The family came over for lunch in my backyard. We still stay outside with the pandemic. Someone asked Isaac how long he will have classes online. He said they are going to evaluate after eight weeks. Ari said that he believes he was told reevaluation would take place in March for his school. Erik said it will be a full year of online classes.

Another issue with uncertainty.

Went to Erik, Ellen, Isaac, and Ari’s house for lunch outside yesterday. It was chilly. Ari met me wearing shorts and a t-shirt and no shoes. Ari has always preferred less clothing. For sleepovers, he wore very light pajamas during the winter. He prefers no jackets. Some things never change.

Ari’s heart and style are the same as his body temperature.

Isaac has started a program on Youtube. It is called Nysart. He is teaching about watercoloring, rooting and planting succulents, creating terrariums, and other creative endeavors. He is so good at what he does. He knows how to use the camera. I suggested he reach out to teachers who are now doing online education. He might have something to offer the children who are looking for creative outlets and gifts to create.

So proud.

My friend Doug is an IT expert. He helped me recently with a computer problem. I am not able to see him at our business group meeting during the pandemic. Rather than mail him payment for his work, I invited him over for coffee in my backyard. That way, I get to see him and have a conversation to catch up on things. Human contact during the pandemic. And not having to mail the payment.

A two-fer.

Ari and Isaac happily pick lemons for me from their tree. The last time I got them, Carrie suggested I juice them all and freeze the juice as cubes to use in the future. I suspect many who are reading this have followed this idea. It was new to me, and I have found it so helpful when I made a dessert or fish for dinner. This week I made lemon bars. I took them over to Erik’s for an outdoor lunch with the family.

Thanks, guys.

For weeks, I have been opening the same windows in my house when I wake up in the morning. I like the fresh air and the cooler temperature. One day I discovered my kitchen table by one of the windows felt like there was residue on it. I wiped it and discovered it was dirt. I realized there was dirt getting through the screen, but I continued to open the window each day, wiping the table regularly. Today I was dusting the house, and when I wiped a table in my office, also by an open window, there was a lot of dirt on it. Since I have not seen clients in person, I was unaware of the collection since the last time I dusted. I closed the two windows.

Choosing between air and cleaning…I made my choice.

I woke up early this morning with the intent of doing an extended house cleaning before my first client at 9 AM. I showered, went walking, and cleaned the house. I met with the client. I talked to Julie. I went to the bank. I ate lunch while I watched two Seinfeld episodes. It was now 12:30 PM. I did not feel like watching a movie. I went to my desk and decided to write an article for the Sun. I did so and then wrote four blogs.

Inspiration comes in clusters.

I had the idea of making a pizza from scratch. The dough required yeast and I needed cornmeal to put on the greased pan when I placed the dough on it. I did not have yeast or cornmeal. Nor do the stores during the pandemic, I discovered. My daughter said she had yeast and she gave it to me. I eventually found the cornmeal.

Guess what Erik, Isaac, and Ari are having for lunch in my backyard tomorrow?

During the pandemic, I learned from my children that things had changed when their cats needed to see the veterinarian. They would schedule an appointment, drive up to the office, and someone would collect the cat from the car. The human was not allowed in the office. I had scheduled my annual visit with my doctor. I was called and told they had made a mistake and my only option was to have a virtual appointment. I arranged to do so.

Why can’t someone drive me to my doctor’s office, have one of the workers come to the car and get me, and my driver not come inside? What’s good for the cat…..

I took a risk and added a fourth route to my morning walk. For four months I went out every morning and walked one of three different routes. When I realized the pandemic was going to be a lot longer, I decided to enhance my trek. And so, I am now seen on one of my paths every four days now instead of three. Since I begin by 7 AM, I am not certain how many people even notice me.

The gym is missed far less.