This is my 5th week in self-isolation and I feel that I can't do another day. But, I have to.

[Siwsan]

And now the weather is taking a backwards slide, temperature wise, so that pretty much puts a hold on the distraction of yard and garden work.

It's just me, with Sophie Stinky Toes for company. Even worse, I think Sophie Stinky Toes is getting sick of the sight of me. Plus, she's mad that I won't let her harass the birds that are nesting right outside of the den window.

Ok, that ends my self pity-party. Maybe I'll go to bed early and stay there for the day, tomorrow. Then I'll kick myself in the ass (I'm still pretty limber but I'm not sure how I'll accomplish that), revamp my attitude and get on with life, such as it is.

At least the tomatoes I started from seed have started to sprout.

[blm]

1. Skittles can still cyberkick your ass

If necessary.

[Siwsan]

3. I'll keep that in mind!

Of course, Sophie Stinky Toes would probably gladly volunteer for that task, too. I tried to placate her by putting her dinner out on the screened in porch - her version of dining 'alfresco'.

[flibbitygiblets]

2. I'm sorry this is hard for you. And thank you for doing it.

It's easy for some of us anti-social types to forget that self-isolation is really, really difficult for most people. Thank you for the sacrifice you're making to save our healthcare system and our vulnerable citizens. You're a hero to tens of thousands of healthcare workers out there.

[Siwsan]

8. It's strange how the easiest thing to do is just getting more and more difficult

I should be out buying plants, soil, grass seed, etc. But, I figure if my lawn has big bald patches - so what. There might still be time to buy plants, when things start to calm down.

I just really, really miss my family. We had so many plans for doing things in the yard and gardens, and in rehabbing this house. We are already planning a big, fancy dinner, when circumstances, once again, allow. I'll do the cooking - I just ask they bring their tool kits and maybe a chain saw.

[guillaumeb]

4. If you can, get out and walk.

For more exercise, carry the cat.

Stay safe, and even harder, stay sane.

[UTUSN]

5. Yip, it started getting to me & my regular life ain't even that different!1

[ProfessorGAC]

25. Same Here

I think it's the stress of uncertainty for many, many folks.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. I've been trying to figure out how to do

some kind of suspended animation or hibernation for a couple of years. About the only things that get me up in the morning these days are screaming cats and/or having to visit the loo. If I could I'd just pull the covers over my head and stay there.

[Siwsan]

9. I have tried to just stay in bed, before, but Sophie Stinky toes won't hear of it

Her head butting and patty pawing of my face becomes relentless. Even after I feed her.

[Scarsdale]

20. She sounds like

the perfect companion. Good that you have her for company. Stay strong. Remember who is to blame for all this misery when November rolls around.

[ProfessorGAC]

26. A Simple Suggestion

Get in your car & go almost the speed of light. In an hour, a year will go by, & you go straight to the pharmacy & get the the vaccine shot.
I don't see the difficulty!

[Squinch]

7. I am finding that Zoom gatherings with friends and family really do make a big difference.

We are doing a family "Sunday roast" and I have two "cocktail parties" with different groups of friends during the week. It takes a lot of the pressure of the isolation off.

[summer_in_TX]

14. Seeing groups of people through Zoom helps a lot.

Even better than FaceTiming a friend. I miss getting together with groups of people.

Now that the weather is warming up here in Texas, members of my book club (11 of us if everyone makes it) are planning an experiment. A group picnic in my backyard where everyone brings their own chair and food and beverage and we sit in a big circle at least 10 feet apart. Face masks are optional. We decided today during our Zoom book club meeting.

Even their cars will social distance.

We will be as careful as possible, and if the weather doesn't cooperate we'll postpone. No coming inside to get out of the rain.

I'm fortunate to have no fence or gate to deal with.

[Squinch]

19. I have a "breakfast club" with 3 of my neighbors. We have brunch together

one day a week in normal times. We haven't been able to, but one member bought the rest of us portable beach chairs so we can get together like that in the park across the street or on the roof of our apartment building.

We haven't done it yet. We're in a super hot spot and have been being draconian about our isolation, but when things calm down a bit we will.

[Retrograde]

10. I want to see a play

I want to go to a concert. I want to go out for lunch. I want to go to the garden center and browse to my heart's content. I want to take the train to San Francisco and go to a museum. I want to get together in person with my sewing friends. I want to go to the mall just for the hell of it. I want to go to a movie and dinner. I want to go somewhere that's not within walking distance of my house.

But I know a little bit of how epidemics spread and how isolation can slow down the rate of spread, so I grumble and listen to the people who know more about epidemiology than me and stay home.

My tomatoes also just started to sprout.

[Squinch]

22. I had tickets to Hamilton for this week.

It's postponed now till August, but I wonder if it will be safe even then.

[Scarsdale]

23. You know what would do wonders

for everyone's morale? If tRump would self isolate, stay off TV, stay out of sight. I know that would make me feel better. Not seeing that ugly orange mug daily would be so uplifting.

[Retrograde]

29. + a gazillion!

I don't watch tv during the day, and since Dear Leader is three time zones away I don't have much exposure to his daily Self-Praise-Fests.

[gratuitous]

11. You're definitely not alone

I'm finally getting into the groove of working remotely from the office, but the day-to-day stuff is just tiresome. I hope I'm turning the corner, if only a little bit. I think this isolation stuff is going to go on for a few months yet, possibly longer. I don't look at the calendar any more than I can help it.

On the plus side, I'm reading more. Right now, it's a book on the Art of Alfred Hitchcock. I've seen a few of his movies, of course, but I don't know all that much about his oeuvre. I've got more of his movies in my DVD collection that I've never watched. Now that I've read something about Hitchcock's first attempt at "The Man Who Knew Too Much" and his next film "The 39 Steps," I'm looking forward to watching them with a slightly better informed eye.

[Cha]

12. At least you have Sophie.. I read that as

Spunky Toes at first.. what's wrong with me?! lol

I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't go out everyday and run and go to the natural food store to get groceries!

[zonkers]

13. Kvetch Kvetch Kvetch. Let it out!!!!!!!

[PlanetBev]

15. Sophie sounds like better company than my cockatiel

Pumpkin won’t sit on my shoulder or let me pet him.
He does, however, beg for kisses through the bars and screams when I leave the room.

[Crunchy Frog]

16. Try singing about your favorite things.

[Dworkin]

17. Totally understand

Hi Siwsan,

Totally understand your feelings on this, I'm the same.

I think some call it 'stir crazy'. However, its all we've got to keep people safe.

How about a walk if you can do that in your area?

D.

[Raine]

18. Been doing this since March 15 and I'm sure getting

sick and tired of it but I'll keep on till it's safe.

[MaeScott]

21. What kind of tomatoes? Going to get little patio garden going shortly.

Be strong, resilient, and grateful for what you DO have. Blessings

[kentuck]

24. I'm still waiting for my tomato seeds to sprout..

I planted about 8-10 days ago. I have them in the southern window.

[Siwsan]

27. When they weren't showing any activity, I panicked and started even more.

Now, if those start popping up, I'll be able to give some away to friends. That's always a good thing.

[kentuck]

28. This may be a good year for tomatoes!

It's a good time to be a gardener.