When I work up this morning, I realized that I hadn’t posted a challenge on Thursday. Sorry for the delay. With all of the changes during the pandemic, my schedule has taken a huge hit. There are days when I can’t remember if it’s Monday or Friday. I live in Utah, and today (Saturday, May 16), the governor moved most of the state from an orange level to a yellow level. This means that all businesses can open, all restaurants can open their dining rooms (with distancing limitations), and we can have gatherings of 50 or fewer people. Even with this new “freedoms”, we are still urged to be wise. You see masks everywhere, and some stores require that employees and customers all wear them, like Costco. There are some stores that hand out disposable masks at the door and some that still limit the number of people that can be inside at one time.
One change that I’ve noticed for me is that I’m getting better at recognizing when someone is smiling even if they are wearing a mask. This is my mother. We did a social distance dinner with her on Mother’s Day (we ate outside on her patio and we all wore masks before and after the meal). For family members who came to visit but not for dinner, we set up a small table in the garage where she offered self-serve strawberry shortcake. My sister made her this very stylish mask. We are very aware of the risks and dangers for my mother (who will be 87 next month) and my mother-in-law (who will be 88 tomorrow). We are allowing them to manage their own risk, and they are both being smart while also being aware that as widows living in their homes alone, complete social isolation isn’t good for their mental health. I’m looking forward to the day when I can give both of them a big hug again.
IN A NEW POST CREATED FOR THIS CHALLENGE, SHARE A PHOTO OR TWO OF A CHANGE YOU’VE EXPERIENCED DURING THE CRISIS.
Everyone is welcome to participate, even if your blog isn’t about photography.
Here’s how it works:
- Each week, I’ll come up with a theme and post a photo that I think fits. You take photographs based on your interpretation of the theme, and post them on your blog (a new post!) anytime before the following Thursday, when the next photo theme will be announced.
- To make it easy for others to check out your photos, title your blog post “A Photo a Week Challenge: (theme of the week)” and be sure to use the “postaday″ tag.
- Follow nancy merrill photography so that you don’t miss out on weekly challenge announcements.
nancy merrill photography 
At age 79, and healthy, I was initially resentful about being called “high risk,” but since have realized that the telephone and computer provide a lot of contact with others. I most miss the outdoors in Southern California — we are being quite slow to open up, due to the thoughtlessness of some who believe they don’t need masks or distancing, and can sit on the beach at will, overcrowding open space! I admire your approach with your mom and MIL, and wish you the best in their protection!
I can see your mom’s eyes are smiling. What a beautiful mask she has. Happy Birthday to her. 😘🤗
My sister made the mask, and my mom really likes it.
We’re theoretically high risk as well, but not as high as my parents at 91 and 90. I do the grocery shopping for them so that they don’t have to go out, but church is re-starting tomorrow, and they’ll be going. The church is being very careful about everything as will they, but at some point, they have to make their own decisions. Anyway, I’m glad your mom and you are healthy and please stay that way.
janet
You as well.
That’s a lovely post! That strawberry shortcake sounds really good 🙂
It was very good.
First, let me say that I get confused about what day it is, too. When I do have an important appointment I put three different alarms in my cell phone so that I definitely won’t forget! Happy birthday to your mom! And everybody: stay healthy. Don’t take unnecessary chances.
Stay safe.
Wonderful smile 🙂
Here is mine
https://photographias.wordpress.com/2020/05/17/changes-and-pastimes/
Fashion masks are all the rage now, aren’t they? I had much trouble finding fairly subdued ones for my own parents.
Here is my photo of a change in my life due to the current situation.:
https://elizabethkrallphotos.wordpress.com/2020/05/18/monday-morning-at-work/
We need to have masks for every occasion now. 🙂
Must be terribly lonely for the elderly at home alone.. ;-(
I hope that people are aware of that and doing what they can to check in on neighbors and family members who live alone.
here is mine:https://lessywannagohome.blogspot.com/2020/05/changes.html
Lovely post about your Mom.
Back at ‘ya: https://maximizingluxurytravel.com/2020/05/20/a-photo-a-week-challenge-coronavirus-changes/
I am glad your mother and mother-in-law are fine and taking care of themselves. Your mother’s mask is very nice. After wearing masks I have realised how every part of the face is needed to show our emotions. Your mother’s smile shines out. Regards
Thank you! They are doing very well.
I had never heard of Zoom earlier and now it has become a part of our lives.
https://mukhamani.wordpress.com/2020/05/21/a-photo-a-week-challenge-coronavirus-changes/
I know. I posted a short video on Facebook where a woman in January 2020 is visited by herself from April 2020. Her future self recommends investing in Zoom. It’s a very funny video.