Laurel Academy

...we can go outside! The people of Spain made such a (justified) fuss to the government that the government decided that starting Sunday, kids 14 and under can go outside with a parent for one hour per day, staying within 1 km (0.62 miles) of their home. I don't know why they think that kids over age 14 don't need outside exposure and exercise, but I'm selfishly glad that my kids both qualify. I had been hoping for less of a time and distance limit, but this is better than nothing. It has been six weeks since we've been able to go outside for a walk, so I plan to make the most of the opportunity. Technically, we can't go out as a family of four because only one parent is supposed to go with the kids. But I figure we can break up and go as two families of two. I also figure they can't patrol how long we're outside or even, really, how far we are from home. But we will play it safe and see how it goes. Rumor has it starting on May 10 the general population wi...

Thank you to my new best friend, Twitter, for providing this beautiful (ahem, hilarious) illustration of the point I was trying to make in yesterday's post:

I try to fill this blog with light-hearted, easy-to-read, nothing-to-worry-about updates, but this one will be a bit more involved. I think it's because after four weeks in total lockdown, I'm sick of it and all of the books and tv shows. All of them. On top of that, the messaging here in Spain has gotten kind of confusing, when it used to be pretty clear. I'll do my best to tell you what I mean by that, but first let me put in place an important disclaimer: I am reporting only based on my experiences and observations. The covid-19 pandemic is affecting the entire world right now and local/national politics, history, and culture play a large role in how governments and people act and react. While I know some of the rudiments, and I'm trying to learn more, I do not pretend to understand to any depth the politics, history, or culture in Spain. Other than their ridiculous bureaucracy, as far as I'm concerned, it's an a-okay place full of beautiful places and people...

Wow, has it really been two weeks since I've posted? The time has passed by much more quickly than I would have expected. We have completed three full weeks now of not being able to leave the apartment except to go to the grocery store. The rules have gotten stricter in the last couple of weeks. For example, now only one person per household can leave the house at once. For us that means that the kids can't go to the grocery store with a parent anymore. How have we been passing the days? We're keeping busy. Here's what I've been doing: Reading. I have read a lot of books these past few weeks. I am deeply grateful for e-books through OverDrive, access courtesy of the Delaware Division of Libraries and the University of Delaware. My favorite book that I've read during this time was The Witch Elm by Tana French. I also read The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White, The Witches are Coming by Lindy West, and Jessica Simpson's memoir, ...