Count Up To Social Distance
by Esther J. Perne
Alone with a book, a kayak, a dog. Family-only evenings — laughing, talking, enjoying a meal and learning more about each other….
Summer in the Belgrades is the right place at the right time for individual passions and outlets, independent adventures and sports, creative spaces, quiet places, quarantines. Let that safer, saner, more socially-distanced — and rewarding — summer begin:
- Hiking, walking, strolling, trekking, backpacking, wandering, historic- downtown window shopping: keep the distance with foot power and discover some awesome surroundings. Remember water; keep hydrated.
- Boating, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, rowing, windsurfing: stay cool and apart in a water craft; PFD required.
- Swimming, sunning, sitting, relaxing, tanning, beaching, docking, decking, jumping, diving, hot tubbing, soaking: wetness near but not necessary; company can be near but not necessary, too. Sunscreen is necessary.
- Biking, fishing, golfing, horseback riding: individual sports, individualized equipment, lifetime outlet.
- Camping, tenting wilderness, back yard, porch, living room: pitch tent, secure flap, enjoy private haven, add pillow, nap.
- Gardening, planting, landscaping, harvesting, berrying, gleaning, weeding, weeding, weeding: great times for contemplation; hopefully great harvest.
- Baking, cooking, canning, freezing, preserving, dining, dieting, grilling, picnicking: perfect first, share later.
- Reading, thinking, puzzling, note-taking, dreaming, scheming, planning: leave me ALONE, I'm trying to think!
- Painting, sculpting, drawing, filming, scrapbooking, photographing, writing: creativity aligns well with quiet times, especially en plein air.
- Patting, petting, praising, grooming, training, walking, talking, feeding, lounging, napping: pet power means never say lonely again.
- Cleaning, de-cluttering, organizing: wonderful riddance to overwhelming "stuff"; best tackled alone.
- Knitting, sewing, crocheting, quilting, embroidering, tatting, stamping: simple, silent, solo hobbies.
- Dancing, singing, instrument playing: go crazy, let down hair, ramp up volume, lock door first.
- Talking, conversing, chatting, phoning: just say no to screen time.
- Exercising, step-jumping, aerobic-ing, yoga-ing, stretching, bending, lifting: say yes to new self.
- Conserving, recycling, sorting, dumping: thank you from the world.
- Driving: ah, the freedom and the illusion of the rear view mirror. Best technique for getting kids to fall asleep.
- Viewing, birding, cloud-watching, wildlife observing: they also distance who only stand and watch.
- Antiquing, yard sale-ing, geo-caching: stop and peruse; outdoors only.
- Lego-ing: Take a tip from kidville. Be an AFL (Adult Follower of Legos). Be careful where you step.
- Listing: not as in leaning, as in making a list — or many lists. Like, the list above: it's open to additions already. Maybe juggling or learning a foreign language or wood-carving or tombstone rubbing.
The count up to social distance never ends…not in this region anyway. The sky's the limit….oops, add stargazing…and flying.
Must be this is the right place at the right time.
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