COVID 19 - The Coronavirus: Elves?

Random thought:

Is this how elves feel?

There's been a lack of urgency in my daily life with the days feeling much the same. It's not that I don't want to accomplish things, but without pressing deadlines, structure, and leaving the house it's easy to put things off.

Elves get pretty old. It's felt like time has sped up in general as I've got older. Has it really been over a month?

In literature, Elves often seem like they don't get excited about things, because they've been there and done that. "...There's nothing new under the sun." (Eccl. 1:9). I'm not saying I'm totally world-weary, but most of Shane's cartoons seem much the same as another these days!

If I was going to press a Tolkien metaphor I could compare the sea-longing to people wanting to end self-isolating....

COVID 19 - The Coronavirus: April Fool's!

It was a stressful morning. Carrie had trouble sleeping with a problem on her mind.

I left my phone in the house while we did morning barn chores and came in to find it ringing. I hurried over to grab it and saw it was Jama.

"MIKE! Haven't you heard!?" Jama asked.

At that point, I thought Jama had tried to call me more than once. "Heard what? I left my phone in the house while we did barn chores."

Jama went on to tell me that Patrick and Shelby had an "Oops." 

Jama asked if Patrick had called me ("No."). She said he didn't call her either, but he had called Nana (the logical place to start disseminating any information). I had some notices on my phone, but I couldn't really check them with Jama excited in my ear.

Jama went on asking me how I felt about being an uncle and "didn't they know better? He's still taking classes and with all this going on!?"

In retrospect, I should have been more suspicious. Jama loves April Fool's day.

However, she caught me. Her call couldn't have been better planned. My mind was working on something else and I didn't even remember what day it was! There were notifications on my phone I hadn't read and I thought she may have called more than once. Plus, I've laughed at a bunch of "Children of the Quarn" and "in 13 years they'll be called Quaranteens" jokes lately and there's been talk of a micro baby-boom!

I was guarded and non-committal with whatever I said until I heard from Nana or Patrick. I did say, "At least they're married!" when Jama kept grilling me about how I felt!

I switched the topic to what we were dealing with and we talked about that for a while, but I could tell Jama was spoiling to switch conversations back!

"Gotcha!" she crowed! "April Fool's, Mike!"

I let her bask in her victory for a bit before we said goodbye. She's been on lockdown and Jama's a mover and groover! She hates to be trapped in any one place too long!

Now, I could have sent out warnings to my siblings, but I didn't. I figured Jama would have her fun and there was no reason to spoil it!

COVID 19 - The Coronavirus: Close Quarters; Close Call

There was a knock on the door. "Mommy, are you okay?" Shane asked. "Why are you wheezing?"

Feels Like October!

The mornings have suddenly cooled off after the heat wave. I made a cup of tea and looked down to see it staring back at me.

I carried it over to show Carrie and it got spooky.

Must be October!

ACME?

I probably shouldn't show this kid Home Alone....., but I know he'd love it.

When Carrie was concerned the box would make too much noise, Shane put a pillow down for it to land on. It worked to muffle the sound when I had to get through with groceries! Ha! I love this kid's imagination at times!

Today, Shane learned a new way to get into trouble #2

Mom doesn't appreciate yelling, "MY MOM REALLY HAS TO GO TO THE BATHROOM!" to the entire circle.

Pool Noodles Aren't Only For Pools

I Cracked Up

What's With That Look?

That look is from "placebo cheese."

Carrie, Shane, and I went to Christian's Pizza for dinner on Saturday. Shane was an absolute stinker. He complained that his pizza was "too hot" and "it burned me!" long after it lost any spare degrees it might have had.

However, the pizza tasted great after Dad sprinkled some "placebo cheese" on it to "cool it down" (and yes, it was planned!). There may be more "placebo" brand products in Shane's future!

Library, Oops

Once upon a Wednesday, Nana and Pop took Shane to the library. Shane wanted a very specific book.

While at the library, Shane was loud (shock). He did his best to describe the book to Nana and the librarian. "It's the book at Mommy's house! It's not at Daddy's house!"

Not the least bit awkward.

Also, the book Shane wanted was "I Stink." How many times do you think he yelled that before people realized it was a title?