Put your tape measure away. There are other ways to enforce that six-foot safe zone that keeps the coronavirus from reaching from the other person to you. CNN has put together a list of effective–yet fun–ways to determine what six feet actually is. We need this information, of course, but equally important is that we need this bit of levity. Go to https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/24/health/six-feet-social-distance-explainer-coronavirus-wellness/index.html
By now you’ve heard of some of the sellers who are taking advantage of shortages during the current virus pandemic (over $100 for a bottle of hand sanitizer on Amazon.com ?!). Most stores are not doing that, but a few are. REPORT THEM!
As so many of us are living in forced isolation, away from face-to-face contact with other humans, we have more time to think. Which isn’t always a good thing, because we allow fears to creep in, fear of an unknown future for us and out loved ones. I offer today’s Thursday Thought quote to give you an antidote–a way to expand your life rather than to allow it to contract.
So many people are doing so many kind, generous things for others during this coronavirus danger. But there are always those who want to take advantage. Read the HuffPost article Please Don’t Believe These Coronavirus Scams And Advice and be warned about hand sanitizers, herbal supplements and cures, drinking water, latex gloves, and more.
By the way, they explain why those deliveries you get from China may actually be safe.
Many of us, knowing how much it costs our environment to eat beef hamburgers, are trying veggie burgers and “impossible burgers.” The question is, though, which of these is better? This article, Which is the Greenest Burger, compares costs in terms of greenhouse emissions, water and land use, and genetically modified ingredients.
The Liberty Bell represents our nation’s aspirations. It’s good to think about it from time to time, especially now, when we need to focus on unity, not division. Here are a couple of interesting facts about it.
Crack: Nobody knows for sure when or how the crack happened. It’s been the center of much speculation, though, based less on fact and more on symbolism. One theory is that it cracked when our nation divided itself from Britain—during the Revolutionary War. Another is that it happened during Chief Justice John Marshall’s funeral. Despite little formal education, he rose to have great judicial influence on the direction of our country.
Ring: It hasn’t rung since 1846, during George Washington’s birthday. Maybe it had done its job. It was erected in 1752 and first rung when the Declaration of Independence was first read in 1776. We were totally independent when we had our first President.
Anyway, I think it’s time to cherish such icons as the Liberty Bell and Statue of Liberty, to remember we really are—all of us — “one nation under God,” and we should stop our bickering, hatred, and cruelty to each other and reunite as a nation.
Some days we get down on ourselves, thinking we don’t matter, that we’re not doing anything important. Today’s Thursday Thought quote is for those days.
Many of us are slaving over taxes–gathering those elusive receipts, adding up deductions, buying a do-it-yourself tax prep program like Turbo Tax or making an appointment with a tax preparer, and sweating over what we’ll end up owing. Take a break and enjoy this cartoon. You know you’ve always thought it.
Yes, you’d love to give more, but what can you do on such a tight budget? The answer: always keep others in mind. Use coupons and set aside the savings until you have, say, $20 to donate to a charity. Recycle often, keeping the money in a baggie in your purse—and give what you have to the next homeless person you meet. Watch for good 2-for-1 sales and donate that second box of cereal or sack of flour to a food bank, the food collection at your place of worship, or a family you know who needs it.
If you go to garage sales, pick up clothing and household items in good condition to give to a shelter for battered women or an organization helping disaster victims. Cashing in on a great sale on yarn? Get extra and make items for layette programs sponsored by many churches. We don’t need to be rich to make a difference; we just need to watch for opportunities to help make life better for others.