Wednesday - Had to Check

This is similar to last year's wildfire evacuation. All of my routines are dismantled and I often have to check my phone or computer to tell me what day it is.  Looking at the calendar on the wall wouldn't help unless I were crossing off days.  And maybe I should do that beginning with the Sonoma County shutdown order.  That makes this Day 9?  I held onto some normalcy last week with a couple hours in the office - solo trip down in my car and solo day in the office, using alcohol wipes when touching anything - but this week is very different.

I'm not sure what is up with the birds this morning - they are flying in a hurry from time to time, banging into the metal awning.  The jays are back so maybe they're being territorial.  I saw a flash of blue wings during the last bit of ruckus.

I saw a news article today that the New York City morgues are reaching capacity.  It was so horrifying I couldn't share the news.  People will find out on their own without my needing to spread the fear.  I was shocked when the mayor refused to shut down the city last week.  I am still shocked that their expectations for citizens are what ours were in the days before we finally sheltered in place.  People are leaving NYC for other states.  I hope to god they quarantine themselves or they will bring new infection.  I read a post from someone on Facebook that their housemate also rents space as an Air BnB and has not stopped - and has new guests from NYC.  He is afraid to report it because he is afraid of being evicted himself.  Selfish people will be the death of too many.

I have been able to do more remotely working from home today.  Those moments I can dive deep into meaningful work and not be stymied by technological challenges feel really good.

I am making progress on deep learning about my keyboard and its capabilities, as well as how to integrate it with my computer for recording.  With my keyboard hooked up to the laptop and headphones on, listening to what I have been recording, I feel really good and kinda cool.

😆🎹🎵 😎

Someone asked on Facebook what barometer we're living with or seeing these days that tells us that things are different.  For him, it was clean and unused Tupperware, which he used to use and hand wash every day as they were used for work and school lunches. 

My response included:

I am cooking from scratch every meal and not doing takeout. I've lost three pounds this week since I started checking. It's weight worth losing.

Checking my phone to see what day it is.

But most important, I am missing hugging my kids and parents. We have had a weekly "family dinner" with my kids and parents since 1989. I haven't seen my 79 and 80 year old mom and dad since March 6 and do not know when I will be able to. People always say not to take the people we love for granted and to appreciate them because you'll regret it when they are gone.  I am proud to say that I do not ever take them for granted, and even when it has been challenging to make the trip to see them every week, I am always appreciative of the effort they go to in hosting our dinners and of the opportunity to see them so often.  Once I walk through their door, the worries ease and I leave those outside.  I really, really miss seeing them in person.  I would worry more about their health if they weren't so smart, and they are really smart.  They were early adopters of shelter at home and we have always been careful about contagions because Mom is so susceptible.  I still worry, but not to an extreme.

I had leftover pork deliciousness with the salsa I made yesterday over baked potato for dinner tonight.  Simple and so filling.

I worked again with the keyboard and computer in the afternoon and continue to learn new things while playing music.  I discovered that Becca's old Wii mic will plug into the computer and allow vocal recording.  I haven't tried it yet so I have no idea what the quality will be, but the software can take care of some of that if necessary.

I was able to spend some time with Bex one-on-one this evening, which was good.  Good conversations and shared concerns and support.

A friend shared her symptoms today that are in line with COVID-19.  She did not say anything about testing or diagnosis, just that she was being well cared for.  I cried.

I see that our efforts at social distancing and sheltering at home are paying off so far.  May they do so in a big way so we can defeat this bug.  If we all stay put and don't allow it to replicate, it can die instead of us.

We are well and trying to breathe and meditate and reduce stress.  I hope you are too.