What with the whole country cancelling every type of gathering and the need to stay home, I no longer have the option of going to my 3 times weekly exercise class at the Senior Center.  I’ve never been good at the self-discipline required for consistent exercise at home, but I know that it’s necessary if I am to stay healthy.  So, maybe this will keep me on track.  Resolution:  do something active every day – exercise routine, or stationary bike, or walk.  Here’s what i did.

• 03/18/20
  • • Ride recumbent bike for 20 minutes
    • Screen exercise videos on Prime Video (It counts!  I need one for tomorrow!)

So, I decided that while I’m confined to home my sanity and productivity would benefit  by having a list of possible projects and activities to keep me active and entertained.  As a side note, I saw a post on Facebook from someone who is keeping herself in order by creating a loose general block schedule to shape her days.  While I’m not always terribly organized with my time or particularly self-disciplined, I thought that was a pretty cool idea.  It’s related to this listing idea, but less specific.  So, I see another organizing post in my future.  For now, let’s start with the list.  Just as a means of self-encouragement, I’ll begin with items I’ve already completed.  Note: Items on this list are in addition to (and sometimes instead of) regular household routines like getting up, eating, doing dishes, etc. This is an ever changing document.

Bravo!  Done!

• Clean debris from front and back yard
• Clean rug on patio
• Prepare and file taxes
• Start blogging again

Yet to Be Done

• Keep blogging!
• Season my new wok (more laborious than you’d think!)
• Sort through and organize file drawers
• Sort through and organize desk clutter
• Sew table runners for Anne
• Sew pillow covers for Anne
• Download and edit photos from camera
• Complete the online photo classes I’m signed up for
• Do some art
• Clean outdoor furniture

Here’s my little conspiracy theory.  I’m hoping it’s just sick and paranoid.  Our current President has been likened to Hitler or any other similar dictator.  There are those who believe, not without ample indicators, that in his heart he is an autocrat.  So here comes Covid-19.  His first attempts at “Never in MY America” were failing.  Damn it! Now if he were a rational person he would have taken a moment to regroup and (re)evaluate.  But that’s not his way. Fortunately, he has advisors who say, “Donny, if you ignore this and many people get sick and die, your chances of being re-elected will be in the dumpster.  On the other hand, if you take charge and institute drastic measures, you’ll be remembered as the President who led his country through one of its greatest crises in history.” [Now, let’s not lean too heavily on the veracity of their claim, just stick with me.]  So Donald thinks for a moment. [I know.  Just try to imagine that scenario.] A lightbulb goes off over his head.  Now he can order people to do exactly what he wants them to do!  And they’ll all have to do it.  And when the crisis is over, they’ll all be in line.  Right where he wants them.  Personal freedom?  Balderdash!  I’m in charge here. Mission accomplished!

On a more personal level, what will I do with all my time as I shelter in place (see previous post)?  I thought I’d compile a completely random list of possibilities.  Since it will be a document in flux as ideas enter my head, I’ll start the list as a separate entry.

March 16, 2020

A world pandemic is changing everything.  On a global scale, healthcare systems are being overwhelmed, people are getting sick, and some are dying.  Two terrifying things about Covid-19 are that little is known about how it plays itself out in the sick person and that it spreads exponentially.  In addition, like most virulent diseases, it is most deadly in at-risk populations like the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.  All of this is widely known now, and drastic measures are being taken to contain the virus and to identify and care for those who have it.  Throughout the country, public places are closing, events of all sizes are being cancelled, the stock market is plunging, and people are being asked to stay home.  The full effects of all of this on our economy and our way of life are yet to be determined.  There you have a brief summary of the news.

On a more personal level, my way of life is changing.  There is a difference, of course, between staying home because you want to and staying home because you must.  So far, the psychological hardship has not been too profound for me, but it feel it baying at the edges of my consciousness.  I’ve always been pretty good at fighting any tendencies toward depression, but the struggle has already been real the past couple of years because I relocated to Albuquerque from my longtime home in Indiana.  While my reasons for doing so were solid – nearness to family, starting my life over at 70 has been challenging.  I left behind many family members and friends and a happy and active social life and community involvement.  I’ve been very diligent at working to make connections in my new home, but it takes time, hard work, and good fortune.  Now, all my outside activities have come to a standstill because of the virus.  My age puts me among the at-risk populations, so I am taking the shelter in place mandate seriously.  While all this sounds a little whiny, I have to say that I’m finding the challenge rather interesting.

For example, here I am writing in my blog for the first time in several years! (I must admit that I’m rather embarrassed about that lapse.)