As COVID-19 cases continued to climb in April, the housing market felt the strain of the pandemic. Prior to the outbreak, Buildfax, a property condition data service provider, reported demand for new homes was so high that a major housing shortage was imminent.

However, April saw a 7.37% month-to-month decrease in single-family authorizations as COVID-19 continued to spread. Contrary to the month-to-month trend, data shows a 1.2% year-over-year increase in single-family authorizations, which Buildfax states is likely due to construction being an essential business in the majority of the country.

Those numbers reveal a stark difference from March, when authorizations increased 6.62% compared to the previous year, according to a Buildfax report. The report equated the rise to pre-pandemic behaviors prior to stay-at-home orders.

But its not just construction authorizations being hit. Existing housing activity took a nosedive in April when maintenance volume and spend slid 29.09% and 29.71% year-over-year, respectively. The remodel volume a subset of maintenance that includes renovations, additions and alterations decreased 33.83%.

While maintenance and remodeling numbers are typically viewed from a more regional or localized lens, existing housing spend continued to drop in the majority of major metros, according to the report. Sharp declines like these were most likely spurred by the growing unemployment rates coupled with a downturn in home sales.

Looking ahead, Buildfax estimates a strong revival in home sale activity as the economy begins to open back up. This prediction mirrors the forecasts by economists that a record-setting recession followed by an end-of-year turnaround is on the horizon.

By and large, property transactions have slowed substantially, which subsequently affects the pace of maintenance and remodeling, Buildfax Managing Director Jonathan Kanarek said. On the bright side, we anticipate maintenance and remodeling to rebound as the number of home sales starts increasing later this year.

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Home renovation declines in wake of COVID-19 - HousingWire

Craig Russell made his television premiere during the production of HGTV's Urban Oasis 2018. As the general contractor for the show's renovation of a home in Cincinnat's Oakley neighborhood, Russell found himself spending a fair amount of time in front of the camera, where his skill as a builder and natural teacher was captured for the small screen. Shortly thereafter, he joined forces with TGS Productions and Signature Hardware to start work on a show fully focused on Craig and his team as they manage different home renovation projects around the city.

For the past year, The English Contractor team and customers have grown accustomed to cameras in the office and on the job site. Viewers of the upcoming show will see highlights of residential building projects in Indian Hill, Hyde Park, Sycamore, Oakley, Terrace Park and downtown Cincinnati. "This show captures what we do every day," explains Russell. "We take pride in our work and are perfectionists, but that doesn't mean that we don't have fun along the way," he said.

Viewers can tune in starting Saturday, May 23rd at 7am to catch glimpses of some of their favorite CIncinnati neighborhoods, home renovation ideas, and DIY-instruction, all peppered with Russell's building expertise and quick wit. Each episode follows some of his favorite projects over the past year. Programming highlights include:

About The English Contractor

As an award-winning, custom building firm, The English Contractor (TEC) serves the entire Greater Cincinnati region with excellence. TEC specializes in custom work, with a focus on home building, additions, remodels, and luxury home improvements. One of the hallmarks of TEC is the firm's employee-based structure with broad expertise in the building and remodeling crafts. Unlike using a subcontractor, all projects are managed by a TEC employee who is involved with clients from the start to ensure deep knowledge of their goals, and accountability for their satisfaction. TEC work has been widely recognized, with projects featured on HGTV Urban Oasis as well as other regional programming.

SOURCE The English Contractor

http://www.theenglishcontractor.com

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Focus of TV's Newest Home Renovation Program is on Cincinnati - PRNewswire

Whether you are hunched over a laptop in a makeshift work space or slouched on the couch binge-watching TV, you know and can feel that sitting for long periods can sabotage your health. From head to toe, these simple exercises can provide relief, restore muscle function and improve posture.

Too much screen time can result in headaches blurred vision and itchy eyes. To alleviate strain and strengthen your eyes, try eye rolls. Sit up straight, and look down to your right, roll your eyes toward the sky, then to the left and down back to the ground. Then roll your eyes in the opposite direction. Repeat five times.

Typing on a computer or tapping on a phone whether standing or sitting draws our focus and our head forward as we look down. As that happens, the upper trapezius muscle and neck lengthen and tense, and the muscles in the front of our body contract and shorten. Over time, that causes tension in the neck, shoulders and upper back.

This self-massage technique immediately releases neck tension: Start by looking over each shoulder and noticing where your gaze lands. Now, start the stretch on the right side by dropping your right ear to your right shoulder. Take two fingers to the top of your neck behind your left ear and find the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the little valley that runs down your neck. Gently walk your fingers down this muscle, palpitating as you go. [Editors note: This feels fantastic.] Repeat on the other side. Now look over your shoulders again and notice how far you can see. You can do this stretch standing or sitting.

For another seated stretch to help you open your shoulders, release tight chest muscles and combat poor posture, scoot to the edge of your chair or stool, extend your arms behind your back and interlace your fingers. Try to keep the palms together and actively roll your shoulders back and puff up your chest. To deepen the stretch, start to lift your clasped hands. Hold the stretch for up to a minute.

A seated cat-cow yoga flow, which arches the spine forward then rounds it back, can open the chest, take pressure off the spine and stretch the back.

Sit at the edge of your chair with both feet flat on the floor. Rest your palms on your knees. As you inhale, press the chest forward. As you exhale, tuck your chin to your chest and round the spine forward. Repeat three to five times, following your breath.

In the same seated position, you can do side bends and twists to release the compression between the vertebrae and increase your range of motion. First, inhale and sweep your arms overhead. Hold your left wrist with your right hand, keep your arms by your ears, exhale and bend toward the right. Hold the stretch for five breaths, inhale to center, switch your hands, exhale and bend to the left. Hold for five breaths. Inhale back to center, release the grip on your hands, exhale and twist to the right, letting your hands fall to the outside of your thigh or chair. Hold for five breaths, inhale to center and repeat to the left.

When we sit for long periods of time, the lower spine contracts and the posterior muscles in our legs, particularly the hamstrings, shorten. A modified yoga down-dog pose using your desk or kitchen table will stretch the entire back of your body. Start by standing, with your chair out of the way, and place your palms flat on your desk. Walk backward until your arms are extended and your body is in an L shape with your feet under your hips. Press your hands into the table, elongate your back and push your hips up and back. Hold for five to ten breaths.

Sitting for hours also shortens and tightens the hip flexors. The butt muscles compensate by lengthening, which can lead to dead butt syndrome, where the glutes weaken and struggle to keep the body in proper alignment.

You can strengthen your glutes and hamstrings with a bridge-march stretch. Begin by lying on your back, with your knees bent and your arms by your side. Your feet should be hip-width apart and 10 to 12 inches from your butt. Squeeze your glutes and lift your hips up into a bridge position. Hold here while you lift your right foot off the ground, bringing your knee toward your chest until your hip is at a 90-degree angle. Lower your right foot to the ground and repeat on the left. Repeat 10 times, both your left and right feet, keeping the hips lifted throughout.

A runners lunge can help lengthen and stretch your hip flexors. From a standing forward fold, bend your knees, take both hands to the floor and step your right foot back. Drop the right knee and slide the foot back, lowering your pelvis until you feel a gentle stretch through the front of your thigh. Stay here with your hands framing your foot, or inhale and lift your torso up. Hold for five to 10 breaths and repeat on the other leg.

When you massage the bottoms of your feet, you start to loosen connective tissue that runs up the back of your body, including in the calves and hamstrings. To see how quickly this works, sit on the floor with your legs extended and feet flexed. Exhale, fold forward with a flat back and walk your fingers forward alongside your legs, as far as you can go. Notice the point where your hands land. Now, forget about your hands but stay on the floor and place a tennis ball or something similar under the ball of your foot. Put as much weight on it as you can tolerate, and roll the ball back and forth the length of your foot several times. Repeat with the other foot. When youve finished, repeat that forward fold. Where are your hands now?

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Easy Stretches for Better Posture and Muscle Restoration - The New York Times

Juleyan Williams' grave marker before restoration.(Photo: submitted photo)

PORT ORCHARD -- When Mick Hersey hoisted the skinny white marble slab onto a sandstone base under a canopy of Douglas Firs at Burley Cemetery Friday, it all but clicked together like a puzzle piece.

"She's home," Hersey said.

Therewas more work to be done. Hersey, a Bremerton resident known for his work restoring and preserving memorials around the Kitsap Peninsula and beyond, was set to drill holes and add an epoxy to make ensure this particular gravestone would last many more decades.

For reasons as mysterious as her death, the gravestone belonging to an Indiana woman named Juleyan Williams, who died just 37 in 1887, has been missing for some time from the 2-acre cemetery. The grave marker, whichhad been sheared off at its base, is believed to have been the first one there; she wasburied even before the cemetery was platted.

Mick Hersey sets the broken headstone of Juleyan Williams on its base at the Bethel Cemetery in Port Orchard on Friday, May 22, 2020. The broken stone was found at the Olalla cemetery and brought back to its rightful place through the research of Jen Taylor.(Photo: MEEGAN M. REID / KITSAP SUN)

"It had been gone for decades," said Jen Taylor, a 20-year member of nearby Grace Bible Church who has taken it upon herself to keep inventory and help restore the more than 200 plots inside.

Taylor's recently sleuthing online turned up a lead on where they might find the stone. In October 2019, in searching the Internet for the rather distinct spelling of Juleyan Williams, she came across a marker on findagrave.com that revealed its location leaning up against a cedar tree at the nearby Olalla Pioneer Cemetery. After getting permission from its caretakers, Hersey retrieved the slab to return it to its proper place.

Jen Taylor flips through a binder that lists the graves in Bethel Cemetery as she, son Will, husband Brian and Mick Hersey help restore the gravestone of Juleyan Williams, at right, in the cemetery on Friday, May 22, 2020. (Photo: MEEGAN M. REID / KITSAP SUN)

"We found it after thinking it was gone forever," Hersey said.

Church records show Williams was born Jan. 17, 1850 and died Sept. 15, 1887. Her gravestone says across the top: "Gone but not forgotten" and includes the sculpting ofa handshake to invoke her embrace with the divine in Heaven, Hersey said.

A portion of the stone is cut off, and it's unclear whether the rest has been jammed downward into its sandstone base over time. Hersey suspects the base itself was actually added later. In any event, the only thing that's clear is a sense of loneliness on the part of Williams, an Indiana native.

Jen Taylor points out Juleyan Williams's entry in a binder listing graves to Mick Hersey as they restore the headstone in the Bethel Cemetery in Port Orchard on Friday, May 22, 2020. (Photo: MEEGAN M. REID / KITSAP SUN)

Records of the grave include a short poem: "Farewell dear friends / I now must leave you / I am far away from my dear old home / I now lay on this hill alone."

Indeed, she was the first person buried there. Her own husband, Daniel, returned to Wabash, Indiana, remarried, and had another child, Taylor said she found in genealogical and census records.He died in 1907.All her five childrenleft Kitsap and went home, too.

Reporter Josh Farley can be reached at josh.farley@kitsapsun.com or (360) 792-9227. He loves a good history project, so feel free to email one to him.

Read or Share this story: https://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/2020/05/23/port-orchard-washington-cemetery-bethel-grave-yard/5243076002/

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'She's home': Missing headstone returns on first grave at Bethel Cemetery - Kitsap Sun

Joy Duggar and Austin Forsyth opted not to take the same route as their family when it came to making money. While most of the men work at car dealerships, these Counting On stars run their own home renovation business, where they remodel outdated homes, then sell them for a profit. The two have let fans in on their business by frequently showing them the various steps in a remodel. And Forsyth recently took fans through the couples newest home renovation.

Duggar and Forsyth spent several months renovating the home they now live in, and they took fans through the majority of the process. Duggar would often post videos of what the two were working on that day, and fans felt like theyd lived through the process with them by the time the house was finished. When all was said and done, Duggar and Forsyth took fans on a tour of the home and showed all of their social media followers the finished product. Now, the two continue to do the same, but with homes they sell rather than live in themselves.

Forsyth posted a story to his Instagram where he took fans through the couples most recent home renovation. He first took fans through the in-progress master bath, where he showed off the tile that had been laid, plus discussed the luxurious features the bath would have. A standalone tub, walk-in tile shower, and separate toilet room were among them, though none of the construction was fully done.

Forsyth then took fans into the great room (living space/kitchen combination), which was complete with a massive kitchen island, a fireplace, and 10-foot ceilings. There was an oversized laundry room off the kitchen, and the other side of the home housed three bedrooms and another bathroom.

Duggar and Forsyth havent specified how many homes they typically renovate in a year, though Forsyth seems to know what hes doing when it comes to home renovations. Still, that didnt stop one couple from filing a lawsuit against Forsyth last year for allegedly improperly installing a septic system.

When Duggar and Forsyth were first married, fans werent sure how they felt about their relationship. There were some rumors that the couples marriage had been arranged, though theres nothing to prove that. However, over time, the two started to grow more on people. They seemed to genuinely share a lot of the same interests, and they also seemed to work together on the home renovations, which fans loved to see. (Traditionally, Duggar women only care for the home and kids and do not contribute to the work.)

Duggar and Forsyth appeared to only grow closer throughout their home renovations. And now, theyre taking their son along with them, which has given Forsyth a great way to bond with his little boy. Fans often remark that Forsyth appears to be a very hands-on father.

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'Counting On': Joy Duggar and Austin Forsyth Just Showed Off One Of Their Gorgeous Renovation Homes - Showbiz Cheat Sheet

The Foreign Ministers of 11 Europen Union Member States believe that the freedom of travel and movement across Europe is an essential part of the European project, and as such, they have agreed on a common approach to its restoration.

The Foreign Ministers of Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Croatia, Malta, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Cyprus meet this week through a video conference to discuss a coordinated approach to the restoration of free movement and travel in the European Union.

Throughout the conference, the ministers reiterated their common goal is to restore freedom of movement for all citizens, regardless of whether they travel for professional, educational or simply private purposes, on the basis of proportionality and non-discrimination.

According to a press release of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministers welcomed the guidance published by the European Commission on May 13, 2020, towards the restoration and rebooting of tourism and transport for 2020 and beyond.

As a result, the ministers agreed on several principles.

We believe that a process in stages that the EU-Conciling Member States with each other is the best way to normalize cross-border travel gradually. It will be crucial to explore how travel can be made possible without the risk of an increase in infections getting out of control, the press release reads.

The ministers also agreed that it is essential for the EU citizens to return home safely and not only to travel within the EU freely, therefore urging close coordination between the member states regarding the conditions for lifting restrictions and quarantine regulations and restoring transport services.

We believe that the restoration of cross-border free movement can take place gradually if the current positive trends continue to lead to epidemiologically comparable situations in the home and target countries. The reopening of border crossings and thus the situation of cross-border commuters deserve special attention, the press release of the German Foreign Ministry reads.

It further adds that the ministers also called on tourism companies and relevant private actors to use the coming weeks to take reasonable precautions to protect travellers as soon as freedom of travel and movement is restored.

During the meetings, Polish Minister Jacek Czaputowicz informed his interlocutors that Poland supports the approach proposed by the European Commission, which envisages a gradual lifting of internal border controls based on objective criteria, noting that the assessment of the current epidemiological situation remains crucial.

Only this week, Members of the European Union Parliament have raised their concerns regarding the imposed border controls between the Schengen Area members states amid the Coronavirus pandemic, as a way to deal with the number of infections.

The Parliament has called for a coordinated effort to restore a functioning Schengen zone as soon as possible, after free travel in the EU was interrupted in the last two months for most Europeans due to the closing of internal borders in most parts of Europe.

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11 EU Countries Agree on Coordinated Approach for Restoration of Free Movement and Travel - SchengenVisaInfo.com

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Refer to sneakers as "just shoes" to anyone with a closetful of Jordans and you'll likely get a searing case of side-eye, followed by a complete redux as to why sneakers are an integral nay, mandatory part of modern day fashion. But even if you don't drop big bucks on your kicks, chances are you don't want to walk around looking shabby, either. We talked to custom sneaker design and restoration expert Richard Brown, founder of Ohio-based Proof Culture to find out the best tips for keeping sneakers looking so fresh and so clean, clean.

Those of you wondering why go to the trouble of cleaning shoes when you can just get another pair off the discount rack don't know the half of it. For many, sneakers come with major emotional attachments. "Every shoe has a story; I believe that at its core," Brown says. "I have shoes and I remember where and when I bought them, what was going on at that point in my life that made me excited enough to buy them."

Of course, there's also the issue of value, as some sneakers are rare, limited-edition versions. The hottest models can even fetch big bucks decades later. For example, a pair of 1985 Nike Air Jordan 1s, worn by Michael Jordan, sold in May for $560,000 via Sotheby's auction site! (The estimated value was $100,000 to $150,000.)

The vast majority of sneaks won't fetch that kind of moolah, though and it doesn't matter. "Most of the time there's a sentimental reason why someone wants to bring them back to life," Brown says. So here are five tips on how to clean your sneakers correctly:

Think of sneakers like laundry. You don't toss polyester and silk in the wash together, so don't treat your shoes the same, either. Sneakers need just as much care and consideration because they can be made from a bunch of different materials, like suede, leather and canvas. Plus, the cleaning method also depends on how old the shoes are.

"It's a really exploratory process to understand how to deal with each shoe in its own way," Brown notes, adding that most canvas and leather shoes can be tossed in the washing machine for a quick refresh, unless they're really old the sneaker glue starts to deteriorate after about seven years. But be warned: "If you throw a pair of suede sneakers in the wash, rest in peace," he says.

Not sure what the sneakers in question are made of? Look up the brand and style online for a product description.

If you're skittish about tossing your beloved kicks in the wash, opt instead for a basic hand-cleaning. Brown advises putting a little bit of dish detergent (he suggests Ivory) in the sink. Then fill it up with cold water until it's good and bubbly. (Do NOT put soap directly on the shoe or brush because the detergent dye could affect the shoe's color.) Then, use a medium-bristled brush to gently scrub the shoe.

"Avoid flat-out submerging the shoe into water," Brown says, noting that if the shoe doesn't dry properly it'll develop different problems, like mold and sole separation. Visual learners can check out this video by Proof Culture restoration artist Mone, who uses basic household supplies to get the job done.

Chances are your local big-box retailer has an aisle full of shoe whiteners that promise sparkling results. However, Brown cautions against these discount products. "The problem with the shoe white is it almost never matches [the color of] whatever shoe you're going to use it on. A lot of shoes are some variation of white, not pure white," he says. Also, the whiteners are not designed for different types of leather. The end result he says, "looks really bad."

If you don't want to spring for professional help and have a steady artist's hand, Brown recommends a brand of paints specifically made for leather, called Angelus. This line is of special interest to Jordan owners, as the company has created paints and colors to match specific models. "You don't have to mix the colors," Brown says, adding that the product quality allows the user to have confidence that it'll be absorbed by the leather instead of just sitting on top of it.

"A lot of people don't take time to think that leather is just skin. Our skin gets dry and starts to crack," Brown says. "Same happens with shoes." Occasional leather conditioning can bring back the shine and prevent cracking. Do this a couple of times a year or whenever the leather starts to look dry.

When it comes to leather conditioner, less is more. "A dab'll do ya," Brown says. Put a little bit on a white microfiber cloth. Rub it on the leather, then allow to sit for three minutes. Use a dry part of the cloth to buff it out. Brown's brand of choice is Lexol, originally made to use on car leather.

A common problem in the sneaker-collector community is that people often buy shoes that are too big for them because they're so rare that people can't find them in their own size, Brown says. This oversizing leads to creasing in the shoe toes. "Shoe trees will not only help keep shoes from creasing, it'll also reshape your shoes if they're starting to turn up," he says. "If they have moisture or an odor a shoe tree will help absorb it."

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5 Tips on Sneaker Rehab From a Sneaker Restoration Expert - HowStuffWorks

If you're one of the half of all American households who own a dog or cat, you know firsthand that pets can have a positive impression on our lives by providing companionship, cheering us up and even helping us to meet new people. Research shows that pet owners have significantly lower blood pressure, fewer problems with stress and are more responsible individuals.So naturally, pet owners can be desirable tenants and owners.

Pets are having more of an influence in home buying and selling as well as renovation, a 2017 study by the National Association of REALTORS shows. Eighty-one percent of Americans say that animal-related considerations play a role when deciding on their next living situation, according to the 2017AnimalHouse: Remodeling Impactreport.

According to ECAR President Greg Hanner, "Realtors understand that homebuyers take into consideration the needs of their whole family in mind; including pet owners, who will wholeheartedly agree that their animals are part of their family." Indeed, 99 percent of pet owners say they consider the animal part of the family. Eighty-nine percent of respondents say they would not give up their animal because of housing restrictions or limitations.

Pets could cost you real estate deals. Realtors surveyed say that about one-third of their pet-owning clients often or very often will refuse to make an offer on a home because it is not a good match for their pet. Sixty-one percent of buyers, Realtors say, find it difficult or very difficult to locate a rental property or a homeowners association that accommodates pets.

Sixty-seven percent of Realtors say animals have a moderate to major effect on selling a home. About two-thirds of Realtors say that they advise pet-owning sellers to always replace things in the home damaged by an animal, have the home professionally cleaned to remove any animal scents, and to take animals out of the home during a showing or open house.

Pets are serving as guides to renovations too. Fifty-two percent of respondents say they had completed a home renovation project specifically to accommodate their pet. Twenty-three percent of those remodelers had built a fence around their yard; 12 percent added a dog door; and 10 percent installed laminate flooring.

But for the apartment dweller or condominium owner, pets can pose special problems.

Many landlords and management companies bar pets or have unclear policies in which some rules are not enforced as strictly for long-term tenants.Some living arrangements allow for fish or birds but bar cats or dogs.

It's important to check on any size restrictions, particularly on dogs.You may be allowed to have a small dog or puppy, but not a large dog. If your puppy is going to grow up to be a large dog, you may want to get permission to keep the pet when it's full-grown.

If you're planning to move to a building and you would like to have a pet or bring one along with you, make sure you check the lease or condo association rules to find out if they are allowed.Some buildings may have regulations regarding fish, ferrets, birds, small reptiles or other types of house pets.

Considering that three-fourths of our population live in metropolitan areas, it's clear that a large percentage of prospective tenants are pet owners, and why is that? The presence of a dog reduces the risk of break-ins. The bark of any dog frequently frightens away an intruder.

You can check with your local Humane Society or American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) for tips on owning a pet. Pet owners, landlords or condo associations should be prepared to discuss these matters objectively. After all, a good tenant who happens to have a pet is better than a negligent tenant who doesn't.

And of course, contact the Eastern Connecticut Association of REALTORSor visit easternctrealtors.com to speak with a Realtor for information and advice about buying or renting a home to suit your entire family in 2020.

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Pet owners can be desirable tenants and owners - News from southeastern Connecticut - theday.com

Conceptual drawing of the baseball grandstand.

SAINT PETER, Minn. The Gustavus baseball field renovation project will be completed in the coming months as construction of Phase Two begins this summer. Highlights of the second phase include a 350-seat covered grandstand, two enclosed press boxes, patio-style viewing areas, state-of-the-art sound system, and improved live broadcast elements. The $2 million project, which began in 2017, is entirely donor funded.

This project is an exciting piece to a larger fundraising campaign, said Athletics Director Tom Brown. We are grateful for all the donors who support our vision to provide Gusties with one of the best facilities in Division III.

Phase One of the renovation project was completed in the fall of 2017, which included artificial turf on the entire playing surface, new fencing to enclose the field, a 36-foot-wide scoreboard, and landscaping to improve spectator areas.

What weve said all along is that to build the best Division III baseball program in the country we need to attract the best student-athletes, said Head Coach Brad Baker. With the completion of this project we will have one of the best ballparks in small college baseball. Im really thankful for the donors who have supported our vision for the young men that choose Gustavus.

The project will be completed prior to students returning to campus this fall.

Gustie Baseball Field renovation facts:

* The baseball field has been in its current location since 2007 after construction of the football field replaced the former location of Myrum Baseball Field. Games were played on natural grass and dirt through the 2017 season.

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Gustie Baseball Field Renovation to be Completed this Summer | Athletics - Gustavus Adolphus College News

CBCCalgarywants to knowhow you are living these days. What are you doing differently? What makes you laugh? Cry? Scream? Have you started a new hobby? Let us know.

In this instalment of our series Dear Diary: In a Time of COVID-19, educator Greg Freer tells us what he misses most about being in a classroom with his students.This submission has been edited for clarity and length.

I hastily wipe paint off my hands,and answer the call from my principalon aSunday evening.

"So you heard the news?"

After spending all day elbow deep in paint on the final stretch of a two-month home renovation, the answer was a definitive no.

"They are closing down schools immediately,"he said.

I involuntarily blurted"OMG the kids", followed quickly by "our economy is toast".

I remember the moment I heard the news the Space Challenger exploded, when Gretzky was traded and when Princess Di was declared dead, and forever I will remember when I received the call that schools were closed. To so many students, schools are much more than a place to learn the "3 R's". Schools are a place they feel cared for, a place they feel safe. Schools are sometimes the only place students feel heard, a place for advice, a place that literally provides a shoulder to cry on. My career has spanned over a quarter century now, and I could write a book on staff providing food for students, clothing, tracking students down on the streets and sometimes even taking them into their own homes because they simply had no one else. Every year as my birthday rolls around I get a little grin as I remember eating dinner with my family "plus one" at a restaurant. You see, one such student had no place to go that night. Every once in a while I come across her academic report in my bottom desk drawer with other mementos, some pictures and kind letters from students and parents, some confiscated items ... but this single piece of paper is one of my favourites, because it states on it "high school diploma achieved".

For the next fourhours my principal and I began to think of some of our most vulnerable children, OUR children. How could we continue to meet their needs? Would we lose them? Eventually we talked about academics, what we would say to our staff, how we would continue to "educate" our students, but in the back of our minds we continually worried about, and discussions reverted back to "what about _____" and "who will ensure that he ..".

I was astonished as we met with staff Monday morning. The realizationthat we would be learning new technology and creating new unit plans wasbrushed aside immediately as one teacher simply said "we got this". Perhaps even more revealing werethe immediate emails and phone calls of support from parents. "How can I help you?" and "I'm so sorry". You see, parents get it, we are family. Like all families, we have good days, we have bad days, but in this new reality I find myself focusing on the good days, and long for a return to the past.

I remember onetime, back in the classroom.

"My out-of-town kids, raise your hands! Now my in-town kids, raise your hands."

"We are not your kids," the 17-year-old said to me.

"It does not matter how old you are or where you live, 30-40, in town, the M.D., on the reserve, you will always be my kids," I said.Most gave me an accepting grin, a few gave me a nod, and the lesson continued. That was about three months ago.

A couple of weeks later, I had a bad weekend, but as I made my commute to work I started to become revitalized as I got closer to the school. I just kept thinking, "I can't wait to teach my Grade 8's". Then a sick feeling in my gut, the realization set in, it would not be in our new reality.

Twenty-six years in, I still walk into a room with over 30 teenagers, lock the door and say, "I got this" and my God I love it. Sometimes they exhaust me and make me feel old, but most of the time they rejuvenate me, they give me purpose, they give me life.

I walk into the school, half the lights are on, half are off. I turn on my laptop the once relished tool has transformed into a despised burden. Daily lessons are posted, some assignments come in, the odd email question from a kid, a faithful two or three check in daily in the Google classroom. Many, many online Google meetings every day, keeping busy is not an issue, I am busier than ever. But I didn't sign up for this, none of us did. I long for the recent past, one of energy, human interaction, LIFE. I miss the smiles, the hugs, the fist bumps, all that was, before everything changed.

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Dear Diary: 'I long for the recent past'. Why this Pincher Creek teacher wants to see his students - CBC.ca