- Author: Tina Saravia
As we continue to practice social distancing, some of us have become more technically savvy. We attend online classes on Zoom and YouTube. We order everything from food, seeds, clothing, and anything we can imagine online. I learned how to change the doorknobs on our bedroom doors and learned about the different tomato diseases, all from the comfort of, well, anywhere in the house.
I even attended a mini Master Gardener Virtual Conference. Normally, the conference is only available to UC Master Gardeners. It occurs every three years at different locations all across California. I've never been to one and this was the year I was going to attend. So I was glad to be able to attend it, albeit virtually. Here's the link to the recorded conference on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlDdF7tI-ng&list=PLw6OczuNHpWDxjj2VWbT4Tzm19JnjyOIW
I also visited the Kew Gardens in London in less than 30 minutes. I got to ride the Underground, without squeezing in a crowd. ) I got to see allotments - the UK version of community gardens, the Kew Palace - a.k.a. the White House, a giant metal hive (see screenshot photo), and many, many beautiful parts of the gardens. I can't wait to go back.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mif-l1Qymo&t=755s
There's a wealth of information online about any conceivable topic; and there really is an app for everything. My personal favorites are food apps. I can order food and customize my order without feeling self-conscious that I'm holding everybody up.
My latest triumph was hosting a virtual birthday party for my husband. Our attendees came from as close as our neighbor down the street, family, and friends in San Francisco and Pacifica and the East Bay, to as far as Arizona. Fun was had by all.
While my physical world has contracted, my virtual world has gotten a lot wider. Hope yours does, as well.