The Two Writing Teachers blog opens up a writing challenge each year in March, the Slice of Life Challenge. I’ve participated for 8 years, but decided this year to opt out and focus on other writing projects. Alas, the coronavirus has changed so much of our lives and our thinking. Our Louisiana schools are closed for 4 weeks. I’ve been reading other Slicers’ writing and feel it’s time for me to jump in.
Life has changed so rapidly. On Wednesday of last week, I traveled to our state capital to attend the BESE board meeting where I was honored with about 50 others for National Boards Certification renewal. It was nice to be recognized. Everyone was being cautious about shaking hands, yet we were passing around a common pen and trading phones around to take pictures. No one was really taking coronavirus very seriously.
And then by Friday, our governor had closed all public schools for 4 weeks.
The announcement was so sudden that few of us had time to process what this would mean for us and for our students.
Last night my husband had a long talk with his brother who is a medical doctor in Seattle. He is not the type to panic or overreact to anything medical. However, he is serious about the spread of COVID-19. It’s an exponential growth pattern, and I’m sure most of you have read about this.
The feeling is like the days prior to a major hurricane. We are watching the news expectantly. The stores are running out of essentials. But when will the hurricane come and will it ever pass? The weather is actually beautiful which is what it strangely does before a hurricane when all the bad clouds are being pulled into the storm. I feel the ominous calm.
At this point my plan is to post on our class blog daily. I sent my students home with extra books to read. I’m in touch with parents. We will meet as a faculty on Tuesday. This is a weird time. I’m trying to stay calm and stay close to home.
How are you faring?
Reflections on the Teche 
We are thrilled that daughter’s test came back negative. But since she’s a PA, this is an anxious time for us. Prayers for so many, but especially for those out there putting themselves in harm’s way to care for others. If we don’t have to be out there, stay home.
Welcome back! Your slice captures the sentiment of so many- “ominous calm” for sure. We are definitely practicing social distancing and gearing up for remote teaching. I also sent home stacks of books with students and will be in contact with them to see how they are doing. Some of them see this as Spring Break and said they were gonna hang out. I shared with them some basics about social distancing and how it’s a community effort. Fingers crossed.
It surely is an unknown situation and as you say like the calm before a hurricane. I’ve experienced that once before and it was weird. I am beginning to see that the ones who are really going to suffer are the students and I hope they can cope (as well as their parents!) Schools are still open here and I’m hoping they continue to be as our kids do not have access to technology!!
So glad you are back. I have missed some of my favorite slicers this year. I’m feeling a lot like you are right now. We found out on Thursday night, about 7, that there would be no school for at least three weeks. On Friday, half of the kids didn’t come for our last day together. I sent lots of books home with those who were there and sent an email to all of them, and will go to school tomorrow (the building will open on Monday and Tuesday), to try to connect with those who were not there on Friday. Like you, I feel like it’s the calm right before the storm. I’m not the type who usually gets anxious, but I am kind of antsy right now.
It’s that sense of the unknown that heightens anxiety. The difference here is we are all feeling the strain.
I agree – there is a feeling prior to a major hurricane. It is troubled times.
I just started Spring Break and am reading novels for pleasure, digitally downloaded from my public library. I have a physical hold to pick up but I am choosing to let it lapse. I don’t need to enter that building and we don’t know how long the virus can last in paper.
Welcome back to Slicing! It’s a great community. We are happy to have you here.
I am glad you decided to return. I was a little disappointed after last year and wasn’t sure about this year. But it would seem very weird to go through March without looking for things to write. This is certainly a time anxiousness and unknown, and I think that is what makes it so difficult. I am afraid that our students will just see this as a three break.
So good to see you back! This line jumps out at me: “The weather is actually beautiful which is what it strangely does before a hurricane when all the bad clouds are being pulled into the storm.” I have had the same thinking…we are in the calm before the storm, that agonizing time when we are all wondering – what is really going to happen? Am I prepared? So far, so good, but, who knows!?
Good to see you, Margaret! I’ve missed your slices. I think we are all feeling that “ominous calm.”
I am glad that you asked that you and others join midstream this year, Margaret. We are all feeling the effects of the loss of normalcy here in New York. Even our diocese has dispensed Catholics from our weekly Masses. Life is not what we knew and certainly we, too, are waiting for “shoe to drop”. I fill my days with cleaning out clutter, cooking, reading, and writing. When the sun comes out we are so excited but the dark mornings are dreary.
Welcome back! I am personally looking forward to grandbaby posts & duck updates in the midst of COVID19 concerns. Up here, we’ve been talking about the eerie feeling, even in the streets, and the sense that we don’t even understand what we’re in for. We speculate about everything and know so little about most of it. Writing & looking for slices is one thing that is keeping me focused. (Kids and cats help, too!) Also – though it got hidden in the rest of your post: congrats on your NBC renewal. What an accomplishment!
Thanks for welcoming me. I have had that FOMO feeling since the beginning of the month, but this isolation has now given me the jolt I needed to jump in.
Welcome back. You eloquently described how quickly this thing grabbed folks and shook us to attention. On Monday, I was out and about, but by Wednesday, we had decided to self-isolate. Amazing but important. Please stay well!
Margaret, thank you, for your great slice and asking how we are faring. As I write this, one of my three cats, Tigress is pushing my hand trying to be pet. I agree with Maureen that this line jumps out at me, “The weather is actually beautiful which it strangely does before a hurricane when all the bad clouds are being pulled into the storm.” Great imagery! Your line, “I feel the ominous calm.” captures my feeling as well.
At this time in my life I am only a substitute teacher. I live in Saratoga County in Upstate NY, where each day there are more closings of colleges, public and private schools, public libraries, churches… I feel like I’m living in a sci fi novel or acting in a sci fi movie. Perhaps, this is some sort of coping mechanism for me.
My sixteen-year-old cat, Lovee, who is outside in the sun, just interrupted me screeching loud enough for the whole neighborhood to hear that she wants to come in.
My twenty-year-old daughter, H, who lives five hours away at college in Western, NY, had a panic attack over the phone because of the closing of her campus. As she cried and expressed her anxiety, all I wanted to was wipe her tears away by hugging her. Instead, I had to hope my my words were wrapping love, comfort around her. Thankfully, H calmed down, but part of me still felt like I had somehow failed. Her university stated they didn’t want parents from infected areas coming to get their kids. Thankfully, H’s boyfriend’s parents, who live close by told us that she could live with them. Her boyfriend’s mom, P who is a professor at another college said that many of her students were feeling the same as H and that she would keep a close watch on on H’s anxiety. I am thankful for their graciousness, knowing that H will feel safe and secure in their home, but I still want to reach out and hug her.
My big, boy cat, Pinky is crying for loving. Therefore, in this pandemic I will snuggle my three cats and my husband when he is home, since he can’t work remotely, eat dark chocolate, sniff the aroma of my mint green tea as it warms and comforts me, read, write, listen to the bird’s songs as I walk in our unpredictable March weather, talk to my daughters and my friends, listen to calming music, read and reply to poetry blogs, and focus on remaining positive. I wish everyone good health.
I feel better having been able to write the above and hope my reply isn’t too long.
Gail, I thank you for your reply. My reason for coming back to blogging was to form a virtual community for myself. I relate to finding comfort in your pets. I am not worried because I love being alone. There are so many, though, who respond to social isolation with anxiety. But at this point we need to realize that we have a responsibility to each other. I’m glad your daughter has a home to go to during this weird time.
Welcome back, Margaret. I’m thrilled you rejoined us now that you are out of school.
I’m nervous about what is yet to come. It’s going to be catastrophic, I fear.
This is an amazing community–and community is just what we need right now! Uncertainty is so difficult. Our schools also announced closure on Friday–and now we are teaching remotely, whatever that means.
Glad you’re here.
Kim
So glad you decided to join. We all need community, especially now.