21 things we're looking forward to in 2021
Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone?
Boy do those Joni Mitchell lyrics ring true as Butler County residents transition from the doldrums and sacrifices of 2020 to a new year that could return us to the things we didn't know we loved so much.
Today, the Butler Eagle looks ahead at the return to simple pleasures that were robbed from us while we endured the quarantines, closures and cancellations of the coronavirus pandemic.
1. Hugging: While 2020 may have been sweet respite for the nontactile among the county's 188,068 residents, us huggers struggled. There's only one way to properly show appreciation, love, caring, grief and any other emotion you can name in my opinion, and that's a big ol' bear hug. Look out people, because here we come!
2.Shaking hands:
It's been on more than one occasion when I've reluctantly declined a handshake this year, and I felt terrible each time. The elbow bump just isn't the same. Just please don't give me the limp-fish version.<b>3.Planning a vacation:</b> I'm sure many county residents join me in my love for travel. True excitement, to me, is looking online for accommodations, walking the streets on Google Maps and searching the best restaurants and things to do in my intended destination. Can't wait to pack the sunscreen and beach bag in 2021.<b>4.Visiting grandma and grandpa:</b> Seriously, one of the demographics that has have suffered the most during the pandemic is senior citizens in care homes. While the caregivers have bent over backward to substitute for the relatives who normally visit, there's no replacement for family. I can only imagine the tearful reunions between elderly folks and their children and grandchildren in '21.<b>5. Grandkids:</b> Lots of my friends have grandchildren, and I have heard their stories of woe on not being able to visit them in person. Apparently FaceTiming with a toddler is not optimum. So I'm very hopeful for grandparents who can hug and kiss their chubby-faced descendants once again.<b>6. Clear glasses:</b>
Did anyone really figure out how to keep their glasses from fogging up above their mask? I've read myriad remedies for the annoying occurrence, but my specs are steaming up right now each time I exhale.<b>7. No more mask arguments:</b> I've gotten dirty looks while grocery shopping from nonmaskers, and I've silently judged barefaced shoppers since March. Hopefully, the face coverings will go extinct in '21 and never return, although covering up two-thirds of my wrinkles does make me look younger.<b>8. Children playing:</b> It's really hard for most adults to go without outside companionship for an extended period of time. Imagine the frustrations of county residents below the age of 18! I look forward to the day when kids can have play dates and sleepovers again without worrying about giving their grandma the “epizudic,” as my mother used to say.<b>9. Hot sausage:</b>
I've tried to replicate the mouth-watering hot sausage available at the Big Butler Fair, Farm Show and many other festivals canceled throughout the county in 2020. It's impossible. We can only hope and pray the county's festival vendors will be whipping up all manner of un-heart-healthy treats this summer.<b>10. Cupholder for cups:</b>
Where am I supposed to put my delicious iced Americano if a bottle of hand sanitizer is occupying one cupholder in my car and a plastic container of Clorox wipes is in the other? I always wind up throwing the wipes on the passenger's side floor, and I almost injured myself in April performing the contortions it takes to retrieve them when the iced treat is gone.<b>11. Picking up a friend:</b> Car conversations are sometimes the best conversations, unless you've been riding with the same grumpy person for 10 months. I can't wait to call my friend Sandy and tell her I'm coming to get her for a concert.<b>12. Concerts:</b> Butler County residents enjoy live music, whether it's our own symphony, a high school musical or a trip to Pittsburgh to hear a band. Fingers crossed that I can risk my hearing at a classic rock concert in 2021.<b>13. Seeing less of my living room:</b> Yes, it's got a cool teal wall, red furniture, a pretty large TV and bird-themed decorations everywhere, but I am sick and tired of that place. Once, in the summer, I declared to my significant other that I cannot take one more second in that room. We drove to an Allegheny Aquatic Alliance kayak launch along the Connoquenessing Creek to watch the water flow. I felt better about my place when we got back, but I look forward to spending a lot less time there this year.<b>14. Tom Hanks:</b>
I'll go to any movie he appears in. He's just so good. Let's hope the movie theater marquees dump the “Temporarily closed” signs in 2021 for “Tom Hanks stars as Prince Philip in 'Consort!'”<b>15. Michelle Krill Field:</b>
In days of yore, crowds gathered at Historic Pullman Park to watch the BlueSox, see a spectacular fireworks display or take in a concert. I hope the Butler Parks, Recreation, Grounds and Facilities Authority is busy lining up potential events at our beautiful stadium this year.<b>16. Funerals:</b> This may sound morbid, and I am certainly not wishing death on anyone, but many people find comfort in the hugs, tears and condolences of those who cared about their loved one. Let's hope private funerals and burials attended only by the family will be a thing of the past this year.<b>17. Dressing up:</b> Could 2021 be the year for pajamas only being used overnight? Let's dust off our necklaces, earrings and sport coats in 2021 and look our best, Butler County!<b>18. Company:</b> Since March, one friend has visited me, and I was mildly nervous about her being there. After she left, I wiped down my bathroom and kitchen table. In 2021, I hope to host parties, dinners, bonfires and Pirates watch parties, and I bet you do, too.<b>19. Babies:</b> I am a notorious baby hog. If a newborn is in the house, there's an 80% likelihood that I'm the one holding and cooing at the little bundle. The pandemic stole that opportunity from me, so my nieces and nephews better look out. After all, babies are such a nice way to start people.<b>20. Moist hands:</b> Right behind the hand sanitizer industry in total 2020 sales has to be the hand-cream companies. I have never done so much slathering in my entire life, and my mitts are still snowy with dry skin. Don't get me wrong: I'll still wash my hands frequently, but I won't miss sanitizer.<b>21. Grabbing lunch:</b> Reporters are an interesting cross-section of society, and I enjoy having lunch with one of my awesome coworkers once in a while. Crowding into a small restaurant for a quick bite is an activity I hope to pursue in 2021, along with many others. Let's have some fun in '21!
