“If you’re comfortable with yourself and know yourself, you’re going to shine and radiate, and other people are going to be drawn to you.” –Dolly Parton
This sheltering in place is easier for some of us than others. For instance, I already worked at home. I live on this big farm where I can go walking with my two furry buddies, Frankie and Marley, who don’t have the first concern about social distancing. It’s a good thing that’s not necessary because dogs aren’t good at keeping a distance from the people or other dogs they like. We can walk down to the creek and see the wildflowers to share with all of you the way I did last week. Then I can go back to the house, fire up my computer, put my fingers on the keyboard and try to pull some more story out of my head. While that isn’t always easy, it isn’t any different for me with the COVID-19 lock down.
There are differences, of course. The grandkids haven’t been able to come see me. Sad. I haven’t been able to have my children over for dinner. My husband and I can’t go out for dinner with friends. But those friend and my family are all well. The kids are managing nicely with their on-line schoolwork. I do feel bad for the granddaughter who is a senior and missing out on so much of her best high school year. We’re not even sure she’ll get to have a graduation ceremony that grandparents like us can attend. We did a drop off of birthday gifts for a granddaughter and seeing her open presents from a distance wasn’t as good as being at a party with cake and ice cream. Air hugs just don’t take the place of actual hugs. I told that granddaughter that I didn’t think I had ever seen her that I didn’t hug her. I miss seeing my church family. This was the fifth Sunday we haven’t met as a family of God. It is very strange knowing all the church parking lots are empty on Sunday morning. All, that is, except a few churches that are having drive-in services with everybody staying in their cars.
I sent out a newsletter last week. (If you didn’t get one and would like to read it and see how to enter for a chance to win a book, here’s a link.) In the newsletter I asked how people were managing during this sheltering in place time. The comments I have received back show the resilience of people. Some were still working because they had jobs considered necessary. Some were caring for grandchildren while the parents worked and/or helping the children with on-line school. Some were like me and said things weren’t a lot different for them since they were retired and used to staying at home or that they always worked from home. Many of the respondents said they were catching up on their reading. Others were doing home projects they had wanted to do forever and never got around to. Some were cleaning and de-cluttering. Quite a few were outside enjoying spring and/or planting flowers and gardens.
One told me she’d been wearing a bandanna for a mask when she went out and that made her feel like she was planning to rob a stagecoach. You’ll know what she meant if you ever watched any old westerns. One person was doing watercolor paintings. Another was knitting or making face masks. Some were simply enjoying the time at home with their family. One said the shut down had helped her slow down and note what was most important in life. One person said she had been studying Psalm 91 which is a good chapter to read right now. Everyone was hoping the crisis would lessen soon and things could begin to get back to normal. But until that happened, they were doing the best they could. That’s all any of us can do.
I have missed doing several book events. I plan to do a zoom interview with one of the librarians who had to cancel her library’s book fair. She says we can talk about my book, The Refuge, that is still on e-book sale for $1.99 or even less if you book shop at Christianbook.com. Actually the last time I checked, The Refuge and also River to Redemption were free downloads for Amazon Prime members. But if you do decide to check that out, always make sure you look at the price before you hit the enter button to be sure you are being charged what you are expecting.
Another fun thing is my book, These Healing Hills, is the Revell ‘s Facebook book club, Beyond the Book’s pick for discussion this month. I love book clubs and hearing what readers think about the books they read. If you’ve read These Healing Hills and want to join in the fun, it’s free and open to the public at Beyond the Book. They do a different book each month. On April 30th at 3 p.m. I’ll be doing a Facebook Live time to wrap up the month’s discussion. They post new discussion questions on Tuesdays.
So how are you doing with the sheltering at home? What are you missing most?
Thanks for reading and stay well.
Comments 15
I am really missing going out the dr called me when this started and told me that am not to go out at all. Well we live in a rural area and the closest house is about 1/2 mile so we just walk around outside for me not very far or my scooter battery will die. My husband goes walking around our land to check the fences to make sure everything is ok so he gets to go down in the woods where there are a lot of deer.
Author
What a thoughtful doctor to make sure you knew you shouldn’t go out because of your health issues. But I’m with you, Peggy. I’ll be glad when people can go back to work and things get back to something closer to normal. You wouldn’t think a germ could spread so fast or be so deadly. Maybe you can just take a ride in the car to look at the spring trees and not actually get out of your car or talk to anyone to help with the feeling of cabin fever.
It is mostly business as usual for us as my husband and I are retired and we live on a farm. We are so blessed to have meadows and woods where we can walk our dogs and enjoy nature. Our barn swallow scout arrived today , the others will arrive soon, about 30 birds which will raise 2 broods . They are cheerful summer companions. Also our bluebirds are building in their box, several robins have been busy constructing nests in trees around the house. Our 4 pet goats provide daily entertainment and their care keeps me busy ! What I miss most of all is gathering with family and going to church. We watch the message on line and are grateful for this provision. Love the picture of your dogs !! What would we do without our pets ? They are such a comfort ; especially at this challenging time.
Author
That picture sort of shows how Frankie is putting the claim on Marley. They do like to stay together except at night when Marley comes in to sleep and Frankie likes to stay outside to protect us from the night critters like coyotes. He’s fenced in so all he does is bark. I’d be worried about him if he could go chasing them.
I love seeing the birds. I’ve been expecting my hummingbird to show up. I probably should put out the feeder just in case, but it has been really cool.
I agree with you about being fortunate to live on a farm where I can get outside. It has to be difficult for people in apartment buildings.
Hubby and I are well. He is working from home. He’s in the mortgage business and people continue to buy homes. I am a writer so I am already working from home. Most of all, we miss having face to face time with son, daughter-in-love and grandson. They live close but we are social distancing due to son’s compromised immune system. He has rheumatoid arthritis and a blood disorder.
Author
Writers have no excuse not to write during this time, Melissa, but I have heard some say that they are having trouble with motivation. Too much worry and concern perhaps. I think we could get together with my son and his family but we having, more because of my husband than anything. He has some asthma issues. So the few times we’ve seen them, it’s been outside from that social distance.
While I miss meeting in person with my church groups, we are at least meeting on Zoom. So, I am “seeing” and hearing the voices of my church family. However, I have/(had) a part-time job at an after-school learning center, and I really miss the fun and capable ladies with whom I work(ed) and the darling little students I “teach” (“taught”) there.
Author
We certainly hope that you will soon be able to teach those kids again and that we will all be able to go back to church, Suzanne. I’m praying so. But things are pretty strange right now.
Hey Ann!
Would you please post a link to the zoom interview with the library to either your blog or Facebook? Myself ,and I’m sure many of your other readers, would love to see the interview! 💜Psalm 119💜
Author
Sure, Emily. I’ll see how I can post it after I talk with the librarian. I do know that you would be able to see the Facetime wrap up on the Beyond the Book Facebook page on the 30th. I think the video of last month’s author is still accessible there.
What do I miss most??? Hmmm, that is a loaded question for many. 😊 However, I do enjoy being at home and NOT having to make excuses to stay home. Does that make sense?
If I made a list of what I do miss I would include Church, spending time with my children and grandchildren, my TOPS family, going out to eat with my husband and friends and shopping somewhat. I don’t do much of that but when I do need something I like to go get it and not have someone get it for me. We live in a lovely neighborhood with small rolling hills which is great for walking even though I don’t do much of that. 😟 Our 3 grandchildren’s birthdays were in March and April and even though they are local, we FaceTimed them. Ann, your dogs are BEAUTIFUL!!! Be safe, stay well and continue to pray. 🙏🏻😊🙏🏻
Author
Marley and Frankie say thank you. They don’t pay much attention to staying pretty since they are always ready to dig in the mud or roll in something, especially Marley, the rascal. He does stand patiently to get washed off.
I like my staying at home time too, but I do miss going to church and seeing those grandkids. There are just some things that are better in person. My neighbor just had a drive-by baby shower for her daughter. That’s definitely not as fun. I’m sure it’s not being fun for new grandparents and relatives when a baby is born right now. But at the same time, we do want people to stay well. Here in Kentucky a ten day old baby had the virus, but last I heard the baby was recovering at home.
Oh my!!! How did a 10 day old baby contract corona virus??? Or do they even know? 🙏🏻
Sheltering in place is manageable, but certainly not easy or pleasant. Not sure how I’ll cope if it goes on too much longer. I don’t want to have to buy groceries online – that means no ice cream or other things that need to be kept cold. I read something recently that sums it up for me: “Enjoying solitude relies on the other side of the coin: in-person contact” and that’s SO very true! I’ve been a widow for 10 years so I should be used to solitude, but this is something else entirely.
Author
I agree, Patricia. It can be very difficult especially for young people. Our governor just canceled school for the rest of the year except for the online teaching. My granddaughter now has no senior prom or graduation to look forward to. I have to think that’s rough for all the seniors whether high school or college. You work hard to get that graduation ceremony.
I think that about the solitude only be good if it’s chosen and mixed in with some person to person time. I hope you will soon be able to go back out to church or to see your friends and family. I hope I can too.