Have you been a little stir-crazy? Have you been missing friends and family? How has school been going at home with your kids?

I have been struggling with the essential lockdown of our country. This is the time of year when I generally travel around the state to each of our 26 local electric cooperatives—from Paintsville to Paducah and from Gamaliel to Germantown—to attend annual meetings.

Many of those meetings in May and June have been rescheduled for later in the year, while some co-ops plan to hold virtual meetings and/or drive-thru registration instead. Thanks to all of you for your continued interest and participation as our co-ops adjust schedules.

Kentucky is beautiful and may be the best kept secret in the country. Our people are strong and resilient. Kentuckians are also kind. During this pandemic, I have seen this strength in our nurses and doctors. They have been quick to point out that this virus is dangerous and that we should heed the warnings.

I want to personally thank all the health care professionals and all the others who have been on the front lines during this war. These amazing Kentuckians prove how strong and kind we are.

It doesn’t matter where I am in the state, our citizens are warm, caring and willing to help in any way. Monthly in Kentucky Living, we introduce you to the unique characters and people who make our state special and we highlight interesting places and communities.

It’s also the time of year when I normally become sentimental over our state song with the Kentucky Derby, which usually takes place the first Saturday in May but has been moved to September this year.

My Old Kentucky Home is a wonderful song that makes me think of the warm, sunny days we yearn for at this time of year. I think back to times of sitting on the porch with my grandmother and preparing homegrown green beans, and waving at cars going by.

The sun will shine bright again on our Old Kentucky Home. I know that this spring has been difficult—as the song says, hard times come a knocking at the door. I can’t wait to drive down the parkway and see the corn and beans growing. I am going to look forward to the harvest once again.

May God bless and hold close each of you and your family and friends.