Damned old COVID-19.

It sure is messing things up for a consumer nation of folks who are used to getting what we want when we want it. Amazon has taught us to satisfy our whims with one or two day delivery options. But now there is this new reality shaking things all up.

My favorite Prime orders are taking up to five days. What to do. What to do. Now, it even looks like the fast food joints I love might close. My glass is looking half empty. Or is that just an illusion?

Our lives have been disrupted as we learn how to “hunker down” at home. The images of empty shelves and crowds of panicky shoppers standing in lines at the grocery store are posted all over social media while the networks and news outlets report shortages of toilet paper, fresh meat, hand sanitizer, bread, and on and on.

This worrisome health crisis has people hoarding as if we are facing an end of necessities and food. But, of course, there is just as much now as there was three weeks ago. All of the lack of supply is due to our own over reaction. While this situation may be bigger than all of us, it need not compromise good common sense. When we stockpile things it causes other people to do without.

Here are some grocery store best practices to keep all of our wits about us;

• Buy things just like you would on any other grocery trip and add one extra day of staples and things to freeze or store. No hoarding.

• Use sanitizing wipes on your cart/buggy handles before and after use.

• Be patient, kind, cheerful, and generous to people who work in food service. They are stressed and tired.

• Check on elders and offer to shop for them.

Beyond all the food concerns, there seems to be some difficulty finding silver linings as we sequester at home. This will all come to an end, just as it did in 1918. There is no zombie apocalypse. It's up to each and every one of us to develop or maintain a glass half full mentality until it does (and perhaps forever forward).

My daughter in Chicagoland is one who looks on the bright side. She posted a picture of my grandchildren with a St. Patricks Day project they just completed saying this;

"Our leprechaun trap is ready. Our shamrocks are decorated and in the window and we made it through another day of the quarantine! I’m so lucky to be at home with my favorite people. Stay healthy and safe everyone."

What an opportunity we have in front of us. We can finish off those pesky tasks around the house we've been putting off. The people with whom we live can get our undivided attention and appreciation. Board games can be dusted off and played (even long lasting ones like Monopoly).

That book we got for Christmas can be read. Prayer time and meditation can be expanded causing a little grace to settle in. My guess is that you could add in a few more ideas. No matter what, it would be sad not to seize this time and make the most of it. We are in this together and another chance might never present itself.

Well look at that! I think my glass really is half full. Or might it be full to the brim?