Coronavirus Boredom

Peggy Rice2 Comments

I’m bored. I’m sure I’m not the only one.

This pandemic has us stuck at home, when many of us are used to being out and about. Whether it was Bible Study or errands, I could usually find a way to be out of the house most days. In fact, I treasured the days when I didn’t have to go anywhere, and could stay in my pjs until noon!

But I’m tired of it. I want to leave my house. The daily walk to the mailbox (3 blocks away) isn’t what I mean. I want to be where people are.

I’m trying to keep busy here at home, but find myself playing games on my phone to pass the time. I should be reading, or working on my book. I was knitting until I ran out of yarn for my blanket project; it will help, I’m sure, when my order arrives.

I’m hoping that this seclusion doesn’t spark a depressive episode. So far, I’m okay. I’m not terribly anxious, but occasionally sad. But I’m concerned about all of this time on my hands. And where do my thoughts go? I don’t want to spiral into negative thinking – that’s the gateway to depression for me. I keep checking my WRAP to make sure I’m staying mentally well. So far, so good.

I’ve used Zoom and FaceTime on a few occasions. The connection was bad on the day I chatted with my kids, so we ended up with just audio. And the point was to see their faces, so that was disappointing. We’ll try it again – maybe tonight – to play a game. That worked several weeks ago, and was lots of fun. That would boost my spirits, I’m sure.

I cried yesterday when I realized that my son lives 20 minutes away, and I didn’t get to see him for my birthday, nor will I for Easter. I had – unbeknownst to me – gotten my hopes up that he and his girlfriend would come over this weekend. We could social distance around the kitchen table. But he didn’t think it was wise – I’m sure he’s right – and so I cried. And I cried again today.

And crying is okay. In fact, everything I’m feeling is okay. This is uncharted territory for almost all of us, and change brings strong emotions. So I’ll let myself cry when I need to. And I’ll keep trying FaceTime to see my family “in person.”

Dish/The Red Plate

Peggy Rice2 Comments

Today’s Discover Prompt is “Dish.” But instead of thinking about food, I thought of my favorite plate. The Red Plate.

I don’t know long we’ve had The Red Plate. It’s been since the kids were little, because we started using it for their birthday meals. Then we got it out for special recognitions – a good grade on a test or project. Or a 1 at Solo & Ensemble. Or just because.

At some point, we added a gold-rimmed plate to The Red Plate, so that both kids could enjoy recognition at the same meal. At the time, gold was my son’s favorite color, so it became his version of The Red Plate.

I recall one very special time. We went out to dinner for my birthday. We all ordered, and while waiting for our food, talked about the puppy we wanted to get, trying to convince hubby of the need for one. When the meals came out, mine was on The Red Plate! I was so surprised! My husband had snuck it to the hostess, who passed it on to the chef. What a delight!

Now The Red Plate sits in the buffet, under the chips-and-salsa dish. It doesn’t get used as much, with the kids grown and out of the house. But maybe I’ll get it out for my husband’s birthday this month. Why not? He deserves The Red Plate, too!

Song

Peggy Rice6 Comments

From Discover Prompts: Song.

🎶 “Sing. Sing a song. Sing out loud. Sing out strong…”🎶

That’s the first line of an old Carpenter’s song, from way back in my childhood. And the first thing that went through my head when I read today’s writing prompt.

But what I remember is learning to sing that song in a community youth choir. We had to learn parts – I was a soprano at the time. (As I got older, I became a first alto.) This choir was the first time I’d sung in parts – singing a tune different than the girl standing next to me.

Most often in a choir, all parts stand together – soprano, alto, tenor and bass. But once we had learned our parts, the director moved us around so that the various voices came from throughout the choir.

It was hard. Hard to not be pulled into the tune of the girl singing next to me. I practiced at home a lot so that I would have my part firmly planted in my memory. and when it came time to perform, I belted out my part firmly in tune!

Here’s the original: (I like the youth rendition better; oh well.)

https://youtu.be/2LYekeK0HWo

Open Haiku

Peggy Rice1 Comment

Based on the WordPress Discover Prompts – “Open.” A Haiku.

 
I’m sorry to say

I awoke feeling sadness.

Just being open.

I’m sorry for us

In this unprecedented

Time of pandemic.

Those who are alone

or lonely or sick or scared.

But God is Sovereign.

He is with us all.

He understands our frailty

and offers comfort.

He loves us deeply

and encourages us to

not be afraid now.

So I feel sadness

for those who are struggling

but God understands.

A Winter Hat

Peggy RiceLeave a comment

Last Saturday, my husband, my son, and his girlfriend and I went for a small hike outside Colorado Springs. It was to Paint Mines, which is an area of rock formations called hoodoos. A hoodoo has a hard rock cap on the top of softer rock, which erodes into a pillar of rock.

Hoodoos in the distance

In getting ready for the hike, hubby and I were gathering our outdoor gear. Gotta be prepared for any type of weather! As I was looking through gloves and scarves, I discovered that I don’t have a winter hat! What happened to the one my mother-in-law made for me? Or the cute purple cap? They were not with the vacuumed-sealed package of outdoor gear. I borrowed my husband’s yellow and gray beanie for the hike.

But yellow and gray don’t go with any of my coats, so today I got onto the REI website, and searched for a cute topper, one that would coordinate with my winter coat.

How hard can it be? My coat is black, so everything goes, right? But my scarves are either burgundy/cream or multi-colored pastels. Not easy to match.

Plus, it’s really important to me that the cap completely covers my ears. That’s what gets cold when I’m hiking in the snow. So the beanie needs to come down low enough to keep me warm.

I don’t look good in hats. My hair is short, and so when it’s all tucked under, I look bald. Or one glance at me and one assumes I’m bald. So I want a hat that’s cute, maybe just a little big for my head so that it’s not completely tight.

I found three on the website. I ordered all of them (free returns) so I could try them all on. Make sure they meet the criteria of cute and ear-covering. We’ll see which one makes me look less bald!