Critters and Covid
Critters and Covid
March 31, 2020 - ??? (June 15, 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
June 2, 2020
Restrictions eased a few days ago. How long will the critters stick around?
Well, several neighbors have expressed appreciation for the changing tableaux and encourage me to continue. Plus, the critters are an innocent diversion from the very scary, all too real, outside world. Those are strong motivators for the critters to stay visible.
It's also a creative challenge for me to come up with daily ideas that don't take hours of prep time and use only items on hand (and that the real animals won't bother).
So to answer the question of how long the critters will stick around - don't know.
June 14, 2020
The critters told me loud and clear four days ago that they were ready to move on. Today is the grand finale. Like many performing troupes they are not anxious to relinquish the stage even though the show is over. They will be hanging around one more day for the neighborhood.
I'm surprised at the pang of sadness I feel with the critters leaving. The yard is open for them to return anytime!
Day 77
June 15, 2020
A view from the back on the final day.
Farewell, critters.
Stay safe, everyone!
Day 76
June 14, 2020
The grand finale and curtain call.
Happy Flag Day!
Day 75
Critters are gathering for their curtain call.
They told me they were done.
At least for now...
Day 74
It's a girl! Welcome to the family!
note: When I went out to set the day's scene, another critter had joined the line. Thank you, neighbor! (And you are very welcome for the masks.) It seemed only fitting to have the newest critter become part of the new baby story. Can you see the little bird head sticking out of the pink pouch?
Day 73
Racing back to see what the big announcement is.
Day 72
Eek! Swarming alligators!
Will the critters continue their journey or return home?
Day 71
Intrepid explorers leaving the yard.
How far will they get?
Day 70
Fish in the ditch!
Day 69
Brave hikers going into new territory.
Day 68
Another birthday party! Fun!!
Day 67
What will they find next?
Day 66
Yay! Something new to look at!
Day 65
In transit.
Day 64
Hiking, walking - destination unknown.
Day 63
June 1, 2020
A new day, a new month, a good camping trip. Let's take a hike!
Day 62
The fire is out and the critters are sleeping under the stars.
(It's hard to see in the photo, but the light fabric is covered with sparkly stars.)
Day 61
Telling scary stories around the campfire.
(Did you notice a marshmallow fell into the fire?)
Day 60
Roasting "marshmallows"
I couldn't use real ones because the living, breathing critters would have eaten them.
Day 60 bonus
right The critters threw a surprise party.
Surprise - your birthday was yesterday!
Day 59
A quiet campfire after the party.
Day 58
Happy Birthday, Dad!
(The parade is gone.)
Day 57
It seemed appropriate to put up the banner featuring a band director's dog since the parade is still set up.
Day 56
Memorial Day May 25, 2020
Since people cannot gather this year to celebrate the unofficial start of summer, the critters have a parade, a ceremony, a bbq and boating.
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?