QUARANTINE MUSINGS

When this PANDEMIC forced us to SHELTER IN PLACE, I created a list of things to accomplish. Do you remember that we were going to be STUCK AT HOME for about 2 weeks? Then it was stretched to an additional 2 weeks..... then it stretched to the whole month of MAY and most places only began to loosen their RESTRICTIONS in JUNE. 

Looking back, it was BRILLIANTLY staged for us. Who could have mentally accepted the idea of being QUARANTINED at home for MONTHS, if it were introduced that way back in MARCH? Baby steps...... 

I don't know about you, but I felt PRODUCTIVE early on. I cleaned out and organized several cabinets.  

Another quick PROJECT - I removed the upholstery from a chair and ottoman that I had reupholstered several years ago. I had never done it before and wanted to try. Treating it like an ART PROJECT, I was proud of the job I did without any lessons. But now that I'm redoing the decor in my family room, new fabric is needed to go with new colors. This time I'll send it out to a PROFESSIONAL upholsterer.  

I started an indoor HERB GARDEN that was a BIRTHDAY gift.

The HERBS inspired me do more cooking and to try a few new RECIPES.

 Dill Bread

Cabbage Soup

In early MAY, after "sitting around too much (and frankly EATING too much - ANYBODY ELSE??) and because I have one knee ready to be replaced (it hurts when I walk), I realized that I had to get some kind of EXERCISE besides the stretches I learned in PT.

I got motivated to research and buy a RECUMBENT STATIONARY BICYCLE to strengthen the muscles around my knees (darn arthritis!). I even put it together myself (it certainly wasn't brain surgery). Now, the hard part - making a bike ride a HABIT. It's been 46 days and I've been CONSISTENT (so far)!

Then for some reason it seemed that I started to have trouble focusing on the simplest of things - like when reading a book - I'd JUMP from one task to the next and to the next and to the next and then sit back down to read again - the same chapter over again. Aargh.

The next STAGE OF QUARANTINE - I couldn't remember what day it was (arguably, I still can't). But the DAYS began to pass more quickly and the MONTHS were behind us before I knew it.

A DAILY ROUTINE evolved early on - around 5:00 or 6:00 I'd pour a GLASS OF WINE and sit down to watch the DAILY CORONAVIRUS TASK FORCE BRIEFING. That went on for weeks. So many UNKNOWNS and lots of SPECULATION. I was excited to learn what was new each day. It was something I looked forward to - new INFORMATION.

There was a time (maybe a day or two) when I felt a bit DOWN - I think it was early MAY - and a number of FRIENDS expressed the same was going on with them. It was part FRUSTRATION with continuing UNKNOWNS and wondering "HOW LONG is this going to last"? FACETIME with FAMILY and friends helped to bring back the HUMAN CONNECTION. And monthly ZOOM BOOK CLUBS were a GODSEND. 

FLOWERS started to BLOOM, giving the outdoors (and indoors) new color.  My grass was actually NEON GREEN!

One of my sisters lives in the neighborhood, yet our FIRST time together wasn't until over the MEMORIAL DAY weekend - an outdoor dinner, social-distancing on my deck (ITALIAN takeout from ALLEGRIA!!). We had both been VERY DILIGENT about QUARANTINING!

And then it was JUNE. 

Looking back, I noticed that in MARCH and APRIL I was blogging a lot, but in MAY and JUNE - NOT ONCE. I wonder what happened? Not really sure, but it's interesting to note.

Sometime in JUNE I began to LOSE INTEREST in the news (however, I didn't lose interest in my "DAILY 5'OCLOCK SOMEWHERE WINE".....). The CORONAVIRUS updates were over, GEORGE FLOYD was killed, PEACEFUL PROTESTS began but then outsiders swooped in and created CHAOS and DESTRUCTION with RIOTS and LOOTING. THAT was just too disturbing, depressing, and disheartening. I guess that's why I stopped watching the news.

I picked up TAKE-OUT FOOD only a handful of times. When outdoor dining became possible just a few weeks ago, I was thrilled to meet some friends out - deciding I'd try to do this perhaps once a week. 

We had our FIRST BOOK CLUB OUTDOORS with social distancing last week. It was HOT out and difficult to hear each other over the live music playing at the outdoor restaurants nearby. Although it was GREAT to be together in person again, I think ZOOM might be more effective and more comfortable. (DID I JUST SAY THAT?)

I'm RETIRED and I don't have to worry about MAKING A LIVING or RAISING CHILDREN. I'm thankful every day for how FORTUNATE I am - to be in this time of my life for this crazy PANDEMIC. I WORRY for those who have to tend to these responsibilities every day during this already STRESSFUL time.

Although this has been a DIFFICULT and CHALLENGING period of time (making the HISTORY BOOKS for sure), don't you also think it's been a good time to get mentally and soulfully centered, to count your blessings, to appreciate time with FAMILY and FRIENDS and to realize what you do and don't "NEED"?

How LUCKY we are to have our current TECHNOLOGIES, with INFORMATION (and ENTERTAINMENT) at our fingertips (literally) and EASY COMMUNICATION methods to stay in touch with friends and LOVED ONES? 

BLESSED to have food, air conditioning, clean sheets and towels, and a friendly neighborhood. 

BLESSED to have my GIRL CLOVER!!!, who keeps me entertained and who reminds me when I've been spending too much time on the COMPUTER. 

BLESSED to have my eyesight to read GREAT BOOKS, watch TV, search the WWW, and enjoy nature.

BLESSED to have thoughtful and helpful neighbors and friends. 

BLESSED to have good health and clean air to breathe, a beautiful home, and outdoor environment. 

This QUARANTINE time has been a time to REFLECT, LEARN, SLOW DOWN, SET GOALS, CLEAN HOUSE, and APPRECIATE all that LIFE has to offer. 

HOPING that you are faring well and have discovered many BLESSINGS in your life too. 

The QUARANTINE? This too will pass.........

JOAN