Coneflowers are blooming all over the property. I must have well over a hundred of them. I’ve planted a lot, but they self-seed prolifically, so I often discover them in other parts of the gardens – or even outside the garden beds. This year, I see some white coneflowers coming up at the top of the big garden bed. I didn’t plant them there. Such a delight!
Yesterday was a strange and unsettling day for me and my anxiety was also flaring up. I think last week’s exposure to too much news was the prime instigator. But I did get some more work done on Dove Cottage. I only have to put some stones on the base at the back and then I can start my experiments with ‘grout.’
If you read Meredith’s blog, you already know this. Her work as a therapist requires her to treat young children in their homes and/or foster homes. She has been working throughout this pandemic – with the greatest of caution, of course. Her post goes into this more deeply, but suffice to say, one of her foster parents – whom I know – neglected to tell her that her older son was home from work because his bosses had been exposed to COVID-19 so everyone had been sent home to quarantine and he was in the house when Mere was treating the other kids. I think it’s been nearly two weeks now since that exposure, but my God! She didn’t inform any of the therapists who routinely enter that house for therapy sessions. She still hasn’t said anything. They’re Trumpers, of course, who think this is all a hoax and that they shouldn’t have to wear masks.
I want to go there and smack her across the face; this could have endangered my family, as well as the other therapists and their families. My sister had cancer many years ago. Because of her treatment at the time, her immune system is not always functioning at full strength. My little nephew had respiratory issues as a baby (for heaven’s sake, he died at birth and had to be brought back to life!) and this woman knows him and knows of my sister’s medical history.
I am sick of reading about this selfish behavior. Now it’s touched my family. It’s not enough that my sister and her family are living in state with a Governor who has mishandled every stage of this pandemic, but now my sister’s compassionate and humanitarian work as a therapist has brought her into contact with a family who simply doesn’t care about the health and welfare of others.
I had a mini-meltdown yesterday about everything. I know that some of you have had them lately, as well. I think it’s a good thing. We have to find a way to release our anxiety and anger and outrage about the mishandling of the pandemic, the terrible loss of life, and everything to do with the corrupt carnival barker who is masquerading as Commander-in-Chief. I’ve never been through a time like this. I don’t think any of us have.
May we find some peace in the midst of this horror show. May we find moments of quiet and wonder and maybe a small (or big) spark of joy. May everyone stay safe.
Happy Monday.
Claudia, I share so many of your feelings right now. I did read Mere’s blog and I was furious at this stupid trumper family endangering your family. I wish she had just walked out and let them find another therapist. But, I know she is very committed and just a plain good person. Pray God protects her.
And I find the news overwhelming right now. I am reading a lot, For escape I think.
The foster parent doesn’t know that Mere knows. Mere doesn’t want the person who tipped her off to lose her job, so she’s considering how to handle it.
Stay safe, Judy.
Oh, so sorry to hear that your loved ones may have been exposed. Unbelievably stupid behavior!
I have wanted to say how much I admire your work on Dove Cottage. It’s just beautiful—the stonework, the furnishings you are planning. It’s going to be another work of art!
And lastly, you know how jealous I have been about your cone flowers. Just haven’t seemed to grow for us. So, having studied your lovely portraits of them these last few days, I went out to the place we had them last year and I think I may see some coming up! Hooray! Oh, I hope so! (Hope so, hope so, hope so…fingers crossed.)
Well, can’t grab them back after they post! I meant to say stupid behavior on the part of your sister’s clients! Too much of that out there, stupid behavior.
I understood!
Thank you so much, Shanna.
So glad to hear that the coneflowers might be appearing! Huzzah! Stay safe.
I have a few choice words for that family…but I better keep those words to myself. How irresponsible of them endangering your sister and her family. I am angered beyond words. I can’t imagine how you must feel.
I am so tired of being angered by stupid people. I know I probably shouldn’t use that word…but I have no other words to describe the people who feel masks are no big deal, or this is just a hoax. Those who don’t believe in science. I have no more patience for that. It has gone far beyond my capacity for tolerance….especially after all these months.
Switching mental gears….you did a remarkable job on the cottage. I had forgotten all the steps you taken, starting with the egg cartons, to complete it, it looks so realistic!
Thanks for letting me rant. And may you find peace today. Stay safe! ;)
…and your cone flowers are beautiful!! ;)
xo
We gave up a while ago and started saying ‘stupid’ because they are. There’s no getting around it.
Thank you, for your kind words about the dollhouse, Donna! And thanks for your words of support for Meredith.
Stay safe!
i hope you are feeling better now … as much as is possible, given the circumstances.
i hope your sister and her family stay well and safe, too.
and when i say “hope”, i mean it as “pray” and as sincere good wishes.
i just went over and read your sister’s post, in part because she’s your sister and i care about her and her family, too. and in part because i very much relate to what meredith wrote and the risks she takes doing in-home work with people. i’m sorry she’s had to go through that. i appreciate meredith’s kind heart in not wanting to cause trouble for the person who told her that family had a covid-29 exposure and i don’t want to tell her (or anyone else) what to do … but i would encourage finding a way to report the foster parent not disclosing that covid-19 exposure to the case manager/court/ whoever’s in charge … because this is such a highly contagious disease (and people are often asymptomatic) and one reason for help being brought in-home is because the recipients are likely extra-vulnerable in some way or another. and those in-home helpers go on to other recipients’ homes and then their own homes and families. if the foster parent didn’t disclose that covid-19 exposure for being overwhelmed, that itself comes with risks and needs. if it was based on their belief that the virus is a hoax and they intentionally kept that exposure a secret, well, the case manager/ court/ etc. need to know that. also, i would worry what else the foster parent is not saying or not doing for the children in that home. hopefully all in-home helpers working with that family have release of information forms signed so they can talk with each other at case conferences and as needed. if it were me, i would talk with every client by phone before heading over, to specifically ask about possible exposure to covid-19, any new illness or other reason to not keep the in-home visit and to make sure they will be home. i would talk with my employer to make sure enough masks, gloves, etc. are available (and wear it all the time) and let my employer put some pressure on the foster parent and case management company/ court/whoever to make sure those kids are being protected … and to help protect in-home helpers like your sister.
again, i don’t mean to tell meredith what to do. she’s involved there and knows the people, the situation and the system(s) in which she works. i know she knows already the points i just wrote about. she doesn’t need my help. but i (obviously) have strong opinions on situations like what your sister has had to deal with, that i have had to deal with. and i am angry that so many people lack enough compassion, respect and responsibility to take easy precautions during this pandemic. i am angry that so many people can’t do a simple thing like not let visitors in their home if there’s been a covid-19 exposure and tell them why! and wear masks!
will you please let meredith know that someone (who also does in-home work) is cheering her on from iowa and prays that she, her family and the clients with whom she works all stay well and safe. …? and that she did a great job on your adorable nephew’s haircut. :) thanks.
i’d like to add a sentence to your last paragraph … may we all vote!
glad you are nearly done with the stone-making on dove cottage … hooray and good for you for powering through. it looks great! hope the grout turns out as you like and you can quickly move on to the fun part … decorating!
i couldn’t fall asleep until after 2:00 this morning, then overslept a little (forgot to check my alarm) … but made it out the door in twenty minutes and was at work by 7:40. whew! definitely not the way i like to start the day. but it will get better. things will all get better. they have to.
keep safe, well and cool, everyone.
kathy in iowa
also, meredith’s a better person than me. i would have explained (outside and from a distance) to the foster parent what the problem was and then left.
kathy in iowa
The foster parent doesn’t know she knows. Someone else tipped Meredith off and she doesn’t want that person to get in trouble.
Kathy, wouldn’t it be a better idea for you to leave this information on Mere’s post? I’m sure she’d see it there before she could hear this from me. She works long hours, so we rarely talk during the week. You could share your experience with her, as well. You have some valuable advice to share.
Thanks so much. Stay safe!
sure; i’d be glad to leave that information on your sister’s post (unless a person needs to have a particular kind of account (like fb or whatever, which i don’t have) to comment.
sorry for kind of ranting a bit here on your post. i’ve not commented on meredith’s blog before and just figured she would read comments left here.
heading to meredith’s blog now (on my lunch break) …
keep cool and safe!
kathy in iowa
She doesn’t have time to read my blog during the week. She works 12 – 15 hour days. Thanks Kathy!
ugh … that’s too much work.
hope you’re staying cool and have a good night.
stay safe!
kathy in iowa
ps: i did leave meredith a comment.
Thank you for leaving that comment, Kathy! Rest up.
I read Mere’s post early this morning. I simply couldn’t believe such behavior by adult people.
I know it’s a touchy situation for the people who employ Mere…. but when it comes to
endangering HER life and her own little son’s at home… I think I couldn’t NOT say something about it!
how long do we have to allow that kind of willful ‘ignorance’ go on???
Agreed. I’m going to encourage her to report this to her employer. Thanks, Tammy.
oh GOOD! I’m so glad. it’s too important not to! xoxo
xo
Claudia, everyone who commented before me has written my thoughts exactly, from Meredith’s situation to Dove Cottage to coneflowers, which I want to plant now. I’m sick of stupid self-serving irresponsible behavior too. At least I find like-minded sanity in your blog with your wonderful blog community.
Thanks, Wendy. I’m sick of it, too.
Stay safe!
Good morning,Claudia As the young folk say,OMG! You have said it well.I can only hope that your sister and her family stay well. November can’t come soon enough! xo
You’re not kidding! Thanks, Annette! Stay safe!
My daughters are very worried because it looks like the schools around here will be opening up again. They very likely will be homeschooling for the year if that happens. We limit our news to as little as possible, but still want to stay informed. Just this morning there was a story on the news about how worried the school teachers are if classrooms open up. Our school superintendent is to have a conference with the governor (heaven help us all) and then make the final decision. Lots of parents are clamoring for the schools to open — probably the same ones who think it’s foolish to wear masks. Sometimes I think the whole world has gone crazy!
I think so, too. No one’s life is worth the risk of sending them to school right now. It’s insane.
Praying for everyone.
Stay safe, Dottie.
Agreed with so many of the comments above. I, too, have mini meltdowns almost daily. I try so hard to have a better attitude, but I just find it all too hard to deal with some days. Am trying to continue with my quilting & gardening, among other daily chores, but again, some days are harder than others. I always tell my hubby every single night, “it’s the best time of the day” for me. I can crawl into bed, feeling safe & sound & NO bad news for at least 6 hrs!
Chin up, this will pass sooner or later.. Enjoy what you can.
Be well.
Exactly! We look forward to getting into bed each evening for the same reasons! Stay safe, Priscilla.
Hi Claudia.
Completely agree with your post today. First time commenting.
Love and read your writings though.
Why oh why could or even would anyone make up such outrageously dangerous information to our country? Any country. The deaths of thousands are not a joke. This is real.
Only continuing troublemakers and liars are in White House.
Exactly, Marcee. Thanks for commenting! Stay safe.
Oh, Claudia. I read Meredith’s post yesterday and it made me so angry. I can’t say shocked as none of this nonsense shocks me any longer. And then I saw Betsy DeVoss speak nonsense on the talk shows which made me more angry. That woman is a few steps beyond stupid. “Just open the schools”. What an idiot. Today LA and San Diego both have said “on-line only” for the fall. That should make her’s and the other idiot’s heads explode. Oh, how I do want that to happen. All over each other. And now their endeavor is to slander Dr. Fauci and the CDC by saying it is all lies we have been given, provided only to hurt his campaign. And I know there are about 30 million zombie Covidiots who will follow him and his absurdities nodding their little wobble heads. So disheartening. It really is like a horror show in which we are being forced to partake. Just ugh.
Ugh, yes. And a vomit-like reflex when I read about this crap. Dr. Fauci is a hero. He won the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his work on the AIDS crisis. Let’s see…who am I going to listen to, Dr. Fauci, noted expert? Or a man who thought Finland was part of Russia?
Stay safe, Chris.
He also wanted to sell Puerto Rico after Katrina went through. Dear god in heaven.
And didn’t he want to buy Greenland?
He certainly did. The mind boggles with what he has done and attempted to do with low accountability as president.
xo
Although we completely realize how difficult it is for families not to have kids in school (and how not great it is for the kids themselves), my husband and I were so relieved when Gov Newsom and Mayor Garcetti of L.A. made the decision of virtual learning in the Fall instead of in the conventional classroom. My husband was an instructor for almost twenty years in a long career in & out of the private sector and he’s been worried for his former co-workers who aren’t just teachers but who also are the janitorial staff, the cafeteria workers, the middle-aged to near-retirement age administrative staffers (and more ‘older’ instructors than ‘younger’ ones, especially as you get up to college level). He was so relieved today with this edict for Calif that he had tears in his eyes. We feel they’ve done the right thing for our Calif youth but also for all who run the schools and colleges. Frankly, we’re totally prepared for more than just a pause or dimmer switch on the raging epidemic here in our state. We’re expecting to go into further lockdown because our Covid numbers are horrifying. Meaning it wouldn’t be surprising if on the heels of Monday’s announcement, we go further into an ordered total shelter-in-place mode again. I wish Calif could have been smart like New York. But we weren’t. There was too much lack of compliance, even on the part of businesses.
My husband had to be out today for an appointment at the optometrist. I guess everybody’s been thru this by now but we’re not accustomed to the drill: Call from the car in the parking lot. Clinic’s assistant comes out to take your temp. Make sure you’ve got on a mask. You walk in and go directly to a handwashing station where, after hands are clean, they make you glove up and put on a paper shield over your clothes. Every piece of eye-exam equipment is paper or disinfected plastic-covered. Doctor has on face shield and wears surgical scrubs covered by PPE such as the paper shield they’d had my husband don. The doc said you couldn’t believe how much money they’ve lost in the past four months and it’s ongoing, with the cost required to set up the clinic to be Covid-safe, the PPE, the reduced patient load due to, first, cancellations and then, second, distancing they have to do/drastically-fewer patients (there were no chairs in the expansive clinic wait room/lobby anymore; plexi-glass surrounds at other work stations; my husband dispensed with any idea of ordering new eyeglasses [too complicated!]).
But my husband did notice one difference out there on the street: Fewer cars; oddly-light traffic. Nobody on the sidewalks. And it’s one of the busiest avenues in the city of over 100,000 people. So. Maybe people are finally getting scared enough (after all the negligence of gathering, not wearing masks, etc.). Consequences to actions.
I’m happy to hear about LA and San Diego. Unfortunately, I read today the Orange County is going to open and the kids don’t have to wear masks. Of course, that’s a very conservative county, but come on! Can the Governor step in on something like this?
I saw the same thing re: Orang. No masks and no social distancing. What is going on????? I, too, hope the Gov has something to at least say about that for the safety of the children AND the teachers, aides, secretaries, custodians, lunchroom help, bus drivers, etc. How do the minds of these people work? I wonder if that school board was meeting in a room together, or in a Zoom meeting. If all of these people making these decisions won’t do what they are asking kids and staff to do, it is pretty amazing. “Do as I say, not as I do”? This whole thing has the appearance of a grand experiment and using kids and staff as the players in this “thing”. And what if it doesn’t work, as most of us expect it won’t. And that doesn’t mean that things WON’T go back to the way they were…. someday. But not right now when this virus is spiking and rearing its very ugly head, we need to worry about the people and not spend every moment fretting about the economy. The Dow seems to be fine, and that is what the rich worry about, so maybe they need to shut their mouths for a few months and count their money quietly in the corner somewhere.
Ah, the rich and very rich. Just read an article online before coming on here about how bookings are up at fancy resorts across the U.S., the wealthy not denying themselves their summer vacations. Some old quote pops into my mind from somewhere, “The rich are different … yeah, they are!”
Exactly. xo
hej, chris k in wisconsin …
unfortunately, despite an increase here in covid-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths, our governor approved the opening of k-12 schools statewide for all classes, sports, etc. effective two weeks ago … with no requirement of masks, social distancing, etc. none! insanity that is hard to understand and only adds to fear, anger and the spread of this virus. still, know that (as usual) your words made me laugh out loud (i can picture it in my head … people with way too much money sitting in a corner, giggling as they count their cash) and also give me comfort (there’s a person with intelligence, morals and a good heart … so you fit in well here at claudia’s place) at the same time. thanks for that.
hope you and your family are well, safe and that you’re able to see your granddaughter on a regular basis.
kathy in iowa
Oh, kathy, it is all too bizarre, isn’t it?? Yes, I picture them like Silas Marner in a corner with all of their gold just stacking it up and cackling about it.
Yes, we do get to see our sweet granddaughter. In fact our son just called and asked if we would watch her for 2 hours on Friday afternoon while they go tubing on the river together. They haven’t done anything without her, so they are excited. Just the two of them for a couple of hours. We are only 3 blocks from the river. It will be fun!!!! You take care, too!! The crazies truly are attempting to take over the world. We must be diligent!
I don’t know; I’ve got to read up on it because I only just saw that headline and felt crushed. There’ll be a lot of commentary on this as soon as our local newscasts start up this afternoon. You know, this goes along with them (Orange) keeping their beaches open when L.A. & Ventura counties didn’t, if memory serves me. I remember news spots at the time and there was such a rebellious attitude and there’s just no place for that now because we’re in a real mess in the southern part of the state and the virus doesn’t recognize or care about county lines. (The timeline since Memorial Day is already blurring in my mind. We’re slammed with so much changing news, local and nationally, every single darned day. It’s draining.)
It is absolutely draining. That’s why I sometimes have to pull away. I know you understand.
Vicki, let us all hope and pray that the consquences to his actions come to fruition in November when we all VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!
A friend of mine has been worried since Day One that no matter how we vote, by mail or in person (and I love that the political consultant/strategist James Carville says it’ll be a landslide defeat for DT in November; bring.it.on!) that he won’t LEAVE but will find every excuse to say that the election is invalid and rigged. But many weeks back, I was watching some noted/official/former government person saying, no, have no fear, Trump will politely be escorted from The White House when the time comes (not soon enough).
And my lingering worry is Russia. His best friend is Putin, and we all know that Putin will do everything in his power (which is mighty) to get the election won so he can keep his fingers in everything in the USA. He governs from afar with his hand up his butt.
He would be escorted out, for sure. It might not be pretty, but he’d be gone. Then the fumigation would begin…
Call me over the top, but to me behavior like that is criminal and should be fined. Minimum misdemeanor and cash penalty. Not that that would help anyone who has been in her wake but maybe it would make a good example and prevent things. Thismakes me incredibly angry. I send all good wishes to your sister and her family and many good thoughts that this has bypassed them.
I don’t know how much longer I can handle stupid people. Every day I hear about an incident — or more — that is wanton, selfish behavior. There is no excuse.
Same here. I’ve had with stupid people and with those who purposely make the choice to remain ignorant. No patience. No tolerance.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
I have never done this before — hope it goes OK, lol !! unbelievable people in this country — how do they function w/o help??? I become enraged by “fake news Trump”. How can anyone justify supporting this clown–what a disgrace to the office!! sure hope your family will be OK–so far, my family is alright, grateful — we have taken all the precautions since March — not thinking this will end anytime soon.
It went fine! Thank you for commenting, Linda.
I agree. I don’t think it will end anytime soon, either.
Stay safe!
I read Meredith’s post the other day and was absolutely furious for her and all those people that have been put at risk by these stupid, selfish idiots. What’s wrong with them? I don’t need an answer but it makes me so angry. Your sister works so hard and is such a selfless person. And as for the governor, he’s another fool. Sorry again for venting, I know you agree. I can’t wait til you all get out and vote in November.
Take care.
I do agree. We have to show up in numbers that can’t be manipulated and VOTE HIM OUT.
Thanks, Fiona. Stay safe!
Thanks for sharing about your mini meltdown. It is nice to know we aren’t alone in our feelings.
I hope Meredith is okay. What an impossible situation she is in.
I am in Michigan and the governor just declared a mandatory mask order. People seem to be compiling where we have been in the tourist areas and I hope it is the case elsewhere. The governor of Florida should declare a mandatory mask order also.
Since we live in our camper and stay away from people I feel pretty safe. It is very interesting how people are adapting. We now check in to our campsite with no contact and communicate by text.
Amazing. Who would have thought camping would involve checking in by text? Stay safe, Kay.
I can’t believe that a person would deliberately endanger another person’s life in this way. There are some truly selfish and irresponsible people in this world. I hope Meredith and her family are okay.
Such a stunning lack of compassion. Thanks, Janette. Stay safe!
Your last two sentences were such a beautiful prayer. I even hate to write anything else mean, but…..every room that man walks into, he is the least educated and least in the know. He has the highest office and his intellect is seriously lacking each time he meets someone. He is so far in over his head, he is drowning from the time he wakes in the morning till he falls asleep at night. He thinks he can bully his way to superiority. He cannot. He doesn’t have enough brain cells to hold a thought together, unless it’s a lie. That seems to come easy for him. He is such a sad human. Now I am going to write down your prayer and carry it in my pocket until I memorize it, and say it whenever I need a quick prayer. Thanks again.
You described him well, Tana. Spot on.
Thank you. Stay safe!
Claudia, what a horror show for your sister! Unbelievable how idiotic and selfish some people can be. Anyone who still thinks this thing is a “hoax” at this point is beyond help. The worst part is all these idiots have put us back to square one – Gov. DeSantis, I’m looking at you. It’s to the point now that our staying home for three months was all for nothing.
Read this morning about how outraged Mick Mulvaney was that his son had to wait 5-7 days for his son’s covid test result. Really? At least he got a test. Back in March my nephew’s test results took 3 weeks (it was positive). None of these people care about any of this until it personally affects them. It’s beyond disgusting.
Those coneflowers do indeed self-seed like crazy. We have them everywhere now and that’s OK because they’re a natural prairie flower for this part of the country. A couple years ago I discovered some orange ones but I’ve never seen white.
Take care.
Kay
Governor DeSantis has blood on his hands. He’s an accessory to murder, pure and simple.
Thanks, Kay. Stay safe!
It would be easy to understand now, if your sister never went back to help that family. They are incredibly selfish people; and, yes, I know from what I speak (due to my own health issues/medical past), your sister’s previous cancer history does leave her vulnerable due to the altered immune system. You had every right to meltdown, Claudia; it’s rage, worry, frustration. Completely understandable. This situation with your sister made me think of an interview I saw some weeks ago, when a news story was detailed in which a Covid patient here in the U.S., in the hospital, spit in the face of the Chinese-American physician trying to treat him. What conclusion can you come to, except to have to realize that this particular patient was likely another Trumper just like the ones your sister was trying to help, i.e. they’ve drunk the Koolaid and refer to Covid-19 as the China Virus (DT’s repeated way to describe it, unless he’s calling it the Kung Flu; just appalling).
I’ve run out of words to describe these people. I guess I could google, what’s the most vile word to describe someone? and use that. They are despicable. Hillary was right when she called them ‘deplorables.’
Thanks, Vicki. Stay safe.
I’m very upset at what happened to your sister! It should be criminal (not that Florida would enforce it) if people come into your home to advise them about Covid status. I just saw an article about the WNBA star player Elena Della Donne who despite having dealt with Lyme disease for years and having a recent back surgery has been denied medical leave by the WNBA. I do not know what’s wrong with people! My sister’s daughter thinks the virus is a hoax and won’t wear a mask–she’s over 40 and her mom, my sister, has chronic asthma and other health problems. The kicker is my niece is a home health care worker!! Scares the daylights out of me. So sorry that you are all going thru this.
Oh my lord. These people who won’t wear masks should be fined. And if they are fined and still do it, they should spend 24 hours in jail. It’s the only way to control them – if it was even feasible.
Thanks, Nora. Stay safe.
I have two go-to statements that seem to cover a myriad of situations pretty well. “You can’t cure stupid,” is the one that fits Meredith’s clients. So very sorry.
But, in happier thoughts, your pink coneflowers are simply gorgeous. My gloriosa daisies are doing their usual July explosion of color–but all yellows, which is also fine with me.
Stay strong and safe!
You, too, Roxie. Stay safe.