Dealing with the Pandemic

I hope you’re good. Actually, great(as much as one can be right now)! I’ve not spent too much time watching or consuming the news of the pandemic. I will take in small doses a couple of times a day. The idea of constantly scrolling social media for answers, or watching news(local or cable) to try to make sense of this, just isn’t in my space. Not burying my head in the sand or tone deaf, but certainly not caught up in the hysteria and web clicks that SOME in the industry aim for.(Bravo to the advertisers who aren’t counting pandemic clicks)…

Our family routine is pretty simple, as I’m sure it is for many(not all) of you.  Working from home hasn’t been that big of an adjustment. I miss interacting with my teammates, but I don’t miss the commute.  When we’re in the middle of the show and the landscapers across the street start up the leaf blower I don’t get angry.  I think you’re pretty forgiving of the small stuff(and most everything right now is SMALL).  Producing the Football AZ content hasn’t been easy, but it’s not brain surgery either. It took 7 people in 7 different locations to get the TV show on the air this week. We figured it out, and got it done. No “Best of Shows” right now when there’s so much happening in football at all levels. Our content is meant as a distraction for you…

Facebook chatting is something that I rarely do, but this week that changed a bit. A friend got after me the other night  to finally write the book that I’ve been putting off. Another shared that a spouse took off.  One needed hope and I suggested he read a Proverb everyday(31 chapters, one for each day of the month). He asked if Proverbs is an Old  or New Testament book. (50-50 chance of being right). My pastor called to check in on me. I need to check in on him. We all need to check in on others right now. A friend in the local health care industry said there’s been a surge in suicides in recent weeks. Hope is not apparent to everyone..

I’ve bickered with my spouse over small things this week, a product of not enough social distancing :) . We’ve supported local eating spots and made Thanksgiving dinner to break the stress. On a family walk yesterday, my daughter took her trash grabber and we cleaned up garbage while getting in 10,000 steps.  The sound of Disney+ or Call of Duty come down the hall and into my office throughout the day. In the evenings, I try to get out for a ride.  The hiking trails are crowded which normally is a good thing except we’re in pandemic…

I don’t mind grocery shopping. We go in the middle of the day and are able to find the necessities. Our 15-year-old son says he’s not worried about all of this. I hear his discussions online with friends while they’re gaming and the conversations aren’t about the stock market, death toll, bail out bill. He starts online classes through the high school this coming week…

My wife and I have parents in their 80’s with underlying health issues, so the stress for their safety weighs on us. They live nearby so we check in, but take social distancing to a greater level. 

I’m hopeful and optimistic. But like you, I’m housebound…