What lovely things have you seen this past week?
Reader WilliamB emailed me this past week, suggesting that in these times of unrest, it might be nice to have a post (and comment section) dedicated to sharing some of the lovely things we've seen this week.
As an example, WilliamB mentioned being low on yeast, and three neighbors offered theirs.
I thought this was a great idea, so here we are!
I'll go first, since it's my blog. 😉
I was reading Mr. Money Mustache's most recent post, and in it, he pointed out that it is pretty cool that the whole world is stopping their usual way of living for the main purpose of protecting those among us who are more weak and vulnerable.
People who are older, people who have pre-existing health conditions...they are the ones most at risk here, and everyone is working together to help protect them.
(I am not saying this is not a serious concern for everyone, or that only older people or people with pre-existing health conditions die when they catch it. Just to be clear.)
Relatedly, I think that in our heavily individualistic culture, it's heartening to see so many people working together for the common good.
One other thing: In my neighborhood, I see a big increase in people walking their dogs or just taking walks or bike rides, and that seems like a lovely thing.
Many many beautiful window displays in my neighborhood: hearts, autism, spring, Easter! Very lovely to look at while walking the dog!
My oldest son lives two miles away. I walked to his house this morning where we participated in an olive Tai Chi class together. Then I walked home. We maintained distance. I took antibacterial wipes to disinfect anything before and after I touched it.
I would second that a LOT more people are out walking, biking, running, etc. in our neighborhood. I am so thankful for sunshine! Florida is far from perfect, but I am loving it right now!
I love the way that our family has intentionally connected. Relationships are being mended and there is just a general sense of wanting to check in on each other. We have several relatives on the front lines in ER and ICU situations that have caused us all to pray and be more thankful for them!
I am also thankful for all the opportunities to worship online every week. Even though we are scattered, it is so encouraging to trust in our unchanging God.
I am also thankful that a lot of my favorite bloggers have kept up what some might see as trivial posts, because the normalcy and happiness that brings is such a break from the bombardments of bad news and the feeling that the world is closing in our four walls!
Be safe out there!
I agree about the online worship. It has given me a strong reminder that we're united even when we're not together.
We've also seen an unusual number of families spending time outside together in our neighbourhood. Since moving to this quiet development two years ago (a new experience for us; we lived in a semi rural area with no sidewalks before this), we've noted many times that the neighbourhood seems dead, and families are either never home, or they're always inside. But that's certainly changed in the last few weeks! People are outside constantly. Even though it's happening because of a situation that they didn't choose for themselves, it's a nice benefit and I'm hoping it will cause families to spend more outside time together in the future.
I'm so glad you liked the idea. Reading about the lovely things people are doing will be a boost for my week.
I appreciate that you came up with such a great, positive idea!
Saw a little girl of about 10 or 11 giving her much younger little brother a scooter ride down our quiet street. She was piloting, with him tucked between her and the handlebars, and it was so cute.
Our neighbors behind us entwined their houseful of pre-terns by taking their big screen TV into the back yard and replicating the drive in experience by watching a movie after dark on blankets.
That would be "entertained," not "entwined." Autocorrect is of the devil!
And pre-teens, not pre-terns I would imagine?
Yes. I wonder what pre-terns are that autocorrect coughed it up? 😀
The block around the corner from our house had a dance party on Saturday. One of the neighbors, with three small kids, was sharing music for all to hear. Several families were in their own yards partaking of the event. Even our widowed 60+ neighbor was out. There were uplifting chalked messages on sidewalks.
One house down the street painted the whole storm door (all glass, save for the frame) to look like uplifting stained glass. Lots of people in the neighborhood have decorated their windows with multitudes of rainbows and other mood lightening pictures. I have also seen teddy bears in the window, for those participating in bear hunts.
I have seen an increase in people walking, jogging and biking as well. Also, there is a bakery in my area that is making and giving out free bread daily to anyone that is in need of it. There are many other acts of just plan goodness going on!
The traffic on our usually busy "cut-through" country road is way down, and the quiet is so nice.
I stepped outside last night and heard Barred Owls calling from all corners of the woods behind us. It was loud, yes, but fun to listen to. We notice bird calls more day and night with the extra quiet road, especially since nesting season is upon us.
I was in a daughter's town of residence when stopping by my empty office to check on a few things, so I called them to let them know I was near, and they invited me over. They stood on one side of the yard and I on the other, but we had a nice chat, the older kids told me all about their days at home, and I had the pleasure of seeing my 16 month old granddaughter wave and smile at me.
Our library system is doing more things online, and has made it easy to access Ancestry.com for free during this time from our home computers. This is something I've wanted to do for a while - I was born late in my parents' marriage and many of the older family members were already gone by the time I was a kid, so the names are slipping from me and my siblings, and my parents and their siblings aren't here to verify for us anymore. It is so nice to see marriage licenses and census lists and have the names come back to me.
I, too, enjoyed being able to share in the Palm Sunday service online.
I've enjoyed seeing posts of the younger family members' activities while they are home from school. They have cooked, made things, invented things, mailed encouraging letters to others, and lost baby teeth :). I find all of these things lovely!
Some nice things I've seen:
I cleaned out my garage (or at least part of it) so I have a TON of garbage waiting for the garbage man to come and collect. Whilst normally seeing bag after bag of garbage would hardly be seen as a good thing, knowing that it's leaving my house this week makes me happy.
My church is still strong! We meet on Zoom weekly and everyone can't wait to be back in the building to worship together. We have to mail our offering to the treasurer but all will be well soon enough.
Most of all, throughout everything I see a light at the end of the tunnel. The wind blows and the rain's a-cold. Yet we abide. We abide and we endure.
That is so funny. Our church is doing the same thing (Zoom) and I am the treasurer receiving the offering.
The church my wife and I got married in is streaming on YouTube so we're actually getting to "experience" both services, which is nice.
Our pastor was joking that at least we're not paying to heat the building much. I do miss the music, though.
Battra, I love the positive vibes I'm getting from your comment. <3
You know, every year of my life, I become more and more convinced that the wisest and the best is to focus our attention on the good and the beautiful, if we just take the time to look at it.
Bad sci-fi movie quotes aside I'm at the acceptance phase and I'm working hard to just remember that the world has a lot to offer in the time I have left.
The tulips in our front yard bloomed this week with a massive amount of blooms
like never before.
Our yard and bushes were inundated with beautiful butterflies presumably enroute
to more northern climes.
We put stuffed bears in our front windows for the suggested 'bear hunt" in our city.
I've been grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with people--normally, everyone's lives are so busy that it's hard to find a time for anything other than a quick text. Along those same lines, I notice a lot of people lifting each other up by texts/emails/Zoom/phone calls as well as in prayer.
Lots of people are enjoying being outdoors! That's good to see!
We have also seen many more people out walking and biking, and everybody waves! Kansas is pretty friendly anyway, but it's still very cool.
We baked cookies and delivered them to the neighbors, and got a pan of cinnamon rolls in return from one of them! My husband was especially thrilled.
We are spending more time working in the yard, and today a flock of cedar waxwings came and hung out on the birdbath! We rarely see them here, so that was a treat.
Also we had ordered a new sofa before the pandemic, and now it won't be delivered for weeks and weeks. We had sold our old sofa in anticipation of delivery of the new, and now there is a big empty space. We use it to do our exercise routine every day: HIIT circuits and yoga. It's like our own exercise studio, since we can't go to the gym.
And hey -- it's Spring! 🙂
I love your reframe of having no sofa...you could easily go the other direction, but you've chosen to see the bright side!
We've had Cedar Waxwings this past week as well. They're such pretty birds.
I agree that is really encouraging to see people working together for the common good and to protect the more vulnerable of our population.
We've seen so more intentionality to reach out and check on people to make sure all is well. I think many are using their creativity to work with our restrictions to be encouragers and helpers, and that's so refreshing. Mundane life doesn't always encourage creativity. Pandemic living seems to be doing that more.
I agree on the creativity! Parenting for many people today seems to involve pre-made kits and scheduled lessons with experts. Children do well with much more mess than that.
Ditto for creative food combinations and home repairs being made.
And creative ways to be in contact each other.
Customer service is over the top. I know this is partly of necessity, but it's neat to see.
I agree!
I also enjoy the fact that the original post - about customer service - was made by a Karen, and is now being seconded by another Karen.
One of the best things I have seen lately is the actor John Krasinski on YouTube with SGN, Some Good News. It is just what the title says, all good news to cheer people who have heard too much bad news lately. I highly recommend it.
This show wonderful and encouraging!
Last Saturday we had my grandson’s ( who lives with us) fifth birthday party as a drive-by parade! My daughter ( his mom) arranged to have friends and family meet in their cars in the parking lot of our subdivision clubhouse, then drive in a parade down our street where we were waiting for them. I had made cupcakes and put them in individual containers on a long tray that I was able to pass through a car window and let them take one.
Also, every Tuesday I drive by my other grandchildren’s homes to wave from the car, and bring them Happy Meals or Chic fil A. And anything I’ve baked out of boredom, lol.
My work team is meeting regularly online and the care for and connection with one another is more than ever. We are accomplishing many projects.
I’m so happy to see this post. Despite all we are experiencing, I feel like the whole world has slowed down and become a more loving and mindful place.
• I took a walk with my husband and I saw a Bald Eagle in the trees and a family of otters swimming in the salt water lagoon.
• I saw a neighbor walking on Saturday evening with his 16-year-old son.
• My neighbors are all checking on one another. There are several women on my block who have been widowed over the last few years. They meet every evening at 5:00 in one of their driveways, weather permitting. They set up their lawn chairs about 10 feet apart and have a glass of wine before dinner. Everyone walking by waves or stops to chat. Of course, everyone is staying much more than 6 feet away.
• One of the very popular breakfast and lunch spots in my town decided that providing take-out service was not a viable option for them. They divided all the food on hand among their employees and are continuing to pay their employees.
• Although more personal, my son and fiancée sent us a care package with toilet paper, hand soap and homemade gluten-free cookies. I have never appreciated anything more!
Neighbors with five younger children were outside raking leaves out of their gardens a few days ago. I walked over and offered the Mom some bagged candy and new box of cereal my family didn't like, which she said they certainly would eat.
Two hours later, there was a knock on the front door, They had responded with homemade chicken dinners for us! Just lovely! (and healthy, not what we had given them...). They call us good neighbors and I say the same for them. Having five children and dogs is not easy and will always be messy and noisy, and I admire them.
For escapes, I am thrilled to have my two favorite mystery shows in new episodes: "Death in Paradise" started a new season on PBS, and the brand new show "Almost Paradise" is on Mondays on WGN America. The first is set in the Caribbean and the second in the Philippines, so I can have warm weather and sunshine without humidity.
Thank you for this blog prompt!
I should add: Yes, we kept a distance during the food exchanges.
- Our neighbors used sidewalk chalk to color in the bricks on their mailbox. Looks like a cool Lego structure
- Our azaleas are in full bloom and are gorgeous. It's nice to take a break from working at home and look out the window at them.
- We put a stuffed teddy bear in a front window for the suggested ‘bear hunt” in our neighborhood. It's been fun for us looking for the bears when we take the dog for a walk too.
Neighbors wearing masks and wheeling a cart full of canned beer and soda pop to offer everyone a free happy hour.
A few lovely things from Chicagoland:
1. We are enjoying many dinners as a complete family since my college kids are home unexpectedly. Wasn't sure we would ever have a long stretch like this again, so I am enjoying it! <3
2. My brother is about one month out from heart/kidney transplants and has been home for a week. The virus is a particular concern for him, so I am so thankful for everyone's efforts to mitigate the impact to our community.
3. My company just made a training platform subscription open for my use for the next year. I am using the time saved on my commute to invest in new technical skills.
Generally, I think I've found my super power living during these times. While I would like to be cooking a little less, I am perfectly happy entertaining myself and am really not going stir crazy so far even though we're one month in. So many people are struggling with it, but I am doing fine!
One more: a neighbor has organized a button drive and is sewing buttons on to cloth headbands for medical professionals. They can then hook masks to the buttons because their ears are sore from the constant use. Clever idea plus so many have stepped up to help out with the buttons and sewing!
My neighbor just texted me to see if I needed any eggs. She got her food delivery and has a lot of eggs. I told her to make some delicious egg salad. They also offered some paper towels. I've been sending them any extra bananas we have.
Another thing -- I always seem to remember things after I hit enter so if you want to combine them (or can), that is fine!
The aide that gets my mom ready for bed every night texts me to see if we want to say hi so we can facetime. I am in another state and was supposed to go visit her, but the nursing home is closed and I certainly don't want to go to NY to visit. It is so wonderful as mom hasn't had any visitors for a month. Now that she is in a window bed, my family in NY has been going out there and talking thru the window. She misses these visits.
Many residents in our neighborhood put a teddy bear in their windows so when families go for walks they can go on a "teddy bear hunt". Seeing so many families walk and bike together is wonderful! I have also seen people exchanging needed items, leaving painted rocks in the community and drawing encouraging messages on the sidewalks with chalk. Take care, everyone!
It's not as though most of us have any choice in the matter (regarding protecting the most vulnerable). Sorry, but if this lockdown was voluntary, you'd see a lot fewer people participating. And what about those of us who are out of work and solely responsible for children? And our funds are dwindling fast with no relief in sight?
This is why I hate Mr. Money Mustache. He's a jerk and a bully and he doesn't understand how most people live.
Oh, I agree about the difference if it wasn't mandatory. But it's still true that our leaders are making these rules to protect the vulnerable among us, and that's something to celebrate.
A lot of the time, I do take issue with Mr. Money Mustache's attitude, and I also agree that he's not super in touch with people whose lives are different from his. But I thought his point here was valid, so I shared it. Chew up the meat, spit out the bones, I say. 🙂
Also: I'm really sorry that you are suffering. This is hard for all of us on varying levels and in varying ways; you are not alone in finding this difficult. <3
Rose,
I too am sorry you are facing this. I hope you have a support network and some resources to get you through this. It is easy to forget that there are lots of people in need right now, so please know we are rooting for you in this community. I will be praying for you as well.
I live in the UK and since lockdown started, every Thursday night at 8pm everybody comes out of their house into their garden, or just on to their balcony and claps and cheers for the staff of our NHS! Its truly wonderful to be part of it and thank the amazing drs, nurses, cleaners, admin.staff, radiographers, technicians etc.
Hi Vicki
I was just scrolling through the comments think I’d post about our 8pm clapping on the doorstep for the NHS when I saw your post.
It’s truly an amazing experience and I get a little but emotional each week.
I was on a work Zoom meeting last Thursday evening but popped off to hang out the window and clap!!
I’ve waved to neighbours I’ve barely seen before, hope these new connections stay long after the virus has disappeared for good.
Everything has slowed down in quarantine. Time seems to be moving slower, the simplest things, reading, cooking, talking with others (even virtually) all seem elevated in my experience.
And every flowering tree and plant feels like a gift.
I am filled with envy when I read about greenery and flowers where you all live. We are still having freezing temps and biting winds and this last weekend it snowed like the devil; the snow in our yard is hip deep and I am tired of it. So, no stories of neighbors out walking here. However:
The wind snagged our garbage can and sent it dancing down the street. The young neighbor across the way ran out and lassoed our can and those of two other neighbors. All of us are much older than she is, so it was a nice gesture of taking care of the older folks.
The hard and long winter has made the moose ravenous and they are invading yards like never before in my memory, eating whatever is still sticking up through the snow. Yesterday a mom and two babies were here, eating. They decided to spend the night curled up on the snow in the backyard. It was a lovely sight, although the terrified dog peed in the entry way rather than go out into the backyard. For the rest of the day we took him out to the front yard.
My flats of leeks are showing green.
The seamster husband keeps pumping out masks and we have discovered a local group that coordinates getting supplies to people and picking up the finished product. They have already made over 1,000 masks. It is humbling to see so many ordinary people doing something with no expectation of thanks or repayment for the time and supplies (many of them are quilters and are giving portions of their stashes to other mask makers for free).
We went out to get the mail and the mailman saw us and shouted out, asking if we needed anything---like milk or medicine. Apparently he has taken people's orders and brought them with their mail the next day. Not full scale grocery orders, but a gallon of milk or a loaf of bread or a prescription. He takes only when the item costs in payment, although I saw in our neighborhood email tree that for poorer folks he has taken nothing in payment.
How terribly kind of your mailman! God bless him!!!
I would love to see a moose in the wild. Although I’m a Florida girl, I have been able to travel and have never ever seen this majestic animal — even in Denali. That must have been an awesome sight.
But you poor pup!
When we lived in Alaska, a mom had curled up in a house across the street from her two babies. We had to walk between them to get to our house-with our almost year old dog in tow. He thought they should all be his friends and barked and barked. We tried to quiet him, to no avail. We made it home just fine, but it made us a bit nervous that our 35 lb dog had no fear of such a massive animal.
My mom just moved into assisted living before this started and the facility has been on lockdown for over a month with no visitors or packages allowed. It sounds depressing and awful but the staff has been simply fabulous. Even though they have all their regular duties, they have been taking the residents for outdoor walks, providing special treats and even painting their fingernails! I missed taking mom out for her birthday but they gave he a large piece of cheesecake to enjoy since they couldn't provide a birthday cake. It's been tough on both of us but she's happy and healthy thanks to these great folks!
No packages!!? But painting nails?!
We need to educate ourselves better.
I'm happy to see families outdoors enjoying each other.
In my Buy-Nothing group those who can sew have been making masks for others and elastic, fabric etc has been provided by the Buy-Nothing group as well.
Two of my friends have been sick w/ the virus, both recovered.
We have been hiking in our beautiful local parks. We normally hike often, but since quarantine it has been almost daily. This weekend we saw 4 bald eagles while hiking! I agree it is awesome to see so many people out enjoying nature. Everyone we see on the trails has respected social distancing and has been so friendly.
We are having an unusually warm and sunny time here in southern Michigan and it has been delightful!
Our daffodils have been in bloom for a week or two already, but other houses now have theirs in bloom, too!
I'm addition to having regular church online, our kids ministry teachers recorded themselves teaching from their homes this week and mailed activity sheets for the kids to do. It was neat to see my friend teach my preschooler and to see what my elementary student gets on Sunday mornings.
We have been enjoying some lovely spring days with lots of beautiful flowers and trees in full bloom. (Bad on the allergies, but so pretty to look at!) We have been walking more and see many neighbors walking also. When people pass on the sidewalks, someone always steps into a driveway or out to the street to maintain distance. On Sunday afternoon, it seemed that you were either walking or sitting on your porch waving and calling out to the walkers.
We have several older folks in our neighborhood (including us) and everyone is checking in periodically and we have had offers from some of our younger neighbors to bring groceries, fresh produce, etc. Hopefully when we are able to move about freely again, some of this newfound camaraderie will continue.
A roseate spoonbill flew over our house this afternoon, a beautiful and rare sight. Lots of neighbors helping each other out, waving as they walk their dogs or just take a walk. We are experiencing a nice sense of community.
I have been noticing things around my house that I not had time to see before. Some pretty wild flowers that came up on their own, trees with beautiful clumps of wisteria, and mist on the lake near my home. I have allowed myself to sleep a bit later, something I haven’t done in years. A cardinal accidentally flew into my window and knocked himself out. I brought him in the house before a cat had a chance to notice and to give him time to recover. I even got to pet him for awhile. I never knew how beautifully bright those feathers are. Eventually, he came back around and I was able to let him fly back out the window.
In North Carolina the weather has been so great and all the trees and bushes are blooming. Everything is popping out of the ground, so you can see that life goes on.
I really like seeing the children riding their bikes and scooters. Normally hassled parents are driving them from one activity to another. Now they are just playing outside, so much better in my opinion.
And due to the restaurants being closed I suspect families are eating together. Again this goes along with hassled parents not driving the kids everywhere is so there is time for meals together.
Some of the closed businesses downtown turned their lights on Sunday night in honor of healthcare workers. People were encouraged to display lights in their windows or lights and candles on their porches in solidarity.
I heard someone on the internet say we should call it "physical distancing," not "social distancing" because maintaining social ties is more important than ever. I thought that was nice.
Some local restaurants are giving away free meals to the unemployed. Others are including a free roll of toilet paper with take out orders, which I find hilarious.
A friend of mine waited a week for a grocery pick up so he could reduce his chance of exposure. Later that day, after picking up his own groceries, he found out a friend of his was waiting for her Covid19 test results and couldn't leave the house. So he went back to the store, this time went inside, and shopped for his friend and her elderly parents.
I have been the beneficiary of many lovely and generous gestures. My neighbor knocked on my door on Friday and offered 4 rolls of toilet paper because he lucked out and found some at Costco and he wanted to share. A friend sent me food from Cheesecake factory by Door Dash as a surprise one day. Another friend stitched me a mask with her quilting scraps. I have received a card from a coworker I haven't seen in awhile since we are teleworking. I may live alone but I feel a lot more connected than I normally do.
This week I have enjoyed the quiet. We have five schools and two childcare centres near us and the noise and traffic has dropped off which is lovely.
On the flipside when the little people come out to play and I have love the giggles and fun they have.
Some older girls have started to decorate the sidewalks with chalk. It rarely rains here so the art has become very complex and quite long.
I love facetiming with my granddaughter before bedtime. Such a delight.
Staying home has been difficult for me but I slowly I am adjusting and loving the peace around me.
I forgot to add that people are decorating their windows with rainbows, bunnies and bears so the little ones can scavenger hunt while they walk.
I just started working as a teacher's aide this past year at our local school, so I'm involved in all the staff meetings/planning sessions at the elementary school for continuing education and community support. It really has been very impressive what these teachers have been doing and coming up with. Although they are tasked with continuing their teaching remotely, their focus has been solely on what is best for the kids. What will make them feel more secure and less stressed out. They've been working within their curriculum, of course, but also sending treats in the box along with workbooks; being mindful of how difficult it is for families on remote ranches or with multiple children (hi!) to deal with suddenly having school at home; organizing a "pick-up parade" so the students can come get the things they left at school for the spring break that's lasting four month and also, from their cars, see their teachers waving, cheering, and holding personalized signs for them, and on and on.
So if you are a teacher and are looking out for your students right now too? You are incredible. Thank you.
I want to thank you for always looking for the positive. I've read your blog for many years and have taken your words to heart. I've noted my mindset change gradually from one of angry pessimism to that of confident and optimistic. Bless you for the good works you're doing.
Aww, I am so encouraged to hear this. Yay for optimism!
I am SO envious of all the lovely bird and wildlife sightings! Because of a full lockdown, we can't go to our local wetland bird sanctuary. It's autumn now, so I'm missing my last chance before the migrants head north. We're enjoying the last few days of warm sunshine, though.
** I have some tomatoes that are growing on my tomato plant and that excites me!
**My very social son, who spends a lot of time with his friends, of course is home and I have not heard him complain 1 time about being quarantined. He is doing his online classes and still playing online with his friends but he has been so helpful and taking the situation quite lovely. Proud of that kid!
**I work in a call center and we don't have a way to work from home, so the company has separated us around the campus and now they have given us a day at home with pay. So we only come into work 4 days but get paid for 5. I appreciate that!
Aww, God bless him and his cheerful attitude! He's doing better than a lot of adults. 🙂
Well, the most lovely thing I've seen this week is ...... my 17 month old grand daughter just loves to wave to people and since there aren't many people about these days, when we are going for walks she has taken to waving to people in cars and trucks as they go by. You should see the looks on the drivers' faces! They are just delighted and wave happily back at her. They are making her day and she is making theirs. Stay safe and virtual elbow bumps!
We are participating in a multi-person doorstep drop plant swap. Everything is something that someone has too much of and others do not have. We have also scheduled a potato planting session in my 93 year old father's large vegetable garden. Everyone will be outside and well distanced, so we will be able to visit without compromising his health (he has asbestos related lung issues) He remembers the Great Depression well, and is anxious to contribute. He's an excellent potato grower. We have already planted some of our own vegetable garden to lighten the load on the grocer's supply, just in case there is a second wave of this scourge. Others do not have this option, so we feel very fortunate.
We are seeing and have put up, construction paper hearts in windows.
Masks are not yet being suggested here, but I have a lot of quilting fabric and due to inheriting sewing supplies, yards of elastic. I don't expect boredom to be an issue anytime soon.
I am loving the decrease in industrial noise that permits bird and even (well, sorta) insect life to be heard , and the absolutely glorious clear blue of the sky. The canals in Venice have clear water for the first time in decades.
Cirque de Soliel has a You-tube channel. We will be watching the remake of "Alegria" tonight.
Kudos to WilliamB and Kristen for promoting positivity!
I asked my neighborhood association if anyone had a car bike rack that they were no longer using so my husband and I could take our new bikes for a trail ride. I fully intended to pay for it, but my awesome neighbor insisted we just take it as it had been sitting in his basement unused for 10 years!
I love this idea WilliamB. and Kristen!
A couple of lovely things that I saw this week:
A neighbor of mine placed a Share/Give box on a table outside her front yard. It contained items such as rolls of toilet paper, canned goods, books ect. that people could give or take if wanted.
The Child Life department at the hospital where I work created chalk artwork containing words of encouragement and bible verses along the pathway that employees walk into and out of the hospital each day. It is uplifting to read these words as we begin and end our shifts each day and night.
I am a first grade teacher at a school that is closed for the remainder of the school year. Another first grade teacher in our school suggested we do a parade through the neighborhood to see our students and let them know how much we miss them. The teachers decorated their cars with window paint, strapped their pups in, and drove around the neighborhood honking and waving. Some of the students and their families made signs of support for the teachers as we drove by. It was such a humbling experience to see so many students waving and cheering as we drove by 🙂
What a lovely idea!
Our azalea bushes and lilac are blooming. They’re always pretty, but for some reason, they seem especially beautiful this year. Different friends are texting/reaching out to stay in touch a little more. One of our dogs died last week, and so many people sent us kind messages. I’ve noticed that in general, people are just trying to be more positive and supportive. I’ve been trying to make cloth masks, and they look absolutely hideous. I know they do. I’ve posted pictures on Facebook asking my more talented friends for suggestions to improve them. People are making helpful suggestions, but they’re also just being really nice, telling me to keep at it, and that they’re better than I think. It’s nice that people aren’t shooting something down even when it’s far from perfect. Hubby’s job is considered essential, and someone bought a pizza lunch for everyone in his building yesterday to thank them.
I love this thread!
Our neighborhood has people putting teddy bears in a window and when people walk by, they can count the bears! One window had the biggest bear I have ever seen! One home sat a bear on the porch, along with a few other props....
The neighborhood has also painted rocks with sayings or smiley faces and placed them along walking paths. I have seen beautiful painted ones in people's driveways too. Bright colors and carefully detailed designs.
This pic is driving me nuts! Sometimes the mortar between the bricks is raised and the smiley face looks like it is scraped out of the bricks, and sometimes I see the sticks/rocks on top of the brick to make the smiley, and the mortar sunken in like it is supposed to be!
My daughter, who has a genetic disorder with physical and intellectual challenges, had her 21st birthday Sunday. A group of church friends and their moms came a socially distanced birthday celebration on our driveway. They gave her flowers and decorated the driveway with chalk art. Then 2 neighbors dropped off sweet gifts at the door later that day. It was a beautiful gift in the middle of these uncertain times.
I love how you are choosing gratitude and a positive attitude instead of anger during those hard times! (Yes I'm thinking of another frugal-living blog, that I shall not name...)
*We've been taking a lot of walks lately and we see all the rainbows displayed in the windows, it's nice! #cavabienaller
*I see much less stressed/angry/hurtied drivers on the roads.
*We receive daily emails from the teacher of one of our kid. She's really dedicated, and she's a ray of sunshine!
* It's nice to see so many people outside taking walks, biking, walking dogs. It reminds me of "simpler/more connected times" prior to the omnipresence of smart phones
* I work in a hospital and I'm proud to be part of the "health-care warriors" that are out there working hard to help the sick ones. We are showing up every day and doing the best that we can in the present situation. Kuddos to all health care workers every where! (And every one else still working in essential services!!)
---- Keep your optimism Kristen, the world needs more people like you!! ---
Agree wholeheartedly about the gratitude and positivity. This is why I have recently found this blog to replace one that just recently got way too negative and political. We all have to try to stay positive in these trying times!
The birds are so active, looking for tufts and twigs to build their nest from. They venture quite near our house nowadays and it is lovely to watch them from our windows;
The peony that my mother insisted I take from her garden before she passed away (replanted every time we moved house, and its roots dating to her parents' house when she was still living at home) is starting to come back after winter. I am always so happy to see this reminder of her care and dedication;
We have more than I can mention in a short post, to be grateful of. For now I 'll just list that I am impresssed our telephone and internet connections are still working so well. This allows us to keep in touch withour loved ones, contact our doctors, do our work and, collect our kids' schoolwork, pre-order shopping to be picked up from pick-up points, work out at home- the list is enormous.
I see God working everything out for our good. Families and neighbors are coming together. I am seeing more posts on praying. God is in control.
Romans 8:28
Easter is a special holiday, and something we look forward to. Since we can't gather for church or family dinner, we are going to keep the day special and make some memories by attending church online.
I came up with an Easter Challenge
1- make a nice dinner/ set the table special
2- put on something special
3- video call/ zoom family & friends
4- post a picture
I enjoy watching the children enjoying nature on the walking trails that connect to our development. They're bursting with information. The sounds and sights that they have seen, they want to share, while maintaining the required social distance and they call out to us with their energy and discoveries. Spring is here in Langley B.C. Canada!
We hope to visit with our daughter on Good Friday. She works as an Air Canada french in charge Flight Attendant and we haven't seen her since the beginning of February because she's working the " essential flights" and hasn't been furloughed, therefore she requires self isolating! It will be 16 days since her last flight, so we have planned an outdoor picnic with social distancing. She's also a fashion influencer on youtube, if you would like to help her out, type theflightalista in the you tube search bar. Press "Subscribe", "press like", "press the bell!" The videos won't come to your email but new subscribers benefit the influencers. She's going through a rough time like thousands of others. Thank you for your support! Many thanks to you Kristin for being so kind and sharing, I love your beautiful spirit and lovely family. I love your volunteering at the animal shelter.
I gave birth to my first child 2.5 weeks ago, and I've been struggling with not having my family here. (Not to mention, tiredness). This post was just what I needed. Thank you.
Congratulations! What a gift. As a mom of 4, sleep deprivation is really hard , hang in there. Hope you are able to soak up those newborn smells
Masks and more masks! I work at a large hospital and weve been reusing disposable masks, sometimes up to 5 days. However, this week, one of our nurses made some, I was gifted some, and another nurses mom made us headbands. I love having some I can wash :)))
Masks and more masks! I work at a large hospital and weve been reusing disposable masks, sometimes up to 5 days. However, this week, one of our nurses made some, I was gifted some, and another nurses mom made us headbands. I love having some I can wash :))) if you are making them, we (healthcare workers) appreciate it!! Keep on!!
I’m glad you mentioned MMM’s post. I read it too. I really appreciate his optimism about the aftermath of this pandemic. I believe there will be more people working from home and maybe more homeschoolers, maybe people will continue to be more frugal and have more appreciation for availability of goods. And, hopefully, we will discover that we really don’t need so much after all.
I take care of my granddaughter and she loves the outdoors and so does my dog Millie. I take both on a walk around our neighborhood. We pass by someone who owns a day care and the kids are outside playing so my granddaughter Ella refuses to leave this place, she is putting her hands through the fence touching other kids hands and a dog is there too. My dog is going crazy with this dog barking like crazy!!! We finally get away from them and she decides she wants to walk rather than be strolled along in the stroller, so I give in and she is walking in people's yards, trying to take a basketball from this house, and then finally we are in our yard and all is good. She is ready to come in and she falls right asleep after our adventure!!
I'm a little late to this, but near the beginning of our lockdown I became worried I would run out of puzzles. I've been doing a couple of puzzles for months now, as a way of dealing with anxiety. So that day I'd gone to a couple of thrift stores only to realize they were all closed, and I even checked London Drugs, even though I don't usually buy my puzzles new, and they had none. On the way home we stopped at our Little Library to drop off a couple of books. It's a little bookshelf with a roof, where people in our neighbourhood can take or leave books. What did I see but a little table with a big clear plastic bin full of puzzles! I'm pretty sure I also heard a hallelujah chorus. I've visited it several times now, and have taken several puzzles and left even more. I hope it continues after the pandemic, but either way, it's completely awesome!