Growing in both numbers AND size! We’re chronicling our experiences during the #COVID-19 lockdowns, quarantines, and other restrictions. Special credit to Mayya S. in Herndon, VA, who came up with the idea for us to share our experiences.

Care to join us? 

RafifJ in Malaga, Spain: Still Percolating

I’m having a hard time articulating my thoughts, so I will simply put this out there: I’m really pissed off. Sometimes we need to let thoughts percolate a little before we can articulate them, and that’s what I’m doing – percolating. Like coffee. Yum. Coffee and…a cookie. Oh wait, I ate them all.

RJD let me use this screenshot. No idea where it originated. No copyright infringement intended.

Seriously. I usually use (silly) humor to deal with painful subjects, but I’m running out of humor. The more news I read and watch, the angrier I get. About how so many people put money over basic human decency. About how corruption and greed are destroying the planet. About the injustices of the world, like war and refugees and homelessness. Maybe, just maybe, this global pandemic will teach us that all these evils and injustices are really unnecessary. 

Like I said, I need my thoughts to percolate a little more. In the meantime, we have some nice posts below and I hope you enjoy them!

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Sunny in Frederick, Maryland: The Universe Throws Me a Bone

The TP gods smiled on me today.

Went to Costco to pick up a prescription. There, in the middle of the store was a lone package of 30 rolls. No one was in sight around it.

I sidled over and gingerly picked it up, expecting someone to jump out and yell, “THAT’S MINE!” But all was silent. I scurried over to self-checkout and then made my escape.

For three days I’d been stalking Costco for TP to no good end. Some days the universe just throws you a bone.

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From RJD in Beirut, Lebanon: Quarantined Introspection

In moments between waking and naps, between meals and keeping busy, I reflect and introspect about life and beings and earth and spirituality. So interesting to note that many cultures do not wear shoes inside their homes. With the age of Corona, no one should. Even without Corona, no one should. Especially in a dirty city like Beirut.

Other cultures greet one another with palms together and a bow. Namaste. Obviously, they are the smart ones, no? They don’t spread as many germs that way…me thinks…In the U.S., my sister and mother practically used to disinfect their eyelashes until they figured out that sterilization reduces immunity. In the age of Corona, we are disinfecting and sterilizing but I worry about our immunity. My hands definitely are not happy! Don’t forget to moisturize after washing.

Thoughts keep going through my head…more positive some negative. Today, I came to the conclusion that our quarantine in Lebanon needs to be extended (like Spain) for another few weeks, especially given the numbers of people gathering in various areas. The military and the police are holding down the fort today. For me, the quarantine really began today, now that people are getting tickets for being outside, or are being taken to jail for violating the lockdown. Definitely another two or three weeks more.

That brings me to how I am going to fill my time. After the jokes and making fun of ourselves (today’s best is: “My family and I are going for a picnic today, we are heading to our balcony!”), I think it is time to become more productive. Tomorrow, I am going to start a new regime…will tell you about it when I implement. For now, Beirut time, 5 pm, clapping time is here…

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Norma B. Wallace in Bend, Oregon: Acts of Kindness

In the middle of this chaos and craziness, simple acts of kindness are appreciated. Yesterday on a hike, I had to go over a high ridge to get to the River that was my goal. The rocks I had to climb over were wet and muddy.

A young woman with her two dogs first asked if I was okay with the dogs passing me. I was. She then said to be careful; she had already fallen twice. I wondered if I should continue. I started to crawl.

She encouraged me to go on—over the ridge it was fine. She showed me a better way, then waited below until I was on top of the ridge and okay. I thanked her and she just said, “Of course.”

It was so beautiful on top to see the mountains. Then I walked down to the River and relaxed. Soaking in the sun and listening to the sounds of the water. I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy those moments if that woman hadn’t encouraged me.

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Tina F. in Fairfax, Virginia: Sunday Bloody Sunday

Today I joined the ranks of all the morons who think they are smart.

Yes, my friends, I had the brilliant idea to wake up at 6 am and head over to our nation’s capital, Washington DC. My husband and I were being so clever….Since everyone was staying home, the plan would be simple: we drive in and get a few photos of the cherry blossoms near the famous Tidal Basin (a place we have avoided for years because of crowds) and drive right back.

You see, I’m a photographer. My husband has become my driver so I can pop out of the car and photograph with no need to park.

Well SURPRISE, SURPRISE!! We ain’t so clever after all!! So many people had the same idea. Apparently, there was such a large crowd there yesterday that starting today, the park police decided to close the roads and parking lots surrounding the Tidal Basin. Do you think that stopped the diehard cherry blossom seekers? Of course not! People were out en masse.

Can’t drive to it? No problem, we will walk. WTF?? Entire families were out for a stroll, not worrying about keeping their distances. I had my mouth and nose covered and kept a hefty distance from anyone I saw. I walked in the middle of the closed roads while others strolled on the crowded sidewalk. I managed to snap my shots and got the heck out of there.

Today I understood why we have to implement total lockdowns. In Washington, D.C., we should be next because this lack of judgment is disconcerting. We are all morons. Myself included.

But on an even more important note, as I walked back to the car I saw something that hit me hard.

Do you think a lockdown will help get these people indoors?

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Roula B. in Falls Church, Virginia: Hunger Games

I woke up this morning feeling like a million bucks, except that I woke up a much fatter version of me of a month ago, so add $50. Yep, the pounds are creeping on as an added ‘benefit’ of this lockdown/social distancing thing. Frankly, I don’t even know where my town falls on the hunker-down scale anymore. There are lots of rumors but also a kind of hush around the DC area with all the closings. The roads and highways continue to be quiet, but we’re still allowed to shop for food and essentials with ease. Most restaurants and cafes are operating on take-out basis only, so food is one of the few things widely available and accessible. It’s a double-edged sword. Stay home, you eat; go out, not much to do but buy food or eat it. Well, now that I’m aware of the problem, I can tackle it…. after I finish this last bag of avocado oil chips.

So I woke up feeling great because before I went to bed last night, I got a message from a yoga friend asking if I was willing to participate in a taping of a Kundalini yoga class (a trio really) given by my favorite teacher guru. She and I would be the only students while the teacher taught us and the camera. A rare opportunity to get out and do something half-normal with real people who I know and love. How could I pass it up?

You see, in an effort to serve the community and to survive, many of the yoga studios in the area have gone live online and/or relied on studio recordings. I’ve tried and enjoyed some of those classes, but there’s nothing like the energy and vibration one gets from practicing with a group of people in the same room. We’re all breathing and moving together (well, for the most part), shifting the energy and sharing this certain oneness that’s held and guided by the presence of a teacher who’s walking around assisting students…with BARE HANDS!

I guess I’m also heavier because my body is sad. Our bodies NEED to be close to others in space; to move, touch, hug, and kiss. This social distancing phenomenon is making my body so sad it wants to eat all the time because it’s now only allowed to freely touch or kiss food and drink. I already miss normal yoga classes with live people. I already miss teaching yoga. The building where I live has closed off all community spaces, so I had to cancel my last two classes.

After taping the Kundalini class this morning, I hopped in my car to head home when my alarm went off. I had set it to alert me that Marianne Williamson’s Global Prayer for a Miracle was going to happen at noon EST (in five minutes). Since I happened to be very close to my favorite outdoor meditation labyrinth, I turned the car and made my way there. I recited the global prayer tearfully.

I think I’ll be returning to this labyrinth regularly in my foreseeable, restricted future. An open-air space with nothing to eat and a chance to move the body and relax the mind is exactly what’s needed right now. Grateful.

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