Spanish Class

Of course, we're operating on Zoom now, like all other "social" engagements. On Thursday mornings at 9:30 I set up my IPad at the kitchen counter and prepare to chime in. I understand about 85% of what is spoken which I consider to be quite good, given my hearing loss. This is an advanced Spanish conversation class. We are reading a novel (El Tiempo Entre Costuras) which is also a challenge for me, but I'm getting better at it. In addition, we listen to Podcasts (in Spanish of course), complete Grammar exercises, and talk about daily events. These days it is all about the virus and its mishandling from on high. However, next week we have a different assignment: bring some good news to class! Hmmm . . . What can that be? All of us seem to be doing a fair amount of fretting and worrying about our health, our families, our future. What can I share that is uplifting? There's the joke about the two men who walked into a bank wearing masks. "Don't worry," they said. "We're robbers." I could share some of the positive things I've seen on Facebook/YouTube. A man Zooming with his two dogs, for example. Or a gorgeous offering of Bach's B Minor Mass by the Washington Opera Consort. But I think I'll share something closer to home: peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. An enterprising member of our local community has organized a sandwich making brigade that is donated to Martha's Table, a soup kitchen for homeless people. So far its members have made and donated over 4,000 sandwiches and the effort shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. Now that is a positive reaction to a worrisome situation!