April "Vacation"

It's the Tuesday of school break, aka April "Vacation." Traditionally, many families travel to warmer places during this week off from school to visit family, friends and/or amusement parks. This year is different--very different--for most. There is no formal online teaching or learning for our students and teachers this week. Hopefully, we will all spend more time out in our yards and away from our screens. Travel to some places is restricted and it's too risky to be in large groups of people who may be sick and contagious. I can't imagine sitting on a crowded airplane right now. I have been spending most days alone in my house, feeling healthy and safe. I'm wondering how parents with school-age children at home are faring now. On the one hand, students do not have the structure of their online classes to tend to, while on the other hand, they have lots of free time to fill. They probably are not getting together with friends, cousins, or neighbors. Maybe those with pets are playing outside or going for walks in nearby woods or throughout their neighborhood. Maybe some are reading, writing or drawing just for fun. My husband and I had planned a trip to Sedona, Arizona this week, one of our favorite vacation destinations. It is a hiker's paradise--lots of trails to explore on those gorgeous red rocks, nearly perfect weather, and quaint shops and interesting historic places to visit. Oh, and did I mention the big swimming pool and hot tub where we like to relax after a busy day of hiking, shopping or sightseeing? My son is studying in Arizona, a few hours from Sedona, and we were planning a few brief visits with him. We wanted to meet his new friends, see his apartment, have dinner with him, and get a tour of his school, where he is spending lots of time and money. But, unfortunately, due to the coronavirus pandemic and our Governor's stay at home orders, we will not be taking a vacation this year. Like most everyone else I know, I'll be staying home and getting things done around the house and yard, talking on the phone with friends and family, reading and writing, and doing my best to be stay healthy! Like most everyone else, I'm also thankful for each passing day, which means we are getting through this together and getting closer to, hopefully, our life as we once knew it.

Like the Willow Tree

I finished reading a book last night titled, "Like the Willow Tree" by Lois Lowry, a Maine author. The book is set in Portland, Maine in 1918 during the Spanish influenza. Written in 2011, the similarities between the flu spreading in our world a century ago and the coronavirus pandemic today are worth noting. Lydia, an eleven year old, and her brother, Daniel, almost fifteen, are staying home with their family because their school is closed to help stop the spread of the disease. Since they could not fall back on remote instruction, teachers were put to work in hospitals, doing whatever needed to be done. Like today, people wore face masks when venturing out in public, hospitals were overwhelmed and health care workers risked their lives to care for the sick and dying. The story begins in a very lighthearted way, with the children playing and the family enjoying meals together during this time of quarantine. Lydia's dad worked in a store and was somewhat unconvinced that shutting down many businesses, public spaces, and churches was necessary. That is, until he comes home from work for lunch one day and doesn't feel well. By the next day, he, his wife and baby are all infected with the flu. The day after that, they have all died, leaving Lydia and Daniel orphaned. The doctors would not come to the home of a victim because this flu was so contagious, so many people all over the country and the world were dying. According to Lowry, in her historical notes, "there had been 675,000 deaths in the United States, much larger numbers than those who died in World War I. The actual worldwide mortality statistics are not known, but estimates range from 50 to 100 million deaths." The children stay with their aunt, uncle and cousins for a short time at their farm in Gray, but are soon taken in by the Shakers of Sabbathday Lake. Unfamiliar with the Shakers' religious philosophy and ways of life, the children have a difficult time learning to adapt. Although Daniel has a much more difficult time, both children eventually learn the Shakers' ways and feel loved, cared for, and included. I would highly recommend "Like the Willow Tree," a very timely, heartwarming book with a rich historical backdrop, well-researched by the author.

A Wet and Windy Walk

Our school is now beginning Week 5 of online instruction. It still doesn't seem quite real, but we've been told that we'll be staying home throughout the remainder of the school year. Online is how we'll be teaching and learning. We all fully realize that sitting behind a computer screen for too long is not healthy for any teacher or student. It's important to get up and move every half hour or so. I could tell by looking out the window that there was a steady, pelting rain. I could tell that it was very windy as well. On this rainy, windy day, I decided to take a walk outside anyway. I wore a fleece jacket as well as a rain jacket, gloves, and boots. I grabbed my umbrella and headed out the door. But, I guess I wasn't quite prepared for the strength of this wind or the amount of rain that was falling. It was a day that required both hands on the umbrella. Some wind gusts threatened to pull it right away. It was tugging--no, grabbing--the umbrella and trying to take me away with it. Then the wind would die down temporarily, and it morphed into a light breeze, and although wet, the weather felt quite comfortable. I even unzipped my raincoat. But, that didn't last long. The strong wind came back with great gusto. Regardless of the crazy weather, the fresh air and little bit of exercise felt good. It recharged my batteries, so to speak. I was able to go back in the house, change out of my rain-soaked jeans and socks, and prepare a healthy lunch. After lunch, I'll be meeting virtually with the staff of our school on Zoom. It takes the place of our bi-weekly staff meeting, so we have an agenda and a time limit. I think we all look forward to "seeing" each other on the screen, waving, smiling, and joining in on a professional conversation with other adults.