This is Long If You Have Somewhere You Need to Go! :)

During these Pandemic days, I often find myself looking at my I-Watch to see what day it is, and also, what date it is.  This morning as I was walking Cooper, I saw July 20 on my watch and had a few moments of being a little startled.  The summer is dragging and flying by, all at the same time, and, I am sure, you who are reading this know what I mean.

If anyone had told me four months ago about the up and down adjustments I would be making up to now, I probably would have just gotten in bed and pulled the covers over my head.  Staying at home is not my nature.  I am a traveler now and had big travel plans for the summer.  Ron and I had planned to go to Michigan for six weeks to enjoy the beauty of Lake Michigan and a lovely small town named Montague.  I was going to travel to Pentwater to see my favorite bookstore and hopefully hang out there with the incredible owners.  We have had our picture made together for the past four years.  It saddens me that there will be no picture this year.

Also,  I had booked a trip to Italy and would have been leaving on the 24th.  This was really a disappointment because Italy has always been a dream of mine.  Now, I did get to go to the Venice airport when we were returning from our cruise from Greece, but that just didn't fulfill the dream.
My annual trip to Arkansas is still a possibility and I am keeping my fingers crossed.  I think I need to wait until the spikes go down in both states, not to mention the heat index, before Cooper and I take off on a road trip.

It is not like I have been sitting on the couch for four months.  I had my spring course to finish out and have been working on my online course for the fall.  I am looking at more tutorials than you can imagine so my students will not think I have no sense when it's time to communicate with each other.  I am so thankful that I have this course because even though online does not come close to teaching face to face, it is still a connection with college students and that is what keeps me active and alert.

My front courtyard which in March did not have one potted plant, now is like a forest of beautiful plants and colorful flowers.  I have loved digging in the potting soil and the watering has been very therapeutic. And, yes, I do talk to my plants!
I have read pretty constantly even though sometimes I do find it hard to focus.  I find that if I have a good book going then it helps the clock to keep moving, if you know what I mean.

Closets are clean, oh, are they clean.  I have baked dozens of cookies and cooked more than usual.  I have walked Cooper 2 to 3 times a day and taken him on an afternoon drive to nowhere every afternoon.

So, if you are still with me here, I am finally getting to why, I think, I am writing. 

First of all, I need to write.  Writing helps me with an area such as the following:
There is always something one can do with this kind of extra time, but what about the days when that wave comes in and you feel yourself spiraling down that rabbit hole of feeling a little hopeless, sad, and maybe angry at the fact that your life choices are limited and you are having to sacrifice the presence of your family and friends.  I have tons of friends and I miss them.  I miss going to lunch, happy hours, Bible Study classes, Estate sales, last minute shopping and just being together.  I miss the human contact of hugs with each other.  I miss that I cannot go see Betty, who has been quarantined in her Assisted Living room all of this time.  She is 94 and loves to be outside for her morning walks.  She loves horses and I have discovered so many back roads during my afternoon drives where I will be able to take her right up to a fence to see them up close.  I so look forward to taking her on that drive, but when?

Yes, that is the question we all do not have the answer for.  The "When".  And, what do I do in the meantime to keep myself healthy and moving forward.  For me, it is phone calls, text messages, video chats and Facebook.  If I can wade through political ads and now mostly mask ads, I love seeing pictures of my friends and what they are doing.  I have also recorded over 25 videos playing the piano and post them each Sunday.  I get over 1,000 views each week which blows my mind.

So, as much as I tire of hearing, "We are all in this together", we really ARE all in this together.  We need each other and we must lean on each other.  If you are missing someone, call them!  Don't think about it, just do it.  If they are busy or don't want to talk to you, they won't answer. ha That is something I learned with my sons! :) But, most of the time that will not be the case.

Buy some stamps to have handy and actually hand write a note or letter to someone.  It can be a friendly letter for keeping in touch or maybe a letter of gratitude.  I love notes!  While teaching at UNT, I received many notes from my students and pinned them on my wall. This summer I took them down and placed them in an album!  This album is such a treasure.  I have also put all of my letters from Betty in an album.  I have almost 80 from this precious lady to treasure throughout my lifetime.

Read! Read! Read! If you need a book, let me know. I have many to share.

Lastly, remember that nothing lasts forever.  There is going to be a vaccine and we are eventually going to get through this.  Until then, hold tight to those you love and be sure they know you do.

Thank you for reading,
R.