‘Sheltering in Place’ …our new normal for the time being

Mane ‘n Tail wants to thank everyone for doing their part during the COVID-19 time period.  A time in which we are all trying to stay safe and well. Thank you to all those who must go into work, be it an office, hospital, elderly care facility, animal shelters, grocery store, post office, bank, etc…you are all heroes and we have the utmost respect for you and what you do for us every day, not only during this time but all the time.

 

 

 

 

Also, thank you to those who are doing what we are told and staying home so that we greatly lessen the risk of putting ourselves and each other in harm’s way.  We all need to do our part, and even though we may be or feel isolated, please remember, we are all in this together. We will get through this together!

 

Some people have been doing amazing things to help us all feel connected…here are some things you may want to do while ‘Sheltering in Place’:

 

Listen to your favorite music

Time to update your playlist and possibly download more music.  Many musicians are taking the time to record live stream concerts so that we can enjoy them and feel as if we are seeing them live.  Even though this was recorded a few months ago for the ‘Playing for A Change’ movement: A Song Around the World celebrating 50 years of the song, “The Weight” made famous by Robbie Roberts on and “The Band.” It is a worldwide collaboration and very cool. This is the link to the YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ph1GU1qQ1zQ

 

Read a Book

Has there been a book you have been wanting to read? Project Gutenberg is a library of more than 60,000 free e-books, assembled by thousands of volunteers who digitize and proofread digital media.  No fee, no registration or special apps are required.  Titles are available in English, French, Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, Finnish, Hungarian, Esperanto, German, Latin, Tagalog and many more. Visit: www.gutenberg.org

Looking just for things the kids for things to read?  Many local elementary schools have suggested websites for children’s books.  One of our local ones posted this on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/flintschools.org/photos/a.632057116849046/949550461766375/?type=3&theater

Check out your local school’s websites or Facebook pages, as well.

 

Doodle

Do you doodle?  Mo Willems, children’s book author and illustrator offers on-line lunchtime doodle breaks!  He is the Education-Artist-In-Residence at the JFK

Center for the Performing Arts.  What a great way for adults and kids to destress!

 

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%23MoLunchDoodles

Virtual Tours & Live-Streaming

Is there a museum you love, or one you have never been to?  Take a virtual tour right at home.  Many museums are making themselves available for virtual tours at this time.  The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston gives us a view of incredible artwork as if you were there…

Here are a few among many that are offering online experiences:

• The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC
• The Guggenheim Museum in NYC
• British Museum in London
• The Louvre 

 

A day at the zoo or aquarium without strollers, tired toddlers and exhausted parents! Zoos and aquariums across the country are live-streaming their animals so we all don’t feel so isolated. Who doesn’t love watching adorable animals practicing their normal routine?  The Atlanta Zoo has “Panda Cam” –beyond cute to see those bears going about business as usual.

The San Diego Zoo and the Monterey Bay Aquarium both have recorded and live footage and The National Aquarium in Baltimore, MD has a floor by floor virtual tour!  FUN!

Nature abounds! Inside! Travel can be a state of mind. National Parks are getting in on the virtual tours! At least 32 of the United States’ national parks can be viewed thanks to Google Earth and Google Arts & Culture.  You can experience the Grand Canyon or Yosemite State Park.

Alaska is waiting…Kenai Fjords National Park – the land where the ‘ice age’ still lingers or travel to Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah —the trip you haven’t taken yet…here you go, right in the comfort of your own home.

 

 

 

Cook

Do you need some meal inspiration since you are not dining out? Italian Chef, Massimo Bottura, whose Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy—of 3 Michelin star fame, is hosting daily live lessons on Instagram.  He is calling them “Kitchen Quarantine,”  check it out here!

Lena Sareini, pastry chef at Selden Standard in Detroit has shared a tutorial for making easy sourdough bread on YouTube, as well as a guide for making cultured butter.

Michael Symon, noted chef, has been hosting live demos on the Food Network’s Facebook page every evening. #SymonDinners as they are called, have included meals like pork chops and black beans, lentil stew, and recently “pick a meat’ chili.  He answers live questions on the stream! He does his own thing on IGTV, too.

Stay Active

Ok, stop sitting on the couch…get up and move.  As we all know, many of us cannot even venture outside. However, you can open up a window and breathe in the fresh air. Move your body by doing simple at-home exercises! If you want to stay active (and we don’t just mean trips to the refrigerator), an on-line Cardio Dance, Yoga or Stretch class may be up your alley.

• Yoga House in Colorado is offering online classes. 
• 305 Fitness is offering two daily live-streams on YouTube for Cardio Dancing!

“Dance like no one is watching!”  Actually, no one is, except maybe the people you live with or your pets!  This is a great way to support your local community and look for places near (or far) on-line to pick a workout of your choice.

Selfcare Spa Day

Ok, we know you can be a bit unmotivated during this time to get yourself looking your absolute best.  This is no time to slouch! Give yourself an at-home spa treatment.  Do your hair! Learn a new style, like braiding, twist or the ‘pandemic messy bun’.  Take a makeup tutorial. Maybe it is time to update your ‘look’!

However, we warn you…do not fall into the ‘pandemic bang’ vortex!  DO NOT CUT YOUR OWN BANGS!

 

 

 

 

 

We repeat, DO NOT CUT YOUR OWN BANGS! Yes, it may be tempting, and there are many tutorials out there.

However, please, listen to us.  Believe it when your hairdresser sees you next time, they will know!

Instead…watch a braiding tutorial, from our friend Gen, or watch a makeup tutorial and experiment with a new fresh take…

 

 

 

Virtual Theme Park

Are you missing that thrill?  Spring is the time when most seasonal theme parks start opening up their gates.  You may have had a Disney World trip planned? No problem, you may reschedule later, but in the meantime, enjoy a few rides virtually.

According to the travel channel, here are a few virtual experiences you can try from the comfort of your own couch.  No waiting in line here!

 

 

 

 

 

Meditate

As in normal times, but especially now, we all need to feel grounded and connected sometimes to the earth on a basic level.  Now more than ever, we need to be conscious of our surroundings and it is important to be mindful and kind to all living creatures.  Meditation is a wonderful way to get your mind, body, and spirit in a balanced and positive place.

Our friends at Spirit Fire offer a free on-line 14-week meditation program called the “Practice of Living Awareness”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In this time where we are all homebound, it is the perfect opportunity to get to cozy up with your mind. Taking care of ourselves readies us for taking care of others and is a great way to feel connected during this time of social distancing.

We hope that these suggestions are helpful for navigating through this difficult time. All of us at Mane ‘n Tail continue to hope everyone stays healthy and safe.  Please take the best precautions you can to stay well and always wash your hands!  If your hands are getting dry from all our over-zealous hand-washing…moisturize with our Mane ‘n Tail Hoofmaker.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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• Deep moisturizing formula helps reduce dry and brittle hands and nails
• Manicure and pedicure in a bottle
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• Get yours here!