Well, I suspect that most of us can say that this week didn’t go as planned. Last week, as we battled illness at home, I worried that having flu in the house would keep me from going to the opera this Monday. Fast forward a week and I was more focused on figuring out how to prepare for none of us were quite sure what, and on being grateful that I bought toilet paper when I had the chance. A family of ten goes through some toilet paper.
I bought tickets to see Samson et Dalila at the Washington Opera back in December, a birthday gift from my parents. The tickets were expensive and it felt a little crazy to purchase them. I’m typically a very practical person when it comes to money, even birthday money. But I had declared that 2020 would be a year of doing new things, even things that require driving into D.C. I have long loved Samson et Dalila and I couldn’t believe that I was going to watch it performed live. As the last week progressed and I watched the news, I realized that healthy or not, it might not be wise to attend. My mom was certainly opposed. I sent her a youtube video of the most famous aria from Samson et Delila assuming that would make her understand. (Actually, I sent her two versions. If you like opera, listen to both and see which one you prefer. Let’s talk about it.)
The videos didn’t persuade her. I will send her this video today. It’s more upbeat. But, somehow I doubt I’ll ever get my mom excited about opera.
We swapped some silly dramatic texts, and I suggested that maybe I was being seduced by the opera and it would ultimately destroy me. I think we were both relieved when the Kennedy Center announced that they were canceling all events through the end of the month. Jonny might have been the most relieved as he was to be my reluctant date. Maybe not really reluctant, he’s always happy to be my date, he’s just not an opera fan.
Everything is canceled here for the time being. No orchestra, no homeschool co-op, no baseball. Jonny has been asked to work from home and Seth’s college classes are moving online. I suspect that many of you are facing similar situations. My prayers are with all of you who don’t have the luxury of staying home. My dad is a doctor in his late 60s, and he will still be making his rounds at the hospital. I’m trying not to worry about my parents and my in-laws. We all have to take this one day at a time. Coronavirus or not, we never know what tomorrow might bring. I’m thankful for the gift of hope.
So what are we all going to do with ourselves as we stick close to home in the coming weeks?
For those who cannot attend Mass, the online version of Magnificat is being offered for free.
As far as the opera goes, there will be free nightly Met opera streams. (Some of) my kids and I are looking forward to that.
I’ll be listening to The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Series on audiobook while I knit. I can’t adequately express how much I love this series. I would never have expected to but started listening on the recommendation of my Aunt Genie who sent me The Full Cupboard of Life on CDs. Now I’ve gone back to the beginning of the series and am listening in order. Mma Ramotswe has become so dear to me. I’ve never felt quite so attached to a character. I just love her. I don’t know how I would feel if I read the books as opposed to listening. I think audiobook is the way to go with these.
(Amazon links are affiliate links.)
I ordered a couple of new puzzles for Silas, Job, and Mabel. Their favorites are Charles Wysocki 300 piece puzzles. The puzzle pictured above is called Prairie Wind Flowers and it is a 1000 piece. We all liked working on that one together. The 300 piece puzzles are good for the younger kids to work on alone. I’ll update the puzzle links in my sidebar with some of our favorites and some that are on our wishlist for the future.
Outdoors, I’m going to be working on getting new garden beds prepared. I’ve been eating a lot of kale for breakfast over the past couple of months and decided I ought to get serious about growing it. I had Amazon credit, so I ordered an indoor grow light to make it easier to start plants. I’m very excited about this. My kids teased me for taking a photo of my breakfast (above) but I’m really into this breakfast! I saute kale, bell pepper (red, orange, or yellow), and zucchini in some olive oil and then serve it with either sausage or eggs (scrambled or fried) and kimchi. You could do scrambled tofu if you are vegan. Season with whatever you like. On the side, I eat one piece of heavily buttered gluten-free sourdough bread. I’ve been ordering my bread from Simple Kneads for months now. It’s so good. I ration it because it’s expensive (as gluten-free bread is). One slice per day! I’ve tried all three varieties and love them all.
I have a really lovely batch of yarn dyed and ready to go. I might get that listed next week. I’ll share more about that as soon as I know. I’m also working on head scarves! Unfortunately, what I ought to be doing is cleaning out our basement. That is my planned task for Lent. Motivated by needing to clear a place for my table of seedlings and the grow light, I got started, but I still have a lot to do down there.
In family news, Gabriel and Larkspur got braces last week. Those two poor kids are still very sore. I want a picture of the two of them smiling together with their new equipment, but haven’t made it happen yet. For some reason, they aren’t keen on the idea.
I know that many of you are being faced with the idea of homeschooling in the coming weeks. If it was me (I mean it is me, but I was already homeschooling), I would focus on keeping up with math and anything else that seems absolutely necessary or is being mandated by schools. Get it done right after breakfast so you can move on to other things. Other than that I’d focus on reading good books together, spending time outdoors if possible, and of course watching opera on tv while working on jigsaw puzzles. Maybe do those things that you typically feel like you don’t have time to do. But that’s just me, and everyone’s circumstances are different. Some people need more structure and not everyone wants to watch opera! Your kids might hate you if you pull out a puzzle and turn La boheme on. I’m standing here laughing at the potential reactions to that. “Okay, kids! Let’s plant some kale and later we can work on a puzzle and watch an opera!”
In all seriousness, I hope you are all doing alright with all this uncertainty. I think this is rather surreal for many of us. If there is anything I can do, or share from here, please let me know and I’ll do my best. And if you have any advice or encouragement for those who need it, please share in the comments!
Emily says
Thanks for this lovely post, Ginny. I always find your posts very encouraging and reassuring, but this one especially so 🙂 Take good care of yourselves, Emily xx
Jane F says
Mma Ramotswe is such a delight! I’ve only read the books (not audio), and can vouch for them. We are knee-deep in puzzles, crafting scraps, and mud. It’s a mess, but also an opportunity for love. I’m trying to focus on that.
Anne says
Thanks so much for sharing about the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency. I’m all caught up on the latest Maisie Dobbs and really wanted a good audio book to get lost in. It sounds like this might be just right! Thank you!
jean says
Thank you Ginny! Your beautiful words and pictures always give me hope.
Lori Coleman says
I have simply adored your blog for years! Thank you for all you share,you are inspiring!! Could you maybe please recommend a few other blogs similar to yours that I could add to our “new” daily routine? We have always homescooled,also…so our change through this is just less busyness and adding some delightful depth to our days!
Amy says
Your mom sounds like fun! The kind of mom I hope I am some day to my children as they get further into adulthood. I enjoy reading your posts – thank you for the encouragement and sunshine
Martha says
Ginny, you bring such spots of happiness to so many. Thank you. I dated a guy who was in music school while I lived in Denver, CO, and he was studying opera. So in the course of our relationship I sat in our opera classes with him (fascinating!) and attended a few operas and it was really pretty amazing. Thank you for sharing these links. The second version you shared of Samson et Dalila brought tears to my eyes. Definitely preferred his voice, he sang so tenderly. I showed all of the links to my children and they were transfixed and asking for more. We especially loved watching the conductor Gustavo Dudalemo! Praying you guys stay healthy and enjoy all the extra down time and less chauffeuring time (I am!), though the activities and community are missed. Sending lots of love to you. <3
Tracy says
Ginny your pictures are a beautiful reminder spring is on its way , regardless of whatever else is happening around us, the seasons change. We just got our first case here in Nova Scotia, announced yesterday.
They have closed schools for 3 weeks to start. We will see how much longer that may continue.
I went right onto amazon in search of puzzles ( inspired by your beautiful pictures!)and books to pass the time with my crew. I see lots of time outdoors and trips to the beach and trails even though we are still into freezing temps. I figure the fresh air is the best thing for us at this point.
Reading blogs like yours will also save my mama sanity of course.
Be Well the world will all get through this together.
Stacy says
Thank you for the lovely pictures and reminder that hope is a strong response to uncertainty. Holding this community in the light as we all muddled through.
Sharon says
Thanks Ginny, your posts are always a breath of fresh air.
I would love it if you wrote a post about faith, particularity in such uncertain times.
Cathy says
I can just imagine the response I would have got from my sons if I’d said today we plant kale, listen to opera and do a puzzle. The closest to the isolation I got was a month indoors with them and chicken pox- together we solved a computer game called Black Cauldron. I love the number one ladies detective agency too- l really identirfy with her early morning walks in the garden. Stay safe.xx
MParker says
I just discovered you and I’m so delighted! We normally live in DC but have been temporarily been in Utah on a work assignment. We were headed back in April…but I’m currently in Idaho as we sell our Utah home, and there is three feet of snow outside!! Your pictures are making my heart light! Spring!!
I ordered a bunch of puzzles at your suggestion and we are putting them together…and my little ones are loving the snow even if I’m not.
We are having an eighth baby soon and homeschool…we live by the beautiful National Arboretum in DC…I’m going to hope we bump into you live one day there perhaps. Regardless, thank you for sharing your simple joys!!
Susan Kuhlman says
The virus is increasing by 1000 people a day. I really do not believe that anyone will be back to normal in two weeks. The mayor of NYC said today that schools may be out until the end of the year. I mean December. Be prepared to an epic experience. (Not as bad as the Great Depression of WWII, so lets keep it in perspective.)
Antonia says
In my family it’s my husband who loves opera! That’s probably because he used to have a part time job in a local opera when he was a student.
I prefer ballet, possibly because I used to gymnastics when I was little.
My mom loves everything theatre related and she used to take me a lot to the National theatre in Prague (Czech Republic) when I was little.
The tickets are possibly cheaper here than in the US so if you’d ever have the chance to come here, we’ll be happy to take you 🙂
Thank you also for the home schooling advice. My girl is only 1 year old but I follow some education related fb groups and parents are clueless what to do with the kids and all the time they’ve got now.
Praying for you and our little community here.
Katharine Whitmore says
I’m so glad you are reading/listening to Alexander McCall Smith! I think you will enjoy his various Edinburgh series also.
Aileen O says
Not sure if you can have almond yogurt, but I was pleasantly surprised the Kite Hill version is being stocked at Costco. I’m glad I bulk buy toilet paper 3x a year too. I was surprised at the panic and desperation. I don’t have a TV anymore so I don’t absorb all the despair. Obviously no more cleaning products and junk food, but tons of vegan and organic. I waited til 15min before close, zipped thru my regular aisle and freezer visits & walked out unscathed. Here’s prayers to you all for the coming year & transitions to social distancing. I’m so sad my Archdiocese cancelled all masses.?
Reeny Saenz says
I loved your opera references & YouTube links- I have a cd of Maria Callas singing that aria, it’s one of my favorites. I love opera, too. I have MS & a chronic lung condition, so this is an unnerving time but keep on keeping on. It’s what has to happen: be cautious & proactive but try to find ways of keeping your head above it all. Think as positive as possible. This too shall pass. Love your blog, have been following it for a long time. First time commenting, sorry to say. But always enjoy reading what you write here ❤️
Kathlyn Dettmer says
I’m so glad you gave homeschooling advice, it’s not just more video/gaming time for kids temporarily out of school. Get outside, plant things, it’s spring, and read, read, read!
Claire says
I have had success growing kale from starts I buy at a local nursery. Here in North Alabama, I plant it in the fall, then when it starts to get cold I heavily heavily mulch them with straw. They grow off and on all winter and then really pick up again in the spring and keep growing until either I can’t keep them from bolting anymore or the heat gets them. I’m not a huge plain kale fan, but I add it to things like soups or quiche filling for the extra nutrition and just to have something fresh coming out of my garden even in winter. I grow the lacitano kind but I would also like to try the red Russian kind or Southern Exposure’s rainbow kale.
Angela says
Small world! I’m in Decatur?
Kate McAuliffe says
Thank you for the pictures of crocus and other flowers. I think ours great you are staying plants. One of my favorite breakfasts from our farm days was zucchini with onions and peppers. When we planted kale we had it for a long time. It came back on its own. It was great!
Thank you for the reading ideas. Listening to books and knitting sounds like a great idea.
Take care,
Kate
Claire says
I feel like we’re living duplicate lives- all our homeschooling/ music/ college classes are on line now. And I too had a concert that was cancelled. My husband and I were going to the Celtic Sojurn Sunday to celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary (which is Monday). And I’m also listening to the 14 th book in No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series while I knit or cross stitch. But I guess lots of us are in the same boat. ?
Heidi says
My husband & I are in our 60’s so trying to sit tight except for work. He can do most of his from home. I made fire cider today..just feel like I need to keep preparing although not quite sure for what. I keep expecting aliens to come or something. My husband says this is like a Steven King book. The grocery stores are selling out here of mainstays & bizarre things like ketchup. Glad I got everything we need for a while. Might run low on eggs tho. Getting the garden ready & starting seeds indoors. Really, blessings to you all.
Ginny says
I wish we lived close enough that I could bring you some eggs! That is the one thing we have a steady supply of. You are in my prayers!
Kari Vanhoozer says
You provided Perfect and Peaceful advice for families compelled to homeschool temporarily. Thank you for the opera link; I never would have experienced that beauty without your urging.
Marilyn says
Sorry about missing the opera. It is sad how this virus has affected so much. W are staying in and ordering our groceries on line. I ordered on Wednesday night and could not get a delivery until Sunday. Fortunately, we have enough until then. Stay well and safe.
Marilyn
Theresa Boedeker says
I had tickets to an opera this week to that was cancelled . The Pirates of Penance, which is hilarious. And tickets to an Irish Concert for my birthday. Not always fun to have to stay home, but we will get a lot more time together. All I need are some more puzzles. I know everyone here is stocking up on toilet paper. And luckily we have some. But I figure if worse comes to worse, I’ll tear an old sheet into pieces. That, and I am reminding myself that our grandparents and ancestors did without a lot more than toilet paper. 🙂
Myriam says
Thanks for this bright ray of sunshine! It is lovely to hear encouragement. I am using this opportunity to take up knitting, which can only be a good thing. Having a routine with the kids helps, too, with windows of unstructured time. Amazing what games they can come up with when they are bored.
Marion says
Larkspur and Gabriel hope your mouths feel better. Love all the lovely flowers.
Marion
Joan says
My dad loved Opera. Your garden looks like it is growing nicely. Stay well.
Joan
Emily DeArdo says
I’m a BIG fan of Alexander McCall Smith books. The Isabel Dalhousie series (Philosophy Club) is my absolutely favorite. His books are so comforting. It’s really comfort reading.
I learned the arias from Samson MANY years ago but I’ve been busting out my music since I’m home here. 🙂 I’ll take a listen and let you know what I think! 🙂
Joan says
I got a laugh from my adult kids when I texted them that the headlines here in Ellicott City, MD would be, “Ellicott City man kills wife in series of bizarre events.” That was in response to their suggestion that we self-quarantine, since we’re both in our 60s, though still working. I work in the court system, representing kids. Most of our cases are postponed, kids are out of school, the courts are closed to the public except for rare exceptions, and we cannot even go visit our clients except virtually (skype, facetime). It’s a mad mad world, but these precautions are sensible and will hopefully ensure that our needs will not exceed our resources. The husband is in the hotel industry. He has greater challenges. The upside: more family conversations and more knitting:)! How bad can that be?
Lisa says
I don’t know anybody who likes opera! Maybe I should give it a try.
But I love Mma Ramotswe too. I read those books when I had evening sickness while expecting my 4th, they were easy to read and they cheered me up – he is now 15.
My first time commenting but I really appreciate your blog; your beautiful photos and your uplifting words. Thank you Ginny
Emily DeArdo says
I didn’t like opera when I first started voice lessons, and since I was taking classical lessons, that’s how I was taught–with arias. 🙂 But as I’ve gotten older I’ve really taken to it. There are so many gorgeous opera! Try one with music you’ll probably know, like The Barber of seville or La Traviata or Rigoletto!
Georgina says
I didn’t like opera either until I really got to know it — I had to take an “art” class to fulfill a humanities requirement and Opera was one of the only ones I could fit. I still don’t like bel canto though (Barber of Seville and the lot) but I do love Otello.
Lisa says
Maybe now is the time to try – thank you.