I never thought I’d be buying groceries before 8 a.m. but it does work well. The parking lot isn’t nearly as crowded and there are less people shopping. I did run into a crowd in the cheese aisle, but I grabbed my bag of cooked Perdue chicken strips and finished my listed items. Checking out was quick, as usual at Publix, and I was back home before Norman was awake. 

  The next change was filling out my census on the internet, and it went very quickly. I’ve already requested absentee ballots for our upcoming vote, and have never tried that before. I got an e-mail from one of my doctors who usually calls to schedule my next appointment, but I know they’re working from home right now.  I’m glad that Walgreens has a phone number I can call and talk to a computer to re-order our prescriptions. Then I get an e-mail when it’s ready after asking them not to text my simple flip phone anymore. 

  I got an e-mail notice from the Georgia Lottery that their offices would not be open, but they told me how to submit my winning numbers. So, I’ve quit playing that game for the time being. I’m keeping a little log about how much money I’m saving and will use those funds for a road trip once our beaches are back open.  I still stop at BP and fill the Camry’s gas tank the same way, no change there, but the price per gallon has gone way down! I heard on WJGA that Bellamy Strickland now lets people schedule repairs online, including pickup and delivery for their customers. 

  All my adult children are now working from home. and it’s great that we have the internet and cell phones to help us in these times. I actually had a meeting with our investment counselor without going to his office; just answered the phone and had already checked out the latest numbers he sent us via the internet. I’ll drop off the tax documents to our trusted accountants to complete our 2019 tax returns, from my car by appointment.

  I’m still enjoying church from home too, and even had communion on Good Friday as we recited those responses and then dipped, ate and drank the bread and grape juice. I’m really glad we didn’t have to give up those wonderful rituals I’ve loved all my life. I do miss seeing my Methodist brothers and sisters but I’m keeping in touch with them via phone and Facebook. The same thing goes for my sweet family. I miss them all SO much, but must shelter in place. I’m getting a tad bored, and then – someone posts a wonderful memory or a neat surprise.  I loved seeing part of a favorite movie, “Smokey and the Bandit,” but they also showed some of the places in the movie as they are in today’s time. Afterwards I did an online search for the cast in that neat movie I always loved and could watch over and over. Then I looked up the cast in “Leave It to Beaver,” and saw the stars as they now look and how they looked back in the day.    I’m glad I’m still getting all my favorite newspapers, plus my Friday joy, The Week, a fun magazine with concise articles and a crossword puzzle on the last page. I’m still enjoying watching “Wheel of Fortune,” “Jeopardy,” all my cop and medical shows, and keeping up with the latest news via my favorite television stations and WJGA radio too. I actually enjoy seeing our president and his staff with their nightly updates, and will keep the prayers going for the USA and our entire world. No change in how I talk to our Father in Heaven. PTL!