Week One of Covid-19 Shelter In Place Mandate
We passed the two week mark yesterday, marking 14 days since we disembarked both our cruise and the subsequent cross country flight home, and breathed a sigh of relief as we did so. We understand that we are still 100% vulnerable to picking up the Covid-19 virus here on our home turf, but at least we can put the worry of having been in two very problematic confined spaces (ship and airplane) behind us.
Orange County, where I live here in California, went into Shelter In Place mode on St. Patrick's Day, likely a deliberate move to try and minimize the celebrations that would have occurred otherwise. That was a strange day, as workplaces closed and we began to think through the long term ramifications of shuttering California's enormous economy. That was also the last day I read anything pertaining to the stock market, because it is just too stressful to do so at this time.
It's been an interesting week of self reflection and re-evaluation. I've gone from mourning the loss of our relatively carefree, pre-Covid 19 lives, to a renewed appreciation of simplicity. I am ever so thankful that we moved to our coastal location in 2017, and came to the conclusion that if we never traveled outside of the US or Canada again, I would be fine and at peace with that decision. To a certain degree, travel has provided a convenient distraction from doing the work of finding serenity within, and Covid-19 has finally forced me to do something about that.
Already, we have been told by two recently retired friends that they plan to reenter the work force once businesses reopen. I am saddened on their behalf, even as I appreciate that they are likely still going to be better off, financially, once this is behind us, than their younger counterparts, many of whom may be laid off without the benefit of a substantial nest egg to buffer them.
Our usage of video conferencing has zoomed this week. Think FaceTime, Skype, Google hangout, and Zoom. We've used all four to set up virtual face-to-face get together's with family and friends. We've been doing so, in particular, with our two granddaughters on the east coast, both to stay in touch, as well as to try and give their mommy, our youngest daughter, a bit of a break as much as we can. Her husband is a naval officer currently on deployment, and therefore she is the current sole entertainer for her two little ones. It's been a joy for us to have so much time with our granddaughters, as we alternate between reading to them, having them pretend-read to us, watching them play, and newly this past weekend, having joint coloring sessions where we color and chat together, pausing occasional to show each other our coloring progress via our respective webcams.
We've also been walking or working outside of our home every day in order to take in as much fresh air as possible. As a result, we've seen some wonderful wildlife - two osprey being chased away from nests by a pair of determined crows, a dolphin feeding just in front of a line of paused surfers, , and last evening a Cooper's hawk landed on a post in our backyard and gazed out over our canyon while I watched from within.
We've been eating well, and are trying to make it somewhat of an occasion by having our lunches outside when the day is nice, and dinner in our dining room. As much time as we are spending at home, I want to utilize more of it in order to feel like we are changing up our environment on a regular basis.
We miss the privilege of biking, hiking, kayaking whenever and wherever we want, but we are thankful for what we do still have - the ability to walk from our home and select from among a variety of routes. Today, for example, we are going to do a circuit that will provide both ocean and canyon views on our way to the market, where we will do some limited grocery shopping before walking back home.
I don't know yet what our post-Covid 19 lives will look like, trying to prepare mentally as best I can, but I have been able to experience periods of peace and serenity as I move throughout my day. I didn't get there overnight, for sure. I started from a place of pretty much shock. But some two weeks in, I am experiencing serenity via my daily check-ins with family, my online dates with friends, working in my yard, taking care of deferred household chores, cooking up nutritious meals, and re-establishing a sense of normalcy via technology. We quickly began utilizing it to stay in touch with family and friends, as mentioned above, and now our spiritual community, our Lifelong Learning community, and bits and pieces of our arts and culture community are up and using it as well. It's not at the all the same thing as being together in person, but it is a thousand times better than not having it available at all.
I am no Pollyanna, but there is enough craziness out there without adding to it here, so instead I would love to hear how some are you finding peace, happiness, or serenity at this moment in time.
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I need to figure out Zoom or whatsApp; that's my next project. This past 11 days (our self-shelter-in-place mode, our state just enacted it mandatory yesterday) has included a lot of reading, crossword puzzles, too much social media, and some long-unfinished projects that are now done. I'm doing yoga on-line and cooking from the pantry, which has been a fun challenge. I know I am in fact one of the lucky ones, and trying to be grateful for that.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way Pat - that we are among the lucky ones, financial speaking, which is what I'm assuming you meant. I believe that my external focus will shift completely as a result of this, away from myself and instead toward others in my community that will likely need help for a good long while to come once this initial situation passes or eases up.
DeleteThank you so much for leaving what I think is your first reply? A supportive community has never been more important, even if among relative strangers. From what I can glean from what you've written, it appears you are adapting well and quickly into your current situation. I'll admit that pleasure reading has been problematic for me since this started, so thank you for the reminder to get back to it. I tend to turn to gardening as my current instant-serenity go-to in that it affords both fresh air and physical movement, but come bedtime that isn't terribly feasible! 🤣
Didn't realize your daughter was a Navy wife and your son-in-law deployed. She knows all too well how hard it is to be a single parent, even on the best of days sans coronavirus in the mix. Lauren, my daughter here in El Paso, is in about the same boat. Her husband is a doctor so he is still working and she is home, still on maternity leave with 2.5 month old Cami and 4 year old Lucia. Since I recently flew, Lauren wants me to self quarantine before returning to my schedule of helping with the girls.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping to use this time to reset. To enjoy some of the activities I never find time to do because there is always somewhere to go, something to wash, or iron, or fold, or clean.
Stay safe and healthy.
Our daughter has a live-in nanny, which has been of tremendous help, but I know she becomes exhausted in the evenings, and over the weekends, when it is just her. To a certain degree we feel helpless in that both flying or driving out to her now carries risk. These are not easy times!
DeleteLast night we used Zoom to do a three way video conference with both of our daughters and it was great! My granddaughters ate up the extra attention from their Auntie in addition to us, giving Mom a much needed break.
I know you are currently being pulled by the needs of both your mama and your daughters, but I do think your daughter, Lauren, is precisely on point. Take care, and enjoy if you can, what I know is likely a much needed rest. Hugs to you dear Leslie.
Hi Tamara, Glad to hear you and your loved ones are well. Toronto started closing schools, libraries, community centres, gyms, etc. and many big sports and entertainment events have been cancelled since March 13. I've been keeping up with my outdoor walks and exercise/ yoga routine, just move them from gym to home. I also work on home projects, bake, cook, blog, read, play movies, music at home. The city centre and space by the lake have been mostly empty so it's easy for me to keep a safe distance when I go out. Sometimes I walk and don't see anyone for a few blocks. I've been in touch with my family, friends and neighbours by phone, text or email. So far everyone is OK. Stay safe and healthy.
ReplyDeleteYour current life sounds exactly like mine, Natalie. We've been warned that our spike will be enormous this week here in the US, so I'm trying to prepare myself, mentally, and will be leaving shortly for walk. Nicely, the sun has just come out, so I am really looking forward to it!
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