I know I'm not alone in this. And, in fact, I have been keeping busy as much as I can. I finally took my pile of shoes and made some order out of them. My blog is caught up.
But there are other projects I'm not doing. I find myself staring into space for no reason. I'm making monster progress on Candy Crush.
What is it about having time that makes us waste it?
I've been hearing that some people are putting out their Christmas lights again. Might as well, I guess. But I have yet to see this in person.
On Saturday, I went to a park for a walk. We are still allowed to go out for walks, and a lot of people are taking advantage of the time. I mean, it's good for us to get a bit of exercise (especially since the gyms are closed), and fresh air helps after being cooped up.
The park was fairly busy, although we did keep our distance from other groups. And on this walk, I noticed something interesting. Someone (or probably a family judging from the differing handwriting) had taken sidewalk chalk and wrote messages every few yards along the path.
These were encouraging messages, such as "Stay Calm" and "Breathe Deliberately". I, of course, did not have my phone with me, so I didn't take any pictures. (Mental note: bring phone on walks for pictures.)
I wonder at this group that did this. Are they writing messages all over town? Were they just bored? Or was it just a bit of nice to unleash in these uncertain times?
It's totally something others can duplicate. Feel free to steal the idea for your town. (That is, if you can get sidewalk chalk. If you don't have it on hand, you'll have to find a store that sells it that's still open. Probably doable, and you probably have the time to search.)
This photo wasn't in the park, but it was the same idea. (And I didn't think to take the photo until after dark, so apologies for the quality.)
Those are my shoes peeking in from the edge. I was going to crop them out, and then I thought I rather liked that they were there.
Nice messages. We all need a bit of cheering up
ReplyDeleteWe do.
DeleteI've seen things about putting Christmas lights back up, but I haven't been out to see if anyone is actually doing it. I've also seen things encouraging people to chalk messages in their driveways and walk around the neighborhood to read them. Again, I haven't been out to see if anyone is doing it.
ReplyDeleteI'm bored too. I have plenty of work to do from home, but I'm finding it hard to concentrate.
I did not hear about chalking messages in driveways. I guess that's where this family got the idea? And yes, it is hard to concentrate, isn't it? Take care.
DeleteNice of someone to spread some positive.
ReplyDeleteAlways take your phone, especially if you are alone.
Christmas lights??? Oh great. There's already a radio station around here that's going to play Christmas music on Fridays. They don't need more encouragement for this stuff. The sidewalk messages are a much better way to stay positive.
ReplyDeleteI'm working from home and my retired husband is downstairs while I am upstairs working. But I have library books I took out before the libraries closed and I haven't looked at one of them. Why? I think a lot of us are just staring into space. Well, time to take a walk. Didn't hear of the driveway thing, either.
ReplyDeleteThere is something about being forced to be at home that brings on the anxiety, and that doesn't help with focus. I have hundreds of books on my Nook, and I find I'm rereading books that I enjoyed. Perhaps that's the trick--stick with the familiar.
DeleteI love the idea about the chalk writing messages like that. I might mention that to DIL for her 14 year old daughter to do in the neighborhood. The wee one could scribble something and she could write something.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to stay at home and not get out too much and if you don't have work to go to. I found that when I was unemployed. I missed that sense of purpose like going to work and the afternoons seemed long to fill.
betty
My brother found encouraging words on his walk around the city we live in. I’m not bored, I’m working from home, but I can make cards, read, watch movies, organize things and walk.
ReplyDeleteAlas, I can't work from home. I have things to do, but there's something about being unemployed that takes the wind out of your sails.
DeleteIt amazing what people are doing these days.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely. Stay safe Liz x
ReplyDeleteThanks. You too. I've been reading your blog, but I can't comment (even on the individual posts, there is no comment box), so wishing you well from afar.
DeleteBest thinking is done in the back of our mind when we waste time. So I like to think. :-)
ReplyDeleteThat's clever! I can't do it here, since I'm not fluent in the prevalent language, but I would love to do something like that, especially on the sidewalk outside my favorite restaurants that are closed now.
ReplyDeleteThat would be great.
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