I never felt trapped during the months I was cooped up in my house — recovering from foot surgery and following the Governor’s stay-at-home order. There was physical therapy and Zoom meetings. And while I still have both of those things, I’ve been feeling trapped at home.
In the pre-foot injury and pre-Covid world, I’d be out of my house after sending Isabelle off to school early every morning. Now, I don’t even take Isabelle to school; she goes back to her bedroom. This means Ari and I have to stay home — every morning — since Isabelle isn’t old enough to stay home alone. (She’s tried to convince me to run errands with Ari and leave her home alone. I’ve politely told her she’s not ready for that yet.) And while I’ve taken the kids to the grocery store two mornings before the school day has begun, that kind of outing just hasn’t been cutting the mustard.
But this morning was different. There was another adult at home, which meant Ari and I were free for a few hours. First, we drove to the car wash, where we had the interior professionally cleaned for the first time since February! Then, I took him to the park to feed the ducks. (Some of them were uncharacteristically aggressive, which made me wonder if less people have been feeding them.) Then, we walked across the street so Ari could have a snack and I could grab a coffee. (I highly recommend a white lavender mocha if you ever have the chance to try one.) We sat on the patio and enjoyed watching the cars drive by on Broad Street.
That was it. We were home by 11:30. It didn’t matter that we did mundane things because we were out of the house having a lovely, ordinary morning with each other! If you disregard the masks we wore at the car wash and into the café, then it might as well have been 2019.
I could tell, as Ari and I spent time together, that he needed to be out of the house with me as much as I needed to be out with him
since he asked me if we could do it again tomorrow. In fact, we can do it for one more day — tomorrow! I’m not sure where we’ll go since he has a Zoom music class at 10 a.m., but I’m thinking a farmer’s market might be nice after we pick up some bread from the gluten-free bakery on the other side
of town.
As the weather grows colder, we will have less places to go. Plus, I’ll have webinars and other PD to prepare for later this fall. But right now, I am looking for every possible way to feel a bit freer before the long, Covid winter sets in.
Raising Literate Humans 
You capture the pleasure we are finding in small, regular things. It is real and matters! Your readers will all be glad you got out a bit with Ari, and wish for more chances, and some with Isabelle, and maybe even just for your self.
And the winter- you aren’t the only one thinking about that!
Trapped is a strong word. But in your piece you are wiggling your way out of being quite so trapped.
The winter will be long… unless we get lucky enough to have a vaccine!
I share this feeling of being cooped up, which for me has grown worse from my own bout w/ Covid-19. Reading your post reminded me of how “mundane” is driven by perspective and experience. Perhaps being home bound has taught us all to be more grateful for the simple freedoms we miss in our new normal. I hope your farmers market enforces public health protocols. Ours don’t, which makes me sad.
Oh, Glenda, I’m sorry to hear that you got hit with COVID-19. How is your recovery going?
We went to the only local market that has STRICT cleaning and masking policies. It was delightful as always!
Looking for “normal” was what I wrote about today too. From reading your posts I know you have had many “everyday” adventures- keeping it a bit fresh. I wonder if you will have winter picnics too?
I’ll have to check out your SOL tomorrow since I’m about to go to bed.
Wintertime picnics will happen if it’s very mild. Otherwise, we’ll do take-out.
No truer words – “It didn’t matter that we did mundane things because we were out of the house having a lovely, ordinary morning with each other!” I, too, am finding that it is absolutely essential to get out of the house…and all the better when you are with someone you love, no matter how trivial the errand. Loved this!
We had another morning of running around together today. Tomorrow we will be relegated to the house again. However, we’ll make it. We have a FaceTime call with our cousins who have a same-age son at 9:30 am tomorrow.
I’m so glad you got to have an “ordinary” day. Those are precious now, even more than before.
Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
These days are precious because the winter is looming!
Those small glimmers of ‘normal’ are so needed and sought.
Yes, they are indeed!
Your morning of errands, however ordinary as you describe them, sounds perfect! Sometimes, just a change of scenery is what we need. You’ve got a little time before the cold of winter sets in, so brainstorm about what else you could do to get out of the house! Are there any indoor ice rinks by you? It might be a fun change of pace (if not crowded and allowed by the social distancing guidelines in your state), and something you might be able to do with your children or even alone if you have the chance! I hope your chance to get out appears again after tomorrow’s outing! Grab it and go!
There are ice rinks, but I’m still in PT for my foot so I don’t think I’ll be able to hack that yet.
Stacey, I apologize for my insensitivity in suggesting the ice skating when you’ve had foot surgery. The skating was on my mind due to my son taking advantage of it as a stress relieving activity during the pandemic. I hope you continue to heal well. Thanks, again, for reading my post.
No worries! I was not offended.
It’s amazing what we truly appreciate now- just getting out of the house is so freeing. I hope you and Ari have more outings soon!
It has changed our perspective and what we value, that’s for sure!
The staying home alone has been an issue at our house too! Claire insists she can do it. My husband is more inclined to leave her than I am. But in May and June and July and I felt cooped up quite often – always surrounded by my kids and though I love them, sometimes I just needed to have a few minutes! I started leaving them both home while I went for a walk. I had my phone and I left them with a way to call and I took off – never more than about 10 minutes away, and always on a route they could use to find me if necessary. They were delighted to be home alone and spent most of the time sneaking snacks. 🙂
I can imagine them sneaking snacks. I bet Iz would consider that!
It’s cool for you to share your morning out of the house at last with your husband. Since it’s a journey that has become the exception rather than the rule, we must pay more attention to planning, like y’all did.