O.K., I'll add myself to the list of bloggers who is checking in and sharing the surreal experience. I'm sure you've had this discussion, just as my parents' generation could pinpoint when they saw the moon landing, or the assassination of JFK, and how my generation can describe the moment they saw or learned of 9 - 11, this is one of those experiences. We are hunkered down here, probably to a greater extent than most. I've literally not left the property since last Saturday. We have enough groceries (no, I did not hoard, but I did shop ahead of time and my chest freezer is full), and we have gloves and a few masks, just in case. Son is here, daughter remains in her university city, but is being sensible and staying in as well. Her courses are online. Son's courses will be online soon as well. He moved all of his belongings out of his college dorm and has been home for several days now. My school is currently on "March Break" which is a week long, and is now closed for an additional two weeks. I have NO idea what is happening with school in Ontario, beyond that.
I have a puzzle on the go. I've done a bit of cleaning here and there. I am reading Ann Cleeves' latest book following her Shetland and Vera series. Thank goodness I had some books out of the library already! I am texting friends and family members here and there, but no more than usual. I am not on social media, beyond what I do here. Husband is a self-proclaimed watcher of the news and financial reports, so he has been glued to that. He has been following this for a LONG time now and has been warning me and trying to tell me what it would be like and I fully admit that I thought he was overreacting and fixating on it, but damned if he wasn't right! (Yes, I can admit that, ha ha!)
Anyway, although it is surreal, here is what is still real:
My tiny patch of snowdrops is up.
There are still a few patches of stubborn snow here and there.
My chickens are delighted (or as delighted as chickens are capable of being) with going outside even though it has still been a little chilly. They peck at the remaining snow.
I sincerely hope you are all well, taking care, being safe and cautious, and have things to do right now that give you contentment. Bye for now.
Looks like all sorts of internet contact is booming! Contact is important, even if virtual.
ReplyDeleteWriting about ordinary life is important too, not just how the present crisis is affecting us
Those connections are important.
DeleteSeeing ordinary life delights me.
ReplyDeleteWhen I start to go "squirrely", I go outside and find the ordinary.
DeleteGlad to hear all is well with you and your family. Even the chickens!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I've been reading your blog, too!
DeleteI am glad to hear that all is well with you and yours. We're also finally ready to settle in. Seemed like things kept coming up that took us out, but not we are officially home. It won't be too big a change as I have often stayed here for 2 weeks at a time and not minded at all. Larry's another matter--he loves to go out and see his friends at the auto store, lumberyard, etc. He may have some withdrawal pangs :)
ReplyDeleteFor the home-loving introverts, this is no big deal! I was ready to be home for a week, with March Break, but the other two weeks initially took me by surprise. Now, I'm not surprised and wouldn't be surprised if it was much longer that I was away from my work place. I really do feel for those who are now laid off with no pay.
ReplyDeleteI'm just hoping for some warmer weather and then I shall be perfectly content to mess around in the garden and isolate myself from the outside world.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have plenty of yard work to do when things warm up a bit more. So many perennials that I didn't manage to cut back in the fall!
DeleteWe are tucked up too. Lots of food and things to keep us busy. On FB, I see the 20 somethings in our family don't seem to be bothered, are out and about. It is driving me crazy!
ReplyDeleteI know. And honestly, when I was twenty I would have felt invincible as well. It's the fact that they could be asymptomatic and carriers. I know that my daughter was so proud of her university co-horts who are notorious for huge St. Patrick's Day parties who did nothing - no parties at all. Good for them!
DeleteI am working on my most difficult puzzle and suspect it will take me until Easter!
ReplyDeleteHa ha, the one I'm working on, my husband bought for me before we went into "seclusion". It's ridiculously hard!!
DeleteYour take and your husband's remind me of the two of us here. I couldn't stand to keep up with what is available on the Internet (although I know it's important) as I know it would depress me and I'm trying very hard to be the chirker-upper around here. Being the homebodies we both are means we're following much the same day's schedule as we normally do. Keeping close to home but still have had the chance to help others out a bit. There are always a couple "bad apples in the barrel" but on the whole I feel most everyone have been exhibiting kindness and trying to make it through this as best as they can. The hard thing is not knowing what is ahead. Stay safe and positive.
ReplyDeleteI agree, it's the unknown... how long will this last?? Yes, I imagine you are in your element at the moment - you are incredibly self-sufficient. I saw your snow pictures today. I hope that's the last of it for you!
DeleteLoved the latest Ann Cleeves. She's set it up nicely for another series!
ReplyDeleteI hope so! I'm about half way through. (I'm trying to stretch it out!!) I loved her other books, and I'm already liking this one.
DeleteOh, snowdrops and chickens; they don't give a hoot about what's happening around them! I had an email this morning to say all the libraries in the city are now shut, so I do pity anyone who Marie Kondo-ed their book collections on the expectation that the libraries will provide all the reading you ever need. I think her suggestion was you only need 30 books in your home! I also had to wonder, at a blog suggestion I read this morning that de-cluttering would be a good pastime, where all the clutter was to be taken given that many are in lockdown.
ReplyDeleteYes, our libraries are also closed. I only have three library books, but that's better than nothing. Everything else, I have already read, here at home.
DeleteYour chickens are so pretty. Snowdrops, too.
ReplyDeleteAll is closed here, except grocery stores and gas stations, so home it is. My daughter's library notified her two requested books were received, then closed, with the books.
Libraries are closed. Grocery stores are open. LCBO (alcohol stores) have reduced hours. All appointments are cancelled. Husband had a dr. appointment (which he cancelled anyway), and our dr. called from his own home to check on husband and tell him about an x-ray. He is being pulled out of his practise to be available at the hospital instead.
DeleteLike you, I never watched news or anything and I thought people were getting a bit over the top with fear. Oh well. Now I know. It hasn't really sunk in yet, pretty normal for me home alone, not much food in but I'll catch up and survive no doubt.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think the reality is sinking in for most people now. Honestly, I'm glad I'm not around people - I've had pneumonia a couple of times before so I think I might be a bit more susceptible and I'd rather not find out if that's the case. I read that you were also working on a puzzle. It's my new hobby.
DeleteYour snow is melting and you have spring flowers !! Life is not all bad views and news. Must be nice to have your son at home too. Three is company!
ReplyDeleteYes, I wish all four of us were here, but we are keeping in touch with our daughter regularly and she has people living with her in the same house that she's very close to and who are very nice. Today (Friday) feels very spring-like because it is raining.
DeleteI'm glad to see you're doing okay. I love the chickens. Pogo and I are doing pretty good. Staying in and busy. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Edna. You, too!
DeleteWe still have a snow cover here in Western Maine; but the thaw is in progress and mud season well under way. Of course, my wife and I fit the 'in danger' older group. We also are hunkered down. We have no family and no close friends - our life style has resulted in my wife and I being self sufficient and rather reclusive. About once a week we plan to drive to a nearby lake and have a picnic - this will keep us from being totally house bound.
ReplyDeleteLike you, we have prepared ahead.
take care
the Ol'Buzzard
The picnic idea sounds good. Hopefully you'll have some mild weather in which to enjoy it!
DeleteLove the snowdrops. Don’t worry about that which you have no say in. Note I replaced the word control as in my reality we really have no control over anyone or thing. Not that we don’t have free choice and can execute it. The only control we have is in how we respond to circumstances.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time with your son at home.
Wise words. Thank you.
DeleteGlad all is well and no one has killed anyone yet. I love your chickens and snowdrops -- that's the best! I'm sure you're really happy to have your son back home and safe and with a full larder, too. You sound like all is well -- and that makes me very happy!
ReplyDeleteThings are as good as they can be. Larder is full. Now, just bring on Spring, please!
DeleteSo far, so good! We're taking it one day at a time. We have gone for walks after meals, which is nice. And for some reason, the picture of the chickens brought me a lot of joy! HAHAHA Talk about enjoying and appreciating the simple right now :)
ReplyDeleteMy chickens make me happy, too. It ended up being rainy and then cold and windy, so I didn't spend much time watching them today.
DeleteI am enjoying the little moments of ordinary life. They bring realness pre-virus. I believe when this passes, we will all come out with a new appreciation for the simple things. Or at least I hope so.
ReplyDeleteWe will all have a different perspective, that's for sure.
DeleteJenn aren't you lucky having laying chickens - no eggs to be found at the stores. I think you're right about this going beyond the initial 3 weeks, although right now most people are observing the social distancing rules. I wonder at what point "we" become behaviour fatigued & break out. While we are both introverts at heart, this feels different, it's that unknown that nags at the back of the brain. ... Mary-Lou =^..^=
ReplyDeleteIt's a double edged sword. I have access to eggs (they aren't all laying unfortunately), but I also have to make sure I have enough feed for them. I'm good for a while. I'm not out and about so I'm not sure how well people are adhering to the rules. I know of two people who are still going to work like normal. Agreed- it's the unknown that's difficult. Will we still be doing this in two weeks, two months, more?
DeleteOne of the things about this is so surreal is that we are all going through the same all over the world. Stay safe!
ReplyDeleteThat's true - it's the one thing we do have in common.
DeleteHi Jenn :) I wish we had just a few patches of snow left! It's -20 this morning...I need heat!! :)
ReplyDeleteIt was cold here, too, but not that cold. Hoping for spring!
DeleteSince I work from home anyway, this staying home business is something I do. We did though, change our grocery shopping and instead of shopping for one week at a time, we now shop for several weeks at time. Then with the garden coming, I'm planning to be at the market, barely at all.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your daughter is learning online and that your son will be too. Here's to staying safe. Cheers and boogie boogie.
PS: No snow here left. Just a light dusting the other day. But last year, we had the heat on in June. We live in a snowbelt so that's part of it but this past winter has been super light. No complaints.
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