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...

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.