Editor’s note: Karen Harris Tully is a writer who lives in Raymond and has agreed to keep a journal to share with Daily World readers during the odd and uncertain time we’re all navigating.

Dear Journal:

We’re in the “floor is lava!” years here in this house. The, making bubble juice and slime outside because we can hose off the deck, years. The, fishy crackers are sooo important, years. We’re also in the, “how do I explain this world to you when I can’t always make sense of it myself?” years. I feel like this last one will last far longer than the fishy crackers. These months go on and on, but I still thought it was May, and I’ve literally forgotten what day it is. It feels like we’ve already had summer vacation, with some angsty forced homeschooling thrown in. Yet, the school year is just ending.

I know, I’m lucky. I get to stay home with my family when a lot of people can’t. These days are precious. PRECIOUS! I think I need to practice gratitude again.

I’m grateful today for simple science experiments, like a silly thing called Oobleck, the cornstarch and water mixture that is a non-Newtonian fluid. As long as you keep it moving, it’s a solid, but as soon as you stop, it transforms into goo, draining through kids fingers in a delightful ooze. We started with two parts cornstarch to one part water and then the kids took over, stirring, which is not easy, squishing and coloring it with food coloring. Their hands were dyed, the deck was powdery white, pink, purple, and green. They declared it “the best day ever.” Mom for the science-y win.

Song of the day: A Cookie As Big As My Head, Lunch Money

Karen Harris Tully is a novelist living in Raymond with her husband and two small children. She writes sci-fi/fantasy for teens and adults and can be found at www.karenharristully.com.