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My weekly exercise of finding the good in this hard time has felt more like an exercise, to be honest, than ever before. Each week brings new waves of friends or relatives who are sick. Each week brings reminders of our fragile mortality. And each week brings new questions about how much we can take of self-isolating and staying indoors.

For me, staying indoors is not as much of a chore as you would think. Some days I keep the shades mostly closed, and I pretend I’m in a blistering hot and humid place like New Orleans in the summertime, and I have to keep my apartment dark. I’m like one of Ellen Gilchrist’s eccentric characters*.

I do believe that many people have trouble staying put; they’re active and restless. This is different for them. But knowing that this period will come to an end – in 2 months, in 5 months, even a year – makes it manageable. This is a historic moment. No one alive will ever forget the international pandemic. Books and movies will be made about it, from every perspective. We just need to be patient.

Host Lisa Birnbach and her guest Abby Ellin, author of DUPED: Double Lives, False Identities and the Con Man I Almost Married

This week’s guest was patient while she was dating a man who might have been “the one.” Abby Ellin, a writer for many publications including the New York Times, New York, the LA Times, and saw many red flags, and yet decided to give this guy a chance. Her experience gave her material for her new book, Duped: Double Lives, False Identities, and the Con Man I Almost Married, published by Public Affairs. Being habitually lied to gave her insight into the current president too.

But before I get to Abby, here is my list of five things:

1. Exhibit A’s exhibit™ -- he’s my um, son’s son, my um grandson. Unfortunately, we are separated by distance, but my daughter-in-law sends me pictures regularly, and we even try to Facetime every week. But unbeknownst to them, I stare at my little love all the time. He is my phone’s home screen, and I frequently zone out by looking at little videos she and my son have sent me. Sometimes I kiss my phone. TMI?

2. Meatless meals. It just seems we’ve been eating too much meat. And we saw a documentary which taught us that if all of us avoided meat and cheese just one day a week (!) methane emissions would drop precipitously. So last night we had a vegetarian meal, and honestly, it was delicious, I felt less heavy afterwards, and it felt good to do our bit. It doesn’t mean we’re going vegetarian or vegan, but we’re becoming more mindful of what we’re eating.

3. Got some flowers in the house. Spent too much money, perhaps, but the peonies and hyacinth looks festive, bring the outside in, and smell divine.

4. This sponge. It’s silly looking, but it is a hard worker. I’d never heard of it, but bought it at our local hardware store when I was looking for Clorox wipes. (Will they ever be able to stock them again?). I think this sponge may have some “Shark Tank” provenance, by the way.

5. My weekly phone calls/ zoom calls. I have three conversations with groups of friends that honestly help me know what day it is. Mine are on Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday. One is with old dear friends, one is with new friends, and one is a mixture. They are the human connection I need. If you can, try to schedule some regularly recurring events in your week. I think it’s helpful.