Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (March 28, 2020)
B1 THE ASTORIAN • SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2020 CONTACT US Alyssa Evans aevans@dailyastorian.com FOLLOW US facebook.com/ DailyAstorian Photos by Ron Baldwin A March supermoon rises over the Willapa Hills. Blursed spring Blessings, curses combine By RON BALDWIN E arlier this week, as I arrived in Chi- nook after an expedition to the gro- cery store, I spotted a fi gure that has become my personal icon. In one hand the pink-bedecked lady trying to cross the street held a bouquet of bright yel- low daffodils, Olympic torch fashion. In her other hand she held a roll of toilet paper. I am sure that image will return to my mind if not continually, then at least often, throughout our journey through the unknowns of our modern epidemiologi- cal experience. You may not recognize the word “blursed.” Blursed, a modern term that is a combination of blessed and cursed, rose from Reddit. It’s one of those iconic words that I have come to celebrate as it is useful in labeling many modern, con- fusing situations. For people on the North Coast, this spring is defi nitely both blessed and cursed, as it is for the whole world. After a relatively mild winter, exposed to con- stant political media fi ghts, people were ready for the spring events that tradition- ally bring us outdoors and together. Then, there was a period where, bereft of infor- mation from our government, everyone was waiting for “the other shoe to drop,” as the saying goes. W e are fortunate to not suffer the crowding the coronavirus exploits in attacking more populated areas. Since there is naturally more space between us, it will be easier for most of us to main- tain social distancing than, say, someone in Mumbai. While we continue to distance our- selves from one another, there are still some normal spring activities we can do on the coast. Here is a quick list. Willows sprout near the Naselle River. Gardening Gardening is one activity that people on the North Coast can perform, if even in the tiniest way. A spot that is 4 feet by 8 feet can produce an amazing amount of produce. There are two bonuses here: you won’t have to go to the grocery store so often and gardening is physical activity. Gardening feels good and is safe, which is important in a crisis. Fishing Boat ramps, state and county parks, and most other access areas are closed but there are still some places where private access is available. Hiking As long as you can separate your- self from other hikers and observe good Jason Brim’s hands are full with baby chicks. A baby chick sits on Raena Herzog’s hand. See Spring, Page B2
