Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Stayin' Alive, Stayin' Alive


Hey, You...Get Off of My Cloud!
If you do, "I Will Survive" (and you will too)
But if you get too close "I'll Fly Away!"
(Sorry....just a little "beer virus" humor!)



Isolation is for the birds….well, guess that’s not true.  They seem to be flying around rather freely these days!  Sure wish I could.  I am doing my best to stay away from as many people as possible, not only so that I will be following the rules set up by my local and state governments; but also because it’s the best thing for my health since I have asthma.  I want to protect myself and my family as much as possible, but it sure is hard not to get out and see people.   I did go out to the cemetery for a few minutes, but I wasn’t worried about anyone there giving me those evil germs.   So…what have I been doing while in prison isolation?

One of my least favorite jobs….cleaning out flower beds.  We are planning on relandscaping some areas but won’t be able to get the plants until after all this craziness is over.  By then it might be winter!


HOMESCHOOLING.  One grandchild is in 10th grade and the other is in 8th, and let me tell you….what is being taught these days is soooooo much harder than when I was in school.  In fact, I’m not sure I would have ever graduated if I had to do all that they do.  I mean, I know we learned about cells but I’m pretty sure we didn’t have to learn the names and definitions of all the hundreds zillion different cells swimming around in our bodies.  
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I have a Master’s degree but sometimes I honestly have no idea about some of the things they are learning.  I am helping them when possible (and they both have called on me a few times these past two weeks), but doing school online can be very difficult when you are used to having a teacher and the structure of a classroom.  My grandchildren are hanging in there, but I know many children don’t have anyone at home directing their path and keeping them focused.  Please pray for them...and for their teachers who truly care.

I have organized closets (color coordinated), cleaned out cabinets, and found dust bunnies I didn’t even know I had.  Guess there are at least a few positive outcomes of this devil's handiwork.

 Another positive outcome has been that in many homes, parents are spending more time with their children than they are normally able to.  Have you seen the new game going around…the one that pulls parent and child together as they travail their town looking for TEDDY BEARS in windows, behind trees, or hiding in bushes?  We are doing it in our little town and one friend recently reported finding over 235!!!!  But it’s not only fun for the young, because two “oldies” whose name I won’t mention jumped on our their golf cart and went looking too๐Ÿ˜Š  Such a fun way to soothe some cabin fever and the “I’m bored” syndrome.   (And yes, my sweet teddy is sitting in his own little chair on the front porch!)




Of course, I’m reading, doing crosswords, walking in the neighborhood (keeping my distance from any other walkers), and finishing up some projects that have been on the back burner for awhile.  Things like cleaning out my computer files and favorites, making out menus, and going through mountains a few recipes I’ve collected.  If only I could get to Wal-Mart to pick up some spray paint, I would be painting up a storm!  I am not a “sitter”….I have to constantly be doing something.  I am beginning to understand how those poor animals in cages at the zoo feel    


One negative of this whole situation is that by staying home I am doing way too much of this…..



and none of this.      


I’ve hidden the bathroom scales for now!!!!!

Another positive in all this sadness and fear is that GOD still knows how to put on His spring nature show.  The azaleas and dogwoods are blooming and so I get to enjoy those as I walk the neighborhood.  And once again a sweet little cardinal couple is building their nest in the candlier on our front porch.  If the mean old cats or some other unwelcome visitor doesn’t bother them, we will get to enjoy waiting for the eggs to hatch and then watching mama and daddy feed their little ones.  Definitely something to look forward to!


I am 70 years old young and so I don’t have any memories of the Great Depression or WWI or II.  I do remember having those drills in school during the Cold War where we had to dive under our desks when the alarm was sounded…and I remember my neighbor digging this HUGE hole in his backyard that I was hoping was going to be a neighborhood swimming pool but instead was a fallout shelter.  (This worried me tremendously…thinking that if the worst happened his family would be safe inside that shelter while my family was annihilated!)  But other than that (which turned out to be nothing) I have never seen or really even imagined anything like what we are going through today.  I can’t help but ask, "Is this God's wake-up call for all of us?"      I am so tired of seeing and hearing people from our highest government to my local community argue, put down each other, and just be plain mean.  I’m not trying to say I know what God is up to, but I am praying that maybe, just maybe, at least some of our world will now appreciate the blessings we have and learn to live in love and peace with all people.

I pray that you and your family and friends are safe and well, and I ask that you pray for my family and me too.  WE CAN GET THROUGH THIS TOGETHER... if we just love one another, care for one another, and PRAY PRAY PRAY!     Keep washing those hands and distancing yourself….go clean out some closets and find some dust bunnies to sweep away.  This too shall pass.


14 comments:

  1. Cheri, you sound like you have been making the most out of this time. I wish I could say the same. I had big plans "to do" but with a house full of people home, we're not really "doing" much of anything, except playing games, eating and watching shows. As adults we're usually all running in different directions, so while this time is nerve-wracking we're trying to find a silver lining. Stay safe!

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    1. We all need to spend time looking for the silver lining. Glad you are enjoying time with family...those dust bunnies can wait:)

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  2. great post....we are also doing many of the same and I also found some of those hidden dust bunnies!. I am now struggling with what to do and am trying to not shop on line!!! Today is day 9 for us and home is shiny clean and organized - i suppose I should begin working on the basement - ughhh

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    1. Which reminds me I could spend some time in the attic...but definitely not a job I want to do. I may wait for the next plague to come along before doing that:)

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  3. Ohhhhh, remember that song ... -chuckle- Remember how young and thin, John Travolta was? -smile-

    Have not heard of looking for teddy bears. So sweet. So people are doing this. I did see a suggestion, to put a Heart in the window.

    I have stopped listening! Don't want to know, how many cases in my County. Or hear how so-called-civilized-people, are viciously attacking others, with the Blame Game.

    The sun is shining... The birds are happy... Home is still here.... Life is more quiet. Which is fine with me.

    Take care...

    Gentle hugs,
    ๐ŸŒธ ๐ŸŒธ ๐ŸŒธ

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    1. I am definitely with you! I have ceased watching and listening to a lot! It's just too depressing. Trying to find all the silver linings I can:)

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  4. Sounds like you are keeping busy!!
    I'm a home body anyway so isn't so bad having to stay home.
    I sure do miss going to church and my church family though. A blessing that we can watch services live on FB!!

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    1. Oh how I miss going to church. My pastor is preaching over radio though so that's better than nothing. I tend to be a homebody too but this is getting ridiculous!!!

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  5. We ARE in this together! I can't wait to see people, be able to visit again freely. I too stay busy but just really want to get out and go. I saw an ad on TV last night for Lowe's garden plants and it made me sad that I couldn't go. This too shall pass and things will get back to normal. I will pray for you, please pray for me. HUGS!

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    1. Theresa, I am praying soooooo hard for all of us but sure will lift you and yours up personally. I want to get out and see people so badly. I'm beginning to get cabin fever but trying to stay busy!

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  6. Yes, we are in this together, and we will survive. God is good, and He is working all things together for our good. I do pray for those who are afflicted by this virus, and for those who are working on the front lines, as well as our President and leaders working around the clock to ensure our safety. You have been quite busy in the midst of your confinement. I am not able to be quite as physically busy as I'd like to be, having recently had surgery and am still recuperating. But little by little we are accomplishing a few things. Mostly just enjoying watching the birds and geese on our pond. We are missing our friends, family and church, but try to connect via phone and facebook often. Very thankful for peace and comfort of our home. But will be glad to get out more as soon as possible! Have a blessed day!!

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    1. Pamela, I sure know what you mean. I am praying diligently for our country, our leaders, our medical people (like my sister)...all of us. Hope you recuperate from your surgery soon. And yes...God is good:)

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  8. I was continuing to work at the wedding venue but once the tree pollen got bad yesterday and the lungs got tight (seasonal asthma) I decided that I needed to stop doing that with the virus floating around. Now my days will be going from here to the other house to do things. Hoping to have most of my part done so my handyman can paint and do repairs. I gotta get that carpet up and floors laid. Will not take long to lay, AFTER CARPET IS GONE. Gotta get this house on the market.

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