We have settled into our quaranroutine here on the homestead. Mornings are dedicated to schoolwork–I am impressed with how quickly and efficiently PS130 has adapted to the new reality, posting assignments and videos from the homeroom and special subject teachers using the school message board and Google Classroom to stimulate home learning. We have had video calls from their teachers to check in and Miles is loving his everyday karate classes. My work has been disrupted by the fact that being in the same room as anyone else is currently prohibited, so we have pivoted to making videos and hosting virtual classes; it’s fun to broadcast from the living room here with Ivy and Miles and we consistently have about 50 viewers, which is more families than I usually see in a day. Nothing compares to the experience of being in a room with all those children, but there is something special about reaching them with their families in their own homes.
Afternoons are for getting outside! We are very lucky to have 20 acres to explore here and we take walks in the woods and clear trails while studying the local ecology. We have taken a particular interest in birds, observing different species and their nests with binoculars. Insects and small mammals abound and we have found several bones and skulls in the vicinity. We are preparing the garden for a summer bounty and I found an old mountain bike and have been enjoying some fun rides on the trails!
I made some room in the garden shed for my drums and a few instruments that I brought from home and I have found a little time to play and record out there. Music is my meditation and helps me focus and concentrate on creating in the moment. It has been a psychologically challenging few weeks and I have been channeling my anxiety of the uncertainty into musical creativity!
This has been a time for reflection, forcing me to reevaluate my priorities in life and I realize how lucky I am; I have water and food (great food actually!) and a wonderful shelter, my family is healthy and happy, I can still freely make music and I have access to the outdoors and exercise. With the internet, I can still connect with family and friends and even do some degree of teaching, plus all of humanity’s knowledge and entertainment is at our fingertips. There is a lot of culture that I miss dearly, concerts and theater and sports that brought me great joy in the time Before Corona, but I am confident that we will resolve this issue and all of these experiences will be part of my life again. In the meantime, I will focus on one day at a time, cherishing the time with my family and appreciating the simplicity of a life on pause.
