While everyone is hoarding supplies in cities and towns world-wide for those of us who live in rural areas, it’s life as usual. Due to our physical distance from society we all tend to naturally stock supplies. There’s nothing worse than feeling ill or hungry and not having what you need readily on hand in your home.
I follow farms, hobby farms and homesteaders on social media around the world. Not one is having an issue with the pandemic’s quarantine. Yesterday, an Italian friend of mine posted a video of his young son playing tennis with his wife on their own rustic home court. He was grilling fresh vegetables and pizza while watching them play in the Italian sunshine. The view was beautiful and, yet, these are not wealthy people – by far. I noted people were voicing their concerns, considering the massive amount of media covering Italy currently, wondering about their safety and quarantine. My friends response to the inquiries was that they live rurally and it’s life as normal. Scenes like these are repeated throughout my online farm friends.
There’s a peace of mind that comes with this lifestyle that I’ve never experienced in my city life. Of course there are downsides at times but overall it’s quite a freeing experience. Fortunately, it’s spring now and there’s some fresh green food for the animals. Bugs come in and out depending upon the temperatures so the animals don’t need much in the way of supplemental food, resulting in great tasting eggs. It helps that the egg baskets are full now, too.
I can make fresh bread during cool evenings. The blackberries, mulberries, blueberries and plum trees are flowering and leafing out so soon there will be more natural foods available. I still have the pecans harvested last fall. The air is fresh, the water is crisp and clean. The fish are starting to jump and there’s plenty of meat available, if needed. My little home dairy recently experienced a set back with Maybelle having triplets that I had to ultimately give up for adoption to help save her life. So I’ve had to dry her off. Fortunately, I have two more does due any day so in a couple months I’ll be back in business for homemade cheese and caramel sauce.
I’ve been taking the time away from my social life to learn new skills. This time, it was between learning the violin and learning to sew. I chose to finally learn to sew. My entire life I’ve followed in my grandmothers and mother’s designer aspirations by sketching clothing designs. Now, I’m hoping to bring some of my designs to life. At this point, I’ve already recovered all my decorative pillows. Baby steps. 
So if you find yourself wondering what to do during self quarantine consider thinking of all the things you’ve ever wanted to do and never had the time for. Learn calligraphy, read, knit, make bread, write letters, wood working – whatever you’ve been drawn to.
There can certainly be benefits to the current state of the world. You don’t have to stop living, in fact, it’s time to enhance your own life.
xo
