Falling Back, 50. November Begins.

Yesterday, we went to the cemeteries, but it wasn't like any other year. The first one we went to, we went around the church, visiting distant cousins and great uncles, then, we went directly to where my grandmother, aunt, and uncle were. There we went around that section, and then we left without wandering any more. The rain was a mist at that point.

At the second one, there was a burial in the newer section, with very few people, just the allowed. We avoided them and visited one of my grandfathers, then we left, having crossed paths with only one person we knew. The rain made it easier to leave, as it started raining more heavily at that moment, and the flowers were all drooped over, drops glistening on their petals.

From there we went to our own parish, where we spent a little more time, visiting my parents, other cousins and grandparents, and neighbors. Here, we saw one neighbor, and a few others to say hello to, but we didn't stop and chat. The rain was undecided, whether to mist or fall. Night was coming early, and the only light from the candles seemed even sadder. 

There were few people out and about. Most went directly to the niches and graves of family members, without walking around like in other years. If there was a Mass yesterday, it was after we left, and probably sparsely attended. The Mass for All Souls is supposed to be some time this month, but I don't think many will want to attend. (It should be today, which is technically All Souls' Day, but there aren't enough priests for that, so the special Mass will be staggered throughout the month in the surrounding parishes.)

The news is so-so. It seems that in some regions contagion has slowed down, but in others, like Asturias, no. So, the regional government of Asturias will formally ask the central government to allow another lockdown there. Our region has sent out orders to all the schools to have in place alternative means for giving classes in case of a lockdown, or the obliged quarantine of a class or school. I suppose I should be looking into Zoom, myself, but I have no idea how to go about that, nor how to use it while pulling up things on internet. I'll have to learn, somehow.

There have been protests in many cities against curfew and locking down regions and cities. Negationists have been protesting violently for their "freedom." Over fifty people have been arrested, 30 officers hurt, and damage in the thousands of euros done to different stores and buildings, and urban elements. But, more than simple negationists, these are groups of people spurred on by, and infiltrated with, far right thugs who see a way to worry the present national government, and create a false image of its weakness. The extreme right party, Vox, however, blames the thuggery on leftists, Marxists, and illegal immigrants who are out to create an uprising against decent Spanish people. It's not just in Spain; far right extremists are also protesting and destroying in other European cities, more than anything, copying the far right ultras in the United States who are trying to stop people from voting. This world is going insane.

This is going to be a hot November in many different ways, and not in the weather.

Life continues.