Hello. How are we all in this strangest of times? It is in fact the little things—or at least the things that a few weeks ago would have been taken completely for granted—that are driving life right now. Some stuff I’ve realized this week:

• I have never washed my hands correctly. Seriously. Imagine my utter chagrin and shock to learn that after actually focusing on what is required in order to get a good clean pair of hands that I’ve been at best shoddy and at worst just completely negligent of germ removal altogether—wasting soap really. When I finally understood (with the help of the NYTimes and various renditions of 20-second songs) how to accomplish this task, I felt a combination of pride and slight embarrassment. But what is expository writing for, if not to share?

• While it might be a bright spot in an otherwise dark time to believe that COVID-19 has brought a bright side by way of wildlife and other beauties repopulating the earth because maybe this virus is nature’s way of saying “Hey, humans, you’ve messed with our territory enough. While you’re inside self-isolating, we’re gonna take advantage of the open spaces and frolic.” Unfortunately, though, this isn’t altogether true. Too bad because I was going to write this entire blog about the great views Venice citizens were getting from their windows as dolphins and swans returned to cleaner canals. And while that’s not altogether wrong, it’s not altogether true either. As usual, snopes weighs in with rumor-busting, but also, just reasonably speaking, yes, the waters look cleaner (no silt stirred from gondolas) and the dolphins are nosing around (no gondolas blocking their way). But also the city suffers with no human interaction, so maybe this becomes a time of figuring out how to reenter the world without displacing every thing in front or behind us. Tricky, that.

• People are amazing in their ability to give, stay connected, and do what they can to help us all remain sane. Whether it’s FaceTime friend chats or virtual workouts, this period has brought some rich moments of giving. Trainer extraordinaire Kym Nolden helped me sweat off some pent-up energy last week when she streamed a live Instagram barre class that not only reminded me that I really don’t care for side planks, but also made me feel like I was back in a class with her as she shouted out hellos to people I haven’t seen since I left NYC and the Hearst tower. The amazing&wonderful trainer Denise Harris and her Resolve to Move has made me happy everyday as I watch her Instagram posts and sometimes drop down to execute some moves. Folks are generous. They’re sharing what they do from movement to meditation and even though we all may be taking some financial hits, being able to contribute to them with whatever’s available via technology has felt amazing.

• There are places that are paying attention. On our way to take things over to my dad’s yesterday we stopped at the local Trader Joe’s. At first, when I saw the line outside the TJ’s I balked (is this just a New Yorker reaction? Or is everyone equally as impatient?). But then I realized that they were doing a really good thing: Everyone was standing 6-feet apart and the store was only letting in two people at a time while madly disinfecting carts and what-not. Once inside people were being very respectful and spaced out (physically, but also maybe a little mentally as well), while taking only what they needed (there was a two item minimum) and moving quickly so as to let others outside get in. I blabbed to every TJ employee I came across how awesome I thought they were doing. Of course I feel a special pang for any person who has to be manning a cash register, delivering items, or working in a distribution center right now. Beyond the obvious awe I feel for healthcare workers—combined with abject furor and fear over their lack of equipment— everyone who is out in the world supporting us who are sheltering in/working from home is an effin’ hero. Not to mention customer service folks at financial institutions and other service providers who are dealing with flat-out freak-outs as we all try and figure out where our money is currently. As the lovely Benay Bubar put it in a FB post last week (this was her birthday wish. see below for the whole of it): “even a life that is in many ways limited right now can be meaningful and purposeful because we are all in this together and we need to take care of one another.”

• Many museums and galleries are closed in this moment in time. All the arts are shut down. Support for those institutions and for the artists themselves is really important. My friend TB Ward shared this song to NPRs Tiny Desk music and I think even though we are all separated, the opportunity to listen and be moved is paramount. I am going to work on a list of places that are either live-streaming and also taking donations, but I’d also love to hear about how you’re supporting your favorite arts and/or have heard about people who are doing that well.

At a fairly chaotic Target stop to pick up some non-food supplies for ours and my dad’s place, I stared at the empty toilet paper shelves wistfully. I didn’t have high hopes, but it was worth a try. Dennis wandered off to the electronics aisle for something electronic and happened upon a six pack of TP gold left abandoned in some random aisle. When he rounded the corner holding the pack I felt both lucky and vulnerable. Strange to feel that about toilet paper. Then, as he went on the hunt for Duraflame pressed logs for my dad’s fireplace, he found one lonely box on an otherwise empty shelf. It is clear that all things to do with sheltering in cozy comfort (something that toilet paper apparently plays a role in) are in short supply because the soup aisle was empty too.

A final message to everyone, be well physically and mentally! And please let me know what smiles you’ve found over this last little while from the little to the big.