40 days and 40 nights since the "stay at home" directive. That's how long it rained while Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham, and Japeth bobbed around in their handmade ark. Their unnamed wives were also with them, along with every beast and every creeping thing that creeps on earth. Whenever I start to get that trapped, closed-in feeling, I remind myself of Noah's unnamed wife, cooped up in the pre-dramamine ark--the roiling sea, the named men, and every beast and every creeping thing that creeps on earth. She probably had to do all of the work, cleaning up after all of those men, and beasts, and creepy crawlies. I hope the daughters-in-law pitched in. Even so it had to be a lot.. On top of all the work she was trapped there with Noah, who was in his 600th year. I bet he was one grouchy old man. So here I am in my dry land ark, with an undemanding companionable dog.. Maybe there are a few unseen creepy crawlies, but not so's you'd notice. Groceries delivered to my door. The phone, Zoom, the Internet connections. My thanks to Mrs. Noah for reminding me of that expansiveness of my life, even during this "stay at home" time.

My heart goes out to so many who've lost jobs during this pandemic, and to the over worked and under protected health care workers putting themselves at risk for the sake of others. I worry that restaurants and other small businesses may not survive these months  of shut downs. I know I'm extremely fortunate to be safe and comfortable at home, living without fear of a personal financial hardship. Nevertheless, there are challenges that go with the stay at home directive, and with the resulting social isolation. One of the challenges may be getting into my regular clothes after months in sweat pants, snacking at will. For now. though, I miss the personal contact with friends and family that I've long taken for granted. I'm ordering groceries on line these days and I miss being able to pop into the grocery store, or any other store, at will. I miss my monthly poker games! That said, I'm also experiencing unforetold benefits with this process of sheltering at home. I'll save that information for the next blog. In the meantime, I hope you are all staying healthy, nurturing your soul with good books, and managing the challenges this strange time brings to you.