Hello, Dear Readers. Long time no see. It’s been a little over a year (and two months) since I stopped sending Letter From Elba and I never thought I’d be writing to all of you in this way again.
But you might notice two boxes of my “new BFF’s” pictured above. Disposable gloves. I never thought I’d be wearing them just to get my mail, either.
But we now live in a brave new world of viruses and new terms like “social distancing” and “shelter in place.” A world I could never have imagined even two months ago. So I thought I’d drop by your email box and check in with you.
And on you.
Chicago, as I am sure you know, has ordered all of us to stay home starting tonight at five p.m. I’ve been ahead of the curve on this. This is Day 12 of my self-imposed isolation. No, I am not sick. (Yet. Thank God.) I’ve just heard the horror stories from my kids and thought I’d get a drop on this damn thing.
My son Nick, as you may recall, lives in Seattle. Well, instead of thinking “Space Needle” or “Starbucks” or “Amazon,” sadly whenever Seattle is mentioned now, it’s hard not to think of it as the place where COVID-19 really took off in the United States.
Nick has been working from home for almost a month now. He’s sheltered in place with his wife, Missy, my two and half year old grandson Hendrix and their very noisy Bluetick Coonhound Lucy. She’s very loud.
That was not Lucy. But she sounds EXACTLY like this.
Inside the house.
He says the whole thing is like being under siege.
Luckily, when he does get a chance to go outside, he gets to see this.
I hear from him almost every day now. Facetiming me, sending me photos and videos of Hendrix Highjinks. Every Corona cloud has a silver lining, I guess.
I wish him- and everyone in Washington State on the front lines of this awful battle- God speed.
My daughter Natasha lives on the opposite end on the country- outside of Boston. Yet, she and her family have also found themselves right in the thick of the pandemic.
Here’s why. (This was taken from The Boston Globe. It was updated on March 14.)
A leadership meeting of the biotech firm Biogen late last month is the apparent source of the lion’s share of confirmed coronavirus infections in Massachusetts.
The Marriott Long Wharf was the site of a leadership conference on Feb. 26 and 27 that drew an international roster of executives from the Cambridge-based biotech firm Biogen.
The virus spread rapidly among conference attendees, but we don’t know how the virus initially got there. The conference was attended by Biogen employees from around the country and the world, but whether the initial infection was carried in from an individual or multiple people, from overseas or within the United States, has not yet been revealed.
…Well, that was only the beginning. When I spoke with my daughter two days ago, there were more cases of Corona Virus in her small town than in ALL of Illinois combined.
That’s why my brother Kenny sent her these.
Natasha was thrilled. She texted us, “Of all the presents I’ve received in my life, this one ranks near the top. Thank you!!”
(And remember, she got a pony when she was eleven.)
She now drives around with them in her car and wipes off her credit card before she hands it over and after they hand it back to her when she goes to pick up anything from a store.
Natasha is a first grade teacher with twenty years of experience under her belt. And thus my grandchildren, Sam five and Carly age three, were in for some truly professional home schooling. Natasha broke out her materials and easels and blackboards and educational games and plunged in with a gung ho professional learning schedule.
That was Day One.
By Day Five, the discipline had broken down a bit.
Natasha reported that Sam was only wearing pajamas all day long and now Carly was wearing his clothes.
They were both watching tons of verboten tv and going to the previously banned McDonald’s drive thru because it was the only game in town.
And because Natasha’s father-in-law is an internist who went to video-conferencing with his patients weeks ago, now, instead of fun playdates with Poppy and Mimi, she does drive-bys so the kids could wave to their Boston grandparents through the car windows.
I just cancelled a long-anticipated trip out there in April. I’m sad.
But Natasha is terrified that I’ll get sick on the plane.
And Zach, her husband, is terrified that I’ll get quarantined with them.
Discipline has broken down at my house, too.
The first few days, I dieted, exercised and read fabulous books.
Now, I’m eating three day old cold pizza directly from the box, and instead of Jane Austin or T. H. White, I just excitedly read that Taylor Swift was telling the truth all the way along about her feud with Kanye.
I’ve burned through everything on my iPad. I started out watching “The Forsyte Saga” and “Inspector Lewis” episodes on Youtube. Today I saw Kendall Jenner cheerleading on an “Ellen” clip.
I am officially lost.
On the bright side, I have made some new other friends in my solitude.
The good news is that I have become a whiz at Solitaire. The bad news is, at last count, there were fifty-two of these guys and I don’t think we’re supposed to congregate with more than ten now.
But there is another bright spot on my virus.
I’ve been wearing “COVID- Ready” hair now for years.
My own color- and as you can tell from the photo- I do it myself most weeks. Woe betide the gal nowadays who needs to get a little help with her color from a pro. Beauty shops are no longer considered “necessary businesses” in this new age of pestilence.
Maybe we should call it “The Blonde Death?”
I can’t help making fun, but believe me, Dear Readers, it’s like whistling when you pass a graveyard.
The situation is grave indeed and everywhere I turn, I’m surrounded with horror stories of lost wages and shuttered stores. I’ve heard first hand accounts from friends who think they may have it and didn’t even know. Some thought it was pneumonia or a really bad case of the flu.
But everywhere I turn, I also hear inspirational stories of sacrifice of doctors and nurses, of first responders and the brave people who clean my building and work at my grocery store.
They’ve shown great courage. It seems little enough to stay home and watch old episodes of “Inspector Morse.”
I’m praying like mad that we can stop this vicious thing.
Soon.
My thoughts and prayers go out to you, too. If you’ve got some time on your hands, let me know how you’re doing.
I miss you all and hopefully, the next time I send you another Letter, it will be to announce some good news.
Hang in there.
Love, Ellen
As I live and breathe. And I don’t take that for granted. How lovely’s to hear from you again E. So glad you didn’t trash the infrastructure!! Thanks for the update. You look beautiful as ever.
Hey, Fellow Post Camper and Hank Williams Fan! Great to hear that you’re “living and breathing,” too! And did I read about a potato chip blip on FB? I hear that, my friend. Regards to your crew. And thanks. 😊😷✊
Oh Ellen, I have missed you and your blog. I hope we’ll get more letters from you while you are in a lock down. I’ve become more of a hermit than I was before the deadly virus cut loose so I might as well be in a lock down since I rarely leave the house these days. The first case in our county was announced a couple days ago. The woman had been out of the country, was exposed on March 12 and diagnosed on March 18. Why is anyone out of our country right now? And who are the fools still taking cruises? Don’t they realize they could die as a result or be the cause of others dying?
The cases in Kansas are starting to take off. My son and his family just started their lock down in Johnson County near Kansas City. I worry about them. It’s a sad time when we can’t go visit our kids and grand kids, right?
It could be worse for us. My daughter, who just sent her second and last child off to college last fall, has both of her kids back home again. She had a very short empty nest period. I think she’s also working from home right now or at least she’s at home doing something instead of going into work as her company sent its employees home for at least two weeks.
I do agree that those of us who decided to let our hair go naturally gray years ago have an advantage when the hair salons shut down. But who will cut our hair? I have an appointment later this week and I’m furiously keeping my fingers crossed the salon won’t close before then.
I’m glad you’re hearing from your son more often. May there be good things which come out of this virus tragedy for all of us. Meanwhile I’d be happy with some of those Clorox Wipes, too. What a thoughtful present your son sent his sister. I doubt there’s a product made by Clorox left in our stores right now.
Please stay safe and keep us updated, Ellen.
Susan! My fellow Gray Panther! Yes, your thoughts about haircuts have occurred to me, too. But I can always do a pony tail whereas some of my friends are going to be in for a big surprise. They haven’t seen their real color since they were fifteen. One minor correction- it was my brother who sent my daughter- his niece- the wipes. But my kids have been very supportive of each other- from opposite ends of the country.
Yes, it must be tough on your daughter and grandkids to have their plans and dreams put on hold. Let’s hope this is short term.
I send you and yours all good wishes for our world’s speedy recovery. Thanks for checking in. It’s always a pleasure to hear your p.o.v. 😘😷🥂✊
It’s great to hear from you again even if it’s under such dire circumstances. My daughter has her Masters in Education and is going through the same stuff with her 11 and 8 year old. But at least I get to go to the beach and swim with them so everyone gets a break.
My son is being the stay at home dad and doing the school lessons while my pediatrician daughter-in-law is on the front lines hoping not to get sick not from the kids but the parents.
Hopefully one good thing will come from this – we will hear from you more often.
Thanks, Billy. And thanks to your crew for doing their bit. Hats off to them. My son-in-law is on the task force working to help suppress the spread of the disease in Europe and Africa. And on the home front, he and his team are figuring out deployment and the logistics of keeping the food chain going if cities like Seattle get completely cordoned off. How did we get such smarty-pants kids? Thank goodness for all their hard work. My daughter also insists that her husband teach two home school classes a day. He’s in charge of gym and recess. My grandson Sam also requested a Lego class.
Glad to know you and yours are doing well. I wish we were all at Washington Gardens. 😊😘✊
Ellen Dear,
Thank you for returning to cyber space in this time of distraction hunger.
Knowing how to deal with this new type of stress is so important. I have been using my noise canceling headphones and dancing for about 45 minutes. I make it my happy
time. It is cardiovascular if I dance to the right music. All gyms are closed so
Fast dancing is my workout. I recommend it to everyone able to move. For 45 minutes one an feel lighthearted and relieve tension. Try it and let me know what you think.
Sherry Baby! Hi, neighbor. Nice to know you’re dancing as fast as you can. I love it and I am going to do it. I danced to my video clip this morning and I also like “Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel” as well. It makes me feel like Cameron Diaz. Hope you and your kids are doing just fine. Josh in NYC must be in the thick of it. Say hi to all and keep up the good work. 😘😷✊💃
Thank for the lovely surprise of resuming your blog. It brings a sense of closeness during this time of isolation. As a member of the highest at risk candidates smiling is a healthful remedy and you and your thoughts do brighten my day. Thank you.
Denny! Great to hear from you. Thanks for the props are hope you, Sandy and all your clan are weathering the storm “Mad Dog” style. Be well, my friend. Let’s meet at Beinlich’s soon. 😊🍔😷
What a treat to wake up to a new letter from Elba!
Surprise! Honestly, I had no idea that I was going to send one. But social distancing sucks and I miss you guys. Stay well. Next year in Aspen…😘😷🥂✊
Ellen, nice to see you back on your beat. A monthly edition of the world as seen through the eyes of Elba would be a treat for those of us that smile while reading the various nuances of your wonderful life. How bout it! Take care, my friend.
Thanks, Rick. Well, as I’m sheltered in place, I might send one as the spirit moves me. I’ve been involved in some other projects but now it looks like most of my creative time will be spent idly looking up random stuff and wishing I had a Scottie- or a Sealyham. Thinking where I went wrong in my love life takes up about 22 hours a day, too. If I’m not too busy with self-recriminations, I just might take you up on that.
Hope all is well with you and your loved ones. Stay safe in there. Hope to see you- and everybody else- IRL soon. 😊🌴😷
Ellen — SO glad you’re back! We are sheltering in place in Palm Desert. Feel much safer here than in Chicago (or Lake Bluff, where we live now, when not in California). While there are some Corona cases in the Coachella Valley, it’s far less than Northern California (for now…)
Stay healthy!
Xox
So glad to hear from you, Mr. Zwecker. Glad you’re (semi) out of harm’s way and far from this madding crowd. You stay safe. You’re much too precious a natural resource to waste on some damn bug. 💋🌴😷✊
Carry on, E! It sounds like you’re doing all the right things (Of course Taylor Swift was telling the truth about the odious Kanye!). Remember, there’s a lot to be said for shared adversity shaping up societies, and we’re all in the same stinking boat with this one. So, with death snarling at us from every corner, as Sully would say, take heart, stay safe, hope for better things to emerge at the end of this tunnel.
Love, Hopsie
My dear Hopsy- and when you get older I can call you Popsy- Thank you from the bottom of my card sharp heart. I’m dealing you a royal flush. You’re aces with me. Stay safe in there. Love, Eugenia/Eve 😘🐍
So glad you are back. You make a horrible situation bearable and we can always see some comic relief in your commentary. I have missed your take on almost everything.
Please keep this going as your followers need another way to spend their days.
Stay healthy my friend.
Thanks, Darling Lili. This was truly unpremeditated. I just got sick of talking to myself. So glad to know people can connect with me here- and with each other. You stay safe out there and give Bill Zwecker a virtual kiss from me of you crossed socially distanced paths. And love to the kids and Ricky. Lunch when this is over and you get back? 😘😷✊🌴
Thanks Ellen. You’re right on target, as usual- with humor – as always. Keep in touch. We’re in California-and believe me- we are in, but grateful for our ability to buy groceries, our kids are ok- our granddaughter got the last flight out of Australia before they quarantined Hawaii in her way to Boston. (She was lucky-). Wash your hands- a lot. Keep writing. 💕
So glad to hear that you and your family are safe. And also happy to know your Boston granddaughter is back in the States. She’s going to have to do alot of washing and Clorox wiping where she’s headed but I’m sure you’re all relieved to have her home. Thanks for all your kind words. Be safe out there. 😘😷🌴
It is a ray of sunshine to hear from you! I am happy to hear that your kids are still well and are doing what is needed to stay that way. We have been “sheltering in place” for two weeks now. My kids have been in constant touch with their friends in Italy and have predicted what is now here and could be coming next week, and so they put us on lockdown very early. This will be a long haul and we need to be in touch with our friends. So glad that you are there!!
Vivien, right back at ya’! So glad to hear you’re doing fine but Laura’s many amici in Italia! That’s terrible. Please tell her that I’m thinking of everyone in my favorite city Firenze Bellina. Stay well. Can’t wait to meet up in the pine woods. ✊😷✊🌲
Hi E….greetings from sunny Tucson…we are all in the mix of this mess and it is sad. Stay healthy and I am trying myself even with a few health problems. Staying inside except for a few quick trips to the grocery. Was supposed to go to one of my best friends memorial service Wednesday, but like everything else was cancelled. Really feel bad for his wife and family. On my front, I am supposed to move to Tennessee in April where my 2 daughters live on Kentucky Lake, but might have to push that back. It will be bitter-sweet leaving Tucson, but looking forward to my lake time and seeing them more than once a year. So good to hear from you….stay safe and write again.
Hey there, buddy! Nice to hear from you. Glad to hear you’re (mostly) doing well. That’s too bad about your friend. Funerals having to be postponed. What could be worse? On the good news front, your move sounds like the next chapter. Enjoy it- and you stay in touch, too.
Boy have I missed your blogs.!!! Sunday & Thursday mornings have been dull.
Leave it to you to find some humor during this tenuous time.
Your hair looks beautiful and I hope you are keeping busy and enjoying your own company. I love the stories about your kids and grandkids!!!!
Please stay well and I’m looking forward to our summer lunch again.Hopefully we won’t have to sit at separate tables!!!
And I have missed you. Thanks, my friend. Hope you and your clan are doing well. And your dad? What a thing. Good thing my mother is dead. She would have had a stroke when they closed Rivers Casino. She would have no reason to live anymore. Stay in touch, be safe and yes, lunch. Eventually. 😘😷🥂
Hi Ellen,
Ellen,
Thanks for coming back into our lives; you have definitely brightened my time in quarantine. I loved hearing about Nick (my favorite!) and his family and Natasha and hers. I’m so sorry that you have to watch them go through this difficult time and all you can do is Facetime; I guess thank goodness for small favors. I hope you will keep writing because you really do make a difference!
Stay safe.
Love,
Terri
Ellen,
Thanks for coming back into our lives; you have definitely brightened my time in quarantine. I loved hearing about Nick (my favorite!) and his family and Natasha and hers. I’m so sorry that you have to watch then go through this difficult time and all you can do is Facetime; I guess thank goodness for small favors. I hope you will keep writing because you really do make a difference!
Stay safe.
Love,
Terri
Terri, How great it is to hear from you! I’m sorry it was under these trying conditions but nevertheless, it’s always a pleasure. Thanks for the kind words. I hope your crew is doing fine. My friends in Colorado say this awful thing is doing bad things there. Hope all is well with your beautiful crew there- and everywhere. Stay safe and I hope we can all reconvene in the real world very very soon. 😘😷✊
Happened on your blog written a few years ago about It’s Here. My husband and I loved to go there on dates, we lived 6300 South, so it was quite a trip. I remember all the artists’ pictures on the walls. Funny that no one has ever written a book about it. Thanks for the memories. Stay home and safe.
Thanks, Jackie. Glad you found it- it was an oldie but a goodie. And so glad it brought back happy memories in this awful new time. You stay safe too- and thanks again for the kind words.