Thursday, March 26, 2020

Stay safe, stay at home

Indian plum in bloom (Mel's picture)
A couple of days ago, our governor Jay Inslee issued a proclamation stating that all residents of Washington state are mandated to stay at home, except for essential needs, such as buying food, seeing a doctor, or picking up items at the pharmacy. He also closed all state parks AND hiking trails. There is also a restriction on gatherings of any size, no matter how small. Therefore, we have stopped our social hiking activity for the moment.
Proclamation to impose a Stay Home – Stay Healthy Order throughout Washington State by prohibiting all people in Washington State from leaving their homes or participating in social, spiritual and recreational gatherings of any kind regardless of the number of participants, and all non-essential businesses in Washington State from conducting business, within the limitations provided herein. (my emphasis)
We have learned that city and county hiking trails are still open, but only if physical distancing guidelines of at least six feet (or 1.75 meters) between people are followed. The restrooms are open and being sanitized several times a day. I decided this morning to head out to Lake Padden to make two loops around the lake (5.2 miles). My friend Melanie texted me and asked if she could join me, so the two of us enjoyed each other's company, although from a distance.
Mossy log with Lake Padden in the distance
It was a nice outing, familiar and easy, one I often make with the Saturday morning ladies group, which is also currently on hiatus. In fact, everything in my entire life is pretty much on hold, so I'm having to get creative to peel myself out of my easy chair and get exercise these days. I really didn't realize how unmotivated I would feel when it's just me.
Pretty flowers at the grocery store
In other circumstances, seeing all these beautiful flowers at the grocery store would brighten my spirits, but it's a struggle to see much in our current situation as being positive. I went for coffee at the local co-op this morning, and I learned that I would need to get in line (with six feet between us), since the store is only allowing 25 shoppers in at a time, and we had to wait until people left the store before anyone else could enter. Once inside, it was easy to order a soy latte and grab a breakfast burrito before leaving and going off to the lake.

We will get through this, but I am truly surprised at how difficult it has been for me to lose my normal daily routine. No gym, no yoga, no acupuncture, no massages, and now no hiking group. I believe that a few of the regulars were going to hike the trail that was on the schedule, but it's not one I much care for, so I opted for the easier hike. It's pretty hard to maintain social distancing when you have more hikers, anyway.

I'm rethinking just about everything in my daily routine, which has changed so much I barely know what day it is. At least I'm still getting enough sleep! What else is there to do?
:-)

20 comments:

  1. We've been doing this for two weeks, with me at high risk. The key for me is to build a new routine and stick to it. It does require some discipline!

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  2. We have to change so much we have to think about who we are. I'm satisfied to do my part and stay self isolated. I am going to have to make a milk run tomorrow.

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  3. You are so accustomed to daily routine that I am certain it is a struggle for you. You have to find your new normal. It isn't easy...I think we are all struggling to a certain degree. Sending you a hug!

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  4. I found it difficult to lose my daily routine too, but now, two weeks in, it seems a bit easier. I miss hanging out with people though. Stay safe.

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  5. Glad you got out! OUr gym is also closed. But we can still get out and ike, walk....Stay safe!

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  6. You are so active and involved in so many groups that I know this must be very difficult for you. I find it extremely hard to have any kind of motivation to do things these day. Sending virtual hugs! (the safe kind!)

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  7. My heart goes out to you. I know just how hard this must be for you. I am very glad that you got at least a small walk in.
    I am sending non-infectious hugs and oceans of caring your way.
    I have a bright and colourful post up which 'might' lift your spirits for a little too.

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  8. I know this is really hard on you, but be super careful going out. I've worried that you wouldn't be able to stay home. Life has changed for a good while, I think.

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  9. I cleaned my car yesterday to keep busy & distance myself from anyone. Started cleaning the trunk out (which is full of hiking gear...all strewn around)...glove box (I found papers in there dated 2017!)...took out floor mats & hosed them down, etc. That took all day. Today Bud & I wiil stay home & weed. Tomorrow? Staying home, dunno what

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  10. Those are stringent regulations. Good for your state. Enjoy your solitary or almost solitary walks.

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  11. We seniors are creatures of habit and it is hard to deal with change. Your governor has taken stringent measures but I pray your state will soon show their benefits.

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  12. I know this is harder for you than a lot who do not exercise like you do. There almost has to be a withdrawal for you. Finding one or two to walk with like you have has to help. I am tackling jobs that I have put off for too long in that I didn't deem them important. Now they are just to fill the days. One thing that has picked up a ton is my phone usage. I get more calls in a day than I use to get in a week and they are not quickies but welcome.

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  13. Oh, my, your lament breaks my heart. We are so early into this quarantine so I hope you can rally your spirits and work on a new routine. There is so much to do at home that I have not felt too sad. I miss seeing the first graders and reading stories, but for now I'm enjoying the break in lesson preparation. We will all be busy again before we know it. Look how fast time passes and it will soon be summer.

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  14. Dear DJan, this hiatus has to be so hard for someone like you who has, for years, done daily exercise outside in the wilderness. For myself, this is pretty normal as I'm mostly homebound. But I did recently subscribe to Britbox ($72 for a year) and I'm watching mystery series that never made it to the United States. (thus far, I've watched all the seasons for "A Touch of Frost."). There's so much to watch--drama, mystery, gardening, documentaries, comedy. I'm enjoying this immensely. Peace.

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  15. You are such an extrovert that I can understand your dilemma. I am an introvert and don't feel any different than before. I love staying at home.

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  16. I do really miss seeing my friends but since I have my blog, texting with friends and my sewing project, I think I'm surviving... for now. Art, on the other hand is going a bit stir crazy, I think.

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  17. We've been out working in the yard, taking solitary walks. We've actually spent more time talking with neighbors lately -- a silver lining? -- because people are around, not rushing off to work. But you said it: let's all enjoy one another's company, although from a distance.

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  18. I miss our Friday morning breakfasts. Tom and I we out driving in the city today and passed so many little neighborhood cafes, where I really wanted to stop and have breakfast, but they were all closed. Sad. And so many people are hurting financially. I count my blessings.

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  19. It's hard staying home when you're so used to being out and about. We're staying off our hiking trails, too, because you just can't keep the distance. We've been doing online Silver Sneakers classes and online through our Y plus lots of neighborhood walking. I just can't afford to lose muscle. My son was just laid off from his job in Seattle. It's so difficult on those still working.

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  20. Bike riding and walking seem to be the preferred form of exercise in Florida. Or swimming, if the water is warm enough.

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