Time at Home Means Time to Cook!

This will be a challenge to find something interesting to write about, other than the subject that is already on everyone’s mind. So far, what I’ve seen are many reaching out to help others! I’ve had a few people call to offer assistance in case I need them to pick something up or I need something but cannot get to the store! It’s about neighbors helping neighbors! So beautiful! I won’t forget those kind thoughts! It really touches my heart. It’s a tough time for everyone! But we can understand because it is happening to all of us! I’ve been around for 82 years, but I’ve never seen anything like this! Most of us are very capable of doing things but we can’t because of distance, or rules, or supplies are gone, etc. In a hurricane, you know what to do once it has quieted down. Rolling up your sleeves, getting the chainsaw, and neighbors helping neighbors get the job done in a much better time frame, and many times they have never even met that neighbor! This is different because people cannot get too close, no touching, stay far away, etc. 

So, what do you think about spending all that time at home? I’ve read about suggestions of what to do while you try to fill the hours, but there isn’t anything new or exciting really, except for repotting my Orchids! Yes, that’s what I’ll do! Replant my orchids, give them a new bed, and trim the roots back and give them a new lease on life. Yes, I can do that! My son in Ft. Lauderdale is working on cleaning his drawers and closets. He works behind the camera televising sports games in Miami, but there are no games right now! Then I have another son who just moved into his new, used house in Albany. He’s rewiring the basement, filling in large areas that had no heat and there were separations for air to flow through, so he has put insolation everywhere in his basement and attic. He’s got a 4400 square foot house, so he’s really been busy! It’s a 60-year-old house, so there are also a lot of improvements he will be making to bring it up to today’s standards. But, from what I can see, the house is really a nice place. We went to see it last year when he was considering buying it, and it looks just like his place in Idaho before he moved to Albany, and he LOVED that place. Looks like I’ll have to go up to inspect during the summer—rest assured I don’t go up north except in summer! When I visit him each summer, we go on adventures. I don’t keep up with him, but he slows down for me. He is working on an invention right now, so he is completely building his office, library, and workspace in the basement. It should be nice when he finishes. I have another son who works right here with EMS, and of course he is working with a lot of sick people. The County is making sure our people have all the right equipment to protect themselves from anything contagious. He loves the work, he loves the job, and he loves helping people. Works great! I also have two daughters whose work has been cut back dramatically, but they’ll get through it and come out on the good side! Both are industrious, but Mom is back here as a safety net just in case! My kids have never asked me for a dollar, but they know they can shop in my kitchen for groceries and stuff. One lives here and one lives in Orlando now. 

What else will I do with my spare time? Well gosh, I have a huge backlog of stuff I’d like to do! I must work on my taxes! With the delayed due date, I have a little bit of time left, but I want to have it finished by the end of the week anyway. I’d love to call on neighbors, but that wouldn’t be possible in this circumstance; distance and all. Maybe I’ll cook up some favorite dishes and the kids can come over for dinner. With only two kids left here in Naples, we won’t even number ten! Oh, and I can bake! I love to bake! Actually, I love to bake and cook and work on plants and smother my kids with love. I know they’re not kids anymore, but they never stop being YOUR kids! I enjoy being around them! I love their sense of humor. I love the kind of people they have become. 

Okay… there is really nothing else to write about because even when I go to work, it’s so quiet and only a few calls come in. It would be fun to play cards, but wait a minute… it’s too close! I could scrub floors, but I don’t feel like doing that right now. Pretty soon even that will be a welcome chore. Oh yes! I can start to read some books I’ve been saving for when I retire! That’s it! That’s the answer! I can also fill out my 2020 Census questionnaire! I’ve been meaning to do that. I think I’ll do that first! Well, I’ve stalled enough that it’s about time I just say: Stay safe, stay away from getting too close to anyone, keep a safe distance from groups and friends, no hugging, and just hope this passes quickly. I think I read that it was horrible in China—because no one had ever heard of it, so they didn’t know what to do—but now it’s almost completely gone! I believe they first identified it in the middle of December. Now it’s gone. That gives us hope that this too will pass by in the same amount of time. So, get your home in order, plan on what dinners you will have when you invite people over, read that book, scrub that floor, and take care of yourself! Right now that is all we can do!