Scenes from Self-Quarantine 1

We are currently in most unusual times. We are living in world wide pandemic, named the Coronavirus. It started in Asia late 2019 and rapidly spread to the four corners of Mama Earth. We traveled to Costa Rica at the very beginning of this pandemic, blissfully unaware that liberation of our adventures in the rain forest would be the end of going out into the world for sometime to come. Within a few weeks of our return to California, the entire state sheltered in place and soon thereafter so did most of the USA and the world. This virus, aka covid19, it spreads quickly and it attacks all. Yet despite the severe consequences of this pandemic; over two million cases world wise, over fifty thousand deaths in the USA alone, the world wide economy shuttered, causing economic hardship for millions upon millions around the globe it is not all darkness. For there are countless gifts as well.

For the first time in far too long, Mama Earth is breathing deeply. The skies are bluer than they have been in decades. The waters are clearer and the finned ones are returning to places long abandoned due to all the human interference. The earth is green and the wild flowers are blossoming in abundance. Science is able to record the positive shifts through imaging and humans like us are enjoying this brighter, happier Mama, during our social distance hikes.

The frenetic energy of everyday life, which I spoke of often to family and friends, was pulsing so strongly that it was draining my/our adrenal glands has subsided. The energy in the air feels softer, relaxed. There is now an abundance of time for inner reflection, inner work along with quality time with family and friends. We may be using the internet to do some of that but the shift has allowed for deeper connections. Never have I seen so many spiritual outfits offering classes, healing offerings, music available. And they are often for free or nominal charges. That all people, not just the privileged can access then is a huge change that has been sorely needed. 

In my personal world, it took several weeks after the kids started homeschooling that I was able to join them by working at home. We maintain our structures throughout the day yet being able to share a meal, take a ten minute walk or just check in face to face during a weekday is something I will forever in this life be thankful time. It has been fun to see the girls make themselves up for art projects for school, make Don and I up (to make us look silly) and the cats are thrilled we are home.

The girls have baked and cooked. Amara even make homemade dog biscuits that we delivered to some of our four legged friends. 

Below are the first snapshots of the first weeks of shelter in place. (above was an art project Amara did. She made herself the Queen of Hearts. Havana's project is below.)

Rainbow over our home.

Havana made us up!

Safe distance visiting after delivering groceries.

It was really hard to keep off sugar with these delicious homemade chocolate chip cookies by Havana Ruby.

During all this shelter in place madness, Havana was able to get her new bed; a hand me down from her cousins. The girls have been cleaning and purging as have I. There is a huge pile to donate in the garage.

School art project! 

We had some supplies that our friends wanted to get hold of. When you have what others need and have enough for yourself, it's always good to share!

                                                                                                                                          

Amara's homemade dog biscuits.

Our beloved Bodhi, who is almost 14, has kidney disease. To spend so much more time with him  is something we are not taking for granted. We are very aware this is a precious gift. He has been sneaking out in the yard and basking in the sun almost daily! When not in the sun, he hangs out with me while working or with the girls when they are in school. Bodhi is our four legged child/sibling and we are so happy to have long days with him (and Samson too!)

Despite all these positive things, we are not foolish in understanding the seriousness of these times. Some are touting 'real' reasons for the pandemic and spending time in fear or promoting these theories. I don't care at this point. We have to be safe and smart. Our dear friend Janet helped us to do that with these handmade masks sent to us from New York.