Tag: #normalcy

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9 THINGS TO DO IF HOME ALONE

With winter coming on, a recent retiree asked my husband, “what do you do all day?” He felt exasperated because he’s an outdoor person.  The Covid-19 lockdown didn’t bother him much until now, because he could hike, play golf, and easily find things to do while socially distancing.   But now, he’s wondering  how to make it through the next few months while stuck inside.   Here are 9 things to do if you’re  home alone during the pandemic.

1. Make Your Bed.  Why bother, if no one but you can see it?  Because making your bed gives you a sense of accomplishment and normalcy.  Anyway , who wants to climb back into a tangled mess at night.

2. Exercise.  Maybe you have some home equipment, like an exercise bike.  But you really don’t need it. There are tons of stretching exercises you can do, plus ones using weights.  Make it a habit,  fifteen minutes, first thing in the morning.

3. Jigsaw puzzles are good for your  brain because they exercise both side of your brain.    If you have a computer, you can do them online at places like jigzone.com.  and listen to  the pieces fall into place. It’s fun, and free!

9 things to do when home alone. Do a puzzle at jigsaw.com
9 things to do if home alone. Try a jigsaw puzzle at jigzone.com. It’s free!

4. Prepare nourishing foods.  It’s tempting to live on cheese and crackers or cereal.  But that’s boring and unhealthy. Make fresh fruit smoothies. Try a new recipe–something fancy and unusual.  Dream about the day when you can have a  dinner party with a dazzling new dish.

5. Do something creative. Learn woodworking online or with a book from Menards..  Paint pictures, knit, sew, crochet. Write your memoirs, start a scrapbook, make a collage with favorite photos—the list is endless

6. Get out of the house.  Unless its pouring down rain, sleet, or snow, bundle up and get a breath a fresh air. Fill your lungs with oxygen and take a short walk. The change of scene will lift your spirits.

7. Read books. If you’re bored with “formula” novels and Chicklit, go back and read the classics.  How could anyone tire of Tolstoy?

8. Start an indoor garden.  I began one last year with pots of amaryllis.  They don’t start growing until you water them, so they can be staggered to bloom all winter.  I had gorgeous fresh flowers  from December through March.   Spider plants, ivy, and philodendron  provide fresh greenery on dull winter days–and they’re good for the air.

9. Redecorate.  Paint your bedroom pink.  Order some new curtains on Amazon or buy them at Walmart.  Refinish some furniture.

One of these days, we’ll have a vaccine, and new medicines to fight the virus.  In the meantime, there are nine good things to do if you’re home alone this winter

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FIND NORMALCY IN THE WATER

Everyone’s longing for that elusive state of being called normalcy.  The dictionary defines normal as natural, orderly, ordinary, regular, routine, traditional, typical or commonplace.  Because of Covid-19, our  lives haven’t been normal since  social distancing began in March.  Nothing is like it used to be.  Except for water, which is all of the above.  If you can find a creek,  lake, river,  ocean or pool that’s  open this summer, go for it. Find normalcy in the water.

Find normalcy in the water. Swimming brings you back to normal times.
Find normalcy in the water. It’s natural, ordinary,  routine and relaxing.

I fell in love with water as a child on my grandpa’s farm. There was a wide, cool creek  In the woods beyond the cornfields. You don’t think of a creek as a good place to swim, but if you’re a little kid, it comes up to your neck in spots.  It’s a safe  place to stand, play, splash, and maybe learn to swim.

One of the best things about water aerobics or swimming as an adult, is the camaraderie with fellow aquaphiles.  Water is the great equalizer.  You can be young, old, crippled, rich or poor, but once we’re in the pool, we’re all the same.  Consequently, you don’t have to dress up, wear makeup, or worry about your body type.  And one of the best things is socializing with like minded individuals.

If you’re involved with water at a community pool, you may  have become acquainted with the others who are there when you are.  As a result, you end up talking to each other.    Race, color, educational status  and social class are forgotten.  At first, someone starts talking about their dog. Or maybe a new recipe.   Once a  topic is introduced, others feel free to drift over and chime in. However,  If you tire of the conversation, you can swim away at any time, and no one cares.

After you get to know some of the regulars, the conversations might become more serious. Trouble with relationships.  Surgeries,  Depression.  Worries and fears.  Anger about some injustice.

We’ve missed those relaxing times in the water during the pandemic.  All the pools were closed. Lately, our YMCA has slowly opened up, allowing only a limited number in the pool at any one time.  Yes, we social distance, but we can still talk to one another while six feet apart.   For the first time in a great while, we can  find normalcy in the water..

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SOCIAL DISTANCING DIARY: WEEK 1

Sunday was probably the end of normalcy in our house.  Some of our kids stopped by for brunch, but we probably won’t be seeing them in person again for awhile. Everyone’s in lockdown.  Here’s my staying home/ social distancing diary: Week 1.

Tuesday,  shopped for groceries at the new supermarket. It’s an enormous place, and the few shoppers looked grim.  No one smiled,  as we maintained our social distance. The store was  out of meat, eggs, paper goods,  water, and soft drinks.   Strangely , there was plenty of fresh produce and fruit available.  I thought people were supposed to start eating more healthy foods.

Today, I’m wearing the same clothes I wore yesterday.   Usually, I’m involved in so many activities  like card games, tai chi, swimming, walking, etc. that I often change clothes twice a day. But now, I’ve worn the same jeans and t shirt for 2 days. Why? Because , I’m not leaving the house for anything more than taking out the trash, getting the mail, and running to the store for necessities.   I’ll probably put on a clean outfit tomorrow.

Feeling lethargic.  At first, I thought I would start my spring cleaning, or initiate a new project.  But the wet, gloomy  weather and  coronavirus crisis  is sapping my energy.

Cheering up my husband, and trying to fix foods that won’t upset him.  The VA messed up  his stomach medicine, and he’s been without for over two weeks. Worry about the virus is making it worse. Called today and they said the prescription was  mailed Tuesday.  It finally arrived Thurs.  Hope it helps.

Obsessing about new cases, checking the internet.  Indiana Cases doubled in two days. Strangely, each county only reports one or two cases.  There must be more who haven’t been tested.  First case reported in my county last night.

Neighbors walking in the rain alone. Social distancing diary: Week 1
Some people are walking in the rain alone:   Social distancing diary: Week 1

Watching neighbors walking in the rain with umbrellas.  They’re probably going stir crazy.  I’d like to join them, but I might catch a cold.  Then, I’d think I had the virus.  And I probably couldn’t get tested.

Libraries closed.  Reading a Kindle book that isn’t very good but it’s something to do.  Instead of skimming our two newspapers in the morning, we’re reading every single story in great detail.

Playing bridge online.  I can only do this for about an hour before I get bored.

Trying to avoid nervous eating, afraid to step on the scale.  It would just depress me.  I’ll listen to my meditation app, instead.

It’s been a gloomy week.  But when the sun comes out, I’ll take a walk in the park.  By myself.

And thank heaven for the internet!