Tales of COVID-19, Episode 1

In Episode 1 of our COVID experience, two weeks of school closure turned into 2 months. Governor Baker ordered all non-essential businesses to close and non-essential employees to work from home. Our school system developed but did not roll out a remote learning plan. The weather shifted to usual lousy Smarchness and we struggled to keep the kids entertained while working from home. But we were fortunate to hold salaried jobs and not suffer the economic consequences of the shutdown.

On Friday the 13th of March, cases topped 100. By Friday March 27, cases had topped 3,200. Our Middlesex county led the state with 685, 9 of which were in Lexington.

 Supermarkets were picked bare of produce

In the early days, we made agendas to keep the kids time organized. Heather and her Mom survived a recurring nosebleed that required hospitalization for surgery at a time when the first COVID cases were appearing at the hospital.

Caroline's Sunday waffles 

 More baking

 Reordering jigsaw puzzles brings a sense of control in uncertain times, that is when the pieces are visible

The older girls learned how to play Dominion 

 All the women picked up knitting

 Knitting and playing games

 When the weather was Smarchy we ran inside

Playgrounds were closed

but thankfully parks were not 

 Trees were open for climbing

 The town farm is within roaming distance for the girls to venture on their own

The goats are endlessly entertaining

 Our usual trans-Atlantic home invader found us on the 17th

 Nice to see that he washed his hands

Get used to it girls, Grandma's sweet sassy molasses are part of our long-term food stores 

Tai-Tai has found many laps 

 We watched Mo Willems's Daily Lunch Doodle

 Meanwhile curious cats invaded our workspaces,

and slept in our workspaces,

and continued to sleep on the puzzle pieces 

 Tessie's imagination kept her busy

 Caroline ran core strengthening classes in the basement

Piano lessons by video conference

and some normal signs of spring