This post continues a series on our experiences under COVID-19, inspired by the realization that “we are all field collectors” in the effort to someday tell the story of what happened in 2020. Consider this an invitation to write your own stories of pandemic life, and to submit for publication on this blog–guidelines here.

By Melodee Leven Currier

I love being at home so being “quarantined” is just fine with me.  There simply aren’t enough hours in the day to do all I want to do.  All the years I was a single mother and had to work, I just wanted to be home and now that I am — I love it.

Since we have been quarantined, I can’t turn on the television without hearing about the “new normal.”  However, my world is still running on the “old normal” which could be confused with the “new.”

Isolation is being at home doing what I enjoy – time to do what I want, when I want, alone or with my husband, and not have to fight crowds. This is a complete turnaround from when I was younger and loved crowds — the louder the better.  I’m sure that’s why I need hearing aids now.

Quarantine couldn’t have come at a better time actually because my husband is now able to work from home.  Before quarantine, he was traveling every other week and I dreaded the weeks he had to travel.  So having him work from home is a dream come true for me.  He also makes all our trips to the grocery and I haven’t had to step out of the house since forced isolation began.

My biggest complaint with all this is — my hair.  I religiously get my hair cut and colored every four weeks.  It’s been five weeks now since I got it done last and I colored it today.  I pray the salons open back up before I have to color it again.  And if they don’t open soon, I’m going to look like the Wild Woman from Borneo.

Facebook friends complain vehemently about having to stay home. I don’t understand.  After I have my coffee and get dressed, hopefully before noon, I first do all the things I need to do — laundry, dishes, computer work, make bread and make sure we have enough toilet paper.  The rest of the day I spend watching mindless TV, meditating and pursuing other interests, such as reading and writing.

Things are getting even more interesting lately with announcements of online entertainment such as tours of museums and cities, staycation ideas, Broadway shows and more, seriously upgrading my daily schedule.

Just one thing — I still haven’t had time to fit in that jigsaw puzzle everyone is talking about.  Maybe tomorrow…

© 2020 Melodee Currier

Melodee Currier left corporate America in 2008 where she was an intellectual property paralegal. Since then she has devoted her time to writing and has had five eBooks (www.amazon.com/author/melodeecurrier) and numerous articles published on a wide variety of topics.  Her articles can be read on her website www.melodeecurrier.com.  Mel is an occasional contributor to True Stories Well Told.