18 minute read
Living In Isolation
ISOLATION Living In
by Jean Eisenmann | photo courtesy of Jean Eisenmann
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We Texans are a social bunch. It’s in our DNA to mix and mingle, gather and party, and use any excuse to have a good ol’ time...together. When differing circumstances – from measles to a veritable pandemic – arise that force us to isolate ourselves from socialization we don’t fare too well. I’m just one example.
Shopping Before the Covid-19 pandemic I was one of those women who always found an excuse to shop. Nearly every day. Just the veritable smell of a retail store was uplifting; a mix of shoe suede, purse leather, fabrics, and female bonding. Why can’t they come out with an air freshener comparable to that? Who needs that vanilla cookie scent? ...Okay, there’s room for both. The female bonding between shoppers over a pair of ‘new arrival’ shoes was my nourishment. Now I’m starving. Speaking of starving....
Eating In
I don’t know about you, but during these days of isolation I’m eating my feelings. Did you know there are 25 varieties of Oreos? I’m on number 11. For three years I had all but given up bread, rice and potatoes and ate pretty healthy. A pandemic hits and I’m on a feeding frenzy. Normally I’m not a dessert lover, but apparently during social isolation I become a sweets Floozie. Good to know.
The key items visible from all directions in a grocery store are junk food. My old friends from Frito-Lay missed me all these years (I swear I heard them call me from Aisle 15), and all those foot-long loaves of tanned bread – crusty on the outside but soft and warm within – made me salivate. Thank goodness for the bandana covering my mouth. It’ll come out in the wash.
Leaving the House
I placed my keys in a bell jar by the front door to keep them from getting dusty. Sometimes I get into my car that’s parked in the garage, sit in the driver’s seat and just start the engine. Vroom Vroom, I’m tooling along, deciding in my mind where to stop first. A grocery store is not foremost on my list. I’ve seen enough of those lately. It’s so low on my travel agenda that it’s listed after Blockbuster, and they’re not even around anymore. The other day, while in the middle of my “travels,” I remembered that I used to play this same game. With my father’s car when I was 12!
Physical Maintenance
Okay, some say I’m high maintenance. What’s wrong with having something on your body either plucked, trimmed, colored, glued, waxed or polished about every other week? These days I’m forced to do things to myself that I haven’t done since college. Like pedicures. You thought I was going to say something else, didn’t you?
My fingernails have whittled down to uneven stubs, so I have a better chance of picking up a paper clip with my teeth. Now I can relate to how a declawed cat feels. So I visited the nail care section of a drug store, thinking I would try some press-on nails that were already painted and ready for some paper clip action. The shelves were nearly empty, so everybody had the same brilliant idea that they stole from me. I had my choice between devil red or silver with each nail covered in rhinestones. I decided that I really don’t have an immediate need to use paper clips just now, but I’m thinking about adopting a cat.
Toilet Paper
The toilet tissue shortage has left me wiped. Counting out squares of the stuff has become a pastime. It used to be golf. And then there’s the tug of war game, when the family is down to one role and the house has three bathrooms. Can I count that as a workout? I fantasize about the emotional reunion once my arms wrap around my chosen TP. Like the blue bears in the commercial I envision myself caressing the roll, sighing contentedly over the softness as soothing music plays. Is this the same stuff I used to throw onto the back seat, tear open once home and shove into the cabinet under the bathroom sink?
This isolation period will pass, and hopefully we all will emerge with lessons learned. I will continue to be high maintenance, shop ‘til I drop, love (but refrain from) junk food, and believe one of life’s pleasures is dining out with friends. But the new part of me will have a much deeper sense of gratitude for even the smallest things that I used to take for granted...with one exception. I will no longer covet toilet paper.
GARDEN TRENDS
FOR 2020
by Brooke Ezzo
People have been gardening since the beginning of time. For some parts of the country, it is how they make their living. For other parts, it is a sustainable way of living. Gardening can be very therapeutic as well as pleasing to the eye. It can turn any space into something beautiful and functional.
This year has turned out to be a very eyeopening experience for us all. We have witnessed businesses closing and the comfort of convenience interrupted. The supply and demand scale for certain items has been thrown off, and many people have retreated to learning how to grow and make household necessities themselves.
The lack of certain foods in the grocery stores and practicing social distancing has led many people to start their own home gardens. If you don’t have a green thumb but want one, here are some easy gardening trends for 2020 to get you started.
VERTICAL GARDENING
Herbs are something everyone loves to have on hand. Fresh basil, cilantro, parsley, and mint can easily been grown using vertical gardening. Growing plants and produce vertically also reduces the carbon footprint, improving the quality of air. This type of gardening can maximize space. Create an herb garden in your kitchen, a lettuce tower on your patio, or construct wood planters on your back fence. The sky is literally the limit when it comes to vertical gardening.
COMPOSTING
Instead of having to go out and buy gardening soil from the stores, starting your own compost is free and comes with many benefits. When you compost wasted food and other organics, you are basically eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers. Composting enriches your backyard soil, encourages the production of beneficial bacteria and fungi, and
absorbs water. Giving your garden a steady source of moisture and nutrients.
REPURPOSING
With the slow reopening of our communities and businesses, finding ways to repurpose household items in your garden saves time and money. Plus, repurposing never goes out of style. Some ideas are classic like pails and wooden crates, and some can be more creative. Old drawers can be constructed into a 3-tier flower tower, a chandelier could be painted and hung on a patio for flowing plants, or an old picture frame could be used for succulents and vertical gardening. It’s a nice combination: spring cleaning and purposeful gardening.
GARDEN TO TABLE
Many of us love and live by this term. So why not take this season to ensure that some of your favorites are coming from your own backyard. The growing season is not over yet. There is plenty of time to put some seeds in the ground or in your vertical planters. To round out the end of May, some great produce to plant now includes black-eyed peas, cantaloupe, cucumber, eggplant, green beans, lima beans, okra, peppers, pumpkin, sweet corn, sweet potato, squash, and watermelon. Peppers, okra, and squash tend to grow like crazy in North Texas, and don’t forget most of your produce can be canned or frozen for later use.
There is a lot of value in learning basics of backyard gardening and planting foods that can sustain us. As we have witnessed the last few months, there isn’t always a guarantee that what we need, when we need it, will be in the stores. There is a peace that comes with gardening and growing your own food, and we hope you find it!
To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow. -Audrey Hepburn
C l o t h F a c e C o v e r i n g s F o r
CHILDREN DURING COVID-19
When do children need to wear cloth face coverings?
Children under the age of 2 years old should not wear cloth face coverings.
Children should wear cloth face coverings in areas they cannot avoid coming within six feet of people (i.e. doctors’ offices, pharmacy, grocery store, etc)
VIRTUAL VISITS AVAILABLE CALL FOR DETAILS
by Dr. Rebecca Butler, Board Certified in Pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics
The CDC now recommends cloth face coverings be used when in public places. Recommendations change daily as we learn more and more about how this virus behaves and spreads throughout our communities.
However, there are other places where children do NOT need to wear a cloth face covering:
At home, assuming they have not been exposed to anyone with COVID-19.
Outside, as long as they can stay at least 6 feet away from others and can avoid touching surfaces like tables, water fountains, playground equipment, or other things that infected people might have touched.
Is your child scared of wearing a face covering? Here are some ideas:
Look in the mirror with the face coverings on and talk about it.
Put a cloth face covering on a favorite stuffed animal.
Decorate them so they’re more personalized and fun.
Show your child pictures of other children wearing them.
Practice wearing the face covering at home to help your child get used to it. DO NOT forget to address fears in your children. Children who are old enough to follow the news may be afraid, for example, that they or their parents are going to die. Talk with children about any fears they have or frightening news they have heard.
Place the cloth face covering securely over the nose and mouth and stretch it from ear to ear.
Remember to wash your hands before and after you wear it and avoid touching it once it’s on your face. When back inside, avoid touching the front of the face covering by taking it off from behind. Cloth face coverings should not be worn when eating or drinking and wash the cloth face coverings after each wearing.
Remember to take a breath. Reach out to others for help if possible. When feeling overwhelmed or stressed out, try to take just a few seconds to answer these questions for yourself:
Does the problem represent an immediate danger?
How will I feel about this problem tomorrow?
Is this situation permanent?
940.455.7200 | www.LantanaPediatrics.com
Stay safe, maintain sanity, and reduce stress for yourself and your children as often as possible. This unfortunate situation is new and scary for all of us. Try implementing several different coping mechanisms to find what works well for you and your family to keep everyone happy and healthy both mentally and physically.
THE CALL ANSWERING Local Resident
by Brooke Ezzo
courtesy of Dida Finch
After receiving a phone call from her oldest daughter about the lack of masks at the hospital where she worked due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Dida started her research and hit the ground running.
Harvest resident Dida Finch is a self-taught seamstress. A few years back, she wanted to make Dorothy and Toto costumes, so she sat down and taught herself how to sew. Now, she does embroidery and alterations and has her own T-shirt business.
One way she learned her craft was by deconstructing a scrub cap, learning how to make the pattern, and then sewing it back together. She has been making scrub caps for her daughter, Adair, and those in the medical field for a few months now. This superpower has come in handy since the day Adair called and asked if her mom could sew masks.
“I reached out to several hospitals and doctor offices to talk through what was
needed and what the CDC said was going to be okay,” Dida said. “Then I formulated what mask, based on those specifications, was going to work and started sewing.”
Dida said she has been nonstop ever since. Once word was out that she was making masks, she almost instantly started receiving large orders. She has been donating masks to local police departments, post offices, doctor offices, and essential workers.
“We have made donations to the Children’s Hospital, non-profits, and Meals on Wheels,” Dida said. “We have had a lot of nursing homes and rehabilitation centers reach out to us, as well.”
With the amount of orders coming in, Dida was going to need help. Luckily, a few neighbors had reached out to see how they could assist her. One neighbor came up with the idea to start a Facebook group to keep messages and orders all in one place. And the Harvest Mask Makers began.
Dida’s quick action to answer her daughter’s call started a domino effect of others wanting to get involved. Within the Harvest Mask Makers group, they have groups sewing masks in Denton, Flower Mound, Coppell, and Colleyville. It is like a large assembly line.
“We have people running to get masks, people are cutting, people are sewing, and people are dropping off materials,” Dida said. “I have kits of 10 for people to pick up to sew and materials for others to cut.”
The masks being made for frontline and essential workers are sewn together using 100% cotton. They have two layers, and one layer open for a filter. They can be put on by elastic bands or tied around the head.
The involvement from the community has been a huge help and very humbling at the same time. Dida said it isn’t just her generation that has stepped up but
teenagers who are also recognizing the need and lending a helping hand.
Dida’s teenage daughter, Reigha, and several others sew about 50 masks a day. She said it’s incredible to see selflessness from everyone involved.
“Our country is going through this devastating time, but it’s about more than just one person,” Dida said. “I feel like we have become desensitized, and we forget how these rising numbers really affect our communities, our churches, and states.”
Dida said that for her, it is about helping someone and keeping others healthy. She believes her neighborhood, Harvest, is like a huge family. And the sense of community has been heightened even more.
“Hopefully this causes the country to get closer,” Dida said. “Hopefully, it brings people together to help others.”
The Harvest Mask Makers are selflessly donating masks, and as of early May, the group has made over 8,600 masks!
If you would like to donate, or learn how to make a mask, visit www.Facebook.
com/CDFinch4.
COMMUNITYINSIDE
DONATING TO MISSION MOMS Mon.-Fri. in May | 4 - 6pm Harpool Middle School GYM
9601 Stacee Ln. • Lantana, TX 76226
Mission Moms is continuing to serve Denton County local children by providing meals every Saturday. To help their efforts, donations of non-perishable, pre-packaged foods are greatly appreciated. Including pancake mix, peanut butter and jelly, ramen noodles, chips, fruit cups, rice, beans, pasta and sauce, canned vegetables, boxed potatoes, and any canned goods. For other ways to get involved or to donate visit, www.MissionMoms.org.
photo to the right courtesy of Kathryn Flores
EDUCATIONINSIDE
COMMUNITY SUGAR COOKIE KITS
LIBERTY CHRISTIAN STUDENT EARNS GOLD SEAL
Several Liberty art students participated in the Texas Art Educators Association Visual Art Scholastic Event (TAEA VASE) this past February. A few medaled with a perfect score and went on to State: Kiley Fernandes, Colin Park, and Reagan Neale.
Out of approximately 28,000 works of art submitted, Reagan received Liberty’s first Gold Seal achievement for her sculpture! Congratulations!
Looking for something fun to do at home with the kids? Try a sugar cookie kit! Sharayah offers a kit that includes fresh baked themed sugar cookies, 3 Royal Icing colors, and 3 bags of sprinkles. Try a “Bored in the House” themed kit, or Spring cookies. Boxes start at $20 and can be ordered through Facebook, www. Facebook.com/SharayahAubrey. photo courtesy of Sharayah Clementz
CONGRATS, CLASS OF 2020! Mon., May 18 | 5pm | Texas Motor Speedway
3545 Lone Star Circle, Fort Worth, TX 76177
Argyle ISD will host graduation ceremonies at Texas Motor Speedway. To ensure all health precautions are met, family and friends will remain in their vehicles while parked on the TMS infield and watch the broadcasted event from the 12-story-tall video board. Congrats, Argyle High School Seniors!
NINE SPUR RANCH
216 Pecan Acres Ln. • Argyle, TX 76226
Thanks to Shishana Rourke and Nine Spur Ranch, an outside activity for you and your family while practicing social distancing rules is here! Set up a free private tour and come see unique animals and feed the goats. The Ranch has horses, miniature horses, a water buffalo, goats, and a half zebra-half donkey! Set up your tour by contacting Shishana on Facebook, www.Facebook.com/NineSpurRanch. Free admission, but donations are appreciated. photo to the left courtesy of Shishana Rourke
ACHIEVEMENT OF EXCELLENCE AWARD
Congratulations to the Town of Argyle for receiving the Municipal Clerk’s Office Achievement of Excellence Award for 2020! This award recognizes the excellence in the effective and efficient management of resources and engagement from a Municipal Clerk’s Office. Thankful for our Town!
GALA FROM HOME
Due to recent events, the Argyle Education Foundation’s biggest event of the year has been cancelled but they have transitioned from an on-site Gala to a “Gala From Home.” They are asking Argyle families to share photos or videos about all the things they love about their teachers. Post on social media with the hashtag #AEFSupportsTeachers. To learn more about this campaign visit, www.SupportArgyleISD.org.
VALEDICTORIAN AND SALUTATORIAN
Congratulations to Sonali Gandhi for earning her spot as Argyle High School’s 2020 valedictorian! And the same sentiment extended to J.T. Robertson on earning the salutatorian position. These are incredible accomplishments and the community is very proud! photo courtesy of Pam Arrington
MILE CAFÉ SEVEN
Every time we visit Seven Mile Cafe in Highland Village, we’re reminded how much we absolutely love their customizable breakfast and lunch menu. No matter what your preferences or dietary restrictions are, Seven Mile Cafe has something on their menu that can work for you!
The Highland Village location is the second here in DFW. Owners Kevin and Josi Klingele created the original location in Denton in 2011 after realizing they wanted to create a place where they could enhance the community’s dining landscape by offering their own unique take on breakfast foods, delicious coffee options and (of course) their top-of-theline service. A few years ago, they opened the doors of their Highland Village location and have been satisfying the breakfast and lunch needs of our local community ever since!
We love ordering the Eggs Benedict Sampler with The Original Benny and The California Benny made with bacon, avocado and grilled tomatoes. I’m always a fan of the classic, but their California version is an awesome twist!
We love getting the Pancake Sampler with a House Pancake, a Cinnamon Roll Pancake (topped with cinnamon, pecans and a sweet cream cheese glaze), and a Berry Bliss Pancake drizzled with their sweet cream cheese glaze and topped with blackberry coulis, fresh blueberries and strawberries, and a vanilla anglaise (this one is Kevin’s favorite).
While those are two of their more popular menu items, Seven Mile offers around 50 to 60 menu items, so it’s not hard to find something that appeals to you on their menu!
If you’re a coffee connoisseur, you’ll geek out over their huge coffee bar. They take
their coffee very seriously. In fact, Seven Mile Cafe partners with Stumptown Coffee out of Portland, Oregon to ship in their incredibly fresh coffee. After all, you can’t have great breakfast foods without amazing coffee to go with it, right?
Kevin invites anyone who hasn’t been to Seven Mile Cafe before to come join them. You’ll love their scratch-made dishes, their incredible service, and the entire dining experience. Can’t wait for you guys to try them out!
*During COVID-19 shutdowns, Seven Mile Cafe is open for carry-out and FREE delivery within a 5-mile radius. You can easily place your order at www.sevenmilecafe.com.
