Don’t know what my smartphone is telling others about my activities, but I’m giving myself an A on practicing social distancing. 

I'm extremely proud of how much I’ve reduced my trips to the grocery store. 

Before COVID-19, my record for going was three times in one day. Yes, three times in one day. I always just popped in when I needed something. Once, I needed something before work, during work and after work. I rarely went on the weekends, but Monday thru Friday I went most daily. 

After COVID-19 and the urging/ mandate to stay at home, I’m down to once a week. I try to go on Fridays and get everything I might need for the following week. It’s working out well. Occasionally, I’ll wish I had bought something that I didn’t – like a couple bananas. I add that to my grocery list for the following week and resist the urge to go buy some. 

I canceled my birthday party for April 7. I’m absolutely sure that more than 10 people would have been in attendance and we would have been closer than six feet from one another. To celebrate, that morning I posted a birthday selfie on my Facebook page. I was wearing a facemask to commemorate the occasion. When that pops up on my newsfeed years from now, hopefully I’ll be able to laugh at it. Knowing me, I’ll shake my head and wonder, "What in the world were you thinking, girl?" 

The girls couldn’t resist. For my birthday, I got a drive-by celebration. My niece, her daughter and my daughter drove to the newspaper (yes, I always work on my birthday) and lined up on the street. From their three car windows, I was handed a present, balloons and cards. It was awesome. 

Birthday music was playing from the middle car. I started dancing in the street. Coronavirus didn’t stop that dance party, but a car turning onto the street did. Before it could get to me with what I’m sure would have been a polite beep, beep, I stopped my shenanigans and moved off the street. 

I visited a girlfriend and wore a facemask the whole time. That thing makes me feel like I can’t breathe, so I hope it actually works to protect us from one another. A lack of oxygen probably isn’t good for me.

I had been keeping my distance from the boyfriend due to his mother undergoing cancer treatment, but we agreed that my birthday should be an exception as long as we avoided contact. He made me a cheeseburger. It was accompanied by a glass of wine, flowers, cupcake and card. We are back to text only. 

What grade would you give yourself?

Standard reporter Lisa Hobbs can be reached at 473-2191.