Dear Reader:

One positive aspect of stay-at-home living has been a sharp increase in creativity…humans coming up with ways to entertain their children, using technology to communicate with loved ones, and increased reading and storytelling times at night.

A recent survey I read about concerning children’s outlooks on the new restrictions in their lives from COVID19 were overall positive. Sure…they missed their teachers and friends, activities, and sports…but they loved having dad or mom home for the first time in a long time, loved eating meals at home, and especially loved dad reading them good-night stories ….when in many cases this had not ever been possible, in their young lives, because of normal work hours.

For many children, surprisingly, the stay-at-home experience had brought them more security…not less. Parents admitted too…that their creativity had been brought back to life….initially as a desperate measure to “fill the days” but then it became an anticipated part of the routine…creating daily adventures for the family to participate in.

One family said their children made paper mache coronavirus images from the children’s imagination…placing them in hidden spots around the home and yard. On their “safari” adventures outside…if the “virus” was spotted…everyone was notified lining up six feet from it…and using their water guns…they got to shoot the cornavirus six times each.

Attaching an activity around the homemade  “virus” made it less scary but also reminded the children of the importance of social distancing and always being on the look out to avoid situations where it might be lurking.

Another popular idea for birthday parties or just plain summer afternoon fun… is making paper mache coronavirus pinatas…filled with candy.

One mother said that the main appeal of the family being together was simply the new feeling of unity and bonding that had not been there before when everyone left in the morning…and didn’t return until the end of the day.

Everyone was involved, then, in their own little worlds, hurriedly picking up meals on the way home, baths, homework, and sleep. There had been little time for interaction together as a family unit. Now they felt like a home “team”… facing the COVID19 obstacles together…discussing safe tactics and choices.

I know I have probably read more books in the past three months than I usually do in a year…Like millions of other readers… books are providing me a sense of adventure in fiction that is personally missing in my daily reality.

Amazon.com has seen a huge spike in book sells…people are ordering more books now than ever before…a fairly economical escapism tactic.

But don’t forget…we all have an unique opportunity to create one of the greatest adventures in our lifetime by simply living through this rare pandemic…We want to make sure we have plenty of personal stories and memories written down to make this time one of our greatest family historical adventures. *The great-grandchildren and those who follow will appreciate it one day!

And speaking of grandchildren…since it is almost a rarity for all of us to come together these days…we need to make the most of our family gatherings…so the children can store up happy memories of this time too. Rainbow happy memories.

Great masks for teachers and parents to remind their student and children…that adventures are only a story away…just pick one and read!

So until tomorrow….

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

Poogie is so protective of the children…when Rutledge jumped in the Wando river with Walsh…Poogie immediately swam over to be there in case anyone needed any help….such a sweet, loving dog!

This photo was taken back in March… right before the coronavirus hit full speed…when the family almost lost Poogie…she underwent two surgeries and lots of tests (see her paws) and miraculously survived…but the family has been alerted to the fact that her health is still rather precarious…the vet’s advice…just love her and let her do everything that makes her happy….she’s on “borrowed time” now.

However… when we think about it…from the time we take our first breath until our last…aren’t we all living on “borrowed” time and shouldn’t we all be living life like it is our last day?

Happy Garden Images

The hibiscus blooms are so large…some are just plopped on the ground! 🙂