WAH and SIP

It's been two weeks since I stopped working at the office and going to movies, or other people's houses, or restaurants. I have gotten better at remembering that I need to go  outside. Leaving the house is a good way to mark the end of the work day. I have been exploring the neighborhood and noticing interesting details -- paint colors, landscaping, architectural features, DIY efforts, people hanging out in their garages (often talking about the quarantine), clouds, trees. I've seen and chatted with neighbors I hadn't seen for a while. I've exchanged pleasantries with neighbors I'd never seen before. I've gotten out of my cooking rut, mostly. I've spent more time on the phone than I usually do, ventured into using Zoom for social gatherings, and texted with a range of friends -- from neighbors to people who live far away.

I am doing fine, for the most part.

Yesterday I walked through Silver Terrace, following its curving streets up and down the hill. Many of the houses over there were built mid-century or later -- in fact, there was a Catholic orphanage at the top of the hill until the late 1970s, and so that part of the neighborhood has a 1980s suburban vibe. The rain clouds were moving overhead, intensifying the light, and then it started to rain -- just a smattering. As I crested the hill I spotted a rainbow -- or the tail end of one -- across the bay.

I wish I felt confident that this sheltering in place is going to make up for the bungling and corruption at the federal level. I wish I could feel confident that this bungling and corruption will be voted out of office in November. I wish my neighbors would stop parking and driving on my sidewalk. I wish I could move ahead with my entryway rebuild. I wish I felt more engaged at work.

I need to find in-home care for Mom and Dad. I can't seem to decide on an agency -- some have minimum hours of service that seem to high, others seem too smarmy. Also, I'm not sure whether these agencies will take on new clients during the pandemic. I know, I just need to plow ahead.