Social Distancing - Part 19

March 15 - Wednesday

I've upped my step goal, trying to get a walk in the morning, and one in the evening. Today, my reward was getting to admire one of my neighbor's yellow roses, which were in bloom, and beautiful.

The grappler truck came through the neighborhood today, and had plenty of work to do. There was a pile of stuff about every 3rd or 4th house, most of it yard waste. Some gardening is getting done in my neighborhood. Wonder if any of them want to work in my yard, lol. I started watering the front lawn, and it is actually looking fairly good. I still need to pull weeds, but that pretty much goes without saying.

After Easter, I cooked up a pot of black eyed peas. I got a bag of the peas when that was all there was on the dried beans/rice area at the grocery store. I just kept thinking about cooking them in with the bone from the ham I had. It just sounded even better when I decided to make cornbread to go with them/under them. My mama taught me about beans and cornbread, yes she did! And black eyed peas counted, this time.

Crockpot cooking for the win!

Did you get your tax stimulus check? We did. Thank goodness we weren't hurting for it, but you can bet we are saving it just in case. I know there are people who are hurting financially at this time, while we are not. I count myself among the fortunate that my husband and I both have jobs that are not likely to lay us off, or have to be closed down long term. I feel fortunate to have a comfortable home that we feel safe in, and that we can each entertain ourselves without much problem. I've been able to keep in touch with my friends and my family, and my students. My fridge is full (like my parent's fridge always was - I think it is because we are indeed planning to eat out of that fridge every day, like they were...), and my freezer, and the cabinets have plenty. A year's worth? no. But, plenty. My days feel busy, but not overwhelming. I mostly can sleep at night (yes, there are some stress dreams), but I get rest. I am thankful, that in these uncertain times, that I can feel stability here.

I'm kind of finding my stride in my "office hours" and working from home. Finding a balance, even with the realization that the balance will shift, and that is OK. I'm enjoying interacting with my students by email and Google Classroom messages, and there seem to be more of them pitching in each day. I think I've communicated with ALL of them at this point, and that makes me happy. I'm feeling at ease with the changes in grading for the rest of this semester, and I'm interested in helping, not hindering my students. We are all going through this novel experience together, and we all need to offer a hand when we can, and grab onto a hand when we need to.

Today the winds died down, and the day was beautiful.

Social Distancing Part 18

April 14th - Tuesday

Here are some of my realizations about Social Distancing, and this time.

I filled up with gas right about the time we began social distancing. It's been 4 weeks, I still have over half a tank of gas in my car. Even though I feel like I'm getting out and about more than I should, evidently I'm not getting out that much.

If I were home more, I would be baking WAAyyyy more than I should. I keep thinking about starting some sourdough. MMMmmmm sourdough bread. But I would need to bake bread about twice a week to keep it going, and I definitely don't need to eat two loaves of bread every week. Yes, I know, in theory my family could be eating that much bread. But they don't. It would be me.

I have and will make masks for people to wear. I will do the best job on them I can. Masks make me claustrophobic. I wore one into Walgreens. Spent about 5 minutes in there, and was on my way to a panic attack by the time I got back out to my car. Felt like I wasn't getting enough air the whole time.

Watching people not do a very good job of social distancing in a store makes me try to do a better job of social distancing in a store. ALSO, picking over fresh produce in the store has gotten much quicker. I don't want the produce you've handled, so I pretty much go by touch it, take it. Even with the ears of corn we had for Easter dinner. Didn't peel back the fronds to take a look before I put them in a plastic bag (which I had a hard time getting open without licking my fingers to open them). They were lovely and delicious, by the way, those ears of corn. I did, however wash the cucumbers I got with warm, soapy water when I got home. Did you see those people in that aisle???

I don't know whether I'm procrastinating doing housework by doing school work, or procrastinating school work by doing housework.

I'm very glad that I have been able to resume my walking regimen. The walk is good for my body, and my soul. I rarely miss a day, although I did miss Monday. I'm working on making it a walk in the morning and one in the afternoon/evening. I know that will help keep the swelling I tend to get in my ankles under control.

It kind of freaks me out to realize that this is Part 18 of this journal, and I'm not writing every day, and we're nowhere near the end.

Social Distancing Part 17

April 12 - Easter Sunday

This weekend was Passover, and Easter. Both religious holidays usually marked by large group celebrations, which should not be on anyone's radar this year. But the governor of New Mexico felt it was necessary to send out an emergency warning/reminder Saturday morning that gathering in groups was against the COVID 19 Social Distancing guidelines.

I'm sure some of my neighbors gathered family around them. It is difficult not to in these times, and yet, the chances one takes with that are hard to deny.  Sunday began with a beautiful day, but the winds picked up as the day wore on, as they will in New Mexico in the spring. We have not had the usual number of windy, dusty days this year, and I am grateful.

I cooked today, a ham that has been in the freezer for just such an occasion. It was yummy along with the ears of corn, mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, and easy no yeast rolls I made. I've got a bag of black eyed peas to go into the crock pot tomorrow with the ham bone.

Still, much of the day held familiar activities: checking school email, putting together a puzzle on my computer, sewing, and a walk, along with the kitchen chores. I finished a new tunic top today:

I tried a little variation with a bit of a shark tail hem. You can't really see it in the picture, though. I've been making masks, and I decided I would do something for me before I worked on the next batch of them. I've been having repetitive dreams of making masks. So I hope that is a break enough to kind of get out of that. I'm sure it is a kind of stress dream, and my mind is worrying itself.

We played some more canasta over the internet this weekend. That was fun. The computer version seems pretty true to how our normal games go, so that is nice. It keeps the flavor of our in-person games. We've watched a couple movies. Last night it was Seven Psychopaths, and tonight the first movie of the new Star Trek reboot. While I have been watching some occasional television shows, I haven't gone much in for the longer movies. I did get through the whole season of Next in Fashion, a Project Runway type show, which I enjoyed. They didn't use the challenging type challenges that were one of the best parts of Project Runway, but the contestants were overall kind to each other, and respectful of the other contestants and mostly really good losers, which I respect. Many of them left talking about how much they learned and grew through the experience.  I've been listening to Stephen Frye reading Sherlock Holmes stories while I've been sewing, and I enjoy his reading style and voice. I also listened to Jesus Christ Superstar, one of my personal Easter traditions.

Tomorrow, it's back to office hours, and getting my assignments posted, and working through some grades, and plans for the upcoming weeks. I would like to go turn in the masks that I've finished, and I'll probably continue working the the rest of the batch I have cut out. Then, later this week, I'll work on cutting some more out again... and maybe sew on the pair of pants that has been patiently waiting in my sewing basket. Might even cut out another top. One that will go with those pants, even. There is also the inevitable trip to the grocery store some time this week.

I wish I were a gardener, and thought that I could plant something this year, and watch it grow. I was talking to a friend of mine about that ideal "what I'd do if I won the lottery," and I shared that I would love to be able to pay someone to work in my yard. Make it a beautiful place to sit in, a fruitful place that I could eat from. Ah, well, the dreams we have... even the ones that aren't quite important to us to put some real hard work, sweat, and effort into.

Social Distancing Part 16

April 7, Tuesday

I'm tired this evening, but I feel like I had a productive day.

I put in some "office hours" today, answered emails, got a start on organization for grades. I feel like I have to use the quotation marks, because of course it isn't an office. My classroom is my office. But I've set up temporary facilities at my kitchen table, and I turn the light on over the table when I'm working, and I turn it off when it is time to do other things. I need the boundaries.

I made masks today. I didn't finish all of them, but I did finish 4. Enough for Ron, and the crew he is on. Tomorrow, I will finish one for my brother, and his wife, and work on another batch to donate. Then, I will do some sewing for me, before I work on another batch of masks. I have things that I've planned to sew. I also want time to do that cleaning in there. I didn't find that today. I was busy.

I did get my walk in, and some days it's hard, and I struggle the whole way around. Today was not that day, and I walked easily, and enjoyed the evening, listening to the voices of neighbors about their business. The sounds and smells of outdoor cooking were there too. And then, there was also this:

A beautiful pink volunteer between the sidewalk and the street. There are other flowers ready to burst open, too. I have no idea what plant it is, but that flower is gorgeous.

I drove over to my brother's house today, and on my way home, I heard Paul Simon's "Boy in the Bubble" song on the radio. It hit me today, like it never has before, and I want to share the chorus...

"These are the days of miracle and wonder
This is the long distance call
The way the camera follows us in slo-mo
The way we look to us all

The way we look to a distant constellation
That's dying in a corner of the sky
These are the days of miracle and wonder
And don't cry, baby, don't cry
Don't cry"

Don't cry, baby, don't cry....

Social Distancing Part 15

April 6,  Monday

This was the day we should have been back at school. You know, if three weeks would really have been enough. It wasn't. As it is, I've started contacting students, and they've started contacting me. Office hours will become a thing this week. I think it is something I will need to practice. The other English teachers that I work with are periodically texting the group... sharing what their plans are, and the delivery of it that they're making. Asking each other questions, which we answer when we can. I appreciate the school I work at, and the team of teachers that I work with, that we will hold each other up instead of break each other down. They make me proud!

I took some donations out today. It's a weight off my shoulders to have some stuff gone. To be able to do some other cleaning in my craft room now. A bit at a time. I didn't get sewing done today, but it will also be on the list for tomorrow. One of Ron's coworkers was diagnosed with COVID19 yesterday. They reported that the person's work area was professionally disinfected, but, they also are recommending that Ron and the other employees wear masks. But they didn't tell him that until he got to work tonight. And they don't have masks. I donated the masks I had already made today. That means I'll be making him one tomorrow. I may make a batch, and let him take them out there to wear, and share with the others. But I'll have to research so that they are clean for them to wear. The ones I've donated to Cruces Creatives are supposed to be taken to a local dentist who will autoclave them.

I guess that coworker thing will go on my list of things that are stressful. Not as stressful as it is for that person, and their family, but still. Thank goodness I have the ability to make masks, even if they aren't a perfect solution, they are still some help.

On to other things. Things that can help me stop stressing as much about that. I cooked a pan of green chile enchiladas yesterday. Usually, if I'm making them casserole style, I use chicken, but I used beef yesterday, so I had to change the sauce a little. My mom was from Houston, ya'll and when she made casserole style enchiladas, she used cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, and cheddar cheese soup with a little milk, and green chile, and chicken. It was yummy! Since I used beef, the cream of chicken soup didn't seem like it fit, so I improvised:

enchilada sauce? 

I decided to use only one of the cans of cream of mushroom soup. I added them to the beef after I browned and seasoned it with onions, garlic, cumin, oregano, and black pepper. Once the sauces were all stirred together, I added green chile. Then, I layered tortillas sauce and grated cheese, and the pan looked like this:

just out of the oven...

It had to sit for a few minutes, so it wasn't molten. It sure was tasty though! I think I may try that again some day.

I don't necessarily love all the domestic chores, and I don't want all of them to be on my shoulders ALL THE TIME, but I will admit to finding a certain comfort in their familiarity at this time.Maybe I can't take care of everything, but I can take care of this.

Oh, yeah. And I found an old friend, from high school days, while I was taking a walk the other day. She is staying with her elderly mother for the time being. She was out walking her dog, and her mother's dog, a pair of friendly basset hounds and we spoke as one can do, even at an appropriate social distance. I looked familiar to her, and she looked familiar to me, and she finally asked if she knew me. And, she did! And I knew her, too!

Finally, online games. This evening I played canasta online, with friends and family. We use Discord so that we can talk to each other while we play, and not feel so isolated. Thank you Carl, for gifting the tabletop emulator, and thank you, Damon, for gifting Canasta 3D. That was really fun!

Social Distancing - Part 14

April 4th - Saturday

Some things that are causing me stress:
     Hamlet - our Great Dane - barking and waking up Ron, who is working nights. He likes to bark, and because he's big, his bark is loud. Is the UPS truck on our street? Maybe someone isn't mowing their lawn right... Hamlet has to tell us about it.
     The stuff in the craft room that shouldn't be there. There are things that I had intended to donate, but I'm not sure I can right now. I hate to throw them in the trash, but... Going to find out about whether Community of Hope is accepting donations on Monday, and if they are, it's going... if not, the trash. It's still going.
     Too many dirty dishes, and/or the kitchen trash can is full. Some of the other messes/stacks of stuff also can get on my nerves, but I can't deal with them all RIGHT NOW... they will have to wait their turn, and it is not today.
     Worry that family and friends and students are healthy.
   
Some things that are helping me deal with stress:
     Not worried about my job, or Ron's job or having to struggle financially because of Social Distancing. Also, a comfortable, if not fancy, house.
     Talking on the phone to, texting, emailing, and messaging with friends and family and connecting with them. Students too. I'm actually looking forward to interacting with them, even if it will be online. I texted with my niece today. Also called my aunt and talked to her for a bit.
     Petting and snuggling with our dogs and cats.

Kaliegh!

Kaliegh snuggles

Hamlet loves Ron, and vice versa.

     Daily routine (still under construction, frankly). Getting up and getting dressed. Completing chores. Cooking. Working at home for school. Taking care of house and family. Including time for things like sewing & crafting.
     Whittling away at stacks of stuff that have been waiting for me to have time to attend to them.
     Noticing cool things.

Raine's cat, Janis, in her window, which is also reflecting the new leaves on our tree.

     Sewing and crafting.

Cutting out a new top, today.

     Cool music. Listening to audio books. Reading. Watching some TV, but not constantly, and not even every day.

Abney Park did a streaming concert. It wasn't free, but it was worth the price of the ticket!

     Walking. I'm getting it done almost every day. I want to add some steps, and set a goal for them. I think recording steps will help me with that.
     Supporting my friends and family, as they struggle with these things, too. Sharing a kind word, or a supportive comment. Being willing to discuss my own issues, so that we all know we are not alone, even if we are at a distance.

   

Social Distancing Part 13

April 2 - Thursday, right?

Today I worked on making myself a workspace for my "home office" I really should call it my home classroom, I think. I took over the kitchen table, which wasn't really a great feat. But I cleaned it, and the chairs, brought some supplies to work with, and kinda got set up to spend time working there. I think it will really help me to keep my work time a reasonable part of my day, consistently. I'll be able to communicate with my students, and keep track of what we are doing, and also give me a place to get ready for next year, as well.

some workspace

I also found that I needed something to put my cup or mug or whatever on, and when I was looking through my craft room, I came upon a quilt square I had made a couple years ago to practice some english paper piecing. It didn't take much to finish it into a cute mug rug.

it's supposed to look like arrow fletching

Now, I feel like there's something pretty and functional and ME in the space.  I'm loving those blues and greys and tans together... Making things is something important to me (if you couldn't tell by this blog).

I have work piled up behind the computer to go through and organize. We'll be doing some grade level planning tomorrow, I think. The superintendent mentioned about cleaning up classrooms, but that's not happening immediately.

Cooked, cleaned up after, like one does. I think a cleanish kitchen is helping me keep my sanity. Even more so since my work space is basically in there. We had beef stroganoff for dinner tonight. It was yummy. Thinking about making the beef equivalent of shepherd's pie for tomorrow.

Went to Sam's, yesterday. They had many of the things that had been off the shelves for several weeks. Toilet paper, eggs, pasta, rice, and cheese among them. They are still making rotisserie chickens, but I did not get one this time. I did get some of the items mentioned above, though. They were letting 30 people in the store at a time, and you waited in line for people to come out. That was weird, in Sam's. They also wanted you to get done and out in 15 minutes. I think I took a little longer than that, but not too bad. Gas was down to $1.90 a gallon there, and weren't many takers, even at that price.

My phone seems more important these days, of not getting to see my friends and coworkers (who are frankly among my friends, awesome coworkers!) much less my students. Communication becomes more thoughtful, I think. Perhaps even more attention-worthy. I'm not normally attached to my phone so much. But I do want to know the people I love are doing OK.