Items

• 
  2020-08-01

  The Pleasant Sounds of a Quiet Town

  The photograph captures a moment of my family in Helen, Georgia. It marked our very first vacation as the pandemic began to subside, and society slowly started to reopen. Throughout the challenging year of 2020, I wrestled with numerous dark and trying circumstances. My engagement dissolved, my health deteriorated, and my battle with depression intensified. I often felt isolated, with nowhere to turn for human connection, as everything around us remained shuttered. The deserted streets and vacant stores seemed to echo the emptiness I felt inside. However, this trip to Helen breathed new life into me. For the first time in a year, I felt a spark of vitality. In Helen, I could once again frequent bustling restaurants, immerse myself in the sound of live music, and explore the welcoming shops. It marked the beginning of a remarkable turnaround in my life, which has since led to some of the most fulfilling years I've experienced. Today, I cherish even the smallest moments, such as a simple trip to buy groceries and the comforting presence of people in my life.
• 
  2020-07-15

  Tips for Managing Anxiety in the Midst of COVID-19

  A blog post from Banner Health about managing stress and anxiety during Covid-19.
• 
  2020-04-03

  Light to the Darkness

  This picture I'm submitting is a picture of the rosary I've had hanging on the headboard of my bed since when I had covid. On April 3, 2020 I woke up to have some banana pancakes and my tea and discovered I couldn't taste anything and then tried to smell my perfumes and couldn't smell anything either. I knew it was covid. I was afraid and at night I'd cry and be anxious to the point where my anxiety made it hard to breathe and would think it was because of the virus. It was then that I realized my faith lacked. I got out of bed and went to get that rosary hanging with the rest that my mom had and I started praying. For the next couple of days leading to Easter Sunday, I'd pray and feel comfort knowing I had my rosary there. It made my days with the virus, bearable. A year and a half later, I still have my rosary hanging there. It has helped make everyday bearable and reminds me to continue having faith.
• 
  2020-12-01

  How history got me through lockdown

  A story I wrote about using history to keep a sense of perspective and gratitude through Melbourne's long lockdown in 2020. Coming against a background of university job losses and policies disfavouring humanities degrees I also wanted to let historians know that their work is important and has relevance.
• 
  2020-04-14

  Sweetness At Home During the 2020 Covid Pandemic

  I had just quit my job on February 28, 2020 since my military spouse and I were about to PCS (Permanent Change of Station) from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, to New Orleans, Louisiana in late March. Mid-March the DOD issued a Stop Movement order for all troops so we ended up not moving until it was lifted on July 1. During the wait, we were in limbo not knowing what would happen with our moving situation, but fortunately we still had our house and stuff. My spouse picked up Covid on our house-hunting trip to New Orleans the first week of March before the Stop Movement was issued, but was never diagnosed since there were not enough tests to go around in North Carolina. For about two months we stayed home together, enjoyed each other's company, and made the best of it. I spent a lot more time in the kitchen than was previously normal, and loved every minute of it. Two years previously, my spouse gave me an ice cream maker for Christmas, but I never took it out of the box and it ended up in one of my difficult-to-reach upper cabinets. When I was organizing my pantry and kitchen cabinets one day to prepare for the time we would actually get to pack up and move, I spied it and thought I would finally give it a try. I have wonderful childhood memories of sitting around with my family and grandparents outdoors while the homemade ice cream my mom and grandmother made, churned in the electric ice cream maker on a hot summers day. I called my mom for her recipe and found a similar one online to reference (published by the Taste of Home test kitchen). The military commissary was out of a lot of groceries, so I made an online order at Sams since they had still had milk and heavy cream, and picked it up. I already had plenty of sugar and vanilla in my pantry. Before Covid, I rarely had time (because of work and school) to make desserts, so this dish was a real treat, a simple recipe, and was super fun to make. The taste of homemade ice cream was so lovely and smooth, with texture velvety, eating it right from the churn. It brought back all the wonderful memories eating homemade ice cream with my family as a childhood, to comfort me during a time I could not travel to see them. Food memories like this can transport one to a time when the world was full of closeness with one's family, when forced to separate due to a world-wide pandemic.
• 
  2021-08-06

  Pressure Cooker Comfort Food

  The COVID-19 pandemic brought about many difficult changes to people’s daily lives, including self-quarantining. In 2020, I bought a pressure cooker. The pressure cooker is a device that has made cooking for my family easier. When we couldn’t go out to the store, it allowed us to use ingredients we had at home to make easy and hearty meals. Beef stroganoff quickly became a loved recipe in my house, and we would make it whenever we could not go out to the store. It required little effort and always tasted delicious. This was the perfect dish for when we were sick and stuck at home, and we felt rejuvenated after eating it.
• 
  2021-08-02

  Jared Holmberg Oral History, 2021/08/02

  When the Pandemic first broke out, I was concerned that I would catch the virus since I was working in an elementary school at the time. I thought of various ways to boost my immune system and I thought making healthy soups sounded like the best idea. I looked through the internet and I found this healthy quinoa soup recipe. I tried it and absolutely loved it. It was savory, hearty, and contained a rich blend of rustic flavors. This dish became one of my favorites throughout 2020 and I still cook it from time to time. For anyone looking for a healthy way to fight the virus, I recommend this recipe.
• 
  2020-08-17

  Comfort Food in an Uncomfortable time.

  In the midst of the chaos of: at home learning, quarantine, and the endless stream of commercials asking to support major corporations such Mcdonalds and Taco Bell, the epiphany that fast food could be made...slower, safer, but just as nostalgic, came to mind. No longer will you have to put your life, or an essential workers life, on the line for mediocre fast food! In order to emulate the staple dish of a CrunchWrap Supreme, the following ingredients are necessary. Recipe Ingredients: - 16 oz of Ground Beef - 4 Large Tortillas - 8 medium size tortillas - 1 head of lettuce - 4 oz of tomatoes - 2 oz of peppers - 4 tablespoons of sour cream - 6 oz of cheese - 1 tablespoon chili powder - ¼ teaspoon garlic powder - ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes - ¼ teaspoon dried oregano - ½ teaspoon paprika - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon black pepper Steps to Make It 01 Layer skillet with oil and heat to medium or medium-high heat. Allow the oil to heat before adding the medium tortillas. Once the oil has begun to "pop" place one tortilla into the pan. It should sizzle immediately, cooking for about 10 to 15 seconds. Repeat until 4 medium tortillas have been cooked. 02 On Medium Heat place the ground beef on the skillet. Add powders, spices, as meat cooks. 03 As the beef is cooking, dice the tomatoes, peppers, and place in a small mixing bowl. *note a food processor may be used as a substitute 04 As the beef has finished cooking, set aside for 5 minutes 05 Assembly: Place 2-4oz of the cooked beef in the center of an uncooked large tortilla, 06 Apply a spoonful of cheese, and diced peppers and tomatoes, and lettuce 07 Place a medium fried tortilla atop the meat,cheese, and lettuce mixture 08 Spread ½ tablespoon of sour cream, place another spoonful of cheese, diced tomatoes and lettuce 09 Place a medium uncooked tortilla atop the fried medium tortilla 10 Begin to fold the large tortilla’s outer edges over the filling, creating a five sided shape 11 Reheat the skillet to medium heat and place the CrunchWrapSupreme, seam side down, on the hot pan. Cook until lightly golden. Flip and cook on the other side for 1-2 minutes. 12 Repeat steps 5-11 13 Enjoy!
• 
  2020-04-09

  How pets help people cope during a pandemic

  This article talks about the numerous health benefits that scientific studies have proven we get from pet ownership. During the pandemic, those health benefits are more important than ever. Given that there is no evidence that people can get COVID from their animal companions, interacting with your pet is a fun, easy, and safe way to stay healthy and happy during the pandemic.
• 
  2021-01-19

  A Covid Litany

  I am studying to become an ordained Deacon in the Episcopal Church. I wrote this litany and shared it with friends and the congregation of my church. We prayed this prayer together as a church weekly for many months.
• 
  2021-02-24

  Death, Through a Nurse's Eyes

  "A short film offering a firsthand perspective of the brutality of the pandemic inside a Covid-19 I.C.U." This reporter has nurses wear a camera so he can glimpse what happens in the Covid-19 units in an Arizona hospital.
• 
  2021-01

  A COVID-19 Puppy

  After months of deliberation, my wife and I decided to welcome another dog into our household. We were hesitant about getting a big dog, since we have only had experience with dachshunds together. But I have wanted a German shepherd my entire life and we figured that now is perhaps the only time in our lives that we will have enough time to invest in a big dog to make sure he is well trained (plus to keep him from eating the furniture!). Working from home due to the pandemic enabled us to get another dog, which probably wouldn’t have happened otherwise. While I am looking forward to some normalcy hopefully returning later this year, in the meantime I will be hanging out with my new pup, Oliver.
• 
  2020-05-20

  Gia's Soft Fur

  I will always remember the feeling of my dog Gia's soft fur and the tickle and wetness of her silky tongue licking my hand during this pandemic. These sensory experiences soothed me during a stressful and anxiety-ridden time during the COVID pandemic. When the pandemic worsened in March 2020 and the state of Utah went into a full lockdown, my family's life changed suddenly. My son's birthday party was canceled. My children began school online. My husband no longer found himself flying to New York or Los Angeles, and I found myself filled with worry and anxiety. How will my elderly parents weather this pandemic? Will I get them sick? Will I be responsible for their deaths? Will my 9-year-old son become depressed because he can no longer play hockey or football? How will my 13-year-old handle feeling emotionally isolated because she can no longer hang out with her friends? All of these worries plagued my mind and made my body stiff, my neck sore, my mood heavy with stress. My family soon found ourselves in a new routine. We spent more quality time together since we were no longer rushing to get to activities. There was more time for dinner and meaningful conversation. However, there was still a heaviness, and everything seemed to be wrapped in a layer of anxiety. An unexpected text from my sister-in-law (who is an animal control officer) changed our lives. A darling 3-year-old black and white miniature poodle had just been dropped off at the shelter. Her elderly owner had died of COVID-19, and this sweet dog needed a home. After a quick family meeting, it was unanimous; we wanted the dog! Gia immediately became more than a pet; she became a source of comfort and calm to me. With a sweet temperament, she always seemed to know when I was full of anxiety. Each night I would sit on the couch watching the nightly news, my body tight and sore, the rigidness seeping into my muscles that comes with prolonged stress. Unaware at first that I was even doing it, I would reach for Gia, who would lay close to me, and begin stroking her fur. Often, her silky pink tongue would lick my hand, and the combination soothed and relaxed my body. Even as worry began to swirl in my mind, the questions continuing: when will it be our turn to catch this virus? Will I have lasting effects from it? Gia was there, her warm body lying beside mine, her soft fur between my fingers relaxing my body and easing my mind. During this COVID-19 pandemic, I had read that almost all the rescue dogs had been adopted across the nation. I guess I was not the only person in need of emotional comfort during this isolating time. This pandemic has taken an emotional toll on everyone I know. I feel so grateful that Gia came into our lives during this pandemic. This sweet dog has become more than a pet. She has become an emotional support dog for my daughter when she is lonely and a physical companion for my son when he needs to run crazy through the house. Gia is there when my nerves are frazzled from worry about the pandemic. She gently lays her warm body next to mine, as if knowing I need her near me to ease my anxiety. I stroke her soft fur, close my eyes, and remind myself to BREATHE.
• 
  2021-01-21

  Stomach Filled, Life Without Thrill

  With long school days and extracurriculars occupying my weekends, I spent the little time I had at home doing school work. I never truly felt I was at home enjoying time with myself or with my family because the rush of high school was not stopping anytime soon. Then, a virus wave put all our lives on pause. Some thought of quarantine as a jail cell, but I took it as a breather. Before, I was unable to see my family often or enjoy proper meals and during these past 10 months in quarantine, I have been able to make up for that lost time. I have been filled with delicious, home-cooked meals nearly 3 times a day made my mom, a passionate cook. It made me realize that providing us with whole-hearted meals was my parents' love language. Throughout quarantine, I have been living, eating, and spending time with my family in the comfort of my home. I often feel that I'm taking this precious time for granted because when things go back to normal, I won't be able to escape the rush of life. Even though my days seem static and monotonous right now, I think I will truly miss the this feeling of comfort in the future.
• 2021-01-17

  What are Some of My Pandemic Hacks?

  If I had to recommend some pandemic hacks for people 100 years in the future, I would say: -Stock up on sweatpants, hoodies, and fuzzy socks! Since you will more than likely be working from home, comfort is a must. -Set your Zoom video setting Touch Up Your Appearance to 100%. It will compensate for not wearing makeup on Zoom calls. -Stop watching the news. It will only stress you out. Your friends and family will definitely be updating you anyway on the latest stories. -Edit your social media to avoid the negative nellies, conspiracy theorists, and political debates. -Create a weekly dinner menu and schedule grocery deliveries once a week. So much better than going to the grocery store. -Go on regular walks to get out of the house and get some fresh air. -Read books with a cup of steaming hot tea next to you while bundling up in a soft blanket. -Forgive yourself for gaining quarantine weight! -Naps. Take a lot of naps!
• 2021-01-14

  learning virtual

  My experiences with virtual learning is like a detatched environment from in person school. The benefits are being in the comfort of your own home, being able to concentrate more, and having food/water/bathroom near you. The negative side is that the poor technology can make communication more difficult.
• 
  2020-12-01

  Interview with a Cat

  During the pandemic, I have been home much more than I ever thought I would. It has given me a lot of free time, that I don't know what to do with, but my cats could not be happier to have their people around more. It has allowed us to gain a better understanding of each other and the things that they help me with emotionally during this time. My cats, Waffles and Hugh, are very special to me. I adopted Waffles from a humane society three years ago, and Hugh from the side of the road 2 years ago. They have been very helpful to me as emotional support animals through a lot of my college career, and they are both very sweet boys. During the pandemic, they have each gotten a little closer to my heart because their personalities have really started to shine through because I am able to be home and watch and interact with them more. Waffles is a 14lb grey and white longhair, and Hugh is a 10lb black and white short hair. Hugh is rambunctious. Waffles is not. It has been heartwarming to watch how they each take care of each other, and piss each other off a bit (as brothers and all family do) and it has made me realize how important my cats are to me. When I have bad days, they are so much more responsive to me. They come cuddle and bug me so that I get out of bed and start doing things, rather than lay there and wallow as we so often want to do. It really makes me wonder what is going on in their heads. My cats have been my saviors through this whole thing, they have been a constant that doesn't change. They have been sources of comfort and entertainment, and I could not imagine getting through this without them.
• 
  2020-10-01

  Jewish Melbourne: Jewish Women of Words - Atida Lipshatz

  Atida Lipshatz wrote a piece for Jewish Women of Words reflecting on food during the pandemic
• 2020-06-10

  Sweet Treats during COVID-19

  My friend Maddie sent me this selfie of her getting some churros during quarentine. We used to always go get churro's together but many places have been closed. She found a food truck that sells churro's and she decided to go get it as it requires minimal contact with people and allows for social distancing! Like me, she uses food (specifically sweets) to help with stress and anxiety! She described the change during COVID, "Before COVID one of my coping mechanisms for when I’m stressed was to go get something sweet to eat. But I had to adjust that, and now I get something sweet to-go and sit in my car while I listen to music."
• 
  2020-09-01

  Digital Barkive

  HIST30060 I created an Instagram account during Victoria’s first lock-down to chronicle my experiences with my dog during the pandemic. It’s from Gracie’s perspective and purely for fun, but I think it also represents a rudimentary ‘barkive’ with insight into how ‘stay-at-home’ mandates provided refreshed impetus to interact with our furry friends and rely upon them for comfort and companionship.
• 
  2020-07-15

  Food Creations During Quarantine

  Pre-Quarantine, there was the opportunity maybe once a week to cook something extravagant for dinner; it was always a treat coming home from work and having the house already filled with some aroma that made instantly remember just how hungry I was. As quarantine limited both other responsibilities and the opportunity to go out to eat, the chances to experiment became more frequent. My grandmother had previously run a restaurant years ago, so this became my opportunity to sous chef and learn some of the tricks of the trade. The infrequent aromas of 2019 were replaced by the almost daily culinary adventures that we went on, be it cooking, baking, or anything in between. For myself, and so many others, baking definitely become a type of release to combat the mood swings and general boredom that quarantine offered up on a daily basis. For my cooking escapades, I would usually stray towards the foods that offered comfort, either through their taste or through their smell. Not being restricted by a mask indoors made the simple act of inhaling that much more enjoyable. There was something that was comforting about having those smells wafting through the house, almost a sense of nostalgia not so much for pre-quarantine but for childhood maybe?
• 
  2020-10-02

  Masking Up: Grad School in Quarantine

  As a first generation college student I had no idea what to expect when it came to grad school. My parents had never done anything close to it and could offer me no advice, I was essentially flying blind when it came to applying and finally attending grad school. My program did it’s best to make me feel at home but I was still nervous, what if I didn’t belong here? What if my imposter syndrome was right? These anxieties bothered me for the month leading up to school starting in the fall of 2020. However, the university I am attending, St. Mary’s, provided us with these high quality masks in order to protect us and others during the pandemic. It made me feel more welcome, like I belonged. This is the best mask I have and the only one that I use regularly. It’s emblazoned with the name of the school and is a beautiful blue color. Despite all my fear and anxiety it’s nice to know that the school cares enough to give us these masks. Whenever I go out I wear this mask and advertise for my university, the place that allows me to study the things I love with people who love them too.
• 
  2020-09-03T12:24+10:00

  Billie's House

  Over the past few weeks, my girlfriend and I have been watching the Australian TV Drama 'Offspring.' When I say watching, I probably mean obsessing. With nothing to do we would watch a few episodes a day and finished all seven seasons in around a month. We like the show particularly because it is shot in and around Fitzroy, a place where we would often catch up with out mates over a beer or in the park at Edinburgh Gardens, I think seeing the characters in Offspring be able to go for a pint at the Union Club Hotel gave us some sort of comfort, and the pub is top of our first visit list when they open again. As we tried to create entertaining walks we would look for some of the houses they shoot in and this photo shows one I stumbled upon on a run, Billie's house in later seasons. Like any show you like to be where they were, becoming part of the story yourself, and particularly when there was not really much of a story in our lives in lockdown, it was good to be part of theirs. Now that we've finished all seasons and are adrift in endless Netflix menus, seeing the houses returns me to that place of belonging I had.
• 
  2020-03-29

  sign of courage

  Early in the pandemic, when we were sheltering in place but were allowed to be outside for exercise (here in San Francisco), I started taking photographs of signs people posted in and around their homes. This became a daily activity while I was out for a walk. Usually the signs were fairly small and were posted in windows. But sometimes they were more elaborate, like this one with a quote about the nature of courage from Maya Angelou. It made me realize that courage isn't the absence of fear; it's something else. The longer quote includes this: "Having courage and showing courage means we face our fears." That has really helped me in this frightening time.
• 
  2020-07-17

  comfort quarantine 70th birthday

  My mother had turned 70 this past July during quarantine. She wanted my brothers and I to join her for dinner. I didn't feel it was safe enough with 8 people to socially distance at a table. I instead surprised her by leaving this assortment of home homemade and store bought goodies for her 70th birthday. I wanted her to still feel loved and special.
• 
  2020-03-13

  Corona Doesn’t Spare Health Care Professionals

  Two intensive care professionals comfort each other in the halls of an ICU in a hospital in Cremona, Italy.
• 
  2020-08-05

  Daily COVID Positive Case Number and Deaths, Governor Whitmer Press Briefings – How I Have Come to Getting Michigan State COVID-Related Information Since April.

  Journal Entry
• 
  2020-08-04

  My Blanket

  I uploaded this picture because I used the blankets I had a lot during Quarrantine as a sort of extra comfort (and also because I get cold haha).
• 2020-07-27

  Lockdown Clothing Project

  We are two London-based fashion scholars – Lorraine Smith (aka Lori) and Jana Melkumova-Reynolds – who have always been curious about how others dress, and how this relates to identity. Recent social changes (due to the coronavirus pandemic) have increased that curiosity. How are people dressing when in lockdown and isolation situations? How is this different to the way they dressed before? Has it affected their sense of self? This project aims to shine a light on those changes and reveal some of the many and varied personal stories relating to fashion and dress in 2020.
• 
  13/05/2020

  Masterchef Australia's Perfect Storm

  HUM402 In April 2020, Masterchef Australia premiered its 12th season, and received the best ratings in years. As well as featuring old 'Fan Favourite' contestants, for a stressed out nation in lockdown the nostalgia, comfort, and domesticity of Masterchef, and the lack of other places to be of an evening, definitely contributed to the shows success. I know my family is hooked for the first time in eight years, and Masterchef has become something we look forward to doing together every evening.
• 
  04/02/2020

  Naval Hospital Ship seen in New York in front of the statue of Liberty.

  this picture shows how serious this virus is. a naval ship was seen in New York while trying to help comfort the victims of Covid-19.
• 
  2020-03-31

  Paint by Numbers

  This image shows an incomplete paint by numbers that is depicting a French cafe. During a time of boredom and anxiety, artistic outlets such as this one provides comfort and distraction. I bought this paint by numbers to alleviate my boredom and to give me an excuse to step away from my family if I needed alone time. I bought this project when I knew I’d be in quarantine for more than two weeks. This complex painting allows me to not think about the scariness of the news and helps calm my anxiety about the current state of affairs.
• 
  2020-04-28

  Spring Roses

  This is one of my rose bushes that is in bloom during this quarantine. I believe it is important to find solace during these unusual times. Gardening comforts me and it is important for others to find something that comforts them.
• 
  2020-04-18

  One of my rose bushes

  This is one of my rose bushes that is in bloom during this quarantine. I believe it is important to find solace during these unusual times. Gardening comforts me and it is important for others to find something that comforts them.
• 
  2020-04-22

  Isolation Journal

  Picture of a journal. I designed the Isolation Journal to help people cope and process through their feelings.
• 
  2020-04-08

  Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear’s Daily Updates

  ○ Every day at 5pm people across the state of Kentucky turn on their televisions and tune in to Governor Andy Beshear’s daily update on COVID-19. For many this daily ritual has become a source of comfort and encouragement, a glimmer of hope. Every day for weeks Governor Beshear has come on TV to remind Kentuckians that their individual actions are powerful and their choices to follow social distancing guidelines during this crisis directly affect the other people in their communities, and reminds everyone that as “Team Kentucky” the state will get through the COVID-19 pandemic together. #DePaulHST391