Being at home is a dream come true for many, but not under these circumstances.

What can you do for your family and your neighbors to help maintain morale during Shelter in Place?

I have a few suggestions using materials around the house:

1.       I’ve been seeing on social media is homemade window decals to send a message of support to neighbors out for a quick walk during social distancing. Some people are making construction paper hearts and flowers or Easter eggs and taping them to their doors and windows.

a.       If you don’t have construction paper, you can use old scraps of wrapping paper or cut color pictures from old magazines into shapes.

b.      Change them up everyday – move them to other windows, arrange them differently or add a new picture, so your neighbors see something new on their walks.

c.       You can even cut letters out of newsprint –say “HI,” “STAY SAFE,” or “HAVE A GREAT WALK.”

2.       Now that glass jars are no longer being accepted for recycling in many areas, you can save a few from the trash bin and make luminaries, terrariums, inspiration jars or time capsules. Wash the jars and remove the labels- glue remnants can be easily removed with a bit of oil or cream of tartar.

a.       Tie ribbons around the neck of the jar, add a band of chalk  paint or any acrylic paint or glue on a strip of fabric or paper; add sand or kitty litter and a votive candle or an LED votive. Place the votives 18” – 24” apart along your porch or walkway. Light them for Easter or to brighten the neighborhood in the evenings (always use care with lit candles).

b.      Add pebbles to the bottom of a glass jar or tin can. Fill about 2/3 way with potting soil and plant seeds or succulents.

c.       Decorate a glass jar or shoe box and fill with pieces of paper containing inspirational quotes and something to do. You can add a few each day. Every time you feel discouraged or stressed pull out a paper and read what it says and do it. If you have little ones make a scavenger hunt jar of things to be found around the house – *hint - it can be things that need to be put away or sorted. It can be things of a certain color or shape or specific numbers of things.

d.      Start a time capsule about Sheltering in Place. When this is over, put it away and wait one year before you pull it out. I think you will be amazed what a difference a year makes. You can make it an annual thing. We should always remember this time.

There will be awful memories and awesome ones. What will you choose to embrace?