Doomscrolling

or if you prefer,

Doomsurfing.

You can't sleep, so you open a device and scroll through the news. You read the latest updates about Covid-19. You look at the cases, the deaths, the stories, and then you try to go back to sleep.

That's insane right? Absolutely!

Guess what?

I was doing exactly that until I read a story about the term.

I like the term *Doomsurfing* best.

The pandemic won't get better with me checking statistics and stories. It won't get better as I read stories about tragedies and posts saying it is a hoax. 

Social injustice will still be there in the morning when I have my first cup of coffee.

So I set a new rule for myself.

Dear Self:

You may NOT look at your phone or any other device after 9pm. Turn all notifications off. 

Turn your other devices off, all of the way off.

If you cannot sleep read a paperback, not a Kindle.

I've set times to when I can read the news or watch the news.

I have to find somewhere I can pick up some paperbacks now to read. 

Since I set up limits ... I've done better at a good night's sleep.

Have a good day 

and

don't Doomsurf.

An Un-day

I woke up to a second day of incredible fog. I thought it would be fun to see what the infrared camera captured in the thick fog.
I was surprised at the amount of light I did get!

The bark of the trees actually reflected an unforeseen light back to the camera.

The green pine needles turned white in the black and white version of Fred in the morning paddock waiting for his breakfast...the yard reflected white also.

When the sun broke through just before the rain started...

the whole winter pasture and sky looked amazing!
I took a similar shot with my regular camera and it did not pick up the sky detail like this did.

The rest of the day was dreary and grey with about 1/2 an inch of rain.

Neither Rich or I slept well the night before so we took naps. I don't often do that, but Charlie convinced me that taking a day nap while reading a book with him cuddled on my legs would be perfect.

When I woke, I really wasn't in the mood to do anything at all and the day was still quite dreary. I decided to let my list of to - do's wait another day while I took a day off.

I think my mistake the night before was reading an article about a doctor in Chicago and his account of putting people on ventilators. Of trying to calm them, to suit up and do so many procedures each night. And then watch them on monitors as they respond or don't.
The story was sobering and gut punching. Just the sort of thing I like to read.

But I shouldn't...not ever...ever read something like that before going to bed.
I didn't sleep and when I did it was fitful with dreams of breathing machines and doctors with face masks...
of never being able to touch or hug someone again if they got sick.

Of how this virus has de-humanized us in so many ways. I did finally sleep towards morning. But the night was a nightmare.
I finally found a good book and dove into it until my eyes were too heavy.

Tomorrow is another day.