tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post8379715657583307449..comments2024-03-28T16:34:30.003+00:00Comments on Top Left Quadrant: Week 11: Just breatheJaneBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17779448611795379774noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-17297522514997541842020-03-28T22:55:37.235+00:002020-03-28T22:55:37.235+00:00I'm so sorry - even with the difficult backsto...I'm so sorry - even with the difficult backstory, and dementia, there's a part of your past that is gone. Sending warm thoughts to you and your whole family.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09716705206734059708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-13809904266757717592020-03-28T03:39:43.792+00:002020-03-28T03:39:43.792+00:00Thanks for the suggestion to think about the abstr...Thanks for the suggestion to think about the abstract as something that could also lead to an article. I'm seeing some conferences move to online formats, which I guess is more appealing since so many of us are becoming dearly familiar with zoom. I wouldn't mind presenting digitally, but the travel would enable me to see a friend who has been living overseas for about 20 years, which I would welcome. There are good outcomes either way.humming42https://www.blogger.com/profile/12124332870168394148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-54931173645536130682020-03-27T13:32:19.332+00:002020-03-27T13:32:19.332+00:00Thank you, Daisy.Thank you, Daisy.Elizabeth Anne Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733237123376048432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-61357416874555133142020-03-27T13:30:18.877+00:002020-03-27T13:30:18.877+00:00So sorry to hear that, condolences to you and fami...So sorry to hear that, condolences to you and family in this difficult timeDaisynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-63907086302186824202020-03-27T12:58:30.153+00:002020-03-27T12:58:30.153+00:00It is impossible not to worry about those close to...It is impossible not to worry about those close to us, so try to compensate with extra self-care, Linda. The effort to be supportive of our colleagues and students is a new, and equally taxing, task. <br />The conference is a hard call. I'd suggest limiting your checking on it just for sanity's sake. Is the abstract on a topic you could turn into a journal article, or easily submit to another conference in future? I've had four conferences cancelled in the past two days, so I've been contemplating the same question myself.Elizabeth Anne Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733237123376048432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-85645475811859381442020-03-27T12:49:35.996+00:002020-03-27T12:49:35.996+00:00It's completely understandable to be worried a...It's completely understandable to be worried about your mother, Susan, so try not to beat yourself up about it. <br />Linda's point is well taken about even introverts needing social contact. It is as important as work; really, it is more important.Elizabeth Anne Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733237123376048432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-4593443559834991792020-03-27T12:41:22.638+00:002020-03-27T12:41:22.638+00:00Sorry to hear about your friend's father. I wo...Sorry to hear about your friend's father. I would not want my friend to travel in such circumstances, but I know what a hard call that would be.<br />I hope the cold is improving, and I agree with Linda, the crazy weather shifts do not help. It snowed here Tuesday, hard enough that we lost power for most of the evening and night, but today it will be 60 degreees. It is far too easy to get sick with swings like that!Elizabeth Anne Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733237123376048432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-74885063910936885942020-03-27T12:37:32.143+00:002020-03-27T12:37:32.143+00:00Waffles, I will add my boo to your mentor. I have ...Waffles, I will add my boo to your mentor. I have little good to say about people who think those who are sick are either fakers, or even more problematic, should just think happy thoughts to rid themselves of germs.Elizabeth Anne Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733237123376048432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-88456960389476000172020-03-27T12:34:08.640+00:002020-03-27T12:34:08.640+00:00KJ, how nice that you have your Easter weekend ext...KJ, how nice that you have your Easter weekend extended--however you choose to spend it. Enjoy!Elizabeth Anne Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733237123376048432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-38700996695952616242020-03-27T12:30:51.080+00:002020-03-27T12:30:51.080+00:00Thank you for the links, Daisy--a fun break from t...Thank you for the links, Daisy--a fun break from the rest of our situations. I like the idea of color-coding the schedule--I respond well to color, instinctively understanding in a way that dyslexic me doesn't understand words immediately.<br />I will second Linda's suggestion about water--keeping water nearby definitely cuts down on my stress eating.Elizabeth Anne Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733237123376048432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-20435682749515014442020-03-27T11:21:05.185+00:002020-03-27T11:21:05.185+00:00So very glad to hear you are back. Despite having ...So very glad to hear you are back. Despite having walked back into a different world than you left, it sounds like you are coping well.Elizabeth Anne Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733237123376048432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-49621318223670114582020-03-27T02:02:22.405+00:002020-03-27T02:02:22.405+00:00Thank you, Dame Eleanor and Linda. My sister and I...Thank you, Dame Eleanor and Linda. My sister and I have not been close for decades, so it's complicated, as the saying goes.<br />I can say that my sister had my father's way with words, which made her dementia, which affected her language ability, even more cruel. After searching for words more often the past year, she became completely silent in the last few months. <br />She also stopped recognizing my brother-in-law, eventually needing to be put in a memory care unit. <br />I am concerned for my brother-in-law, my sister, and my nieces; as for me, it is still surreal.Elizabeth Anne Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733237123376048432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-89487933463549642642020-03-27T00:47:26.483+00:002020-03-27T00:47:26.483+00:00Sending peace and light your way.Sending peace and light your way.humming42https://www.blogger.com/profile/12124332870168394148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-87433142168634563372020-03-27T00:01:01.612+00:002020-03-27T00:01:01.612+00:00Very sad news. My condolences to your family. If y...Very sad news. My condolences to your family. If you would like to tell us more about your sister, please do. Or not. Whatever helps.Dame Eleanor Hullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05375888639449362655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-25680851216568216862020-03-26T23:38:32.740+00:002020-03-26T23:38:32.740+00:00Thank you, heu mihi. Thank you, heu mihi. Elizabeth Anne Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733237123376048432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-66488452065966983532020-03-26T22:44:26.745+00:002020-03-26T22:44:26.745+00:00Oh no--I'm so very sorry. Words fail.Oh no--I'm so very sorry. Words fail.heu mihihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08529298049179816825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-83452298379750302322020-03-26T21:48:42.349+00:002020-03-26T21:48:42.349+00:00Thank you, Jane.Thank you, Jane.Elizabeth Anne Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733237123376048432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-74018439879276575842020-03-26T21:11:18.973+00:002020-03-26T21:11:18.973+00:00Oh no, I am so sorry to hear that! Thinking of yo...Oh no, I am so sorry to hear that! Thinking of you all...JaneBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17779448611795379774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-63727504707260260772020-03-26T21:06:22.124+00:002020-03-26T21:06:22.124+00:00I just got a call from my sister that our older si...I just got a call from my sister that our older sister, who has been in a nursing home in Seattle for about three months, exhibited COVID-19 symptoms earlier today, and was taken to the hospital, but passed away an hour ago.Elizabeth Anne Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733237123376048432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-50444690254231389792020-03-26T17:00:40.337+00:002020-03-26T17:00:40.337+00:00Topic:
And here I am, checking in late again. Th...Topic: <br />And here I am, checking in late again. The world is continuing to change every day; my world is certainly spinning more quickly. I rely heavily on this group for accountability and support, so I hate letting it slip by me as often as it has done. I am now a little more than a week into working from home, and have one online class under my belt. I find that I am very productive on the little things--the countable, widget-making, kinds of things, and not at all productive on the things that take more time and concentration. I’m working on the things I can do to help--helping to ensure our student workers have enough to do that they can still be paid, and keeping in touch with my international classmates who are worried about family much farther away than mine. <br />I’m also hoping that some of the good effects will continue after the crisis has passed--that we continue to check on neighbors and colleagues, for example, or help out with food banks and the like.<br /><br /><i>“Ms. Mitchell, it seems you have found something of ours.”</i><br />“To my mind, Hauptmann, that would be a matter of interpretation, as you said earlier.”<br />“That manuscript belongs to the Bibliotheca Apostolica Vaticana.”<br />“That manuscript is the Codex Toxitanus, or the Codex Palatinus, so-called because it disappeared in 1558 from the Bibliotheca Palatina.”<br />“Which became part of the Bibliotheca Apostolica Vaticana.”<br />“Through political juggling and extortion. I’m delighted someone was able to magic it away.”<br /><br />Last week’s goals:<br />Block and finish/assemble the blue scarf, the coat, the remaining two sets of curtains, and the shrug. <i>Yes.</i><br />Gather the surrogate pages needed to work from home. <i>Yes.</i><br />Take home or scan articles and books for Illuminated and term project. <i>Yes.</i><br />Complete passport renewal application. <i>No.</i><br />Walk the building 4 times a day. <i>No.</i><br />Meditate 3 times per day. <i>Yes.</i><br /><br />Analysis of last week’s goals:<br />Doing the blocking has been a good break from the computer. While I am on the computer most of the day when I’m in the office, the need for remote meetings via computer while working from home has meant I am on the computer 4 hours at a stretch, which is not a good thing. Needing to rinse the blocked pieces and pin them out to dry helps on lots of levels. So has meditation, which helps slow the hamster-wheel brain. I have not been able to walk around the building, since my library closed the day after I was allowed to work from home, but I have substituted the block for the building. I didn’t get out the day it snowed, but have managed the rest of the time. <br />Since I was given permission to work from home prior to the closure of the building, I was able to take digital pictures of the title pages, so I have enough information to build the scaffolding of about 70 records. I’ll be learning what is available online to finish them off after that. I also was able to grab the articles and scans I needed to keep working on research, but that has been much more difficult to do. The shared home office is part of the problem, but more problematic is just the difficulty in staying focussed. <br />Finally, finishing the passport renewal just seemed silly at this point, although I suppose I should do it despite not being able to travel at the moment.<br /><br />Next week’s goals:<br />Hang curtains.<br />Block dressing gown and chemise.<br />Finish passport application.<br />Do some grunt work (glossary, citations, and the like) for half an hour a day to get back into research.<br /><br />A short list of goals, since I am so late in checking in. Stay well, and breathe, everyone. Float like mist.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Elizabeth Anne Mitchellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733237123376048432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-14247393455870125292020-03-25T02:25:28.113+00:002020-03-25T02:25:28.113+00:00Queen of distraction over here. I have had a reall...Queen of distraction over here. I have had a really hard time concentrating too. I have elderly parents and aunts & uncles, along with a pregnant daughter-in-law. A childhood friend in NYC who is essential personnel and still working, and understandably pretty freaked out. <br /><br />There’s a bunch of administrative stuff to do, especially as we are trying to be reassuring in advising students virtually to register for summer and fall classes. Trying to be helpful, supportive, and generous all around. I forget that doing that emotional labor is taxing. <br /><br />Last week:<br />1 write content for online course I’m teaching: yes<br />2 create content for classes that were moved online: some<br />3 decide what call for papers to respond to: somewhat<br />4 look at DQ and decide whether to revise : no<br /><br />Routine would be good, and I’m hopeful I can settle into something productive and calming. Next week has a book review deadline and deadlines for all of the abstract submissions. One of the abstracts is for a conference overseas in September. There’s nothing on the conference website to indicate anything but business as usual, and I’ve spent the last month watching a bunch of things I planned to attend around the US get cancelled or postponed. So I am still up in the air on whether I want to endure that constant checking in and uncertainty again.<br /><br />This week:<br />1 continue to write content for online course I’m teaching<br />2 continue to create content for classes that were moved online<br />3 decide what call for papers to respond to<br />4 look at DQ and decide whether to revise humming42https://www.blogger.com/profile/12124332870168394148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-42772221026313294122020-03-25T00:33:26.542+00:002020-03-25T00:33:26.542+00:00Anxiety is real. There is so much truth in that--e...Anxiety is real. There is so much truth in that--even when we know we are doing everything we can, and there is nothing more, it doesn't keep the worry at bay. I'm working really hard to remember this, because it's something I have known in normal times. But the pandemic is kicking up all kinds of concerns beyond my control.<br /><br />And no matter what, we are fundamentally social creatures. Even for extreme introverts like me, there is something affirming about interacting with other people. I hope there are ways to ease that isolation.humming42https://www.blogger.com/profile/12124332870168394148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-52432087859329327492020-03-25T00:33:10.599+00:002020-03-25T00:33:10.599+00:00This comment has been removed by the author.humming42https://www.blogger.com/profile/12124332870168394148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-74438969369971591832020-03-25T00:26:00.653+00:002020-03-25T00:26:00.653+00:00I hope you can get clear of that cold soon, and gl...I hope you can get clear of that cold soon, and glad to hear that you're taking care of yourself and worrying less about the things you might not get to right now. The dramatic shifts in the weather are hard on the body too.humming42https://www.blogger.com/profile/12124332870168394148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607718568717088162.post-20151148551425758932020-03-25T00:18:26.048+00:002020-03-25T00:18:26.048+00:00Your detailed and colorful scheduling is just what...Your detailed and colorful scheduling is just what I need on the homefront. We're doing a lot of "I don't know...what do you want to do? what should we cook? what are we doing tomorrow?" and it's not very productive.<br /><br />Regarding stress eating, I keep trying to remember a friend who told me that often when we are thirsty, we think we are hungry, so I have a glass of water nearby as well as I can keep it there. But it's been a stress eating day for sure.humming42https://www.blogger.com/profile/12124332870168394148noreply@blogger.com