Happy Labor Day weekend!
Below are the latest additions to “Stuck at Home Doesn’t Have to Mean Bored at Home.”
The purpose of the original post and these updates was to provide ideas for maintaining some quality of life while on lock down. The original post has been updated continually to contain all of the suggestions, whereas the separate update posts are intended to provide an easy way to know what’s new.
Because people are now venturing out more, there is no need for regular updates. Accordingly, additional updates are now on an ad hoc basis – and, you can always (even when things return to normal) go back to the original post, which has the full range of things to do.
In the meantime, here are a few updates to enjoy . . .
Friends and Family
Although the economy is always changing, COVID-19 has sped it up and altered its course in many ways. For those affected (or just looking for a change of careers), Google has announced a “digital jobs program to help America’s economic recovery.”
Home Not Alone (with Kids)
Need something to entertain your kid (or yourself) for a bunch of hours and learn something new in the process? Look no further. Wired has a video explaining “How to Solve a Rubik’s Cube in 5 Seconds—or Less.”
But, if you’re just looking for a wholesome throwback to wasted hours of D&D, Wired has the details here: “Dungeons & Dragons TikTok Is Gen Z at Its Most Wholesome.”
For some nighttime activities, Thrillist says that “Close Encounters Between Planets Will Make September Great for Stargazing. See It All.”
Movies / TV Series / Videos
I was thrilled to find out that “The Mandalorian’s second season premieres on October 30th.”
Music
One of the silver linings of being stuck at home is that you can watch your favorite bands from your couch – even when they’re performing at Fenway Park. Coming up: Aerosmith on September 18.
Cooking, Cookies, and Other Food Options
Whole Foods is offering live online cooking instruction and other home ec tips: “Home Ec 365 is a brand-new, completely digital curriculum built to help you adult like a boss.”
While it’s (presumably) true that most people are cooking and baking themselves these days, if you want some relief when it comes to dessert, Thrillist has a list of “12 Mouthwatering Pie Shops That Will Ship Fresh Anywhere.”
Frank McClelland of legendary L’Espalier fame is the co-owner of a restaurant, Frank, in Beverly, Massachusetts, not long before the pandemic. However, he has reopened (to the extent permitted) and equally important, has started a wine club. Given the quality of the food, I expect the club will be great. I just joined!
Exercise and Fitness
I received a request from someone from Sitejabber – a consumer protection website developed in part by a grant from the National Science Foundation – to include their crowdsourced guide, “At Home Fitness: What & Where to Buy.” I hope it helps!
As readers know, I have been talking about The Fix Personal Training – the personal training website of a very close friend and colleague, Paula Astl – since my original Stuck at Home post. This is her latest.
We’ve done it at my office, and I have heard from colleagues that (no surprise) it’s terrific. Give it a try!
Travel (Virtually … or Not!)
It’s that time of year when the leaves start changing colors and people want to know when and wear they are peaking. Enter Smokey Mountains’ interactive map (and associated information) for this year’s fall foliage.
Coping with the New (Ab)Normal
I have never been one to believe that actors should use their fame to advance their political agendas or other personal beliefs. However, like most absolutes, there are exceptions, and this is one: “Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Reveals He and His Family Are Recovering From COVID-19.”
Random / Other Lists
While we’re thinking about fall foliage, it’s also time to think about the indoor foliage, according to The New York Times: “With Summer Nearly Over, It’s Time to Think About Houseplants.”
If you’re looking for Labor Day savings, Thrillist has a list of tons of sales, as does Wired’s, “The 22 Best Labor Day Sales on Gear We Love.”
Finally,
Thanks to The Download from MIT for this story about a baby magpie, his rescuer, and his rescuer’s cat and for this identifying “Nebraska Man Asks City Council to Rename Boneless Chicken Wings.”
This is just remarkable – all on watermelons!
While I know it’s covered above, it is good advice, so consider it a public service announcement to have the Rock’s message here too…
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