Peter Gallagher is keeping busy during his time at home
Our latest contributor to Quarantine Diaries is sharpening home improvement skills.
Going stir-crazy in quarantine? You’re not alone. Celebrities are cooped up in their homes across the country just like the rest of us. As we collectively navigate this uncharted territory, USA TODAY presents Quarantine Diaries, which give readers a peek into how our favorite stars are spending their time at home.
Today’s diarist is Peter Gallagher, known for roles in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “The O.C.,” “Grace and Frankie” and most recently, NBC’s “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist,” which recently topped USA TODAY’s 2020 Save Our Shows poll with record-breaking support. Here’s what a day of Gallagher’s quarantine is like in California, where he’s quarantining with his wife, Paula, and hoping to pick up some new skills. – As told to Hannah Yasharoff
5:30 a.m. I pretty much wake up at the crack of dawn, have a cup of coffee and see what preposterous and heartbreaking things have occurred in the world among our leaders overnight, learn about what’s going on economically and so on. Then I talk to the kids in Connecticut and make sure they’re OK.
9 a.m. I’ve been intermittent fasting, so I eat between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. When you get up at 5, you have four hours before you can eat – at first, it seems like a bridge too far, but then it’s like, “Oh, no problem.” And then you eat and you’re like, “Oh my god, this might be the best cereal I’ve ever had in my life.”
What I’m reading: Ronan Farrow‘s book, “Catch and Kill.” Sarah Kendzior’s book, “Hiding in Plain Sight: The Invention of Donald Trump and The Erosion of America,” which is an amazing book about our current political situation and how we got here.
Late morning: I stretch and work out a little bit. We do a lot of home improvements: I painted the garage, replaced some electrical work, I built some planters for my wife and she made this amazing vegetable garden.
2:30 p.m. I have a couple little bites here and there until dinner. I try to sing just to keep my voice in shape. I use the same warmups I’ve been using for 26 years. Then I turn on the radio or backing tracks from various recordings and I just try to sing, doesn’t matter what.
4:30 p.m. My wife and I take daily walks. She got a little bit of a meniscus deal in her knee so we can’t do anything superhuman, but it’s become the rhythm of life and it’s extraordinary how the neighborhood changes. We think, “Oh my god, look at all the people who live here!” Who knew?”
6 p.m. Dinner, along with a martini on a good day.
What I’m watching: We’ve been watching “Schitt’s Creek” and god, is it funny. I love them all, but Catherine O’Hara is like a comedy icon.
9 p.m. My wife and I discuss what we’re going to try to accomplish the next day before going to bed. I keep thinking, ‘I’m doing this wrong, I should be reading more and accomplishing more. If I can work out, sing, take my piano lessons and read and then make the place better.’ Of course, you can’t do all that in one day. I manage to be as frustrated in quarantine as I am in real life.
How I’m feeling: All I know is I’ve never been busier and I never have any idea what day it is . ... it’s been a relief that, knock on wood, my family is well. My heart goes out to all those people, I just keep thinking about the first responders and the families who can’t say goodbye to loved ones.
I’m concerned about just the collateral mental health burden. This is not something we can sweep under the rug: Our lives have changed. By the same token, it feels like this kind of extraordinary cosmic snow day where it’s like a last chance to look where we’re going before we go off the falls.