Day 90 in 2020 (day 14 of isolation)

That's two full weeks of isolation, though now I realize my math is off because it was actually two weeks as of Saturday. But who's counting?

Today begins our school district's scheduled spring break, which even for Calvin means a significantly lightened work load. We'll be spending the week practicing geography drawings, taking daily art classes live online, practicing dance to the videos sent by his teachers, and attending virtual choir. In all the extra free time there will be some reading, some getting outside with the dog, and some playing Animal Crossing. It's a week for being gentle with ourselves. 

Pictured here—sitting down to our live art class online only to be interrupted. Can't blame this on the pandemic, this is what homeschooling parents face on a regular basis.

Day 85 in 2020 (isolation day 10)

Every day has it's ups and down. Dark spots today? We got the email from Calvin's dance studio effectively canceling the competition season—Calvin's first competition season, that he was so excited about—and offering a tuition adjustment, but, in the same sentence, subtly suggesting that maybe if we could afford it and we didn't ask for that adjustment, it might help the studio survive. Survive. Ouch. Also, Jon struggled throughout the morning to make a webinar happen even though internet everywhere is struggling under the load it suddenly must carry, but that was a bright spot, too, because...

Bright spots today? Jon played the hero today by, in spite of a multitude of hurdles, pulling off a successful webinar. Not a simple task, either. The webinar speaker was at his own house while Jon was on the floor of our storage room doing everything he could to keep the thing flowing smoothly with only a questionable internet connection. Also, the continuation of our daily online art class, and a very enjoyable Wednesday wine night online with family members. 

What's that you say, sign? There's going to be a major curve in the road ahead? Well, with help and hope we can handle this.

Day 83 in 2020 (isolation blog)

The order to just plain stay home has finally been issued by our governor. Though I expected it last night, it didn't come until early today. The duration, for now, is three weeks, which is a week past when kids in our district were supposed to return to school, but I've been saying for a while now that I didn't expect them to reopen the schools again this school year. The rules seem to be changing daily, we're just trying to keep up.

Today's bright spots were a supportive, loving email from Calvin's band teacher, a message from his bassoon teacher with a creative work-around for getting reeds and music from him, and an hour-long online choir rehearsal, which Calvin tuned into from our bedroom while Jon taught an online piano lesson downstairs. I am deeply touched by the extensive effort by so many educators to connect with and help the kids usually under their care or tutelage.

Gimli likes to nap on our bed in the late afternoons, so choir rehearsal may have had an extra.

Day 67 in 2020

Day 63 in 2020

I shall call this one...Conversation at the Top of the Stairs.