Life & Art During Covid-19 - Part 1

As most of you know by now, Steven and I were in southern India in mid March and just beginning our long planned four-month-long trip through parts of Asia and the Middle East. Within just three days of our arrival in India, we realized after talking with family back home we needed to get home right away as news of the coronavirus was getting worse and worse on the home front. We were so lucky we made the decision to return when we did and weren't stranded overseas. Though it's not been easy to cancel hotel reservations and to try and obtain refunds or credits from airlines and tour agencies for such a long trip, we count ourselves as among the very lucky ones as we are in good health as are our family and dear friends.

Like most everyone else, we sheltered in place, only doing weekly shopping, wearing masks and gloves, not visiting anyone or having anyone over, and making sure to wash our hands many times a day! We did feel comfortable, however, going out on walks as long as we maintained social distancing. Steven and I spotted these birds while walking in the nearby city of Lakewood's Belmar Park on March 25th, a week after we returned from overseas.

The following is my photo diary to illustrate the changes that have taken place in the age of covid-19 in my own small world. I hope the images may help you smile and bring joy at a time when that may be sadly lacking. 

It's been wonderful seeing budding artists and exercise fans display their talents on the paths through our neighborhood of Columbine Knolls South/Estates through these trying times.

April 4th: These homeowners in the southern part of our neighborhood had all the holidays covered!

April 8th: An overview of the Columbine Memorial while walking the trails at Clement Park:

The 1.4-mile trail around Clement Park is a popular place for walkers, joggers, and cyclists through every season, even during the winter when the local park district staff clear the paths of snow.

April 8th: The sense of unity I saw displayed at Wayside Meadows Park in our neighborhood was what I felt we all needed.

April 9th: Walking one morning a few miles from our house with my friend Darlene we came across this horse property near Kipling.

Later that day my favorite but infrequent walking buddy, Steven, and I walked around Hine Lake, located a few miles from our home and near the middle school where he was the Assistant Principal for about 15 years. The half-paved and half gravel trail is the only one like that we know of nearby. 

When our boys were little, we took them here to learn to ride their bikes because part of the trail was so flat, unlike the hilly terrain at our two neighborhood parks. Hine Lake is always a fun place to walk because of the views of the Foothills and the few people who frequent the park.

There are always people fishing at the lake but, in all the times we've been there over the years, I don't ever recollect seeing anyone ever nab a fish! Though the Hine Lake Fishing Pier seemed like a great place to fish from, we've only noticed people fishing from the rocks close by the water for some reason!

April 10th: Storm clouds at sunset at West Laurel Park directly across from our home:

April 13th: Ahh, springtime in Colorado with snow at West Laurel Park a couple of days later!

April 17th: Evidently Mother Nature wasn't quite done with snow yet!

April 20th: Every year on the anniversary of what was then the largest school shooting in the US, Steven and I make sure to pay our respects at the Columbine Memorial at Clement Park. Because of fundraising hurdles, it didn't open up until September of 2007, more than eight years later. Though the school is our neighborhood school, Steven and I decided not to send any of our children there after the massacre. How tragic that the word "Columbine" has become synonymous for school shootings. 

April 22nd: One of the things that sprung up on sidewalks and driveways in neighborhoods all around ours once people were strongly encouraged to stay home during the pandemic were all these creative art designs made with chalk. This was one of the first mosaic pieces I remember seeing.

April 24th: Returning home before the storm through West Laurel Park. Our house is on the left at the top of the half-mile-long path through the park.

April 26th: Decorations and the Colorado flag on the boards on the right were sure to make people smile during the tough times.

April 27th: I hoped that some of the heroic emergency personnel saw this sweet message.

Another day, another chalk mosaic!

Daffodils always mean spring has sprung!

Some kids must have have had an awful lot of time on their hands to make a mosaic this huge. I bet their home bound parents must have relished having the kids play outside for such a long time! 

April 29th: In our almost daily morning walks, Darlene and I had a blast discovering new neighborhoods to walk in. Raccoon Hollar Nature Park was a real find as I had never known it existed and it was only a ten-minute drive from home. I always thought I was in pretty good shape until I began walking with Darlene as she can walk circles around me even though she's more than a few years older. I often have to run to catch up!

April 30th: We are so lucky to live within our phenomenal recreation district, Foothills Park & Recreation District, as it has miles upon miles of trails and staff who are very quick to respond to maintenance issues. I took these photos walking with Darlene west of Wadsworth.

Later that day, my afternoon walking buddy, Gail, and I had to smile when we saw this sign someone had put up by the Columbine Sports Park where our son, Alexander, used to play baseball.

May 1st: This was one of the first painted rocks I saw on my walks. I didn't realize how common they would soon become. Have you seen many by your place, too?

Gail was always a big help when it came to identifying flowers we saw. I think she said these were violets but it was a while ago so I may have forgotten!

More uplifting words!

Still May Day and the view from our house looking south across to the park:

When Gail and I saw this rock at a home on Pierce in our neighborhood, I had no clue what it was about. She told me it depicted Shmeagle a good character even though a bit of a thief - thanks, Gail!

May 4th: Gail and I had begun walking up and down every cul de sac in our neighborhood to change up our walks a bit. A home on Moraine had lots of rocks to admire, including the one with the Colorado flag.

Glad to see our hometown Denver Broncos football team was included in the rock painting.

Whenever I see rubber duckies, I always think of our eldest, Nina, as she is or was a big fan of them.

This home on Walden had one of the prettiest spring gardens in our neighborhood.

It was disheartening seeing the political message after walking back up the path through West Laurel Park. Before this one, all 'messaging' had been upbeat and inspirational in my opinion.

May 5th: This is what we needed more of regardless of one's political affiliation. This has been up for over a month on David in our neighborhood.

May 6th: Life is indeed beautiful for so many of us.

Gail and I noticed this sweet note a child had put on a mailbox also on May 6th. I'm sure it brought joy to the mail carrier.

May 8th: Help - painted rocks have taken over the neighborhood!

Another note to the mail carrier! How easy it is to take people who are so integral to our daily lives for granted.

Don't forget to click on the photo if you want to make it bigger.

May 9th: The political messaging sadly continued for several days on the path at Laurel. I kept wishing for rain to wash it all away, people could lose their chalk or they would create something that would alleviate people's suffering and heartache, not add to it during these terrible times.

A day or two later, this appeared by the other graffiti on the trail. I really liked how someone had changed 'be kind' to 'be kin.' What a difference a singe letter can make to unite us all.

I shall let Sponge Bob Square Pants have the last word!

Next post: More of the same: art, inspiration, and flowers in the age of the pandemic.

Posted on June 12th, 2020 from Ely, Nevada, on our drive out to San Francisco to see our first grandchild! Steven and I hope that you and your loved ones stay safe.