by The Land Connection Staff

Here are some of our musings on life in isolation…

Cay

My week summed up into a few sentences? I can give you one name… Cesar Millan. Yes, Cesar Millan “The Dog Whisperer”. Why did I think that bringing home a new puppy the same week my family and I moved to Champaign was a good idea? Who knows. All that matters now is that Disney Plus has gifted me the wisdom of the world’s most famous dog whispering guru by adding Cesar’s NAT GEO show to the queue. I haven’t felt this inspired to communicate with animals since Jim Carey offered us comedic genius with Ace Ventura. Look out world, when I reemerge from quarantine I may just be the next in line to carry the torch! 

Cassidy

This week marked the arrival (or at least my first notice) of a portly, charismatic neighbor, the groundhog, or Groundhog McGroundhogface, if you prefer. I first spotted him munching on a nice patch of bugleweed in the shade, before he scurried away under the neighbor’s porch. I thought after a few successful interactions, maybe the groundhog didn’t see me as a threat. I don’t think that’s the case, though. Yesterday, when he saw me approach my car with nowhere for him to easily flee, I watched him climb up inside my undercarriage and disappear. Not wanting to start the car with him in there, I popped the hood and saw him right there on top of the engine. Unfortunately, this just made him crawl his way into a new spot, and required a bit more gentle cajoling and horn honking to get him out of there. I’m glad to report that he did make it out safely.

Jacquelyn

For the last 13 years, I have had a pretty fun side hustle teaching piano lessons. I started with only a couple of students and, at one point, had over 12. My studio is now 6 shining stars that bring me so much joy as we navigate learning how to be lifelong lovers of music. Last week was the start of what will hopefully be my last month teaching virtual piano lessons. I’m glad these families have committed to continuing piano lessons, while simultaneously being flexible each week as we navigate technology and accepting that instruction just isn’t the same through a computer screen, BUT I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited to get back to sitting next to each one of them at the piano. For now, it’s onward and upward, though!

Taidghin

Well, it’s community garden time and despite the cold snap that we had on Friday night, things are going strong. Granted we had to replace all of our eggplant and hot pepper plants, despite them being covered, but that’s what can happen with gardening (and farming for that matter). Expanding our garden and taking on the additional planning has been a challenge, but it has also given a renewed sense of purpose to the area that we cultivate. I feel a burgeoning resiliency inside me, despite the weird weather we’ve been having. Focusing on the positive is definitely helping me stay sane.