Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #91: Simplicity
Patti Moed invited us to focus on the theme Simplicity this week as the Coronavirus pandemic spreads and intensifies, many of us around the world are spending a lot of time at home, following governmental regulations to shelter in place.
As of April 6, 2020, California has 15,221 cases reported and 351 deaths, according to a New York Times database. The government issued the rules of wearing masks outdoor and when shopping.
We have tried our best to stay home and keep things simple. We set up a home gym with workout bench, dumbbells, and treadmill. Hubby has a manikin to practice boxing. He runs in a nearby park. I walk around a nearby lake or in the neighborhood.
We eat simple food with eggs, avocados, tomatoes, and fruits for breakfast, vegetables and alternate chicken and salmon for dinner. The shopping list is simple, so Hubby only goes once a week for a quick run. I rarely go to the stores.
To increase physical activity, I do more gardening when weather is clear. I planted some seeds for gladiolus several years ago. They multiplied, and some flowers grew under a grapevine last year, not getting enough space and sunlight to grow. I dug them up last week and transplanted to another area to grow better.
My daughter has a Tinybeans.com account where she posts photos of her kids and family activities. I checked the account every day to look at the photos and videos. They give me much joy and I look forward to them every day. The daycare is closed, so Autumn stays home. She plays in the backyard, rides her balance bike or skateboard in the nearby park or on the street.
Stay safe and please share with me in the comment how you maintain simplicity yet keep your life interesting.
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #91: Simplicity
The Showers of Blessings 
Beautiful pics, Miriam! Happy Easter. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Kevin. Happy Easter to you. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You have a beautiful place to walk, Miriam. I don’t blame you for spending time outside. It’s a good balance to all the stress. Be well, my friend. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Diana. I finished one audiobook in four days’ walk. It was productive. I want very much to visit my new granddaughter, but have to wait. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I understand how hard it is not to visit grandkids. Skype works, but its just not the same. That will be a wonderful day. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
I look forward to the day when this is all over, Diana! 💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful photos and simple life stories for this theme. Love the photo of your granddaughter. Stay safe., Miriam.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Amy. We’re doing our best. That’s the only to stay safe now.
LikeLike
Hi Miriam, nice pics and recommendations for living the simple life. I’m planning on doing some gardening this Easter weekend. Hope you and yours enjoy the weekend. Take care. Marje x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Marje. This Easter will be the first kind in my life when we don’t go to church. We’ll watching the live streaming instead. 🌄💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, that’s a shame for you. Happy Easter. xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know, Marje. We don’t have a choice this year. Happy Easter to you. 💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the simple life. Our grocery lists are fairly simple, our avocados look yummy I will to add that to my list. I’m going to get my garden going soon after the snow melts. I love walking in nature and spring gives us a new outlook as it brings forth life. My greatest joy this week was talking to my oldest grandkids on the phone and they told us to please stay safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m always amazed when going to grocery shopping and see people have a full cart with all kinds of things. Their cooking must be interesting!! Since my husband is doing the cooking, he cooks the same thing with a small variety. I’m getting to like that.
I can imagine you waking in the forest and breath in the fresh air, Denise. I love to smell the green when I go to Oregon to visit my daughter.
I’m glad you talked to your grandkids this week. Grandkids are so precious. It warms your heart when they say stay safe to you. 💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your description of the simple life sounds a lot like mine! Stay well and stay safe, Miriam. I can see why you love the daily shots of your grandchildren!
LikeLike
I get to enjoy my uninterrupted time at home, Patti. I read the coronavirus statistics yesterday about Hong Kong because my family is there. With more than a million people in a crowded city, there are only 935 case and 4 deaths. They must be doing something right.
I missed watching and seeing in person of my grandchildren’s growth. Getting some photos and videos give me a glimpse of it.
LikeLike
P.S. As for the asparagus, it takes a few years before your bed will be prolific, but it’s worth the time and effort–meanwhile, you get to enjoy a few meals each season while the bed is maturing so you can cut a goodly amount. We now get about 20-30 lbs of fresh asparagus each summer. It is heavenly! 🙂 xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s good to know, Bette. I can start planting it this year. My three years oldest apple tree is still taking time to give us good fruits. They’re still small. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our six apple trees (different varieties) were babies when we planted them in 2002. Now we wish we had planted dwarf variety or that we had pruned the tops when they were younger. Fortunately, what we can’t eat, store, give away to friends and family, the wild life manages to savor during winter months.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know how it goes, Bette. Our orange tree is getting taller and taller as the lower branches died. We have to use ladder to pick them. Our apple tree and plum trees are dwarf trees, and prune them the last few years. I give away most of the plums and apples also.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, Miriam!
These are really gorgeous snaps. Truly amazing 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much. I appreciate your comment, Hammad! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Stay blessed and take good care of you and yours… ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Bette. Same to you! My sister in Hong Kong introduced me to a children’s book author and illustrator. I made the initial contact with her. Hope something works out! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s wonderful, Miriam! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is, Bette! 💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing photographs, Miriam and please even if you go out for a walk wear a mask and tell your husband too. Even if you talk to someone kindly keep a distance. In India they are not allowing us to get out of our houses at all. Only for bare necessities we cannot step out nor allow anyone to come into our houses. Please take care and stay safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Kamal. I should wear a mask even when going out for a walk because some people may walk by me. We wear masks and gloves when going to the store.
My sister-in-law and her husband went to India beginning of March to trace her roots. My husband’s grandfather was a British Official stationed in India. His father was born in India, then moved to Australia.
I think the grandfather was buried in India. She met the son of the person serving in the grandfather’s home and a few other people.
She came home before things got to intense.
Take care of yourself and your family.
LikeLike
Oh that is very nice to hear Miriam and lucky she could go back now the whole world is under quarantine. You know Miriam I too am a walker but we are not allowed outside at all. The police are patrolling everywhere and wearing masks and gloves and keeping safe distance is only going to be good for us so that we do not get the virus. We are all completely locked down. This time in Europe and America and Australia are most badly cases of deaths because people are not listening. Let us all stay safe and do not allow small children too out of the houses. My daughter too does not remove her small son out of the house nor comes to meet us. We all do video chatting. Stay safe dear Miriam. You all are precious ❤️❤️❤️❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re right, Kamal. Not all the states in the US practice social distancing. Now the deaths is climbing up to the top three in the world with the cases being the top.
Most of my family is in Hong Kong. It’s a dense city with more than 1 million people in a tiny city. They only have 935 case with 4 deaths. People wear masks everywhere they go.
Yes, I’ll ear a mask even when I go for a walk. Thank you, Kamal. Let’s stay safe to see this pandemic through. ❤ ❤ 🙂 🙂
LikeLike
Absolutely true and US has crossed the mark in deaths because people are not following the orders. You take care and wear masks and keep a great distance do not stop to chat also and yes Hong Kong is so little compared to US but people are following orders. Stay safe dear Miriam 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re right, Kamal. People in the US exercise a lot of freedom. I wore mask to go on my walk yesterday. Thank you very much, Kamal. Let’s stay safe. 😊🙏😊🙏
LikeLike
Yes dear Miriam 🙏🙏🙏🙏 take care
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤ 🙂 ❤
LikeLike
❤️❤️❤️❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
💖🤗💖🤗
LikeLike
❤️❤️❤️
LikeLike
Very nice, Miriam. Love the gladiolas and the child on the ‘surfboard’. I’m enjoying the quiet lack of people and traffic, unfortunate it comes at a price.
LikeLike
I’m glad you liked my gardening and my granddaughter’s photo, John. I also enjoy the uninterrupted time of doing things at home. I normally have classes on Thursdays and Fridays and meeting on Monday night and Sunday morning.
I know, the coronavirus is so dangerous. It spreads through breathing. We wear mask and gloves when going to the stores.
LikeLiked by 1 person
::thumbsup:: Stay safe, be well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will, thank you, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Miriam. Lovely photos, I am glad that Autumn is getting outdoors and enjoying fresh air and exercise. Keep well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Kim, good to hear from you and hop you’re doing well. My daughter lives in a residential area without too much traffic. I’m glad Autumn can play on the street. Stay safe!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tiny Beans sounds like a lovely way to stay in contact with your family, Miriam. I’m sure you are looking forward to being with them in person again and meeting your new granddaughter Nora. Stay well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, Norah, I love that website and the photos and videos my daughter posts. I want to go on Mother’s Day weekend, the second Sunday in May. But things are getting more intense here, so I’m not sure if it’s okay to travel four weeks from now. Take care.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stay safe, Miriam. Your daughter and granddaughters need you far into the future. Another week or two will seem like a blink when you are celebrating 18th birthdays. 💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know, Norah. I must take care of myself in order to enjoy them when this crisis is over. Let’s all stay safe. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Easter, Miriam. 💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Easter to you, Norah. 🌹
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am glad you are able to stay in contact with your daughter and her family this way, Miriam. I am trying with my family but I don’t have much spare time as I am still working. You are fortunate to be going into spring in the US. One silver lining at least.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know, Robbie. Your plate is overflowing. Can you keep in touch with your mom? Is she living by herself? It has been raining for a week. I may have to walk in the rain today. We need water so I’m not complaining.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Both my parents live with us, Miriam. They have their own cottage on our property. My mom has been very shocked and still is, but we are managing. We speak to Terence’s family once a week on Facetime and he chats to them every second day by phone. My aunt is alone, her preference as I did invite her to come here, but I do understand she wants her privacy and things. I am chatting to my sisters on our WhatsApp group daily. Our weather is also horrible. We also need rain but it isn’t raining, just cloudy and cold. Stay well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I chat on WhatsApp working on my siblings in Hong Kong. I call Mercy on the phone, and text, and video chat with her. Lynton calls his mom every day and group text with his siblings. His mom is 89 and lives alone. Her Alzheimer is in the beginning stage but started having hallucinations.
We communicated with each other more often than normal time because this virus is so dangerous and has no pattern.
I walked in the rain yesterday. Yes, please stay well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like walking in the rain, Miriam. It is lovely that you are all staying in contact like this. I have been so busy at work that I hardly saw my boys today, never mind anything else.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll walk in the rain again today. Are you working at home now?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, that is the best part of this pandemic for me. I don’t have to go into the office and waste time participating in all the administrative stuff. I prefer being at home and just doing what I do really well. It gives me a bit of time to write every day too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad you find this remote working helpful, Robbie. When I studied my administrative credential 20 years ago, one thing we talked about was distant learning for some remote population because it’s too far to go to school. Also talked about-face having satillite office or home office for the large companies to reduce commute.
I can’t believe that it takes this deadly virus to speed up the technology on all the levels.
I take classes for the retirees at a university. A few classes use Zoom. Now the program wants to train instructors to use Zoom for the future semesters
LikeLiked by 1 person
History has shown us that great progress usually comes out of times of great difficulty and challenge, Miriam. My company is offering training via Skype and Microsoft Teams and lots of people are commenting that it all makes so much sense, using technology for meetings, etc, instead of wearing ourselves out with travelling.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I can think of scientists also invent to solve problems. hope eventually companies offer working at home part of the week, at least that can be done on a management level because they get pay for the job not by the hours. The production line workers don’t have the choice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Zoom is good also and can see everyone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We share similar activities: checking on grandchildren and gardening. The simple things in life mean so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly, I enjoy my simple retired life. The only things I can do right now are going to the classes for the retirees and going to church meetings.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Simplicity…I love walking meditation. I live near a middle school that has a wonderful track. As I walk the laps in the early morning, I listen…to all the birds. It’s magical. ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know, Gwen, nothing is greater than meditation to clear our mind and spirit. I could hear the birds by the lake. ❤
LikeLike
Great photos! I hope you get to see your newest grandchild in person soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I want it so much, but Don’t know when is safe to travel. Death toll is rising in the US.
LikeLike
You did the right thing by staying home. I’m sure it’s killing you; I’m going stir crazy. I get out of the house once a day to take a long walk.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Walking is good, Pete. It has been raining here and rained all night last night. I may have to walk in the rain today.
LikeLike
We live simply by growing much of our own food, cooking/baking and by cutting fallen trees for firewood, We enjoy living a simple life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s wonderful you grow much of your food. Do you eat mostly vegetables?
We have enough oranges year round. I tried to grow vegetables, but our summer is too hot with full sun. The snow peas got too dry before mature. There is one area without full sun all day. I may try to plant something there this year. I grew tomatoes before but now my husband is allergic to tomatoes and I don’t eat fast enough.
By the ways, I’m done revising the story and sent it to three people to read. After that, I’ll visit the editor you recommended. The word count is about 2000. I’m still looking for an illustrator.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We eat and store of many fruits and vegetables from the garden and we eat small portions of meat and bake most of our own breads and desserts. Our harvests last us well into the following season and I make a lot of jams to give as gifts. Dan’s just started some of his seeds last week. We also have perennials like asparagus and many herbs. Life is good and we are grateful! ❤ xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to know asparagus is perennial. I should start with that. I just learned to make plum jams last year and look forward to doing that this year. Did you grow broccoli? I eat broccoli and carrots every day. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have grown broccoli, but haven’t had a lot of luck with it due to our short growing season. Last year we tried Brussels Sprouts and it was the same with them. Those of two of our favorites. Plum jam is one of my favorites! ❤ xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I grew broccoli, carrots, corns and other vegetables when I was in Portland OR. The temperature is just right with sunshine without heat.
I used a low sugar recipe for the plum jam last year and Will try again. 💖
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful! We are blessed… ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed, Bette! I don’t have enough space to grow too many right now. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person