Activities for Today's Dilemmas

This pandemic is defined as situations that call for a choice
between equally unpleasant options that daily face us.

Vivian Greene correctly stated, Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass ~
it's about learning how to dance in the rain.

Forest Gump experienced thatLife is like a box of chocolates ~
you never know what you're going to get.

Daily, I receive The Hamilton Spectator delivered to my door prior to 6 AM. Throughout several pages, they daily inform us with knowledge and advice by which to stabilize our current lifestyle.
Full colour pages are constant reminders published by Hamilton Health Sciences:

Illustratrated recently are a dozen or more working on our behalf with message:

Health Care workers are
often called The Front Line

But there are few of us.
And Many of You.

In this fight, YOU are the front line

The hospital is the last line of defence
for our community's most vulnerable people.

Help them and us by
staying home to reduce
the spread of Covid -19

Visit Hamilton.ca/coronavirus
for up to date information.

With pale blue background is a personal posted message
seemingly engraved on each of 6 arms with a red heart on each hand:
I'M STAYING HOME
TO PREVENT THE SPREAD
COVID -19
with closing directive: STAY AT HOME!

In the April 7^th issue I was impressed with

8 Home Activities that don't involve TV shows or Books

Very constructive, I reiterate these 8 positive activities with you
as suggested by Vaseen Wafai published in The Seattle Times.

Do a Puzzle: Not only fun, it's a great way to get your mind to focus on something else. Puzzles are also the perfect activity to do while listening to a podcast or relaxing music, If you're feeling ambitious you could attempt a 4,000 piece puzzle to while-away several hours.

Have a Dance Party: It's a great way to get on your feet and shake off some stress.

Why not make it a party and get the whole family in on it?

There are upbeat songs to get you moving. But watch out for the furniture.

Cook or Bake: Now is the perfect time to try new recipes...plan meals...and experiment in the kitchen.
Just to be sure: wash your produce well..and enjoy new tastes.

Practise Your Hobby/Passion: What do you love to do, but don't get to do it often because of time?

Pick up that instrument again..or start writing that book...or learn that new language. It may be hard to keep up at first, but devoting a little time each day to whatever you want to craft will make a huge difference, If you're looking for some inspiration...and want to get collaborative, Hit Record is an online platform that allows creatives to share and make art whether it's music, film or writing.

Organize Your Space: Spending a lot more time at home, make it a place in which you are at ease.
Rearrange some furniture...or decluttering your coffee table may make a bigger difference to how you feel about being home than you would think.

Look at Old Photos: You may have shoe boxes full of them. Photos are are a great way to reconnect with your family and friends. Some are funny and cute ~ so text them as reminders of the many 'good time' all of you have shared. Perhaps, you could re-organize your recalls.

Video Chat with Friends: Staying connected with loved ones, is more important than ever, right now!

Face Time, Skype, Zoom and other video chatting platforms are great tools to virtually interact with friends and family. You can even get creative and share a meal, or watch a movie at the same time.

Rest and Help Others: Something we all need to do during the time, is to allow ourselves to rest. Take a step back ~ breathe and take care of your mind and body. Try to help others who are high risk or those who don't have the luxury of being able to stay home. May be a neighbour of yours is part of the vulnerable population, and needs help getting groceries. Perhaps their garden needs some tending.
Even, giving a call to someone quarantined could brighten their day.

As difficult and uncertain as this time is,

there are still many ways we can take care of ourselves ~

and those around us.

Virus Time!   In a recent Letter to The Spec, Bruce from Hamilton wrote,

Every Child Has a Future

To those who are nervous to have a baby at this time of virus,
I need to tell this story. My Mom is 101 years old this year.

She was born in Toronto during the Spanish Flu outbreak.

Yes, she is still with us and has pretty much always had good general health.

My three siblings and I often wondered

if it was because of her exposure from that virus time.

We all had pretty much good general health as well.
Not perfect ~ but into our 60's and 70's we are still here.

Maybe, there is something special about babies born during these times.
(Of course, it could rightfully be said that all babies are special.)

Extra strong or smarter antibodies!

Who knows?

Don't be scared, though. Every child has a future!

Written by Merle Baird-Kerr...April 12, 2020

To respond: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca