#asmall

t is now 15 months since we went into our first lockdown in March in the UK, having initially heard about the pandemic in January 2020, and I am finally adapting to living around the Covid-19 pandemic.

Having ordered some clothes on line that didn’t fit, I arranged for those to be returned to the store by courier. We missed the courier as he arrived when we were having lunch outside, so instead of me organising another pickup, we took a trip to the store. Without thinking about the fact that I was taking a trip out, we drove to the store, to take the clothes back.

The sun was shining and it felt normal to be out. Waiting in the car, I didn’t feel anxious, even though people were walking past the car with me inside it.

My first trip out of the house in 15 months is a small but significant step, but I hate how through autism, it takes so long for my brain to normalise things. I want to be able to adapt, cope and think like everyone else without a disability.

It is a continuous mental and emotional battle, but this is is my reality because I deal with a disability. What matters is that I finally managed to achieve a step, 15 months into the pandemic.

Should the prudent entrepreneur prepare and position the business for the impact of the corona virus? True, many have speculated about the current corona virus outbreak sparking an economic recession and reversing the gains that the business community has harnessed over time.

Moment is now for small businesses to make fast and decisive adjustments to the changing circumstances.

The pain and…

I grew up in Florida, completely unaware of the concept of public lands. For my first trip to public lands, I decided to take the 20 minute drive south from my home in Alexandria, Virginia to Lorton, Virginia  - where the BLM Eastern States Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area is located - for some mountain biking. 

I was astounded by the vastness and the indescribable beauty that’s right outside the DC metropolitan area. I took in the refreshing scent of pine and oak trees as I pedaled along the flat but windy trail. I was relieved by the many signs on the trail - they assured me that I wouldn’t get lost and that my first mountain bike ride didn’t turn into a horror movie. As I rode my bike through the woods, testing my suspension on the bumpy trail surface, picking up confidence with every turn, I felt like I was in a mountain dew commercial-- you know the ones that have all the extreme sports athletes doing flips and going off jumps. I crashed back into reality with a fall that took the air out of me.

By the end of the trail I fell off my bike a total of 3 times.  All in all, I think I did well for my first mountain biking experience, and the beautiful surroundings made the ride well worth it.

Come on out to Meadowood and experience the beauty of the trails yourself.  They're having a National Public Lands Day volunteer event on Saturday that should be both fun and rewarding.  Click here for more information.