The Optimist: Americans are digging out Christmas lights and inflatables to bring levity to neighborhoods

Advice from astronauts on isolation on Earth; The completely correct guide to vacationing at home; In fight against coronavirus, the world gives medical heroes a standing ovation; Here's the good some are doing to combat the fear and isolation of the coronavirus; This orchestra in Little Rock is performing bedtime lullabies for your self-quarantine; You can still make new friends during the pandemic. Here's how.; Dallas teachers throw neighborhood car parade for cooped-up students ; Eating alone, together: Virtual dinner parties are helping people fight isolation; The therapeutic value of the garden in trying times ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Sign up for this newsletter Read online Stories that inspire.     (Ginny Dunn) Some families stuck at home by decorating their homes with Christmas lights, giant inflatables and balloons It's late March, but it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas — and Halloween and Valentine's Day. By Kellie B. Gormly ●  Read more »   Advice from astronauts on isolation on Earth Having lived in aluminum bubbles in outerspace, in a laboratory at the bottom of the ocean and in a research station at the South Pole, they might just be the most qualified people on Earth to offer their advice on isolation. By Meagan Flynn ●  Read more »   The completely correct guide to vacationing at home As we all practice social distancing, experts weigh in with tips for re-creating our canceled trips, like purging needless items and reenacting hotel service. By Natalie Compton ●  Read more »   In fight against coronavirus, the world gives medical heroes a standing ovation People are emerging onto balconies, flinging open the windows, to applaud health-care workers. By William Booth, Karla Adam and Pamela Rolfe ●  Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT   Here's the good some are doing to combat the fear and isolation of the coronavirus People are reaching out with gifts, music and whatever they have to offer in the midst of the pandemic. By Michael Ruane ●  Read more »   This orchestra in Little Rock is performing bedtime lullabies for your self-quarantine It's a bit of classical music for people who find themselves isolated at home. By Teddy Amenabar ●  Read more »   You can still make new friends during the pandemic. Here's how. Social distancing disrupts the normal patterns of establishing social networks. By Elizabeth Segran ●  Read more »   ADVERTISEMENT   Dallas teachers throw neighborhood car parade for cooped-up students As the cars rolled down the streets, children called out their teachers' names and held up homemade signs. By Lisa Kanarek ●  Read more »   Eating alone, together: Virtual dinner parties are helping people fight isolation Sure, there are glitches — remember the mute button! — but the gatherings can help maintain connection during an anxious time. By Emily Heil ●  Read more »   The therapeutic value of the garden in trying times What better place to practice social distancing than in your backyard? Apart from the practical purposes of gardening, you are also cultivating your mental health. Perspective ●  By Adrian Higgins ●  Read more »     We think you'll like this newsletter Check out Baking Basics by Voraciously for baking fundamentals, techniques and irresistible recipes, in your inbox on Fridays. Sign up »

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