Yes, this Traveler, Blogger, and Diver is going Stir Crazy!

Yes, this Traveler, Blogger and Diver is going Stir Crazy Right Now. Are you?

I have always said that life changes on a dime. I’m not even sure what that means, exactly, except life changes fast. Like Ferris Bueller, I like to look around once in a while. More than once in a while. I like to be on the go. Being home for months has been a bit of a challenge, but I know it is necessary right now. That doesn’t mean I have to like it!

In February I was diving in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, taking photos and enjoying friends. When I finished my dive trip I headed to Ubud, Bali, and discovered through the news that a new virus was causing havoc. I decided to go home early, and rerouted my flights, which were through Hong Kong, so I wouldn’t have to go through China. That was upsetting because I had always wanted to fly Business or First Class on the airline Cathay Pacific, and I finally had those seats. I was so excited, and very unhappy to give them up. Okay, Cathay Pacific, we have a date for the future!

I had a hip replacement scheduled for March 3, and by the time I was home and recovering everything shut down. Businesses, non-essential surgeries, restaurants, everything. I decided not to go outside my home for Physical Therapy due to the risk of the virus. I’m high risk, and my husband is the highest risk, being a double lung transplant patient.

So, I busied myself writing the 2nd Edition of my book, All Fish Faces, and preparing marketing for it. I also prepared the next book of my kids series, OCEAN FRIENDS, that will be released September 1. What is it called? More Fish Faces! Then I took my photographs from the book and learned how to turn those photos into coloring pages, so I did a coloring book. I worked on my new author website, www.tamwarnerminton.com, and I made downloadable activity sheets for the website. Oh, and a book trailer! I’ve been doing promotion events like interviews, podcasts and articles. It has been fun, and hard work as well.

What else? I’ve been gardening, which is somewhat difficult as my hip has been slow to recover. I’m working it daily, in the pool and out. I swim, and I am able to see my grandkids since their parents are also staying at home. We are all hunkered down, so by May we decided to see one another, which has been a blessing. I missed them so much!

So, do I have a right to complain? No. I’m home, I’ve missed some amazing dream destinations this year: San Juan Islands, Washington; Montreal, Quebec City and Nova Scotia; I just cancelled my 6 week trip to Cozumel; I will miss a river cruise in Europe and a trip to Los Cabos. There are millions of people out of work, and hungry in this world, so I know how lucky I am.

Like everyone else, I have tons of chores I could be doing at home, and I have done some of them. It’s boring, though, and hard for me to concentrate and get it all done. I tend to start a lot of tasks without finishing them. Yes, stir crazy.

So I’m reading books, thinking about what I can do to improve myself (I quit eating meat again), updating our wills, getting involved in the 2020 election, and counting my blessings, which are many. But how I want to get out and go! I want to be on the ocean, on a ship, in a national park, or a restaurant. Is it just me, or does food no longer taste that great? I keep telling myself, deep breathing, just relax. We’ll travel again, we just need to do what is necessary to get these cases down. I’m in Texas, and the Coronavirus is raging here. Staying home is the best thing I can do right now for my family.

I know how blessed I am, I feel grateful, but I am just so restless. Thank goodness NatGeo Shark Fest is on. My photos of a Great White Shark named Zapata will be featured on Most Wanted Sharks on July 23rd. I was in the right place at the right time, Zapata was injured and I photographed his wounds daily for 5 days.

What about you? How are you feeling, and are you sheltering at home? I’d love to hear what you are up to!