People rest in the Kyiv subway, using it as a bomb shelter in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Thursday. Russia unleashed airstrikes on cities and military bases and sending troops and tanks from multiple directions in a move that could rewrite the world's geopolitical landscape. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Hello, friends,

Looking back now, the second week of March, 2020 has settled into a place in history: That was when “it” all began, in earnest, for most of us. The working from home, the kids out of school, the shutdowns and daily briefings from grim-faced officials. The deaths. The mad scramble for vaccines. The endless dread and uncertainty.

When we look back on this week, years from now, I suspect we’ll discover this was when the U.S. shifted away from an all-pandemic-all-the-time mindset to ... something else. I don’t want to call it “back to normal,” because after so long, I forget what “normal” was.

But things are changing. In California, officials have declared COVID endemic and are moving the state to a “living with COVID” footing. Nationwide, the CDC is pulling back many mask regulations.

Here in New Jersey, Gov. Murphy is pulling the plug on the COVID briefings he began way back in March, 2020. Target is ditching masks for shoppers and workers, and some employers will no longer require masks in offices.

Of course, COVID isn’t officially “over,” and unless it’s eradicated, it never will be. People are still dying, but at a much slower rate and with much less likelihood, thanks to vaccines. And if another deadly variant emerges, we could end up right back where we started, so some of this is wishful thinking.

But the swift change in wall-to-wall news coverage on Wednesday and Thursday in the national media from COVID to the situation in Ukraine and the possibility of a widening conflict in Europe felt like a sudden change. Those familiar feelings of being a teen in the ‘80s always vaguely afraid the Russians would nuke us into oblivion stirred for the first time since I watched the Soviet Union collapse while in college in the ‘90s.

Suddenly, videos of night skies lit up with rocket flashes, reminiscent of images from when the second Iraq War kicked off in 2003, took over TV screens. Social media profiles that have long sported reminders to wear a mask or get vaccinated changed to the blue-and-yellow flag of Ukraine, signifying solidarity with people facing bombs and the scourge of war. Reports of Americans, including this man from New Jersey, desperately trying to get out of Ukraine, are replacing stories of COVID heroes and front-line workers. Lucky Jones got out of Ukraine, but many others won’t or can’t.

Something has changed.

Also this week, signs of smoke in A.C., what’s cooler than cool, a wedding cake gross-out, tasty news for some Jersey restaurants, and a word about Wordle:

SMOKE SIGNALS: You know how I feel about the lapsed smoking ban inside Atlantic City casinos -- the smoke needs to go. Perhaps unsurprisingly, a study commissioned by the Casino Industry Association claims banning smoking would cost 2,500 casino jobs due to lost gaming. I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting on a new ban.

ICE COLD: My late father would have been 93 this week, and he was on my mind this week as I read about the 88-year-old veteran celebrating his birthday with an ocean polar plunge. Albert Lambertson, Navy man, is an experienced ocean plunger, so this year he’s taking his talents to the Raritan Bay for a celebratory dip.

LET ‘EM EAT CAKE, OR NOT: Imagine me in full-on Mom Voice as I tell you about this couple who were furious a catering hall employee was munching on their leftover wedding cake, and ask: What happened to slicing up the cake and putting it in little bags for the guests to take? That cake was wasn’t free, ya know!

JERSEY EATS WELL: Four New Jersey eateries are nominated in the “Foodie Oscars,” the James Beard Awards. Check ‘em all out here, and give a special hooray for Corinne’s Place!

WORDS WORDS WORDS: I’ve heard some folks squawking that Worlde has gotten more difficult since the New York Times acquired the wildly popular game. Some used Friday’s word (I won’t spoil it but it features the letter v twice), which stumped many including yours truly, as evidence. I say nah. With a limited pool of five-letter words, eventually all those weirdo words are going to come up.

Finally, last week I asked you folks for your thoughts on some things, and your responses were -- as always -- overwhelming and immensely gratifying. You told me about new hobbies you’ve taken up, skills you discovered, challenges you’ve faced, gadgets you’re enjoying. You told me about caring for grandkids, losing loved ones and how you filled the hours after, leaving less-than-ideal job situations, and writing poetry and music on the front porch.

Some of you were critical, saying you were only interested in “news” and why was I wasting time asking people about “lifestyle” stuff? I enjoyed reminding those folks that their beloved newspapers traditionally carried things like puzzles, horoscopes, stock listings, advice columns and lifestyle features, along with all that hard news and sports. It was, in short, a week of terrific conversation that will help me in numerous ways.

I remain grateful to you all for being such engaged, enthusiastic members of this community. Have a terrific week, and pray for peace.

P.S.: I’ll believe it when I see it. Or smell it. Or buy it myself. Until then, it’s all smoke.