The Summer of our Discontent – Covid, Politics, and Shakespeare

by Kay Kendall

This post marks the 100th one I’ve
made here on the Stiletto Gang. I am writing it on the 100th anniversary of the
19th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America. You know
that one, don’t you? It gave us women the right to vote, at long last.

So on this doubly auspicious day for
me, I wish I were feeling more cheerful. Well, at least effortlessly so.

I’m reminded of what Shakespeare wrote
in his drama, “Richard III.” If you substitute the name of the sea

“Now is the summer of our discontent.”

In the play, Richard III expresses the
idea that he has reached the depth of his unhappiness (he says WINTER to note
that) and better times (SUMMER) are yet to come.

As for me in this summer of my own
discontent, I am hopeful that by wintertime our various problems will be alleviated,
thinking of the twin evils raging across our beloved nation–the virulent
pandemic and the equally virulent political divide.

What helps me hold onto hope in these
perilous times are signs of the goodness of our fellow citizens. I saw an
outpouring of this yesterday on television. Even if you saw it too, it is worth
watching again. Here are fifty Americans singing our national anthem. Not an
easy song to sing–tis true. But nonetheless they do a magnificent job. I hope
this lifts your spirits as it has mine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t15hVyzCvwo

——————

Kay Kendall writes the Austin Starr Mystery series that captures
the spirit and turbulence of the 1960s. The amateur sleuth exploits are told
in Desolation Row, Rainy Day Women, and After
You’ve Gone. Her Bullet Book, Only a Pawn in Their Game, introduces
a new character that will be featured in her series.
Kay’s degrees in Russian history and language helped to ground these tales in
the Cold War, and her titles show she’s a Bob Dylan buff too. Kay is a
winner of two Silver Falchion awards, a past member of the national board of
Mystery Writers of America and president of its southwest chapter, and was a
contributing editor to The Big Thrill, the online monthly magazine of
International Thriller Writers. 

Visit Kay at her website http://www.austinstarr.com/  
or on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/KayKendallAuthor