Advice from a Homebody

You can skip this if you have it all under control, but since many of you find yourselves sequestered at home, and I am a bit of an expert at staying in, I thought I might have something that would help.

Probably as you went into this, your housework was reasonably under control. As you are making a transition to quarantine, especially if you have kids, you might let yourself ease up a little bit. I say this so you can take time to adjust. Some movies, music, books, writing, may make being home easier. This is not to say let all your housework go, just set your standards for comfort.

If you have puzzles, coloring books, beading, drawing paper, crayons, colored pencils, pens, paper, blank cards, board games, cameras, things to repair or build, this would be a time to use them. If you find yourself homeschooling, these can be utilized as rewards for finishing assignments. If you join the kiddos, it will also be a bonding experience in a time of tension.

It might be an excellent time to launch a blog or website if you have been considering it. Both WordPress and Blogger are reasonably easy to start. I prefer WordPress. There are others as well, I just mention two I have used.

If your kids are home, now is a great time to get them involved in the chores, which they may typically find ways to shirk. You do not have to be a harsh taskmaster, just tie fun screen time to task completion.

If you need additional resources for educational materials, many of the colleges have things you can access for free. Coursera is a service tied to top universities that allows auditing courses without a fee.

Almost all of us could increase our activity. For low impact, walking is the best and can be done as a family. In eating, you may find the Yummly app has some suggestions which help you add variety when supply is limited.

To lower stress and anxiety limit your news content, and if your social media is caustic, take some breaks.

Books are everyone’s best friends at a time like this. Reading can help you soothe your mind, and with kids, it helps extend their concentration and attention span. If you have pre-readers, by all means, read to them. You can read their books, and you can also share your reads. This exposes them to the rhythms of language and vocabulary they may not have encountered.

Go outside. It is that simple. Find time in nature.

I will try to post some writing prompts and exercises over these days. I remind you everyone is creative. You have an ideal opportunity to explore what creativity means to you at this time.

If you have questions, I am fully willing to help.

Ethereal

In times of disruption, distress, creativity can be a safety we exercise. A bit of visioneering fantasy visited earlier.

Living in the woods with trees, briars and brambles, pine straw and leaf ground cover, and wild creatures for the closest neighbors, it is sometimes surprising what one sees.

The peace and quiet are always surrounding here. In the Springtime, the songbirds return to fill the air with rousing melodies. Over recent days since the noise is reduced with us sequestered, the small sounds are magnified.

Walking around communing with nature, eyes wide open, ears alert, a heart seeking peace, there are times when the world becomes fascinating.

Stopping to look at a wildflower, the quiet broken by the clip of hooves touching the earth is rare here, indeed, but miracles happen when we can believe. A flash of white, bright as lightning, glimpsed as a creature mythical, came closer like a reassuring dream. Breath consumed by the beauty of his appearance, feet between, not daring to touch, but only observing.

Eyes meet in a time beyond time, great love and compassion are translated through his gaze. His horn shining golden bright, he nods his head.

Whispered, “Will all this be alright? Is there reason to hope?”

His head nods again, then he shifts, so his mane falls like a waterfall.

“There is so much pain, fear.”

He shakes his head, then lowers it and closes his eyes.

“Prayer. The world needs prayer.”

He opens his luminous eyes and nods. He lifts his head high, nickers, and turns. As he drew away all the fears, panic, worries seemed to fade. He looked over his shoulder with a nod, and then raced away. The peace and love exuded during his visit sent doubt flying like the trail of his tail as he disappeared out of sight.

I am a great admirer of unicorns. I draw them at times. This time, well, writing seemed correct.

I Never Asked

There were times we talked when it seemed like we were the best of friends, and times were tempting me to say something more. I held it in and hid it deeply because there is always a fear of never being able to belong.

The past had served heaps of trouble; thick enough, one would need a shovel to excavate. Being alone became a habit, and some ways are tough like steel, nearly impossible to break. I would listen to love songs and sing along, only imagining what might have been. Romances I avoided when I read, cause passion, was not something to arouse. But the days wore and the years grew longer.

There was no reason to complain. I have ever been adept at entertaining myself, busy is not hard when you are multidimensionally creative. I kept working and was content.

Content, until I would speak to him again. Then I wanted it all.

Safe Harbor

This is my favorite Bible verse. I have it memorized, and memorization is extremely difficult for me. I wanted to make it attractive to share at this time. It seems to me there is a lot of panic in the world. God is in control.

Little side-note: My mostly hobby job as Copy Editor is going on sporadically today. After I created the above artwork, I shared it with the Editor. She loved it and called it an ad. Needless to say, I was euphoric. I told her it could go in the magazine, we have four now, plus a digital, and she said they would use it in the future.

Safe Harbor

Look to the Lord God –
He is the help of nations,
The ballast for all
Voyages we undertake,
His protection surrounds us.

Do no violence
In your rash preparations;
You are fully loved,
Trust, the extravagance of
Heaven’s abundance accrues.

These times, things shall past
The Glory of God remains, now
And eternally,
He will not forsake His own
Seek His mercy, peace, and LOVE.

Gentle your heart, for
Life continues in the midst
Of trouble, LOVE rises,
Storms come and go, but we know
LOVE is our habitation.

Be Strong And Courageous

I have not put up a handwritten piece in a while. Frankly, I have problems writing, seem to skip words and such. This one actually turned out well. I think I have told you some of my writing is done to motivate me, but I think maybe others deal with similar issues, so I share.

Background: The thought of being confined to the house, despite that I do it a lot voluntarily, scares me. Mobility is a fundamental freedom. I went into a full-blown panic attack over this today. Then I wrote this:

2020-03-15_Be Strong and Courageous Prose Poem

I have all I need for a bit. I do not understand what drove me to panic today. Just so weird in town Thursday and yesterday.

I hope all of you are staying comfortable and have what you need.

A couple of songs I recommend:

God Is In Control by Twila Paris
We Believe by Newsboys

As a prompt: If you are getting a little freaked out with all that is happening, I highly recommend creating. Address your discomfort, make something out of it.

This may be all today, but I highly doubt it. Blessings to you and all you love. Stay safe. Thank you for visiting.