I’m must admit I’m quite happy that I can use these post titles as we navigate self-isolation for the next few weeks. After writing a blog daily for 12 years, it’s next to impossible to come up with an original post title. It’s almost my least favorite thing about writing the blog, except for the constant hacking attempts on this blog that go on all day, every day.
Anyway, I’m going to stay with this ‘count’ title until we are all freed from our homebound existence.
We took a walk yesterday – just down our normally busy road, which was not nearly as busy, to a road we normally take, but didn’t take, as we saw two of our neighbors outside and knew we wouldn’t be able to safely distance ourselves. So we turned down the next road, which is all but private, and walked along one of the two rivers that are in our neighborhood.
One of the many bridges in this area. A few years ago, the county – or was it the state? – repainted all the smaller bridges in this shade of red. We love that color.
This is just south of the red bridge; a remnant of a long-ago bridge that used to cross the river.
Don guided me down a little hill to the edge of the river. He wanted to show me this little scrap of a beach along the river. I had no idea it was there. My San Diego born-and-bred husband loves seeing a beach of any kind. The footprints are mostly ours, but check out that animal print on the left. Raccoon? Some little critter needed a drink of water. There are other animal prints, as well. I had they were there until I saw my photo. Love those surprises.
We came back home and had a great lunch that Don had made earlier in the day.
So here we are, my friends. Every local shop I use in this area has sent out an email in the past 24 hours stating they are closing for the time being. Most of them are trying to provide online ordering or curbside pickup. Some restaurants are staying open but have reduced their seating by 50% – adhering to new guidelines. This virus is like a stone that has been dropped in the water, creating an endless ripple effect for everyone and everything.
We’re fine. We’re reading and playing music and taking walks when we can – today is rainy, so we’re taking the day off. We’re watching Netflix and Amazon Prime and TCM and Jeopardy and have recently discovered recorded symphony performances on YouTube. I cannot express enough how calming it is for us. I know we can listen to those pieces on a music app, but it is endlessly fascinating and much more engaging to watch the musicians and conductor at work. So far, we’ve listened to Beethoven’s Sixth, Seventh, and Ninth Symphonies.
We sure sleep a lot better afterward.
Do what you can to remain calm. Read, listen to music, take a walk, craft, cook, play the piano or the guitar, meditate, clean, catch up on those projects you’ve been meaning to do, if you’re in a warmer climate than ours, start in on your spring garden clean-up, order seeds, contribute to your local economy by ordering from small businesses, keep an eye on your neighbors who are vulnerable, do FaceTime or Skype or What’sApp with your loved ones.
Stay home.
Even though I’m part Irish, I have never been into St. Patrick’s Day, but if you are…felicitations!
Happy Tuesday.
Actually, I kind of like the count up titles you are using. It will act as a reminder to all of us, of how long or short a time we’ve been doing this. I’m hoping for shorter, but, after doing some reading this morning, it could be longer.
Glad to hear you were able to get out and walk yesterday. It is sunny here today, so maybe a short walk is in order. Don’t know if I’d mentioned it yet, but our sandhill cranes have returned last week. It is good to hear and see them again…and hopefully crane watching can now be added to our daily routine.
Stay healthy and enjoy your day! ;)
I’m hoping for shorter as well, but I can easily imagine at least two more weeks being added on to this.
Lovely to hear about the sandhill cranes returning! Take care, Donna!
hej, donnamae …
don’t answer if you don’t want to, but i am wondering if you are in nebraska ..? (i am in des moines). my family has a very long tradition of feeding birds and enjoy watching them and going to see the sandhill cranes in nebraska and vultures in hinkley, ohio (having lived in both states) … there’s something incredible about how they migrate and seeing so very many of them all at once!
hope you and your loved ones are well.
kathy in iowa
Hi Kathy…actually I’m in Madison, Wisconsin. We are surrounded by a marsh here…it’s quite the nature preserve. Our cranes have come back for the last 7? years or so. There are about 8 pair that live in different parts of our neighborhood. And, we also feed the hummingbirds starting in May, along with Orioles. We love it here. So far our family is well…fingers crossed it stays that way.
Hope you are staying well too! ;)
hej, donnamae …
thanks and best wishes, prayers for you all.
nice of you to feed the birds.
enjoyed visiting madison … especially the lakes … but found it all lovely.
take care and be well!
kathy in iowa
I feel like we are looking more inside ourselves these days. Things are making us rely upon ourselves and loved ones more than ever and I don’t think that is necessarily a bad thing. Taking a pause isn’t a penalty. Just our reality right now. I saw this the other day: “Our parents and grandparents were asked to go to war. We are being asked to stay home on our couch.” We can do it!!
Both of our kids are working from home, which makes me very happy. Our DIL is on Maternity leave starting yesterday. Hopefully this week will be the “blessed event”. Our project this week is putting the new crib together and putting up some shelves, etc to decorate the Princess’s quarters at this Grandma & Grandpa’s house. Certainly it is giving us something lovely to think about right now when we really need it. Stay safe, everyone!!
I agree. This pause might be just what we all need.
Oh, so exciting, having a grandbaby on the way! That must make this time much more pleasurable for you! Take care, Chris!
This Chris quote goes in my book of them: “Taking a pause isn’t a penalty. ” Brilliant.
xo
People who constantly try to impress us how BUSY they are every minute of every day must be the ones having the biggest difficulties with this. My husband is struggling as he is always involved in something with meetings and schedules. Very extraverted. I am so opposite and happy to be at home reading, watching movies, etc. As long as we can still walk in our yards, I am good!! As of 5 tonight all restaurants and bars were closed in Wisconsin. Schools are now closed indefinitely. No gatherings of more than 10. If everyone would just stay home if it is at all possible, for the next few weeks, maybe it would really help a lot!!??
It would, Chris. And I’m frustrated with those who aren’t doing that. We’re in this together. Every one of us has to sacrifice.
Don is having a bit of trouble with it as he’s used to being out and about more than me, but he’s doing it, and I’m proud of him.
hej, chris k in wisconsin …
congratulations on the impending birth of your grandchild! first one, right? either way, exciting!
my oldest niece is due to give birth on april 16 (her second boy).
i trust and pray both deliveries go well and you’ll soon see that sweet baby. and good luck on the nursery set-up.
love that quote about self-quarantining. puts things into perspective, for sure!
glad your children can work at home.
hope you and your family are well!
kathy in iowa
Thank you for the quote about our parents and grandparents- given me some much needed perspective
Siobhan x
Thanks for your river photos today! They make me homesick for Connecticut – Simsbury, the town in which I grew up has the Farmington River running through it. One of our old bridges is now a walking bridge called the Flower Bridge. It’s painted green and in the summer has all kinds of hanging flower baskets and planters.
Today is Day#2 of working at home. The biggest difference is that my husband is also working from home, so it’s nice to have another body in the house with me and the kitty. More communicating with the work team too, which is nice.
Have a nice afternoon!
I helps to have company. I could do it on my own since I have a high tolerance for solitude, but nevertheless, it helps having Don here, as well. Take care, Jayne!
My observation is this, why are people saying it is so difficult for teens to stay in quarantine. I have grandchildren who when at my house are always texting their friends. Until I snap “put that down”. If you have Amazon Prime I would be interested in hearing what ( if watched) did you think of the latest version of The Pale Horse? Rufus Sewell is gorgeous, even in The Man in The High Castle he is was gorgeous, also I think I fine actor.
I don’t have kids, but teenagers dislike rules even more than adults do. I suspect that might be the problem. For most teenagers, the idea of not being able to get out of the house is horrifying.
I haven’t watched The Pale Horse, Mary, though I am a fan of Rufus Sewell. He made a memorable appearance on one of the episodes of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and it was brilliant. Take care!
glad you and don are doing well with being home, having hobbies, taking walks . .. stay that way!
wonderful “to do” list. thanks for sharing that and other things, including photos of nature (especially outside).
we have two rivers here, too. shame that i can’t see either of them except for two seconds driving 60 mph along the freeway on my way to and from work. mountains, deserts, forests … all beautiful, but my favorite place in nature is anywhere there’s moving water.
went to a routine doctor’s appointment this morning (called first to get the green light, in case they were overwhelmed). saw they had some hand sanitizer in several places, some gloves (but not in all sizes). no thin little tissue barrier on the exam table. lots of people in masks. when my doctor asked how i was doing, between worries for my family, grief, long-term job stress, coronavirus chaos, etc … … well, i started to cry. we had a good talk about it all (i have a great doctor … who does not expect coronavirus to be contained or resolved within a couple months). and i am starting an anti-depressant that also helps fight anxiety. all that to say to anyone reading this … if you or someone you know is having a hard time about anything, possible depression or anxiety … talk with someone you trust and ask for help. there’s no shame in that and help is available!
thanks, in advance, for letting me share that, claudia. i really like and appreciate the community you and other friends-i-haven’t-met-yet have created here. thanks for that, too.
with prayers for everyone’s safety and well-being …
kathy in iowa
Oh, I’m happy to hear that, Kathy. If this will help you weather this particular storm, that’s exactly what you need. And you’re so right, it’s important to reach out to someone and ask for help if necessary.
I don’t like, however, hearing your doctor think it won’t be contained in two months. I hope he’s wrong. I suppose he hopes he’s wrong! Take care of yourself!
hej, claudia …
i know medicine is only part of it and it takes a while to build up enough in the bloodstream to hopefully help … but i do need that help and look forward to feeling better. i know there are still stigmas about depression and anxiety, but i know it’s no different than someone with diabetes needing insulin. thanks for letting me get in that little “psa” and mostly for you being thoughtful and kind. i knew you would be. :)
i didn’t like what my doctor said about coronavirus, either and, like you, i hope she’s wrong … because she was not optimistic. made it sound like they have a month’s worth of protective supplies (another reason i am glad i kept that appointment today). said they cancelled all non-emergency appointments with seniors (i am officially one tomorrow. :o ). and there’s a limit on how many visitors can be at the hospital (where her office is located) … one per patient and that visitor must be either a spouse, child or caregiver. only exception is for people in hospice care or similar emergencies. all for who-knows-how-long. i don’t think there were ten cars in the parking ramp this morning … which felt eery.
hope you and don have a nice night, that you are sleeping better.
kathy in iowa
kathy in iowa; you are always a thoughtful, sweet person here on the blog and you’re a kind woman; I want you to hang in there in these overwhelming times; I have myself, about 18 years ago, suffered from anxiety and clinical depression; I got thru the worst of it as many people have; you will, too …
you will find your way back to the person you are and know best; you’ll manage your thoughts, emotions and life (and the smartest thing you did was to have courage and discuss this with your physician); as for things that helped me feel stronger: get whatever mild exercise you can even when/if you can’t be outdoors (I get a couple of TV shows/PBS which I can record and even do as sitting exercises/stretches; they come on very early in the morning); care for yourself with decent food/meals; sleeping can be hard sometimes, so try to read a bit before bedtime, like get fastened into a good book series with a continuing story and cast of characters (for me, they were enjoyable, light, romance/family, paperback novels in a western-historical setting [something I could sink my teeth into, entirely diff than what I usually would be reading]);
try to keep to your routine (I found that a schedule helped; structure helps); when things would get to me bad, I would write it down in a journal (things which were gnawing at me/worrying me) and get it out of my head so I could try to sleep better, clear out the cobwebs; inside, I felt wounded, but I healed over the weeks and months; a grief therapist I saw for awhile had said that sometimes it’s just to a point where it all has to fall apart so it can come together in a new and better way, and that sort of sounds like your journey, too – – the experts say it’s the compilation of stresses, even what may seem like little ones, not always one BIG stress, that works to wear us down…
…if you have a bathtub, take a good soak to get the kinks out; be good to yourself/talk good to yourself; everybody handles stress in their own way, and you will find YOUR way to manage and cope with yours (you didn’t invent this or create your own stress when it comes to the global pandemic; it’s an awful, real, big-time stressful thing going on in our country and world right now; it IS a fearsome enemy, this virus, and fear doesn’t feel good … but all those smart scientists will find a way to defeat it; come up with a vaccine and, until then, some trial drug therapy; lots of intelligent people figuring it out and getting ON it!); you have empathy and sensitivity toward others, so of course you feel things deeply, and your big heart is stretched to its limits, dear kathy; be gentle with yourself; you are in my thoughts…you will find your footing although I know you may feel unsure about a lot of things right now, which is VERY understandable …
hej, vicki …
so sorry that you went through depression and anxiety … but glad you sought help and are feeling better!
i appreciate your kind words and support, all those suggestions. am pretty good with routines and agree they can be helpful (in lots of ways, not just with depression …). might have to start adding in baths and find a book that really holds my attention as that sounds relaxing. especially now (with the coronavirus problems) and i kind of feel like shellacking everything with lysol.
and you’re right … we will get through it!
thanks again. means a lot.
kathy in iowa
I’m happy you sought help, Kathy. It was the right thing to do. Bless you.
thanks very much, claudia. :) i agree.
i know things will get better, that i will feel better … and i pray that for everyone.
i appreciate your kindness and the community here at mhc. means a lot!
kathy in iowa
xo
Oh, kathy, I am so very happy you talked with your doctor. Seeking help and care is always the right thing to do. I think so many of us have been affected by so much these past 3 years, and now, this, it is almost beyond belief, isn’t it? I hope you continue to check in here at “Claudia’s house” where we all meet! I love reading everyone’s comments, and I always wonder when someone who comments pretty much most days is “missing”. We are all in this together, and need to keep in touch! Take care and I hope you begin to feel better and find some peace. Your always positive comments are special to so many of us! ♡
hej, chris k in wisconsin!
thanks for your kind words and support. :) i care about you all and hope we can meet in person some day! in the meantime, thanks to claudia for opening up her virtual home for us and to you for cheering me on … means a lot!
my schedule has changed (for the past six months-plus, i’ve been gone thirteen to 15 hours a day, six or seven days a week) and when i get home, i just pretty much conk out. that’s why there’s been some days i haven’t shown up here (and why my floors need vacuuming). :[
agreed … there’s been a lot of unbelievable stuff going on … things i never thought i’d see in america or anywhere else in the world. there’s a lot of work to do, things that must change and most of it won’t be easy or quick … but i know things will get better! i’ve heard lots of talk about this coronavirus crisis hopefully leading to some changes, re-sets. i pray that’s a silver lining to what the world is is going through now.
hope you and your loved ones are well and happy.
thanks again.
kathy in iowa
And Happy St. Pat’s to you — you don’t have to be Irish to be cheery (I’m not!) It’s a sunny day here — cool and a bit windy — but I’m taking a walk shortly. I’m fine with isolation so far. Books, series, crafty stuff and online is a huge help. I do need to hit the basement and purge a little more for Goodwill. My basement had BETTER look a whole lot better by the time this thing is done!
I should be doing major organizing but I did a lot of that when Don was away with Margaritaville. I’m unmotivated at the moment!
Take care, Jeanie.
hej, jeanie …
the last sentence in your comment made me laugh (i feel the same way about my place … even though i still must go to work) … thanks for that. :)
hope you and your family are well.
kathy in iowa
Another calming thing to listen to/watch is Classic Arts Channel. We get it free on Roku and Apple tv. Some of the best classical music performances and performers anywhere. My daughter likes tenors, especially Italian tenors, her favorite being Pavoratti. You also see ballet and opera and clips from classic movies. You never know what will be on. The run it in 8 hour arrangements and you never get bored. You can read to it. Sleep to it or pay attention to it.
We used to get that on our cable system, but they don’t carry it any longer. Unfortunately, we don’t have Apple TV and we stream through our Smart TV. I’ll have to see if there’s another way to get it. Thanks for that reminder, Jan!
yes, it suddenly disappeared from PBS/cable and our daughter really needs it to sleep. She’s severely retarded and has a terrible time sleeping, so we needed it. I already had a roku and apple tv from Christmases years ago. Found the app on there and, boy. were we happy. The website might have your stuff to stream it listed. I am not at all technically adept.
to jan …
so glad you (re-)found something your sweet daughter enjoys and is benefiting from. prayers for you all.
may you all be well.
kathy (also not technically adept) in iowa
I’m glad it helps your daughter sleep, Jan. I’ll look for it here. xoxo
Just ordered the Mitford books The Six, and Sisters. There are some Amazon Prime new releases I have lined up to watch. It’s going to be ok!
Oh good! Enjoy, Melissa, and take care.
I was at the grocery store at 5:00 this morning hoping to not be in crowds. The line was around the store and the shelves were empty. Rather startling in the USA. We’re not used to that. It was my first time out of the house since last Wednesday and I didn’t get anything to speak of on my list but we won’t starve. I usually keep a week or two of groceries in the house all of the time and I think the panic buying will ease.
My dear Hubby still has to go to work every day and it worries me so. He promises me he’s washing his hands constantly and using hand santizer too. I sent Cholox wipes with him to wipe down the copier and bathroom door handles several times a day. I sure hope that helps. I’m in the high risk group since I have a pacemaker and heart issues so I’m terrified of him bringing something home.
I hope this is over sooner rather than later as I’m sure we all are.
Blessings,
Betys
Oh, I feel the same way! Sooner rather than later. I think the panic buying will ease up, too, once people get used to this. Take care of yourself, Betsy!
I love your countdown as the title Claudia – I would really like you to keep doing that 😊
Much better day today, although disappointing to read in the news how poorly behaved some people in British shops are – literally fighting over toilet paper.
Enjoying my journey with Louise Penny and really appreciating everyone describing their response to Covid 19
Keep well lovelies
Siobhan
We have a little community here and it really helps in times like these. Take care of yourself, Siobhan!
Had to chuckle that you have your own ‘golden gate bridge’ there. Nice!
Self-containment on-going in SF Bay Area. Very quiet on the streets. Last night I went to the grocery store to drop off a DVD at the kiosk (couldn’t pass up the discount coupon offered). Grocery store – sparse, but not empty at 9pm.
Husband is working from home – a big personality guy, used to controlling ALL about his own work space – yes, adjustments for both of us are happening. I’m used to the quiet and talking to my cat. Sigh.
Otherwise, cleaning up paperwork, trying to get my office space better organized.
Yesterday found out my sister-in-law/physician in MO is now on-call 24/7. She normally works in the student clinic at the (now closed) University where she teaches also. Now she could be called in to any of the hospitals in the area. A bit worrisome since she is a cancer survivor and has some immunity issues as a result.
Best to all
Best to your sister-in-law. That’s a lot of stress, as well. Take care of yourself, Martha!
Your walk looks full of interest, Claudia. Nice to see a clear day too. Having heard nothing to the contrary, I had to work today. Fortunately not directly with the public, I’m on my own at the bottom end of the office and able to keep required distance from colleagues.
We’ve been waiting to hear whether we’re closing libraries but nothing has been announced. I suspect we will do by weekend but still have to work behind the scenes. It’s not a job that you can work from home. Also at the weekend I’m think the Government is going to implement people over 70 staying home without direct contact from others for twelve weeks!
Stay safe everyone
How can they keep people over 70 home for 3 months? It’s impossible. They need food, they have appointments with doctors, they are just like the rest of us. It seems over the top. Why not do it in chunks of time? 3 weeks to begin with, then reconsider, and if necessary, another 3 weeks. I’m only a couple of years away from that age and I wouldn’t/couldn’t do it. It’s hard enough dealing with it for 2 -3 weeks! Take care of yourself, Dee Dee.
Well, we just found this out at about dinnertime/6pm on St. Pat’s Day; edict from our county authorities where we live here in SoCalif (in the newspaper online and all over social media): “Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, all residents age 75 and older are ordered to shelter in place through April 1. The shelter-in-place order also applies to residents age 70 and older with underlying health issues. Those ordered to shelter in place will still be allowed to travel outdoors as long as they maintain a distance of six feet from every other person. The shelter-in-place order restricts all public travel except for essential reasons such as medical care, nutrition or to perform necessary work in the fields of government or healthcare.”
Not anything any of us really didn’t know, but the diff is, is that they’re really getting down to specifics now. It’s an order, not just a suggestion/advisement. I’m trying to figure out if this means my good friend’s husband (he still is employed full time in an office at age 74) won’t be able to drive to work in his own car and be at his job a few miles from home. He works in private industry/real estate. He’s got a heart ailment.
He SHOULD be home and sheltering in place anyway by now, although I can envision his employers putting pressure on him due to his rather pivotal position in the company…but all the partners are even older than him! When I call my friend later today, I’m so hoping she’ll tell me that he has adhered to the cautions (and, now, an order).
xo
I woke up remembering it’s St Patrick’s Day and how in ‘life-before-coronavirus’, all I had on my mind was trying to find some kind of green garment for the day.
You have a little beach! How cool! Beautiful photos; you really are out in some great ‘country’ space.
And your analogy of the stone dropping in the water and ripple effect: Perfect image.
Thank you, Vicki. You sound better today. I’m glad. Take care!
I noticed yesterday and the day before, that my husband was getting quite emotional; teary. Too dialed into his phone; too much ‘coronavirus everything’. Is not the norm for him. I’m also the selfish person who blasts out her feelings ‘on paper’/writing and in conversation out loud; my brother used to tell me I’m a dumper. (Not a pretty thing, to have to think about myself in such a way; didn’t I learn from what he said? No.) I think what it might have stemmed from, although not blaming them, is that, at home growing up, I would end the school day, walk in the door of our house, and I had two work-at-home parents who sat down with me for my afternoon snack and encouraged me to spill and tell them everything about my day. I had an audience, even long after I was a mature adult; I was the center of attention. (My folks waited forever to have kids and didn’t think it would happen; my brother and I were everything to them.) The same kind of conversation was encouraged at the dinner table and I just never held anything in.
I sense I’ve lost some filters at this age, too. I have to catch myself that I’m overdoing it on your blog, especially lately; the endless self-expression when ALL your readers, as in virus talk, have their own fears and concerns, too.
But what happens is that my husband isn’t Superman; he doesn’t need my every-voiced worry; the verbal diarrhea. He reads the same articles I’m reading; he sees the same stuff on TV; he doesn’t need my every negative comment or complaint. It just riles him up, too. He’s not a man of steel and shouldn’t have to be. And he’s having trouble keeping himself busy with this forced stay-home, with a continual urge to want to get out in the car and go do something or get something he thinks we still need, like any excuse to emerge from ‘hiding’ from (being imprisoned by) the virus threat; so, you know, he’s having his own issues, but he’s quiet about it. Not to make some blanket generality and I actually mean it as a compliment, but he was raised in the Midwest with generations of Midwestern values/behavior; he’s not a whiner.
So I sat him down last night and we talked. I said, “Tell me what’s in your head.” He’s been trying to stay strong for me because I’m so scared; I’m very, very vulnerable to complications from Covid-19 and he’s worried, for me, for him, for our life, our dog, for all of us; he just doesn’t show it like I do, although he has aspects to his personality where he’s very, very sensitive and sympathetic toward others; he takes things in deeply. He finally blurted out, bubbling it up from the depths, “I’m scared to death.”
So, I’ve had to remind myself that we’re all getting assaulted with news, social media, etc. and he doesn’t need it from me, too (same as your readers, especially when I’d said I wasn’t going to talk about ‘virus epidemic’ anymore on your blog; although, now, it’s probably what we’ll all talk about for awhile, helping each other with tips on coping, etc.).
It’s really about protecting our loved ones in more than one way right now; like what they’re saying for parents, on how to be careful around your kids who are shut up in the house with you, to be mindful they don’t pick up on the adult conversations about coronavirus, the kids absorbing the adult worries like a sponge; not everything just rolls off a kid’s back. Or my husband’s.
I’m going to try, try, try, try to remember what I’m saying and not be toxic, to anyone OR myself. I don’t want to keep backsliding.
There is such a thing as a collective consciousness and that consciousness is full of fear at the moment. We have to do what we can to be vigilant but refrain from adding fuel to the fire.
Did you catch the online article in the Wall Street Journal today about ‘generational war’ and the virus? ‘Scientists and government officials fighting the coronavirus epidemic say they have a problem: Carefree youths. As authorities moved to restrict social gatherings last week, bars and restaurants from New York to Berlin filled up with revelers, illegal “lockdown parties” popped up in France and Belgium, and campuses in the U.S. lit up for end-of-the-world dorm parties.’ And this: “Epidemiologists are growing concerned that the millennial pushback against social-distancing measures—and an emerging generational divide about how the disease is perceived—could undo all efforts to slow the spread of the virus and put vulnerable people at high risk … So far, the young don’t seem to be listening.”
They made a big mistake in saying over & over again that younger people are immune to this deadly virus. I’m trying to remember when I was ‘young’; I know I was intensely self-focused and probably didn’t have the empathy toward others I tried to develop later on.
They think they’re immortal and therefore, they’re exempt. It’s selfish behavior but some of them are the same people who are shouting, Vote for Bernie!, and not showing up to vote.
I’ve decided my husband’s and my relatives (some of them) are complete idiots. Daft. I would expect more from them as they are college graduates (some of them), holding high-profile jobs (some of them).
The one I most look up to, to help me with financial advice and the like, sent me an email message about his past few days in a large U.S. city (where he lives) of over a million people (not Calif): He doesn’t like to be ‘cooped up’ (self-stated), has a large social life (for even being age 71); he’s single and spends a lot of time in restaurants and bars. (Not my lifestyle, but to each his own.) Unlike me, he’s got lots of money to spend as a retiree; worked hard all his life and made some sound investments. Over the weekend, he and his equally-single niece (my second cousin, age 40) went out for drinks/dinner/dancing with other people; a night on the town. No special occasion. Just go out and have fun. (When some of the rest of us were biting our nails, glued to the news on TV and checking our pantry stash.)
The niece went home to the house she gets to live in (for ‘free’) with her retired parents and young daughter. Her mother just got out of the hospital last week with a new pacemaker (which came from weeks in & out of the hospital until the doctors decided what to do). Her father is suffering from leukemia, has to have blood transfusions; is weak. These parents are age 70 (high-risk group for Covid-19; age and underlying issues). My cousin himself (the partier) also has a pacemaker; he has diabetes and shoots insulin; he has auto-immune disease (high-risk group for novel coronavirus; age and underlying issues). He is leaving for an extended vacay in Mexico on Saturday; will be on a plane, unless planes get grounded. (At a time like this, how could ANYbody be thinking about a vacation ANYwhere?)
My own family is deserting me with their stupid, stupid, stupid decisions and actions. They have lost their brains.
Oh, and it was relayed to me that another second cousin of mine (all of these people are far away from me, in other states) who is a Trump-thumper (I don’t know if that’s any kind of word or description) posts continually on her Facebook page that the Covid-19 pandemic is nothing in America but one big hoax to derail the general election (interesting that she didn’t even listen to her orange-haired ‘God’ in the past couple of news conferences, when he decided to somewhat change his ‘tone’ as regards the virus threat).
I will continue to live as far away as possible from these people who share my blood but with whom I no longer can feel a connection. It’s so disappointing … and horrifying. There’s too much of this virus-denial going on out there, everywhere. People in Italy didn’t pay attention soon enough (although I’m sure they had a lot of confusion and mixed-messages just like we have), and they’ve got more hospital beds and doctors than does the U.S., but look at the tragedy which now (heartbreakingly) exists in that beautiful, wonderful country.
Don’t you feel it coming, that the only way the U.S. can put a clamp on these selfish ‘NOT social-distancing’/’NOT sheltering-in-place’ behaviors is to shut us down, like apparently Italy did too late? Where you have to have proof, like to a cop, why you’re outside of your house unless it’s for a damn good reason, because you need medicine, etc.
I will make myself think of all the dedicated, selfLESS Americans who are on the front lines (medical community) but also every one of us who are trying to be informed and do the right thing that’s been asked of us (as a matter of life or death). Can people really not even handle the first 15 days? Is it so hard to just sit on your sofa? Sure, I keep getting cravings in my restlessness, wishing I had a chocolate-chip cooky; why didn’t I get some at the store when I had the chance. But it’s so miniscule to the point of embarrassment.
I keep getting these flashes/images in my mind, from my parents’ reminiscences of WWII, when Americans were called to duty & sacrifice in war against an enemy. Disrupted plans? Inconvenience? You betcha. My parents were ready to get married; they decided to wait, and it was a long wait of 3 yrs for Dad’s service in the army, then another couple of years of, initially, finding work or even a place to live.
At home, like under ‘blackout’ in, say, 1943 Los Angeles (air raid warnings; stay behind closed doors, don’t show a light!), they had the newspaper to try to understand what was going on. My grandma would listen to the radio reports while she darned socks. Mother would play the piano or draw for her sanity, worried about both a brother and her fiance in the fight. In my grandparents’ little house, they’d cook meals creatively with whatever food they had, which sometimes wasn’t a whole lot. They played card games in the evening. They told stories; they would read. There was plenty to do in their own house and yard. Grandpa would tend to the chickens and repair things in his small garage/workshop out back. Mom & Grandma did the laundry (old ‘ringer’ washing machine), hanging the clothes on a line; much ironing to follow. There were no luxuries. (We’ve got it soft compared to them.) As for any excursions, like if they needed to see another relative out of the area, even a couple of hours away, forget it; they weren’t going anywhere, gas was rationed; you couldn’t find a tire with rubber going to the war effort; they stayed home.
Why can’t Americans today be like them in a time of great crisis, when called to act in their own best interests and everybody else’s? (We CAN!) In my parents’ case, The Greatest Generation … most at risk in this current epidemic, age 80s-90s … I owe it to their memory; those who came before: Follow their example. Step up, be strong. Be brave. Have even a tenth of their nobility.
I agree. My parents sacrificed. Their parents sacrificed. We’ve been relatively spoiled, haven’t we? Well, now we’re up against it and we have to rise up and do what needs to be done. xo
Don’t fret about coming up with titles for your posts. Just the date would work. Stay well.
You too, Terri. Thank you!
I like these titles. Perfect for how we’re feeling/dealing…
xoxo
Glad you and Don had a nice walk. The area is so pretty and calming to see. Happy Saint Patrick’s Day to all.
Marilyn
Same to you Marilyn! Take care.
I’m going out for my daily walk in about 1/2 hour. I don’t have to worry about getting too close to neighbors; we live in a more rural town like you do. Walking around my neighborhood, even if there’s other people out walking, we wouldn’t be close to each other. Our neighbor-friends were out the other day, getting into their car but we talked to them from the street. I told them “no hugs like usual”, especially since we just traveled.
Honestly, out of all my family members and friends that I’ve talked to (a lot!), no one is completely staying home. People still have to go to work, unless they’re in a place that has closed down or lets you work from home. Most of my friends and family members don’t have that choice. And everyone I know is still running needed errands, just limited. I had to go to Trader Joe’s myself earlier today, as we were running low on perishables (produce, almond milk). I washed my hands before I went, wore disposable gloves, and washed my hands when I got home. My mother who is almost 80 years old, had to go out and get fresh produce, too. She took the precautions like I did.
xoxo
Have to say that if people who don’t have to be at work don’t stay in, we have no consistent base for the next two weeks in which to see if it’s made a difference. And far too many people aren’t. Don and I aren’t saints by any means, but we’re out of some things and we’re committed to trying to stay here and use what we have. If everyone runs out to get something, we aren’t going to see any improvement. Just my two cents, but I believe it very strongly.
I get what you’re saying but there are those of us where the majority of our diets is fresh produce. Brian and I eat fresh fruit every morning (berries and bananas) and salads for lunch. Same with my mom. Otherwise, we are making main meals from pantry items.
We’re vegetarians; the majority of our normal diet is fresh produce. I’ve been existing on that kind of diet for over 30 years. But we’re hanging in there with canned food when necessary, even though that isn’t our preference. You can buy fresh berries and freeze them. We eat bananas too. It’s my favorite fruit. But when we’re out, we’ll be out. I truly believe we all have to sacrifice for the greater good, hopefully only for a short time. If it ends up being longer, we’ll replenish our stock then. Or, even better, we’ll order online and have it delivered. xo
Not to sound preachy, but I probably do. xoxo
From the TODAY show on March 17 (I edited for length): Riskiest areas at the grocery market will be those with items people touch the most, like the produce section. Make it your last stop in the store to avoid transferring the virus. Typically, picking produce involves touching and poking around for desired ripeness, but these days it’s best to avoid touching anything you don’t have to and use your eyes to dictate what’s fresh. For example, avoid fresh foods with obvious bruises or brown spots. If the food comes in plastic packages, be mindful to touch just the one you want to select. If you’re immuno-compromised, consider buying pre-packaged produce that likely has undergone strict sanitation standards at the packing site; it’s also advised to actually cook raw vegetables to further cut down on the risk of contamination. Be sure to scrub hard-skinned produce with a soft-bristled vegetable brush, using a little bit of soap and warm water. Other types of produce, like fruits or leafy greens, can be soaked for about 15 minutes in soapy water. Make sure to rinse them thoroughly. (Also, if you used reusable bags at the store, make sure to wipe them down thoroughly or wash them immediately.)
You name it, I’ve got the disease, and I have no choice, as a rule, but to live with whole, slow food; least amount of ingredients. (Although I cheat sometimes!) Anyway, I’m not getting that during a pandemic. One thing that helps me? My freezer is now very full of frozen fruits and frozen vegetables, much more than usual. I’ve heard it enough that such food items are packed at peak and can’t be beat, as near to fresh as if you picked it in the field or off the tree.
I’ve got frozen chard, frozen spinach, frozen kale, frozen collard greens; a ton of broccoli florets and also riced cauliflower. You of course can even buy frozen carrots and I chop celery and freeze it myself (good for soups). I got bell peppers a few weeks ago, washed/trimmed/chopped them, spread them out on a baking sheet, popped them into the freezer, then transferred the individually-frozen pieces into a ziplok freezer bag. I think you can even freeze cabbage wedges. (Lettuce? That’s what I’ll miss.)
Then there’s the frozen peaches, frozen berries; so yummy. I freeze bananas all the time; terrific in smoothies (gosh, if you mash ’em up in a bowl, it’s frosty-banana ice cream!). I keep apples in my one veggie keeper all year, only infrequently rotating them; they last a LONG time in the frig. I haven’t figured out how to freeze avocado yet but we buy them at different ripening stages and extend their life uncut in the frig if we want to keep a few back to last.
xo
I am so thankful for technology during this quarantine. I was able to face time my daughters and grands yesterday on Ashleigh and Irenes first anniversary! So special. When I need to see the Grands for the next several? weeks we will face time. Lots to read and happy to have a Kindle to download books if unable to go to the library. Many great movies, TV show to binge watch and concerts to view on TV. Time to think, reflect and pray. So while this is a bit scary it is also time to realize we can do this. Hugs to you and Don.
We CAN do this. Thinking of you, my friend. xo
Don’t forget that my husband works 6am – 6pm shifts. He has to bring 3 meals to work for these shifts. We go through a pound of salad greens alone every few days. So yes, eventually we’re all going to run out of food eventually and have no choice but to shop. Even having it delivered is risky because of someone else handling it and shopping for it in a grocery store. We all have opinions and different health needs and are doing what we feel is safe and best.
Oops, didn’t mean to use the word eventually twice in one sentence. I’m watching TV while typing and was distracted. 😉
So glad you and Don take good care of each other and have lovely places to be outside. In a time like this, it’s also a big asset to have an intellectual bent, for isolation is great to read, contemplate, learn. I have a friend who is an exercise instructor and she is having a hard time already with her two gyms closing down and not getting the workouts that are so important to her mental health. She’s thinking about posting some Youtube videos which will give her a reason and opportunity to keep up regularly. Since I am the original couch potato, it is much easier for me to shelter in place. I’m just so grateful that we have shelter. Thank you for continuing your blog. Connection is so important!!
I’ve seen people leading workouts via YouTube and on Instagram Stories. Perhaps that’s something she could do with the people who come to her gym? Thank you, Nora!