Fair Winds And Following Seas

I am not a shopper. Never have been. I kinda blame my mom for that because it seems like, as a child, we were out shopping all of the time. Departments stores, grocery stores, thrift stores - yep, there was a lot of shopping going on.

Right now things are a little different. Shopping has become a scavenger hunt. Will there be toilet paper? Will there be bread?

In the past, B.C., before corona, my husband would try to maximize our limited together time and designate shopping trips as date nights. Sorry, bub, unacceptable I would say. It would irritate me when he would imitate one of our former coworkers who was once spotted in a grocery store with his wife linked arm and arm pushing a buggy. (Sorry, I know the proper term is cart but I'm letting my Yinzer flag fly today.)

The present social climate has forced these weekly 9 a.m. shopping trips to, in fact, become dates which I now accept. My attitude about them has changed and I embrace the experience. Embracing the experience for my husband involves limiting all contact with other human beings except the cashier. Limiting conversation with them to the simple "How are you today?" "I'm fine." is as far as his social drawstring goes.

Then there's me.

"How have things been for you?" "Is this typically a good time to shop?" "I really appreciate all that you are doing right now."

Yes, this is my husband's nightmare.

On our weekly shopping trip last Saturday, I noticed a man walking around with a Vietnam Veteran hat on. I went to thank him for his service since my dad is also a Vietnam vet. By the time we left the store, I had his contact information and we were on a first name basis. Yes, it progressed that quick.

I don't always thank a vet when I'm out and about and I should. When I do, it seems like I am moved by the spirit. The other day, I'm not sure what it was but for some reason I had a connection with this guy.

Our multiple conversations in the store covered a number of topics. Initially, we talked about my dad and his branch of service. This man was a Marine and shared with me a popular nautical saying appropriate for a Navy man "fair winds and following seas."  Which basically means have a good journey with good winds to fill your sails and a current that goes with you. This phrase seemed oddly appropriate as we were filling up our carts with nourishing food and seeing enough cashiers working to keep the lines flowing.

I thought we had parted ways but minutes later I heard a voice shouting down the aisle "Hey corpsman!" my dad's designation during his military service. My veteran friend and I had exchanged names previously but I guess this was easier for him to remember.

My buddy had noticed the Byzantine/Orthodox cross on my husband's sweatshirt. The next thing you know we were exchanging popular Slavonic greetings in the baking aisle - including the one we will start saying on Easter Sunday - Christos Voskrese meaning Christ is risen. Our instant camaraderie had us almost shaking hands, lost in the moment, only to quickly return to the present reality, retracting hands, and merely fist bumping.

As we made our way out of the store that morning, my husband was shaking his head in disbelief. "What just happened?" I could tell he was thinking as we sat in our van and slathered our hands with sanitizer. I had just broken not only my husband's rules for grocery store interaction, on a normal day, but don't get me started on the CDCs recommendations.

"So much for social distancing," I laughed.

I am not sure if I'll be invited on a date with my husband this Saturday - for obvious reasons. But one thing is for certain, last Saturday's outing won't be forgotten any time soon.

So until we are allowed to be social again I say to you, "Fair winds and following seas."

The new normal outside of my grocery store at 9 a.m. on a Saturday.

The New Normal

I don't even know where to start this one. 

Life as we know it has grinded to a halt. Are you on edge? Are you grasping for "normal"? 

You are not alone.

I'm afraid to write anything because things have been changing so quickly, day to day, that by the time you read this, another news flash might have come our way. 

So, let's talk about what we can do right now. Go to the grocery store and stay at home. How is your toilet paper situation? I am embarrassed to admit that I had to break down and buy the generic toilet paper. I told my family we would alternate between the good rolls and the bad. A friend of mine also pointed out - we still have showers. Worse comes to worse we can hose off when we are done. Yes, that is an option.

Another friend posted a meme on Facebook "I hadn't planned on giving up this much for Lent." I laughed out loud at this one. With restaurants, bars and everything else closed, the situation seems pretty bleak. I have been doing my three usual "give ups" this Lent but I have been tempted for sure this go round. I never would have given up chocolate if I knew I'd be shacked up with my husband and kids indefinitely. 

When everything seems to be falling apart around you comfort is what you need. So, for the things I haven't parted ways with for 40 days, I've become pretty chummy especially with my best friends cheese, cheese, and cheese. I ate a block of Aldi Havarti in two days. No regrets. I better slow down because the supply might not be able to meet my demand. I'll have to settle for chugging melted Velveeta. You know that won't be disappearing from the shelves. 

Then there is the fact that my gym is closed. I made it on Monday for the final workout before they locked their doors at 9 a.m.  One employee told me they would be posting online workouts people can take advantage of but seriously who are they kidding? 

I am not going to be watching those or even trying to be fit right now. The last thing my kids need to see is me doing the worst Jane Fonda impression ever in our living room. My new workout includes flexing my calf muscles by pressing the gas pedal to drive around to find toilet paper and also strengthening my core by taking deep breaths in an effort to deal with the stress of the liquor stores being closed. 

I am rationing the stash of wine I bought earlier this week. But I do see there are creative alternatives popping up including local wineries making home deliveries and a wine bar selling bottles of wine in a 4 pack. Yes, we have options folks.

Currently, I am living in a house with varying levels of corona-itis. I have a high school senior whose life has been put on hold. So many activities have been cancelled or postponed. This was supposed to be an exciting time to cap off the finale of 12 years and lately it has been filled with uncertainty, detachment and sadness. 

I also have a high school freshman who had been waiting since elementary school to be a part of the high school musical. Finally, her time had come. She auditioned and managed to get cast in not one but two parts. She had been living her best life - working hard, rehearsing multiple nights a week - awaiting the April 2nd debut. 

All this came to a grinding halt last Friday when all after school activities were cancelled until further notice. This teen doesn't understand the enormity of the crisis at hand. All she knows is her world and how it has drastically changed. I am hoping, in the words of little orphan Annie - the sun will come out tomorrow and the show will go on at a different date. 

Then there is my little guy. He doesn't mind not going to school. He loves being able to play his video games and the extra time cuddling with mom and dad. Due to the power of the internet, we have been able to take advantage of meeting animals at the Cincinnati Zoo during a Facebook live event they are now doing each afternoon. He has been doodling with famous children's author, Mo Willems, who is having a similar live event each day and we have also enjoyed stories read by Josh Gad, the voice of Olaf from the movie Frozen, who has been posting videos since the weekend. 

It is nice how so many people are trying to do their part to make things a little better especially for kids right now. This is a weird time because there is not one person who is not affected by this global pandemic. I am sure each one of you has a story of how this virus has impacted your life. So many people are out of work, so many people are in isolation, and many people are missing how their lives were just a few days ago. 

So my parting words for you this week - we are in this together. I hope these drastic tactics work and we all stay healthy and that sooner than later I will be writing about life returning back to normal. Hang in there!

P.S. Please feel free to share some of the creative ways you have been spending the extra time at home. 

Leave The Pandas Out of It

How are your hands?

Are they cracked and dry from washing them?

How is your face?

Are you having trouble breathing because of your surgical mask?

Yes, things have gotten a little crazy around here thanks to the coronavirus. It seems like that is all everyone is talking about right now. I guess the biggest surprise is the major changes in the Roman Catholic Church service. No more handshake of peace and no more communal wine.

I am not writing about this to take sides or point fingers. Everyone has to do what they feel is necessary to get through this latest health scare. I myself am not really doing anything differently. Working in a school now has already put me on high alert. I am not worried about corona - I am worried about the next cold, the next sore throat, the stomach bug.

I've already had the flu this year so I kinda feel like I can check that one off the list. Thanks to good old Tamiflu and Christmas break I was able to work through it and get back to normal - but even that took a few weeks.

I do not frequent airports or travel abroad so maybe if I did, I would be more worried. Colleges have cancelled some of their foreign study options and some local high school staff, who have traveled overseas, have been asked to stay home until the virus incubation period is over.

I remember the last time we were on heightened alert about a health issue - the Swine flu back in 2009/2010. I had two kids under 8 so yeah, I was aware of the situation but with a name like swine flu - I kind of tuned out.

Because I read a lot, I have stumbled upon articles detailing the origin of the coronavirus. On the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) webpage it explains: Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats.

 Here we go again with the animals. From pigs to bats - I'm not really sure what is going on. Can't these guys keep their germs to themselves?

The amazing thing that has come out of this, for me, has been the emphasis on hand washing. There have been infrared pictures of dirty hands posted on social media showing the affects of using hand sanitizer versus hand soap and water. Hand sanitizer is ok but it does not do a complete job. Hand washing on the other hand is pretty amazing. Thirty seconds under a stream of water with plenty of bubbles seems to be the way to go for a germ free existence.

Another interesting fact I now know is that not all hand sanitzers are created equal. Each one has a specific alcohol content and the CDC recommends using one that has 60% alcohol. With the increased concern about the coronavirus, many stores are running out of sanitizer but due to the power of Google, I've learned with three simple ingredients, a common human can make it themselves. By mixing 2/3 cup Isopropyl alcohol 91% (rubbing alcohol), 1/3 cup aloe vera gel, and an essential oil in your choice of fragrance (optional), you can whip up something as good as Purell or Germ X brands.

I am not sure when the corona hype will die down, but at least we are all in this together. Whatever you are doing to keep yourself healthy - go for it. We got to stay strong because it only is a matter of time before a new illness will creep in to steal the thunder from corona. Who knows which animal we will be blaming for the next virus but they better leave the pandas out of it. They are too cute to be making us sick.