Tucson COVID Tales No. 11: Trusting the Process, by Dan Stuart

I’ve spent most of the pandemic pedaling up and down the Santa Cruz River bike path, shuttling between a 1972 Winnebago in El Hoyo and an ancient casita I’m renovating just south of Ajo Way. Outside of a few years working for a paint contractor, I have no experience in construction. The idea was to raise one wall with new courses of block, turning it into a big ass lean-to with a shiny metal roof. Given my limited knowledge, the only thing that compares is making a record, also a collaborative effort that utilizes folks with different skill sets. While thrilling at times, I can’t say it’s been fun, but it has been a great diversion from the awful reality of this novel virus that wears one down day by day. As with the pandemic, I’ve had to learn some new lingo, and I can now give dubious opinions on the Infection Fatality Rate or Oriented Strand Board with equal ignorance. But the main thing I’ve learned (for the umpteenth time) is to trust the process, something a very wise Memphis producer tried to teach me a lifetime ago. Still, and just like this new house of mine, it would’ve been better to approach the pandemic with a more cohesive plan. Unfortunately at this point, we must simply learn from our mistakes, and try not to repeat them in the future. Vote!

Dan Stuart is a musician and writer who calls Tucson home every few decades. You can find him at https://marlowebillings.com/

Category: TUCSON COVID TALES