Discover Prompt 18: New

18Apr
by Oh, the Places We See

As I read this morning that New was the Discover Prompt word for April 18, 2020, I looked back to one of our posts released a couple of weeks ago — Lens-Artist Challenge #90: Keeping the Distance in Knoxville — to see what was happening then and to compare what’s new in Knoxville now. Residents are still dealing with the coronavirus, shelter-in-place orders, and the urge to get out and do something, but newness just keeps breaking loose. Gratefully, much of the new is positive.

First, Knoxville high schools initiated a recognition of the Class of 2020 for their many contributions since school is now cancelled for the 2019-20 year, and seniors are missing their end-of-year Awards Ceremonies, Prom, Graduation, and the finality of bringing 18 years to a close. (Top photo: Fulton High School stadium from @FHSCoachBlack on Twitter.)

Jack Tate (@bhscoachtate) posted this gallery of photos from last night’s Bearden High School event honoring the Class of 2020.

As a nod to the Class of 2020, Knox County high schools turned on their lights last night — on football fields, buildings, parking lots — at 8:00 p.m. for 20 minutes and posted photos on social media. This morning, TV news stations showed teens happy to be driving by, honking their horns in celebration, and tearing up as they remembered a year without the usual closing activities. (On Twitter, search #BeTheLightTN for more good photos.)

From @knoxnews on Twitter, the Knoxville News-Sentinel‘s photo of lights turned on at area high schools on April 17, 2020

Second, on our daily walk yesterday, we went somewhere new: All Saints Catholic Church in Knoxville. And as a family successfully wrestled with their kites in the blustery wind, we paused to watch them play, listening happily to their squeals of joy. It was a rare time, perhaps, for this family who, like the rest of us, has been sheltered in place for about as long as they can stand and grateful to be out and about on a beautiful, yet windy, spring afternoon.

Finally, we’re seeing even more new signs of spring as Knoxville’s Dogwood Arts Festival comes to a close and new flowers take over lawns, mailboxes, and trellises in town.

Like these stunning pink and purple clematis blooms on our neighbors’ mailboxes . . .

and our own hostas pushing up new growth, then fanning out tender green and white leaves.

In a spurt of new resolve to improve our own flower beds, we paid a visit to a local nursery and came home with herbs for our flower pots . . .

and three new hydrangeas labeled “Little Lime Panicle Hydrangea, Petite Shrub.” Wish us luck!

There’s hope afoot as Knoxville — and we — deal with our new reality.

Rusha & Bert

Stay safe out there and tell us what’s new with you and your community.

This post is one of a series of one-word prompts for April 2020 called Discover Prompts by WordPress. Enjoy!

17 thoughts on “Discover Prompt 18: New”

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  2. David

    I think a lot of “New” is being discovered – mostly about ourselves and what we are made of. There is certainly lots of stress, and I think most of us would like to wake the next morning where there was no coronavirus, no mandatory stay-at-home, and we all had the same bad dream.

    Hope the both of you are doing well. Stay safe. 🙂

    Reply

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      I couldn’t agree with you more. The newness of staying at home and all the chores I thought I’d get done have worn off with about a 70% completion rate. But because this is “old hat” now, I’m just trying to cope. Thanks for sharing your opinion. Hope you find something meaningful to do each day, and stay safe!

      Reply

  3. restlessjo

    Best to be cheerful, if you can! All this doom and gloom leaves me with a sinking stomach. I’m far happier talking to my flowers. And I don’t get any smart answers back 🙂 🙂 Stay safe, and thanks for your visit.

    Reply

    1. Oh, the Places We See

      Nice to meet you as well. It was refreshing to see a family out in the pleasant air yesterday. I’m hoping more families will introduce some old hobbies like kite flying so kids can have a break from video games. It’s tough being cooped up. Hope you are safe.

      Reply

  6. Sam

    Wow! The kite flying pic brings back memories of my childhood. Running to catch the wind, sometimes the fight to keep it in the air and watching it soar. All the different colors and shapes, even box kites – it was part of our Easter celebration. I learned to build kites too maybe as a school project or with my dad.

    Thanks for the wonderful pictures. And the memories 🙂

    Reply

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