Puttering Along

I have  a confession this morning:  I vacillate between being happy that so many are protecting themselves and wondering what the heck all of these shut downs are going to do to so many people, especially those who could barely afford to take a single day off to begin with and those who have their own small businesses-my offspring included. Even as I self isolate in my home, and aknowledge that I understand flattening the curve.

I also need to step up and say that we have been drastically let down the failure of our President to act in a responsible way. Just last evening our leader, the President of the United States said very clearly that "we have the virus under control".  We do NOT have the virus under control, and thankfully there are scientists who are actually willing to speak up even in front of the President and say "Hell, no, the virus is not under control, we have not come close to seeing the worst that can happen".  People need to be prepared and know the truth-there are other positive things to say that have nothing to do with lying, lying outright and making people believe that they don't need to worry or take basic steps.

 The Federal government, thanks to the President, is behind the ball on this. Far behind on the ball. Thankfully, SOME states, including mine, are being proactive. But we shouldn't have to rely on the sensiblities of our Governors (Oklahoma's took his family of all ages to a crowded restaurant this weekend where they sat cheek to jowl with a few hundred people).  I have a couple experienced military friends who believe strongly that we will be Italy by the weekend because as a country we have not shut down. We are beyond trying to make people feel confident so that the economy can be better. Do your job and protect the health of the country.  The shorter this experience, the faster we will get back to normal-ness of our lives, which will fire the economy better than any drivel that comes out of the federal government.  I am actually not a fan of the Goveror of New York as such. But this man is on the ball-we should all be doing what New York is doing. Now.

Today is my first (Or maybe second, I did run out at least once last week) week of staying completely home (except for running out to get a blood draw and possibly going for a nice long drive alone in the car. My brother suggested this as an isolation alternative knowing I love to drive and I was like, why didn't I think of that!).

Last week I was extremely lazy and spent most of my time sitting in a chair reading or sitting outside. This week I plan to start at least a list or schedule or something. Having said that, it occurs to me that as someone who is a naturally happy at home (in spite of my social life), I can always, always, find something to do at home and am rarely if every bored. Admittedly without the very large yard I would probably want to leave more if only to walk, but for me it is not a NEED to leave my home on a regular basis. In fact, after staying home last week, I have come to realize that I am ready to cut back a bit on the socialization thing. I'll cut the outings I'm hosting on my women's group by half (partly to free up time and partly to encourage others to step up as I leave) and won't be starting a group in Texas. But that's a story for another time.

My brother is like me. He is self employed and has a huge home office and except for running out to the store or going somewhere with his wife on the weekend can be happy not leaving the house. He works in the yard or the garden. He has a treadmill in the basement with TV and headphones. He cooks, he reads, he has multiple collections, he has hobbies. right now he is working on a paper nano project with tweezer, headlight and so on. There are so many things.....

Made with literally hundreds of pieces of paper folded and glued using tweezers and a magnifyer. Only three by five inches when completed (the whole thing).

His wife and my sister are just the opposite I expect.  My sister especially. It is impossible for her to spend a full day at home, she is normally runing out for someting whether she needs it or not just to get out of the house. My sister-in-law is not so bad, but she has some issues as well and much of her social life and identity are tied up in work. Starting this week she has gone both to part time, and to working at home. 

This experience will be a test for her as she is ready to retire (she has the letter all written on her computer ready to date and go as she and my brother prepare to pull the plug). Brother and she have been discussing on and off-he has some eye issues and is ready to move to consulting with the company on an as needed basis and when he does that she will do the same.  So for her this at home time-literally all the time-will be a test. Brother has a plan to gently remind her that "well, this is what a large part of retirement will be like". Yes, they will travel some, and yes, she will probably volunteer and find some social things to join. But still, for most of us, retirement is returning to home for a good part of the day.  We will see how that goes. 

As for me I am back to my puttering days and mainly loving it (although admittedly I spent some days last week very lazily playing like it was a snow day). This morning we had morning prayer, since my church has started streaming services and as I type this somewhere between nine and ten I am still having morning time in my chair. My very brief checlist includes an hour of aerobics with Utube, doing a quick pickup/dusting/wipedown/sanitizing run of the house and running the dishwasher, working on my knitting project since my new yarn will arrive today, and having a couple quality outside visits with the dogs. Since I didn't thaw anything as such for dinner we are having thawed fire grilled chcken tenders with whatever potatoes I decide on and dip and salad.

And there are a few things I could add to the pantry (milk, eggs, coke, juice, gatorade), but i can do pick up and wait.

Now if I could just keep my (very dry) hands off my (very dry) face!

Another week, another adventure.