When I went to the supermarket this morning, the beginning of week 13 of shelter-in-place, I thanked the check out clerk for her work. I asked her if it has gotten easier, and she said it would likely surprise me to learn that work had gotten harder. I asked her in what way. She said people are more often cranky, mean, and angry and she believes it is because they are fed up with the lifestyle.

Many don’t acclimate to change.

I saw a picture on FB that showed two pictures next to each other. In the first, it showed the police officer with his knee on George Floyd. The citation said, “I can’t breathe.” The second showed a white medical worker wearing a mask. The citation said, “I can’t breathe.” I replied, “There are blacks in the second group also.”

We need to be more aware.

During the pandemic when we were compelled to remain sheltered, there was much more time to think. I was not around people, I was not driving much, and I was walking each day since the gym was closed. It was a time away from many distractions or things that needed to be focused on. Sometimes I was waiting in a line to get into a store. I can’t say exactly what I thought about.

Maybe this is why many reported feeling more mellow.

I had my appointment set up for a cleaning six months ago. With the pandemic, I presumed it would be delayed. I called the office and left a message. When I got a callback, I was told the hygienists were not working, but beginning the day I was scheduled, the dentists were doing cleanings. I went in, was asked questions regarding the virus, had my temp taken, and washed my hands. I also had to gargle with hydrogen peroxide. When the dentist came in, I asked her how long ago she had cleaned teeth.

Seems like a logical question.

Another hair story. Keep in mind, I am sheltered-in-place and it gives me little new information to focus on. I was talking to Marjie and she said, “Maybe they will ask to interview us.” I don’t know what the subject was, but my response was, “Not until I get a haircut.”

Once we are liberated, the lines at the hair salons that do not take appointments will outdo Costco during the pandemic.

Because of the virus, I have not had my hair cut for 11 weeks. I have not had highlights done. I was talking to my kids about it yesterday and each one had the same response. They heard me say I had highlights but never noticed them. Ellen said, “I see you as a blonde.” I asked her if she sees roots, and, if so, are they gray? She assured me I am a blonde still.

Time for lighter highlights.

My CD player broke.  I have lots of CDs.  I chose not to digress to address how I still choose to listen to music.  I priced buying a new one, but it did not feel like a priority.  I was talking to Carrie and she asked me why I don’t use my DVD player.  I failed to see the relationship of my television to my music until she explained it to me.  I tried it, and, voila, I had my music back.  I told Erik about it and he said he did not know about that technique.

I knew something technological ahead of my son!

I walk a mile every morning since the gym closed for the pandemic.  I have three routes.  This morning I was aware it had rained during the night.  I chose to journey out knowing there was likely still a drizzle.  I put on my raincoat.  There was a mist, so I kept my hood up.  About 15 minutes into the walk, I came upon a puddle on the sidewalk.  I chose not to resist.  I jumped in.

A nice interruption to the ritual walk and the ongoing adulthood.

I missed seeing my friends.  As a group, we had last gotten together in February.  It was now May.  I invited everyone over to sit apart in my backyard and drink wine.  I chose to serve an appetizer that I could prepare and plate for each person so that we did not need to touch someone else’s food.  Respect for sheltering-in-place.  And so we talked, and so we caught up, and so we laughed.  Most importantly, we saw each other in person.

Fulfilling.

This was a common complaint during the stay-at-home arrangement.  First people cleaned.  Then they made new recipes.  Then they went through closets and drawers and discarded items.  It is anticipated there will be a plethora of donations after the pandemic as no places are currently open to accept or pick up items.  One woman disclosed she was awakened by what she thought was an earthquake, It was not.  She then thought it might have been a dream.  She asked me what it could mean to have such a dream.  I suggested she let it go unless she did not know what to do with her boredom.

Choices.