Search me, O God

Today is Day 160 of the year 2020, Day 84 of my Coronavirus "stay at home".  But today, rather than speaking about the Coronavirus and its effect and toll, I want to talk about George Floyd, about the Black Lives Matter movement, and my place in it all.

Let me start by saying, with absolute conviction, that what happened to George Floyd, and soooo many others like him, is egregious.    As I struggle to make sense of the repercussions of his death and what is going on in our nation,  I grapple with 1,000 different questions.   I have prayed and I have shed many tears.   Tears for the loss of life, for George Floyd, for his family, tears of outrage over the injustice and the violence, tears of frustration at the failure of our nation to appropriately respond.  There have been many difficult conversations with people close to me.  As I fail to find the answers, I feel compelled to address this here on my blog.   This is where I use my voice.  Be patient with me because I do not have it figured out.   But I am trying to listen and learn.

If you have a chance, I recommend reading Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Letter from a Birmingham jail.  While it was written over 50 years ago, much of his letter speaks loudly to the current state of our nation.  Dr. King eloquently speaks to the value and timeliness of the work of confronting the issues, the responsibility of the church to respond, as well as a call to action for all.   He addresses the moderate white man (or woman), imploring us to take a stand, "Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will.   Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection."  Shallow understanding.   Lukewarm Acceptance.  

He writes, "In any nonviolent campaign there are four basic steps: collection of the facts to determine whether injustices exist; negotiation; self purification; and direct action."

I want to address the idea of self purification.   The Bible instructs us again and again to look within, to cleanse and renew our hearts, to "remove the log from our own eye," so to speak.

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.   See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalms 139:23-24

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10

Let us search search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.
Lamentations 3:40

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is a log in your own eye?   You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
Matthew 7:3-5

Let a man examine himself...
1 Corinthians 11:28

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith.  Test yourselves...
2 Corinthians 13:5

For me, this means taking a deep look within.  I've heard a few people say, "I am not racist."   Some believe what happened to George Floyd does not directly affect them.  If that's the case, you have it all wrong.  Each and every one of us has an obligation to take a deep look within, to do some serious soul searching and self-reflection.  

Some of the questions that keep nagging at me are, "What do I do?  What can I do? Where do we go from here?"

As I said earlier, I don't have the answers.  For starters, I am going to listen.  People are hurt and angry.  So instead of saying "not me," putting my hand up and saying, "Wait a minute!" or pointing fingers at others, I am going to sit and listen.  

James 1:19-20 says, "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God."

Listen.

I do know now is not the time to be silent.  Now is the time listen and stand with my brothers and sisters, to support them as best I can.  Even more than this, now is the time to pray.  To pray for peace, to pray for justice, and to pray for healing.

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

I am so grateful for Pastor Brian who leads with conviction and grace.  Here is the prayer he lead us in this morning:

"May we simply be able to sit with the other and weep and not lecture.  We commit to turn away from all forms of racism and not loving our neighbor.   And we seek you, our God for healing our land.   God we declare racism is sin. Period." 

-Brian Tracy, Evangel Assembly, Wilbraham, MA

As I continue to seek answers, it is important to remember we are all in this together.   Black, brown, white, blue or red.  We all have a duty to look within, to ask God to search our hearts.   We MUST listen and commit to learn.  We have to do better.  We MUST get this right.   Our children deserve that.

Today's Song is Bleed the Same by Mandisa

It starts with this prayer from Kirk Franklin:

I wanna say something to everyone, in a spirit of humility, a spirit of meekness and a spirit of Christ-like love.   There is chaos and calamity in the world. And there is so much hurt and distrust.  When police are killed, we need to say something.   When black boys are killed, we need to say something.   And when we don't say something, we are saying something.  We have the spirit of redemption when we speak.   At our concerts, in our churches, I beg of you, let's ask the people that we are accountable to stand in front of  to pray with us for healing. 

When are we gonna realize?

We all bleed the same

We're more beautiful when we come together

We all bleed the same

So tell me why, tell me why

We're divided

If we're gonna fight

Let's fight for each other

If we're gonna shout

Let love be the cry

So Father God, I pray that our families will come together right now, and seek Your face. You will forgive our sin and you will heal our incredible land.  In the name of the only Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

     

Finding Faith

It's Hump Day!

Today is Day 23 of my period of "Coronavirus Isolation."  It's Wednesday of Holy Week, the first day of Passover.   So far today is a tough day.  I didn't sleep well last night, so I'm feeling crappy.   Add to that, my allergies are acting up.   I so want to crawl back into bed.  I may just do that.

Let's get to the fun stuff first...

Spring Sightings

Spring has definitely sprung!   It was in the mid-60's yesterday and was a perfect day for a walk.    The forsythia bushes are fully in bloom.  The local elementary school has hearts on their cafeteria windows and a sign that says, "Brunton students ROCK."  When it's just me and Leia walking, she's so good.  She walks right next to me (lower left) and is easily able to walk off leash when we aren't near cars (lower right).   I have really come to love our walks.

Project Update

On Sunday I started a garden from seeds.   So today is Day 4 of my garden and you can see the lettuce seeds just beginning to sprout in my peat pellets.  Kind of exciting!  The other seeds aren't showing any activity just yet.   (And still no progress on Mitch's room.)

Laundry:  The Joke's On Me

I think I figured out a solution to the laundry problem by changing my routine.  Instead of doing laundry every day, I decided to do it 2-3 days instead.  It means more laundry at one time, but I don't have it looking at me every day.   As of 12:00 p.m. today, one load is folded and put away, another is in the dryer and a third is in the washer waiting to be dried.  I just need to go and move it so I can finish it all.   Fingers crossed this will make the whole laundry scene less maddening to me.   (As long as Brian doesn't continue to deliver mystery laundry out of who knows where.)

Finding Faith

As Christians, the story of the crucifixion may have become a ritual part of our faith history.  We know the story of the Last Supper, Christ's betrayal, arrest and crucifixion.  It's a story that we retell every year at Easter.  It's a tradition.   Maybe we go to Mass or church; watch a movie about the life and death of Jesus; attend a Passion Play; and have a special family dinner.  (When I was growing up we always watched Charlton Heston as Moses in the 1956 film "The Ten Commandments" on Easter night.)  

This year I'm having a hard time with the idea that Easter is this Sunday.   This is Holy Week.   This is a time when we are supposed to gather together to remember and reflect the sacrifice of Jesus' death on the cross and to celebrate the triumphant miracle of his resurrection.  I'm just not feeling it.

This whole "THING," this Coronavirus "thing" has me feeling disconnected.   I miss Mitch.  I miss my parents.  I know I can talk to them on the phone and FaceTime them.  Facebook Live and Zoom have brought Church right into my living room.   But I miss the human interaction, the community.  All of "THIS" just seems so impersonal.

When was the last time you really thought about the story of Christ's death and resurrection and what it means to us today?  I've been reflecting on this all week and am reminded of the message Pastor Brian shared with us on Sunday.  Right before Jesus was betrayed and arrested, he went with his disciples to the garden of Gethsemane to pray.  While his disciples came with him to Gethsemane, they fell asleep, so he was alone.  Even though Jesus knew what was going to happen to him, he prayed to the Lord, "Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.  Yet not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26:39)  Three times he cried out to God.  But heaven was silent.

Today in-person interactions are pretty much off-limits, but we are able to stay in touch by phone, Facebook, Zoom or other "virtual platforms."  In spite of this many of us feel very much alone in the face of the we are experiencing in light of the Coronavirus Pandemic.   In the Garden of Gethsemane, despite the fact that his disciples were there with him, they kept falling asleep, so Jesus was all alone.   Whatever you are dealing with today, whether you have a loved one who is sick or who has died, or you've lost your job, or you just feel alone, maybe like Jesus, you have cried out to God for mercy and maybe you may feel like heaven is silent.  

Be encouraged.  Remember, there is hope.  Christ chose to die for us so we could know his presence.   So that we will not be forsaken.  Christ accepted his fate so that we could know the cup of salvation.  Psalm 116:13 says, "I will lift up the cup of salvation and praise the Lord's name for saving me."   Jesus suffered so that we can be saved.   We do have to face trials on earth.  We are not saved from those.  But because of Jesus, we are not alone, we are not forsaken.

We can find faith in the darkness.

Seeking Smiles

The Coronavirus Pandemic has directly affected every one of us to some degree.  In the face of darkness and despair, it is so important to seek out the good in the world - whether near or far, surely there is light in the darkness.   If you haven't seen or heard of it, let me tell you one place you will surely find smiles.  John Krasinski started his own YouTube channel entitled Some Good News.

Some Good News with John Krasinski

The show features dozens of stories featuring good news across the world, from... 

• Salutes to healthcare workers across the world
• A flashback to The Office featuring an interview with Steve Carell
• Weather report from Robert Deniro 
• Reflections on how people are making up for the things we miss, like a trips to the salon, amusement park rides, getting your hair done and date night
• An incredible interview with young Aubrey who missed Hamilton because of the Coronavirus Epidemic including a surprise Zoom Bomb from the entire cast of Hamilton

He signs off with a reminder that, "No Matter How Dark It Gets, there is ALWAYS good in the world."  You must check it out - you will most definitely find some joy.

Today's Meditations

So now, O Lord our God, save us, please, so that all the earth may know that you, O Lord, are God alone.
2 Kings 19:19

Way Maker by Michael W. Smith

Way maker, miracle worker, promise keeper, light in the darkness

My God, that is who you are

How are you and your family dealing with this pandemic?
Feel free to share your updates with me, either in the comments or by message.

My journey through the Coronavirus Pandemic:
Day 1:  Boo boo paw
Day 2:  Let the projects begin
Day 3:  A photo journal
Day 4:  Love wins
Finally Saturday:  It's starting to get to me
The Long Haul:  Be strong & courageous
Who Made the Clouds?  Day 7
Time Out:  Day 8
Fever, Cough & Shortness of Breath (Day 9)
May 4:   Days 10, 11 & 12
Koby Update: Day 13
Random Thoughts:  Day 20

     

Random Thoughts

Today is a very special day.   Today is my 20th Day of Coronavirus Isolation.  20 Days.  It also is Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week.   Not only that, but it's Alex's Birthday! (my son from another mother)

Alex (left) and Mitch (right) on our trip to Jamaica, 2011

Last week I told you I'm back to work (almost full force), which limits my time to work on the 100 different home improvement projects around here and cuts into the time I have to blog.  Here's a recap of the past week and some thoughts on this time in isolation.

This past week, I decided I wanted to use this time to read the Bible, so I started a 90-day Bible Reading Plan in YouVersion, a Bible app.   In addition to that, I've also been participating in a couple of different devotional reading plans for Easter.  Each morning, it takes me about an hour.  In the past, I tried to read through the Bible, committing to read 4-5 chapters a day, with the intention of reading it a year.   I've failed every time.  I don't know if it's because it's my perception of "forced reading" (I mentioned that last week), or if I get distracted or busy, fall behind, don't feel like I can catch up, or what.  But something strange has happened this time.  I can barely wait to read my Bible each day.  This particular reading plan goes through the Bible in order, from Genesis to Revelation.   If you've never read the Bible before, let me tell you, those first books are FULL of drama.  Not only is there the whole Adam & Eve story, the fall in the Garden of Eden, the story of the first murder, Noah and the Ark, but the Bible provides a complete history of God's province to his people.  Again and again.  God makes seemingly impossible promises, but His word never fails.   Never.  The people of Israel fall down again and again.  Yet God is there for them every time.   He even details how they should live, what is safe for them to eat, how they should settle disputes (they must have had a big problem with the oxen back in the day), and what is an acceptable sacrifice to Him.   He leaves out nothing.

It's like this time, I am reading the Bible with a new awe.   I feel hungry for more.  The nice thing about YouVersion is the option to have it read aloud aloud to you, which I enjoy sometimes.

When this whole period of social distancing and isolation started, it took a while for me to adjust.  I had mostly good days, with a few bad days mixed in.  I expect the same to continue, but I find gratitude is the best way to get me through.  I have so much for which to be grateful, most of all my husband who loves me, with whom I get along great, who laughs and jokes with me through some of the craziness, and who is sharing this period of time and isolation with me.

Laughter is the BEST Medicine

Where is my desk?

What Netflix series have you been binge-watching?  Brian and I started watching The Office.   It is so bad, it's hilarious.  Jim's antics, Dwight's obsessive nature, and Michael...such a tool.   Michael is such an @$$, you hate him so much, but you can't look away.  Sometimes I laugh so hard, I almost pee myself.

Speaking of Netflix...have you seen Tiger King?

Apparently COVID19 has the entire nation tuning into this not-appropriate-for-children series.  It's like a bad car accident.  You just can't look away.  The more you watch, the worse it gets and the harder it is to turn away.

OVERLOAD

Working from home, how I feel every day:

We (administrators & teachers) spend our days trying to figure out how to deliver School Online, tracking seniors who are supposed to graduate in June, planning for next year, and a host of other things I can't even begin to list.  By the end of the 99th ZOOM meeting, my head is on complete overload.

Big question:  Does working from home mean I can work in my PJ's and keep my bed-head going for days on end?  I've made a few attempts to at least try to feel human.  I created a somewhat "homey" work space in the dining room, every day is now "Bring Your Dog to Work Day", and I get to sneak in quick walks with Leia when I have a short break between meetings.

Brian found me on one of our walks and delivered a coffee from Dunkin!  Told you, he loves me!

Scenes From My Walks

I really think I should make some hearts to put on our doors or windows.  

I met up with Giselle one day and we walked six miles!   Notice the warnings on the trail....

Spring is definitely here!  

LAUNDRY - the NEVER ENDING Story

Who else strips and puts their clothes straight in the wash?

I started doing laundry every other day instead of every day because it is so maddening!  This afternoon, Brian cleaned out the garage and put a huge pile of dirty clothes on the floor next to the basement stairs.  Even when it is all folded and put away, there's some out there somewhere just waiting for me!

A Blessing

God can and will make things better.

This period of isolation has afforded us all time.   Time to be grateful.   Time to appreciate the small things, like hugs, haircuts, toilet paper and dine-in service.   Time to focus on faith and family.   In many ways, the time has become a blessing.

The ever changing "situation"

Every day the CDC guidelines regarding the Coronavirus are changing.  The latest update asks us to cover our faces when we are out in public.  I've got this!  I have a bunch of headbands I wear during cycling season which can easily be converted to a face mask.   Just like that, viola!

Grocery Store Adventures 

Project Update

Today I endeavored to start a garden.  Planted a bunch of seeds and set up a lighting station in the dining room.  This meant I had to relocate the items that were on the buffet table.  So I enhanced my work space a little.   Still need to finish Mitch's room...

Online Church

Our church broadcasts the worship service on Facebook Live, with a follow up Zoom meeting for members.  Today's message was really powerful.  The Zoom meeting provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the message, pray for each other's needs and join in community together.  Service airs live at 10:30 a.m. Sunday and is rebroadcast on Friday evenings.  You should definitely check it out.

Today's Meditations

In the middle of all that's going on around us right now, it's only normal to have anxiety, to be afraid.  The Bible gives us permission to be afraid, and even tells us what to do when we are afraid.  I mentioned earlier that I have a prayer list going.  Sometimes I pray through each request individually and other times, I lift the list as a whole to the Lord, asking him to answer them.  Laying them at His feet.   Meditate on these verses...

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.   In God, whose word I praise -
In God I trust and am not afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?
Psalm 56:3-4

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petitions, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6

I Surrender by Hillsong Worship

How are you and your family dealing with this pandemic?
Feel free to share your updates with me, either in the comments or by message.

My daily posts since my Coronavirus Isolation period began:
Day 1:  Boo boo paw
Day 2:  Let the projects begin
Day 3:  A photo journal
Day 4:  Love wins
Finally Saturday:  It's starting to get to me
The Long Haul:  Be strong & courageous
Who Made the Clouds?  Day 7
Time Out:  Day 8
Fever, Cough & Shortness of Breath (Day 9)
May 4:   Days 10, 11 & 12
Koby Update: Day 13

   

Koby Update

Let's talk about Koby! 

Princess Leia steals the spotlight and the camera.  She is four years old, very cuddly and still full of spit and vinegar.   She is my constant companion.

Working from home means every day is now "Bring Your Dog to Work Day"

At my feet during a Zoom meeting

Today is Day 13 of my Coronavirus Isolation marathon.   Today's post will be about our "Old Man" Koby.  I recently shared a story about his boo boo paw: Coronavirus Staycation: Day 1.   Koby is our 13 year old German Shepherd.  Last week, he lost one of his front claws.   It was a mess!   Here is an update on how he's doing.

Sleeping Beauties (Koby in front, Leia behind)

In June, Koby will be 14 years old.   That's old for a German Shepherd.  The progression of time has taken a toll on him.  He has trouble hearing and suffers from night time blindness.   His rear legs don't fully cooperate with his will to play.  But, boy does he still love to play!

Every setback with Koby is a reality check for me and a difficult conversation with my family.  "Koby is getting older, we need to talk about ..."  So last week, after Koby saw the vet, Dr. Crosson prescribed antibiotics for the boo boo paw and added gabapentin to help Koby feel better.  As his paw has healed, we can see he is definitely feeling better.  With the warmer spring weather, he spends hours outside and enjoys "alone time" without Leia to pester him.

I had to call Dr. Crosson this week for a check-in and to discuss next steps.  And so I took the brave step and had the difficult conversation with him.  "Koby will be 14 in June, Doc.  It's hard to tell you how he's doing because I know these are his last days.  What I don't know is when the time is..."

Dr. Crosson is such a nice man.  He is so kind and cares so much about our pets.  He tells it the way it is, but is kind at the same time.  I trust him.

So when he and I talked on the phone, I really listened to him.  Dr. Crosson laid out all the scenarios and basically told me that whatever we choose, there is not a wrong decision.  He did a quality of life assessment for Koby over the phone.  Long story short is that Koby is still enjoying life.  He loves to play and still gets excited when we come home (although we are home 24/7 these days).  Caring for him has not become a burden.   We have had to learn his cues when he needs to go out because if we don't pay attention, he does have an accident in the house.  But these are rare.  Even though walking is more difficult for him, he does get around.  He is still enjoying life.   

So, with that, we have decided that now is the time for Koby to enjoy life as much as he can.  Whatever makes him happy, we will accommodate.  I ordered him some CBD Oil chews from Ellevet.  Apparently in Massachusetts, veterinarians can't prescribe CBD oil for animals, but some of his clients have seen significant improvement their pets' mobility, so we will give it a try.  

I also ordered him some pill pouches for the gabapentin.  

Taking medicine should not be traumatic for our pets.   With these, it's like giving him a treat instead!

Snapshot Update

I was able to get some toilet paper at Costco yesterday.   My friend Giselle sent me a text at 10:52 a.m. with a picture of fully stocked pallets of Charmin.  I didn't see it until 1:30 p.m, but we ventured out anyway.  Score!

We celebrated my cousin Jake's 30th Birthday last night on Zoom.   My parents tried to join us, but that didn't go so well.  Let's just say Amazon has a camera and microphone on its way...

Yesterday was pretty much a do nothing day.  Our school librarian sent out a link to SCRIBD, a free online library.   (Free for 30 days, anyway.)  I downloaded the app and set myself up with an account.  There are sooo many books from which to choose.  I didn't know where to start, so I picked one out and started reading.

"An unforgettable love story about finding joy even in the darkest of circumstances."

Yesterday morning, I laid in bed all morning to finish the book.  All morning in bed.   I don't know when the last time was I just read.

Let's be clear about something.  I don't read.  I mean, I know how to read.  But I just don't.  Growing up, I hated "forced reading" so much that it completely soured me.  In 2014 I went back to school to get my CAGS in School Administration (which I earned in 2016) and completely stopped reading for pleasure.  Times have changed, though.   So I decided to make the most of it.   I liked the book.  I could relate to the character.  It made me cry.  It was somewhat therapeutic. 

Today's Meditations

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 ESV

Joy by for King & Country

The video starts with an eery prediction of our "current situation."   There is a news broadcast of Mega Storm Hercules...the "storm" of the century, which has completely paralyzed our nation.   Substitute Coronavirus Pandemic and it feels all too familiar.

Verse 1:   Lately I've been reeling, watching the nightly news

Don't seem to find the rhythm, just wanna sing the blues

Feels like a song that never stops

Feels like it's never gonna...

Chorus:   Oh, hear my prayer tonight, I'm singing to the sky

Give me strength to raise my voice, let me testify

Oh, hear my prayer tonight, 'cause this is do or die

The time has come to make a choice

And I choose joy

Let it move you, let it move you

Yeah, I choose joy

Let it move you, let it move you, let it move you.

How are you and your family dealing with this pandemic?
Feel free to share your updates with me, either in the comments or by message.

My daily posts since my "Coronavirus Staycation" began:
Day 1:  Boo boo paw
Day 2:  Let the projects begin
Day 3:  A photo journal
Day 4:  Love wins
Finally Saturday:  It's starting to get to me
The Long Haul:  Be strong & courageous
Who Made the Clouds?  Day 7
Time Out:  Day 8
Fever, Cough & Shortness of Breath (Day 9)
May 4:   Days 10, 11 & 12

   

May 4

This week all "this" became real.  On Wednesday, Governor Charlie Baker announced that schools in Massachusetts will be closed until May 4.

May 4

He. said. May 4.   May 4.

If that wasn't bad enough, yesterday the Red Sox posted this on their Instagram account.

I read the entire post to Brian (he doesn't really do social media).  As I read it, I started to lose it.  Tears over baseball.   I don't really even like Baseball.  In fact, I tell most people that I'm a "baseball widow" because Brian watches every Sox game.  Every game.  Yet here I am, crying over the loss of Opening Day.

It's all just too much for me.

The Olympics is postponed until 2021.  School is cancelled until May 4 (possibly later).  Opening Day is cancelled.  Will the season be cancelled?  Oh, yeah and on St. Patrick's Day, Tom Brady announced he is leaving the Patriots.  I know that was last week, but still.   It's all just too much.

So, today is Day 12 of my "Coronavirus Staycation."  It's also the last time I will call it a "Staycation" because, if you haven't noticed, I haven't been posted anything since Wednesday.  Now that school is closed indefinitely (or at least until May 4), our district is in full drive.  It's no longer just emails to answer and an occasional report to file, it's a full blown effort for everyone to figure out how to provide the students we serve with the education they deserve.  There are so many questions and we are all just trying to figure it out.

Moving forward, I will continue to post updates, probably not as often.  But I won't be calling "this" a "staycation" anymore.

May 4.   School is closed until May 4.  (Maybe longer?)

Is there hope in the madness?

So while the world seems to be spinning out of control, how do you find hope?  How do you smile when everything is bleak?  Since the coronavirus scare started, before it was categorized as a Pandemic, I've consistently said "Let's just focus on today and not worry about tomorrow.   Tomorrow has enough of it's own worries."   This is loosely based on the words of Christ from the book of Matthew.   Yesterday I was reminded of these words when my church posted this on their Facebook page:  

"Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?  

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  

"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.   Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Matthew 6:26, 33-34

For me, when "all of this" starts getting to me, I realize that it's okay to feel the feeling and acknowledge the loss.   But to be careful to not dwell on it.  And to be grateful.   Grateful for all I do have.  Good health.  A job where I can continue to work.   Long walks with Leia.  Spring.  My family.   My friends.  

By the way, I really could use a hug.

Speaking of being grateful...  

I found these under the bathroom sink.  Score!

Laundry:  The Neverending Story.

What happens when you don't fold or put the laundry away for two days.

  All folded.  (Full disclosure, it's still not put away!)

Speaking of the Never Ending Story

I saw this on Facebook the other day, so I played along.  I looked it up and it's "Endless Love" by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross.  Someone commented, "Are you sure it's not more like the theme song from the Never Ending Story?"  Laughter is the best medicine.

This video will MOST definitely make you laugh:

Hello (from the Inside) An Adele Parody by Chris Mann

Scenes from my walks with Leia

Waiting patiently for Momma

I try to find something unique in every walk.   Just some yard lights we noticed the other night.

A very gnarly tree

Walks with Dad & Newbie.   (Cautionary note: Dad & I  are practicing full social distancing on our walks.)

Right now, for the students across the nation, I am praying that school does resume on May 4.  While we all wait patiently, try to remember it's Star Wars Day!

Meditation for Today

This was the Abide meditation in my email on Thursday.  

Click on the image for a 3:48 meditation of hope.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:8

How are you and your family dealing with this pandemic?
Feel free to share your updates with me, either in the comments or by message.

My daily posts since my "Coronavirus Staycation" began:
Day 1:  Boo boo paw
Day 2:  Let the projects begin
Day 3:  A photo journal
Day 4:  Love wins
Finally Saturday:  It's starting to get to me
The Long Haul:  Be strong & courageous
Who Made the Clouds?  Day 7
Time Out:  Day 8
Fever, Cough & Shortness of Breath (Day 9)