Saturday, June 6, 2020

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Pauleen's Crazy Month of May Pandemic Meme, Part I

It's Saturday Night - 

time for more Genealogy Fun! 


Your mission, should you decide to accept it (cue the Mission Impossible music here) is to:

1)  Check out Pauleen Cass's blog post, Crazy Month of May 2020 Meme: Pandemic Experiences.  

2)  Let's do the first 10 of the prompts and save the last 11 for next week.

3)  Tell us about your own pandemic experience in your own blog post, in a comment to this blog post, or in a post on Facebook.  Be sure to leave a link to your work as a Comment to this post and also on Pauleen's post.

4)  Thank you, Pauleen!!

Here's mine:


1)  What are you most grateful for during this Covid-19 crisis?

That Linda and I, and our daughters' families, have not been affected by this, other than the isolation and sheltering in place.  We are both older and have pre-existing conditions and really cannot afford to get it.  If I went in the hospital, we would need a caregiver for Linda.

2)  What have you missed most during the full or partial lock-down?

Seeing friends and neighbors, going to church on Sunday, going to the library each week, the NCAA basketball tournament (my SDSU Aztecs were #6 in the nation), and baseball - on TV and at Petco Park.  Linda misses going to the Y to swim each morning, but I don't miss the 40 minutes it takes to take and retrieve her.

We missed celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary on March 21.  Lori and Tami had it all planned out, the invitations were out, and I have boxes of decorations in the garage.  We had a party at the church with 100 attendees planned, and had to call it off.  Maybe a 51st anniversary for next year.

3)  Has your hobby sustained you during this time?

Definitely.  I've been able to work on genealogy research, writing and Zooming almost every day for 8 to 11 hours.  I go from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. with breaks for nap, shopping, lunch, dinner, chores, and walking.  I'm still not done with my family tree!!  I keep finding people with my surnames all over the world and have been adding the as time permits.  I watch videos and webinars.  I host three Zoom meetings for CVGS each month, attend 2 or 3 SDGS meetings on Zoom, participate every Monday in Mondays With Myrt and daily in Mini-Myrt on Zoom.  This is one way to connect with my friends and colleagues!

4)  What changes have you seen in your life over May 2020?

I've gained at least 10 pounds, which is not good.  I don't walk nearly as much as before.  I'm doing all the shopping and a lot of the cooking.  I'm not sleeping well.

We have been attending virtual church on YouTube each Sunday - the pastor sends the prayer, the sermon script, and a link to the YouTube video of the partial choir, the scripture lesson, the sermon, and prayers via email each Sunday morning.

5)  Have you been exercising more or less?

More brain exercise, less physical exercise!  I have been pushing Linda in the wheelchair up and down the block several times a week, and that can be a challenge, especially coming up our sloped driveway.  It's only 20 feet long, but I'm puffing and huffing afterward.

6)  Has the refrigerator been your friend or foe?

Yes.  It is well-stocked, but we keep having to fill it up.  We weren't eating out a lot before the isolation, but we've been to In 'n' Out drive-through once so far in three months, and had takeout delivered on Mother's Day from Lolita's. 

7)  Have you been participating in virtual gatherings with friends or family?

We had a virtual birthday party for granddaughter Audrey on 28 April, and watched grandson Logan's middle school advancement video on 1 June.  We FaceTime with Tami once every two weeks or so and talk to her kids then.

Tami came down by herself on our 50th wedding anniversary, 21 March 2020, to bring us gloves and masks, and make us dinner (steak, baked potato, asparagus, pie), but left after dinner.  

Tami brought her family down from Huntington Beach (100 miles north) on Mother's Day (May 17) and surprised us at noon time with lunch from Lolita's, and gifts for Linda.  It was so good to see all of them and we even got hugs from them.  We took a family photo on the lawn.

Lori calls several times a week to check in on us and vice versa.  She will come down for Father's Day by herself.

8)  Have you taken up new hobbies during the lockdowns?

No new hobbies.  I don't have time for another one.

9)  Are you cooking or gardening more?

I have been cooking dinner more often the last six months as Linda's mobility has decreased and it is difficult for her to stand unsupported form ore than a minute or two.  She often sets up the meal (get water boiling, get plates out, meat out of the package, etc.) and lets me do the rest. 

I have watered the rose bushes more often than usual, and see the results - lots of blooms right now.  They have grown wild and I try to cut some branches back every week. The weeds grow too and are removed occasionally.  The back yard was mowed in February before the rains in March, so the weeds there need mowing again.  

10)  Have you shopped more or less? Online or offline?

I have shopped online at Amazon for things like her Sudoku book and handheld Yahtzee game, plus new shoes and a book or two for me.

Before the pandemic, we went to the grocery stores in the mornings after Linda's swimming 2-3 times a week.  She has stayed home and inside almost this whole three months.  I have been going twice a week to the grocery store with a list she makes and we are still eating well!  We haven't been to Costco, Wal-Mart or 99 Cent Store since early March because of the lines.  

Questions 11 to 21 next week!!

                             ==============================================

Copyright (c) 2020, Randall J. Seaver

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12 comments:

Lisa S. Gorrell said...

I've not written much about my experiences with the SIP, so this is a good exercise.

https://mytrailsintothepast.blogspot.com/2020/06/saturday-night-genealogy-fun-pauleens.html

Janice M. Sellers said...

Now that I've written it down, I don't seem to be faring well.

http://www.ancestraldiscoveries.com/2020/06/saturday-night-genealogy-fun-pauleens.html

M. Diane Rogers said...

Here are my answers, Randy: https://canadagenealogy.blogspot.com/2020/06/crazy-month-of-may-2020-meme-pandemic.html

Cassmob (Pauleen) said...

Thanks so much for promoting the meme Randy. It’s been so interesting to read other people’s responses. I admire your energy and achievements. Once upon a time I could do long days at the computer but now I find it tiring hence reading. I was disappointed for you that you didn’t get the celebration you hoped for your 50th. It’s such a great achievement to be noted so a shame to miss out on it. Definitely something big to make up next year, or earlier if life permits. It’s good that you get to have your worship even if virtually. Look after yourself and LInda through these tough times.

Linda Stufflebean said...

Here is my link. Being retired, daily life isn't too different with the exception of staying out of stores. https://emptybranchesonthefamilytree.com/2020/06/saturday-night-genealogy-fun-95/

Lacie Madison said...

Here are my responses. It hasn't been too bad for me. I am kind of use to staying inside for a long time. I hope you and Linda are doing well.My post.

Linda Stufflebean said...

If your answers were mine, I think I'd be most sad at having to cancel the anniversary party. My 50th high school reunion got pushed back to 2021, but that pales next to your golden wedding anniversary.

Carrie Smith said...

Here's mine: http://underthenuttree.blogspot.com/2020/06/saturday-night-genealogy-fun-pandemic.html

Cassmob (Pauleen) said...

hi Randy, here's a summary of the responses. Happy to accept and link further entries. Thanks for linking my meme! Pauleen

cassmobfamilyhistory.com/2020/06/09/crazy-month-of-may-pandemic-experience-responses/

Liz said...

I'm running late, Randy, but here's my post:


http://gatapleytree.blogspot.com/2020/06/saturday-night-genealogy-fun-on-tuesday.html

It doesn't look like I'm faring too well, either. LOL

Alex Daw said...

Hi Randy - so good of you to share Pauleen's meme. It's a good one isn't it? I hope Lynda can get back to her swimming soon - she must miss it so much. Many Australians heaved a great sigh of relief now that the footy seems to be back on this week. I don't know how you do all you do. I think I got a bit obsessed one day at the computer with family history but ended up with a very sore right hand from all the clicking of the mouse so have had a rest for a couple of days. Much better!

Teresa said...

I did all of them at once - here's my post:
https://writingmypast.wordpress.com/2020/06/21/21-jun-2020-saturday-night-genealogy-fun-lockdown-pandemic-experiences/

:)