And Solitaire's the Only Game in Town

 It has been a glorious day in Oxford and SK and I can hardly wait until we can get out and walk around.  I don't know what the restrictions will be coming from our mission president, but I am certain that he will approve a half hour of exercise a day.

From what I can tell, no one wears masks outdoors, but then again I am somewhat limited in my observations.  We live in a horseshoe shaped complex, with two sides opening out onto the St. Thomas Street. (The two flat ends of the horseshoe).  We live on the left inside curve, and from the window can look past apartments out to the street.  It seems that there are always pedestrians, bicycles and cars going by out there, but it has been pretty quiet since we got here.

The big event of the day was the arrival of an order of groceries.  We put heavy plastic shopping bags outside our door, and the deliveryman brought large bins up which he emptied into the bags.  He politely knocked and stepped back to greet us.  He was very kind.  I thought we ought to tip him, but that isn't done here for the most part.  For one thing, no one wants to deal with cash....too many germs!...and for another, we would have to get within arm's reach of each other to pass the money from one to another.  Strictly forbidden.

I've done washing all day.  One sheet and two pillowcases pretty much fills up the washing machine, so you can understand why it takes all day!  In Gilbert, I carried our laundry up to our neighbors' laundry room.  I could put both king-sized sheets, 2 pillowcases and all of our whites for one week in the washing machine and it didn't quite fill it up.  Of course I don't mind washing all day here....I do have the time.

The days are going by....fast even.  We are filling them with all kinds of things that you do around the house.  They are pleasant days and I'm grateful for this time to catch up to a new time zone, get organized, settle in and relax.  

I think when we are done with isolation and when the YSAs begin to come back into Oxford, we will meet together in much smaller groups. (no more than six in a residence!) and we will probably simplify the kinds of things we'll do together.  It was only last spring the YSAs were talking about taking a trip to Paris together!  How different everything is right now. I hope we can be a stabilizing force here...a port in the storm....a peaceful place to unwind and regroup for the challenges these young people face.

There is purpose in this place.

I know you think this is excessive, but I thought you ought to see views from our window at different times today.  And the last picture is of course, the trusty umbrella in the entryway!...something you never see in Gilbert.












Comments

melissa said…
Can’t wait to see out that window in person!
September 8, 2020 at 6:44 PM
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