We have tried so many new recipes and food in general. Completed things around the house. We're even talking much bigger projects, like installing a custom closet in the upstairs room they added on and my son uses as a sort of suite, bedroom one end, sitting area on the other end. My garden stays weeded. I'm rested. Some costs have gone down (some have gone up, but the down outweigh). There's no wear and tear on my car; I used to spend an hour and a half a day in traffic. The closing on my Mom's condo happened sooner as the buyers saw the writing on the wall and needed to get here and get done. Mom needed the money. I'm here for my son who has been struggling. He finally hunkered down and I walked him through getting help for depression (genetically predisposed, COVID-19 pushed him that last step to do something). I appreciate my Mom is still here. I don't know that she'll ever understand what's going on, but maybe soon I can hug her again. My cat is in a similar boat. She's old and has kidney failure. I love that she is in my lap every moment I'm sitting still. I think it's a comfort for her. Now if I can just get motivated and lose the weight I regained, I'll at least be able to avoid going out to eat, which my friends at work always ask. Now, we just Zoom and no food involved! Far fewer calories.

rob, you reminded me of how, when I was working and it was in the afternoon on a cold dank day, and I'd be so tired, I'd want nothing more than to go home and "help the kitties" as I knew they'd be curled up, sound asleep, and wanted to join them. Now I can!

Yes our book group no longer has snacks and desserts, so far fewer calories. Also, I used to run out after dinner to the store to buy ice cream when I had a craving for a late snack. Now I ask myself, is it worth risking exposure to the virus? Nope. So I've been working on other substitutes such as an orange or applesauce instead. Far better for me. (I don't buy ice cream on a regular shop as, regardless of how much I buy, it's gone in the same amount of time...zero control when it comes to ice cream!)

On the few occasions I’ve had to venture out, I’ve been delighted by the almost empty roads. I’ve always been slightly thrilled by environments that feel uninhabited by other people.

Sleeping when I feel tired, getting up when I feel like it.

Enjoying cooking in a relaxed frame of mind.

Pottering more in the garden, and as of this morning, being almost within touching distance of my favourite blackbird, who I’ve recently named Napoleon.

I’d opened the door to go out to feed him as usual, but as the ground was wet I’d backtracked into the kitchen to put some shoes on. When I turned round he was standing right outside the door. He hopped away as approached again, but as soon as I’d crouched down to place his sultanas under ‘his’ hydrangea bush, he hopped right up to me to start pecking up his treats. His growing trust in me feels very satisfying.

I’ve also been ringing my family more often, but have noticed quite different responses to the standard “How are you?” question. Some are absolutely fine, others really dislike the lock down.

The other noticeable difference is a complete absence of headaches and any discomfort in my stomach. Stress free living suits me fine.

I think we should shut the whole world down for a month every year and let the Earth and ourselves rest and recuperate. June would be a good month where the climate allows most of us to get outside, start our gardens, and spring-clean. Schools would only have to close a few weeks early and they'd open back up in mid-August. If it was an annual occurrence, we'd prepare so there wouldn't be the panic that happened this time.

I love the lack of traffic. I go for walks every day that the weather allows and can easily cross streets and walk along the sides of roads where it is normally life threatening because of the cars. I love running into old friends I rarely see because they are normally at work, on vacation or busy with life. We stop and chat and it’s a pleasure.

I finished one jigsaw puzzle and have another ready to go.

I am thrilled that my son and his SO are spending much more time together since her office is closed. They count on each other and seem closer . Now if they would just get married!

Im also kind of enjoying letting my hair grow long again. It’s not the most flattering look for someone my age but it’s fun to see it again, and I have a good excuse for looking like an old hippie.

The animals/mammels in the state parks and in the oceans have been free to live and hopefully thrive in their natural habitats. I know we humans love to hike & camp and swim but we must remember that that is their home and should respect if more.

My one personal silver lining is I have been given the opportunity to see what my retirement will be like.

SamKaren Your resident dj

It was nice to see clearer skies and experience less traffic.

My silver lining is, I’m not as afraid to Master the Art of French Cooking! We have used the book a few times, and this morning DH made the best omelet. I had checked out several French Chef videos just before the library closed, and it’s great to see her technique. As DH says, she is not refined, graceful, and elegant, but she is all in and there is no editing going on.

Fun2BHere, clearer skies? DH is bemoaning skies bereft of aircraft! And his flight forums are quiet, except when some interesting change occurs, like the new requirement that even with fewer flights, they still have to service smaller markets, so there are some very odd routes for now.

Toby, I know what you mean. This is like a sabbatical, for us and for the earth. For some, it’s actually more work; I don’t have to teach my children at home, and I didn’t have to pivot my work to home, I don’t have a job that relies on in-person contact. I’m lucky.

Bpath, try Julia Child's recipe for Supremes. It is our favorite recipe.

I had a nice call from our daughter in Texas the other day. I don't know when we have had such a leisurely chat. She usually calls as she is driving somewhere, and the call tends to be the duration of that drive. Since she lives in a small suburb of Ft Worth, 3 or 4 minutes would be it. Now she called, and one of the first things she said is how much she is enjoying the Covid 19 shut in. She says she has done projects around the house that she has put off, especially organizing all the china and silver plates and platters in their recently constructed china cabinets in their dining room. She inherited china and old silver platters and plates from her DHs family. Now she can actually use them. She has joined the boys in reading their online lessons and work sheets and likes that she fully understands what they are learning in 4th and 7th grade for a change. She is enjoying the leisurely family time such as family bike rides in their little suburb, gardening, and seeing the kids fish in their pond. And she laughs that she is the only one of her friends who does not have roots showing as she has always done her own highlighting. She recently gave her DH a hair cut, and he said he liked the results. They have always cut the boys' hair, but this was another first. She just loves the quiet family time and the break from the usual rat race pace.

Wish there was no traffic here. It hasn't changed. More people seem to be in the stores than ever before.

I'll feel bad for the animals when people start going out into the world again. It's sad that we pollute so much of the world and destroy it just by living.

The daughter of my cousin, who is now in Hospice after a 10 year battle with first thyroid cancer, and now a brain tumor said to me over the phone yesterday, "the blessing in this covid 19 is that my 2 sisters and I aren't working because of it. That allows us to be with our Mom and to support our Dad constantly through this worst of time for our family."

Yes a silver lining in this storm for that family.

I think the time families are spending together and the extra attention the pets are getting is a good thing.

The environment is getting a breather and the wildlife a break from human activity.

My credit card bill is half what it usually is.

The food we've been cooking has been fabulous - some of the best meals we've ever made.

I'm enjoying the peace and quiet and the down time.

The silver lining is not due to shelter in place but the fact DH retired last year. We have a stable income and savings. Feel so bad for those that cannot work at this time.

i try to be a one door shuts another one opens type of person. It has served me well when bad things have happened in the past. However this one just makes me angry. I hope the silver lining is the lesson some will learn about government overreach and how easily freedom can be lost though fear. Hopefully when this is over we will never let it happen again. I am happy people are out there protesting. I am glad to see youth questioning authority in my state full of compliant sheep. Maybe the silver lining will be a turning away from the tide of our freedoms being eaten away in the name of safety.