This is my latest Zoom background. I cover up the webcam when I enter the room so the other attendees just see the bridge of the Enterprise. Then I take off the camera cover, and come slowly into focus. “Beam me up, Scotty,” I say. Not tired of this routine.
On Food
At the beginning of the Stay Safe, Stay at Home Order, Hubby and I listened to an NPR cooking program about food prep during a pandemic. The speaker advised buying spices and strongly flavored sauces. He summarized his position this way: “Sriracha covers a multitude of sins.”
I bought banana peppers and gherkin pickles to spice up meals of sandwiches. I’ve also been serving dishes with Kalamata olives and some fancy cheeses. Frozen pizza with banana peppers? SO GOOD. His advice was practical and helpful.
On Safety
90% of feeling safe is in my head. My home feels like a kingdom unto itself right now. I’ve been rearranging furniture and redecorating. It’s a little edgier than nesting: emotionally, making the bed and organizing the decorator pillows across the shams each morning is an act of magic to keep the dangerous world at bay.
Another option is mood lighting: bright and cheerful, or soft and comforting.
On Zoom
Zoom has grown from 10 million daily users to over 200 million this year. Some folks are complaining about security issues, many of which they could have solved themselves if they thought through the settings.
So before the outrage? Say Thank You for their ability to scale up on a dime to support the #WFH force.
Thank you, Zoom. Below: my favorite backgrounds!
On Pajamas
After working my way through a variety of clothing options in the past month, I have determined that I’m most comfortable in leggings, a tunic, and SHOES. But, y’know, wear whatever you want. My hack? Change your clothes every 12 hours. For all the reasons.
On Czarist Russia
So, you want to overthrow the State of Michigan? Maybe don’t seek comrades (and I quote: “Whose with me?!”) in the comments of a Governor Whitmer press conference being broadcast on the Michigan State Police FaceBook page. This isn’t czarist Russia, but still…
On Yeast
You can cultivate your own yeast (a sourdough starter) with a potato. A friend rocked the cultivation based on this article from a Vermont off-grid homesteader.
On Being a Good Pandemic Shopper
It’s important to spend the least amount of time in a grocery store as possible. Think ahead about how you’re willing to compromise on staples so you’re not standing in the aisles scratching your head because your usual favorite brand is sold out.
For instance, cat litter: is it scent, clumping/non-clumping, size of package, etc. that is most important to you? Think through those kinds of priorities before you get to the store with the extra time you have at home right now.
On #WFH
If you’re having trouble focusing, take a few minutes to block out your day on your calendar and turn on reminders to guide you through the hours. Also, schedule your breaks and STEP AWAY from your screen.
On Routine
There are a few things from the Before COVID Time that I’ve maintained that help me feel like the world is normal such as blogging and over-communicating with my friends.
Second shout out to Zoom for hosting our weekly, lunchtime euchre tournaments. Find new ways to connect.
If you’re struggling to get into or maintain a routine, try FlyLady.net.
Plum Librarian LLC 
I like your Zoom backgrounds. Do you choose a different one each day?
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I’ve been known to swap them out DURING a meeting.
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