Lock Down

The state of Illinois is on lock down as of 5pm today.  Other than essentials, everything is closing up and everyone is supposed to stay home unless mandatory work, picking up groceries or having health care needs.  I went back and forth to work all week and there was considerably less traffic already so a number of people have begun to stay home.

I was supposed to be able to start working from home Monday but TPTB have yet to get me set up.  Meanwhile positions that have zero contact with the physicians or patients have been home since Wednesday.  I have mixed feelings on it all. I don't want to stay home and be unable to help my doc's during such a difficult time but I'm also afraid of bringing it home to the big guy.  He is very healthy but is older and shouldn't take any chances.  We have a number of suspected cases in our hospital and they will find out today if they are in fact positive. Such a scary time for many.
I believe tomorrow  I'm going to text my leader and tell her that I will be there Monday but would really appreciate being able to work from home ASAP.

We are blessed to be stocked up on all of the necessities to stay home for a few weeks. Life can pretty much go on as normal.  I'm an introvert so I'm fine with staying home as long as possible.  The big guy though is a very social person so I'm not sure how much longer before he gets a little stir crazy.  We do have a large back yard though and the weaher is starting to improve so that will give him somewhere to go besides the house.

Last night I decided to make a little comfort food for dinner.  Beef sausage with peppers and onions, some corn on the cob from last summer that was in the freezer and one of my favorite ways to make potatoes.  You just cube potatoes and boil until they are about 2/3 of the way done.  About 15 minutes.  Drain and spread potatoes out on a cookie sheet.  Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle on Chicken Salt.  Roast in a 350 degree oven until golden brown and crispy.

Chicken Salt:
1 TBS granulated onion
1 TBS granulated garlic
1 TBS paprica
1 TBS turmeric
1 TSP sea salt
*Store in a glass jar at room temperature

Uncertain Times

All schools in our state are closed until the end of March.  Panic buyers have wiped the town clean of sanitizers, paper products and more. Kroger and Walmart are not open 24 hours a day now so they have time to restock and sanitize the stores. Churches are canceling services.  The big guy owns a Tae Kwon Do school so we are thinking heavily of what we need to do.  The closest confirmed case is two and a half hours away from us.  We don't want to panic and suspend services but we don't want to take any chances either so we have to really think about this over the next day or two. 

I'm a level headed woman that doesn't panic. I'm pretty good at just rolling with it.  Whatever it may be. I've never been one to believe or expect our government to take care of me.  I take full responsibility for myself.  However I can't help but wonder how bad is this really going to get.  Is the media making more out of this or are they suppressing just how bad it truly is? Only time will tell I guess.

Jet has enough cat food and litter to get by for a month.  We have enough sanity items to get through a month.  I'm estimating we have enough food to get through at least a couple of weeks or more.  If we have to stay home for a few weeks there is enough books to read and lists to complete that we would not be bored.

On a positive note...the sun is shining, the forsythia is in full bloom and I am excited about getting outside soon to start my garden. I'm also making hummus today. I hope everyone can find a few positives as we move through these very uncertain times.

Hummus from FEAST by Anissa Helou

1 Cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight in plenty of water with 1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 Cup tahini

Juice of 1 or 2 lemons

2 garlic cloves ( I use 4 or 5 because I LOVE garlic)

Pinch of sea salt

Combine all ingredients in your food processor and combine until smooth. I have a friend from India who told me to include one ice cube to make it even smoother and it  actually really does.

Garnish with EV olive oil

Serve with veggies, flat bread or pretzel crisps