shared the attached file with a number of friends. I don’t remember where I got it originally but in these times when there seems to be so much to complain about, I think we all need to stop and think about what we are thankful for.

(Jotting down it’s a list of 10 things in each of to fill in, in 10 differentcategories – such as living people; dead people; things in nature; physical abilities; possessions; inventions; foods; places on Earth; things about today; things about the Gospel – we can come up with – making us think of 100 things to be thankful for.)

Caryn Alley

Spokane

Hval’s column brought joy, laughter

Dear Cindy,

I laughed out loud this morning reading your columns first two sentences: “My doorknobs and light switches have never been cleaner. The banister absolutely gleams.”

We have a 23-year-old daughter who works at a local hospital. As a consequence, she is asked to wear a mask while visiting us and social distance 6 feet. I’ve never sanitized the door knobs and guest bathroom before as much as the last four months!

I had plane tickets to fly to Omaha, Nebraska, to visit my Mom on March 19. March 16 was Spokane’s “lockdown” so I canceled the flight in fear of infecting her. If I would have known this pandemic was going to last this long, I would have gone.

I too have been getting library books at the library , LOVE IT.! Instead of the daily crossword, my husband and I have been doing the daily Jumble (not as mind challenging as the crossword) but still makes us think a bit.

Yes, I, too, have such “small complaints when compared to those who’ve been sick, or lost jobs or loved ones because of the virus.”

I had to laugh again thinking of you opening the darn plastic produce bags. When my daughter is over and I’m cooking a meal with a mask on, I’m constantly catching myself from trying to taste the food with a finger. The mask gets washed often. LOL.

Yep, I’m an introvert, too.! No complaints about being alone; however, my husband needs other people around.

I love reading your column. Thanks for the laughs today.

Susan Stratman

Spokane Valley

Listing 100 reasons to be grateful during these difficult times.