It will return to ‘normal’

This morning as I was fixing myself some toast and I got to thinking — because that’s what you do after being relatively isolated with one person for months on end. Mick and I have been married 39 years and until now, I’ve never really thought much about the things we do so differently.

For instance, Mick puts the little twisty tie back on the bread sack after each time he opens it. When I open bread, I immediately toss the little twisty thing in the trash, give the bread sack a spin and tuck the opening under the loaf before putting it away in the bread box.

Hmmm. I’m not going to overthink it.

I like to clean the kitchen before I move on to anything else after we’ve completed our meals, especially at night, as I enjoy starting the morning with my coffee in a tidy kitchen. Although Mick is usually the one to put our plates in the dishwasher and put away any condiments left out after a meal — like salad dressing, bread and butter, ketchup — he doesn’t seem to notice those pots and pans left on the stove or in the sink. But it’s fine, I wash them.

I’m not going to dwell on it though. We all know how “The Shining” ended.

One of the most unusual things he does is loosely fold his dirty clothes and stack them neatly before placing them in the hamper. I mean, who does that? Heck, I just peel them off — usually even leaving one pant leg inside out with one of my socks still in the leg — and stuff them in the hamper.

Lucky for me I generally do the laundry because that use to infuriate me when my kids did it.

So anyway ...

I’ve come to terms with the realization that I’ve nearly reached my “cabin fever” point.

I have spent a little time with my family since this whole pandemic thing started, but not with my friends. It isn’t just children who need to socialize with their peers. I’m comfortable admitting I need it as well.

I miss my girlfriends. I’m not much of a phone person, although I do talk to family a lot. I’m more of a “texter” and that doesn’t always work for those of us with plenty to catch up on.

I miss my weekends away with the girls. No matter what we do or where we go, we make it fun and I can’t wait to feel that kind of easy freedom in society again.

I’ve sort of backed away from social media which had always been a nice way to, at least sort of, keep up with acquaintances and friends. But I couldn’t stand all the negativity and hatred I was reading during the election. I didn’t like seeing it, so I chose to simply “walk away.” And frankly, it’s been quite easy to stay away.

I did actually meet one of my gal pals for lunch last week. It was the first time I’ve been in a restaurant in more than a year and it was absolutely delightful. I felt very comfortable in the establishment and seeing other patrons in their masks and taking recommended precautions seriously helped put me at ease. Not to mention some much-needed human interaction with one of my besties.

We have a little ways to go before I’m fully there, but it won’t be long until life will return to “normal.”

And I can’t wait!

Contact Dana King at dking@shawmedia.com