After a much smaller St. Patrick's Day party last Saturday, our family is practicing social distancing due to the Corona virus.
Our homeschooling continues on as planned. All extra activities have either been cancelled, or plans have been made to begin virtual classes next week. The kids have discovered that their schoolwork load seems lighter now that they don't have anywhere to go. I will be giving them extra work next week, lest they should become bored.
When we started homeschooling, I made a rule that we would leave the house every day. As a result, our social network is quite broad and spans several cities and school districts. This social distancing is particularly hard on Brooks, our social butterfly. He enjoyed a Zoom meeting with one of his classes from our homeschool co-op. They all read a book together and discussed it.
St. Patrick's Day was a bit odd for us, but we made the best of it. The kids put together a little show and took it around the neighborhood. People watched from their front steps as the kids danced, sang, and "harped" from the driveway. We suddenly wished we hadn't sold the wagon last summer. Meghan's harp is made of plywood and heavy!
A note left in the neighbors' doors
The kids in action, getting back to their Bohemian roots!
Ken is working from home indefinitely. The financial models are changing hourly, and his company feels that everything must be re-evaluated as quickly as it changes. We all know the work is futile, but Ken is keeping busy and is enjoying job security.
In an attempt to support our beloved local business and fill some time, I purchased 4 extra tin whistles from Irish on Grand. (We already owned one.) The whistles arrived in the mail today, and I am seriously doubting whether that was a good purchase. I must apologize to our neighbors as the dogs in the neighborhood are going berzerk!
We placed an order on Monday to pick up groceries today (Friday). We were a bit concerned as it looked like a few items were unobtainable (milk, bananas, tortillas, cereal). Upon arrival at the store, I discovered that nothing was in short supply, I had just selected the wrong brands. The cows continue to produce milk, and our home is re-stocked for a few more weeks. Our goal is to only go out in public places once every two weeks for essentials.
Brooks was in the process of being diagnosed with cough-variant asthma prior to the big quarantine. It seems to be triggered by viruses and allergies, just like Meghan's is. Unfortunately, his visit to a pulmonologist has been delayed. Today we were fortunate to get a prescription filled for steroids to treat his barky cough and placed an order for an air purifier for his bedroom, which has also helped Meghan.
Otherwise everyone here is in good health and spirits. Meghan will miss her 3-month blood tests and bone age x-ray next week to evaluate her growth, but we are able to call in her height and weight and adjust growth factor injection dosages as needed. Fortunately, our drug supply is good at this time.
Our church is closed for mass, but they are still hosting Eucharistic Adoration for those who are regularly scheduled. The kids and I enjoyed saying the rosary with the pope on-line yesterday. Actually, we followed along with a church in LA. It was much too fast for us and half of it was in Spanish, but we still enjoyed the feeling that the world is praying together.
To be honest, I am enjoying the break from the hustle and bustle. I've been getting 10 hours of sleep per night (double the usual) and am enjoying having the time for some physical activity. Is it possible to emerge from a pandemic healthier than when it started? I fully believe so!
Here are some of our blessings this week: neighbors willing to wave from afar, a steady food supply, a big backyard, sunshine and a fairly warm March for Minnesota, dependable wifi with Skype and Zoom, endless time to complete our schoolwork and plan for next Fall, a family that (mostly) enjoys each other's company, and a house big enough that everyone can sit by themselves in a separate room as necessary!
