It's hard to believe but I have been virtually on self quarantine for close to six weeks maybe more. I don't know about you but at this point the days and weeks are rolling together. While I know what day of the week it is, the fact that we are only now ending April is a bit surprising. Come to think of it, my winter was muted and quiet with only a few storms, but since my move it has felt colder than typical years at this time.

Perhaps that's one of the perks of quarantine is noticing the small details and changes to our days. Not only has it been consistently in the low 30s - high 20s in my new home, the birds each day appear more in number. This includes a rather husky Oriole who decided to take a number two on my deck chair yesterday then perch on the hand rail, taunting me with his heaving chest. We'll see who wins this battle in the long run. At least I know enough to not keep flying myself into the glass door. Maybe the third time will be the charm, right you bloated orange-feather-monster? 

I kid though but seriously the bird might be a bit confused. I also don't think it realizes there is a wandering black panther, or domestic cat (everything looks bigger at 5am), that stalks the perimeter of my home. 

In between my nature watching, home improvement, and food runs, life is filled with work. Counting myself as one of the lucky ones, school is still in session. That's a good thing for the students and for me. This is typically the toughest part of the year for students. We have gotten through the winter grind and are looking towards the end of academic year. Historically, many kids have vacation now but with so many states issuing at home orders, vacation is a loose term and well for many schools now a work week so they can finish in mid May or early June.

The continued challenge is that in previous years students have spring vacation as a quick respite before the final push to the finish. Now there is no respite and the push is filled with unknowns and other variables beyond our control. For those graduating or transitioning on to a new grade or school, those end of year traditions are being lost. While I feel for those students who were looking forward to prom or walking the graduation stage, now they will have a different story to share with future generations likely filled with multiple versions of a fat oriole and a panther causing havoc at home.

I don't know if that it's a good thing, but at least there's a story involved right? 

 I don't know if I really should call it blues because as a more introverted person by nature, I prefer to avoid the masses. Still, the last 5 weeks have been quite chaotic even for me, perhaps not for the reasons one would think. I bought a house and moved. After that it's been getting settled and things put away. Now with Easter in the rear, I'm taking a moment to breathe and collect my thoughts.

With that, this website is back up and running for those eyes that find it. For far too long, I'm let this whittle down to nothing. Granted, part of it was life circumstance but another part was just not being in the right place to contribute. To that end, I think I'm in a better place now to do that. Heck I even have a writing loft in my new house with a white board wall for my ideas. 

Wanting to write more, create, and share, expect to see more entries in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, here are some photos from the last few weeks. I have taken to drives during this crisis period. I don't stop anywhere but go out an explore new spots. That's the fun in living in a new area. I even found a closed prison less than four miles from where I live, perfect for future book settings.
​