CoronaVirus Self-Isolation Week 7

I’ve finally had a few beautiful days and the energy to do a yoga class at home.  My yoga studio in Houston is holding online classes, but 11:00 a.m. in Houston is 6:00 p.m. here, and I’m at happy hour then, so that doesn’t work.  They sent me a video made by one of my instructors so I can follow it at any time.

Pro’s to doing yoga at home are that you don’t have to rush to make it by a particular time before they lock the door.  You don’t have to remember to put your mat in the car.  The con’s are that you may have to battle your dog for use of your yoga mat/blanket.

Tomorrow we’re all allowed to start walking outside!  Until now you could only walk a pet and only reasonably close to your home.  I’m lucky I have pets.  There have been jokes on the Internet about people in Spain borrowing other people’s pets so they can go outside, and others of people walking their goldfish or chickens.  Spain’s CoronaVirus confinement measures, which have been in place since March 14, are among the strictest in the world.

The walking privilege, however, is going to be regulated:  children and parents can walk between 12:00 noon and 7:00 p.m.; elderly (70 or over) can walk from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; the rest of us can walk from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.  For once I wish I was 70!!  And who walks for exercise at 11:00 p.m.?  I guess if you eat dinner at 10:00 p.m.  Last night I took the dogs out for their last walk before bed at about 10:30 p.m.  I was in my nightgown and robe.  My neighbor was outside grilling dinner for the family!  We’re so different.

I have to say I feel like I’m missing something.  I’m keeping my mind active with word games and puzzles, language learning, writing this blog, and a little work for the hospital when I have it.  And I’m keeping my body active (to some extent) with yoga and walking (though not as far as I’d like to walk up to now).  I have all the food and booze that I require and I’ve enjoyed making some new recipes (perhaps an upcoming post).  I have almost daily WhatsApp or FaceTime calls with friends and intermittent face-to-face conversations with my neighbors.  It all adds up, but I feel like something is missing.  I guess I just need to look a little harder.

Last year when I was here I felt challenged to adapt and assimilate.  I spent a couple of months alone in the winter.   I’m adapting to the alone-ness, but it’s different.  This challenge is on a different level.  I know I’ll be fine, but the uncertainty is a little unnerving.

Chins up!!  At least the weather is finally spring-like and perfect!! Yeah!