Steven Helmer Publications

Overall, I think I'm holding up well, despite all the social distancing restrictions that are in place. After all, I still can "escape" to my office (I'm the only one in it) and it's not as though we go to the bars or even out to eat on a weekly basis. But, I will admit, there are some things I do find I miss. Image courtesy of Gerd Altmann from Pixabay Casual Grocery Shopping - It's probably a little weird, but I love grocery shopping. I enjoy finding deals on meat, etc. and some of my most creative dinner ideas came while casually walking up and down the aisles. In fact, before Covid-19, it wasn't uncommon for me to make almost daily trips to the store before heading into the office. Now, my shopping trips are kept to a minimum, both in frequency and duration. I get what I need and leave. The Library - Our local library was one of the first things to close down because of the virus and I definitely miss it. I love to read and not having a wide...

To those of you buying out all the toilet paper, baby formula and other stuff. The world doesn't just center around you. There are plenty of other people around Who have needs too. I know things aren't great But that's not an excuse to offend. We'll get through this small crisis. You don't need to act like the world is about to end. The rules are simple, keep your distance, cover your coughs and wash your hands. Plus wipe down any surfaces, whether they are metal, marble or glass. And, most importantly, Don't be an a** Image courtesy of Gerd Altmann - Pixabay Think of this as a test. One that is standardized for all of society. An opportunity to show That being human really can be a thing of beauty. The best part about it is there is no need to study. The answers are spelled out for you so it should be easy to pass. In fact, there's really only one answer. Don't be an a**

It's not exactly my favorite film, mostly because I had a hard time believing Mark Wahlberg was a science teacher. But, with everything going on in the world right now, the movie just seems to be stuck in my head. For those of you who aren't familiar with the movie (SPOILER ALERT) the basic gist of the film is Mother Nature gets fed up with humans and the plants start releasing a toxin into the air, causing people to kill themselves. With the way this Covid-19 epidemic is growing, I couldn't help but make a loose comparison. What if Earth is starting to recognize humans as the parasites we are and is starting the process to thin the herd through mutated super germs? This could just be the beginning. Just some food for thought. If you're self-quarantined at the moment, maybe you should take the time to be a little nicer to nature. Plant some flowers for the bees, pick up some litter, walk instead of drive, etc. That way, if I'm right, maybe you'll be sp...

OK, maybe it isn't the end of the world. But, it is a beginning of a whole new world as things start getting locked down tight and people are encouraged to isolate themselves. I'm still going to the office today, mostly because I am mostly isolated there anyway (I have every intention of locking the door). But, as of right now, my wife, a teacher assistant, is home, my kids are home (though my oldest home schools and still has class as a result) and our two favorite hangouts, the library and the ice rink, are closed. It's going to be a long couple of weeks or more. In a way, I kind of wish this were the zombie apocalypse. At least then, we (probably) wouldn't need to worry about paying the bills and, at minimum, I would have an excuse to stab people in the head.