social distancing

Day Five

March 18, 2020 at 9:05 am by Claudia

We need a little beauty today. The tulips are doing that artful drooping that I love.

We made a mistake last night. We tuned into MSNBC to watch the primary results, but most of the coverage, sandwiched in between primary results, was of COVID-19. A lot of experts spoke and it was solid information, but way too much of it. What we heard was alarming; much of it I’d already read during the course of the day, but suffice to say this strange new world of self-quarantine, self-isolation, social distancing, whatever you want to call it, might be with us much longer than 14 days. It’s too overwhelming to take in. Though I slept, I woke up early and I feel edgy today.

So: No More. We will know what we have to know and the fact is, we already know it. We’ll do what has to be done. But I’m going back to the safe distance from the news that I usually maintain. A lot of figures and charts and ominous predictions are not something I want to take in or have in my brain. Fear is catching. Let’s not fan the flames.

Let’s help each other out here. But I ask you to try to refrain from dire predictions and lots of facts and figures. We don’t need that. I don’t need that. What we do need is love and support and tips and ideas as to how to spend our time at home and affirmations and prayers and helpful words for each other during this stressful time. Share your unease, share how you’re coping with anxiety, share thoughts and truths and we will reach out to each other as we always do in this little community. Share helpful podcasts and book titles and movies to watch. If you see the humor or irony in this situation – and it’s there – share it. Of course, I realize that is already happening in the comments because you are wonderful, giving people who reach out to others. The joy of this blog is, and has always been, the loving community we have created here. Thank you for that.

You know I believe this: We are all one. I can’t think of a time where this truth is more imperative, more profound. I’m praying for everyone, everywhere. Let’s send out positive energy to all the world.

Happy Wednesday.

Day Four

March 17, 2020 at 10:34 am by Claudia

I’m must admit I’m quite happy that I can use these post titles as we navigate self-isolation for the next few weeks. After writing a blog daily for 12 years, it’s next to impossible to come up with an original post title. It’s almost my least favorite thing about writing the blog, except for the constant hacking attempts on this blog that go on all day, every day.

Anyway, I’m going to stay with this ‘count’ title until we are all freed from our homebound existence.

We took a walk yesterday – just down our normally busy road, which was not nearly as busy, to a road we normally take, but didn’t take, as we saw two of our neighbors outside and knew we wouldn’t be able to safely distance ourselves. So we turned down the next road, which is all but private, and walked along one of the two rivers that are in our neighborhood.

One of the many bridges in this area. A few years ago, the county – or was it the state? – repainted all the smaller bridges in this shade of red. We love that color.

This is just south of the red bridge; a remnant of a long-ago bridge that used to cross the river.

Don guided me down a little hill to the edge of the river. He wanted to show me this little scrap of a beach along the river. I had no idea it was there. My San Diego born-and-bred husband loves seeing a beach of any kind. The footprints are mostly ours, but check out that animal print on the left. Raccoon? Some little critter needed a drink of water. There are other animal prints, as well. I had they were there until I saw my photo. Love those surprises.

We came back home and had a great lunch that Don had made earlier in the day.

So here we are, my friends. Every local shop I use in this area has sent out an email in the past 24 hours stating they are closing for the time being. Most of them are trying to provide online ordering or curbside pickup. Some restaurants are staying open but have reduced their seating by 50% – adhering to new guidelines. This virus is like a stone that has been dropped in the water, creating an endless ripple effect for everyone and everything.

We’re fine. We’re reading and playing music and taking walks when we can – today is rainy, so we’re taking the day off. We’re watching Netflix and Amazon Prime and TCM and Jeopardy and have recently discovered recorded symphony performances on YouTube. I cannot express enough how calming it is for us. I know we can listen to those pieces on a music app, but it is endlessly fascinating and much more engaging to watch the musicians and conductor at work. So far, we’ve listened to Beethoven’s Sixth, Seventh, and Ninth Symphonies.

We sure sleep a lot better afterward.

Do what you can to remain calm. Read, listen to music, take a walk, craft, cook, play the piano or the guitar, meditate, clean, catch up on those projects you’ve been meaning to do, if you’re in a warmer climate than ours, start in on your spring garden clean-up, order seeds, contribute to your local economy by ordering from small businesses, keep an eye on your neighbors who are vulnerable, do FaceTime or Skype or What’sApp with your loved ones.

Stay home.

Even though I’m part Irish, I have never been into St. Patrick’s Day, but if you are…felicitations!

Happy Tuesday.

Day Three

March 16, 2020 at 11:01 am by Claudia

Greetings from Command Central here at Mockingbird Hill Cottage.

You’ll notice my mug says “Patience.” I have a feeling I’m going to need a lot of it in the coming weeks. This will be a bit harder for Don, who likes to get out at least once or twice a day and is used to doing that. I already had to stop him from going to the grocery store this morning to get some more yogurt. I find myself reading updates to him out loud so that he truly gets it. But, along with that, I am also keeping away from too much information, too much news. We’re self-isolating. We are not having contact with anyone else.

I’ve noticed more and more bookshops closing for the next two weeks. It’s almost impossible to practice ‘social distancing’ in a bookshop. I urge you to help independent bookshops in this time of need. I bought books from both of our local bookshops at the end of last week and I ordered a book online from Oblong Books yesterday. I didn’t especially need that book right now, but I wanted to take some sort of positive action. Modest purchases, but I hope that money helps them out.

Our local schools are now closed for two weeks. The school system is going to feed those families who have children who depend on the schools for a hot meal. They’re also holding a food drive for those in need.

For every fool who thinks this doesn’t apply to him/her and is still congregating with other people, there are far more people who understand the enormity of this and are doing everything they can to protect themselves and others, and are also contributing to the local economy as best they can. We tried to check on our elderly neighbors yesterday, and have been doing so off-and-on since January, but every time we call, we get a fax sound. We think they’re most likely wintering with their children out West.

We’ll take a walk today (Don’s been doing that every day) and since we’re on a country road, social distancing won’t be an issue. Just need to get some exercise! I find my anxiety popping up here and there – it’s no wonder, I guess – but giving myself an activity helps.

Take care of yourselves. Don’t go out. If you are going out and don’t have to, please stop.

Happy Monday.

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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