Pandemic Year 1: November 2020

The start of this month was stressful for obvious reasons. Instead of Election Day, we’d have Election Month. I had been worried about supply chain issues so I made sure to get stocked up prior to election day, including two small turkey breasts. One for my parents, and one for me if we went into lockdown and I’d need to do a solo-turkey-day. I also picked up some distractions including a new Steiff Triceratops, some more craft kits, some new Tiki mugs, and some shelves. Yes, shelves.

I decided to take a few days off after Election Day since I figured we wouldn’t know the results right away. And what did I do with my 4 day weekend? I re-organized my home. Redid the pantry, created an organized craft nook. While not exciting its nice to know where everything is. And I finished up on Thursday/Friday in time for the announcement on Saturday for calling the election for Biden. And in that moment, I could breathe. A tension in my body just loosened. I felt calmer and happy. A feeling I hadn’t felt in, well years. Yes, COVID and Moron Mango will be devastating for more months (and with lasting effects), but there could now be light at the end of the tunnel. And yes, we’d have to deal with all of legal challenges, but things were looking better.

I celebrated with a pineapple mojito in a pineapple tiki mug.

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Then in the middle of the month the new Assassin’s Creed Valhalla was released. This time it is the age of Vikings. I didn’t play through much of the previous game, Odyssey, because I hated the ship warfare. I much prefer the smaller ships of Origins and Valhalla. I’ve not played it much, but I am enjoying it. And I’m using my new gaming chair!

Then I pretty much just went into Quarantine to prepare for Thanksgiving. Things in Colorado, and well everywhere else, are just getting worse. Two extended family members have gotten COVID this month. I know co-workers in Europe who got it. Instead of going into full lockdown the state created a new color on the dial. So we are in RED now, no private gatherings, no indoor dining, bars closed, most things at 10% capacity. We’ll not go into PURPLE or lockdown mode until the hospitals actually fail. How stupid is that?

As Thanksgiving approached we have been asked not to meet with anyone outside of your household. I was very torn. I’ve been so careful since March, hell since January. I’ve not gone anywhere, done anything, seen anyone. And my parents were Quarantining too. I felt horrible just going over to my parent’s nearby house for a few days for Dad’s birthday and Thanksgiving. But we’ve both done everything we could do.

For Dad’s birthday we made two versions of beef stroganoff, (mine was gluten free). I gave dad a mic, headphones, and software so he can start his podcast. Then for Thanksgiving Dad made the delicious food and sides like he normally does. It was great to get together with them. I hope I’ll be able to come back for Christmas, but I’m prepared for a solo one if we are locked down.

On Friday we met up with an outdoor socially distance parking lot to exchange gifts with my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew and then we drove and did the drive through lights called Christmas in Color. It was perfect for covid, with lights timed to Christmas music.