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Wake me when December ends

Wake me when December ends Wake me when December ends

When December 31st, 2019, gave way to January 1, 2020, like many people I was excited to see what new memories and moments the new year would bring. I think I speak for everyone when I say 2020 can be over and done with. Too bad it’s only July.

It seems every week brings some new fresh hell, whether that’s murder hornets, the return of Ebola in Africa, the return of the bubonic plague in China, or just the incessant whine from the talking heads on TV regarding our upcoming presidential election.

We also have racial tensions at an all time high, with riots and protests for racial justice and equality still occurring in many cities across the country.

There appears to be no end in sight of unfortunate news. As if struggling with COVID-19 was not enough, now our little corner of the world is experiencing flooding and other natural disasters like extreme heat.

I will admit, there are times when I wish I did not live in Wisconsin, in particular when I step outside into a frigid blizzard in mid-January. The heat is uncomfortable, but cold can downright hurt. To say nothing of driving in sub-zero weather for a basketball game in Athens or Edgar or Spencer or Colby.

For all that, our little corner of the world is quiet and almost seemingly resistant to change. Oh sure, we have smartphones and Chromebooks and other baubles of technology that let you know we are living in the 21st century.

But in many respects, we are still not even close to the Jeffersons, let alone the Jetsons. We still do not have flying cars, or robot maids, or even a cure for COVID-19 months into the contagion.

No one knows what the future holds, not even a psychic. If someone does tell you they do know the future, run for the hills since they’re probably trying to sell you something. We still have many more months to go before 2020 is over, and I can only hope that there is some change with the deep water the world seems to be wading through.

On Tuesday I waded through my own deep water, snapping pictures of frothing and foaming brown water in Dorchester. As my father would say, when it rains, it pours. I think that before this year is over, 2020 will have one final deluge.

Now, I’m not trying to be a pessimist. Quite the opposite, in fact. I think as we get through 2020 things will improve, and 2021 fills me with hope. I think that’s half the fun of New Year’s Eve - each new year brings new possibilities and opportunities. Each new year we contemplate hope and potential great happenings in the lives of our friends and families.

I do know one thing - and no, I am not trying to sell you something, other than this paper here. The one thing I do know is that if we can get through 2020, we can get through pretty much anything.

Unless, of course, 2020 is the year Godzilla, Dracula and Frankenstein’s monster all make a sudden appearance. In that event, stock up on garlic, torches and avoid trips to Japan.

M USINGS AND G RUMBLINGS

ROSS PATTERMANN REPORTER

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