Truly, I'm looking at methods for self care. How can I reduce my own fear and trepidation? Wine and chocolate probably won't do much. I decided that the best strategy is to make art. This won't pacify the world around me, but it will nourish my soul. I started by painting a piece of rusted silk canvas to be the background for a piece I've been thinking about for a couple of years.
Katharine is a talented photographer who has shared her work with friends on Facebook and has given me permission to use her photos for inspiration. No, I can't possibly copy them, and would not even try. Instead, I take from the photos an impression of what the entrance to Petra looks like and the feelings of awe and delight engendered--and that's what I am trying to convey. So I viewed a number of Katharine's photos, then chose a favorite and made a watercolor study based on it. It's not a great painting, but it allows me to get a visceral feeling for the composition of the piece.
After working on this for a couple of hours I'm calmer and more focused. It may be, in these days of apprehension and turmoil, that this is the best we can do.
That, and finding some safety pins to wear.