First know this: we are fine. Better than fine. Able, for fleeting moments at least, to appreciate the ridiculous luxury of our daily life—the electricity, the warmth, the preserved food, the dryness of our floors and walls and beds.

There has been no school for a week, which is…refreshing? Strange? Both odd and wonderful. My faithful collaborators have been reading steadily and widely, if not deeply somehow. While this should be an opportunity for clear and deep focus, somehow it hasn't been so for us. There is an unsettled feeling to everything, a sort of fracturing of our attention.

What we were able to do, was volunteer at our local library. We had gotten the alert that many of their regular workers were unable to get there, so I headed over, and when I got the OK to have under-18 help, so did Diana.

We got to wheel one of those book carts around and shelve books. I must say, it felt pretty cool, finally seeing what it's like in the back room (spoiler: lots of books).

Also? Amusing fact: Ayn Rand was classified as YA. Disturbing fact: Ayn Rand was in the "assignment books" section (what kind of assigment?). Neutral fact: at least in our library, graphic novels for adults are mixed in with other fiction, including fantasy, sci fi, and romance, in an invigoratingly democratic hodgepodge. (Yes, I just wrote "hodgepodge," and it felt great.)

While that was satisfying, we still feel…strange. We are so lucky, and are very appreciative of our luck. I hope you this finds you all warm and dry and safe.

Local Brooklyn people can also find volunteer opportunities here. Though I think the library is all set for now.