Our stock of grass is almost depleted.

This is the goal people. 

I'm having an existential crisis.

We've been ordered (for lack of a better word) to stay home.
For me it was easy as I didn't have many appointments at this time and don't until the 16th of April.  Honestly, the feet can wait 8 weeks in most cases.  It's not great, but they'll be fine. Maybe at that time in April, things will be better.  Who knows?

EM on the other hand has passed a week and a half of stress, trying to keep his team working and engaged from home, even when there is little to do.  He's also had the stress of not knowing how his company would plan their next step: people on vacation, people on partial unemployment?  Who?  For how long?  Needless to say, he's been a bit on edge.  He's part of the team in his company working on how to handle this extrodinary situation.  Yesterday at the end of the day, finally was the 'conf call' to know who would keep working and who wouldn't.  Those 'off 'are to take vacations days for the next week.   EM came downstairs saying: 'I want a beer'.  Alas, he was not identified as one of the people needed. That means that as of Monday he and all but one of his team would be on vacation.  So we broke out a bag of chips and cheered to a beer.  Then came a call from his boss saying that there was a mistake.  He will remain working...

He was ok with that.  At least things are clear for now with his team.  One less big stress.  It was still worth a midweek beer.

So why am I having a crisis?  Because we are not sick.  We have a nice house and a nice garden.  We love each other.  We are able to get food.  We live in the countryside where spring is blooming regardless of our human problems.  It seems so unjust that this confinement is not difficult for us.
I have to keep reminding myself that it's for the good of all of us.

Last night I was awaken from my sleep by a family in conflict.  We always sleep with the window in the bedroom open even just a bit.  Normally what wakes me are owls hooting or herons making pterodactyl like noises.  Once in a while, it's a neighbour having a party.  Soon it will be frogs.  But last night is was people yelling, children emploring their parents to stop, dogs barking.  I don't know where it was, but not far.  I hope they found a way through their problem.

I feel like I should be doing more. There is an online service where people who want to help out during this time and signup.  Unfortunately you can only be  between 18-60.  I'm too frigging old!!
There is one thing we can do and that is give blood. That's possible up to 70 years of age.  I've already mentioned it to EM and I'm going to say it again.

I've been communicating with someone from our town hall as they saw the article that was written about me and eXXpedition by a local paper.  The timing of that article couldn't have been more wrong.  eXXpedition has postponed the trip for a year and all of us are stuck inside because of this global pandemic.  Who cares about some women off to sail around the world to study plastic! To tell the truth, I'm embaressed that it showed up at this moment.

Before our current situation arrived, I had wanted to reach out to our town hall because I would like to work with them to do a brand audit of the garbage they collect when they do their yearly community garbage walk.  My contact at the town hall is very interested in that.  They also want to do an article about me for the community news letter, when things get better.  (We live across the street from each other, but are communicating by email.)  I told him in my response that I want to help out in this time of confinement if possible.  Perhaps there are people in our community who can't get out or are lonely.  I could pick up their groceries or speak to them through the shutter.  I'm waiting with baited (for EM ) breath for his answer. (Did you know that waiting with bated breath in British English means that you are waiting in fear or suspense, while in American English is means waiting with excitement or fear?)

Here's something interesting related to our current situtation.  In France, Cannabis is still illegal.  The black market in drugs has litterally dried up with the enforement of confinement.  Interestingly enough, Wine cellars or stores selling alchohol are considered essential and open.  I checked with our wine seller Jef.  He's only open two hours on Friday and Saturday at this time.  (I think that is quite brave of him as he is diabetic.)

What are Catherine and Tile up to?  They are not on the same work detail, obviously.

Tiley on Patrol 

Too much weed. 

Announced this evening: 2 more weeks of lockdown for us - until April 15th