Vermont – The Salty Exchange

Kendall- Hey There!

September 16, 2025by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment

It’s been a minute since I’ve posted. Life with two kids changed significantly and keeping up with The Salty Exchange wasn’t easy for me. So, here I am two years later… a little wiser, a little more tired (‘cuz… kids), and a little more focused.

In the two plus years since I’ve last posted, I can tell you that time has FLOWN. Chéo is in preschool. Rosemary trekked through kindergarten and is now in first grade. Bella turned 13. Issy is now 40. And me? I made some decisions about my life that needed to be made. My faith has become one of the biggest pillars of my life. I finally shed the shame of wanting to defend or be embarrassed by my choice to serve my family as a career. I got my ass back in the gym to rebuild strength. My health became a priority, and I made the steps to get the extra help I needed to get physically healthy. I weaned myself off my anti-anxiety medicine because it was just time (no shame to those who stay on it- that stuff WORKS and I am forever grateful). In this time, I stopped comparing the work that my husband and I were doing. For a long while, I thought he was the one that was worth more than me. After all, he had a job, brought home the money, made time to work out, and had major successes to celebrate. Once I let go of comparing our values and making it a competition in my head, I actually became a much happier person. He does what he needs to do because he is the one meant to do that work and serve that role in our lives. I do what my family needs me to do and quite frankly, I am the only one who can because that’s just who I am designed to be. Through all of this, my husband has become my biggest protector. He questions what and who I pour my energy into not because he is controlling but because he hates to see me burn out, hurt, and frustrated. He is protective of my spirit and helps me walk through things. Instead of nickeling and diming his time, I have become more supportive of his love for music and performing and have helped him to balance that with family time. As he has gone through the ranks at work, I have listened to him talk through things, edit resumes, and celebrated his wins with him and I do this without jealousy in my heart.

Taking a hard look at my life wasn’t intentionally done. It just sort of happened circa the autumn of 2023. I began to see that who I was trying to be wasn’t someone I wanted my kids to know. Don’t get me wrong, who I was trying to be wasn’t bad… I was just not happy. It wasn’t actually me. I made some tough calls about who I wanted in my life and what I wanted my focus to be. Once I began to articulate that, things just got better. Gone were the distractions that didn’t serve me and in its place was something infinitely softer. I realized I am a soft person. I am sensitive, I am careful, and I am thoughtful. Imperfect as all get out? Oh, yeah! But I am here. I am content with what my life is and who is in it. God sent me some wonderful friends that have lifted me up and made me laugh. Even now, as I write this, these ladies are there for each other, sending prayer requests, prayers, memes, jokes, and wine recommendations to each other. Community is important to me but not just any community. Community that respects and supports that my family is the priority in my life, that I am an imperfect mother trying to be better, and community that lifts me up in faith and in softness is what’s important.

So, now that we are back here is what you can expect. I will be talking more about my adventures as a mom, wife, and friend, my feelings about my health journey and my choice to take Wegovy, my unfiltered thoughts on crazy people on the internet- because let’s be honest, there is A LOT to dissect there, the occasional recipe or shopping haul, and my faith. If it’s your first time here, welcome. Shari and I are just regular people writing out our thoughts like we would in a diary. We aren’t here for the fans, the likes, or the fame. That sounds like entirely too much work. But we are here to make you laugh and connect on the stuff that matters to us.

Until next time, enjoy the last warmth of summer. Fall is coming! Oh… and I am obviously a Swiftie.

Kendall on Prepping for the Cold Weather Season

November 5, 2021by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment

Photo by Aleksandr Slobodianyk on Pexels.com

It gets cold here in Vermont. Yesterday morning it was 28 degrees… and that’s not even that cold. If you are going to live in New England, there are some things you gotta do to survive your first cold weather season (November- April).

Cold weather gear. It’s expensive but worth it. You do actually need that jacket that will keep you warm up to -35 degrees. Socks, mittens, base layers, hats, pants, tops, etc… yup, you need it all.

Prepare your car. Soooo the salt from the roads (to help with snow) is known for rusting cars out. Prepare by getting your undercoat sprayed with a protective layer or washing your car often. I am talking once a week in the winter to help get all of the crud off.

Prepare your house. Make sure you have full tanks or plenty of propane or oil. If you are lucky enough to be on natural gas then disregard. While many tanks are supposed to be designed to alert companies when you are low on fuel, still keep an eye on it. It’s been known to fail.

Get a cold weather hobby. It’s easy to stay inside November 1st- April 30th. DON’T. There are so many wonderful things to do like snowshoeing, skiing, snowboarding, playing hockey, or ice fishing. And if there isn’t a ton of snow on the ground and it’s sunny, bunde yourself up and go on a walk. Vitamin D will do you good.

Don’t wait to do any of the above. Resources are slim for many right now. Things are running out and if you want or need something to get you through these cold temps, go buy them now. Don’t make me say, “I told you so.”

For many, the cold of Vermont is a major turn-off. Personally, I love it. I love the crisp air, the snow (and snowshoeing), and snuggling up with a puzzle or book at night when it’s colder than balls outside. We currently have lots of people moving here and it’s almost sweet how unprepared they are for the cold weather.

With these colder temperatures also comes some changes to our economy… businesses tend to have winter hours because not as many people are staying out as often or as late. Many just simply don’t have a ton of work in the winter because people aren’t having work done at this time. Others have taken their landscaping trucks and turned them into a private plowing service for a business parking lot. And then, there are those who were hit incredibly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic… and they need help. SO if you have any extra or unused cold weather gear, please think about donating it or putting it on FB marketplace. Please also consider reaching out to your local food bank to see what they need every few months. At present, a lot of places are trying to get stock in for Thanksgiving so that bellies can be full on November 25th. Keep checking in if you are able to. Let’s take this time to help each other out and be kind. It’s already dark and chilly outside- let’s not put that in our hearts, eh? And PLEASE, send us an email at thesaltyexchange@gmail.com if you need help. Shari and I will do our best to get you assistance if you want it.

Stay warm, friends.

Kendall: Fall in Vermont

October 7, 2021by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment

Vermont in the autumn time is breathtaking. Like, breathtaking. The leaves draw in a lot of tourists from around the New England area this time of year and this year is no exception. Last year, the leaves started to turn a bit early. This year? A little later. The “peak” leaf time frame is projected to be soon- within the next 10-12 days. What this means is that the colors will be the most vibrant and dense between now and the end of next week. Today, I actually took a very out of the way road home JUST to see the leaves. And let me tell you- they. did. not. disappoint.

As a lover of all things fall, Vermont is the perfect place for me. Even my backyard is gorgeous this time of year… despite the dying plants that are about to get cleaned up for fall clean-up (a very big thing in Vermont). While travelling is still a little tough for some, if you happen to find yourself headed this way any time soon (or even next year), here are some fun things to check out around the state!

Smugglers Notch Road-

This is a historical path in VT. It’s also very dangerous and closes for the long winter months due to the inclement weather and the danger it poses to the road. It’s a sharp and windey path and if you come, do me a favor. SLOW DOWN. We all know you’re a tourist if we see you taking the turns on the road like a total fool (Yup- I am talking you, Massachusetts.). But, if you can- it’s worth the drive. The leaves are seriously gorgeous and make you feel like you are in a movie.

Apple Picking-

Apple picking is hot here. There are so many local orchards. Some have already picked apples so that you can buy a bag while others let you hit the trees to grab your own. The orchards are usually incredibly family friendly and offer snacks, creamies (a big thing in New England), and even have activities for kids!

Visit a Brewery-

So apparently there are brewery tours? I can’t speak to that but I am sure you can google it. What I can tell you is that this is a fantastic time to visit a brewery. The weather isn’t too hot and it’s not balls cold yet. I love a brewery with good beer AND good food. Some of my favorites include Zero Gravity, Fiddlehead, and Four Quarters.

Visit Cold Hollow Cider Mill-

Located in Waterbury, VT, Cold Hollow Cider Mill is THE place to get your apple cider donuts. You can also watch them press fresh apple cider. The smell of the place alone will make your mouth water. And for all of your touristy needs, they have a ton of stuff for you to buy to take a little bit of VT home with you or to someone else! AND across the driveway is their restaurant called, Apple Core. This belongs to Cold Hollow and is their luncheonette where you can have a delicious sandwich and sample local hard ciders. They also have a few brews on tap. Find something you like? See if it is their retail space behind the register and take it with you on your journey!

Maple Syrup-

It’s everywhere. Seriously. If you want local syrup, keep your eye out for roadside stands. If you are desperate, most grocery stores sell local stuff too. It’s EVERYWHERE! OR if you are me, you are lucky that your neighbor taps some of the trees in his backyard during the winter and makes his own… and he even shares! I call that winning.

Fall Festivals-

There a ton. Most fall festivals have great food, local artists, and general fun for the family. This weekend alone there are about 5 happening throughout Vermont. Google it and find one near you!

If you come to Vermont, come to relax and enjoy the scenery. People are friendly and welcome your company. There is so much to see, taste, and do here at this time of year. It’s hard not to enjoy it- even if you are a bit sad that the summer weather is gone for the next 7 months… There’s nothing like fall in Vermont!

Updates and Thoughts on COVID-19

August 13, 2021by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment

Hey friends! We have been MIA for about a month. Shari and I were both super busy and needed some time to really focus on people, events, and ourselves. We are happy to be back! Our month away has shown us A LOT about where we are in this whole pandemic. With that said, read on for our thoughts, experiences, and questions.

COVID Updates from Kendall:

We’ve had mixed feelings about this topic. I mean, what is there to really say? Shari and I birthed The Salty Exchange during the height of the COVID lockdown. We spent hours talking about when things would get back to “normal.” Over the past 18 months we’ve seen our friends and family members all express their opinions, hopes, and fears to varying degrees. We’ve all worn masks, missed each other, dried our hands out because of hand sanitizer and hand washing, and we’ve all wondered what was next. It’s been an interesting time…

As a current resident of Vermont (and undoubtedly the safest place to be in during this pandemic), we’ve had our fair share of worries and woes. We’ve missed our families (TX and WA). There’s been cuts to our paycheck (thankfully that’s remedied now). Our proficiency with Zoom, FaceTime, and WhatsApp video chats has matured. In recent months, things have begun to open up more. With the vaccine available to the masses and a hopeful vaccination rate on the rise, there was a small sliver of time this year where it felt… familiar.

It was during this sliver of time (May-July) that my husband and I were lucky enough to see our immediate family members. We had a steady stream of guests for about 2 months straight. While this was a lot of work on my end as the hostess, I wouldn’t trade it for a minute. It had been two years since seeing my husband’s family. That’s far too long to go without seeing the people you love. As these reunions were taking place, Vermont was also lucky enough to hit our 80% vaccination goal. Life was starting to happen. Literally. I saw life coming back to the streets of my small state.

I still see that life. I still see that hope. My husband and I have done our part. We have vaccinated ourselves and anxiously await the day we can get Rosemary vaccinated. I don’t know when it went from “we are all in this together” to making the vaccine political. I get that there is a strong group of people who don’t like vaccines. I getcha- I may think differently than you, but that’s totally fine! I care enough about you to vaccinate myself to protect you. Even with all of these new variants like Delta and Lamda (WTF- Lamda sounds scary), I have hope. But every day I feel that hope slipping a bit. The anger of being asked to wear a mask seems pretty extreme and just too much for some. Why is it too much? I am genuinely asking. Is a mask really an infringement on your rights as an American? Because I just don’t see it but I am open to hearing your reasons why. Seriously. Let’s talk.

I often feel triggered by the news. The numbers of those dying are too high. The number of people not trusting science is too high. For me, I have yet to see anyone die from the virus. I know of people who have passed on because of it or are currently sick. Truthfully, it’s hard to process. We should care more about this stuff; specifically, we should care more about the prevention of diseases and viruses than we do.To not take the threat of this pandemic seriously means you are ok with the circumstances. It means you don’t really value what is right in front of you. You must be incredibly privileged to think you can beat it. It’s just the flu right? Well, surprise! People die of the flu. All the time. And it isn’t fair. It should be stopped. So when did trying to find a better cure or treatment plan become political? I have said it before and I will scream it again: I saw my mom die of the flu. And it was pretty much the same way people are dying of COVID. I can hardly think of that time without a pit in my stomach. I wasn’t even supposed to touch her because they were worried about us picking up her virus. But I still snuck in a last kiss. That’s the most basic and human thing I have ever done. I couldn’t let her go without hoping she felt it. Even if it meant I could get sick. So, for her, I vaccinate. And I ask that in her honor, you do too.

WORST CASE SCENARIO: Even if it turns out this is all a hoax, don’t you want to know that you did all you could to protect your family? Your friends? Your life? Don’t you want to know that you cared enough to do something?

COVID Updates from Shari:

When Kendall and I decided to write a Covid Update in August, I thought I’d have so much insight after just helping pull off the first in-person conference for my company since March of 2020. But to be honest, I don’t have much more insight. This is still a confusing time in life as we enter into what is undoubtedly another slough of restrictions and social navigation amongst family and friends.

Immediately before we left for San Diego, the CDC issued new guidelines for wearing masks indoors (including those that are vaccinated). My company informed us that all the employees would be abiding by this new information; so I promptly washed all my masks and packed them in my suitcase. Our event made national news as the first conference held at the San Diego Convention Center in 18 months. The event went as smoothly as it could with a significant drop in attendance (we missed our International attendees) but the smiles on faces, the side conversations that felt naturally unnatural, and the slightly awkward networking that proved how out of practice we are… was worth the distance, safety, and vaccination to be together again knowing we had done our part in it all. As a result, our event was outbreak free and we are so thankful everyone had a good time.

Now that I am back home and have a few moments to reflect on the past week in San Diego, and simultaneously take in the emerging news, I am torn. I just witnessed the connection and embrace of humanity in-person again. The reality that we are going backwards with variants and the spread of Covid again is a bit much to accept. I see meme’s from both sides of the coin and honestly… it feels like we are entering into an interpersonal civil war rather than one against the real enemy that is the virus. As a nation we are not a team. We are kids bickering going from one conspiracy theory to the next. Social media is our battlefield and it is obnoxious to say the least. Maybe it is my personality that causes me to be appalled by conflict or maybe it is the fact that adults seem to enjoy playing the devil’s advocate and it’s extremely exhausting.

Whatever it is, I long for some good news. So here it is…

Today I am celebrating the fact that a good friend of mine is on the mend after fighting for her life last week due to Covid and pneumonia. I couldn’t imagine losing her (I am sure I will write more about this eventually) but in the meantime, let’s work together for goodness sake. It is a helpless feeling when your friends or family are sick and I don’t wish it on any of you.

Kendall’s Reflections on Moving Back to the USA

May 14, 2021by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment

This Saturday, May 15th, marks our two year anniversary of returning to the United States. Leaving the place where we started our marriage, birthed our baby, and had our first home was, in a word, heartbreaking. I miss that part of our life. Spain became my home in a way that I never expected. The people, places, food, and, in some cases, smells became ingrained in my life and heart very quickly. My spanish was not great but it wasn’t terrible either. I adapted. I knew I had “made” it when I had to take myself to the ER while my fluent spanish-speaking husband was TDY in Norway. “I got through that? I got this whole living abroad thing down.” (My exact thoughts hailing a cab down to go home from the ER). Anyways, it was and is home. Moving there centered me. I feel like I really started to live who I had always wanted to be while I was there.

Kendall’s side yard in Spain at sunset- the most beautiful time of the day.

During our time in Valencia, I very much settled into myself. I realized a lot- both good and bad. That’s what happens when you don’t have work, family, or a ton of friends around; reflection. I spent the first six months processing the past few years of my then life. What became apparent to me was that I was broken. My heart had been broken quite a few times (sometimes intentionally and sometimes not). I had broken people’s hearts. I had hurt friends. Friends had hurt me. My mom had died and I had barely processed it because I was so busy caring for my father and people I worked for more than I was caring for myself. Some of that was indeed intentional as a deflection and some of it was just life. Regardless, I had not properly grieved. So I spent the first few quiet months grieving my mom. Hard? Oh yeah. Needed? Hell yes. Not just for me but for the sake of my marriage and the eventual path to motherhood I would choose to take. Had I not gone to Spain and left my world behind, I probably would have made very different life choices. Instead, with the support and love of my husband, I began to mend myself.

Spain also taught me to appreciate GOOD food. Affordable and good food. It also gave me an even greater appreciation for wine. And gin. And apertifs. And olives. The list goes on. The way people live in Spain is much different than the US. People seem happier there. And to be fair, the people I knew were! They also laughed at our introductions… “Hi! I am Kendall. I am from Seattle. I work in advertising. What do you do?” Yeah, that’s not a thing. No one really cares about your profession. It’s not your biggest identity marker. Rather, an introduction would look something like this, “Hi there! How are you? Oh good. Would you like some coffee or wine? Tell me about your shoes. How has your day been? Would you like a tapa? Oh and what’s your name?” I liked that. It was simple. Plus, European architecture just kicks our American architecture’s butt. OK? I miss street dining, iron rails, bell towers and chimes, cafe con leche, and, even though it took me about 8 months to adapt to, a 10pm dinner.

Fast forward to today. Vermont is sort of an amazing place to land. And super underrated. It reminds me of Spain in terms of life being simple since we don’t have any true center of hustle and bustle to speak of. Vermonters like their winter sports, cheese, brews, and farmers markets. These are all things I can get behind. I love the beauty of this state. I appreciate their desire for smaller and local chain stores as opposed to big ones. It’s a wonderful place to have started our family together (stateside) and to have ridden out the horrors of the pandemic. And still, Issy and I have never been more sure about returning to Spain. To live.

And we will. I am not entirely sure when (retirement and potentially sooner). It’s the place I want to belong to. I love my country and am very proud to be an American. But a little part of me became a Valenciana… and I have every intention of returning home whenever I can. COVID has made that a bit tricky, but, dearest Spain, I will see you soon. Until then- hasta luego.

May 15th, 2019- Madrid. Coming home with our many pieces of luggage, baby, dog, stroller, and basically everything to live out of for 5 months.

Kendall: Midwintering- Vermont Style

February 22, 2021by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment

Vermont in the winter is amazing- if you have the motivation to make do with colder temps. It is super easy to stay inside all winter. I mean, like super easy. But Vermont has a ton to offer if you are looking to get out of the house. There are plenty of places for skiing, snowshoeing, and, yes, ice fishing. The great thing about living here is that we are prepared for snow storms and icy conditions. There are more than enough plows to keep our roads clean AND that is a fantastic thing… it helps to make sure we can still get out and go places… even in the midst of a global pandemic. So with that said, here are some fun things to get out and do in the state of Vermont this winter.

One of the most popular places to go wintering merrily along is the quaint town of Stowe. Stowe is home to some wonderful outdoor activities. The Stowe Mountain Resort is one of the most popular spots on the east coast for any winter enthusiast. Whether your pleasure is skiing the slopes, cross country skiing, snowshoe trekking, or taking a beautiful gondola ride up the mountain, Stowe Mountain Resort has something for everyone. OH! There is even an ice skating rink. So, there’s that. Personally, I am terrified of ice skating.

Right across the street from skiing at Stowe Mountain is Spruce Peak. Spruce Peak is home to where the above mentioned ice skating rink is. They help with coordinating snowy horseback rides, sleigh rides, ice climbing, and the ever popular Vermont hobby, snowmobiling. Spruce Peak is in strict compliance with current Vermont restrictions of travel due to the rise of COVID-19. Please check out their procedures and stay up to date with Vermont’s rules and regulations before traveling anywhere!

All over the state of Vermont there are trails and parks to explore. Some of these trails are for snowshoers and some are for those just out hiking. The Catamount Outdoor Family Center in Willison is a fantastic location to jump on some trails for the day. They also offer all kinds of rentals on snowshoes and other outdoor gear. With the different activity options available on the property, it really makes it easy to try different things and have fun with friends or family (in a socially distanced manner, of course). We have trails in our neighborhood that we hope to hit soon! (If only my effing snowshoes would arrive…) Honestly, VT is full of so many places to go exploring in the snow. The options are truly limitless.

I currently have about 3.5 feet of snow piled up on the side of my driveway. Since the cold temperatures have yet to melt any snow that has fallen in the past 30 days, our yards are housing a ton of localized fun. Rosemary thinks rolling around in the snow is the best thing since breast milk. Thanks to Frozen, building a snowman is the most exciting thing in the world right now. It’s also the easiest. Do you want to build a snowman?

And lastly, Vermont is just so freaking beautiful. I look out my window and I sort of melt… haha… get it… snow… melting… ok. Not funny. But you get it, right? I have never lived in a place with so much natural beauty. Sometimes I sip my coffee and just stare out the living room window. The air is even cleaner here. Seriously… Google it. I mean, it’s not perfect… but I swear, I can breathe so much better here than anywhere else we have lived. And that’s saying something considering I have to have surgery next month to help me breathe better.

Get outside. Be safe. And be happy.

Kendall On Homeownership

September 18, 2020September 18, 2020by thesaltyexchangeLeave a Comment

Home ownership: It’s a necessary, wonderful, complicated evil and blessing. When Issy and I moved back to the United States we considered the “where” really heavily. Could we afford a house in Seattle? Sure… but that’s about all we could ever and would ever be able to pay for. There would be no savings and bills would be tight. Extras would be non-existent. We could move to Texas (where my husband is from). The cost of living was great. But I hate heat. So, we started thinking. A few years ago my sister and her husband moved to Vermont. I had been once. I REALLY liked it. Being near my sister would be great and the cost of buying a house looked pretty fair. It was a win/win.

Vermont is a lovely place to call home. We love the clean air, the green mountains, the maple (oh, the maple), and the quietness of the state. Unfortunately, we have super high property taxes here in Chittenden County. Chittenden County is home to some of the most populated areas in the state. Thus, the property taxes are highest here. We also live up on a massive ledge that can’t really be broken down to make way for natural gas (a money saver) so instead, we have propane ($$$). Our previous sellers put solar panels on the roof which we love and ultimately save a bit of money while also trying to help the environment. The house was in great condition so outside of painting a few of the rooms to suit our tastes, we haven’t had to worry about many updates or fixes out of the norm. Paradise, right?

Sort of. About 80% paradise. What is really hard for Issy and I is our yard. We are not yard people. We did not own yard tools. If you are buying a home and don’t have yard stuff, be prepared to invest. Sure, some stuff you can get at reasonable prices, but other stuff you do have to be prepared to open the wallet for often and to drop some serious cash. We inherited a beautiful and massively flower packed yard. It’s truly beautiful. But we hate the upkeep. With a 23 month old, I don’t have the time to get out in the yard every day by myself. I also don’t know what I am doing a lot of. I have to keep my phone on me when I am gardening so that I can google everything from what flower I am looking at to how to care for said flower. Also, it’s costly to maintain not just in hours but in acquiring the right tools in which to care for all the plants and maintain the garden so it doesn’t get out of hand. These are the times when I wish I could have the landlord sort the maintenance and care of this stuff. Instead, my husband needs to go buy an electric hedge trimmer this weekend so that we can start taking plants down in preparation for winter… something that will require a babysitter for Rosemary so that both Issy and I can get in the yard together.

It’s the random costs that incur over time that make you miss your renting days. The plumber here, the electrician there, and the general handyman this week. While most fixes tend to be reasonable, it is still a chunk of money out of your budget. The blinds in our bedroom and the dining room need to be replaced. Blinds ain’t cheap y’all. Our roof probably needs to be re-done in about a year or two ($$$$$$$). That scares me. These are the thing about owning a home that stress me out but also make me super determined. I want to care for our house as best as we can. If we put off projects for too long it will end up costing us more in the long term. Being smart about when and how to invest funds for household repairs, issues, and general savings for when sh%# hits the fan is important. It’s also easier said than done.

We don’t have a massive amount of money put away to take care of these things. What we have is a priority list that we try to stay pretty true to. We also have a great network of people that have great recommendations of people and places to go to when things come up. If you are buying a house, I cannot stress how important it is to get references (multiple) from friends and family for a handyman, painter, electrician, plumber, etc. DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Make sure you know what the average charges are so that you can do a comparison analysis. In addition, you want people of good character! These people are coming into your home, sometimes often! You need to be able to trust them. Trust is worth everything- including that final bill. If you are able to do a lot of fixes yourself (ves), good for you! I envy that!

Bottom line: I love my house. I love my neighborhood. I love that we are building a home here for more than just three years (the norm for active duty servicemembers and their families- this used to be us). This will be HOME. For at least a while. It’s worth the investment even though sometimes it freaks me out (I am looking at you, property tax bill!). Are you looking for a house? Take your time, be picky, and have some imagination! It’s hard to walk into someone else’s house and envision your life there… imagination is key!

Kendall On Coping During Covid-19

August 20, 2020August 20, 2020by thesaltyexchange1 Comment

I am lucky. We still have income, our health, and general stability. What’s changed for me and my family is more cosmetic than anything. Vermont has handled the outbreak of COVID-19 with relative ease; this being a perk of living in a small and rural state. While we have had deaths in my state, we have had far more survivors. As of this writing, our current number of deaths sits at 58. It is still 58 people too many for my liking. People from all over New England are now flocking to Vermont to “ride out” the pandemic. This isn’t a joke- real estate has become competitive with out of towners looking for a second home oasis. Local businesses have rallied the best they can. Citizens are mostly responsible. Yet…

Yet for all those things, life has still been altered. Due to the economy, we had to take a temporary pay cut. Rosemary’s exposure to much of the world has been cut and/or limited but, luckily, she is completely unaware. Issy now works from home full-time and sees his coworkers from the computer screen. The list goes on… for all of us regardless if you see this whole thing as a hoax or not.

COVID-19 has awoken a dark fear in me. My mother passed away very unexpectedly and quickly from the flu. Seeing the swift actions taken to try and save her are still fresh in my memory. When I think of what the coronavirus does or can do to someone infected, I see my mom. And I am afraid. I do not want to die that way. I am not ready to go. There is so much left to learn, live, and see. I am not ready to leave my daughter without a mother. Sufficed to say, I am more conscious of my health. Pair this new-found alertness with a seriously lethal allergy season that has been rife with breathing and throat problems galore and all I can say is that 2020 has kept me on edge.

Despite the virus lockdown , I have been active with both myself and my daughter. I am always trying to figure out a new way to expose her to different things or a way to keep my mental health healthy. If you have any tips, PLEASE let me know. The alteration of one’s expectations and routines are never easy to accept but I remind myself that there are people who are truly struggling with the effects of this virus on a physical health, mental health, and financial health level/levels and I tell myself to, “STFU.” I am lucky. Life could be different.

Being in quarantine doesn’t bother me so much. As an introvert, it feels like this is the general way I have lived my life- and no, that’s not sad. I like the quiet. I like being at home. What I do miss greatly about normal life though is the freedom to leave when I want or take my daughter to the grocery store with me. Every outing has to be fairly calculated and that is not always convenient. I miss date nights with my husband on Church Street- selfish, I know. I miss seeing all the local shops jam packed full with people during this time of year. It’s quieter and I know that means more financial burden for the community and its members.

I have hope that a vaccine will be developed. But I also realize that the development of a vaccine isn’t going to instantly bring back our economy or restore people’s stability. That will come with time and time can be pretty darn cruel. Eventually though, life will resume to a level of “normal.” And when it does, I hope to see you; maybe even give you a hug or kiss. Until then, I hope you are doing ok and if I can do something for you during this crazy time, let me know.