Are you confused about cleaning/disinfecting during the coronavirus pandemic? Me too. (Photo taken in the sweet town of Villedieu.)
Today's word(s): Tout ira bien
: All will be well*
*Famous words of Julian of Norwich
A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse
One week into confinement and I'm waving a white flag of surrender: this time over the obsession to control germs. As you will soon learn, I am not a germaphobe. But like you, I've stepped up my routine: when washing up at the sink, I now rub down handles with my soapy hands, wash the dishtowels daily, and go over buttons, handles, and knobs with a soapy cloth. OK, I did that twice before realizing my family of 4 would continue to use the microwave, the doorknobs, the sink…and they would carry on sneezing, coughing, and breathing on things. Should I keep passing behind them with my soapy sponge? No! It is impossible to keep surfaces germ free all of the time, what with everyone touching everything, all of the time.
During my daily nap/Youtube session (reprieve from it all) a few video recommendations caught my eye. The first program asked, Do You Know the Difference between Cleaning, Sanitising, and Disinfecting?
When the gracious host/professional cleaner admitted that on a daily basis a simple soap and water solution in a spray bottle is sufficient, I breathed a sigh of relief (dish soap and a clean cloth or sponge are my methods for both cleaning and, I suppose, sanitization). But when our Youtube expert turned her attention to the third possibility, I had to admit I had never used a disinfectant. In fact, it's been on my shopping list–to buy as soon as the lines outside of the stores go away. Will they?
Meantime, another suggestion popped up on YouTube. Clicking open the video, I listened to a woman explain how she washes all of her groceries and the sacks in which they were delivered. Next, she admitted that she changes out of her clothes and into fresh vêtements before entering her bedroom–her own sanctuary from germs–to rest.
Snuggled in under my own bedcovers a realization came over me: I had worked all morning in the garden, and then cleaned the chicken run before heading in for my sieste. Lying there in my jeans and my dusty fleece jacket I could now imagine the sheer number of contaminants I had carried into my own sanctuaire. For a moment I felt filthy in the world's eyes…. until images of childhood flooded my mind in a most soothing way.
Nothing's changed since mon enfance. I still take naps after playing in the dirt. And everything has always been and is still OK, and….
"All shall be well,
And all shall be well,
And all manner of things shall be well"
Tout ira bien, et tout ira bien, et tout ne peut qu'aller bien. Julienne de Norvich's words are greatly calming–as is a call to my sister, Heidi, who gives me a crash course in le nettoyage: "Bleach is a good disinfectant." OK, I think I've got that somewhere. Tout ira bien.
Amicalement,
EDIT ME: If you see une faute de frappe (typo) in French or in English, I would greatly appreciate it if you would point it out in the comments or via email. Merci beaucoup!
* * *
P.S.: Do you ever take a nap in your work clothes?
P.P.S. About most germs: Mom adds that sunshine and fresh air are cleansing, and that we should never quit playing in the dirt. I leave you with bon courage wishes, and a screenshot from my sister (I have two soeurs) and me on Facetime. I'm wearing the computer-generated heart-glasses and my trusty dusty fleece jacket. Heidi's got computerized bunny ears. It's Heidi's birthday on March 27th. Joyeuse anniversaire en avance. Thanks for being such a great sister and best friend. XOXOXOXO
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https://ncov2019.live/wiki
Kristi- Have a look at this wiki page.
I train horses – so even in the midst of all of the quarantines, have to still take care of them. I can’t imagine how much dirt I have ingested and rested in over the years – but I am one of the healthiest people among my friends and I attribute it to all of this dirt!
Kristi, I think that garden dirt is actually good for us. Hasn’t it been proven that children who play outside are often healthier than those who spend the majority of their time indoors? New Zealand is currently in lockdown, so apart from my twice daily dog walks, we are staying at home and hanging out in our backyard. I was going to do some gardening yesterday after a break during the hot summer days, which are now behind us, only to find that our cat has been using the garden bed as a litter pan. I’m now trying to figure out how to deal with *that* dirt. As for germs, I ventured out to the supermarket today to purchase groceries for the next week or two for our family. Upon returning home, I did wash the cloth bags and the clothes that I had worn to the store. I also sprayed with vinegar all the items I had purchased before packing them away. I know that vinegar isn’t as good a disinfectant as strong chemicals, but that’s what I had on hand. That’s as far as I go with being afraid of germs. As for garden dirt, I honestly couldn’t care less. I love the smell of the earth and the sunshine on my back as I play in the garden. Wishing you and your family good health. 🙂
Sending you a big virtual hug, Linda.
The correct expression is “I couldn’t care less.”
Someone said they could care less which is not correct.
It means the opposite of what you’re trying to say. I was going to go back and point out who it was but there were so many comments I just didn’t have time for that.
Tout ira bien j’espère. Mais maintenant on a peur et on a raison d’avoir peur. Soyez prudents tout le monde.
Kristi…Your posts are always a delight. I love the reminders: to play in the dirt, let sunshine 🌞do it’s work in disinfecting, and take naps. All wonderful health -promoting activities. I have another benefit where I live. My elderly neighbors have a bunch of Orange trees. They are continually supplying me with fresh frozen orange juice. When I strolled to the freezer with my beloved friend Pat, she opened the door to a MOUNTAIN of frozen water bottles filled with their juice. They nearly avalanched out at us😃. What a gift these folks are and their loving hearts are just what we all need the most right now. ❤
Bonjour Kristin, I am late in the game of following you! Your enchanting book, Words in a French Life, sits by my tub and every time I pop in I read a little chapter…I love it! I would like to share a little something I created for you. Would you be open to emailing me?