So, it’s what, Day 23? Something like that. It’s fascinating to observe things, some that are coming out of my psyche, some physical observations, plus seeing choices I make start to change to fit the circs. Here are some random observations I’ve made.
I had already put off going to the hairdresser for many weeks before that choice was suddenly off the table, so now my hair is growing wilder all the time. I’ve always hated calling for appointments and I have a phone aversion in general, (although that’s changing, more on that later.) so I’m enjoying the fact that I’m off the hook for that.
It’s great to have the luxury of only showering every couple of days, and the luxury of taking my time over a shower when I feel like it. On a related note, I’m not wearing jeans until this is over. I have three pairs of leggings and they are being rotated frequently so I’m not bored, but still comfortable.
I’m enjoying all the extra time to hang with Monty, my little old dog, who may or may not be around when this is all over. Did I mention he’s old? He’s also deaf, half-blind, and going a little senile, but he’s still my dear companion and the fact that we’re home almost 24/7 probably makes him (on some level not exactly clear to me) happy, and gives me a lot of comfort.
I’ve been having some bad days during this time, but luckily Dave has the mindset of, hey, let’s enjoy having all this time and not having to do anything we don’t want to do! His attitude is at least somewhat infectious, so I don’t stay in the dumps too long. Also, we’ve had some great cocktail hours lately with some good friends, one of whom says they’ve never been more relaxed! Well, that’s a little infectious too.
Recently, my daughter, Erica, wrote to me that she was feeling anxious and depressed. She lives in London, U.K. and is worrying a lot about the NHS workers there. No wonder, they’re in such a vulnerable position and they’re working extremely hard. However, I told her that maybe she should stop reading the reports so much, since her awareness of the particulars is not going to help the situation and she needs to take care of her own mental health at this time. If you’re paralyzed with worry you can’t possibly be productive or creative, which would be a sad waste of this golden opportunity to be just that. Yes, it seems a strange case that the best way we can help them is to stay home. ( As some wag recently wrote, “This is the first time in human history that we can save the world by lying on the couch watching TV. Let’s not screw this up!” ) Yet, that’s the case and we should feel good about doing our bit by social distancing and washing our hands. Beyond that, we can go about our lives, helping individuals when we can, but otherwise waiting this out. It certainly doesn’t help anybody if we find ourselves addicted to the daily Covid updates and unable to think about much else.
Without the aid of our usual cleaning staff (consisting of Aida, a wonderful woman –bless her heart–who comes every two weeks to give the place a once-over) I’m settling into a rhythm of cleaning and tidying that suits me. I’m realizing I really have a preference for tidiness that I would never have guessed. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s not like I’m a zealot or anything, but certain areas of the house are markedly neater since I’ve been home 23/7 with the knowledge that things won’t get tidied up magically every fortnight. (I can already imagine Dave looking pointedly at my knitting corner. Yes, it needs work…)
Who knew how much I’d start to enjoy the habit of a daily walk? (I wrote that yesterday and today I’m dangerously close to blowing it off…it’s dull and depressing out…)
A high point of each day is meal time/cocktail hour, and it’s fun to make a bit more of an effort in that regard. Of course, since Dave does most of the cooking, and he loves it, I’m completely spoiled. My contribution has been to make bread, get a sourdough starter going, and do much of the clean up. Does anybody else enjoy their food a lot more these days?
I’m even more delighted than usual at the signs of spring. The geese returning, the buds on the trees and bushes, the shoots coming up everywhere. I’m grateful for all of it.
I find myself impulsively picking up the phone to call people. That never happens! I usually have a long debate with myself before actually getting to the point of calling, whether it’s to make an appointment or to call my best friend. Interesting change…
I’m beginning to see the need for both short-term and long-term creative projects. It’s easy to settle for managing life on a to-do-list basis, but if one wanted to learn a language, a new instrument, learn how to use new software for your hobby, etc, etc., it’d take more than a day. There are upsides to this prolonged stillness. You could start thinking long-term, because, face it, it’ll be awhile yet… on the other hand, if keeping it together one day at a time is all you can do, I get it. I’m only at the beginning stage of wondering what, maybe, I could-possibly- do in the way of a long-term project. Something to mull over.
In case you haven’t seen this, a bunch of trombonists, mostly London-Ontario residents, but including Dave and I, recorded this beautiful arrangement of Scarborough Fair. Enjoy!
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