Critters and Covid
Critters and Covid
March 31, 2020 - ???
The global pandemic COVID-19 has disrupted our lives and impacted every single person in one way or another. Illinois was given a stay-at-home directive effective March 20. (I"m typing this on May 14 and the order is in effect until May 30.)
Once my cancelled show, "Abstract, Traditional and all In-between" was posted online March 31, I turned my energies into making masks and entertaining neighbors walking past the house.
The spark for the lawn display was a neighborhood email proposing an outdoor "scavenger hunt" with suggested themes for certain dates to give families some variety and interest while they walked. The "hunt" held no appeal to me, but the idea of a change in scene was intriguing.
Over the years I have accumulated a lot of outdoor critters such as a plastic owl, a resin fox and a concrete seagull. On March 31, the fox appeared at the top of a pile of wood chips. The next day, the owl challenged him to be "King of the Hill" and it went from there.
Each day something changes. I take a photo and send it to my toddler grandkids to provide them and their parents a few moments of distraction. Passersby offer enough smiles and positive comments to encourage me to continue. It's keeping me entertained as well!
Below you will find a photo (or two) for each day. To start from the beginning, scroll all the way to the bottom and work your way up.
I plan to continue until May 30 (the current end of the stay-at-home order) or until the critters tell me it's time to move on.
You can see a story of critters and masks at
https://www.alittletimeandakeyboard.com/2020/05/kathy-steere-artist.html
Day 55
Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer and it's in the mid-80's. Yay!
A great day for water parks and frozen treats.
Day 54
Taking turns on the water slide.
Hope that alligator isn't hungry...
Day 53
It's Friday of Memorial Day weekend. Let's go to the water park!
Day 52
Looks like yesterday but a racoon showed up.
Day 51
May 20, 2020
Congratulations to the Class of 2020!
(Finally a dry, sunny day to set this up. We had 6" of rain in the last week.)
Day 50
Where did the water and the fish go?
Day 49
The picture changed.
All good things must come to an end.
Today, May 17, is the last day for masks.
Day 48
Oh, is there a show?
Day 47
Just moving around.
Day 46
A small snail made it to the game.
Day 45
Yay, a sailboat on the water.
Day 44
What is that thing by the turtle?
(Really, what is it?)
Day 43
How did a grasshopper get to the top of the hill?
The neighborhood seems to all have masks.
After making 226 (203 adult and 23 child) it's time to move on.
Stay safe, everyone!
Day 42
Happy Birthday, Eric and Laura!
Day 41
May 10 - Happy Mother's Day!
Day 40
Happy Mother's Day weekend. (Rain is predicted for Mother's Day.)
Day 39
Oh no, an alligator!
Day 38
And another fish.
Day 37
There's another fish.
Day 36
Cinco de Mayo party!
Day 35
May the 4th be with you.
Day 34
Happy Birthday, Rose!
Day 33
Is that a turtle on top of the hill?
Day 32
May 1 is May Day. The critters are dancing around the May Pole!
Day 31
Where are the flamingos going? What are the others looking at?
Day 30
The bucket spilled.
Day 29
Yay, a butterfly!
Day 28
The goldfish found some hair dye to swim in so now they are orange and white and red!
Day 27
Water has appeared along with a bigger fish.
(Where did the goldfish go?)
Day 26
Is that a whale?
Day 25
Two faded concrete fish in front of bear.
Day 24
Moving around.
Day 23
Regrouping.
Day 22
A bear.
With a "No Fishing" sign.
Of course,
Day 21
The snail finally made it to the hill.
Day 20
Where are you going?
Day 19
Ooo, a fire. Let's join the circle!
Day 18
Two snowmen join the circle.
Why is it so cold?! It's April 17!!
Day 17
Tropical birds gather 'round the fire to stay warm in this unseasonably cold weather.
Day 16
April 15
Bunnies built a fire to stay warm.
Day 15
Brrr!
Day 14
Still some eggs to find!
Day 13
April 12
Happy Easter everyone!
Day 12
Three pink flamingos.
(Spoiler alert, the one by the tree lights up and moves!)
Day 11
Two pink flamingos. Where are they going?
Day 10
Every gathering needs a pink flamingo!
Here is how I offered the masks.
Day 9
Two more ducks found their way.
Day 8
Just in case no one has noticed the game, a larger lighthouse will get more attention.
Day 7
A duck showed up.
Day 6
A Scottie dog and lily pads.
Day 5
A lighthouse to call more players.
Day 4
Two more come to play. (A deer and a lizard)
Day 3
A frog on top? Really?!
Day 2
Look this way!
Day 1
March 31, 2020
Hello neighborhood, want to play?