I Saw 3 Shipts Come Sailing (and other new traditions)

What a year, huh? What with COVID and other difficult things we’ve all been dealing with, how our lives have changed. I hope you and your loved ones are safe and well. The holiday season is different, for sure, but I hope you will find ways to celebrate and maybe discover some new traditions.

I’m reflecting on some positive aspects of 2020 that I can be grateful for, and I’ve actually found some. Especially some new skill sets.

Zoom

I fumbled my way through learning how to Zoom (like Google, it’s become both a noun and a verb- the opposite of a gerund, it’s called “verbing”) and my friend introduced me to the phrase, “I’ll Zoomsee you later.”

Once I mastered how to unmute myself and put my picture up instead of video, I moved on to using a virtual background. Pretty sophisticated stuff. My virtual background is a photo of Rich and me on Ka’anapali Beach in Hawaii a few years ago. Oh, how I wish…

Because everything is virtual, we’ve been able to visit with our kids and grands to stay in touch. I’ve also been able to meet with teacher friends for ongoing “School Improvement” and “Unbelievable” meetings that I’ve missed since we moved to a different city.

When I advanced to air pods, I had to remember to leave them on my desk when visiting the bathroom during a Zoom meeting …

Once during a group Facebook chat, after giving a thumbs up to a friend in one of my writer’s groups, I stuck my phone in my sweatshirt pocket and headed to said bathroom unaware I had just started a Facebook video chat with the group. I heard voices and realized what I had done. I kept the phone turned toward my shower curtain and explained the call had been a mistake.

Online Shopping

Hasn’t online shopping saved the day? God bless all the essential workers who are out there. I am so grateful to all of you. We are in the high-risk category due to age. Wow, I never thought I’d say that sentence.

We learned about Shipt and Instacart, and FedEx tracking. At the beginning of the pandemic, I was wiping down or washing everything that came from the store, including produce, with soapy water. One day we were eating melon, and I said to Rich, “This melon tastes funny. It tastes like …” I struggled to find a descriptive word. “Soap?” he answered. Yup. I started to just rinse the produce.

Stretching My Author Toolkit

My 7^th book, Exposed, was published in September. Rich did the cover, which I love. We are both currently working on the audiobook edition of The Last Crossing. I am simply narrating it; Rich is doing the heavy lifting with all the technical work. Another new skill set for both of us.

Carrying Dog Treats

We’ve been walking every day for our physical and mental health. As a result, we’ve gotten to know a few neighborhood dogs. My heart soars every time Sadie, a chocolate lab, spots me approaching and bounds down the sidewalk to greet me. Her owner told me if I gave her a dog biscuit, she’d follow me home. So, I immediately bought a box of dog biscuits. (Sadie never followed me home.)

I kept one in my pocket for my next walk, and every house with a dog I passed greeted me with hopeful barking. I learned to put the treats in a Ziploc bag. And carry more than one for Sadie, Lexi, Lulu, etc., and, of course, have some for our granddog, Jackie.

So many changes from last year, right? But I’ve learned new skills and will continue to write books and buy dog biscuits. I am hopeful that 2021 will bring good health and healing to all, including our country. My wish for you is a peaceful Christmas a hope-filled, joy-filled, Happier New Year.