Captain’s Log 4 May 2020
First, let me say, may the fourth be with you. As I say that I wish there were such a thing as The Force. Wouldn’t it be lovely if someone or, many someones, could push this stupid virus away—banishing it to the outermost region of the galaxy to die in the frigid nothingness of space?
This week I made the mistake of reading some news articles. I read a few from several ends of the news spectrum and from various parts of the world. Whoa. Not a single article agreed on any aspect of the virus, its treatment, nor its containment. Shoot, some even questioned the veracity of the virus itself. I will keep from speaking any more on that subject except to say, I will refrain from reading any news related to the virus for the next 500 years. It is too depressing.
This is the last week of limbo-school for the kids. Thank God because, if it doesn’t end soon I may completely lose my marbles. Mark has been taking care of the schedule, they respond better to his way of setting out assignments than they do mine. I have been buzzing in and out helping them through those questions that stump them. But mostly I have been telling them to git ‘er dun. Which they completely ignore.
The boys are presently annoying the crap out of me with their inane discussions on any random thought they have, so as to avoid any actual use of brain power. The most recent argument was whether or not any country could (now or in the future) claim ownership of the moon. There were many hypotheses submitted but all were invalidated by my telling them to stop. Then by my telling them to stop louder. Then by my flat out yelling, STOP. Finally, Mark had to come sit in the same room with them to keep them quiet. They are still not actually working. The theme of our home school is apparently, Work for 5 minutes, Goof off for 25. Do my children really not understand that if they only just put their noses to the grindstone today and do their last few assignments, they can have summer earlier than ever before? No.
The weather here is beginning to be more consistently warm and that is glorious and also concerning. I spent several hours outside this week planting my few little seedlings and prepping containers for flowers. With the warmer weather people are having a harder time isolating themselves. This weekend three sets of neighbors stopped by at various times to chat. We of course were all outside and sat well away from one another but it was tough not bringing out food for everyone.
As we sat on the patio, 6ft away from one another, in place of our usual centerpiece of food was a (precious and limited) container of Clorox wipes. I am physically incapable of having people at my house and not offering them a drink or food. Circumstances being what they are, I offered bottled or canned drinks and set them down with a wipe on top so that our guests could wipe them down before imbibing. What the actual heck? Quarantine sucks.
Update, as I have taken 3 whole hours to write the last two paragraphs, Liam finished his last 2 assignments (will wonders never cease)! He has officially finished third grade work, praise God. I mean it. I am far more ecstatic now than I ever have been at the end of the school year. Is this how teachers feel? Now, just one more child to get through 5 more assignments and we are DONE! Does my excessive use of !!! properly convey my excitement, no.
This weekend is Mother’s Day. This is a day of contention for me most years. Mark’s university always (I mean Every.Stinking.Year) has graduation on Mother’s Day weekend. As if moms don’t give up enough all year long, they have to give up the ONE day dedicated to them for graduation. This is probably joyous to the mothers who are celebrating their child’s graduation. To mothers of university professors—not so much. Instead of brunch and making memories with family we moms married to professors get nothing. The day is given up every year to students I have never met. But this year is going to be different.
Don’t get me wrong, I feel for those seniors who don’t get to walk that stage and take their diplomas with their left hand while shaking with their right. I hate that they don’t get to flip that tassel to the other side. Not hearing Pomp and Circumstance played after 4 years of hard work is almost heartrending. But I get to have a Mother’s Day. And I am thrilled! What I will miss are those beautiful handmade projects from school that were made with love by my sons little hands. I will miss those smears of paint and collages full of more glue than paper. Maybe I can take a 4 hour walk and Mark and the boys will think to make Mama something that will make her tear up with joy and love.
Until next time…
Jocelyn