It's a strange thing - committing to a daily photo journal during a period of time marked by lack of activity or variety.  Today was a day (another day) of virtual contacts.

AT two, our daily Spartan Up podcast Zoom call has provided an opportunity for deeper connection with our audience and some of our favorite podcast guests, and a place to keep focused on growth. Today Mark Divine talked a lot about breath, and inner self.

In the evening  the joining of virtual and actual.  Sunset and a call with grandma.

​Most of the day is spent in front of computers, creating an artificial sense of space between us.  It's these moments, moments of real connection, whether virtual or actual, that stand out.

Today's focus: it's not always easy. 

We're lucky, but that doesn't mean it's always easy.
We're using all the tools in the toolbox to fight stress and to fight cabin fever.  Sometimes we argue.  Sometimes I say something I wish I hadn't.  But we're a family.  And we also laugh, hug and move on.

​The boys can't hang out with friends. They spend too much of time on the computer in virtual school. They also play tag with the dog, play D&D via Zoom chat, and watch 30 Rock with their mom.  Thank G-d for 30 Rock! 

I do my best to do the things that make me easier to be around: eating well, getting enough sleep, running every day, watching 30 Rock with my kids, reaching out to the people I love, reaching out people I like, hugging the dog, taking photos every day, and finding ways to be of service.

We're lucky. 
We live in a rural spot that allows us to get outside.
We have food on the table.
We can still make each other laugh.
And we're healthy.

Yesterday was Saturday.  What to do Saturday night? We took a walk around downtown Woodstock, Vermont.  Empty as it was, it felt good to get out.  We saw surprisingly few people out walking.  All the shops were closed, for years as a videographer we took extreme measures to could get photos of storefronts without the traffic and cars in the foreground.  Last night it was easy. Many shops are still finding ways to serve (Yankee Bookshop offers porch deliveries, Woodstock pharmacy is serving prescriptions at the door.)

It's only morning, but off to a good start.  

​No, life's not perfect. We get frustrated, we argue, but we keep it in perspective.  I like to focus on the positive, it makes me feel good. Here's Some of the things that made me happy this morning.

It's hard to say when the "quarantine" started, or even what to call it.  It's been a gradual process that now has keeping more and more to ourselves. I'm still working, still producing the Spartan Up podcast and other content for Spartan, still working to to help our audience stay strong, positive & productive.  And yet - there's a sense of disconnection. 
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I decided to challenge myself to take daily photos of this experience. There will be a lot of the dog Trooper (the most willing photo subject,) and some of my family, lots of nature and I hope some around town. So..Day one was marked by gorgeous morning light.  The day started with a smile.

It became "the" tough day.  There's always one where the reality hits.  That was today.  The announcement that school would not reopen this spring, big cuts in contracts, none of it was surprising. It will pass, tomorrow will be another day.  The people I love are all healthy.  We're truly fortunate.