Rick wanted to drop by yesterday morning to leave a piece of his chocolate pie for Don. When they arrived at 10 am, they had masks on and Sam was with them. So we decided to have a responsible social distancing visit with them – separated by several feet (definitely more than 6 feet.) Sam was on his leash and was handed off to us and we got to hug our favorite little boy.
Rick and Doug, with masks.
Doting aunt and uncle with Sam.
Sam is a licker and he tried to lick my face, which I normally welcome, but the darned mask stymied him. Poor guy! Rick and Doug said he really misses seeing people. We really miss him, so it was so lovely to have some time with him. And Rick and Doug, of course.
It was a cold and windy day and we had vowed to take a day off from outside chores, so we retreated back inside after our visit. I worked on this most of the day:
It’s almost done. I should finish today or tomorrow. We’re mowing today, so that will take up a chunk of time. It’s sunny out there and I can’t wait to get back outside.
I’m currently reading Love in a Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford, having just finished Thornyhold by Mary Stewart, a book I had on my shelf for several years but hadn’t read until now.
Puzzles and my garden/porch are keeping me sane. Don’s support and his endless gift of eliciting gales of laughter keep me grounded.
What’s keeping you sane during this time?
Stay safe.
Happy Tuesday.
What’s keeping me sane?
Books, knitting, and my granddaughters.
The girls keep us busy. I enjoy baking for them and we go on nature walks. They are learning to identify the birds at our feeder. And we have to stay on top of school work. They both have to get on Zoom for actual class time each day. Then they have some assignments to complete also.
I have a feeling schools will be doing more of this at least part time in the fall.
We have gotten into jigsaw puzzles too. Just started 1000 piece one of the solar system. It actually has letters on the back identifying which section it goes in. We are trying not to look at those…too easy that way.
I did pick up Station Eleven again. Haven’t read much farther but it has finally gotten back to Jeevan again. I’ll let you know what I think after I finish it.
So glad you had a visit with your friends. Those connections really do help.
I am about to take my mask, wipes and sanitizer and venture out for food.
Hope you and Don have a good day. Stay safe.
Venturing out is like gearing up for combat, isn’t it? Good idea to avoid the hints on the puzzle pieces. More fun to have the challenge. Stay safe, Marilyn!
Claudia, a visit from Rick and Doug makes a wonderful day but a visit from Sam is even better! How was the pie?
I’m keeping sane by doing all the things I normally have to budget time for, but now have more time to do. I’ve catalogued and sorted my fountain pen and inks collection, my daughter’s stamp collection, and my daughters’ Disney pin collection. I’m making great progress knitting my cabled Aran cardigan while I binge West Wing, a show I never watched while it was on the air. I’m enjoying it immensely. I want to do jigsaw puzzles but I have three kitties. Puzzle pieces would be too much of a temptation for them.
I love West Wing! It’s a great show to binge watch and relax with.
I only had a small bite as it has sugar but it was scrumptious!
I’m not a cat person and I’m allergic as well. That allows me to do jigsaw puzzles! Glad you’re finding interesting things to do, Wendy. Stay safe.
Nature, walks, my colleagues from work, my family, reading, crafting, working …. As we live in the sticks and we don’t have to wear masks, just keep our distance (which is easy here), my life is pretty much the same as before.
I’m not affraid of the virus.
I’m affraid of the economical damage, which is going to be massive for the poor countries. The world as we knew it is gone …
I’m worried because the world is devided. People don’t listen to each other anymore, they don’t show respect. If someone has a different point of view, he or she is called names. There is no discussion.
I am worried about the political changes, the call for vaxination and tracking. Human rights are in danger. Will be experience another wave of a different virus every year from now on? How far will this crazyness go?
All the best! Stay safe!
Yes, we will be experiencing long-term effects from this for years and years. And the sheer number of deaths is unimaginable. Stay safe, Regula.
I think being a true home-body has helped me through this. But it has been hard on my hubs and my kids and the precious wee little granddaughter, who doesn’t really know a difference at all. But the rest of us do. I feel like I haven’t really “met” her yet. Held her once way back in mid-March. Saw her through a window 2x’s. Lots and lots of pics. FaceTime w the kids and she just basically sleeps. So, I guess, hoping for warmer weather so we can do some outside visits with her in her stroller possibly. It is all so unknown and unpredictable. I had hopes for a Mother’s Day outside, but it is supposed to be ridiculously cold at the end of the week and rainy, which is better than snowy. One really can’t plan anything, even into late summer or fall because of the unknown. And as more and more things get cancelled into the future, it becomes more unlikely that anything can really yet be planned.
Another help for me during this whole thing is your Governor. He has a way of calming at least some of my fears. And always there is reading. I dread finishing a book, because I know it will be hard to pick a new one up and try to get into it. My concentration levels have never been worse. So getting into a new book takes more time than I could have ever imagined. But I just won’t give that up!! So happy you got to see friends and Sam!! Our dog and cat are also a huge help in daily life. They never cease to be entertaining.
I wish we had a doggie at the moment, just for the cuddles and company! But it isn’t the right time for us, so seeing Sam helped. We have a frost advisory tonight. That doesn’t happen here in May. Everything is topsy turvy. Stay safe, Chris.
My children have done a good job of calling me and keeping in touch. They send pics of the grandkids to make me smile. I am lucky that my oldest son lives with me and he is so helpful to me. Netflix has helped and I have started hand quilting an old quilt I made years ago for my daughter. I took it all apart and replaced torn fabric so that I can put it back together for her. That has been a good, long project for me and something I can do so I don’t feel guilty binge watching TV! Stay safe!
Good ideas, all! Stay safe, Ellen.
Oh, I DO adore that puzzle! That’s the one you’re going to frame, right? It’s a must! And delighted you had time with friends and fur. Those visits really matter — just seeing someone in person is a big deal.
What’s keeping me sane? Well, being able to spend a good deal of time with Rick. In many ways this has brought us closer. I’m very comfortable independently, and while I miss a few group things like Cork Poppers and my monthly lunch with former work colleagues (and the classes I’d signed up for at Southern Exposure) I’m pretty comfortable in my own zone. On my walks I see the heron and the goslings and ducklings. At home, I am finally finishing up my book on our family history to distribute to the cousins. It won’t be printed for awhile but at least it will get to them in pdf form so the data isn’t stuck in my computer should something happen. I’m painting and writing my covid journal, which is fun (you’ve gotta find something fun in all this), baking like crazy, lots of painting, Netflix/acorn and books, books, books. I finally got seeds started and the yard cleaned up. There’s more mulch to do but on its way. I wish I could say the rest of the house is spic and span. It’s not. But I can work with that. I plan to be in a long while!
Stay well, and I’m so glad you were able to be with Rick, Doug and Sam.
I’m a homebody and rather solitary, so I’m fine with it – on the whole. I can’t sow my seed for another week, at least, as we’re getting temps in the mid thirties for the next 7 days. We have a frost advisory tonight. This kind of cold in May has never happened during the time I’ve lived in NY.
Glad you’re doing well, Jeanie. Stay safe!
My husband is keeping me sane along with our cat, my Mum and friends. I am very much a homebody so this actually hasn’t been too bad for me. My husband is having a harder time then I am but luckily we live in a great neighbourhood with lots of friendly people so we have had many (safe) conversations.
Glad you were able to see Rick, Doug and Sam. We have many friendly dogs in our neighbourhood and it is hard not being able to cuddle them.
Take care Claudia and Don!❤️❤️
I’m a homebody, too. I thought Don would have more trouble than he has had. But he does get a bit restless. Stay safe, Robin.
Any chance that Rick would share that chocolate pie recipe with us?
I don’t feel comfortable asking him. He’s a private person.
Little Oliver is now keeping me sane. He came home with us on Saturday, and he has already filled the house with his huge presence despite his tiny stature. He is just 9 weeks, and weighs only 1 pound, 2 ounces, but he has this huge happy personality that makes all of my troubles just fade away. He’s truly a gift from Heaven. As David always reminds me, dog is God spelled backwards.
I’m so glad you have him, Susan. He’s adorable! Stay safe.
What is keeping me sane? Routine. I have to cook.,,take care of Bowser, our cat….household chores…things like that. Oh…and gardening, once I get some more plants. I did buy a hanging basket at Costco…it’s gorgeous, and I couldn’t resist. But, I’ll have to cover it up every night for the next little while. Bit…I just had to,,,you know he feeling!
What tests my sanity? Going grocery shopping…lol! People in too big of a hurry to wait their turn while the rest of the world is practicing social distancing. But, whatcha gonna do.
I’m glad you got to visit with Rick and Doug…and Sam! If this is what we have to do to see our friends again for the next several months…at least it’s better than nothing. I do fear that our life as we remember it, will never be the same again.
Hope you enjoy your day….stay safe! ;)
We have a danged frost advisory tonight. And temps in the low to mid thirties (at night) through the week. I don’t remember it ever being this cold in May.
Stay safe, Donna.
my 11 year old, his school work, his antics – keeping me sane & yet sometimes frustrated! When that happens, we go for long walks & notice things along our route. Our dog (almost 12 years old) is enjoying the frequent walks too.
I’ve been sorting through years of hidden away bins, and getting rid of much to go to recycling. Have become very adept at recognizing items of no need!
having daily conversations with a good friend -sometimes texting, sometimes phone – that has been helpful.
Enjoying reading blogs (like yours & Meredith’s) to hear of others activities. Thanks for continuing to write.
You’re welcome. Thanks for sharing, Jan. Stay safe!
Hello Claudia,
Ah! Another gorgeous puzzle! I just ordered a new one that features vintage seed packets. I am sure I will be questioning my choice as all of the flowers will probably look similar when trying to find which piece goes where, ha ha!
What is keeping me sane? Well, my life is normally spent at home for the most part, so it hasn’t changed much in that respect. I have spent more time in my backyard and have identified birds I never had time to notice before, like the beautiful Western Kingbird who dove into our pool over and over again as I sat and watched in awe & the pair of ducks who have taken to stopping in for a swim during the afternoons. I have named them Daisy and Donald (I am missing our off season mornings at Disneyland when there isn’t a crowd in sight and the “lines” are no more than ten minutes long!)
Same day deliveries are available again. I was able to order through Amazon which is quite a bit less expensive than Instacart and I prefer the selection at Wholefoods anyway, so I am very happy about that.
I am disheartened by the protestors. I know a few doctors in our area and their reports are not good. There is now a spike in hospital admittance after the first protest a couple of weeks ago. They expect it will be worse in two weeks after the ridiculous protests at the beaches over the weekend. The people protesting for the most part aren’t even locals. They are people who probably haven’t seen the beach in 15 years and have decided NOW is the time they NEED to go. Shameful. There are reports of people throwing a fit (yelling obscenities and SPITTING!) because they must wear a mask in order to shop in a store. For me, aside from the death count of course, this is the worst part of the pandemic. The daily showcase of the lowest of the low human behavior. I wish there was an island they could all move to…and take their leader with them.
Your visit with Rick, Doug and Sam looked fun! I miss my brother & his family and wish we lived close enough to have a distant visit like that. We face time regularly though, and as it turns out, that is good enough!
Hang in there!
Christy
P.S. Have you seen Hollywood on Netflix?
Not yet, as we’re watching Cheers. My former student, Jim Parsons, is in it, so we’ll probably check it out at some point.
Cheers is one of those that you can go back to at anytime and forget everything while you are watching it. I saw it in order about 5 years ago and loved it. I will have to look up Don’s episode, that will be fun to see! I have seen Jim Parsons in a few different things and always like him. I watched 2 episodes of Hollywood last night – the setting, cars, clothing are all lovely!
xo
We don’t have a Whole Foods nearby so we can’t use Amazon for that, unfortunately. I am so angry at the protestors. Such reckless and selfish behavior. I want to smack each and every one of them. All of them urged on by the selfish narcissist in the White House. They’re being used, of course, by a man who couldn’t care less about them.
Stay safe, Christy.
I think some areas offer Amazon Pantry and Amazon Fresh, you might look into that if you are interested in delivery (delivery is free with Prime.) The protesters (let’s face it, they are mostly Trump supporters) love to throw the term “Sheeple” around, but don’t apply the term to themselves. They are being manipulated and used and have no idea.
We’re doing pretty well with the combination of our supermarket’s home delivery and the fresh vegetables found at out local farm stand. xo
Yard work is definitely keeping me sane. I get out as often as the weather allows. The forecast calls for snow this weekends so there’s that. 😳
I am also a homebody but do miss my usual outings. This virus scares me to death however ( I was an infection prevention nurse prior to retirement) so I am happy to stay home for all the front line folks. It’s the least I can do.
So sad to see protesters putting others at risk.
I agree. If you want to see me lose my cool, mention the protestors. Unbelievable.
Stay safe, Deb.
I am a homebody and introvert. The stay at home does not bother me. I have been reading a lot. I am reading The President’s daughter. ]Patsy, President Thomas Jefferson’s oldest daughter]. It is quite interesting. I have been tossing out many things that should have been tossed a long time ago. I am on a cleaning up the house binge. Stay well and safe.
Marilyn
I have yet to get to the stage of tossing things out, mostly because I don’t have any place to put the tossed items until this lockdown is over. Stay safe, Marilyn.
how nice that you and don could spend time with some two- and four-legged friends!
i am thinking that you are done with that puzzle by now. :) that’s the one don suggested be framed and put by your nancy drew books upstairs, right? hope you will share a photo of it in place (no pressure) and that you have another puzzle to work on!
what’s helping me right now (and always)? God’s grace and mercy, my family, knitting and painting, being a homebody, seeing progress after spending an embarrassing amount of time sorting through old files/ shredding papers i no longer need and being able to limit how much news i watch. trying to read (though it’s not going well due to my shortened attention span), coming here to visit with you and other friends i haven’t yet met in person, praying and word-search puzzles. awaiting a piece of original art bought online from a young artist and looking forward to getting it framed (which will provide some financial support to two freelancers). also going for walks/ being outside/paying attention to nature, listening to sermons and music on my way to/from work and having enough masks and gloves for when i leave home. and knowing in my heart without a doubt that things will get better.
thanks for asking that question, claudia … it was a good reminder for me to look and express appreciation for my blessings. :)
it wasn’t the big, noisy-yet-safe thunderstorm i wanted, but it was misty and gray here all day and i enjoyed it! hope your weather cooperates so you can get outside tomorrow.
stay safe and well, everyone!
kathy in iowa
That’s a lovely list, Kathy. We should always count our blessings but it seems especially necessary during these times. Stay safe!
Enjoy the puzzle! I have it and my Tony is putting it together. Tony’s is 49 years old and is disabled. Most days it feels like he is my shadow and the truth is, if I was to choose a shadow, it would be him.
to kelly …
sorry if it’s eavesdropping, but i read your comment to claudia and just want to say that last sentence you wrote and the love it shows in your heart are absolutely beautiful. i am glad that you and tony have each other and i pray that God keeps you both safe, healthy and happy.
kathy in iowa
Thank you Kathy, what a kind word…
Such a lovely thing to say, Kelly. Bless you. Stay safe!
Your visit makes me think of our visits with our boys on Saturday. Drove to apartment of son living in the city and visited 6 ft. apart in the parking lot for quite a while. Then drove out to other son living in suburbs with his girlfriend and did the same. Was delivering the masks I’d made for everyone. Just to get in the car and drive away from the neighborhood is a major adventure these days.
As an introvert I really am perfectly happy to be in my own company so staying home is fine with me. It IS different having the husband home every day but he’s always in his office on never ending calls so I don’t see much of him.
My concentration is shot these days. It took me a while to find something to hold my interest after I had to stop knitting because my osteoarthritis flared up. Anyway after fits and starts I’m back to counted cross stitch and happily going through patterns I’ve kept for forty years. Besides hearing faint voices from the office, my day is also spent with my sidekick Kezia kitty. I don’t know what she’ll do when the day comes when I’m not here at her beck and call every hour of the day. Watching all the dog walkers in our neighborhood (and the new puppy across the street) really makes me want one too. But I don’t think Keeze would allow it.
Take care.
Kay
Glad you got to see your boys, Kay! And always good to have a pet companion, especially now. Stay safe!
I don’t mind staying in. Day 54…Wednesday…homeschooling on Facetime…boys in Florida, one grand here…reading books for review on Netgalley and old favs on Ipad/Kindle…have a few books but donated most of them when I moved into the apartment-my 30th move…have not been out of the complex but will go sit in my daughter’s yard soon. I have so many hobbies…just don’t mind this. I don’t have cable television, but I do enjoy Netflix and Hulu. When I want a fix, I watch old Bluebloods…have discovered some shows I never watched also…(I had never seen Bluebloods either before…) West Wing, Frazier, Designated Survivor, Madame Secretary, Law and Order SVU, etc. Love your puzzle. I am considering ordering the N. D. and H. Boys puzzles…as to books, do you remember what your first favorite books were other than these? I loved Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, Bobbsey Twins…then into Little House books…at one point…still read those…when I was in fourth grade, my teacher brought me books from home that she had in college, plus she brought me Louisa Alcott. Little Women is my favorite of all…I have several copies that I have given to the granddaughters. I read most of the books at the school…until we had a town library, I carried paperbags full of books from the bookmobile. Anyone remember those? I loved du Maurier….loved Rebecca…books…books…my retreat…enjoy the blog and the pictures…love your cottage…
The Little House books were real favorites of mine. I’ve written about the Bookmobile many times on this blog. It’s a favorite memory!
Stay safe, Brenda!
It’s fascinating the similarity of things keeping people sane. It isn’t the stuff advertised on TV. Once basic needs of shelter, food, and water are met, there really isn’t much more that money can buy that is worth it. And clearly during this time, those of us who have those basic needs, find refuge in family, friends nature, and the arts. It would be wonderful if that realization stays with us as this virus works its way thru our health and financial systems. I’m not particularly staying sane because I wasn’t particularly sane before the virus hit. In fact, I’ve been having some kind of long, slow nervous breakdown for the last 3 years +. But books, music, and your blog are a huge comfort. I hope that Sam can visit appropriately more often. Nothing more comfy than a big old mutt. (My cats are wonderful but complex)
I miss my dogs always, but especially now. I would love nothing more than to snuggle with Scout. You’re right – I’ve been finding great comfort in books and music and my garden (and puzzles.) Stay safe, Nora.
What’s keeping me sane? Why knitting…….. I have just finished a lovely sleeveless vest for myself. It is made of a mix of deep pink and various tones which appear in a random order. I love it and especially as we are getting quite cool weather now in Oz with winter coming. I have almost finished a beaut patterned shawl but haven’t finished it as I ran out of wool and the new wool only arrived today in the post. The third project is half done. It is also a varigated wool in a teal colour which I am making into a long sleeved jumper for myself. When I wish for a change there is always lace making (which I haven’t touched for weeks) and also a small sewing business which I have. I am building up stock so that when we are allowed, I can start to sell later on in the year. As well as that I have also made some gifts for birthdays and babies. So you see cleaning, cooking and washing clothes always interrupts my favourite activities – although I must admit I do love cooking. However, my daughter is coming this weekend for Mothers Day so I am excited as I haven’t seen her since Christmas. That means lots of house cleaning as she keeps an eye on things…… I do get little pep talks at times which I just ignore and laugh at. I had a fall in the garden a while back and when I told her she laughingly said “Robyn, I’ll have to limit your outdoor activities……..” ha! ha! I adore her and just love seeing her. If I tire of all the craft, there is always my garden to tend. Frankly, I don’t care how long this self isolation goes on for as I have so much to do.
Wonderful! You’re content in your isolation, Robyn! Stay safe.
Gosh! 50+ days. What a sweet treat to have friends visit. You followed protocol, enjoyed the four legged friend and had a chance to bask in the lovely weather. I am inspired both by you and those who’ve commented on their sanity strategies. I join the knitting and reading queue and add sewing, sorting and walking, plus caring for my 13+ year old cat who needs help with his leaps onto beds and chairs. Thornyhold is one of my slump readings. When things get overpowering and I can’t focus on heavy reading, Thornyhold is just the ticket. It’s a sweet story and Mary Stewart paints glorious pictures with words.
Just watched American Experience: George Bush. The protests over all the ills of his presidency were very similar to the present ugly protests we see each day. I am so proud to be a New Yorker with a governor who provides a path that insures safety and a glimpse of return to normal life.
She does, doesn’t she? Stewart is brilliant at describing “place.”
I am proud of our Governor, too. I trust him completely. Stay safe, Carol!
The sane thing. Hmmm. Frankly, all anybody can talk about out here in SoCalif where I am is the HEAT. We have now had more than a few weeks of very unseasonably-hot weather. Today (Weds) we were 100 degrees again in the afternoon (and it’s supposed to be even hotter tomorrow). I’m not all that far inland from the ocean; we should be cooler than this; my husband is having to go out sometimes twice a day to water everything we have growing in pots, and the water dries up in the three birdbaths so quickly. I am over it, and we’re not even to June yet and we’re hardly even into May, so it’s concerning (please not ANOTHER summer of drought!) and I just hate weather this ‘warm’. What a contrast to your weather in the Northeast! Did I seriously just skim over a headline that you could be getting SNOW in the next couple of days? Wow. If this was a normal year and a normal life, if I coulda taken a road trip I’d wanted to do this year (cross country/U.S.), I’d be traveling right now and I don’t think it woulda been in my plans to encounter frost & snow or rain this far into Spring (in terms of sightseeing and road miles; but, you know, just stands to prove that it’s hard to plan such a thing when you’ve got this big, wide country of ours with all its weather zones).
I’ve been absorbed for a few days about how people are so healthy in the Blue Zones, such as Sardinia. Reading a good book on the subject by Dan Buettner. Trying to see how I can incorporate a lot of the good, whole foods these people eat who have such incredible longevity (he also talks a lot about the Adventists in California who are vegetarians although some in the religion do allow themselves a small amount of fish; but it’s much more than just the healthy eating (it’s activity/exercise; sense of community; family; faith; etc. [balance; routine; disciplines]).
We moved the cars off of our driveway and I’m trying to walk its perimeter (after dark, when it’s cooler) to try to get in some steps, more than what I’ve been doing for exercise. So far, so good. Just me and the moths (we get darn buggy when the weather gets this hot; thankfully, I’m not hearing any mosquitoes).
Yes, we might get snow on Friday night. I’m over it. I’ve reached my limit. Stay safe, Vicki.