Well, we are still doing the right thing and socially isolating for another week, and it looks like it may be having an effect on the spread of the virus, fingers crossed.

For all you home-schooling teachers out there, I wanted to let you know that RAZ Kids is free for the rest of the year. Check it out at www.raz-kids.com. It will take you a bit of time to figure out the website, but leveled books are available for your kiddos to read online. Scholastic has also set up a Learn-at-Home website with lessons for PreK to ninth grade: classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html

I'm sure that some districts are having teachers set up internet lessons, and we will see what the rest of the school year brings.

I'm finding that it takes no more than an hour-and-a-half to do reading and writing and math with my granddaughter Adeline, and we throw in some Spanish singing and some Mo Willems (via YouTube) art instruction as well.

The rest of the time Adeline is either creating projects of her own design, riding her bike, or taking walks with the dogs. The other day she spent the morning turning her bedroom into a doctor's office and lined up all her stuffed animals as patients. My daughter Liz, son-in-law Peter, and Adeline try to spend time outside every day, and this fortuitous snowstorm allowed Adeline and her dad to create an entire snowman family.

And dear Aunt Susie sent Adeline a Pink Palace and a Pretty Purple Dollhouse to put together so that will keep Adeline (and her dad!) busy today. Projects are perfect for these days.

My number one endeavor would probably be to clean up my office, which has turned into quite a disaster this past year, but I have discovered that all those things I told myself I would do “when I had the time” aren't actually on my to-do list at all. Go figure.

While we work to keep our spirits up at home, we must not forget the people who are working every day to keep us safe.

First responders, doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and hospital workers are risking their lives to care for the ill.

And then there are the folks who are preparing food for those in need, and the workers at the grocery stores who are stocking and re-stocking those shelves with provisions we need. So many have stepped up in this time of need and it is truly inspiring. We can never thank them enough for their sacrifice.

God bless our Governor Andrew Cuomo has really stepped up to the plate. I'm grateful that he is here to help us and fight for us through this pandemic. I look forward to his daily updates and find them informative, inspiring, and reassuring.

Stay safe and healthy, dear readers. We will get through this.