[VeeJay]

Many are stuck at home for what looks like several more weeks.
If you are one of them, what are you doing to keep yourself occupied.

Of course, there's long-neglected housework and closet cleaning that probably should be done while one has the opportunity and time. Not fun, but passes the time.

I do a lot of paper crafts and am so glad for it because it's interesting and doesn't require being with a group of people. With all the supplies I already have here at the house, I could keep busy for quite a long time. I belong to an online group that exchanges what are called Art Trading Cards (ATCs) which are mailed back and forth. Talk about social distancing! :vs_laugh:

Looking forward to a bit warmer and dryer weather and I'll be outside doing something in the yard.

 

[itissteve]

Yup, yard work will have to wait a bit here, too, though we're already seeing tubers (lilies, crocuses, etc.) peek through the snow and mulch. I never thought I'd say that I'm looking forward to doing yard work, but these are odd times.

DW now is working from home so I remain the househusband. Yesterday's big project was to defrost our extra freezer. It runs better, I can get rid of (or use up) the stuff we forgot was in there, and now there's room to stock up again.

I've also done a lot of digital cleaning, getting rid of electronic copies of receipts for stuff we no longer even own, trashing recipes I'll never make again, cleaning my email inboxes, and so on. Feels good to throw that stuff out!

 

[Apercula]

My life hasn't changed much. I'm a single guy living alone, and I work as a residential assistant for the local mental health agency in one of our group homes that requires 24/7 staffing. So I am still going to work.

I have decided to plant a small veggie garden this year, so I have been working in the yard as weather permits. I have become really sensitive to cold so I'm not going out there unless it is 50 fahrenheit or more. In house I have been doing some cleaning and organizing, and was working on a workbench for my basement when I got sick in January, so I have that project to get back on sometime.

 

[TooSweetForMe]

I have given Mom's bedroom a make-over. No painting or anything like that, just new sheets and comforter. Other than that, trying to keep a consistent schedule for Mom's sake as much as my sanity.

 

[VeeJay]

Having some kind of structure to the day is vital. It's so easy to just get lazy and sit around doing nothing... and eat!

 

[robertprice]

I would never wish my circumstances on anyone, wife died, living alone, nearest family 800 miles away. That said, retired and having an almost reclusive existence does have some advantages. Been this way for years so I've learned to "entertain" myself with projects, hobbies, and most wonderful is my online public library. I'm an insatiable reader so there is literally no end to new books.

Hope all my friends here do well and we continue to move forward.

 

[VeeJay]

Our library just announced today that they will be closed until the end of April (they've already been closed for the last two weeks.) I'm an avid reader - of books (you know, the things you hold in your hand and turn the pages?) I ordered my first e-book from the library just a few minutes ago. Have had to bite the bullet and do this if I want to continue reading. Perhaps I'll even like it.

 

[robertprice]

library

I view mine on my computer. Took a bit to get used to it, but now love it. At my age [80] vision is a problem with the often small fonts in hard books, but online, I can easily increase the size with a click.

 

[etherea]

I use my library app to listen to audiobooks. I haven't gotten used to reading on the screen.

 

[robertprice]

I use my library app to listen to audiobooks. I haven't gotten used to reading on the screen.

Heh, when you get old and can't read the fine print then it's wonderful to make it LARGE

 

[itissteve]

I like reading on my laptop. Like robertprice says, you can adjust font size, brightness of the "page", and I really like coming across a word I don't know, selecting it and three-finger clicking for a dictionary definition or reading something I want to know more about and right-clicking to search for it on the Web. I can't do that with a book!

 

[Apercula]

Lowes delivered my garden today, some assembly required - 32 12inch by 12inch concrete pavers to make the raised bed, and 24 bags of soil, will need more soil.
I just spent an hour unloading the pallet of supplies.

I am going to stand the pavers on edge about 4inches deep so the bed will end up 12feet by 4 feet by 8 inches deep. I have 36 green bean plants started and 4 rows each of beets (for the greens) and radishes. I will probably do a couple each of zuchini and tomato once we get to the right weather.

 

[VeeJay]

WOW, Apercula, that's an ambitious project.

 

[itissteve]

WOW, Apercula, that's an ambitious project.

Yeah, that's the kind of project I find hugely appealing when it's a long, dark -20* F night here -- my commitment to which melts like the winter ice when it gets above freezing... lain:

 

[Apercula]

It is easier to commit to when you are sitting on the computer looking at the Lowes website picking out supplies than it is when the stuff is on a pallet in your driveway between the car and the road.

 

[Apercula]

My radish starts are emerging today. When I woke up there was about a dozen just barely out of the potting soil, latest count is 45 with the tallest over an inch already.

 

[itissteve]

I really should think about growing lettuce and radishes this summer. I can even do that inside, without those pesky bugs and the humidity...

 

[moon]

I'm puttering. Before the Stay at Home order, I was already self-isolating because of health issues so got a couple weeks jump on everyone else. The screen door slider to a patio locked in place and I had to cut the screen to get out there. So my last outing was to get some preparatory goods and food, and screening and a tool for the job.

Yes, I know this is a simple task for most people, but it's a bit daunting for me (mobility issues among others). But - I want that screen in and that's a powerful motivator. Will be a project for ... tomorrow. Or the day after. Definitely for when the days are warmer.

Was in the midst of organizing and purging before self-imposed lockdown and am continuing with that though with a smidge less vigor. Am sure I'll get a second wind but the SUV is loaded with donations and no place to drop them off.

 

[Apercula]

I had to build a rack to hang my grow light this morning. In the first day the radishes were already stretching for light. Beets are starting to break out today. I think all the radishes that are going to sprout have, about 70 plants, I will have more radish greens than I can eat pretty soon.

 

[itissteve]

I love radish greens, but they are pretty fragile (they seem to stay fresh as long as spinach does, which isn't long). And it's so hard to find radishes in the store with those nice tops. Too bad you can't mail the ones you can't eat!