Day 21

Week #3 of the Colorado quarantine is in the books. I fully admit, I'm struggling. I'm starting to see reports from credible sources (eg. Washington Post) that are saying that the Coronavirus pandemic is not as bad as the government is making it out to be. On one hand, I cannot fathom world governments tanking the economy unnecessarily. There is absolutely nothing to gain from it. On the other hand, a part of me isn't surprised. Unnecessary or not, because I'm high risk, I have no choice but to trust the powers that be and follow the rules/instructions for safety.

The cat has decided I need to be punished for one reason or another. I haven't been sleeping well lately, so I changed the sheets on the bed, hoping fresh sheets would prompt a more restful night. Sir Bubba of Lou decided he did not like my bedding selection and methodically pulled the fitted sheet from the mattress corners while I was washing the comforter. He's never done this before. I know it was him and not some freak sheet-contraction because he left copious claw marks in the sheet. I have remade the bed (again) and took steps to ensure the little bugger can't repeat it.

Bubba is traditionally a kleptomaniac. He will steal anything he can fit in his furry little mouth and carry it away. Today, I happened to locate a package of fig cookies. Sitting on the couch, working on my latest piece of literary brilliance, Bubba decided he needed to try to steal my cookies. Naturally, I thwarted his plan and started singing to him. To the tune of "We Wish You A Merry Christmas" Oh, bring me some figgy cookies; Oh bring me some figgy cookies; Oh bring me some figgy cookies; and none for Bubba Lou! 

Today's Tips:

• Wash your paws with soap and hot water for at least 30 seconds. If you have a nail brush, use it! Personally, I think nail brushes feel wonderful! It is recommended you sing while you scrub in order to keep time, so I recommend singing "We Wish You A Merry Christmas". Feel free to substitute your own lyrics as I did when I was taking the package of cookies away from the cat. 

I don't have additional suggestions this evening. As I mentioned earlier, I haven't been sleeping well and my constant battles with the Bubba-nator have left me drained.  Whether you believe the hype or not, be safe and stay healthy my friend.
Until tomorrow...

April 15, 2020

Day 20

It's very difficult to fathom that I've been doing this for twenty days now. I can think of a number of things I would rather be doing than sitting in isolation, arguing with Bubba Lou about the proper pronunciation of "caramel". (For the record, he says car-mel)

Aside from the copious amounts of camping and fishing I want to be doing, I want to be pursuing my research. Those who know me, know what I'm talking about. For those who don't know me, I've been an afterlife researcher (a.k.a. ghost hunter) for decades. It's my life's work; my passion. I've written six books about ghosts and paranormal phenomena, with about six more in the works. This quarantine has impacted not only me, but my research organization as well. We're all chomping at the proverbial bit to go and explore purported haunted locations. I want to be traveling, meeting new people, and chasing things that go "bump" in the night.

It breaks my heart to have to tell prospective clients no. "Unless your child is literally climbing the walls, and projecting pea soup, I'm not essential and cannot help you until it's safe to socialize again. If your three-year-old starts bench-pressing the family car, and speaking foreign languages, then I become essential." (Yes, I actually said that to a prospective client.)

Today's Tips:

• Wash those hands with soap and hot water for at least 30 seconds. It's recommended you sing to keep track of time while you scrub, so I recommend "Beautiful Ghosts" by Taylor Swift (Cats, the Motion Picture) in honor of Bubba and my research. 
• Get organized. This morning, I went through all of the paranormal memes, images, quotes, and other graphics I've come across over the years. I categorized them and created a Pinterest page with several different boards. I've got eight boards so far and I'm not close to being done but it's been a lot of fun to revisit things that had tickled or inspired me. You can find my page here.
• Support artists. They don't have to be painters/sculptors. Dancers, singers, and writers are artists too. Those that make their living in the arts are often self-employed and don't qualify for unemployment. Consider purchasing their artwork, CD, DVD, books. Because I mentioned my own books earlier, I'll post the link to them via Amazon. 

Of course, stay healthy my friend!

April 14, 2020

Day 19

Day 19 of the mandatory quarantine here in Colorado. When people ask me how I'm doing, my standard response is now "still sane and virus-free". I'm not sure how long I can maintain the sanity part though. Humans are biologically social creatures. We're pack animals. This is one of the few times in the history of mankind that "safety in numbers" does not apply!

Looking at the way the world is reacting to current events, I'm reminded of something Arundhati Roy said: "Historically, pandemics have forced humans to break with the past and imagine their world anew. This one is no different. It is a portal, a gateway between one world and the next. We can choose to walk through it, dragging the carcasses of our prejudice and hatred, our avarice, our data banks and dead ideas, our dead rivers and smoky skies behind us. Or we can walk through lightly, with little luggage, ready to imagine another world. And ready to fight for it."

I'm curious to see what our "new world" is going to look like. How long are we going to wear masks? Are they becoming a permanent accessory? Are we going to start coordinating masks with purses, shoes, and hair adornments?

Today's Tips:

• Wash your hands with soap and hot water for at least 30 seconds. It's recommended you sing while you scrub to keep time. Today, I recommend "The Mask" by The Fugees. 
• Keeping social distancing in mind, go for a walk. The weather has been icky in most parts of the country, but the sun is still rising every day. Bundle up, bring an umbrella or rain coat, and get some fresh air for 20-30 minutes. You'll soon notice you're feeling better physically, emotionally, and sleeping better at night!
• Limit your alcohol intake. I will fully admit I've consumed a little more alcohol during the quarantine that I would have under normal circumstances and I'm not the only one. Most of us have been quarantined for roughly three weeks or longer. Take a personal inventory and ask yourself if you're consuming too much. You don't want to become dependent. 

Above all else, stay healthy my friend!

April 13, 2020

Day 18

Day 18 of the COVID-19 quarantine in Colorado. Happy Easter! I hope you were able to do something enjoyable today! Me, I was "kidnapped" by my best friend again and we spent the afternoon deep in the heart of the Colorado Mountains. There was still a little snow, but it looks like we're getting closer to camping conditions!!!

We found a tree today that had been pruned at some point. The scar resembled a heart and it was just what I needed to see. I fully admit I've been somewhat negative the last couple of days and seeing that (man-caused) heart in nature reminded me that I'm not the only one suffering, my favorite places will still be here, and I need to focus more on spreading love and less on the ass hats that are prolonging our suffering.

Today's Tips:

• Wash your hands with soap and hot water for at least 30 seconds. It's recommended you sing while you scrub in order to keep time, so I recommend the chorus to "What About Love" by Heart. 
• Do you have old photos laying around? Personally, I have a box of them! Consider scanning them and putting them in albums or scrap booking them. Keep them preserved and in good conditions for future generations to enjoy. 
• Go through your pantry and cupboards. If you have unexpired dry goods that you're not going to eat, consider taking it to your local food pantry. The need is great right now. 

Most importantly, stay healthy my friend!

April 12, 2020

Day 17

Day 17 of the quarantine in Colorado. The new estimate for "release" is April 26, which is 5 days better than May 1. I'm not going to lie; I'm tired. I'm tired of social distancing, and tired of isolation. I want a hug. Tomorrow is Easter. There are actually people out there who are of the mindset that it's acceptable to break the law in order to celebrate the holiday - citing their First Amendment rights.

First of all, no one is saying people cannot celebrate Easter. They're just saying you can't do it in groups of 10 or more. Most churches are streaming services now anyway. Don't risk it. The sooner everyone is in compliance, the sooner we can stabilize and this will be over. Look at it like a child throwing a tantrum during a time out - as soon as they stop crying, their time will start, then they can go play again. Those of us who have been cooperating are ready to be released from timeout, but cannot because of the heartless jerks who refuse to follow instructions.

So...here are today's tips. Want to guess what the first one is?

• WASH YOUR HANDS! Scrub those touchy-feeleys with soap and hot water for at least 30 seconds. To keep time, I recommend singing "I Hope You Die" by Bloodhound Gang. Sing it loud as you scrub away and kill any COVID 19 germs that might be on your hands. 
• Wipe down solid surfaces in your home. That nasty little virus can be hanging out on door knobs, hand rails, countertops and toilet handles. If you don't have wipes, vinegar and paper towels work great! Sing "I Hope You Die" to those germs as well. 
• With tomorrow being Easter, put something up on your window or door to wish your neighbors a happy day. If you're religious, take time to reflect why tomorrow is a holiday. If you're not, take time to appreciate that spring is here and the world is being reborn - despite the adversity we humans are facing right now. 

As always, stay healthy, my friend!

April 11, 2020

 

Day 16

Day 16 of lawful imprisonment, a.k.a. quarantine in Colorado. The natives are restless and the 4-legged furry one attempted a jail break. I was able to return him to his holding facility, but managed a short escape myself in the form of a trip to the grocery store. I was astonished to see so many people not wearing masks/gloves and how many parents were toting unmasked children with them. If I were a vengeful person I'd consider contacting Child Protective Services, but in all honesty CPS receives entirely too many petty calls as it is.

My mother had some smoked ham and asparagus delivered to me today so I got to eat like middle class, lol. Yes, I made sure to hold my pinky finger up with every bite. 

Today's Tips:

• Seriously. Wash Your Hands. I've been recommending songs to sing while you scrub for 2 weeks now. Today's song selection is "Savages" by Theory of a Deadman feat. Alice Cooper. 
• Wear. Your. Masks! If your local government calls for gloves, wear those too. If you're not concerned about getting sick, look at it as protecting high risk people like me from YOU!
• If you have children, make sure they know the importance of social distancing and keeping their faces covered. Things are a little scary for everyone right now. Knowledge is power & kids understand more than what most adults give them credit for. 

Of course, the most important thing is to stay healthy my friend!

Until tomorrow...

April 10, 2020

Day 15

Day 15 of the government-imposed (because most people are idiots) quarantine. My county, along with a few others, is now requiring everyone to wear masks AND gloves when leaving their houses! There are people out there who are blatantly ignoring the new rules. Some feel they're invincible, some feel the rules don't apply to them for one reason or another, and most just don't care. They. Don't. Care! They don't care that there is a virus ransacking our PLANET and killing people left and right. They don't care that, just because they're not exhibiting symptoms, they could still be spreading the virus that is killing people. These people are stupid. The rest of us wont be able to have some sort of normal life again until those who refuse to comply either submit or die. Harsh, but it's the truth.

I read a tweet from @HannahLebovits that said "Husband just told me, 'watching the federal government deal with COVID-19 is like watching the Ministry of Magic deal with Voldemort's return, ' and damn if that isn't the best take I've heard this month". I think in the beginning, this was accurate. Perhaps, if Harry Potter had been running the U.S., we would have been better prepared and the people who refuse to do their part would be locked up in Azkaban?

Am I grouchy? Of course. Am I angry? You bet!  "Now Clarissa, there's no sense in getting angry over something you have no control over...." True. Doesn't stop me from being royally ticked at those who feel they don't have to abide by laws, rules, and regulations the way the rest of us do and are. They are the proverbial "drunk drivers" and we rule-abiders are the innocent victims they hit and kill because the rules don't apply to them. I'm reminded of Jim Carey's character in Liar, Liar when his client asks for legal advice after knocking over an ATM at knife point, "STOP BREAKING THE LAW, ASSHOLE!"

Today's Tips:

• Wash your hands with soap and hot water for at least 30 seconds. Sing while you scrub to keep time. I recommend the chorus to "Blaze of Glory" By Bon Jovi. 
• Obey local, state, and Federal rules/regulations. The sooner everyone complies, the sooner this will be over and people can start hugging again. 
• Take a photograph of anything at all and find 3 positive things to say about it's contents. Maybe you like the shade of green in the grass or the smile on the child's face. Do this every day with different pictures to find positive things to think about. 

Of course, your #1 goal is to stay healthy!

Until tomorrow, my friend...

April 9, 2020