The Blog

Quarantine may have us going stir-crazy but it’s also getting our creative juices flowing. With newfound time and space, maybe you’re finally making good on your vow to learn to play the guitar or dusting off your paint brushes after all these years. There is no shortage of creative prompts out there: endless dance challenges and recipe email chains floating through cyberspace plus, works of art to recreate, masks to sew, and virtual performances to put on for the (very) supportive friends and family in our lives. Not to mention all the creative ways we’re learning to support each other on special occasions with drive-by birthday parades or virtual baby shower games. Or even inventing special occasions to add some excitement to our days. Sure, many of us never thought we’d turn the house into an obstacle course, day spa, movie theater, or cocktail bar but here we are! Each day we are inspired to get creative under quarantine in a brand new way and in doing so, we are reminded that life is still sweet.    1. Wear a Mask and a Smile   Masks are doing a lot to help stop the spread of COVID-19. But hiding a smile? Not so much. Photographer Laura Fuchs grabbed her camera (and mask, of course) and hit the streets of New York City to ask, “Can I take your picture?” From six feet away, Fuchs’s photographs reveal that, despite the circumstances, people all over the city agree there’s still something to smile about.    See more here: BBC: Coronavirus: The face smiling behind the masks 2. Support Network Reddit user Gaddafo posted an image of his mother earnestly clutching a painting she made. The amazing act of internet support that followed is resurfacing a year later and it’s the kind of positivity we need right now! The original post stated: “My mom painted this and said no one would like it. It's her 2nd painting.” The impressive painting of a crane proves that we are our own worst critic. Internet to the rescue! Not only did innumerable strangers compliment the amateur artist but to show their true appreciation, something strange started happening. A Swedish artist painted a painting of Gaddafo’s mom holding her painting to which another artist responded by painting a painting of the Swedish artist holding a painting of Gaddafo’s mom holding her painting. And then another artist---we think you see where this is going. Read more here: Bored Panda: People Start a Drawing Chain After This Woman Thought No One Would Like Her Painting 3. Long Distance Duet     Queen of high notes and even higher ponytails, Ariana Grande teamed up with Justin Bieber from far, far away to record the song, "Stuck With U." But, you know, the good kind of stuck. With camera-shy pup, Toulouse, by Ariana’s side and Bieber hand-in-hand with wife, Hailey, the two croon about the family, friends, partners, and yes, pets we’re so lucky to be hunkering down with. The catchy tune will have you swaying in your PJs not unlike a lot of the celebs and everyday people we see busting a move with their quarantine-companions in the DIY-style music video. And it gets better. The song also doubles as a fundraiser for the First Responders Children’s Foundation which not only has been funding college tuition for the children of first responders like medical workers and firefighters for nearly 20 years but is also donating funds to cover meals, masks, accommodations, and other financial needs.    Listen here: NPR: Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber Team Up for Fundraising with Single 'Stuck With U'         4. The Boy Who Read Who better to read us Harry Potter than Harry Potter himself? Also known as Daniel Radcliffe in real life, the Harry Potter film star lent his voice to an online read-aloud the first chapter of J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." Ready for chapter two? More of your favorite actors are lining up to read the rest in the weeks to come including Dakota Fanning and David Beckham (what?!). Read more here: CBS: Daniel Radcliffe and other stars are reading "Harry Potter" to fans online 5. Art Appreciation        Look up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a nurse? You got it. There’s a new superhero in town thanks to subversive street artist, Banksy.  The anonymous graffiti maker showed his (her?) softer side with an art donation to the University Hospital Southampton. The piece depicts a young boy playing with action figures--not Batman or Spiderman or another one of those animal/man combos, but a National Health Service nurse, faster than a speeding bullet in her cape and mask. Read more here: Reuters: A British nurse is the chosen superhero in new Banksy artwork   EXPLORE

    1. Yes, They Will!    The class of 2020 may not know what it feels like to walk across a stage in an ill-fitting polyester sack and be handed a piece of paper by a stranger but they will know what wise words Barack and Michelle Obama have to impart about the future. That’s right, after soon-to-b-graduates from around the world implored the Obamas to give a commencement speech at their virtual ceremonies, it’s actually happening! The commencement ceremony featuring the dream team as well as guests like Lady Gaga, Malala Yousafzai, and Alphabet CEO Sundar Piachi will be broadcast via livestream on June 6th to honor graduates from high school, university, and everything in between.   Read more here: Forbes: Barack And Michelle Obama Will Give Virtual Commencement Speeches For Class Of 2020 2. Pet Peeve  In the WFH age, “dog crashed my weather forecast" somehow seems a lot more plausible than “dog ate my homework.” Tampa-based meteorologist Paul Dellegatto was minding his own business informing the good people of Florida about, oh probably, a day of perfect sunny weather, when his Golden Retriever, Brody, decided to reclaim the spotlight. A little hungry and a bit curious about the cameraman filming from outside the window, Brody stole the show and captured the hearts of viewers with his endearing disruption. Read more here: HuffPost: Weatherman's Dog Crashes Forecast, Becomes Internet's New Quarantine Hero 3. Drive-In Diplomas   The only thing showing at the drive-in theater in North Salem, New York these days is a graduation ceremony. After forgoing classes, end-of-year celebrations, and prom, Principal Vince DiGrandi thought his high school seniors deserved a little something special to commemorate their big accomplishment. Instead of the typical pomp and circumstance, all 103 grads plan to pull up in decorated cars, watch the valedictorian speech in high def on a massive movie screen, and receive their diploma from the comfort of their vehicles with the help of of 6-foot retractable arm that their Principal had specially made for the occasion by the industrial arts teacher. And the after party? A screening of “Groundhog Day,” of course. This just might be the start of a new tradition!    Listen here: NPR: Students To Get Graduation Pomp At Drive-In Theater Despite Circumstances 4. The Great Indoors They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Sometimes that word is “pancakes.” Stuck inside, travel photographer, Erin Sullivan got creative about capturing the beauty of the great outdoors from the great indoors. With the help of salt, cotton balls, paper bags, piles of laundry, and yes, pancakes, Sullivan is recreating her favorite natural wonders like mountain ranges, lakes, canyons, and ice caves with what she can find around the house. See more here: Buzzfeed: This Travel Photographer Takes Stunning "Nature" Photos Using Household Objects And They Actually Look Very Realistic 5. Proud Parents Just because in-person ceremonies are out doesn’t mean your parents can’t gush about your accomplishments in public. That's what billboards are for! Brandon Truett had just earned his PhD in English after defending his dissertation via Zoom when he got a larger than life reminder of just how proud his parents are. A 14-foot reminder, to be exact. Father Jimmy, who hadn’t graduated high school himself, honored his son’s 6-year journey with a billboard in his hometown of Conway, South Carolina for friends, family, and people on the internet to behold. Read more here: Chicago Tribune: COVID-19 canceled graduation, so proud parents rent billboard to celebrate son's doctorate from University of Chicago EXPLORE

Do you ever think about what you would say to your past self if you could? Your January 2020 self, for example? Maybe, you’d suggest they go ahead and grab coffee with that friend who lives in the same city but never see. Enjoy the great outdoors. Buy an extra roll of toilet paper or two. How about a few board games? Canadian actor, writer, and funny lady Julie Nolke, took to Youtube to explore what it would be like to visit herself four months ago and the advice she would impart: “Put a little money in Zoom...trust me.” And while these things are important, maybe you would also encourage yourself to be positive. Be realistic, of course, but look for and cherish the amazing examples of kindness, heroism, and creativity that exist all around us and remind us that life is still sweet. 1. Dive into Nature     What happens to tourism when the tourists are all at home in their pajamas? In the case of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, tourism teamed up with science to collaborate on some much needed coral restoration. For the first time, tour operators are working alongside researchers to plant coral throughout the world’s largest coral reef system which means healthy coral now and breathtaking  scuba and snorkeling experiences when we finally leave our couches one day.    Read more here:  BrightVibes: With No Tourists, Australian Scuba Tours are Planting Coral Instead 2. That's Nuts! Squirrels are hilarious-what with their backyard antics and bushy little tails. But one Mom in Illinois harnessed their true potential when she started selling tiny picnic tables for them. Lunchroom and playground aid, Maria Trezza was suddenly out of work and in need of a source of income when schools closed due to Coronavirus. With the help of her business-minded son and crafty neighbor, Trezza started selling a few wooden tables for friends, complete with red and white checkered table cloth and bag of peanuts wrapped in a bow. Now business is booming and people (and squirrels?) can’t get enough. Read more here: Buzzfeed: A Mom Is Out Of Work Due To The Coronavirus But Now Has A Business Selling Tiny Picnic Tables For Squirrels 3. The Ultimate Stay-Cation @jessicasfeir we out of here as soon as we get the OK. ✈️✌🏻 ##treadmillchallenge ##airport ##luggage ##quarantine ##coronavirus ##travel ##flying ##vacation ##mepracticing ♬ Crowd - Loud Airport Terminal Sound Effect - Hollywood Sound Effects Is your roller-board feeling a little neglected? Do you miss the thrill of sprinting through a terminal to catch a flight or the suspense of waiting for your luggage on the baggage carousel? Jetsetters determined to keep their travel skills sharp are posting videos to Tik Tok, Facebook, and Twitter that recreate their airport experiences using treadmills and empty suitcases. It might just be the next best thing until we can safely fly the friendly skies once again.    Watch here: Insider: People on TikTok are using treadmills and empty suitcases to recreate the airport experience   4. Ain't No Party like a Quarantine Party The club may be closed but that doesn’t mean you can’t connect with friends and party like it’s 1999. Tune into Instagram Live where celebrity DJ D-Nice is spinning tracks and hosting massive dance parties on the daily. We’re talking 100K-live-viewers-massive! You can also catch an array of guest stars making appearances during sets including Rihanna, John Legend, Jennifer Lopez, and yes, Bernie Sanders. Read more here:  CNN: DJ D-Nice is throwing the best quarantine party    5. Open Mic with Mom     Jenie Borders, of Wyoming could tell you what life is like at home with three kids during quarantine but she’d rather sing it to you. After weeks of being cooped up inside amidst mounting arguments, constant cleaning, and a dwindling supply of vino, this mom processed her experience through a relatable parody of the chart topping song “Dance Monkey" by Australian electropop singer, Tones and I. Listen here: Today: Mom's epic 'Dance Monkey' parody nails COVID-19 quarantining with kids  EXPLORE

Hey, there. How you holdin’ up? Yeah, us, too. You’ve officially washed your one billionth dish, your dog is your self-appointed new shadow, and some of the so-called comforts of home are starting to grate on you. A lot. After weeks living and working side-by-side with her partner, blogger Maureen Boesen documented the discovery of her husband’s annoying habit that had somehow gone unnoticed throughout 10 years of marriage. Turns out: “Okay, fine! Fine. He was breathing.” But she also makes note of the amazing opportunity this has been to spend (an exorbitant amount of ) time together, learn more about each other, learn more about ourselves, and appreciate that in new ways, life is still sweet.    1. A Change of Scenery   If you’re like most of us, you’ve been looking out the window at the same old, same old for weeks now. But before you start resenting the tree staring at you from across the street, take a minute to test drive another view from across the city, the country, or even the world. “View from my Window" is a public Facebook group where members post just that; sharing the scenery from their vantage point and allowing others to live vicariously through it. It’s basically a mini vacation for your eyes.    See more here: Facebook: View from my Window  2. Embraceable You Sometimes all you need is a hug from your mom. But when you’re a nurse working in the ICU, like Kelsey Kerr at Christ Hospital in Ohio, that’s not always possible. Her resourceful mama, Cheryl, had an idea and turned a fresh bed sheet into a protective shield so the two could finally embrace after what felt like ages. I’m not crying, you’re crying! Read more here: CNN: A mom of an ICU nurse covered her daughter with a bed sheet to give her a hug 3. Some News is Good News     If you loved Jim Halpert’s little smirks to the camera on “The Office,"  you just might adore John Krasinski’s new gig on “Some Good News.” The positive-news-only web series sheds light on the good things in life from around the world. And there’s a lot! In the show’s third week Jim, I mean, John, highlights the amazing efforts, celebratory dances, and recovery stories coming out of hospitals. Oh yeah, and sports! To show his love for his hometown healthcare heroes at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, Krasinski teamed up with Red Sox legend, David Ortiz to give a big “thank you" to the Covid unit. Home run!    Watch here: Boston Globe: John Krasinski, David Ortiz, and the Red Sox surprise Boston nurses on ‘Some Good News’         4. Who Let the Dogs Out? Apparently, the answer is Palm Beach County. At least for today. For the first time ever, all of the kennels in the Stray Housing and Adoption Overflow unit at the Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control were totally empty thanks to ramped up adoptions and fostering. Read more here: CBS: South Florida Animal Shelter Empty For First Time Ever 5. All in a Day's Work (or not)        The children are home. And so are you. And while one mother has shared her color-coded daily schedule chock full of regimented and enriching activities, others are being a little more real. Maybe too real. Ample screen time, repeat viewings of Frozen II, some light bribery, and, of course, nonstop fighting dominate the day in these hilarious alternative agendas. Read more here: Today: Parents share their kids' 'realistic' quarantine schedules   EXPLORE

Yup, this is still happening. Really. Can you believe it? You need a haircut, a vacation, maybe even a drink. I think we can all agree that it's 5 o'clock somewhere when you're in quarantine. Time is funny: crawling slower than molasses and racing forward at warp speed all at the same time. We're finding new ways to celebrate our favorite spring holidays and birthdays from miles and continents apart. Who knew that a bunch of little squares singing to you on a screen would feel like all you ever wanted? We're making the best out of the worst and getting better at it all the time. And it's in those little moments that we're reminded that life is still sweet. 1. Dress to Impress   All dressed up and no place to go? Apparently, that’s just a matter of opinion. Taking out the trash might be the only thing on our social calendars these days but some Australians with a flare for fashion have challenged each other to dress for the occasion. We’re talking formal gowns, unicorn onesies, superhero costumes, inflatable T-Rex suits, and even the occasional swimsuit..    Watch here: Funny or Die: Australians Are Dressing Up To Take Out The Trash, Why Isn’t Everyone Doing This 2. Going the Distance So, there’s bored and then there’s running a full marathon in your backyard bored. As a way to celebrate his 32nd birthday (and yes, the term “celebrate,” is being used pretty loosely here), James Campbell spent five hours running 26.2 miles back and forth in his garden and even live streamed the whole thing on Twitter. In addition to getting super sweaty, the stunt raised over $22,000 for Britain’s National Health Service. Read more here: CBS: British man runs marathon in backyard garden, raises $22K for COVID-19 relief 3. Animal Kingdom   It’s not quite Planet of the Apes level yet but there is a substantial animal takeover going down. With the majority of the world under lockdown, some pretty bold members of the animal kingdom are reclaiming their turf. Mountain goats are strutting their stuff through the empty streets of Llandudno, Wales; flocks of ducks are congregating along major avenues in Adana, Turkey; and herds of cattle are catching some rays on the beaches of Poriccio, Corsica.     Watch here: CN Traveller: The animals Taking over cities while the world is in lockdown   4. Meet and (not) Greet As more time passes without seeing another human being IRL (no, your plants don’t count), it’s fair to say some of those people skills might be getting a bit rusty. One friendly toddler is setting a solid example of how not to let a little social distancing affect your social skills. Instead, Ralph greets imaginary passersby each day on his morning walk. Definitely cuter when you’re three Read more here:  Story Pick: 3-YO Says ‘Hi’ & ‘Good Morning’ To Imaginary People During Quarantine 5. Club Quarantine @emilytorchia It was a good time ##ButterGlossPop ##gamingszn ##selfquarantine ##coronavirus ##MoodBoost ##21 ♬ original sound - emilytorchia Moms will do almost anything to make their kids happy and these days that includes playing a bartender at a fake nightclub in the garage. When it became clear no one was going to be hitting the town any time soon, a mother in New Jersey decided to open the rather exclusive “Club Quarantine" to celebrate her son’s 21st birthday complete with a bouncer and free shots all around. They grow up so fast! Read more here:  TIME: Mom Turns Their Garage Into a Swinging Hotspot 'Club Quarantine' to Celebrate Son's 21st Birthday EXPLORE

It’s been weeks, maybe years since you started your new WFH lifestyle. Well, more like work from home, eat from home, yoga from home, procrastinate from home. You get it. Or you’re out there on the front lines being the kind of hero that we are all so grateful for right now. In any case, someone answers your check-in text with the phrase “strange times" at least once a day and we’re all looking for something refreshing to brighten up this new normal. Here’s yet another reminder that life is still sweet!   1. A Round of Applause   Whether you’re the kind of person who claps when the plane lands or not (hey, no judgement here) cities across the globe are synchronizing like 80s aerobics to show their gratitude for healthcare workers each and every night with a round of applause.    Watch here: CNN: See people around the world cheer for health care workers 2. Repurposing with Purpose Maybe you’re a diehard baseball fan clued into every home-dunk-touchdown or maybe you don’t know what all the fuss is about but Major League Baseball is doing some stuff we can all root for these days. Instead of letting uniforms collect dust while the season is cancelled, MLB will be donating jerseys to be made into protective masks for healthcare workers in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. And who doesn’t like a flattering pinstripe? Read more here: NY Post: MLB jerseys to be made into masks for medical workers fighting coronavirus 3. Works of Art   They say boredom breeds creativity so let’s just say we’re reaching da Vinci levels right about now. The Getty Museum in Los Angeles, California is encouraging people to put that pent-up artistic energy to good use by challenging art lovers everywhere to recreate famous paintings using only household items. You know, it’s funny how a few rolls of toilet paper and some oranges suddenly look unmistakably like Van Gogh’s “Starry Night" or a carved potato seamlessly transforms into “The Scream" by Edvard Munch. And all it took was just a few weeks of total home isolation!     Watch here: Today: People nail challenge to re-create famous paintings   Looking for a little more inspiration? Indonesian-based artist and friend-of-JSC, Kelly Garrett Rathbone is keeping busy during quaran-times with her own re-imagining of classic paintings. Check it out.                    4. An Open Book As if things weren’t stressful enough, many parents are now home with the kids 24/7; playing the part of chef, activities instructor, and even teacher. Mary Poppins, where are you? The New York Public Library might be the next best thing. To help preserve our sanity, NYPL is now offering free online student support including things like one-on-one remote tutoring and lots of online videos and things to do. Read more here: NYPL Connect: Introducing Free Online Tutoring for Students, Digital Research Books, and More 5. It's Lit Could there be anything more spectacular than the Eiffel Tower in Paris? Larger than life than Rio’s Christ the Redeemer? More mind blowing than Egypt’s Great Pyramid of Giza? Let us shed a little light on it. Landmarks from around the world have illuminated the night with messages of encouragement for the public and appreciation for health workers. Displays range from the pulsing red light atop New York City’s Empire State Building to symbolize the heartbeat of the nation to massive projections of “#hope” and “stay home" atop the snowy peak of Switzerland’s Matterhorn. Read more here: People: Famous Landmarks Around the World Are Lighting Up with Messages of Hope and Thanks Amid Coronavirus   EXPLORE