Monday, March 23, 2020

So Now What...

Now that we are officially a shelter in place, social distancing nation, what are we doing to cope.

First off, my oldest son who lost both his jobs when restaurants were closed here in Minnesota, has been called back to work three days a week.  It seems the carry-out business at the bar & grill is booming.  He was pleased, as three days a week are far better than no days a week!

I talked with my oldest daughter over the weekend.  She is working from home. Her son is home from college and will be taking his classes online.  I am relieved he is home rather than still at school.  They have a table set up with a huge jigsaw puzzle on it.  My family for the most part are avid readers, so books play an important part in passing the time.  Jill said if I need anything, she will get it for me and leave it outside my aprtment door.  She is taking this virus thing seriously.

My youngest granddaughters, both teens, called me.  Both will be happy when they are no longer under "house arrest."  Being teens, they miss spending time with their friends, but are able to stay in touch via phone and computer.  Apparently their Dad is keeping them busy with some household chores and they are seriously considering shredding his 'To Do' list.  :)

My youngest daughter is in Montana where her boyfriend is doing some construction work.  They are just fine, but I hope they are able to get back home to Minnesota fairly soon.  I have heard rumors of travel bans between states.  I hope that is just rumor, but those two are well equiped to cope with whatever comes their way and for that, I am grateful.

Me...aside from limiting access by others to my apartment, life continues as it has the past couple of years when I have been mostly housebound.  I have decided to put a hold on canning and dehydrating for a time.  I don't want to be one of those people who selfishly clears a store shelf, leaving nothing for others.  I had become lazy about baking bread but the baking will commence this week.  The bread on the store shelves can be used by those who don't know how or can't, for one reason or another, bake their own bread.  I am keeping my grocery order as close as possible to the items on sale, with only minimum amounts of staples like milk and eggs.  Luckily, I have enough food stored that if I am unable to get groceries, we will be just fine for a long time.

I find that although I am a bit of a news junkie, I am in danger of being overwhelmed by the virus news everywhere, all the time.  So I read enough to keep myself informed, but then move on to other things.

I do think there are some positive effects of this shelter in place thing.  Families are spending time with each other rather than everybody going off in oppposite directions.  Meals together as a family that had nearly become a thing of the past, are now happening.  I wonder if some will find the benefits of online classes outweigh the costs of physically attending a university.  Homeschooling of younger kids might see an upturn.

In my travels through cyberspace, I have noticed that there are those who thought preparedness was something to laugh at, have now had a 'come to Jesus' moment when they were caught without enough food or water.  Granted, grocery stores are still open, but there are shortages on all levels and no guarsntees that supplies will reach their intended destinations.  And those who relied on restaurants for most of their meals are finding life has changed considerably for them.

My street is still very quiet.  There are only two cars parked on a street that is usually full.  At the construction site across the street, I saw one construction worker walking about.  All the cranes and other equipment are parked in a row.  Even the kids on skateboards have vanished.

That being said, we will get through this.  We are Americans and Americans are some of the most resiliant, determined and resourceful people on the planet.  We didn't forge this nation of ours by curling up in a corner and sucking our thumbs when things got bad.  We met each crisis head on and we will do so again.

One thing that gives me hope is how some are reaching out to help those who are the most vulnerable.  My grocery service that is run by volunteers, will continue to see to it that their clients get what they need to stay healthy and survive.  I have heard of individuals who are quietly and without fanfare, preparing and delivering meals to neighbors who need help.  Others are volunteering their services to pick up much needed medicines at pharmacies and deliver them to those who need them.

We can do this.  We are all in this together.  God bless.

16 comments:

  1. The funnest or strangest thing about sheltering in place. As a retiree I don't go anyplace anyhow.. Glad the family's safe. Very happy that the oldest is BTW. Those of us who are Northern Europe descent are VERY though.

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    1. Rob...The back to work could change to no work, but we are praying for the best result. And yes - we are tough. Maybe from living in a state that fries us part of the year and tries to freeze us the rest of the time. :)

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  2. Vicki, I don't think you could "selfishly" clear a store shelf if you tried. Face it; we prepared. Most didn't. I refuse to let these people guilt-trip me into backing off from my preparedness level for them. You shouldn't either. Maintain your larder. That's where I'm at; replacing what I use, keeping the pantry where it is right now.

    My sons are pretty much where yours is; limited hours due to "drive-thru only" rules set in place by the loony Lefty "governor." I'm still on the clock and on the payroll, but am working from home until Pelosi's nephew says otherwise.

    I went into three grocers yesterday to top off the pantry. There was a little meat, but just about everything else was gone; no sugar, no flour, no salt, and no canned goods at all. Everything else was hit & miss. The stores are actually RATIONING what you buy now!

    Whether the virus is real or not, the shortages are there. What's next; gasoline?...

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    1. Pete...I have zero sympathy for those who were warned and still didn't bother to prepare for anything. The ones I am thinking about are the old folks who, in good times, are having to choose between meds and decent food. I don't wsnt to be the one who takes the last loaf of bread or the last can of beans, for it is likely that is all some can afford. I am not canning right now because, quite frankly, my shelves are full to overflowing but I am replacing the rest as it is used.

      We are experiencing limits on some groceries - limits of 2 per customer is the aveage - and shelves in some stores have been stripped bare while other store seem to be fairly well stocked. I shudder to think of the kinds of rationing that might happen should this continue for months rather than weeks. Think WWII rationing. I pray it doesn't come to that.

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  3. I go to stores in a mask, gloves, and carrying a little cannister of Lysol Wipes. I make Tommy stay in the car. Actually, he never cares about shopping, just gives me his cc and knows I will do well. He is not a shopper unless it is for chips. I get the sale stuff, what is reduced, or loss leader and use coupons.

    However, I do not go to church. And, I have to go to a cardiologist, so that will happen.

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    1. Linda...You have smart shopping down to a science! Good for you. I am mostly buying from the sale ads, but I do that anyway. Take care.

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  4. It's been a fun day here so far. Picked up my Husband's meds. Picked up the Garden amendments order from last week, which turns out to be a smart idea as their supplier will not be delivering for about 2 weeks. Also picked up a Home Depot order and had 2 new security doors delivered. Which will be installed tomorrow. Life will go on and we will survive, I pray our Freedoms will also. Red

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    1. Red...Great that you were able to get so many things done while you still can. No telling what other restrictions will be placed on us. Glad to hear you have your security doors before things become totally unhinged.
      I have to wonder how many of our freedoms will be lost when this is all said and done. I think I worry about that more than about the virus.

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  5. Hello, Vicki and Community...I'm glad to hear you are all doing well. Staying busy and productive will help in so many ways. Vicki, you are right. We will get through this mess but we should accept that life as we knew it has changed. Hopefully, as you said, we will see some positive things happen as a result. Praying you all stay strong and healthy, CW

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    1. CW...Most of us are doing well because we made a decision to do whatever we could to be as self sufficient as possible. Speaking for myself, the very last thing I want is for some self-important government bureaucrat telling me what I can or can not do. Nor do I want to depend on those same people for my daily bread. So we prepare. I truly hope and pray that some good comes out of this whole stinking hot mess. If just a few come to realize that 'prepper' doesn't mean some guy in camouflage out tearing up the woods, living in a hut made of pine branches and eating beans and rice and roadkill, but means everyday people like you and me, who want nothing more than to live in peace, live in freedom and be able to take care of our families. If just that happens as a result of these trying times, I will be more than happy. Take care and keep well.

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  6. I hope there are no travel bans. My brother and his wife went to Florida for their annual three week vacation before the "close non-essential places" went into effect. Would be hard for him to get back to Michigan if that happens.

    Take out has been a God send to all the restaurants here.

    As retirees, hubby and I enjoy going to flea markets. Even if we don't buy anything.
    I miss those. Looking forward to when we can go again.

    Amen and God bless us all.

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    1. LindaG...I know many of us have friends or family who are away from their home State at the moment. I am all for banning travel from other countries right now, but to ban travel between states would be devastating. There are days when my tin foil hat is snugged down tight and I think that there are those who are taking advantage of this crisis to see just how many of our freedoms they can restrict before we rebel.

      Take out for restaurants has surely helped to keep some employees working, even if it is just part time. The fear here is that our governor is just nuts enough to ban the take out as well. We pray that doesn't happen, but would not be surprised if it does.

      There are so many activities that are no longer open to us. Here the zoos, the Arboretum, libraries are all closed. If this continues there will be no walks in the park, camping at State Parks, picnics at the lake, flea markets or craft shows. I pray this thing can be brought under control soon, for we need to have our lives back.

      Take good care.

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  7. I for one am seeing some good coming from this. Just this morning, one of my neighbors checked in and offered to include me when she went grocery shopping this morning. I was touched. And even more touched when she went on to add that payment could be worked out later. I told her I had 'some' cash so would be more then able to pay for what she bought me. But her offer truly touched my heart.
    And the second was a dear friend who relayed to me that her MIL had 'oh..about a year's worth of TP stored away'...due to OPSEC, I didn't say the comment that was right on the tip of my tongue. But it seems like my friend is coming around to the idea of having a deep pantry...Blessings to all as we go forward.
    SJ in Vancouver BC

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    1. SJ...Sounds like there is some good coming in the midst of all the insanity. I have heard other stories of neighbors helping neighbors. That's the way it once was and should be again. It was a smart move not to let your neighbor know that you didn't really need anything. No point putting a target on your back.

      I sincerely hope that some of those who were caught without enough food will see the wisdom of maintaining a deep pantry. I have heard of many who rushed to the stores only to find bare shelves. That should be a wake-up call. Once this crisis is over, I truly hope many remember and start to sensibly prepare.

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  8. It's Friday..wow, what a week.
    Just cut my hair for the first time. I had bought electric clippers years ago for a 'just in case' need. Well, that day arrived. The good news is that I won't see my hairdresser for at least two weeks...LOL
    Stay safe everyone.
    SJ in Vancouver BC

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    1. SJ...You are a brave soul. I have no doubt that it would be a total disaster should I attempt to cut hair - anyone's hair. The last time I tried to trim a dog's hair, he looked like the moths had been at him. I am doomed to just continue to let mine grow. :)

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