Writing ?

Two hundred and fifteen days. That is how long my daily sketching streak lasted.  I realized the streak was broken the morning of May 5th when May 4th passed without a sketch being done.  At the time I was devastated, cosmically and royally sad and mad.  It felt cataclysmic. 

Okay, maybe not that bad. But, still . . .

Then later in the week when I received news that my aunt, the one that celebrated her 100th birthday in February, died. She'd tested positive for Covid-19.  She was diabetic and had other underlying health issues.   

My broken streak felt small (IS small)  by comparison.

Due to the shelter-in-place, social distancing, and restrictions on gatherings, the services will be (basically) limited to her children and their spouses. Even then, they outnumber the maximum of 10.
 
To accommodate other family, friends, and more who are looking to say their good-byes the family has decided to live stream the services, which will be conducted Tuesday morning. 

Welcome to our newest normal.  How many more funerals, graduations, weddings, and other family events, not to mention concerts, symposiums, live productions of any kind will be attended via the internet? Remains to be seen. 

Be safe. Stay safe.

FYI I resumed the daily sketching on the 5th. Kept it going through the 10th, skipped the 11th, 13th, and 14th. I am now on a two going for three day streak.  

Is This Irony?

A Bowl of Fruit

View From My Window

Illinois issued the shelter in place order on March 20, 2020 and on the 24th there were lay-offs and reduced hours by my employer.  I was saved both of those fates thank goodness.  But.. But... yes, I remain concerned with each passing day that the situation may become more critical necessitating further action by said employer. 

Still, at present,  I am gainfully employed, still working from home, and for the newest normal to the mix, engaging in bi-weekly video staff meetings. 

Remember my casual comment about a year ago of maybe being ready to date again? Well, in my head the timeline for me getting out (with or without a date) was for right about now.  Spring and Summer 'round these parts are 'being out' times. There are art fairs, street festivals, all manner of goings on to increase the options over, 'dinner and a movie'. Even if one wanted nothing more than to walk (or bike) along the lakefront and gaze about that famous skyline.

I feel like I missed last year due to the move and various obstacles.   

Well, this Spring is done.  The lakefront is closed. The parks are closed. The first big annual art fair normally held the first weekend in June has been cancelled and there are sure to be others to follow.  Even as governors convene to discuss a re-opening we are likely looking at June or (sigh) July before public venues re-open. Even then, there will likely be limitations. The re-opening will be a gradual event. (As it should be.)   

I've come to realize in recent weeks that my most social outing had been to the grocery store.  And now, even that is gone as the grocery stores are limiting occupancy to 1 per family.  It just makes more sense for my daughter to be 'the one' as she does most of the food prep.  And just my luck, there are no jewelry kiosks open (not essential) to take a few links out of a watch I bought in anticipation of being 'out and about' and not wanting to rely on my phone for the time.   

Oh, well. 

The upside to being locked down and socially distant is my hair has more time to  get fuller/longer.  It is nearly long/full enough to execute the style I have in mind. And, I have time to get back on my 'get fit' (i.e. lose weight) wagon. I fell off some time ago and well, yikes.

Time. It's on my side.  Sort of.  I guess. All for the greater good. 

Be safe. Stay safe.