For many weeks now, we’ve all been in self-quarantine. Other than an occasional walk outside, my social life consists of once-a-week trips to the grocery store where I’m dressed like a doctor prepared for surgery. I dodge around other shoppers, using my cart to enforce the six feet social distancing rule. Woe be onto anyone who violates it.
At home I clean and sanitize, wash my hands, sit in front of the computer, wash my hands, eat, wash my hands, read, wash my hands, eat some more, wash my hands, watch television, and wash my hands. Sleep is sporadic, with my internal alarm clock jolting me awake around 4:00 a.m. I then lay in bed twiddling my thumbs and making mental to-do lists for two and a half solid hours after which Winston and Bogey demand I get up and fix their breakfast.
What’s a person to do? During lock-down at our house, we’ve surprisingly logged a few unusual (at least for us) activities.
- Hubby read an entire novel, something he hasn’t accomplished in decades
- We assembled a jigsaw puzzle (too bad we discovered three pieces were missing)
- I’ve cooked and baked and eaten more food than I have since the kids were toddlers
- The dog has been pleasantly shocked to be invited on frequent walks around the lake behind our house
- Mass de-cluttering has occurred (I can now almost view the entire garage floor)
- We’ve grown accustomed to seeing friendly faces…on Zoom
I guess you can say we’ve learned to turn some of the lemons we’ve been handed into quarantinis. As restrictions start to ease, I can’t help wondering. Will any of our new habits continue, or will they, as Margaret Mitchell once said, be gone with the wind? Only time will tell. At this point, I’m both nervous and eager to get a tiny bit more rope.
What about you? Have you done anything unusual during quarantine? What’s the first thing on your list when you feel comfortable enough to venture back into the outside world?
As for my plan, once the dog and I can each get a haircut, I’ll be able to see well enough to let you know.
Friends and fellow readers, I hope you’re hanging in there and doing well. Take care of yourself, and please stay safe. 🙂
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12 Responses
Pat, this qualifies for our WE PAW Bloggers prompt, “Write To Cope”
Thanks, Denise. I’ll hop over and share it. 🙂
Pat–You know, you COULD get up at 4 and feed Bogey and Winston. Of course, they would then get used to eating that early, and you’re stuck with that schedule. 😉
I have eaten way too much, too. Not out of stress, I think, but boredom (and the refrigerator is always accessible).
I know what you mean. Rarely do I eat out of hunger. 🙂
If I change the feeding schedule, I’ll be up a creek. They’ll expect not only breakfast at 4, but another one (brunch?) at 6:30.
We’ve been sleeping later than usual because no one is leaving the house anymore, but we’re up and around by 7. We’ve been going on extra walks and my husband and eldest daughter have been biking every day, too. And we’ve been doing lots of cooking! I’m really looking forward to that post-quarantine haircut, too. 🙂
I hope you and your family are well.
Sounds like you’re keeping busy and are hanging in there. It’s interesting how many of us are amping up the outside activities. I do feel bad for the people who don’t have the opportunity/ability to spend any time soaking up nature.
Hi Pat:
I enjoyed reading your list. There have been a lot of good things that have come out of this, but I am tired and have not been alone at all since March 25! It is so weird. The thing that Katie and I are doing that I most enjoy is reading Harry Potter (on book 5) and watching the movies when we finish. We have also watched the Fantastic Beast movies. We also walk Sudsi every day at lunch and talk about stuff. But did I mention that I am tired?
I think everyone is tired. You have the added responsibility of teaching Katie, and I can’t imagine how tough it is to wear all the hats you’re wearing. My daughter has a four-year old who has become clingy throughout all this, and she keeps mentioning me watching the little guy once things are more normal. They are longing for just a couple of days off to do whatever they want. Hang in there!
Hey Pat, I enjoyed your list and can certainly relate. Hubby and I have been doing projects that have sorely needed attention since our big move last year. It feels good to get more organized, but I miss my grandbabies so much. That will be my first order of business when this is all done: going back to regular spend-the-nights. My oldest grandbaby especially is missing his time with us. He was used to staying here at least once a week and at 8, this is the longest he’s ever been away from us. We’ve been doing drive-bys, waving and talking and “playing the word game” out the window, but it’s just not the same. Looking forward to hugs and snuggles!
Thanks for the respite of reading your post. Stay safe and well. xo
It’s great to hear from you, Teri! I’m glad you and Hubby are doing well in this unnerving time.
I’m with you on missing the grand-kids. 🙁 We’ve been able to do some socially distant visits and Facetime, but it’s not the same without hugs, kisses, and snuggles. On top of that, our oldest grandson is a high school senior this year. No prom. Possibly no graduation ceremony either. I feel bad he’s missing out on all those important senior year moments.
However, we’ll get through this. Take care of yourself!
Ah cooking. I am so tired of it. At first I was thrilled to meal plan for the week. But weeks have turned into months. I’m ready to call it quits. I have been reading a lot, though. This too shall pass. Going to be different for a while. Bill and i have decided we don’t mind being together., but are missing family.
Linda, I think not hugging family is the worst part. 🙁
You’re right, though. This too shall pass.