It seems like every time we try to get back on track with the ABC life something gets in our way. This time it was Covid preventing us from doing the things we wanted to do and – on the other end of the spectrum – travel plans kept us from doing things together. But we’re back in business and catching up by making three or four letter months (Q, R, S then T, U, V and finally W, X, Y, Z) until we reach the end of the alphabet for this abc round.

Barbara: Q is for Quarantine 

Whenever I watch television shows about prison, I can’t help wondering what that would feel like. I now have a new personal definition for prison and it is quarantine. After having a wonderful experience in Norway doing so many things that were out of my comfort zone – ice fishing, snowshoeing, dog sledding, etc – I wound up testing positive for the dreaded COVID-19. Luckily I had no symptoms whatsoever but because of the positive test had to spend the rest of my vacation and five days more quarantined in a small room – first on the ship and after that on land. I couldn’t leave my room, couldn’t have any visitors, no one could even come in to give me something, and once on land I was completely without any people I knew in a strange country. I know that doesn’t really compare to prison but it was amazingly isolating and if not for the frequent calls and well wishes from my friends and family I don’t know how I would’ve made it. Needless to say it will be a long time before you’ll hear me say “leave me alone“