Some Upsides of Social Distancing, Part III

While practicing social distancing, the author's toddler looks at a goose from a few feet away

An important reminder: “We are all in the same boat. We are not all in the same storm.”

This is a continuation of my series on the silver linings of self-isolating. (Click for Part I and Part II.)

  • I’m using up things in my pantry. Limiting grocery shopping trips to once a week has encouraged me to be more creative and resourceful with the food I have. I’m turning excess fruits and veggies into smoothies, using flour and other staples to make baked goods and pancakes, and finding a purpose for random canned goods that have been sitting around for months or longer. I’m reducing food waste while also decluttering my cabinets
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The Satisfaction of Spring Gardening

Painting of a backyard at twilight

Though the temperatures have dipped again, we had a few warm spring days this week.  After many months of neglecting my yard, I took advantage of the nice weather and child care assistance (thanks, Yia-Yia!) and set out to do some weeding and garden clean-up.

I tend to treat gardening much like house cleaning:  I aim for good enough rather than perfect.  My goal in terms of my yard is generally to keep it from getting so overgrown that my neighbors look at it with disdain.  When we bought our house, I knew the lawn maintenance would cause me stress.  The previous owner was an avid gardener who had done all kinds of lovely landscaping.  I’ve tried to maintain it, but in fewer than three years, it looks much less attractive than it did when he left.  The funny thing, though, is that while I look at my overgrown garden and feel burdened by it, I actually enjoy gardening when I’m in the process of doing it.  As with many things, the procrastination and anticipation are worse than the deed itself.

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