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A Bear's Guide to Winter


No cabin fever yet, and indeed when I attempted to take a child with me on a drive-through errand after we'd all been in quarantine for a week (so the Bigs missed ballet and ninja gymnastics) there was a meltdown over the prospect of leaving, so I'd say we've all adjusted pretty well to being home most of the time. Perhaps a little too well.


Less has been done than I hoped, but rest has also been possible since the things I wanted to do were pretty rather than essential. I have read a sizable stack of books, and one aloud to the Bigs (The Borrowers, and then we watched The Secret World of Arrietty). I've journaled with some regularity, finished a couple of commissions, and started several projects for myself.

I've also taken a lot of naps, sat in the sun, taken a surprising number of walks for January (some in short sleeves), and cared for a house full of sick people (including myself). The massive clean out/organizing project I hoped to complete has not even been started, but my deadline was arbitrary so the only consequence of not doing it is having less closet space than would be preferable.

I am grateful for the stash of books and bright projects that I amassed before setting out on this venture. I also deeply appreciate being able to add items to grocery pick up orders as I think of them before putting the order through once a week, because that both reduces forgotten items and eliminates the impulse purchases that come with in person shopping. Online community has kept me engaged, and it has also really helped that everyone in the house is in agreement about home being quite a lovely place to stay for the winter.

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