<p>They say ‘distance makes the heart grow fonder’. Though I feel my wife and I may have been better off living on separate planets, I am willing to wave a peace flag during these endearing times of staying at home.</p>.<p>But for the moment I’ve planted my flag in the living room, while the bedroom is her territory. Ergonomically, that’s the farthest we can be from each other and I say that with a glint in my eye. I’m kidding, of course, we love each other – despite having only one television at home.</p>.<p>I recently learned that the word quarantine comes from 16th-century Italian quaranta giorni literally meaning ’40 days’ and refers to the period a ship suspected of carrying disease is kept in isolation. </p>.<p>The introverts are living it up. This is their moment. Vilified all along, they can now hold their heads high as they virtually pioneered social distancing. I tell you - the things we learn when we spend more time at home is incredible.</p>.<p>My wife now understands that a game of football lasts 90 minutes. And importantly why men shouldn’t be interrupted between one. My daughter has figured out that a mouse can also mean a piece of computer equipment. She calls mine ‘Minnie’.</p>.<p>Every moment is truly a miracle in itself. There is joy in every mundane occurrence. For example, growing facial hair is as natural as giving birth to a baby – though arguably they may vary in effort.</p>.<p>While I am genetically indisposed to experiencing the latter, I can speak confidently on the former. For the uninitiated, it must be noted that growing a beard is much like having a baby, in fact like having many follicular babies – caring and nurturing each of them, allowing them to grow and shape their future. </p>.<p>And that brings me to Jake. He regaled us with his visits around mealtimes. Very jovial and always had a buzz about him.</p>.<p>But then, with advancing age, he seemed to get weaker and slower – we felt that time was running out on him. He did enjoy all the attention my daughter gave him. We even started a ‘Save Jake’ movement in the apartment and created a fund for his onward care. Some days ago, despite the valiant efforts of my daughter and I, he passed away – apparently murdered in cold blood.</p>.<p>Jake is a housefly. Was a housefly. Houseflies are carriers of disease, my wife says. We now believe she may have had a hand in Jake’s sordid end. I’m not arguing with her for the moment, and will keep my distance. May the heart grow fonder, right?</p>
<p>They say ‘distance makes the heart grow fonder’. Though I feel my wife and I may have been better off living on separate planets, I am willing to wave a peace flag during these endearing times of staying at home.</p>.<p>But for the moment I’ve planted my flag in the living room, while the bedroom is her territory. Ergonomically, that’s the farthest we can be from each other and I say that with a glint in my eye. I’m kidding, of course, we love each other – despite having only one television at home.</p>.<p>I recently learned that the word quarantine comes from 16th-century Italian quaranta giorni literally meaning ’40 days’ and refers to the period a ship suspected of carrying disease is kept in isolation. </p>.<p>The introverts are living it up. This is their moment. Vilified all along, they can now hold their heads high as they virtually pioneered social distancing. I tell you - the things we learn when we spend more time at home is incredible.</p>.<p>My wife now understands that a game of football lasts 90 minutes. And importantly why men shouldn’t be interrupted between one. My daughter has figured out that a mouse can also mean a piece of computer equipment. She calls mine ‘Minnie’.</p>.<p>Every moment is truly a miracle in itself. There is joy in every mundane occurrence. For example, growing facial hair is as natural as giving birth to a baby – though arguably they may vary in effort.</p>.<p>While I am genetically indisposed to experiencing the latter, I can speak confidently on the former. For the uninitiated, it must be noted that growing a beard is much like having a baby, in fact like having many follicular babies – caring and nurturing each of them, allowing them to grow and shape their future. </p>.<p>And that brings me to Jake. He regaled us with his visits around mealtimes. Very jovial and always had a buzz about him.</p>.<p>But then, with advancing age, he seemed to get weaker and slower – we felt that time was running out on him. He did enjoy all the attention my daughter gave him. We even started a ‘Save Jake’ movement in the apartment and created a fund for his onward care. Some days ago, despite the valiant efforts of my daughter and I, he passed away – apparently murdered in cold blood.</p>.<p>Jake is a housefly. Was a housefly. Houseflies are carriers of disease, my wife says. We now believe she may have had a hand in Jake’s sordid end. I’m not arguing with her for the moment, and will keep my distance. May the heart grow fonder, right?</p>