On March 19, 2020 California Governor Newsom announced a statewide stay-at-home order. Here is a screenshot from my phone:

Currently the lockdown continues until May 1st, although the Yolo County site says that an extension is forthcoming. With the president and some states now opening up the economy, there is a glimmer of hope the lockdown will let up even more so in California and Yolo County in the coming weeks. 

Until then, Lori and I continue to post a weekly journal updated every day or two to mark thoughts, reflections, and news related to life sheltering-at-home.

This is week 6 of the lockdown.

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Saturday, May 2, 2020

When Plans Change

“’Cause I told you my level of concern, 

But you walked by like you never heard, 

And you could bring down my level of concern,

Just need you to tell me we’re alright, tell me we’re okay.”

-twenty one pilots

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I love Hawaii. And what’s not to love? Beaches, mountains carved from volcanoes, weather that changes from rain to sunshine in a moment, pineapple fields, the Aloha spirit of those who live there.

We are supposed to be in Hawaii right now. Celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary that was actually LAST August. We went to Honolulu for our honeymoon and have never been back.

Our destination this time was supposed to be Maui. We’ve heard wonderful things about Maui from friends who have visited. I can remember how excited I felt when Howard booked the plane tickets. I thought, “Wow. This will be a time to really celebrate all we’ve been through together the past 25 years—to reminisce and enjoy time together in a blissful tropical location. Just the two of us.”

Now I am writing from shelter-in-place at home. After plane tickets and hotel reservations were cancelled. After the return home I thought I would be enthusiastically showing off my tropical tan, telling tales of snorkeling with fish, and boring friends and family with pictures. Lots of pictures. Proudly on display on my Facebook account.

Instead I’m rolling out of bed close to noon these days and wondering what to make for lunch. I’ve made so many lunches at home now—I don’t know anymore. Where is the lunch menu at the local Hawaiian barbeque place where I can just order from? 

The main thing I know during this time is that it’s okay to mourn the loss of this trip. It’s okay to realize flying off to Hawaii and basking in the sunshine would have been really good for my physical, emotional and mental health. It’s also okay to know that I had pumped up this trip in my mind as a “trip of a lifetime,” and none of those expectations were met. At all. 

The main thing I know during this time is that it’s okay to mourn the loss of this trip.

But my life in quarantine? It’s really good, actually. I have my husband at my side for most of the time. We pray together, we talk together, we roast and drink coffee together. I tend to my garden—it is probably the best Spring I’ve had in my garden. Ever.  

We have our son at home with us for now, and just knowing he is here doing his own thing and feeling healthy is a big deal. Seeing our daughters on FaceTime at least once a week and their smiling faces is huge. We have our dog and our kitten to look after and enjoy their company.

And really—when it comes down to it, I wouldn’t want to be in Hawaii by myself. I know that wherever I am with Howard is truly home.

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Friday, May 1, 2020

Read the Bible in a Year (Howard)

Each year I attempt to read through the Bible in a year. This year, with a four-month break from work, and now shelter-at-home orders, I feel more confident I can accomplish it.

Here is a scan of the Bible reading plan I adopted some years ago with this year’s progress so far:

I know there are some great online/electronic Bible reading plans out there, but I like the simplicity and variety of this plan. Each day of the week focuses on a part of the Bible such as New Testament letters, prophets, and Gospels/Acts. I still need to catch up on the second half of Isaiah, but decided to keep going.

The best part of following a reading plan is staying in the Word each day. Over the weeks I’ve struggled with various moods and feelings related to the lockdown. Whether it is feeling sad, anxious, lethargic, fearful, or restless it seems like something I read each day helps me face the challenges of that time.

The best part of following a reading Whether it is feeling sad, anxious, lethargic, fearful, or restless it seems like something I read each day helps me face the challenges of that time.

I also enjoy sharing about what I read with Lori. Every day we spend a few moments reading Scriptures, singing praise songs, and praying. I like to reflect on highlights from my daily reading during that time.

I hope I can keep up my reading and meditation time after the lockdown ends and I’m back at work. For now it’s a needed and welcome activity that helps me through this scary and uncertain time.

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Wednesday, April 29, 2020

A Day at the Zoo (Lori)

There’s a lot of attention around “Tiger King,” which is arguably a very popular coronavirus pandemic viewing experience. Meanwhile, we’ve been managing our own small menagerie at home. 

When our kids were growing up and living at home with us, our youngest always wanted to try owning new pets. She would visit her friends’ houses and then want a similar pet to what she saw there; and, yes, some of them were definitely exotic.

Geckos, chameleons, turtles, snakes, fish, etc. were all requests that were presented to us with the pleading, “Please, Mom!”, “Please Dad!” I honestly didn’t know the first thing about caring for a chameleon, so we deftly talked her into fish and hamsters.

We’ve had hamsters rolling across the living room floor in their balls and knocking into furniture. Fish had their water changed from their tanks at the sink in the laundry room.

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Follow the Coronavirus Journal Series!

Coronavirus Lockdown Journal Week 3: April 6-12

Coronavirus Lockdown Journal Week 4: April 13-19

Coronavirus Lockdown Journal Week 5: April 20-26

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Teddy the Terrier 

These days, we have only our dog, Teddy, and our kitten, Pippin. It’s been fairly quiet until this last week. To be honest, I was so preoccupied with meal planning and preparation I didn’t even really notice they were in the house.

Then we observed Teddy getting really tired on short walks to the park and shaking his head from side to side.

So, I asked Howard to check his left ear and it seems his previously diagnosed condition at the vet office flared up again. Thankfully we still have the ointment we purchased.

Then I suddenly noticed Teddy was chewing his paws again until they were red and sore. I don’t know if this is from stress about his ear condition or plain boredom, but I made him wear a cone until his feet and ear started to heal. 

Pippin the Little Tiger

Pippin is a wild one. She came to our yard about a year ago as a feral kitten. We have domesticated her somewhat but she still climbs trees, onto the roof, and hunts all kinds of creatures—from pigeons to lizards to insects.

One day I noticed she pounced on—and killed—a bee that was buzzing near my budding lemon tree. I was momentarily concerned but then relieved that she didn’t get stung by the bee. 

Well, it happened over the weekend. Pippin came hobbling into the house on three legs. One of her front paws was sensitive to the touch and I thought looked a bit swollen. While she was eating from her food bowl, I carefully grabbed her paw and felt on the pad for anything sharp stuck in there. A small thorn-like object fell out. Probably the stinger from a bee.

She slept straight through that night when she is usually wide awake. Today she is back to working her scratching post and walking around the house normally, but she is sticking a little closer to home than she usually does. Smart little tiger.

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Monday, April 27, 2020

Family Worship Services During the Lockdown (Howard)

A common question I’m asked is what I’m doing for church during shelter-in-place orders. I had planned on joining church services at my church in Davis to hear some guest speakers I’d invited. I also was invited to speak at a church a couple of times. Of course, the pandemic threw all those plans out the window.

The family decided this month that we would have worship services together via FaceTime. Lydia sends out the song lyrics beforehand, and I prepare the Bible text and discussion. I share a short devotional on a passage, then guide sharing on observations and application for about half an hour.

Becoming the Servant of All

This past Sunday we looked at Mark 10:35-45, with vv. 43-45 as the key not only for this passage, but the entire Gospel of Mark:

⁴³ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴ and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:43-45

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To conclude, each of us shared ways we are reaching out to care for others in service to God. I shared ways I’m using writing and social media to encourage others with psoriasis, especially advocates. Lydia mentioned making masks for friends, family, and a campus group.

We concluded with a prayer, sharing personal announcements, and a commitment to memorize verse 45 for next Sunday.

A Welcome Break

I know we won’t conduct services like this forever. But I’ve needed a break from formal services. I do enjoy joining worship services, but often I feel a sense of responsibility for them. If I’m not at my own church, I can quickly evaluate what others are doing with their worship services.

This time away from church has allowed me to remember the essence of worship as a response to God. It’s not an hour to plan and make sure everything goes according to it. Rather, I want to hear from God and bring Him close to our daily lives in reverence and faith.

It does look like church services are early on the list of activities that will be allowed as the coronavirus impact lets up. Temporary changes of pace can bring new perspectives. We will no doubt much more appreciate doing church in-person when that happens.