If you had asked me two months ago… hell two weeks ago, if I would be on-line searching for a jigsaw puzzle to occupy my time during a self-quarantine, I might have thought not only were you crazy, but you were also an alarmist. But here I am, on-line searching for a jigsaw puzzle. That’s not even the crazy part. The crazy part is…THEY’RE SOLD OUT EVERYWHERE!!! And if you try to order them, most likely you will find a delivery date sometime in May or a disclaimer at the top of the page that tells you, “due to the COVID-19, our product is sold out, and we will be trying to replenish stock as quickly as possible.”
Yep, that’s right. Jigsaw puzzles are sold out. Go figure.
In a time where technology is king, and we are slaves to our computers, iPhones, and, iPads finding ways to connect via face-time, Skype, or even the latest lifeline to the world, Zoom, jigsaw puzzles have found new life.
Jigsaw puzzles aren’t the only thing you can’t find. No, I’m not talking about toilet paper, paper towels, or disinfectant wipes, I’m talking about exercise equipment! Yes, I’m one of those people that like to work out. (Insert eye roll here). It’s true! I genuinely enjoy working out! Of course, it’s physical and important for my wellbeing, especially as the numerical age attached to me is increasing, but this, for me, is more so for my mental health. Just ask anyone that is close to me! It’s evident when I don’t work out, or get outside, or blow off steam somehow. They are the poor recipients of my foul mood. To those of you, I’m referencing, my deepest apologies. “It’s not you; it’s me.”
Where am I going with this? Right… exercise equipment. I am fortunate enough to have a CrossFit Gym that has been not only conducting virtual workouts (again, thanks to Zoom), and sending at home non-equipment workouts; they also loaned out their fitness equipment! How amazing is that? Jump ropes, dumbbells, and the man of the hour, kettlebells. For those of you who don’t know what a kettlebell is, look it up: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kettlebell
Why kettlebells?
Here’s why, jigsaw puzzle, meet Mr. or Ms. Kettlebell. Where are you? Hiding out in some basement of an unknown warehouse just waiting for Geraldo Rivera to find you, like when he opened Al Capone’s vault, cause I can’t find you on-line either! Did you happen to hook-up and decide, “hah! Here’s our turn! We’re going to deprive people of not only begging for mental exercise but physical as well!” I bet the puzzle manufacturers are kicking back and celebrating, saying “I knew our day would come! I told them all we just had to wait a little!” And those kettlebells, the ones that always played second fiddle to dumbbells and free weights, are literally swinging their way into getting their props. Shame on me for not borrowing one from my gym! But again, who knew?
Here’s the plus side. While businesses are having to close and employees are being laid off, it’s almost comforting to know that there are businesses that are doing okay. Hell, they may be even doing better! Obviously, hand sanitizer, cleaning products, hand soap, etc. have the surge, but now even puzzle companies, fitness equipment companies, and I’m sure others I can’t even think of are surging too. It is a silver lining. Albeit a small one, but still one.
Who would ever dream this? Hell, who would dream any of this? Nobody, cause it’s all a nightmare.
For all of us who are trying to stay sane, stay calm, stay connected, and stay safe during this time, it seems getting back to basics is making a comeback. We are spending time doing things we’ve wanted to do or maybe never did and are doing for the first time. We’re focusing on our health and our wellbeing. We’re experiencing quiet in the midst of a storm. We are practicing patience. We are demonstrating love and caring and support. We are trying to do the best that we can to cope. But most of all, we are praying that we are all going to be okay, and our family and friends are going to be just fine, and life will soon get back to normal.
Whatever you’re doing to cope, keep doing it. Whether it’s working on a jigsaw puzzle or working out, keep doing it! Cause we’re all in this together.
Oh, and if anyone has a twenty-five-pound kettlebell they don’t need, please let me know!
