On The Road to Restore Illinois
/The focus of this week has been preparing for the stay-at-home order to end and the recovery phase to begin. Starting this Friday, May 29th, manufacturing, offices, retail, barbershops and salons, summer programs, outdoor recreation activities, and bars and restaurants for outdoor seating can reopen in much of the state. While this is great news for many businesses, employees and folks who are going stir-crazy, remember - the virus is still out there are we still need to take precautions.
My week started off like many you - with heavy rains that flooded the streets, and our basements. This kept me doubly busy - covering traffic in my “kitchen studio,” while waiting for several inches of water to recede from my basement.
This was also the week that, for whatever reason, Lola decided she needed to be right there next to me while I was working. Rather than listening to her whine all morning, I moved her bed under my monitor and made her my “Traffic Assistant!” (What you DON’T see on TV!)
By mid-week the rains had subsided and the temperatures were on their way up. With masks and gloves Sara and I made our way to Home Depot to get our garden started. We planted all kinds of herbs and vegetables, along with several bright flower pots. Not only was this therapeutic, it gave me a great idea for my “Virtual Weekender” this Friday!
Not knowing how much longer I’ll be working from home, I figured I should make the best of my time here by catching up on reading (already finished two novels) and binge-watching. Yes, I gave in and watched the “Tiger King” series in a few days. Before you criticize, remember, being in the media I need to know what’s trending, so think of this as “research” for work!
And now, for that great idea for “Virtual Weekender.” The Chicago Botanic Garden is doing weekly on-line tips on how to grow your own “Victory Garden.” Since I have only been broadcasting from INSIDE my house, I thought this would be a perfect time to try setting things up OUTSIDE - in front of my newly planted garden!
It has always been our tradition to head up to our place in Wisconsin on Memorial Day Weekend. This year was no exception - however it was a very different trip. There was no traffic congestion, not even in the construction zones! We made it in record time without trying.
Usually when we go north we spend time at the cottage, head into town to do some shopping and have dinner in the Dells. We could have done that, as Wisconsin has reopened many businesses and restaurants ahead of Illinois. We did not. I only left the house to walk the dogs. As I said earlier, the virus is still out there.
That being said, we still had a wonderful, relaxing time! We spent time on the lake, had a classic movie night, let the fur babies enjoy the Wisconsin fresh air and let Lulu figure things out on her first trip up north!
In the middle of it all, I got the phone call of a life time - my amazing hair stylist, letting me know they’re re-opening Saturday and what time would I like to come in! I think that was the highlight of the weekend (no pun intended!)
Like everyone else, there are certain things I am very anxious to return to. But then again, I am very anxious in another way about returning too soon. As with all things during this pandemic, I’m approaching the recovery phase cautiously, one step at a time. I’ll leave you with a Monday Motivation - a soothing Wisconsin sunrise as we approach the week ahead. Just breathe.