outdoor cat

When Mrs Reynolds was a young cat, the vet told us she had anxiety issues and suggested we let her go outside sometimes so she could get some "alone time." She enjoyed time outside every day from then until we moved to our current apartment 2 years ago. Suddenly, she didn't want to go outside anymore. I assumed it was because we lived on the second floor or didn't have a yard. In the end of March, Mrs started yeowling at the door, begging to go outside. At first I was confused but then I realized it wasn't our apartment that made her stop going outside. It was because that's when Korra started school full time and Nate went back to work. Mrs was happy to be a fully indoor cat as long as we all were gone all day. Once we were quarantined at home, she needed alone time that only the great outdoors could give. 

One of our neighbors stopped me the other day to ask if we knew this gray stripped cat. When I told her it was ours, she said that Mrs has hissed and swatted at her on the stairs more than once and that one time, Mrs even ran into our neighbor's apartment while she was bringing in groceries. Our cat is not exactly a friendly neighbor.

L-boy

I'm teaching Korra chess this afternoon. She keeps calling the Knight the "L-boy."

HP 1-4

In less than one year, I read the first 4 Harry Potter books to Korra AND THEN she read them again all by herself. In less than a year. I'm so proud of my smart, nerdy Harry Potter loving kid. 

15

Today is our 15th wedding anniversary.

March

Korra and I went to this today. 

I've felt nervous about taking Korra to a protest. And then I've felt guilty because being able to choose to keep my kid safe is part of my white privilege. 

This one felt safe for a number of reasons. It's at the King Center, right around the corner from our house. It is in the morning.

First there were speakers for about an hour. The most amazing one was Bernice King- it gave me chills even though it was hot out. Korra was bored by the speeches so by the time we got to actually marching, she was ready to go. We walked and shouted for about 3 blocks before turning around to bike home. 

I'm glad we went. 

Moby Wrap

I found my Moby Wrap while cleaning out the closet today. (it's one of the few things from Korra's baby-hood that I'm sentimental about). We decided to try it on for old time's sake. 

Duolingo

I've been doing about 15 minutes of Duolingo every day for the last few weeks. Today's lesson is silly. 

errands = expedition

I took Korra to run errands for the first time during the pandemic. Preparing for it felt like preparing for a diving expedition, or at the very least like the first time you try to run errands with your new baby. 

First up was getting an oil change. Usually we'd just wait in the waiting room but this time we had to figure out where else we could go. We walked about a mile to a park and as soon as we got there, I had to go to the bathroom (bad). Thankfully by the time we got back the car was ready. It didn't change the fact that I didn't know how long it would take or what precautions people around us would be taking. That meant we needed snacks, water, hand sanitizer, face masks, and books to read.

Next up was the grocery store. Once again, no one really seems willing to wait for the person in front of them to move in order to keep 6 feet. Also people don't seem to understand that 6 feet also mean to the sides, so no, you can't just go around me. It was super stressful and Korra (while in general was well behaved) asked for every item of junk food we passed and repeatedly asked if we were done yet because she was tired of wearing her mask. 

I had planned to also go to the Post office and the car wash but those were scrapped because a) we were both worn out and b) I said yes to nearly every item of junk food Korra asked for including ice cream so we had to get home before it melted. 

Grilling Dinner

Tonight we had grilling chicken kebabs, grilled zucchini, red onion, mushrooms and cherry tomatoes (from our garden) and grilled flat bread- all topped with feta and homemade tzatziki sauce. Yuuuuuuuuum. 

vigil

Deciding not to keep "vigil" tonight. Obsessively checking news updates on the protest and pacing my balcony trying to see what I can see and hear doesn't help anyone and especially not me. 

Joining my brothers and sisters in feeling powerless, hopeless, and frustrated. 

summer

Korra got to eat the very first ripe tomato from our garden

She also played in the sprinkler (which like the swing is making it's debut since moving into the apartment). 

food delivery

This afternoon I volunteered with Food4Life to deliver groceries. I delivered to 5 households and it only took me a little over an hour (back in time to watch the launch!). I hope this is the first many deliveries I'm able to make this summer. 

Pick up line

Setting: 7:15am, Cenral Park, muggy

Characters:

Me- 35 years old, totally preoccupied with anxiety about the world, very sweaty, headphones in listening to Derek Webb, 2 miles into my 3 mile run

Man- middle age, smoking a cigar, sitting at a picnic table

Man: "looking good!"

Me (taking out earbud): "sorry?"

Man: "looking good!"

Me: "oh, thanks"

Man: "are you from Tennessee?"

Me (confused): um, no...

Man: "cause you're the only 10 I see"

Me: (almost trips from laughing): "thanks!  I needed that"

Can't sleep

Helicopters, ambulances, fire trucks

Just a few of the reasons I can't sleep. 

Lord have mercy

Pray for Minneapolis, Atlanta, Charlotte, Louisville, New York, Omaha...

God, bring justice and peace. 

Things that have kept my kid busy today

https://youtu.be/eX3Q5y8Dz58

🎥 EP2: Meryl Streep & Benedict Cumberbatch join Taika Waitit to read James & the Giant Peach | #WithMe

https://youtu.be/tbCjkPlsaes

🎥 Pokemon | A Cosmic Kids Yoga Adventure

https://youtu.be/urGIbCsCgNg

🎥 ASL Animals Song Lesson for Kids - Learn how to sign Animals with Fireese

purple hair

Today Korra and I dyed our hair purple. 

anticlimactic

Today was the last teacher work day off the 2019-2020 school year. Just like the last day of school for the kids, today was really weird and anticlimactic. We had a two and a half hour video conference meeting in the morning, during which I multi-tasked and posted the last of my grades. I was totally done by 11:30 and that includes a 15 minute break to read a story Korra wrote.  So now it's summer which is bound to be just as weird and anticlimactic as the end of the school year. 

New Used Furniture

In the last week or two, I bought Korra a bookshelf (her old one fell apart) and a small desk (since it looks like online school for at least part of need a next school year is very likely). Both were purchased from Nextdoor (second hand, inexpensive, and less than 2 miles from our house). 

swing

For the last two years, I haven't missed having a yard- there are so many parks and playgrounds close by. That was before the pandemic. 

So today I attached the disc swing we haven't used since moving to the apartment to our second floor railing and...

Might have broken several HOA rules but desperate times and all. 

The best part is that I can take it down and put it back up easily without a ladder!

Animal Workout

If you have an Alexa, try out the Animal Workout skill.  It kept Korra happily entertained for almost half an hour- and got her moving!  I'm counting that as my win of the day.

Student texts and calls

Due to "distance learning," students have my cell phone number for the first time in my 14 years of teaching. It's led to some interesting texts and calls (often outside of traditional school hours). 

My students had over a week to do make up assignments- all were due at 3:00 on Friday. A student called me at 5:00 on Friday sobbing because his dad finally realized that he just clicked "turn in" on about a dozen assignments instead of actually doing them. 

Another student texted me at 8:00 tonight to ask me if we're going to have school at all next year. 

Another year

Renewed our lease for another year. It's weird to think we've lived in Atlanta for almost 4 years. 

Memorial Day at the Cabin

Korra always "drives" up the last road to the cabin. 

We made sugar cookies (complete with sprinkles and homemade frosting). Korra used the mixer all by herself. 

Korra and I probably spent 2-3 hours down by the creek each day. Korra liked throwing rocks, stacking rocks, splashing, and building a bridge. I liked reading and listening to the sound of the running water. 

new earrings

I forgot to write about it the other day but Korra finally got to change out her earrings.  it's been 5 months since she got them pierced and she couldn't wait to put on the Pokemon earrings she got for Christmas.