One Little Word: March 2020

Well friends, we've made it to the end of March. I'm fairly confident in saying that this has been the longest month I can ever remember living through. The end of the month doesn't necessarily mean an end to these uncertain times, but at least we've adapted somewhat to the new normal.

It's also the final Tuesday of the month, which means it's time to join with Honoré and friends for a reflection on my One Little Word for the year. I think I must have been somewhat prescient to choose savor as my word this year, because these strange times of social distancing have caused me to really appreciate so many things I previously took for granted. For example, here are some things I've been especially savoring the past couple of weeks as we've been at home:

• An extra half hour of sleep (I don't have to commute to work anymore, and my morning routine is faster, so I can use that time to sleep in a little!)
• Time to drink my two cups of morning coffee at a leisurely pace
• Three meals a day with my family
• When the weather cooperates, long walks through my neighborhood
• Sunshine, when it appears
• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Snuggles with Rainbow
• Working on a jigsaw puzzle
• Extra time at my spinning wheel
• Writing in my journal and focusing on daily accomplishments and joys
• Toilet paper (especially now that we have plenty and I don't feel like I have to ration it!)

My increased focus on the good things in my life right now has really made me extra aware of how lucky we are to have what we have. Yesterday the local news showed a really long line of cars with people waiting to get food from our local food bank. For all that I might complain on what I'm missing right now, there are so many basic things that I've been taking for granted that so many people are struggling with right now. The Mister and I are able to work from home so we're still getting a paycheck. We have a roof over our heads and don't have to worry about not being able to afford our mortgage or utilities payments. We have enough food to eat and can easily get more. We'll definitely be increasing our donations to food banks and other relief organizations during this pandemic, and if you're able to, I encourage you to do the same.

One project I've been particularly savoring during this time is my granny square blanket. Here's a size check-in for you (with apologies for the odd perspective, gloomy lighting, and clutter in the background):

That's a queen-size bed, for reference. I've just joined in the second of six 20 g mini skeins I'd set aside for this, and I've used up nearly all the leftovers I had. I think it's getting close to being done. I know I'm going to miss working on it when I've decided it's finally Big Enough, so I likely will be starting another one for Rainbow. I've floated the idea of using a number of skeins of Knit Picks Felici I have in my stash, and she's considering it.

I'll end this by sharing some photos from my walks the past few days. First is a response that I found taped up to the "thank you for being such good neighbors" sign I shared previously:

 

 

It says: "Thank you for making my walk so cheerful! It will be okay!"

And here's a painted rock I spotted in someone's front yard on Sunday and made a point of photographing on yesterday's walk:

Stay calm, friends, and savor the good in your life right now.