We’re getting close to 40 days in self-isolation. The mind boggles.
We had a great FaceTime call with Rick and Doug yesterday. It was so good to talk to them. Rick has been baking a lot; it’s one of his favorite things to do. Don wondered, kiddingly, why Rick wasn’t delivering sweets to us while we are in quarantine. About 30 minutes after the call, Don’s phone rang and Rick said he was going to drop off a piece of cake. They left it on the funky patio in a piece of Tupperware. Don stood in the doorway and he and Rick actually got to see each other in person. About ten minutes later, the phone rang again. They were going to drop off two masks (they had several) for us. This time, I stood in the doorway and thanked him. I can’t tell you, first of all, how sweet it was of them, but secondly and most importantly, how lovely it was to see them in the flesh – if only briefly. Looking forward to the time when we can actually hug each other.
I worked rather obsessively on the puzzle, of course – at the end of the day my back hurt from bending over the table so much. This is a puzzle that doesn’t have large blocks of one color; since it consists of book covers – and a lot of them – the colors change all of the time. So I started with the top edge of the puzzle and also the bottom edge. I have all of the corners in place. The design has a few larger versions of the book jackets/covers and I’m trying to piece them together to help anchor the whole thing. I also sorted through all the pieces and put all the pieces with text in one bowl, and all the pieces with faces in another.
The top edge.
The bottom edge – not quite together yet.
By the way, Rick has been to our local nursery and says it’s not at all crowded. So I’m going to go mid-week, I think.
I stopped reading Modern Nature mostly because it’s too hard to deal with. While he writes about his garden, he also writes about growing up as a young gay boy in the boarding school era in England, when boys were punished for exhibiting any homosexual behavior, and, of course, it’s depressing. He’s also dealing in the present with his diagnosis of HIV, watching his friends die from AIDS, and becoming more ill over time. It’s a curious combination of beauty and pain and loss, and I think I just can’t go there right now. I lost so many friends to AIDS, good friends, people who were here one day and gone the next. It’s just too hard to read during this pandemic. I’ll keep it on hand, and read a passage every once in a while, but it can’t be my only read. What am I going to read next? I’m going to reread A Gentleman in Moscow, my favorite book of the last several years. It’s beautiful, life-affirming, and in fact, timely, as it deals with a Count who is sentenced by the Bolsheviks to house arrest within the walls of the Hotel Metropol in Moscow. For the rest of his life. I’ve written about this book many times on this blog. I think it’s the perfect read for this moment in time.
We fell asleep again while watching Cheers last night. How exciting we are!
Stay safe. Stay Home. If you go out, wear a mask.
Happy Monday.
So nice to hear, people helping people. We have had people giving to us. A couple gave my husband canned ravioli for our daughter. He must have mentioned that she loves it best of all. And a neighbor gave us a big pan of ziti with sauce last night. It will feed us for days! She also gave us chocolate candies several days ago. Just out of the goodness of their hearts! But then, people in our area are so nice and probably want to be nice to our daughter who is retarded.
I love how kind your neighbors are to you and to your daughter. That’s what I want to remember during this crisis. The kindness that I see everywhere. Stay safe, Jan.
We all have different ways of working jigsaw puzzles. When we start a new one we go through every piece and pull out all the edge pieces. Once we have the ‘frame’ done we then start with obvious areas (houses, words, etc.) and assemble from there. Doing jigsaw puzzles during this quarantine has been a saving grace for us.
So happy you and Don got a quick visit with your dear friends. I desperately miss a real (hugs and kisses) visit with our family. I know we are not alone with those feelings and also know we will get through this.
Now go and have a wonderful day.
xoxo
Oh, I do the same. Edge pieces first. Then I get an idea of the size and go from there. Stay safe, Cathy!
Hi,Claudia! Your puzzle prowess is impressive! We are on the same page: rereading A Gentleman in Moscow. I had thought about it several times in the past two years and realized a few days ago,if not now, when? Love to you and Don.
I love that book so much and I find I really need it right now! Stay safe, Annette.
Ah, Puzzle Back. A dire unfortunate consequence of doing fun puzzles. Been there, done that and I feel for you. But it’s a great puzzle! If this goes on much longer (and it will for me) I may need to order a good jigsaw puzzle!
It’s fun to see a friend, even through the door. That happened to me the other day and it was like a present.
I can see why you stopped the book. I’ve been like that with “Lilac Girls.” I can’t deny it’s a good book, but I find it so upsetting that I just can’t seem to finish it or at least read more than a chapter or two at a time. What’s odd is that I’ve never had trouble reading a book like this before. Is it me or the book? But I’ve recently come to the conclusion that life is too short to read books you don’t want to read — even if you thought you did at the start. In a year, I read a little over 60 books. I have more than that in my to-read pile, and that doesn’t count the ones I know I will want to. If the time is right for you to return to it, you will. Till then, dig into something you will love and that will lift you.
I think it’s the time we’re living in, Jeanie. I can’t read the kind of books I had been reading before this pandemic. Be gentle with yourself and read something that will bring you joy and peace. Thanks, Jeanie. Stay safe!
Sounds like a good day was had!! It was quite nice here. Sunny and about 59*. Our daughter came out and we sat about 6-8 feet away from her outside & had a really good visit. They just cancelled our town’s 4th of July fireworks/ festival day. Our dog is so VERY excited. We had to take her out of town for a car ride on those days because she gets so scared. But imagining thousands of people in our little town for a celebration is beyond overwhelming.
So we have made it to another Monday, Monday. Seems so much like Tuesday, Tuesday and Thursday, Thursday. The only way I know it is Monday is that it is saxaphone lesson day and I hear the playing out in the garage. It really is a whole new world.
I barely know what day of the week it is! If I didn’t have to write this blog, I surely wouldn’t. Glad you had a good visit with your daughter! Stay safe, Chris.
I love the puzzle! I might have to order one. The other week, I finished reading the last of my Russell Tandy illustrated books, The Clue in the Crumbling Wall. Now I’ve decided to start collecting old Judy Bolton’s. I had one from 1964 from when I was little and to be honest, didn’t realize they were started in the 1930’s also.
Isn’t it nice to be able to see friends face to face? I’m sure that gave you and Don a well needed boost.
Isn’t it wonderful to collect beloved books, Carol? Glad you’re starting on a new collection. Stay safe!
Our library has a community jigsaw puzzle table where people stop by and work on a puzzle for a bit, then leave. We did that puzzle a couple months ago, and I loved it. I sure do miss that community puzzle (and the library). Virtual hug!
What a neat idea! Oh boy, I really miss our library. I can’t wait until it opens again! Stay safe, Tina-Marie!
what nice treats … cake and being able to talk with your dear friends in person! and the masks, too, of course … not really treats, but good to have and use now. glad for you all.
hope your back feels better soon. since you’re working the puzzle on a breadboard, would it help to lift it up by putting some books underneath the board?
you know that my sister and i were fortunate to hear amor towles talk about his book “a gentleman in moscow”. i bought his book (which he signed) and, given that was a couple years ago, i sheepishly admit i haven’t read it yet. :l but i think i will follow your example and recommendation because now might be the perfect time for me to read it. thanks. also, is it just me or does anyone else hear his name almost sound like “immortals”? :)
and is anyone else washing their money (bills and coins) when they get change back? i am. :( i use my debit card whenever possible, but want to have some cash on hand.
nice sunny day here and it may get warm enough to open a window. i am ready for that! and while grateful to have a job, i am also grateful to stay home today.
hope you have an easy day and stay safe, everyone!
kathy in iowa
You should read it, Kathy. I have a signed copy, too, but it was already signed when I bought it. I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting him in person! Yes, it almost sounds like ‘immortals!”
I’m glad you got to stay home today. Stay safe!
Puzzle back? Oh goody…something to look forward to! It’s been so long since I’ve done one, I’d be happy for any tips. I figured it would be best to start at the edges…but after that? Group like pieces together? It’s supposed to rain later this week…so I plan on starting then. And then I wonder if our cat will allow me the use of the dining room table…he’s very possessive.
I am sore from yard work today. Got my exercise in by bending, kneeling, and stretching in awkward ways just to trim bushes and plants. But, so far it’s looking much better.
I am glad you got to see your friends, even from afar. I guess we all need to find a different way to do things, and a new way to socialize. And, by the way….I miss hugs too! Stay safe! ;)
My only tip is to find the edge pieces first, if you can and put them together. Every puzzle is different, so what you tackle next will be up to you! I did a wee bit of yard work today, too – my first time doing that since I was sick. I didn’t spend too much time out there, but it felt good to be outside.
I’m a hugger. My family always hugged each other. I miss hugging! Stay safe, Donna!
Hi Claudia :) your puzzle looks fun! I did one a few years ago…1000 pieces featuring vintage tv shows. It was a lot of fun and I filled every spare moment putting it together. I said at the time that the next puzzle I do will be a max of 750 pieces. However, I have since made an exception and am getting ready to tackle a 1000 piece with a fun 80s theme, haha! I really enjoy looking at all the puzzles at Barnes and Noble and regret not getting a few last time I was in. I really had no idea then I would have this kind of time on my hands!
I noticed the board you are using to put your puzzle together on. It reminds me of “the board” we had when I was growing up. My Grandpa made one when my mom was growing up and did the same for us when we were kids. It was always stored against the wall behind the couch where we could easily access it for an impromptu game on the floor (perfect for a game of yahtzee, racko, or war!) or for coloring or drawing. Over the years the board collected signatures from cousins, drawings, math from calculations to find who won a game…so much fun recorded on that board! I am not sure what happened to our family board but my brother has my grandparents board on display in his livingroom.
Have fun on your upcoming trip to the garden center! Stay safe and be well! Hugs, Christy
Oh, and I wanted to add…out of concern for the Post Office, let’s write to our congressman/woman asking them to support any measures such as H.R. 6425 – The Protect Our Post Office Act or anything else intended to save the Post Office.
In the meantime, we can do our part and buy more stamps! At the beginning of the shelter at home order I purchased stamps through the USPS.com – what a great selection compared to buying in person at the post office!
After stocking up on stamps, besides paying bills, here is a fun way to use them… visit http://www.postcrossing.com After signing up, you will receive an address of someone from anywhere in the world and send them a postcard. Your postcard has a code on it, and when the person receives the postcard, they report the code to the website, and then your address is given to another person from anywhere in the world. Then you will also receive a postcard!
You can find postcards at Amazon, but you can also make your own. I thought it sounded fun and wanted to share! Enjoy!
Thanks, Christy. I bought some stamps a couple of weeks ago from USPS online and they just arrived the other day.
That’s a great idea! xo
I know! What was I thinking? I should have bought some when I had the chance!
Love the story of your board. My board is the antique breadboard that used to be on the old kitchen island. I thought it would be handy to remove if we needed the table space. Stay safe, Christy.
I feel excited for you and want to know everything you pick up at the garden center! I want to hear every description of what you see. Photos if you can, although I know you pretty much have to ‘get in/get out’ and not dawdle. I do SO miss going to the nursery or garden center right now. Let me live vicariously through your shopping adventure, Claudia!! Beauty and color and scent!
The only person I’ve personally seen from the distance of my front porch/driveway (to actually say ‘hi’ to lately) was a kindly neighbor who got a late UPS delivery only to find it was for us, not him, so he brought it over about 9pm on his way to his work shift. It was my pet food (not cheap) and I would have been really upset if somebody else hadn’t been as honest. (It seems so rare that UPS would ever mess up; I’d heard that truck at like 7pm, maybe it was 8pm, and thought, “Wow, they’re running so late in the day; too busy!” and my husband had actually seen the driver and said it wasn’t our ‘regular’ guy, which sorta explained everything to me. )
My husband sees more neighbors than I do (I hear some of the neighborhood gossip or goings-on secondhand!), as I avoid the front yard/’public’ part of my property most of the time although he does go out there to dig in the dirt a bit, work with the cars, walk the dog, etc. He said one of our older neighbors hailed him this morning to say she’s getting an orchid delivery from a friend on Weds (I have NO idea what THAT is about; some annual trip to a nursery wholesaler) so she’ll give us an orchid plant, which is certainly nice (although I know nothing of orchids). This woman is OLD, like age 90, and she told my husband she’s been staying in except for ‘regular’ trips to her chiropractor in another city which left us both scratching our heads (because we know she has high blood pressure and we have our doubts about whether or not, in a normal circumstance, if she should even be driving at all as she’s also weak in her footing/legs but she’s one of those people who is extremely headstrong [I’m very aware that in my narrowed world right now, I’m ‘way too focused on the habits of other people but I guess it’s just because I’m fearful of my own safety from the virus, and these people are doing things that seem unwise and which could ultimately/indirectly-directly have an effect on my health in terms of virus spread in the absence of adequate testing {maybe it’s illusion, but I feel/fear that more and more people are venturing out, perhaps with a false sense of their vulnerability; like, I’m not her and she’s not me, but I have plenty of aches & pains with my neck & shoulders, too, but you don’t see me, with my co-morbidities for the virus, going to my physical therapist }]…it all leaves me feeling confused, as to who’s right, who’s wrong; what’s what).
I’m with you on NOT reading anything, or watching anything, sad or depressing. I need light, airy and uplifting. Happy endings. Really good if it’s something to make me laugh. We’ve had all this free viewing on the premium TV channels (a month’s worth or more, and none of which I usually get with the satellite dish), one grouping of channels after another, and I see films listed that I’d otherwise, in any other time, probably find fairly gripping; but then I think, no, I just can’t handle any disturbing plot lines right now; no upsetting scenes. Self-protect! Yet, on the other hand, I also find no enjoyment in flipping thru various paper magazines I still get because I guess I’m just finding the usual home decor ideas or fluff articles on tea & travel a bit too irrelevant. I don’t think about decorating or home-organizing ideas right now; I think about procuring food and medicine (and how, later in life, to learn how to cook [with stuff in the larder]). Life has shifted. Temporarily!
I’ll try to take pictures, but I’ll be wearing a mask and gloves and trying to accomplish everything quickly. Stay safe!
I mowed the front lawn today and I had a chat with one of my neighbors. We were far apart naturally but it felt good to talk and see how his family were doing. They are great and caring neighbors, always wanting to help with things. Glad you are enjoying your puzzle. My late mother loved to do puzzles. I agree concerning reading a book that is too depressing. My sister is reading about the famine[now it is called a genocide] in Ireland. She skipped a whole chapter because it went into details about the deaths and dying. Glad you had a nice time talking to Rick and Doug.
Marilyn
It does make a difference actually seeing someone in the flesh, doesn’t it? Stay safe, Marilyn!
My husband is doing a lot of baking too. Unfortunately that leads to me doing a lot of eating. I love your Nancy Drew puzzle! I was a big fan of the books. I lost my brother in law to AIDS. It was very sad. He was a part of the gay community. I remember going to a lot of reading of the names and quilt displays. I wonder what ever happened to the AIDS Remembrance quilts. It is wonderful that AIDS is not the death sentence that it was years ago.
It is. I have a friend who has been HIV positive for decades and he’s doing well, which makes me so grateful! Stay safe, Jane.
I’m so glad you got to see Rick and Doug! the only even better thing would be
to get a wonderful happy furry hug from Sam! xoxo
Oh yes. A dose of Sam would make me very happy. We have to be careful that we don’t say his name too loudly during FaceTime. Last time, we called out to him and he kept running to the windows, looking for us. Stay safe, Tammy.
awww…. I can just see him doing that! they KNOW who they love! xoxo
xo
Yes, I’m looking forward to when we can see friends and family and hug those I’ve missed terribly. I’ve tried to give hugs over the phone, but it doesn’t feel the same as a literal hug.
Haven’t done a puzzle in ages. Must look one out. Still knitting and sewing madly.
Whatever helps you pass the time peacefully is a good thing, Robyn. Stay safe!