Except there's so much work to be done. And quarantine fatigue is real. There seems to be a never-ending responsibility for restricted living and people are tired of it. Families are suffering. So are businesses and our economy. This is global even though it looks most dire here in the United States looking at the staggering, still climbing numbers and statistics. Not sure I can look at graphs or charts quite the same ever again without thinking of this time...or go anywhere without a travel size hand sanitizer or counting to twenty washing hands and then another ten to rinse them. Face masks are second nature and its feels more weird to not have one on outside now.

I'm reading the news daily. Then putting it away. I'm focusing on being here for myself, my family, my friends, colleagues, community so we can keep moving forward whether good or bad. I can bring the good into our home so we are keeping happily busy. We haven't forgotten all the while the many who are less fortunate and trust the new administration in the new year can help better those in need. And the holiday season helps bring attention and supportive activity to those charitable groups already in place.

It's never too late to learn a new skill or do simple things we already enjoy doing but normally never have the time to do. My daughter like all children is a champion at learning new things (in addition to being a voracious reader so finding more time to read books is a precious gift to her). She shot a music video with her virtual school band recently (see photos in "Gallery") and organized a family book group few months ago with all three of us reading all three (and one prequel) Hunger Games books. (We were late to the Harry Potter train, too, as she was not born when it first came out and then old enough to thoroughly enjoy.) We've managed to watch the first movie. Movie after book meant so many details missing for us but still entertaining. We've turned our movie nights into events complete with tickets, VIP wristbands, programs, popcorn and movie candy, party decorations, prizes, party favors and photo booths.

The creative activities she's finding to do at home are too many to list but I am grateful her enormous curiosity and yearning to experience big and deep is not lost during these times. We have become so productive with our chores, too. Maybe because we appreciate being home and want to continue to keep our space pleasant. I'm cleaning house, little by little, but with huge, refreshing outcomes of less clutter, more space while we are diligently confined to home. I am making new spaces with a rug and lamp here, loveseat and end table there in unexpected, previously unused areas not all that big in square footage but so huge in physical space for working and lockdown at home.

We are enjoying more game nights! Board games and video games. (See the "Games" section in this issue for more.) Holiday decorating! Weaving, knitting, sewing homemade items. We are also finding the outdoor activities to counter the indoor ones (especially ones like baking cake) and loving the beach, our neighborhood, nearby towns just a short road trip away. Car rides feel so fancy now. So did a recent school field trip our daughter took to a 93,000 acres worth of remote nature preserve we had never heard of two hours away, socially distanced only twelve students to a bus, masks on, windows open. She will never forget how special it felt and the friends she made actually in person and not on a screen.

And we are keeping up with needed wellness bunkered inside more than ever with short meditations, extra vitamin C, vitamin D, favorite virtual workouts, our handy Peloton bike adjustable to all three of us at home, rowing machine, yoga mats, hand weights, jump rope. No elaborate gym equipment but a motivating discipline we conjure up to make ourselves get it done. Always feels better after. Or eat candy every day...

No matter what the holidays mean to you, all while in stay-at-home orders, it's usually merry to find something or someone to honor, celebrate and be present.