1. Today’s Recipe: 

Well, I’m not much of a cook, but during these homeschool days I have been doing some baking with my kids (I have twins who are 6.5), we have been counting it as a lesson- some reading, some math and then we enjoy eating our creations. A win win for everyone! 

2. Top Song Picks:

I love to listen to music when I run. I have a bunch of mellow music on my running playlists. Some Mumford and Sons, Florence and the Machine, Taylor Swift, Josh Ritter, Counting Crows, Ray LaMontagne etc. My family makes fun of my music choices and say- they bet I would run quite a bit faster if I upped the tempo of my musical selections. That is probably true, but I love my broody bro songs.

3. Good Kid-Friendly Activity:

We have been thinking of creative ways to involve the grandparents during this time of social distancing. So, I have asked all of them to come up with a lesson or activity that they are excited to teach and we add one in each day. We have had virtual baking and lots of grandparent reading time. My mom is planning a virtual gardening lesson this week and my dad had a fun idea to do a little magic show and then teach the kids some of his magic tricks, hopefully he won’t give away all of his secrets! I love this because it allows the grandparents to get creative and it keeps my kids connected to them. 

4. Proud Moment:

I am working hard to make homeschooling both fun and engaging. While the days are long, I have been having fun listening to my kids read to me and getting a closer look at what first grade really looks like. I’m not a math person, so I think this is about all that I can handle, thank goodness my kids are only in first grade! I was so proud when my son and daughter both announced that they like home school better than real school. I’ll take that as a win! 

5. Not-So-Proud Moment:

I was at my wit’s end the other day. I told my family I had a work call, and instead I crawled into bed and watched the latest episode of Gray’s Anatomy on my iPad. Desperate times call for desperate measures!

6. Whatcha Reading: 

I belong to a book club at The Silver Unicorn, my favorite local bookstore, located in Acton. This month’s selection is Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo. It chronicles the interconnected lives and experiences of women living in Britain. It is great so far. I have always been a big reader, and reading has always been a way for me to escape and transport myself to other places and times. Now more than ever I rely on reading to keep me sane and grounded. Pass along any good recommendations!

7. Great Adult Conversation:

I am a big extrovert, so this social distancing has been hard for me. Thanks to the amazing time we live in I have been able to have both meaningful and silly conversations and just check in with friends thanks to technology.  It is nice to see friends and feel normal in all this when we share the hard and funny things in our days. I am thankful that we are not back to the days of one family phone, being interrupted in the middle of a call by my mom trying to call my Grandma! “Stop tying up the phone line!”

8. Who was the Helper in your Community Today (Inspired by Mr. Rogers, of course!):

The superintendent of Concord Public Schools, Dr. Laurie Hunter, has been amazing through all of this. She has kept us all well-informed and connected through this trying time and has been so thoughtful in her overseeing of the digital learning world, uncharted territory for so many of us. 

9. Movie/Show Recommendation:

One of my guilty pleasures is medical dramas- so I’m a fan of Gray’s Anatomy, The Good Doctor and The Resident. It is always nice to have some shows that allow us to escape our everyday lives and focus on the lives of others for a little bit. 

10. Excellent Outdoor Activity:

We have been doing lots of hikes and walks. My family loves spending time outside and we carve out an hour or two each afternoon to explore old and new spots around us. We have been to some far away beaches, as well as some close by spots. We are working our way through the Concord Land Conservation Trust list of 14 different trail areas, with over 1,000 acres of land, with the hope to get through all of them in the coming weeks. We are all our best selves out in nature and I try to remember that. 

11. Any Advice You Want to Share:

Something that I have been trying to remember is to be kind to myself and to others. We are all doing the best we can to get through this and I really do think that kindness will carry us through.

12. What’s Going on Around Town:

We have been doing as much as we can to support local businesses- restaurants, shops and my favorite local bookstore. I have had a number of conversations with grateful business owners who are so appreciative of our support during these times and we are enjoying being able to support them and check in with them.

We would love to hear from you all as well! The more we engage, find humor, share encouragement and challenges, the stronger we can come out of this!!!

Stay safe and be well- signing off- "DJ” Darcy