Covid19 Spare time

[Donstar]

The current crisis has impacted everyone and has created changes in our daily routines.  Many of us have exercised preventative measures now, like limiting our work or trips away from our homes, for a couple of months.   I appreciate my good fortune and know my greatest hardships pale in comparison to the majority of individuals around the planet.  With this being said, I suspect that most people following this forum are like me and share similar fortunes.   If you are struggling with who to blame or whether we're over/under reacting there are threads on this forum where people can express their concerns.  I would like to share some highlights as to what many of us our doing with the extra time generated by this crisis.  For example: I've been in my current house for six years.  Up until this week, we have only been able to fit my motorcycle in our two car garage.  Now a car can fit alongside my motorcycle!  I take pride in my tool collection, but they are of little use when I can't find what I need!  My wife gets out of bed every morning with a goal to help a neighbour or friend who is less lucky.  Today she is preparing Easter meals to deliver to loved ones tomorrow.  With the caveat that we know this pandemic is a terrible crisis, what are you doing for personal wellness?

[KARNUT]

Being in the construction side of business most of my life. Seen highs and lows in the economy I’ve retired well. The bug may delay a trip or two. The weather is such in Texas that going outside is great this time a year. Once you get past the pollen. So yard work, over polishing my rides are a daily routine. Weekly outside visit to our mothers. Trying not get sucked into the news cycle is the hardest chore. Otherwise normal here.


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[Grumpy Bear]

I wasn't bored before this happened and I'm not bored now. That said I am getting some things done around the yard earlier than normal. House is getting cleaner by the day. I spend a bit more time checking on friends and family. Their situations and help where I can. Fact is, I couldn't run out of things that need doing if you sent me to my room for a year. I'm also getting more Bible study done and finding little gems that help in the here and now. Might actually get the garden tractor up an running this year.  

[Donstar]

It is actually fairly common among my retired friends to say they experience little change.  The fact that they are not allowed to do something is the hard pill to swallow.  I was in a very good routine of swimming 2-3 times per week before the public pools shut down.  I fixed up my bicycle in a effort to compensate but  my knees had other plans.  I am riding my motorcycle more than in the past but this is more helpful to my mind than body!  I heard of the "Covid fifteen" which refers to the weight gained as a result of changes.  Looking in the mirror, I think I may have this and now have another goal to achieve!

[Donstar]

A close friend sent me this yesterday:

 

HOPE... A different perspective on Corona. 

1. There are no bombs raining on our heads.

2. I am not a prisoner held in solitary confinement, as millions are.

3. I am not a refugee trying to escape with my life.

4. I am not standing in line waiting to fill a pot of water.

5. I have access to fresh food and I'm not starving.

6. I have hot running water.

7. My country has not been ruined by years of war.

8. I can reach my friends by phone and check in on them.

9. My friends check in on me because they care about me.

10. Any whiplash I feel about this strange turn of events is itself a sign of privilege.

11. More than half of the world would gladly trade their everyday problems for the modest inconveniences I am experiencing.

12. I may have anxious dreams but I'm dreaming them on a proper bed and I'm not sleeping on the sidewalk.

13. By staying at home, I'm helping the planet rest.

14. As long as I have my mind I can create, imagine, dream and not be lonely.

15. This global crisis connects me to people around the world and reminds me of our common humanity. This is a good thing.

16. When something tragic happens to another country next time, I will respond to it not with superiority, but humility and recognition.

17. I will fight for positive changes and economically just policies in my own country.

18. I am surrounded by books.

19. I am surrounded by love.

20. The trees have already begun to bloom.

Stay safe / Stay healthy

[KARNUT]

A close friend sent me this yesterday:
 

HOPE... A different perspective on Corona. 

1. There are no bombs raining on our heads.

2. I am not a prisoner held in solitary confinement, as millions are.

3. I am not a refugee trying to escape with my life.

4. I am not standing in line waiting to fill a pot of water.

5. I have access to fresh food and I'm not starving.

6. I have hot running water.

7. My country has not been ruined by years of war.

8. I can reach my friends by phone and check in on them.

9. My friends check in on me because they care about me.

10. Any whiplash I feel about this strange turn of events is itself a sign of privilege.

11. More than half of the world would gladly trade their everyday problems for the modest inconveniences I am experiencing.

12. I may have anxious dreams but I'm dreaming them on a proper bed and I'm not sleeping on the sidewalk.

13. By staying at home, I'm helping the planet rest.

14. As long as I have my mind I can create, imagine, dream and not be lonely.

15. This global crisis connects me to people around the world and reminds me of our common humanity. This is a good thing.

16. When something tragic happens to another country next time, I will respond to it not with superiority, but humility and recognition.

17. I will fight for positive changes and economically just policies in my own country.

18. I am surrounded by books.

19. I am surrounded by love.

20. The trees have already begun to bloom.

Stay safe / Stay healthy

That’s nice a true to a extent. I saw a glimpse of the life of the unemployed in this same situation. His family was spending the day in a food line. Their probably wondering when the promised check will arrive from the over taxed system. Hoping once they get home he can finally get through to the over taxed unemployment system to apply. His landlord says he can go a month, but has bills to pay. Just for the luck of timing that would have been me 40 years ago. There’re dealers in casinos, restaurant workers, oil field workers, etc. Its more than 17K dead and counting. It’s millions out of work.


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[Donstar]

8 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

That’s nice a true to a extent. I saw a glimpse of the life of the unemployed in this same situation. His family was spending the day in a food line. Their probably wondering when the promised check will arrive from the over taxed system. Hoping once they get home he can finally get through to the over taxed unemployment system to apply. His landlord says he can go a month, but has bills to pay. Just for the luck of timing that would have been me 40 years ago. There’re dealers in casinos, restaurant workers, oil field workers, etc. Its more than 17K dead and counting. It’s millions out of work.


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With the caveat that we know this pandemic is a terrible crisis, what are you doing for personal wellness?    

[KARNUT]

With the caveat that we know this pandemic is a terrible crisis, what are you doing for personal wellness?    

I’m perfectly fine. I’ve been retired 6 years. Led a charmed life pretty much. Nothing changed much for me. I have family thought pretty much unscathed so far. One exception, a daughter that’s a barber. I see how this can effect a younger person just buying a house and caring for three kids. One thing she hates asking dad for help. She’s been trying to get unemployment for two weeks. The system is over loaded. She lucky she has me. Be able to feel empathy for the less fortunate, isn’t cause for mental evaluation. They’re a by product of doctors practicing their theories and ever adjusting numbers.


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[Donstar]

One thing that this crisis has accentuated is the struggle of the more vulnerable in our communities.  Conversely,  it has made more of us appreciate our good fortune.  "Empathy" is a good word.  We phoned a friend in a "seniors, facility" last night to inform her about the homemade turkey dinner coming her way so she doesn't "cook" her regular dinner.  She was so excited about this, it brought tears.  I find that most understand why their lives have been changed to deal with this crisis.  Individually we can not solve the conflicts but we sure have the power to brighten someone's day!

[Donstar]

Happy Easter everyone!   I usually spend my first coffee of the morning time with this forum.  This morning, I chose to make virtual connections with family I don't often see.  Oddly, I think this Easter will find more good wishes and love than normally expected on this occasion!  I hope you are able to report the same!

[RyanbabZ71]

Moved into a new home the last month so it has kept me busy. Good timing I guess


Ryan B.

[jake241983]

I just started a new job a few weeks ago that's keeping me pretty busy. I did buy a home gym when the lockdown started so I could keep working out while the gyms were closed. 

[Donstar]

It was good to hear Britain's Prime Minister speak  after he was discharged from the hospital.  He credited his survival to the around the clock personal care he received.  For me, this really highlighted the need to reduce the impact of this highly contagious virus on medical system! If you need time in an ICU, you need trained eyes on you!   Several weeks ago our local news replaced the waning to non-existent sports reports to "The Upside".   (This is likely a common practice.)   One of their recent reports was on home haircuts and my wife is threatening that today is the day!  There was a time when I loved hair well below my shoulders but the appeal is lost when the top of your head is shiny and your hair is gray!   It has been decades since I've lived "off the grid" and glad to have had the experience! 

[Grumpy Bear]

Rex, needs walking. Problem is he's too cute for his own good thus too cute for my own good. Every time we step outside every child and mother in the neighborhood wants to pet him and he gathers groups like ants to honey. He will be the death of me yet. But he's good for my mental health, not so much my waist line. We're both getting fat. 

 

[Likarok]

Yes there are going to be some bad hair cuts out there!