As the pandemic rages on across America, our social ties are shifting and we may never return to what we once took for granted, seeing friends and family when we wanted or going shopping at the mall. When this is over, we will emerge into a new world.

Crow’s Feet writers explore this new world while they also take this period of isolation to reconsider their pasts.

Social Isolation Has Affected Me in a Surprising Way. As an introvert, I thought I could do this. By Beth Bruno

How-to When There’s No Manual. Getting through Covid, political unrest and old age. By Norma Bourland

We’ve Seen Worse. Life lessons from my locked down elders. By Marne Platt

Still Alive Mother? A narrative monologue. By Grey Hen With A Pen

Love By The Numbers. Growing love — not growing old. By Ann Litts

Busted. When the kids found her cigarettes. By Eileen Vorbach Collins

Secure Memories. Reflections presenting lessons and values. By Brenda Mahler

My Secret Rituals. Rituals, like our stories, give life meaning and depth. By Carol Shamon

Appearance Alteration. From the time I can remember, I was aware of how I looked. By Carol Shamon

Next Time I Brush My Hair. A poem by Deborah Barchi

Jed Clampett, Taoist Master. My wife Merry and I were getting ready to go to a retirement celebration for our friend. By Bill Stubblefield

I Removed My Kids From My Benefits. It was one of the saddest days of my life. By Vuyo Ngcakani

Releasing the Chains of the Past. Like the Stones once sang, “I’m free to do what I want, any old time.” By Greg Hopkins

Where Does Compassion Begin? The answer may surprise you. By Alice Goldbloom

Managing the Maintenance & Repairs of Life. There’s always something needing your attention. By Christine Schoenwald

Shopping in the ‘50s.Things were different, and so were the words we used. By Mary McGrath