As I write this, I see that I'm now a month behind on blog posts. I'll back date the last few weeks and attempt to remember what I was feeling as things were unfolding, but it's been harder than I expected to stay focused and motivated during this time. As someone who normally works from home anyway - I thought it would be easier. Most of my focus has been placed on checking in with friends and family who I know are feeling isolated during this time. I've been learning how to cook things I've never cooked before, doing more domestic work than I usually do, and finding inspiring or funny things to share on social media to help provide some balance to stark realities that still have yet to deeply hit for many people.
Today is also the day that I clear my public health quarantine check-ins after arriving to Michigan from France. I've been taking my temperature twice a day as requested. I've learned that my temperature can vary between 97-99º each day. I'm monitoring any symptoms, and glad to report that I haven't had any. I've stayed home the entire time. I haven't even put my shoes on to walk around the neighborhood. If people in this area are getting the virus, I can assure them it's not from me and not because I was in France.
I wasn't really thinking about Max the dog when I factored in living in Michigan for a few months, but it's nice to have a pet around who insists on some play time each day and creates the need to open the doors and let the fresh air in, even though I tend to do it as often as possible anyway. I don't miss his instinctual barking at everyone that walks by outside, but we manage and he's more love than hassle.
Today is also the day that I clear my public health quarantine check-ins after arriving to Michigan from France. I've been taking my temperature twice a day as requested. I've learned that my temperature can vary between 97-99º each day. I'm monitoring any symptoms, and glad to report that I haven't had any. I've stayed home the entire time. I haven't even put my shoes on to walk around the neighborhood. If people in this area are getting the virus, I can assure them it's not from me and not because I was in France.
I wasn't really thinking about Max the dog when I factored in living in Michigan for a few months, but it's nice to have a pet around who insists on some play time each day and creates the need to open the doors and let the fresh air in, even though I tend to do it as often as possible anyway. I don't miss his instinctual barking at everyone that walks by outside, but we manage and he's more love than hassle.
One of the things I'm noticing about myself during this time is that I feel motivated to "use up" everything that's been hiding in the back of drawers and cabinets. I really didn't need to, but I've actually eaten several expired canned and packaged goods just to see if they were any good. I've also thrown plenty out that were definitely not of any edible quality. With all these hotel travel shampoo and conditioners, I've learned that if it isn't curdling like cottage cheese, it's probably just fine... (says the girl who no longer colors her hair and could probably use a professional cut right about now.)
If a pandemic isn't a good reason to use the just-in-case items, so we don't have to make small trips to the store where we're likely to encounter more viral spread, than let's be honest, we probably shouldn't be saving them in the first place.
The general sentiment around April Fool's day this year was that very little is actually funny right now. Even though the sky is bluer than it's ever been without so many jet emissions, car emissions, and manufacturing emissions, and people are gardening more than they ever have, and spending more time with their families than they usually do- it's been really hard for some people to step out of the emotional funk of daily coronavirus press briefings and political mishandlings and hospital protective equipment supply shortages to feel any sense of normalcy. We're all craving truck loads of truth right now and we don't feel like we're getting it from Politicians and CEOs who contradict themselves and the medical experts they bring in to inform the public.
To take my mind off the news that is out of my control, I search for the good stories. The good movies. The hopeful actions. The heartfelt acts of kindness in the world. The ways that I can make a difference on an individual scale. This week, that led me to watching the movie above - Seed: The Untold Story, which helped me understand a little more about the power of individuals to help protect biodiversity through seed cultivation and seed banks. While I've never been one to own a garden, it really helped me understand the importance of independent seed banks and independent farmers who are working to help us sustain a healthy food chain despite the large corporations seeking to industrialize it.
0 comments, to add [click here]:
Post a Comment