Out and About – Week of April 20th

Because of the virus going around, and the fact that we have all been advised to stay home and stay safe, those who can, are working from their home, rather than going to the office. I am doing just that. I stop by my office on occasion to pick something up, then I return home, where I have been advised to stay. I have a small office at home and find it to be quite comfortable. If you are thinking about setting up a small in-home office, here are some things you’ll want to consider:

Create an environment conducive to sustained concentration by setting your office apart from the rest of the house.
With cell phones being so useful, you probably don’t need an extra phone line installed, but if your needs include a fax service, an extra line might be needed.
You’ll want to work with your accountant when it comes to things that might be written off when it comes to taxes.
Three thoughts on being positive or negative:

Holding in negative emotions such as grief and anger is exhausting. Naming them and releasing them regularly through writing, movement, tears, singing, or making sounds, frees us up to live full, vibrant lives.
Life becomes easier when you delete the negative people from it.
Do not allow the negative things in your life spoil all of the good things you have.
Due to Covid-19, there probably will not be a Major League baseball season this year. This means that dads will not be taking their sons out to the park for peanuts and Cracker Jacks. I’ve only attended a few professional games in my life and the majority of those were at Wrigley Field. I witnessed Sammy Sosa hitting more than just one ball out of the park. I also remember standing for the “Seventh Inning Stretch”. I was curious enough to check into where this event came from. Whether this explanation is true or not, I will not say, but the explanation is interesting to say the least. There are two theories behind its origin. I will share one of these with you now and the second theory will be in next week’s column.

It seems that President William Howard Taft, during his term in office, attended a Washington Senators baseball game. Halfway through the seventh inning, he had to leave the game. As he rose to leave, all the other spectators, out of respect for his office, also got up out of their seats. This is almost believable, but why would everyone do this at other games?

The explanation that I’ll share next week is a bit more believable.

Four months ago, before Covid-19, my weekly and daily schedules were very routine. I had regularly scheduled meetings plus other errands that required attention. There was no doubt in my mind about what day of the week it was. Like many of you, I now have trouble dealing with the days of the week. Hopefully, we are all doing as we have been told and are staying home as much as possible. I have been trying to set up a “Homebound Routine”. I am no longer getting up at 5:30 AM, but more like 8 AM. Therefore, I am getting more than six hours of sleep. As a result, I’m feeling better and am not as cranky. After a bowl of cereal and toast, I read a chapter or two in a book. Checking e-mail and Facebook is next on my agenda. By this time, it’s noon, so I watch the news. The afternoon is taken up by going for a walk or watching one of the VHS tapes I’ve accumulated over the years. Later, I do what I can to help prepare dinner. I am not bored, but do look forward to getting Out and About when I want. I’m sure many of you feel the same.

See you Out and About, hopefully soon. Stay Home and Stay Safe!!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman