Stuck at Midnight

   For the past two years, I have been sort of in a "self-isolation" due to the pandemic.  At the cardiologist's "strong" advice, I quarantined myself to the Little Bayou House, Small Gardens and the area surrounding the Bayou.  I keep telling myself it is for my own good.  I do not go anywhere that is not absolutely necessary (aka appointments with that same cardiologist).  And, to top it off, the place, itself, has been off-limits to any visitors...those vaccinated and those not.  (People still cannot get it through their heads that the vaccine does not keep them from spreading the virus.  For that matter, it does not keep them from getting it, either.)  What is surprising is just how quickly others forget you when you have been removed from society.  No calls, letters or even merry waves from anyone.  As long as you are able to do for others, everything is fine and dandy but, when that comes to a halt, the "caring" does, too.

  All of this came to light in my dull brain when I was setting the dozens of antique clocks due to the time change.  In the midst of all of the keywind clocks there sits one battery operated thing.  It does not work.  It is stuck at 12 o'clock.  The chimes do not work, the hands do not move...only that pendulum keeps swinging along at its steady pace.  I only keep the clock as a project piece as I intend to alter it come this winter when chores are not as abundant.  While setting the others, I noticed the hands of this one.  STUCK.  Stuck at midnight...the darkest hour.  Yep, that is just about the story of my life, at the moment....stuck at midnight when no one else is around....the darkest hour....when no one cares.  What do I do?  I carry on just like that pendulum.  I keep plodding along unnoticed (no chimes) with no purpose (no hands).  I am just a broken clock.  Life goes on....or, in my case, goes by.  Others go about their merry way and I am stuck at midnight.  Sad part is....had only everyone heeded the advice to quarantine themselves for two weeks at the very beginning, this would have never exploded into the situation of the past two years.  Try two years, folks.  Try two years.  And over and over again, I tell myself..."It is for my own good."  Yet, I struggle.  My current state is not pretty....not pretty, at all.