My Life
The Daily Life of Mr. Jensen Making History
Ok, The governor of Missouri put the state on a Stay at Home order for the whole state. What does that mean? It means that you should stay safe at home. If you are in your home, you cannot get the Coronavirus. Does it mean you cannot go out? No, you can go outside and relax, play in your yard, take a walk. Just stay away from other people. Don't go to the store, or the park and play with your friends. Stay Safe at Home that's what it is all about. Now, you can go to the store to get supplies, go to pick up food from a restaurant, just stay safe at home. Catch up on all the reading you should have been doing all year. Talk to your friends on the phone. You can even try to get your parents to set up a video chat with family or friends. Imagine what it was like in 1918-1919 when the Spanish Flu hit the US. most people didn't even have phones or tv's. No video games, no tv shows. Wow, how did they survive. Well, I will tell you. I know this from reading and research, wink wink. People in the early 1900's had really good relationships with the family. They played games, talked, sang,and even read with each other. On some nights, if they had a radio, they would sit around the radio and listened to people telling stories or newscasts of current events. Did they miss the electronic gadgets? Of course not! you con't miss what you never had. Times were different then. Times are different now. Back when I was young I would be typing this on a typewriter. If I made a spelling mistake I had to start over with a new piece of paper. No little red squiggle under the words. You really had to pay attention to spelling. I do like todays times
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No, I don't really have a fever. I have the overwhelming urge to be outside. Being that there is a pandemic in the US and we are told, not ordered yet, to stay inside I need to go against the grain. You know, be a rebel. The good part is that I live out where not many people live. I can go outside and work in the yard, or take a walk and not come in contact with anyone. Spring time is Garden Time. Last year Mrs. Jensen and I did not have a garden. We did have a few tomato plants, but that is all we could manage. You see, it was about a year ago that she was diagnosed with cancer. A year later, and lots, I mean lots of doctor appointments an some surgeries, she seems to have beaten her cancer. This year I plan on having a full garden. I am already plotting it out. All I need to do is get it tilled up and then get some seeds and plants. This year with the unexpected time home I am planning on putting in the biggest garden I have ever had. Some people would say it is a small garden, but to me it will be the biggest. I believe we need to keep our minds busy. In this time of fear we need to distract ourselves in order not to dwell on everything that is going on in the outside world. If we let fear take over our life all we would be able to do is lie on our beds curled up in a ball out of fear. Now, we need to be cautious, but not fearful. The world, and our community will overcome the issue at hand. It might take a little time, but if we are smart, we will remain strong and beat this pandemic. We just need to remember, Be smart, be safe, be strong!
It is the weekend. But with all the Wellness Break days we have had so far I feel that everyday is the weekend. Hey, since Monday rhymes with Sunday can we consider it the weekend too? Guess not. Well, in trying to make this day as normal as possible I decided to start cleaning a fence row. Phil came over and helped me. He is a lot younge, and stronger, so I let him run the chain saw while I lopped the branches and added to the brush pile. It was while working i came to the realization that my house and property is like an island. I can be on my island and not have anyone, except Mrs. Jensen, around. With the need to Social Distance this is a good thing. Although I do find myself feeling antsy. We took the dogs for a walk, but that was over to quick. I ran to town to pick up dinner and support a local mexican food restaurant. I still feel like I need to do more. I am so glad that I have been meeting with my students a couple of times a week. This helps keeps me in touch with reality. Reality? what is reality these days. I never would have thought that I would be Staying home do to a pandemic. Like really, I never would have thought. I have heard and read about pandemics, but never in a million years thought one would happen in my lifetime. Working outside i see a few trucks drive by. I actually have the thought that I hope they do not stop to talk. That happens when you live in the country. Neighbors stop to see how you and your family are doing, you know, just to keep in touch. Not these few weeks though. The best you get is a drive by wave. People are being careful. The best we can do is keep as close to a daily routine as possible. I believe that this journal/blog is helping also. Well, I guess it is time to work on an activity for my students. Yes, work happens even though I am not at school. Be back tomorrow.
I have come to the realization that this thing, or may I say, this pandemic is big. I mean really big. Now, I am safe tucked away in my house away from others in order to keep from getting sick. It has come to our county after a very long journey from another continent Am I worried? Well, I would be lying if I said "Not at all," but I do not think I will get the virus. I have taken every caution in order to not get sick. I have "Social Distanced" myself from people I do not know when I have had to go to the store. Social Distance means staying at least six feet from those around me. When I do stay home, I find that I watch more news than normal, or check the news websites on my phone or computer. Right now I am in good health, trying to live a normal life considering. We were already off extra after Spring Break, calling the extra time off "Wellness Break." Then yesterday I just handed over the Video Conference with some 5th and 6th graders to my wife who is there Science teacher when the email came in. "Wellness Break" will be extended for another three weeks. Man, how my life has changed. I would normally have class face to face, not over the internet. I am supposed to have class at school, not from my home office. Whats next? I do not know, but I am sure I will find out in days to come.
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