United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated:

Earth Day 2020: in the time of COVID-19.

“the biggest test the world has faced since the Second World War”

We, those of us alive now, in the time of COVID-19, have an opportunity to do great things … to be stoic and responsible and educated regarding the science of both COVID-19 and Climate Change.

We, those of us alive now, in the time of COVID-19, have NEVER had our lives or our livelihoods threatened in the way that generations were tested during WWII.

Will WE be up to the challenge? Will we “make do and mend”? Will we be responsible, i.e. STAY HOME, wear masks when we must go out … irrespective of regulations … WILL WE look to the science and make responsible decisions for ourselves and for others?

I hope so. For tomorrow and for the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of today’s humans.

At my house, I’ve been up … down … normal-ish and everything in between. I have work and food and the ability to get outside in the sunshine and fresh air, but sometimes, the heartbreak of health care workers and sick people and out of work people and people suffering food insecurity … it can be overwhelming.

I do what I am able to support others.

It is NOT just COVID-19 … climate change, global warming, carbon emissions… We MUST listen to Earth if we hope to have her as home.

Earth Day 2020: in the time of COVID-19.

I am usually a glass half full kind of person.

I had a much better week last week: work, frame of mind, sleep, general well being.

It all fell apart at the end of the week with sad news from friends and numbers and … RATS … heartbreaking stuff.

The good news: my local organic farm had a “no contact” distribution of fresh vegetables and I was fortunate to snag 1 of 75 orders!

But, it was sad to approach the farm, to don a mask and to have a sterile exchange of money for veg. Contrasting to happy visits to this farm to see Jay, Mandy, their 3 boys and the farm cat: Baby Boy (a LARGE wonderful cat).

It brought me to tears.

BUT, I am so grateful to have the opportunity to get nutrient dense vegetables sans grocery store.

This past week was mostly sunny and spring-like.

And a full moon…

I try to keep my focus on good things, on the many, many thoughtful, generous, giving things that so many people are doing.

AND, I focus on Auggie and Emmett and their innate joy …

And this beautiful place that is my home.

Easter Sunday. I am trying but at the moment … I am not really feeling it.

If you are struggling with getting things done in this time of COVID-19 or actually … anyone reading this … what an uplifting life story!

Lucille Ellson celebrated her 102nd birthday on December 30, 2019.

Go read the entire article! But an excerpt to inspire you to:

“I’ve been through so many things,” Ellson said. “To cope with this virus, and all that’s going on, I would tell people to not get stressed about planning far ahead. You can’t do it. A long time ago, I started making a list every morning of what I had to do. It was the only thing I could control, and I stuck to it, you hear me?”

Those lists now are similar day to day: check in on family with her iPad. Do Zoom video calls with her kids, and their kids, and their kids. Make meals and bake desserts to leave on the front porch for her son who lives nearby. She cooked for 25 people in February. She calls that preparing “a little something.”

Holy Damn Cow!! Sorry … but at 102 she checks in on family with her iPad and does Zoom video calls. You go girl !!!

And what an inspiration, based on incredible life experience. There is more to learn from her story and her smile and her outlook. Go read the article!

Meanwhile, I am midway through Day 2 of my RIGID schedule regime and it continues to work well for me. As Lucille notes in the article, it amounts to controlling the little that we can control and for me, that is how I spend my time.

I am finding that making a short schedule of 2-4 hours, of specific tasks and then another and then another … it is helping me focus on doing the things I want and need to do. At the end of each time and last night … WOW, I felt 100x better (mentally) than I have in a few weeks AND I slept well.

Everyone is different, but I do think a list, written down and referred to, is something to try if you are struggling. And I think the idea of doing what we can to “control” what is controllable is also key to a bit more peace of mind in uncertain times.

And always … fresh air, whatever you can find that is beautiful, helping others, being kind … let’s do it :) !!

I believe that is truth: no one is happy [with how things are] right now.

We are all trying to do and be out best in this time of COVID-19, but the reality is … none of us, whatever we think about is being done/should be done … are happy about the situation.

But, the truth is … I believe the truth is … that we will be in a “stay at home” situation, as well as masked when out for very necessary things … for 8-12 weeks which means April-May-June. I hope-hope-hope, we can begin to cautiously open up by July 4.

But, back to today. We have some time, of who knows how long, that we must live in a “stay at home” situation. So our choice is to live at home to the very best of out ability with the most positive frame of mind we can cultivate: eating well, sleeping well, exercising, doing things we enjoy, working, getting outside as much as we safely can and ultimately … to chose to be happy in the current situation.

I absolutely do believe that it is a choice. We CAN choose to set up our “stay at home” lives in a way that allows us to live with joy.

I just watched an interview between Dr. Sanjay Gupta and Scott Kelly about living “isolated”. Scott Kelly is an astronaut that spent a year in the International Space Station. Now, he is living in “stay at home” isolation with his wife due to COVID-19. ( an interesting interview) <– is a link

In my own house … this past week I have struggled. I’ve felt distracted, have had difficulty getting my work day going, sleeping is hit and miss.

BUT!!!

I concentrate on eating well, getting outside with Emmett and Auggie, writing, working on some fun for me projects, going to news sites minimally (I do not have satellite or other tv programming) as well as minimal social media. However, based on what I have read (science!) … the next 2-4-6 weeks are crucial and now is the time to be extremely cautious (NOT fearful … cautious) as it is prime time to overwhelm health care.

And although I would very much prefer to not be ill myself, ultimately, my focus for not getting ill is to NOT overwhelm the health care system: I do NOT want to be part of that problem.

RATS!

Ain’t nobody happy right now!