Self-isolating in Grand Rapids: week 2.5

Among the Flowers, 1892, detail, by Louise Abbema

As of late Sunday Michigan ranked no. 4 in the nation with number of cases of Covid-19: more than 5,400, 112 deaths in the state reported so far, and no end in sight.

With the exception of a short trip out for supplies the past few days have found us at home. There was a gathering of several neighbors sitting on chairs out in the street, each keeping a safe distance but mostly everyone around here is staying indoors. Or so we hope.

The weather has been cooperating, though, if that's any consolation: some rain but the snow season seems to have passed us by and the temps have been really quite pleasant.

I mentioned our trip out for a few groceries -- we both remarked that it felt like dealing with black marketeers: we pull up, make a call and are told to drive around to the side door. A man scurries out with a bag and then disappears back inside. At another place we simply pull up, I stay in the car and Susan dashes up to the front door where there is a cooler. She reaches inside, grabs a bag with our name on it and back to the car. We pull clear of the building and are gone in a flash.

And speaking of the French Tarte, since I last wrote she made a coconut pound cake, white whole wheat sandwich bread and chocolate-pistachio croissant spirals. And yesterday (Sunday) she made coconut ice cream and tested a new recipe using Danish laminated dough to make a substantial almond filled Danish Kringle.

For myself, I'm catching up on updating digital archiving information on one of my other blogs and have scheduled a couple of posts here that some of you might find interesting in coming weeks.

Self-isolating in Grand Rapids: week 2

"The Elder  Sister," 1869, detail, by William-Adolphe Bouguereau; artist's daughter Henriette and infant son Paul 

With nearly 2,300 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the state and at least 43 deaths Michigan now ranks fifth in the nation in infections.Although much of the suffering is found in the southeastern part of the state, the virus continues its inexorable spread and we wait to see how it all shakes out.

Like most of you we focus on immediate needs and keeping to the space where we live. Aside from short trips to get groceries we remain at home.

Susie is busy baking; just yesterday she baked sandwich bread and a cranberry-walnut bread with rolls. The day before she made a luscious orange-olive-oil cake which we shared with several of our neighbors, at a distance of course. She's also thinking about doing some work in our small garden in front of the condo.

Susie's mom is well and in good health and spirits. Although still in lockdown -- for how long we don't know -- she's seems to handling it just fine.

As for myself, it may be tiresome to hear, but I continue working on my Guide to the early Burials in Pére-Lachaise Cemetery; my four volumes of biographies of the men of the 3rd Michigan is complete and just awaiting publication.

In the evening we watch Foyle's War followed by an episode of Modern Family before turning in for reading or puzzling and then lights out. Pretty simple, true, but right now simple works.

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX

Self-isolating in Grand Rapids: week 1.5

detail, the Church of Saint-Philippe du Roule c. 1876 by Jean Beraud 

The world is quietly shutting down, for how long is anybody's guess.  Michigan has just passed 1,000 cases of Covid-19 which some 15 deaths. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has today called for a 3-week period of mandatory self-isolation, excepting only necessary trips. Presumably necessary means trips to the grocery store only. We plan to do store pickup.

Good news from abroad though - we heard from Magali hunkered down in a Paris suburb and she is well and in good spirits -- typical Mag! And Richard and Pauline in St. Albans, England are also well and also in good health and spirits. We wish the best of health and spirits for friends wherever you are sheltering.

Susan and her siblings and several nieces and a nephew and their families all joined together online to play the family Bernice game yesterday, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The video conference was arranged and moderated by niece Melissa who is also prepping a taped version for grandma (Bernice) to see since she was unable to play.

I cannot emphasize this enough: stay in, stay healthy and we'll see you on the other side of this thing - because it will end.

Self-isolating in Grand Rapids: week 1

self-portrait in a straw hat, detail, 1782 by Elisabeth Vigée Lebrun

Since we started self-isolating -- strange times, eh? - 100 cases have been confirmed in Michigan, up from just 2 cases a week ago, with 5 cases in Kent County. So far three deaths in Michigan have been attributed to the virus.

We're pleased to hear that friends and family, both near and far, are well and in good spirits and trust you will all stay that way. But we do worry about our friends in Italy right now. Like many others Susan and I spend pretty much all our time at home. She's cancelled her teaching gigs and a couple of pastry orders for later this month. Her mom is presently under full quarantine at nearby Pilgrim Manor so we can only wave to her from outside her window. Nevertheless, she's doing well and is in good spirits.

We've upped our home movie rentals: the past week we've revisited American President and Dave (reminding us of what truly great federal leadership could be), feel-good Doc Hollywood and the rather plodding 2019 film Knives Out. We're also sprinkling in The Larry Sanders Show, Modern Family and the Big Bang Theory.

Susan is taking the time to work on pastry experimentation and blogging her trials, always fun for her and I get to sample the efforts. A win-win to be sure.

Still, like everyone else we wonder about the future. We feel the urgency to come out the other side of this wiser, much wiser indeed. If nothing else this pandemic has shown us all how profoundly important a strong, central government is and how cutting big government, a mantra of so many for so long, has terrible costs for us all.

Most importantly, we need to change our way of living to meet the changes, manmade or natural, that will come at us whether we like it or not.

See you next week. Until then, be well and be happy!