Social isolation likely to be more pronounced this winter

I might become a hermit. It's an idea that just popped into my head.

Actually I think am becoming a hermit. It's true.

Others have lived in isolation or relative isolation successfully - Henry David Thoreau (for a while), monks in monasteries (for life), nuns in cloisters, pioneers on the frontier, settlers in remote parts of Alaska.

So far so good ... doing OK. And I do have my kitties who are sweet company.

I don't go anywhere. Don't see anybody. No meetings except on Zoom. No shopping except online or to the grocery store once in a while. I many food items online, delivered to the house. I bought four flannel shirts. Cozy.

It was definitely strange cooking a standing rib roast for just me on New Year's Day. But it was excellent. I got a it on a good sale at Jewel in late November and had it in the freezer. My mother always made this type of roast on special days. Nice memories.

Once I get the vaccine, it will still be months before everyone is inoculated and it becomes safe to go out. I guess we may be OK by December 2021 but not completely. It will be a long stretch before we can return to anything like the old normal. Oh my ...

Luckily I am surrounded by books I still need to read or reread. I have the email, internet, cellphone. I like to cook so that's fun, no problem there. I have lots of music; cannot complain. As the English say, "Mustn't grumble."

My kitties have been cloistered in the house for the last eight years, and haven't been outside since they were 3 months old, except to go to the vet in their travel roller. And they are happy and well adjusted.

By the time the vaccine for COVID-19 takes effect across the population, we may have adjusted to this solitary life. I hope not. People are naturally social beings, so this is all very complicated.

I don't even know if I will be able or motivated to resume my formerly busy social schedule of exercise classes, meetings, shopping, entertaining, shaking hands, hugging, getting together with folks - normal in-person activities. The bereaved need lots of social support, which is in short supply right now.

I often wonder how my dear Baheej would be handling this situation. He was so positive, he probably would have come up with something. He loved to read; he loved music and poetry. He instigated stretch and exercise sessions for the two of us in our living room. He'd do various moves and stretches to Greek dance music and I'd follow. It was fun. I wish I could motivate myself to do that on my own. Because after 10 or 11 months of no exercise classes, my right shoulder is stiff from an old injury and I haven't done regular exercise on my own. So it is ...

The long haul over this winter is going to be tough. Now that the great holidays are past, we face the rest of winter mostly on our own. No celebrations really until Valentine's Day, and that won't help me. First and foremost, my Valentine is not here. He used to put Valentine cards out for me to find for a whole week.

A couple years after Baheej died, I joined a low-impact aerobics exercise class at the Dundee Fitness Center. I used to organize the exercise group monthly luncheon at a local restaurant, and we always had lots of decorations at the table when we went together after class. We always did something special for Valentine's Day. Such nice people; I miss them. None of that anymore.

So the point is: We will just have to "buck up" and find a way to enjoy ourselves and entertain ourselves a bit longer, a few more months. I can do it and so can you. I have a friend who used to leave her two decorated Christmas trees up year round. Now, there's an idea. I may just leave my holiday patio lights and Christmas tree up all winter. Happy 2021!

• Susan Anderson-Khleif of Sleepy Hollow has a doctorate in family sociology from Harvard, taught at Wellesley College and is a retired Motorola executive. Contact her at sakhleif@comcast.net or see her blog longtermgrief.tumblr.com. See previous columns at www.dailyherald.com/topics/Anderson-Kleif-Susan.