May 8 marks day 56, if my count is correct, of crisis schooling. People have been referring to having our children at home, day in and day out as home schooling. They may be Zooming with teachers and classmates in fairly regular basis. They may be reading, doing math problems and science experiments but there’s a whole lot more going on under our roofs than in any traditional home schooling environment.

I’ve heard from plenty of parents who claim their children are going stir crazy and the goal is to come out on the other side of this with their sanity intact. Fortunately, there are more who claim their children are actually thriving in the slowed down pace of life. There’s no rushing from lacrosse to piano to hockey with 15 minutes to scarf down a slice of pizza in the back seat of the car.

There’s more bike riding (Do you even know how many kids have let go of training wheels this spring!) and more hiking, piano playing, baking, arts and crafts and more. The positive aspects of this pandemic remind me more of my childhood in the 1970s when my friends and I would “get lost” outside all day and return home as the dinner bell rang. We had skinned knees, got splinters, bug bites and so many memories.

Today, May 8 is Andy Goldman’s 85th birthday. He plans to celebrate by answering birthday wish phone calls as he nibbles on Grey Barn bread. His number is in the book so if you find a few free moments, send good cheer his way. Happy Birthday Andy. I hope you and Susan share a day full of laughter and love.

May Day has come and gone with almost an equal amount of fanfare as it has seen in the past. Those sneaky flower fairies managed to hang a bouquet on my door without me catching them. Maybe the Keene clan — John, Hillary, Adelaide, Thea, Ella and Lathrop — has the inside scoop on how to lay a trap for these cheer spreaders next year.

My nieces, Oona and Emme Carroll, put together May baskets as well. We were the lucky recipients of one. Tucked inside was an Easter egg clearly labeled with opening instructions. Inside was a tiny handmade gnome. His name is Alfred and he has specific care instructions to ensure his well-being.

The beach committee, comprised of Clarissa Allen, Wayne Iacono, Jennifer Jamgochian, Margaret Maida and Allison Parry, along with superintendent Martina Mastromonaco and assistant Karyn Robertson are working tirelessly to put protocols into place to ensure community safety on our three town-managed beaches. Going to the beach during a pandemic means that things are going to be a little different, but if we all adhere to the rules and regulations they are formulating we can continue to put our toes in the sand. Summer 2020 guidelines are in the works so stay tuned.

At the time of my writing, Betsy, Kristine and Scott of Larsen’s Fish Market planned to open May 7. Along with the beach committee needing to make operational changes, our local eateries and shops will be doing the same. Give Larsen’s a call, welcome them back and inquire as to current ordering protocol: 508-645-2680.

Wisdom of the week: Be patient. Find the positive. Overlook what you might view as negative. Most of all, be kind.