New world for me, especially since March: Covid-19. Coronavirus. Quarantine. Social Distancing. Shelter in Place. PPE. Videos on making your own masks. Toilet paper hunts. Make your own hand sanitizer. 6 feet apart. Meal prep for fewer trips to grocery. No contact take out/delivery meals. Curbside pickup. On-line learning. Masks/gloves worn out. Sports/Plays cancelled. Graduation traditions stunted. Teleworking. Andrew Cuomo. Diagnoses. Illness. Death. Asymptomatic. Testing sites. Flexible schedules. Essential employees. Home pet and human grooming (gasp). Projections. On-line yoga classes. Positive cases. Health-care workers. Empty grocery store shelves. Isolation. New normal. Sanitized grocery carts. Gas prices under $1.50/gallon.
New and rekindled ways to connect: Role of social media - music, stories recorded from home streamed to internet. Recipe exchanges. Some Good News (SGN) with Jon Krasinksi. Zoom friend and family reunions. Microsoft Teams meetings. Games and puzzles. Outside time - lots of walks. Never-ending family togetherness. Less commuting time. Talking on the phone - reaching out to say hi and hear a friend's voice. Less work travel. Nothing BUT time. Nostalgia and memories flooding mind and heart. Lots of cooking. Yearning for connection, any kind of connection.
This is a time in our lives we won't forget. We are alone, together. It has brought the world together in a way that it hasn't in a long time but it also feels like the most isolating time. Major educational and personal milestones aren't able to be recognized which feel terrible and unsatisfying. It is getting back to basics in life - health, inner well-being, shedding outer beauty norms (dyed hair, manicured nails, makeup, jewelry, etc.) finding ways to connect without connection, helping others, contributing in a way that makes sense for you, self-protection but protecting others. Finding ways to smile even when it is not as easy to do so. Lack of connection, especially at work, can lead to less laughing and having fun. Being insular can be addictive. Finding ways to break through that each day is a challenge, some days more so than others. Be well, be safe, be happy, my friends and family.
Time to put on Happy by Pharrell Williams and let's get cooking. I know.....I know.....must we cook? That is all we have been doing lately. SO......instead.......this week. Let's support a local business for dinner. Order takeout or delivery. Take that time you would cook and go for a walk, read a book, take an online yoga class and feel good having helped a local business. I have been enjoying finding new favorites in town and eating some good food while at it.
If you are looking for a cooking idea, I have lately rediscovered shrimp. Marinating in pesto and throwing over zucchini noodles or salad is a new yum for me.
Enjoy and have a happy day, everyone.............
