I think it’s fair to say, it was the toughest week yet of quarantine at home. The constant rain for five days straight and the fact that it was Spring Break without a real plan, made for a week where we really had to think on the fly and come up with a plan each day, or not! In the midst of darkness, all you need is a little bit of light to find its way inside the blackness to brighten the world. Remember that.
We were enlightened by Glenda’s visit to deliver Easter Baskets to Sylvie and Estella, and more importantly, Glenda found Morning Star Veggie Sausage at the grocery store and also personally delivered to our home for Sylvie. We count on that stuff for her an it’s been literally out of stock. But leave it to our Glenda to find some! We were also visited by Jamie, Blake and Jade Stark to talk from a social distance and catch up, where they brought fresh baked cookies and cupcakes for their best friends Sylvie and Estella.
We were lucky to get out into the neighborhood earlier in the week with a run/walk to Kester Elementary, as well as along the Los Angeles River Bike Path before the rain hit. Still a strange feeling to see a school that is usually alive with energy of young kids, ghostly quiet and empty during school hours. As the cabin fever began to take it’s toll, it was decided that I would take the girls on a drive to Malibu and back. We went north up the 101 freeway to Malibu Canyon Pass, the beautiful scenery surrounding us from 350 degrees. We cut over to the PCH, down toward Santa Monica, but not before peeling off on Sunset Blvd as we made our way back toward the 405 freeway and eventually home. What is most usually a two hour car ride, we made it round trip in one. Originally, the girls were not looking forward to the ride, but when we pulled up and saw the ocean, their eyes lit up with excitement, something so simple that they can see whenever they want, touched them as special in the midst of the one mile radius they have become accosted to these past four weeks. Sadly though, all the parking lots, spots along the PCH were taped off so nobody congregates at the beach. Lots of police activity monitoring and enforcing, etc.
Strangely enough, it’s also the week of the beginning of Passover, where Jews around the world remember the story of how they were freed as slaves from Egypt, and the plagues that were cast down as they escaped. There is some irony in there for sure. Also, we usually open our doors and proclaim, “Let all who are hungry come and eat. Let all who are needy come and celebrate the Passover.” This year was different, Amanda ordered food from Clementine that she went and picked up - brisket, salmon, coos close, vegetables, and matzoh ball soup, as many of us set Zoom seders to be with family and friends, celebrating together from near and far. D’ayneu!
Sylvie and her friends took advantage of the time by discovering online gaming playing Robles together. I think this was one of the first times Sylvie experienced FOMO. It’s screen time for sure, but it connects her with her friends she so deeply misses. Estella remained creative, discovering new music, making playlists and of course TIK TOK. We ordered her a violin for her birthday because, well, thats’ what she wanted. I hope we can get her into lessons and that she actually enjoys it. In the meantime, I will teach her the basics. I played for ten years, but I wanted to quit every day!
I’m amazed by my daughter’s resilience. It is not easy at all, but day in and day out, they continue to have positive attitudes and are finding ways to pass the time. I think that comes from their openness to imagination and knowing how to create something out of nothing.
The stay home initiative has been pushed to May 15. We continue to reflect and push on. Amanda and I work hard each day. I know all of you are too and it’s not easy. The new norm is the new norm. I stay active by looking for inspiration in my photography, studying the great ones, watching as many movies and shows as possible, continuing to immerse myself in the history of Hollywood through documentaries, and reaching out to friends and family to share stories and experiences. I think this is really important. We should all share our stories with one another.
Be well all. Stay safe. Stay healthy. Stay home. Until next week…
Sylvie and Estella bounce on the bed before bedtime on 4/2/20.
Amanda out for a run 4/4/20.
Looking through the fence of Kester Elementary School, four weeks ago students were sent home 4/4/20.
Sylvie riding her bike on the Los Angeles River Bike Path, two blocks south of our neighborhood 4/4/20.
On the Los Angeles River Bike Path, a lonely trashy face mask lays on the side 4/4/20.
Jamie Angel Stark stopped by, at a social distance, to hang and catch on the last few weeks 4/5/20.
Estella dresses the toilet to look like a face sticking out its tongue 4/6/20.
Going for a drive up the 101 heading north toward Malibu, CA 4/9/20.
Malibu Canyon Pass tunnel 4/9/20.
Passover Seder plate, a gift from my grandmother, Sophie Teener to Amanda and I for our wedding 4/9/20.
Estella, Amanda and Sylvie ZOOM with family for Pesach. Even Penguie joined 4/9/20.