Everyone, myself included, needs to take a breath

Garrison Keillor: “March is the month God created to show people who don’t drink what a hangover is like.”

Full disclosure ... of all the months of the year, March is the one that tests my patience, sense of humor and even love for my fellow man. I blame it on the color gray, lack of warmth from the sun, rainy days interspersed with snowy days, outerwear and just being so over winter.   

Admittedly, I enjoy winter in November, December and even January. But by February, I’m over it, so March is just rubbing salt in the wound, especially when we’re teased with a sunny 60 degree day or two before the Arctic Express comes roaring back saying, “Hold my beer!”

My general seasonal grumpiness was apparent in recent days online. I gave myself permission to do something I've not done before on Facebook, even during presidential elections and the pandemic when rhetoric was loud ... I unfriended and blocked someone I know in real life when after a rant they posted in all caps, "IF YOU'RE NOT IN AGREEMENT please unfriend me now." I wasn't, and I did. It felt good. But at the same time I was disappointed. In real life, we’ve socialized with this person, who’s witty and nice. But online, it’s like a switch is flipped.

Generally, I've just unfollowed/snoozed for 30 days people who constantly showed up in my newsfeed spewing angry screeds, whether or not I agreed with their position. The noise is exhausting.

I've been actively participating on Facebook since we were all snowbound in December 2008. My Facebook village of friends for the most part are local and people I see or know of in the real world and appreciate. It wasn't until the pandemic in 2020 that politics elevated to a blood sport on the platform.

I certainly have opinions and positions on issues, both local and national. I do not and have not discussed or debated them virtually. My preferred method of discussing issues is in person, in appropriate situations to allow an actual discussion or friendly debate. I consider myself to be a good citizen who is an informed voter. I've held elected office. I don't measure people by whether or not we agree on everything. I highly value respect and civility and even differences of opinion. Perpetual anger and hostility hurt my head and heart.

That's what I reacted to this week. Simple as that.

Technology is efficient and practical and sometimes entertaining but it will never replicate actual civil in-person conversations.

• • •

Things to do: Free seed starting class at Vanhoff’s Garden Center, 1844 N. Government Way in Coeur d’Alene on Saturday, March 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Presented by Certified Idaho Master Gardener Beckie Williams.

Also on Saturday, March 8, is the Fourth Annual Craft Fair to benefit Athol Elementary School, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 6333 E. Menser Ave. in Athol.

Coming up Saturday, March 15, the 20th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 3 p.m. from Eighth and Sherman Avenue to First Street through downtown Coeur d’Alene.

• • •

Happy birthday today to Natalie Eckstein, Becky Funk, Jim Riley, Amy Tolzmann Warker, Jennifer Harbour, Paula Ryan, Nicole Barnhart, Kelly Lattin, Hallie Gennett, Allison Mehan, Stacy Veach, Carly Hall and Matt Matthews. Tomorrow, Billie Dust, Rich Winter and Adam Johnson. On Friday, my much younger sister, Janna Scharf, shares a birthday with Heidi Rogers, Jaime Jaworski, Todd Gilkey, Wayne Larson, James Barfoot and Julie Sandstrom. On Saturday, Lisa Ferguson, Robert Page, Linda Koehler, Joni Morrow, Chelsea MacEntee, Kylie MacEntee and Veronicka Peacock take another trip around the sun. Karen Roetter, Bob Frazey, Giuliana Palmas-Rogers, Keith Van Slate, Debbie Myles Shawver, Joyce Connolly and Megan Round blow out the candles Sunday. Wish happy Monday birthdays to Nancy Frazey, Mary Akers and Jon Dingman. Jim Booth, Heather Callahan, Mindy Newby, Jim Faucher, Travis Jank and Rachel Burkhardt put on their party hats March 11.

• • •

Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email thoreson.kerri@gmail.com.