Just want to talk: What are other seniors doing while staying home?

@funcountess Sounds like you’re keeping busy! Have you checked any of the other discussions in this Just Want to Talk group to see what others are up to? Or, maybe come join us for our virtual walking/exercise group! Here is the link:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lets-go-walking-join-me-for-a-virtual-walking-support-group/
Stay in touch with us!

Was kind of surprised my just want to talk message had few responses. Us seniors need to stay busy during these trying times. Sitting and watching t.v. For the latest cov19 announcements is not healthy, and can lead to added stress. Being home is staying safe. Still wondering what other seniors are doing to stay busy.

@funcountess, I modified the title of your discussion to "Just want to talk: What are other seniors doing while staying home?" to reflect the topic you'd like to discuss. That should help more people find it. This will be a busy topic, I'm sure. Let me jump start it by inviting a few people like @georgette12 @harriethodgson1 @IndianaScott @debraannk @ihtak46 and @rmftucker. What are you doing to stay busy during these stay at home orders? Have you resorted to naming the dust bunnies yet?

I have a Master's degree in art education. Since my forthcoming workbook for grieving children is illustrated by a doodle artist, I decided to try it. I ordered pens and a sketch pad from Amazon and started doodling. Surprise! I was pleased with the drawings. I'm sad that production of the workbook has been temporarily halted due to the pandemic. Hopefully, production will resume in a few months. I also love to cook and even wrote a cookbook. A couple of days ago I created a recipe for Rich Chocolate Cookies with Chocolate Chips. The cookies are soooo good! If you want the recipe, go to harriethodgson.com and click on the blog tab. Because I'm a writer, I've been working on an article for a website. Finally, I am savoring the time I spend with my paraplegic husband. We've been married for 62 years and always find interesting things to talk aboutl

@funcountess Do you sew? If you look up The Violet Protest online, these is a good art project going on. It’s political, but fun. Crossword puzzles, solitaire games, sudoku keep me busy. And reading. And dreaming up projects to send my grandchildren. 😁. I run out of energy quickly so everything takes me time. And we do Meals on Wheels since I can stay in the car while my husband delivers. And walk the dog!

Hi @funcountess I am Scott and I am lucky during this stay-at-home time. Our daughter was here visiting with her rescue Labrador, Stella, when both her state and our state went to stay-at-home so I have some company -- as does my Lab, Napa! That said, our daughter has commandeered my home office for her work, since luckily her firm is still working. So I am working at a makeshift workstation in our kitchen. Closer to snacks that way!

One of the things I have been doing is going through my Contacts list, old address books, etc. and reaching out to friends of old who I had fallen out of touch with. Just yesterday I found someone I hadn't seen/talked to from college days 47 years ago. We had a fun phone conversation and then I added him into a group email we have for some of us old college friends. It has started a fun thread, which includes some very humorous old photos!

I am also an amateur genealogist and this has been a good time to work on a few of those old loose ends of ancestors I didn't have time to work on before. Again, offering a chance to reach out to folks on the phone I have fallen out of touch with for awhile.

With the two Labs, I have added to my daily mileage walking and that is good too. Best part is they need to go out and exercise no matter rain, snow, wind, sleet, etc. so out I go too!

I also love to write so I have picked up pen and stationery, written many short, handwritten notes to others. Heck, I even reached out to my estranged sisters and that is something I thought would never happen!

I also have been looking for new quotes to inspire me. Found this one today "Good friends. Their paths may never cross again, but in their hearts they're on the road with no end. Where life will take us who can tell?"

It's helping me stay determined to find some of my lost friends of old!

Sending strength, courage, and peace in these unsettled times

@funcountess We just have to find things to do and you have a good start by cleaning out and using the carousels. I made ham and lentils soup, baked scones, made more soup cleaned as much as I can . Little at a time . Color , art work, any crafts, hobbies bring them from the past .So far Im not bored here . We all can do this . I look for things that will keep my grandson busy and send them to his Mom she is working at home and my son also

Well, my husband is isolated due to respiratory problems but I'm still working in home health care for a company and also privately. This pandemic is forcing me to really think about how to do my job while still protecting my husband. I also do all outside shopping and errands. I'm 76 and my husband is not quite 65. He started learning how to play the saxophone a few months ago. I mentioned this on the forum previously, and said that it has changed his life in so many ways. He's never played an instrument before and he had severe asthma as well. He also bought weight lifting equipment when his gym closed down. He doesn't really have a support system other than me, which I personally find difficult since my employment involves supporting others.

I'm really a people person and have a support system which is diametrically opposed to my husband. But we are figuring this out. Since I'm cleared to work with the disabled, I work flexible hours with clients I truly enjoy, and who are not very physically sick, but they do have emotional issues. I also do crisis and suicide prevention. This may sound strange but these activities keep me very happy and assuage my long-term depression and mental issues. I'm a writer by profession but I never write. I don't have a hobby or craft work and I hate exercise. I don't cook cause my husband was a professional chef. Unless I get the virus I'm gonna keep doing what I'm doing, but I am extremely aware of precautions while working and going into stores . Sorry for such a long answer but,boy, I've had to really make serious decisions as to if and how to work in a pandemic. Blessings

@georgette12 Your job is one from the heart . Be safe be proactive and take care for yourself as your husband relies on you and others .