1001 S Duck Street, Stillwater, OK 74074
(405) 744-1535 | infoartscenter@okstate.edu
Photo By Missy Kaiser
Priscilla, 76, retired teacher
Tom, 77, retired USN and teacher
Photo By Missy Kaiser
Marli is 10
Riley is 3
Sarah is 35 office manager for her husband's heating and air conditioning company at Country Comfort.
How are you coping?
The first 3 weeks were really rough for all of us trying to figure out our new routines. Things are better now and my kids are loving all the home-cooked meals and goodies mom is making! The worst thing is being cooped up in the house with the kids when they get bored and start to whine, oh and also all the weight I’ve gained??♀️ The best thing is being cooped up in the house with my kids and finally having time to slow down and enjoy them. I am thankful that we are all healthy and have a home to be at home in and plenty of food and resources to stay safe.
Photo By Jen Johnson
Jenn Johnson (29) and James Stone (37)
How are you coping?
We are coping, relatively, well. I am thankful that my family and friends are healthy and stable. I am also thankful to still be employed and in good health. I find that I now spend more time reading, meditating, and considering the options of the day with less urgency. The worst thing about the quarantine is the uncertainty of tomorrow; not being able to make concrete future plans can be quite stressful. I also worry about the health of others and the toll this pandemic is taking on the world. However, this decelerated pace via social distancing is not all bad. This quarantine experience has required me to live more in the moment and appreciate, even more, the interactions between my friends and loved ones. With my life a little less cluttered, I find it easier to enjoy the little things that so often got neglected in my previous fast-paced routine.
Photo by Missy Kaiser
How are you coping?
We haven’t killed each other so that’s good.
What, if any, new rituals have emerged for you?
Online grocery orders, morning meditation time outdoors
The worst thing about quarantine.
No hugs! No dining with friends. No pottery gatherings. Oh yeah... and no income from my husband’s business.
The best thing about quarantine.
Slowing down, quiet neighborhoods. Gratitude rising. Lots of purging/organizing/gardening going on
What are you most thankful for?
That we’ve realized how “rich” we are and what really matters.
Photo By Jen Johnson
Name and age of household members: Cat de Araujo (36), Bret McElroy (38), Isabel McElroy (5), Cecilia McElroy (3)
Occupation: Museum Educator (Cat), Sales Engenieaer (Bret)
How are you coping?
I don't think we are ... I guess we try to take one day at a time.
What, if any, new rituals have emerged for you?
We have been eating dinner together, even if is just eggs and toast. Because of that, we have started a new family tradition where we all share our high and low of the day - high is the best part of our day and low is the least favorite part of our day. We have also started doing daily yoga, using Cosmic Kids yoga, listening to storytime provided by the Stillwater Public Library, and doing art activities inspired by my work at the Museum and the Creative Classroom from the Prairie Arts Center.
The worst thing about quarantine.
We have had no outside help with the kids and they miss their grandparents greatly. My parents, who live in Brazil, were supposed to be here in May and now... I don't know when will be able to see them. We also miss my husband's mom who lives in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma.
The best thing about quarantine.
Having dinner together and going on walks in the mornings.
What are you most thankful for?
I am thankful and grateful for having a home, available healthcare, and a job that I can do from home - but I mostly thankful for my family and friends here in Stillwater and in Brazil.
More inspiration from Andy Goldsworthy https://www.livingyourwildcreativity.com/art-gallery-1-mitchell-1