Pods of People

We are deep in the hot lazy days of Summer now. A little while ago, we created a two-family "pod." It was in the works back in February when our families were on a ski trip together, and we hatched a plan that "if what happened in Italy happens here, we'll isolate together." Well we did it. It was totally surreal to walk into a friend's house and hug them. It's been overwhelming to go from really quiet with days owhere we don't even talk very much to all the giggles and shouts and other adults to joke with. The other family also has one parent working from home and one doing the homeschooling. Two parents now are teaming up and running what we affectionately refer to as Bummercamp. The kids are so happy. We each take turns cooking for our group of 8, we juggle kids around so everyone gets breaks and couples get "dates". We've combined all our grocery orders, and our gardening plans. I do all the baking and am enjoying having more to share it with. Our favorite new tradition is "the half sleepover". We have dinner and put all four kids (aged 4 and 7) to bed in one room. Then adults make cocktails and watch a movie. When it's time to part, we carry the guest kids to the car (they don't wake up) and out them in bed at home. They are so used to all going to bed now it's like a well-worn track. 

#blacklivesmatter Posters for the car caravan

Aside from our happy little pod, we have been focusing less on covid and more on civil rights. We've been pretty absorbed in the Black Lives Matter protests. It has sparked more learning about US history for us.  We joined the Fairfax BLM car caravan last week with the kids and started some big conversations with them at their level. It's a pivotal time for the United States. My Canadian friends aren't sure why we aren't running for the border. I'm not afraid really. The rise of Trumpism is scary sure, but this isn't just happening in the US. It just happens to be exploding here right now. Like Mr Rogers said "Look for the helpers" and we do, and they are always there.