It’s Surreal Out There

It’s been ages since I’ve posted. Not that I haven’t thought about it. I have. Lots of ideas, recipes to share, pictures… We have all experienced this song and dance before. But now it’s really time to start writing again. Last week I read an article about the importance of journalling through this time period and yesterday, one of my scrapbooking icons Becky Higgins wrote about the topic as well.

Top ‘o the mornin’! Woke up to a snowy St. Paddy’s Day.

As you know, I live in New York. More specifically, I’m in northern Dutchess County. As of today, we have 16 cases. Yesterday it was 10. A week ago I was thinking maybe we should THINK about postponing some library programming. Friday, our county executive declared a state of emergency and all schools were closed for two weeks. Sunday I was frantically communicating with my board about the need to shut the library for the same period of time. Today the Governor Cuomo announced that NYS schools will be closed until April 1.

To say things are weird is an understatement. I admit, that I had my worries about COVID-19 weeks ago. I kept them to myself, but I guess my instinct was spot-on. I’m not sure where you all live. I’m not sure if there is the same sense of concern and unease in your neck of the woods. Sadly, there are still people who think this is all some kind of hoax. It’s not. It’s really not.

I thought it would be good for me to just journal my way though it. I doubt anyone’s reading anymore, so this is as good a place as any.

Yesterday was Day 1 of what I guess you could call “Quarantine.” Though that’s not exactly it. Thankfully my family seems healthy, but schools are closed, the library is closed and everyone is doing their thing from home. I spent most of the day thinking of projects that staff members could do remotely, ways to keep our library patrons engaged, how best to share information. I did run down to work to put up new signage and check on things, too. (Luckily I live 5 minutes away!)

Since I was home I was also able to cook 2 corned beefs and completely reorganize my pantry! It definitely made me realize how much I miss staying at home. I was able to try a new recipe for dinner (Lemon-Thyme Chicken Breasts). Overall, it was not a bad day! I do enjoy being home, so honestly for me I’m okay with the “social distancing” aspect.

Leomon-Thyme Chicken in Parmesan Cream Sauce

Today the schools opened temporarily just so kids could go in and get their books or anything else they may need. I told Jake to grab everything in case it’s the last time he’s in the building. These poor seniors, class of 2020. They’ve all worked so hard and now these last few months, which should be the fun, carefree part of the year, have been stolen from them. Senior trip to Broadway? Gone. High school musical? Gone. Spring sports? Gone. My heart breaks for them.

After our quick trips to the empty schools I zipped over to the grocery store just for a few random things. Now, I’d gone out early on Sunday morning to stock up for the week, so I knew what it was like out there but today it was just so different. Lots of shelves were empty and people definitely kept their distance. A week ago I could never have imagine life like this: schools, businesses, restaurants, gyms, movie theatres, libraries closed… and yet here we are, just kind of going along for the ride, you know?

Anyway, that’s where we are right now! As I said, I did make two corned beefs yesterday and we’re making Reubens for dinner tonight. Not quite Irish, but that’s OK – it’s our favorite way to have corned beef. I did pick up some Guinness at the grocery store. Trying to keep things as fun and normal as possible at home. The schools are just getting distance-learning materials together, so I think that will probably start tomorrow. Basically we are taking everything day by day!

I am thankful for strong state leadership, because it is a joke on the federal level. I try to stay away from politics here, but seriously… the response is abysmal. At least here in New York I feel like someone is actually trying to make things better.

So we will see what the next few weeks bring, I guess. I’m going to try to update daily to keep track of what we’re doing and how we’re dealing with the public health emergency. I do have lots of projects to work on during breaks from work, and a huge list of new recipes I want to make while I am working in the kitchen! There’s no better time for that!

So tell me …. how are you doing? Are you in a similar situation?

One comment

  1. Jean says:

    It’s all very surreal isn’t it? Each morning I wake up thinking maybe this is the strangest dream I’ve ever had about a virus taking over and then, turn on the news. Nope, real not a dream at all. We currently have 9 cases in our entire state but that number is double from a week ago (first one reported in our county happened yesterday). Around here, they seem to be very proactive about it all. Schools closed until April 6, libraries, restaurants take-out only, and most entertainment venues including the zoo also closed. Thinking of your son, and all the seniors this year. Such a disappointment for them all. Hope you and your family stay healthy and enjoy your extra time together. (I think I’m going to steal your idea and journal my thoughts about all this each Wednesday!)

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