By Rebecca Butler
Waller, Texas – Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Billie Wittenbach, 73, spent her Saturdays with her grandchildren and packed up her RV for frequent trips.
During the pandemic, her daily routine has shifted to “doing all of the things that I thought I didn’t have the time to do,” she said.
“Other than cleaning and organizing, I’ve been resisting the urge to send my husband, Tom, out of the house to go work in the shop so that he’ll leave me alone,” she joked, adding that she’s grateful for the acreage they own.
Wittenbach lives in Waller, a small rural town northwest of Houston. She said she feels fortunate to live on a 150-acre farm, giving her plenty of space to get away from the house without driving or going into town.
“I don’t know what I would be doing if I couldn’t go and mess with the horses or sit by the pond, so I feel extremely blessed to have that opportunity,” she said.
Wittenbach is one of millions of senior citizens practicing social distancing. She said she doesn’t remember anything comparable in her lifetime.
“I mean, chickenpox was a big thing when I was little, but that wasn’t a virus that was somewhat airborne, so it’s a completely different situation,” she said. “Me and Tom have been wearing masks and gloves everywhere we go.”
A retired registered nurse, Wittenbach said she and her husband have been diligent about hygiene and protective equipment. Because they have the resources to buy supplies and have groceries delivered, she said she doesn’t feel scared — just lucky.
“The amount of land we have has also helped me and Tom’s relationship throughout this whole thing because sometimes we could definitely get on each other’s nerves,” she said. “When either of us feels like we need a break, he’ll go out to the shop and mess with the four-wheelers or start some new project.”
When the couple does need groceries, they avoid going together. Tom has been waking up early to take advantage of H-E-B’s designated senior hours. Their closest store, 15 miles away, recently began offering delivery in their area, and Wittenbach’s son submits their orders so they don’t have to learn the app.
Wittenbach has had a green thumb since she was a teenager and has always kept a vegetable garden. Now, she said, she has more time — and more reason — to devote to it. Their free-range chickens also provide more than enough eggs to use and share with neighbors and family.
Quarantine life has been slow, but Wittenbach said she feels productive and stays connected with friends from church.
The hardest part, she said, has been staying away from her grandchildren and not being able to travel on a whim.
“That has definitely been one of the hardest things for us. We love to just pack up and leave to go somewhere more fun. It’s one of the best things about being retired and owning an RV,” she said. “Luckily, we were able to see most of the United States before the pandemic.”
She doesn’t expect to keep any new habits formed during quarantine, noting, “I don’t believe my habits stick.”
Wittenbach said she is simply grateful for her family’s health.
“If any family could get through a pandemic, it would be mine,” she said.
Rebecca Butler 
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