Hermits?

 

               In the New York Times today, I saw an article “Hermits Support the Newly Isolated” which described the life of two self-described hermits and their outreach to others during the pandemic. They write books, run a web-site and now produce YouTube videos—I know, not very hermit-like, in my mind. I was most interested in the definitions of hermits and, in the end, thought, are we hermits?

1.       “Hermits can live anywhere, but tend to reside in modest dwellings.” Check—we have a modest dwelling. Comfortable, but not large or fancy.  

2.       Hermits do “not exit society because of misanthropy… but chooses solitude for spiritual reasons.” Check—we both like humanity, but need long periods of quiet in order to function.

3.   

    Hermits are “rooted in place.” They are “anchorites.” Check—getting Mark to leave home is a constant battle, made worse by the pandemic. We have not left Corvallis since September.  Once on the road, we are both great, but, even during normal times, the amount of effort needed to chivy us out of the house and backyard is considerable.

4.       Hermits “practice austerity.” Check—the heat is set at 64 degrees. My pants are ten years old. The van-- 1984.We mend, and repair, and reuse as a spiritual practice.

5.       Hermits show “awe in the face of the natural world.” Check—We take long walks, watch the seasons change, consider the sublimity of the natural world.

6.       Hermits like rituals. Check.  We are creatures of habit and ritual, from the tea we drink before bed to our observations and celebrations of the cycle of the year. Wheels within wheels, rituals within rituals. 

Six for six, on a chilly November morning. The Catholic Church is ringing their bells for second service. Outside, juncos dig in the left over leaves; the Halloween pumpkins slowly compost into the garden beds; garlic begins to poke up in the small bed under the kitchen window. Inside, the newspaper is scattered on the couch; laundry hangs to dry in the dining room; fresh greens and four small advent candles settle into the mantle.