As I started to write my next Sunday Letter, I realized the Sunday Letter well had run bone dry. Instead, I decided to write about the things I’ve learned during this time of coronavirus.
First, a reminder…
We’ve not been able to eat in a restaurant for thirty-seven days now! I believe now is as good a time as any to say this—we need to be kinder to ourselves. We need to cut ourselves some slack. If you’re like me, you feel pressure to stick to a schedule, to clean drawers and grow peppers and write a sonnet a day (okay, not really about the sonnet). One of the things I’ve learned during this time of coronavirus is it’s okay if we don’t do all the things.
Sleep late. Take a nap. Wear the stretchy pants all day. Eat the dessert. Do nothing at all.
This is an unprecedented time.
I believe it’s okay to feel out of sorts and unproductive. Try not to wallow for long periods of time.
Now, onward…
Things I’ve Learned So Far
What are some of the things I’ve learned so far during this time of coronavirus? Off the top of my head, here are a few of my realizations (some I may have suspected, but now I know for sure)…
- My daily productivity is directly related to the amount of sunshine streaming through the windows. On a beautiful day, I can sit inside and work for hours, because gardening breaks and walks with Lucy and Annabelle keep me going. On dreary days, my motivation limps along.
- I would give up manicures for the rest of my life if I could have one pedicure a month. Yep. My toes feel sad.
- We drink a lot of milk.
- Of all the cookies I’ve ever eaten, THIS is my favorite —Tate’s Bake Shop Coconut Crisp. It has nothing to do with the name (although I’m partial to it). It has everything to do with the flavor and consistency.
- I do, in fact, like going to the grocery store.
- I cannot think clearly when wearing a mask. I guess it’s a good thing I’m not a nurse.
- I use way too many paper towels.
- The dishwasher ranks high on my list of best inventions.
- I still don’t like cleaning the bathroom.
- I could never live on the space station.
- Coffee is my hoarding item of choice.
I Trained for This
Another thing I’ve realized is that this whole period of staying home is not unlike growing up on a farm in the 60s-70s. My sister and I spent our childhood training for this. Maybe you did too?
During the summer when school wasn’t in session, we spent DAYS at home without a trip to town. On Saturday morning we might go with Momma to her beauty shop appointment and finagle a visit to the library. A weekly trip to the grocery store was normal as was Sunday church. Maybe a visit with grandparents or cousins (which we can’t do now). But that was about it.
In between, we played outside with our Matchbox cars, climbed trees, looked for tadpoles, read books, watched clouds, listened to the radio, played with our Barbies and paper dolls, colored, maybe watched something on television (on our four channels), played boardgames and jacks, made clover necklaces, had picnics, caught lightning bugs, baked mud pies in the sun, picked wildflowers, played in the cotton trailers, rode bicycles, jumped rope, ran through the water hose, built sheet tents, and so on. There were a million things to do, and very few of our activities were pre-planned or organized. Going to a restaurant was a rare treat.
As Anne of Green Gables would say, most ideas came from the scope of our imaginations.
I find myself reverting back to those things now as I look for four-leaf clovers, pull weeds, go for longer walks, read on the porch, and watch the clouds.
Bottom line—the fun we had as children, we always remember. We may have to dig deep, but that fun is still there.
Tell me, what have you learned during this time of coronavirus?
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
I have learned that I like myself okay. I don’t have to run around like a wild person all the time, doing things. A good book, an old movie, can keep me entertained all afternoon. I know that Cathy and Randy are just across the street, because we howl at each other every night at 8:00. I know that Talya, John, Staci, Jim, and Taylor are nearby. My friend, Jim from Plano, plays the piano everyday at 5:00. We will make it people. Be calm. Be happy. Be nice. (I’m getting a new kitty cat this week. So there)
Thanks for adding a “Things Momma Says” feature to this non-Sunday Letter LOL.
I have been reminded how much I don’t like planning and executing meals every single day. Randy and James are not picky, thankfully, but it is still everyday!
I have a terrible time when the sun isn’t shining. My mind goes places that it shouldn’t and I have to work through it. Walking is so helpful and seeing helps a bit. My sewing room is being used as a stay at home office so I have to see at strange places.
Overall, I am fine, but it is amazing how much this has affected me.
I too spent a childhood spent in full days of activities. I am trying to get back to that mindset.
I should have paid better attention in Home Economics (i.e. sewing…).
I’ve learned I can be entertained by watching cardinals and wrens build their nests and feed their babies. You are spot on about sunshine affecting mood and productivity. After several days of glorious weather, we are now experiencing gloomy, overcast skies. Motivation has gone kaput. But things will get better!
I love watching birds too!
I’ve learned that I’m a pretty boring person because I’m not doing much different during this time of social distancing than I did before. I do miss going to the library and I prefer staying home to going out with a mask. My biggest sacrifice is not seeing my family. I appreciate the internet, Facebook, FaceTime, texting and all means of communication making distancing more bearable.
I enjoy those childhood memories you talk about and reminds me of those fun things I did as a child.
Barbara is so positive! Love her comment.
Wearing a mask is harder than I thought it would be! I know you will be so glad to see your family.
According to Brainpickings (another Sunday newsletter) this morning, Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein, decided that to reach peace in ourselves, we have to get away from life. She lost 3 children, had a 4th miscarriage, and her husband, the poet Percy Shelley, died in an accidental drowning. “Let us… seek peace… near the inland murmur of streams, and the gracious waving of trees, the beauteous vesture of earth, and sublime pageantry of the skies. Let us leave “life,” that we may live.”
Perhaps that is what some of us have the privilege of doing now? Leaving life?
Yes I think that’s exactly what we are doing, Annette. This is a rare opportunity that we have.
I’ve learned I could very happily be a hermit as long as I can get to the grocery store when I want to & have the internet. Actually I’ve known that about myself for awhile.
The eating out thing has not been that hard for me either because we have never gone out much. We do like to get take out but we haven’t done that as much as normal either.
I’ve learned that I really am addicted to thrifting & want to browse a thrift shop so badly.
I thought about thrifting the other day. I find it to be such a fun way to pass time. Several places are still open in Fayetteville, I’ve noticed, but as the activity isn’t essential to me, I felt I shouldn’t go in. I’m a pretty good hermit too. But I want to get together with friends and family.
I’ve learned ..I truly am thankful for just being alive, living my small, happy life…I like slower living ..now…I do not need most things that look so important to this world….try to keep in mind…all who are truly suffering through this time and just be grateful for all that is in my life…learn lessons…be kinder…be thankful for all the small things …yes…we know they are the really big things ? reading, walking, bike riding are my “go to’s” ?? Happy it is Spring! ?
You are so right. There are so many people who are suffering. We are lucky!
It’s scary that every single word of this applies to me also! But our favorite Tate’s cookie is whole wheat dark chocolate. I haven’t tried the coconut – but I will!
Ooh, I’ll have to try the whole wheat dark chocolate. Thanks!!!
We made Ree Drummond’s Cajun brisket yesterday and it is delicious. Unless I have to feed General Lee and his troops, we will be eating this meat until 2030. We packaged it in individual servings and froze most of it. Because of the bounty we decided to take some to our son and DIL. We drove the 30 minutes to their house and dropped off some of that brisket for them to eat along with some candy cake bars. I made ia from scratch yellow cake, covered with a layer of peanut butter and topped with melted chocolate chips. It is much better today than it was yesterday. Just getting in the car and driving across the river and seeing them made my whole day. Rain tomorrow, but have conference call with our accountant tomorrow. I have some difficulty understanding him on the phone, but I understand why we don’t need to make the visit face to face.