The world has gone crazy and we've been hunkered down at home for a whole month. It's crazy how much has happened in a month. My elderly mother moved in with me for the duration of the coronavirus, my two beloved rabbits died within a week of one another, our city went into lock down and declared a state of emergency, I hatched 10 ducklings, and every day for two weeks I woke up to news of new craziness happening in my state.

I knew at the end of February my mother moving in with me was a possibility if the coronavirus arrived in Tennessee. My mom normally lives with my brother but his wife works for a hospital. Fearing she could get infected and bring the germs home we made plans for the moment we'd get my mom out of there so save her from that risk. She's 72 and in poor health so the decision to move her could potentially be a life saver. Rumors of cases locally started a month ago (untrue) but my brother panicked and had us move her in the middle of the night while his wife was working the night-shift.

My house is small so I had to give up my bed to my mother. I'm sleeping in my toddler's loft bed and it's horrible. I'm afraid it's going to collapse on me one night and I have a hard time climbing up to the top. My toddler is in another bedroom with my husband but there is no space for me. I've been sharing a room with my newest babies.

New Ducklings!!!

So far I've managed to hatch 10 ducklings. I sold six of them and and am keeping four. I was so excited earlier this year to hatch ducklings but that project has turned stressful considering the circumstances. Originally, the ducklings were going to be in my daughter's room in a brooder since she never sleeps in her room. Since grandma moved in, there is no place to keep the ducklings other than with me. Boy, do they smell! And peep all night. I've really enjoyed the experience but I hate having them in my bedroom. For the time being I'm just selling hatching eggs and debating if I want to continue hatching and selling ducklings.

Bluey and Bingo

My daughter named our oldest two ducklings after characters from the cartoon Bluey on Disney+. I also kept one duckling who was so super tiny! And I kept another sibling that hatched when it did so tiny one would have a cuddle buddy.

RIP Pumpkin Spice and Lenny

It was crazy to lose both bunnies within a week. Both were healthy and eating and drinking. Found Pumpkin Spice passed away in my room and a week later Lenny died. It was horrible and I'm so sad. I don't think I'll own rabbits again for a long time if ever.

Locked Down But Safe In the Countryside

After a month of lockdown and no contact with the outside world I broke down and Doordashed some Krispy Kreme on a pretty morning while Little Rabbit and I chilled outside on the patio. First non-homecooked food in a month.

Our city issued a lock down urging people to stay home except to go to the grocery store or doctor. Businesses not considered essential have closed but really most businesses have stayed open. A number of mom and pop stores have gone out of business for good because they couldn't handle the lack of business.

If my husband goes out he comes home, strips outside, and takes a shower immediately. He wears a mask and gloves when he's out. We wipe all of our groceries down with cleaners before bringing them in the house. I just don't leave period. I am healthy for the first time in like 6 months and I fear I'd be at high risk of catching anything contagious.

My Temporary Room Above The Duck Brooder

It's been hard being in isolation. I gave up my room which is my sanctuary where I go when I'm having bad mental health days. I have no privacy. My daughter's door doesn't lock or close all the way so someone is always barging in. I've had all these ducklings to hatch and keep alive. I don't sleep well in that loft bed. It squeaks when I move and I really don't fit well in it since it's made for a toddler. My mom is hard of hearing and always has to have a TV on and the volume is always super loud so I can't concentrate to write or work on projects.

My husband and I really don't get to spend time together. He basically hides from my mother and having her here is very stressful. Little Rabbit is going through a temper tantrum phase so that's even more stress when packed together in a house. I very much miss normal life and I hope we can return to normal but that probably won't happen until June if we're very, very lucky.