My Two Cents

By Valena Dismukes

Valena is a retired educator and photographer and an active intentional traveler. Her photos and musings can be seen on her website, Valena Broussard Dismukes Photography. Here, she reflects on life in Los Angeles during a pandemic in a message she sent out to her friends. (Printed here with permission.)

My Two Cents

The other evening I went to dinner with friends downtown. It was the first time in months that I drove more than 3 miles and wore a pair of pants that didn't have an elastic waistband. Wow! What a treat!

Good things are happening:

• People are exercising more
• I get preferential treatment at Target and other stores
• My Spanish vocabulary has increased
• My ukulele ability is getting better
• I'm exercising daily
• A move toward justice is ocurring
• ​I have painted virtually every horizontal surface in sight

Not so good things happening:

• BLM--its methodology, mission, and concommitment violence
• My clothes are gathering layers of dust
• People are less friendly behind masks
• Economic depression for way too many people
• I eat everything in sight
• ​Social media is beyond my comprehension

I really miss:

• Yard sales
• My friends
• Getting and giving hugs
• Traveling internationally
• Photographing people without masks

And I won't give two cents for Kamala Harris--I don't like her record on criminal justice. Brace yourself for civil (or uncivil) unrest regardless of which candidate wins.

​Val