A New Temporary Normal
Just after we developed a new-normal, following our half-cross-country move 6 months ago, normal is changing, yet again. At least temporarily. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as of today, the public library is closed at least until April 1st. A weekly women's meeting I attend is canceled until further notice, as well. My husband begins working from home, at least for one week (and can't decide what to wear today 😄). No word yet whether our beloved Y will be closed; and, most difficult to grasp, I am not sure whether weekly visits to Philly will still be viable 😔.
We experience March Madness in various ways, even though the official sports March Madness is cancelled. Professional ball games are cancelled, as well. Instead, ESPN classic or vintage games fill the air time (never label them re-runs). Unreal.
I learn on CNN it is important to keep a schedule. In other words, even if there is nowhere to go, don't stay in pajamas all day. And, make your bed. Over the last 6 months, I (newly-retired after years of part-time work and becoming accustomed to quasi-isolation due to hubby's 11-hour workdays, which include round-trip car/train transports) learned that for positive mental health, a schedule really is important, no matter what the schedule is.
COVID-19 homebound activity options include puzzles to re-build; new books to read, as well as vintage books to re-read; movies to re-watch; and, homebound exercises including walking the neighborhood. I will make a list of other positive to-do's, including organizing our photos, deeper clothes de-cluttering, more prayer, and longer Bible-reading times...
Our toilet paper stock is satisfactory (14 rolls... enough to spare and to share). A Target employee whispered that she has a dozen new washcloths on-hand at home, just-in-case? Hmmm. We have plenty of essentials like eggs, dairy products, and Cutie oranges; but our stock of pandemic survival snacks are already eaten (not, but we see our fattening goodies disappearing too quickly).
The pandemic-effect and isolation is on.
Neighborhood children have found our side yard to be intriguing. We discovered them and their fort. A fort that consists of two rock rooms and a "no trespassing" rock wall. No-trespassing is not in signage, but subliminal-only, because the wall is low, made of caveman Duplos (rocks). We still wonder how they moved those many, many heavy rocks 😵. The fort's structures should be in the running to win Lego Masters. One lieutenant has been fired (Lord of the Flies lives on).
We experience March Madness in various ways, even though the official sports March Madness is cancelled. Professional ball games are cancelled, as well. Instead, ESPN classic or vintage games fill the air time (never label them re-runs). Unreal.
I learn on CNN it is important to keep a schedule. In other words, even if there is nowhere to go, don't stay in pajamas all day. And, make your bed. Over the last 6 months, I (newly-retired after years of part-time work and becoming accustomed to quasi-isolation due to hubby's 11-hour workdays, which include round-trip car/train transports) learned that for positive mental health, a schedule really is important, no matter what the schedule is.
COVID-19 homebound activity options include puzzles to re-build; new books to read, as well as vintage books to re-read; movies to re-watch; and, homebound exercises including walking the neighborhood. I will make a list of other positive to-do's, including organizing our photos, deeper clothes de-cluttering, more prayer, and longer Bible-reading times...
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| Leader Peter's Office or caveman recliner |
Our toilet paper stock is satisfactory (14 rolls... enough to spare and to share). A Target employee whispered that she has a dozen new washcloths on-hand at home, just-in-case? Hmmm. We have plenty of essentials like eggs, dairy products, and Cutie oranges; but our stock of pandemic survival snacks are already eaten (not, but we see our fattening goodies disappearing too quickly).
The pandemic-effect and isolation is on.
Neighborhood children have found our side yard to be intriguing. We discovered them and their fort. A fort that consists of two rock rooms and a "no trespassing" rock wall. No-trespassing is not in signage, but subliminal-only, because the wall is low, made of caveman Duplos (rocks). We still wonder how they moved those many, many heavy rocks 😵. The fort's structures should be in the running to win Lego Masters. One lieutenant has been fired (Lord of the Flies lives on).
Public schools are closed, but our neighbor kids will keep busy; so can we. Our neighbor kids are not afraid nor panicked; neither should we be. The unknown can be scary. But for me, when compared to facing and surviving chemo treatments and HR-2 positive breast cancer (priorities definitely became clear), this will end up being an interesting larger blip, yet still just a blip, along life's overall timeline.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT).
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