At-home learning #7

Before we get on with tips for stay-at-home learning, huge thanks to PVSC president Ann Torrey for a constant stream of links and ideas for this blog, and for amazing leadership in this very weird month of constant changes. Thanks to Administrative Assistant Sheila Krautkremer for doing a tremendous job of processing refund and donation requests, on top of getting our first online semester underway, then having to cancel it. And thanks to the entire PVSC Board, which has worked overtime to keep us on an even keel, with members their top priority.

We might need a new slogan for this quarantine: "Stay sane and use your brain!" So, on with it:

Start your memoir:
Yesterday we suggested a journal. Another approach: your life story, or some part(s) of it. If you don't think you have anything important to say, start with what's changed since you were a kid. After all, we've come through huge international events, from the Cold War to JFK to the space program, to say nothing of going from telephone party lines to videoconferencing. Maybe a little writing each day, so it doesn't seem overwhelming?

Keep informed about Covid-19:
The New York Times has a free newsletter:
https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/coronavirus-briefing?te=1&nl=morning-briefing&emc=edit_nn_20200322&campaign_id=9&instance_id=16976&segment_id=22540&user_id=a36a676a73b375d8813b3a15abd8d024&regi_id=6978501820200322

Sing:
When was the last time you sang out loud? It's impossible to be depressed when you're singing. Rusty vocal chords? Nobody cares. Take inspiration from the Italians:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DfF5kOqOjo



Have a virtual party:
My kids and I had a cocktail party. We each created a cocktail or non-alcoholic party drink from ingredients on hand and gave it a name. At 5:30 we posted photos and chatted via text.
Photo: my invention, "Washington's Monument."

There are endless possibilities: a cookie party, appetizer party, smoothie party.