It is difficult to believe I have been “home” for 3 weeks now. Three weeks ago is when all the COVID-19 stuff really got real around here. I am once again amazed at how fast this home-based life has become the new normal. The adaptability of the human being is truly a marvel.
I know there are a lot of very negative and scary things that have come and will yet come out of this world grinding to a creaking halt. That is one reason I have been pretty much not following the pandemic after the first week–I get the information that affects my life from others around me and live with my head under a rock. (It’s warm and cozy here, I have no shortage of schoolwork to occupy my time, and the coffee flows freely. What more can I ask?)
I’d like to renumerate for you 5 unexpected blessings that have sprung from this unusual time. These are a few of the gems of these weeks that I will look back on and treasure after it’s all over.
1) Reading Books I have always been a bookworm. But as the years go by, I read less and less. I blame it on two things–adult life and my phone. Nursing school doesn’t make it any easier. Getting into a book takes a bit longer often, than getting into a YouTube video. It’s easy to fill my minutes with things that are instantly gratifying. But, I am happy to say, in the last three days–Friday, Saturday, Sunday–I have read the three great books pictured below.
2) REAL Mail I have received so much mail in the last 3 weeks. People actually have time to slow down long enough to write letters and cards. Add to this the fact that we miss each other, but can’t go hang out. It is bringing out such a lovely wave of old-fashioned snail mail. I now check with greater expectation than ever the daily “post.” I have received so much it seemed a shame not to hang it up where I could see it often and revel in the warmth.
3) Studying at Home I have been doing it now for 3 weeks and will complete my LPN year of nursing school here at home. All quizzes, exams, clinical, finals, Kaplan testing, and even the Level II entrance exam we have to take before starting our RN year of school are online. I had been studying at the kitchen table. Today, I moved everything downstairs to my room and created my new study space.
4) Having Time To Cook and Bake Saturday night, I made supper for Mom–the traditional pizza. I enjoyed the kitchen again. I spent so many happy hours there in years past when the fam was all around. Sunday, along with my family and cousins next door, I made a huge batch of donuts! Twenty-four hours later, all 20 cups of flour were gone. 🙂 I have also told mom I will make supper Saturday and Monday nights. Tonight we had fried chicken, rice, beans, and cabbage salad. Comment great supper suggestions please.
5) Coffee Breaks in the Afternoon I always have my morning coffee, of course. But since I am home so often, what is there to stop me from having another steaming cup in the drowsy afternoon. Normally, I watch my caffeine intake after lunch because I want to get to bed early. Let’s just say these days, I keep rather odder hours.
There are many other blessings I am loving about being home so much these days! Perhaps, I will share some more later.
What are you guys doing during these history-making times? I’d love to compare notes. I’m also taking book recommendations. 🙂
Peace,
April
Living Intentionally 