It took a pandemic to get me to toss sandbags and be competitive about it. Yes, I have been playing corn hole - the game that many other Nebraskans could play blindfolded and, until now, we hadn't played more than once or twice.

It was something I thought I would never say. In light of pork and beef plants temporarily closing or working at reduced capacity, I suggested we start meatless Mondays.

My brain is exhausted. A work week can be taxing but it’s not grueling. What is grueling is family game nights which are another form of brain work but with the added element of chance and occasional yelling.

Beautiful colors, wonderful smells and a feeling of going back to nature \h— it’s plant therapy.

I gave in today and agreed to start work on a 1,000-piece puzzle.

It’s the strangest thing. Some nights I fall asleep at 11 p.m. On other nights it might be 9 p.m., and then others it might be 3 a.m. If you ask anyone how they’re sleeping right now, chances are people will tell you they’re having the same sleep experience that I am. No night of sleep is the same.

Having extra kids in the house for weeks has made mealtime the highlight of the day. Online classes come and go, but noon is the golden hour as is 6 p.m..

Everyone has a different COVID-19 life. Ours includes a 16-year-old Lutheran High Northeast student who pops out of bed at 7:50 a.m. to eat a quick bagel and be available on her laptop for roll call at 8 a.m.

Only two months ago, I had never heard of the term “coronavirus.” What a difference 60 days can make.

Towels are important as are easy-to-use bottle openers and a good toaster.

Quarantines are interesting. It is common to read about them being set up now to prevent the spread of the coronavirus with literally millions of people being quarantined across the world.

It’s easy to toss items in closets, drawers or cupboards and never think about or use them again. It’s wintertime and here’s a starter list of 10 things to get rid of.

When recently selecting a can of cooking spray from an online grocery shelf, I thought how grocery shopping has come full circle.