Social Distancing Diaries: Day 33

Dear Diary

I told you to stayed tuned to see what I decide about Office Hours. Today I decided to give it a whirl.

What happened in my very first Office Hours:

This happened during Office Hours.

1.     The first questions were very similar and they were designed to garner affirmation that yes, indeed, your new jeans really do *still* look great on you.

2.     The first legitimate question was not something I could answer. It was a missing Zoom link needed to connect to the Zoom call. My wise counsel of “Send a message to your teacher” was met with the subject falling prostrate on the ground whining, “I don’t want to join the call anyway!” <sidenote: moments later the link mysteriously appeared!>

3.     I listened to a tirade about how Someone will fail her class because she doesn’t understand how to use program on her computer. This is the same Someone who has been advised *multiple* times a day to contact her teacher with her questions.

4.     After an intermission I was asked if I still had Office Hours. Sure, I’ll help you with your non-major college science class. I tried. “No, Mom! I don’t need your help.” Ok, so I left. “Mom! Why aren’t you helping me?!” Um, because you told me not to help you?? Best quote from this joy ride: “So they’re transferring radiant energy through a vacuum?! That’s ridiculous!”  She’s not a science major.

5.     “Mom, you can read my book to me. It’s about STD’s and teen pregnancy.” Office hours have now ended.

Our Social Distancing sacrifice today was watching the livestream of my aunt’s graveside service instead of attending in person. Thankfully we were able to hear everything that was shared. We cried and sang along with the hymns. Then we traveled to the cemetery so that we could see where she is buried. The flowers were still there and we brought a few home and put them in a vase where we will enjoy them and think fondly of Aunt Lois. Some of the girls also took a flower to press and save.

Me in the hammock

After supper Lily wanted each of us to experience the Joy of the Hammock. So we took 5 minute shifts in the hammock. Truth be told, the system broke down in arguments during the second 5 minute shift. But I think Lily is right about the hammock!