The Silver Lining Project

Brain cancer is...

 ...prone to projects.

We like projects.  Especially now, apparently.  Above you see the Cupboard Cleaning Project.  We also are in the midst of a number of projects to include the Bird Journal Project, the Toilet Seat Project, the Email Reduction Project, the Earring Project, the Skunk War Project, the Nova Scrapbook Project, the Map Wall Project, the Deep Yard Work Project, and the Watch Outlander Project.

Today we take a break from our regularly scheduled projects for this breaking news project:  The Silver Lining Project.  In the Silver Lining Project, we explicitly list the tiny square inches of silver lining that we notice in the midst of life during the pandemic.

(Side note:  We also have lists called "Things We Miss" and "Deep Concerns," but those lists don't need attention from us; they seem to sustain themselves, unfortunately.  The Silver Lining Project is to keep those other lists from taking over our souls.)

Here is our inaugural listing of shiny square inches of silver lining, many of which you've contributed to already:

• We see our neighbors out now more than ever, waving and smiling as they play ball and walk their dogs.
• We have stopped complaining about strength training.  Our home gym looks pretty great when we hear all the troubles that you gym rats are having in finding alternate equipment.  Lesson learned.
• Christine points out that many people seem to be focusing more on fitness now that they have more flexible schedules.  We as a nation just may come out of this mess healthier.  Speaking of that...
• At our house, nearly every meal is a healthy meal now that we can't go out daily.  Check out the salads Darrell makes.  Talk about eating a rainbow!

• Because we're primarily walking in the neighborhood now, we're getting good landscaping ideas.  And we're seeing a wider range of colors than we see at the park.

• Chris points out that there is a new breed of creative internet humor arising from the situation.  Thanks for sending us things that make us laugh out loud!
• I'm saving lots of money not putting on make up or putting product in my hair.  
• We wear quitters (comfy clothes) every day.
• Bees are still working hard, and we have time to watch them work hard.

• We're meeting new and positive people.  Kristine invited me to meet Block 8 and do art together on Zoom.  They lifted my heart and made me look forward to fall semester.

• We're hanging out with faraway friends when we might not otherwise make the time.  The Colorado Grays and California Guillaumes got together today:

• We have more time to enjoy the Deep Yard Work Project.

• We connect more regularly with important people in our lives, using a greater variety of tech tools.
• We have time to branch out to watch more than Law and Order or Forensic Files in the evenings, which translates into that highly important square of silver lining:  more time for hand holding.

Friday. You made it, Team D.  Thank you for being in it together with us.

Today's Bloom

Backyard Monster:  Morning Glory.  Silver Lining:  Lovely