Lagniappe - Global Pandemic Edition #2

So how's your quarantine going? Are you getting a bit of cabin fever? You'd think this wouldn't really bother me since I don't get out of the house much. I mean, really, I'm still knitting, reading, and occasionally cooking dinner. It's not having the option of going out to a movie that's the problem. Sure, I've had a headache for three days and couldn't have gone to a movie, but the idea that there isn't a movie to go it is the issue.

And snacks. Can we talk about snacks? I was perfectly happy on a ketogenic diet, eating very low carb. Until now. All of the sudden I want every Reese's peanut butter cup I can get my hands on. And cookies. Oh, my goodness, cookies! I at a ton of cookies yesterday and they were delicious!! White flour and sugar!! Things that I can live for months without I find that I suddenly must have in my life yesterday!

I've got a ton of books to read during the quarantine, but I've decided I don't actually want to read them. I want all the books that are in the library, but none of the ones on my table. I've got three books about memoir, two memoirs, and three books about migraine that I need to read as I'm writing my memoir. And I've got two novels. But, I want to read different books. Books that are not in my house. Books that are in the library that is also closed.

I let Patrick take over the big desk for teaching. And I haven't felt like paying bills, the one thing I need that desk for, all weekend, while Patrick hasn't needed the desk. So, tomorrow, I need to pay the bills in the 19 hours that Patrick isn't teaching. I can do this.

The weather channel says that we should have temperatures in the 40s tomorrow, so I should be able to get in a nice walk. And, yes, I'll stay 6 feet away from anyone else outside. This is Weyauwega, though, not NYC. Our sidewalks are not exactly crowded even when there's not a pandemic.

I gotta say, though, that the low-grade anxiety isn't good. I'm glad I can get out and walk. I've quit watching the news except for The Rachel Maddow show and occasionally a few minutes in the middle of the day. There's only so much crazy I can handle. I was watching the President's news conference until I realized that I was having to fact check them afterwards. It's easier just to read the summary with the fact check. Sheesh!!

What movies are you watching? We're binging Hunters on Amazon. Some people have watched Contagion and Pandemic and Outbreak. I think that would be very bad for my mental health. Yesterday, we watched Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Dumbest movie ever made, but we loved it! I don't think Minh understood it all, but I will always remember the Holy Hand Grenade scene. And, of course, "It's only a flesh wound!"

I taught Minh to play Sequence today. We played two games and she won them both. Maybe we'll do Yahtzee tomorrow. If she wins that, then we move on to Trivial Pursuit. Yes, that takes advantage of the fact that she's not a native English speaker. Problem? It's not like I'm competitive or anything.

Folks, it's week 1 and I'm going a little stir-crazy!! I'm doing a lot of praying for peace and contentment. I'll let you know how it's going.

Some things I know that we should all do:

- Get your info from reliable sources like the CDC or reputable news sources (I like the Washington Post)

- Please practice social distancing. When you do have to go places, stay 6 feet away from other people, practice good hand hygiene.

- Stay home as much as you can. If you can stay home, do it.

- Staying home doesn't mean that you can't go outside, at least for those of us who don't live in big cities. Get outside and take a walk and try to calm down some of the nerves.

- Stay busy.

- Pray. Stick close to Jesus. Love your neighbor.

We'll get through this together. Be smart. Wash your hands. Stay home. Jesus loves you.

Catherine