Three weeks ago, we were enjoying our housesit in Kerikeri, New Zealand, aware of the coronavirus but oblivious to how quickly it would transform the world. As the news intensified, our options decreased. Our New Zealand housesits cancelled since they were flying overseas. Kiwis who were traveling locally called off their plans. One after another, airline companies disappeared.

Returning to Seattle didn’t look good anyway. The nursing home with the first case of the virus in the U.S. is one mile from our home. But that didn’t matter anyway since our home is in the rental market.

Hunkering down in place seemed like the best option. We had stayed for a week at Kauri Cottage, a holiday rental. When we left, the owners, Heather and Arthur, who live in a house next door, invited us back if we needed a place to stay. Grateful, we returned and unpacked for the duration – whatever that means – until the flights start again or until borders open or until other places feel safe.

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The day after our decision, New Zealand announced a month-long nationwide shelter-in-place. The entire country had 2 days to get to where they wanted to be and stock up. Grocery stores and pharmacies will remain open but most other businesses will close.

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Yet we’ve landed in a great place. Our hosts/landlords, Heather and Arthur, are kind, interesting and like most Kiwis, incredibly hard-working. They own 5 acres full of pasture for sheep, hen runs for 75 chickens, and other necessities of farm life – barns, machinery, oodles of firewood, gardens, and fruit trees (even bananas!). We have privacy in our cottage yet we also get to see and talk with Heather and Arthur daily – from a distance, of course.

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Our cottage is large enough to spread out in but small enough to keep clean and tidy easily. We have a separate bedroom, a full kitchen, a washing machine, and most importantly, light. Every space has windows on two or three sides. Plus, we can walk around outside and be in nature. We feed the chickens our scraps, work on our bikes, and pick grapes. I even do my exercise and yoga outside on the grass. Even hanging our laundry outside to dry, like most Kiwis do, is a pleasure.

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Jim and I are used to being together 24/7 so we are doing well. We are using this time to catch-up and move forward with a bit of exercise and nature to keep us sane.

Wherever you are, I hope you are healthy, safe and experiencing kindness.