Letters from Tammy Strobel is a free weekly newsletter about creativity and curiosity, funded through Buy Me a Coffee.
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Hi friends,
Last week, I looked out the window and saw Logan riding his bike toward our apartment. This was strange because it was mid-day on Monday.
I thought: Ohhh no, The Husband doesn't feel good. He probably has COVID!
I was right. Logan tested positive for COVID-19. It’s wild that Logan got COVID because he is fully vaccinated and boosted. And, Logan still wears an N95-mask at work.
We understand that it is possible to get COVID-19 even though we are vaccinated, boosted, and wear masks in public spaces. Getting vaccinated is important because vaccines lower the likelihood of becoming seriously ill or dying from COVID. It amazes me how contagious COVID is! The variants have gone wild.
Thankfully, Logan’s symptoms have been mild. Mild symptoms aren’t fun, though. I’m glad Logan has been able to work from home, and that he’s made time to rest.
As of this writing, I haven’t gotten COVID (yet). I've done multiple rapid tests and PCR tests—all were negative. I got my COVID-19 Bivalent Booster shot a few weeks ago and that may have given me extra protection.
Here are a few more things that we’ve been doing to prevent spreading COVID:
Logan has been isolating in our office/guest bedroom, and working from home.
I’ve (mostly) stayed home. There were a few errands that I had to do. While I was out, I masked and kept my distance from other people.
When Logan and I are in the same room, we mask and try to stay distant. That means no hugs and kisses (such a bummer)!
Logan has also been wearing a mask around Ursula because humans can give cats COVID.
We are not eating meals together.
We keep the windows open, fans on, and air filters going as much as possible.
In summary, we’ve followed the CDC's guidance (more details here).
Hopefully, Logan will be COVID-free soon. And with a little more luck, I won’t get sick either.
GOOD LINKS
With that, here’s what I enjoyed reading and listening to over the past few weeks:
1.) “No More Grind: How to Finally Rest with Tricia Hersey” is an excellent conversation about rest, grind culture, capitalism, and creativity. Listening to this conversation was perfect timing because I’m trying to build more rest into my daily life. For example, I was tired last weekend because I slept poorly. In the past, I would have pushed through my fatigue. I’m done with that program. Instead of pushing myself—and turning into a grumpy pumpkin—I choose rest. I can’t wait to read Hersey's book—Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto.
2.) Amy Bloom’s book — In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss — tells the story of Bloom’s husband, Brian, getting Alzheimer's and his choice to end his life. The story is compelling, powerful, and I learned a lot. If you don’t want to read the book, listen to Bloom’s vulnerable account of the experience on This American Life.
3.) “On Making Friends” by Suleika Jaouad resonated with me. I'm fortunate to have good friends who live far away, and friends who live locally. I want to make a concerted effort to host local friend gatherings this year.
4.) “The right way to build solid friendships” by Dakota Gale is a great post on friendship and boundaries. It reminded me that it’s okay to set boundaries, and it’s okay to be needy.
5.) "Why this 1992 personal finance book still has a cult following" by Helaine Olen is a fantastic article about Vicki Robin and her book—Your Money or Your Life. I also enjoyed reading Robin’s reflections about the article. Over a decade ago, I read Your Money or Your Life. The book helped me rethink how I wanted to spend my time and money. I’m looking forward to reading the updated edition!
6.) "In a poetic mood" by Shanna Trenholm is a delightful article. I love these lines:
“ … suffice it to say that joy is meeting me, seeing me, and enriching my life multifold. This is unexpected and caught me way off-guard; it’s sublime—and this connection requires that I show up as my whole self, unmediated and unmasked.”
7.) Loving the newsletter "Noted” by Jillian Hess. It’s all about notebooks!
What did you enjoy reading or listening to this week?
Thank you!
My heartfelt thanks goes to: Kaatje, Liz, Siobhan, Sunny, M., Nadya, Megan, @kyennew, Eva, and Susan for supporting my work through Buy Me a Coffee.
Your support—whether it’s a comment, kind e-mail, or a coffee—encourages me to keep writing.
Thanks for being here!
With gratitude,
Tammy Strobel
Adventures with COVID-19
REST is MEDICINE.
(((SENDING LOVVVVVE)))
Good luck with staying Covid-free and wish you both good health:)