How Have You Been?
To start, I hope all of you reading this are safe, healthy, and not slowly going mad through self-isolation. I know that these are interesting, stress-filled times, so I trust you’re drinking lots of water, getting adequate rest, and taking advantage of the slower pace of life. Post in the comments what you’ve been up to, and if you’ve been enjoying your extra time at home or not. And if I can help in anyway, even if it’s just specific prayers, let me know.
How Have I been?
I myself have been busier than ever! I mean, sure, school has been canceled until further notice, but I’ve been using that time to study by myself so not much has changed there. And, yeah, I can’t really go out and do much that isn’t essential, but I was a homebody before this so my habits haven’t changed too dramatically. And work wise, well, I suppose a good thing about working in dental, specifically endodontics, is that we’re considered an emergency facility so I get the honor of being an ‘Essential’. No one gets root canals for fun, folks! For the most part we see patients who are in pain, or have active infection. The one thing this epidemic has changed for us is that our schedule is less consistent. We have days where almost everyone cancels and we’re done by noon, or days that are stuffed full of emergencies and we’re going until the early evening. It’s been interesting, if a little hectic, but I’m grateful that I am able to work. I even got to watch an interesting surgery, and only got a little uncomfortable at all the blood…
How Have They Been?
As for my family, right now all those that I love are fine and staying careful. Pete is still able to work most days since he’s in construction (another essential) and it’s only his dad, his soon to be brother-in -law, and himself on the team so it’s well below the ten people limit. All we need now is for the weather to behave! My dad has been occupied expanding his knowledge of technology so they can do online service. My mom recently started a part time job at the Joy of Living boutique, but unfortunately she received her letter of furlough the other day. Nathan is no longer working at the coffee shop, although thankfully Ethan and Aidan are still employed at Black Dog. They are having to deal with major cuts on hours, though.
I think the one consistent thing is the three younger kids. As far as I can tell, this pandemic is not affecting them too much. They still jump on the trampoline and walk the dog and spend most of their day playing. They grump about school and vegetables and chores. It’s been quite refreshing to have a conversation about something other than quarantine and infection rate, even we’re talking about silly things like Frozen 2 or Fortnite.
How are We?
I do wonder how this will change them, though. The kids, I mean. They may not be obviously stressing about it like we are, but the strangeness of these times will create memories and habits in them. It’s unavoidable. I was as much shaped by the move to CDs from cassette tapes and 9/11 in my own childhood as the generations before me were by the fight to end Apartheid and the invention of home computers. We’re all going to change. I just hope that once we’re out the other side of this plague storm, things are better rather than worse. I mean, I heard the other day that the canals in Venice were clear for the first time in forever. Apparently pollution has been dropping considerably, too. People are spending more time with family because they have nowhere else to go. I’m sure children everywhere are soaking up this opportunity for undivided time with their parents. There are difficulties, yes, and my heart and prayers go out to those who are sick or have suffered the loss of loved ones. But maybe there is good in all this, too? If we use this slower pace we’ve been granted to weigh what is truly important, what is essential… If we step out from our isolation with a desire to know our neighbor and more determination to care for our planet… Maybe this is what will save us in the end? Perhaps…this was the check in we needed.
Do you mean the kids are playing WARZONE not fortnite!
Okay, sorry, bud. 😛
Another good read! Thanx Meggals! I’ve actually been enjoying the slower pace, bt I am missing interacting with real people. Although, technology has been amazing with zoom chats, and Facebook livenevents. A new era for sure 😊
Oh, yeah! I’m so glad we’re were we are with technology. Otherwise, I believe this would be a lot worse!
WARZONE is better then fortnit!!
Love your ponderings, Megan! The way to deal with the blood is not look at it! And, breathe through your moith… you won’t get nauseated by the smells! Love you, granddaughter in love!
Gma Bobbi
Thank you for the tip!
Love ya!
Hi Nutmeg! Thanks for the Mumbles, enjoyed it as always. An interesting comment about the youngsters, I hadn’t thought of how this might impact them. I’m loving the time at home and no shortage of things to do. Not writing much but… ever hopeful LOL! I also hope things will be different after, but honestly I remember how quickly we forget…
Blessings and love always.
It is true that humans are really good at persevering with life no matter the hardships they go through. People have been through worse.
I’m glad you’re enjoying your time at home. And you’ve got your lovely fur babies to keep you company!
Hiya, Gorgeous!
Really missed The Mumbles. Glad you and Pete are managing to work and have some income and you are able to study at home too. I should think the slower pace is making it easier for you to learn and slot in at your new job too. bonus. Sorry to hear your Mum lost her new job though. I am sure your Dad will manage with doing virtual sermons, I have seen other church leaders managing it. Zoom is supposed to be good, but my daughter has been finding them to have problems with their sound at the moment and they are battling to sort it out. But maybe my daughter in the UK can assist/advise him to set up live/recorded catch up feeds for sermons? She is Mel Maelo on FB. She is doing live feeds to help people who have become anxious and stressed with all that is going on. He can say I referred him.
Anyhoo, like Dawn I have not done much ‘writing’ in respect of my books, so must set myself to get up earlier from tomorrow and spend at least an hour, but preferably 2 hours pushing on with editing and revamping my romance novel and find a picture for the cover. I have been reading, and doing online jigsaws – not giving you the link unless you want it for the kids as it is pretty addictive! As per usual I spend a lot of each day commenting on FB and posting same etc on my timeline, answering PMs and emails. And snoozling! I am keeping a daily journal as a record of the lockdown here.
I would love it if we all changed our habits on the other side of this, but as Dawn says humans easily lapse back and forget, and there are those who are just itching to get back to their old ways – including the money men who pull our puppet strings out there in the world. In the meantime I would love it if the decent and innocent creatures on this planet enjoy their brief respite and it would be magic if they were able to turn the tables on us all and stop the wholesale destruction of this wonderful planet! If you get Netflix there is a series on there called Zoo where the animals suddenly do turn the tables…
And now I have rambled on as per usual. But yeah, I’m thoroughly enjoying my isolation. No neighbours checking on me though. Not that that worries me either. I have always enjoyed my own company and do not feel lonely at all. And PC potters in and out during the day and night, snuggles up against me for much of the night too. At least I can sit here in a distinct lack of clothing and not worry about anyone coming to the door. I will find if difficult to get back into the habit of going to U3A and other meetings again after all this. Not that I don’t enjoy them, but because I am happy in my own company I have made myself join things and go out. My main problem though is the cost as petrol is so expensive now and I have to travel to all the meetings and can no longer afford it, so am going to have to cut back which is sad. Also a decision I don’t want to make. Eish. Food/etc, is so expensive now too.
Anyhoo, time for my brunch Sunday treat. A bacon and egg English muffin. Yummo. Lovely to hear from you and send my love to the fam-a-lam.
much love
C & PC xx
You would think I would have more time to study and write and stuff, but it’s amazing how one manages to use any extra moments in nonsense. I would like to get more disciplined, though!
Thank you, my mom will be okay. And hopefully she’ll be able to go back once all this ends. I’ll pass your daughter’s name on to my dad. I’m sure he would appreciate some help! It’s lovely that your daughter is helping people out, too. I think a lot of people are glad for the kindness.
I’ll have to check out that series! It sounds quite interesting! It’s lovely to hear that you’re having a good time in isolation. It’s been hard on some people, but I agree that it’s a wonderful opportunity to slow down and spend a lot of time not caring about social constructs like clothing. 😉