Life in these strange times: miracles in miniature

Eventually, one begins to adjust to the circumstances, no matter how bizarre they may be. Being alone all of the time has been draining, but I'm getting used to it. I listen to Patrick Stewart read Shakespearean sonnets on Facebook and/or Twitter. I can listen to Emma's Revolution's online concerts and sing along with them, making up my own harmonies as I go along. It's fun and relatively easy. There is a lot of latitude in creating harmonies. As long as the note that you're singing is in the chord that's being played, go ahead and sing it. And it's judgment-free. If you hit a wrong note, no one will hear it but you! And that's a good thing!

These are tiny miracles. Miracles in miniature. The ability to adapt. The opportunities to listen to music and to sing along. An online class on sustainable ways of eating that is offered by Cornell University. The goals are improved health and better environmental impacts. Improved health comes from the suggestion that half of the food on your plate be vegetables, fruits, and legumes. The improved environmental impacts comes from choosing locally grown foods. The taste of fresh foods is another bonus.

Fresh food. Here in Western New York, it is not yet in season. It's too early to plant, which nature illustrated quite dramatically with two periods of snowfall during the day today. In my imaginary journey, I am in a place where beautiful plants bloom year round. After much train travel, I have arrived at the Kuno Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, a state in central India. At the entrance of the sanctuary, there is a sign that states, "Still waiting for new beginning."

The sanctuary is to be a home for lions from central Asia. These lions are threatened with extinction, and their new home will be their place of safety, their sanctuary. There, they will be free from the dangers that face animals out in the wild, especially the human dangers. In my imaginary adventure, I get a tour around the park and see animals and birds. The forest is full of animals: leopards, bears, foxes, hares, porcupines, and so much more. They dart here and there. You have to keep watching to see the animals as they run through the dry savannah. The birds are completely unfamiliar to me. I have to look through bird identification guides to find: Indian Whitebacked Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, crested serpent eagle, Eurasian nightjar, and so many others. 

I take several day trips to see this amazing forest, this wildlife sanctuary, where so many animal, plant, bird, and fish species are safe from encroaching humans. It won't be long before the lions are brought here, to keep them safe, so that they can multiply and thrive in this beautiful setting.

Although I didn't see any lions, I am happy. Soon, it will be time for a new adventure.