The bridal veil spirea is in full bloom. Oh, how I love this bush! It’s down by the road. I’ll get some more photos with my big girl camera later today.
Aside from rampant allergies, all is well. We have to do some mowing today or tomorrow, but Don’s recycling this morning, as well as running to the grocery store, so I assume we’ll mow tomorrow.
I have had my eye on this paperweight from John Derian for almost two years. Derian is known for his decoupage, using vintage images. Once a year, he has a sale on seconds with minor imperfections. Last year’s sale did not include this particular item.
But this year’s sale did! There was only one available and I grabbed it for half off the original price. It was delivered the next day. All of these items are handmade in their studio. The glass is very heavy and it’s simply beautiful. I can see a couple of teeny bubbles, but they’re hardly noticeable and more importantly, they don’t bother me at all.
Isn’t it pretty?
Well, the CDC has given us new guidance on mask wearing and it’s very exciting. I am still a wee bit hesitant about not wearing one indoors, and for the time being, I’d have to wear one anyway as Governor Cuomo, as well as the Governor of New Jersey, have stated that our mandate is still in effect until they review the guidance with experts.
But it does give us a view of what might be happening soon.
All that being said, I think everyone has to do what he/she is comfortable with. We’ve been in the grip of this pandemic for over a year and hesitancy is to be expected.
I’m trying to figure out what I want to paint next. The jury is still out on the next ‘experiment.’
In the meantime, I finished the latest Jane Casey – she is such a wonderful writer! – and I’ve started to read Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart for the 100th time.
Stay safe.
Happy Friday.
Claudia – Spirea! When my children were small we made wreaths for their heads from spirea and then they played fairy, princess and bride! Those were sweet days.
We still have the mask mandate (Massachusetts) and to be honest, I am totally ok with it. At the end of last evening’s news, the reporter said that unvaccinated children 2 and up still have to wear masks. So am I going to go maskless while those little ones are still masked? I am not. Also, I do not want to be choosing my bananas beside an unvaccinated person while neither of us are wearing masks!
And I agree with you – everyone does what they are most comfortable with. Have a lovely weekend!
The paperweight is lovely. I am not a collector of things (except yarn). If I were to start a collection of something I think I would pick paperweights. I’ve always loved them.
I just saw that our governor here in Michigan revised the mask mandate to start tomorrow..fully vaccinated don’t need to wear masks indoors but unvaccinated still do. Beginning July 1st both vaccinated and unvaccinated don’t need to wear a mask. I don’t see anyway to enforce it, and some unvaccinated will lie about it. I’m not sure how businesses will handle it.
I think they should have waited until we can get more kids vaccinated.
It will be interesting to see how this goes.
Stay safe
Really? Unvaccinated don’t need to wear a mask? That’s disturbing.
We were saying the same thing. Every person that refuses to get vaccinated will not wear a mask and we’ll have no way of knowing their history.
Stay safe, Marilyn.
Thank you, Ellen!
Don wore a mask in the grocery store today, mostly because the mandate is still in place, but I think he isn’t quite ready to shed it yet.
Stay safe.
That paperweight is gorgeous. Lucky you to buy the one on sale! Little flaws don’t bother me at all either. I will continue mask wearing until I feel more comfortable in public. I won’t take risks with my Mom’s health. Happy Friday.
Of course! Your mom’s health is of the utmost importance.
Stay safe, Linda.
that paperweight is lovely. i think it was waiting for you to bring it home.
there were several “bridal bushes” (as we called them growing up) along our driveway … love and a favorite.
good luck with the allergies, lawn-mowing and errands.
not everyone agreed with our govenor’s decision to lift * all * restrictions three months ago … but a lot did. now that cdc guidelines have changed for people who are fully vaccinated, things will open up even more here. my boss has already communicated that, effective immediately, and said she is “so tired of this” (we all are … but then she’s been getting her hair professionally cut and colored every other month and traveled a lot for fun in the past year). after 14+ months of something that’s been so sad, scary and akin to physical/emotional dodgeball, well … i am not able to flip that switch so easily. maybe a third of people i work with are vaccinated and they don’t have to tell me and i can’t ask. i will wear a mask at work and feel like i will need to shower and put on newly-washed clothes before sitting with/hugging my family (the adults are all fully vaccinated). also, depression, worry and grief don’t help (working on that). any ideas or suggestions would help and be appreciated … thank you!
hope you have a nice day. i am glad the weekend is at hand.
kathy in iowa
In your work situation, I too would wear a mask.
I have a feeling, given what you’ve been through, that it will take a while for you to not worry. You’ve been through a lot, you’re continually exposed to others because of your work, you’ve been away from your family for a long time. Just take your time, do what you think is best (and to heck with others!) and you’ll know when the time is right.
Stay safe.
you are right, claudia … it’s going to take time (for many people, myself included) and my family and i will figure out what’s best … but i thank you very much for your reply and support.
:)
kathy in iowa
xoxo
That paperweight is a gem! And so, too, is the gorgeous spirea. I need one of those!
In Michigan much of masking is still up to the store or restaurant and the individual if there is no “must have mask” sign. Me? I’ll still be wearing inside for awhile and when the farm market opens (which is very crowded) outside, too. But it’s nice to know we can relax a little bit more. One step at a time.
One baby step at a time, Jeanie.
Thank you.
Stay safe.
Claudia — paperweight is certainly special. today, our gov said mask mandate will end June 11 — it has been such a part of our life for so long, I think I’ll feel nekked w/o it, HaHa!! I am not ready to throw my mask out just yet, and will probably wear it longer than June 11. guess it should be a personal decision. hope you/Don get all your chores done so you can rest/relax on that gorgeous front porch. stay safe and healthy.
I’m not ready, either! I understand.
Stay safe, Linda!
I hate to say it, but I’ve become skeptical when it comes to the CDC. My husband feels my opinions are wrong. But the first thing I said to him with the latest announcement, was: “I’m still wearing a mask.” I think it was even in these latest CDC guidelines that if you are immune-compromised, which I am, you should still wear the mask. So. Interesting that they left it ‘open’ that if we go into something like India (my words), be prepared to put the masks back on. That they can reverse their guidelines. I just feel it’s premature — there’s the whole argument about anti-vaxers not telling the truth, saying they’re vaccinated yet they’re not and how do you prove it, since a ‘vaccination passport’ seems not workable even according to Fauci – – but I’m also not a scientist. Or a medical doctor. Things still seem ‘tentative’ to me. This latest issuance seems quite abrupt.
But on to softer things; the bridal veil is so lovely. And the paperweight is really something wonderful; I’ve eyed Derian’s paperweights before and I understand the quality is well worth the price tag. And it’s Paris; which, as ‘they’ say, is always a good idea!
Well, the NY Times had a piece saying that the CDC was very conservative in general and they were applauding them for finally getting up to date with the science. In other words, they were slow in coming to this. So who knows?
As always, we have do what we feel is right and since you have clear issues that impact your health, you should always do what your gut (and your doctor) feels is right.
Thanks, Vicki.
Stay safe.
On Brian Williams’ MSNBC-TV show Friday night, he had on one of his frequent guests who’s a doctor, I think her name is Dr. Patel … Dr. Kavita Patel … (she served in the Obama administration) and she said that she’ll be continuing to wear a mask in indoor settings UFN (when she can’t be sure if the people she’s around have been vaccinated or not).
It’s definitely back to, as really always has been, the assessment of personal risk; a personal decision (outside of mandates). I’m sure if I’m still wearing a mask when most people aren’t, somebody will call me out on it. I got this from a neighbor a year ago when she walked by my house, at the height of things in 2020, when I was in my own front yard and near my front door. “Why are you wearing that outside?” said she, accusingly, challenging me. “You don’t need to be wearing a mask.” Well, why not instead first start with “Hello” (and then MYOB!). She knew nothing of my health profile.
I’m not challenging anybody on their own decisions. It’s wonderful to think the U.S. is ever-closer to ‘normalcy’ with Covid. My sister-in-law, age 70, flew on a plane from the Midwest to Martha’s Vineyard last week, rented a car, stayed in motels, toured around with her adult son and grandchildren. And she’s a retired nurse; who, for exercise, swims in a public pool with a lot of other people, by the way. Having been on the frontlines with Ebola back in the day, she ‘knows’ her viruses (as she also knows of vaccination efficacy). So, that’s what one person chooses. We’ll hope that as each new month unfolds from here, U.S. citizens can return to daily life as once known and enjoyed!
It’s also none of your neighbor’s business. I don’t understand that kind of response.
I feel hopeful, but we’ll still be cautious.
xo
Yes, as Dr. Patel said, “If I choose to keep wearing a mask in an indoor setting right now, I’m not hurting anyone.” Caution can be good. It’s been an awful time this past 14 months. We’ve gotta ride this out a bit yet.
There’s another doctor who’s been a guest on CNN (TV) so many times since the start of the pandemic, Dr. Leana Wen; she’s always been a good voice. Her response to this latest CDC advisement was that she was shocked by the CDC’s reversal of the guidelines for vaccinated folks. “While I agree that the vaccinated can choose what they want to do, this only works if there’s a way to check vax status. Otherwise, what’s to stop the unvaccinated from endangering everyone? The CDC says it’s all an honor code from now on?”
My husband has decided to keep wearing the mask, at least for awhile; of course he’s trying to protect me I’m sure but he says it’s because, in good conscience, he also wants to protect the unvaccinated (for instance, we still have children here in the U.S. who aren’t protected). But he found it alarming this morning to be in one of the big-box stores/groceries (in another, bigger city [population 200,000]) and find so many customers in the store without masks on; he feels it’s stupid (his words). The store did have big signs posted that they encourage their patrons to wear masks to protect the community (but they can’t enforce it now). The store clerks/cash-register folks were all still behind plexiglass and were all masked (and gloved). Doesn’t that send a message, like what has the store’s risk managers told them????
Anyway, my husband avoided the maskless customers like the proverbial plague. He’s not wearing gloves anymore but he’s still disinfecting our purchases before they come into the house. That’s his decision, not mine. He also met another friend from out of state (we seem to have a few friends/relatives on the move, breaking out, traveling again!), for breakfast this morning, and his friend arrived double-masked. They ate outside and the restaurant still had the tables spaced; the multiple, visible servers/wait staff were double-masked (my husband made a point to observe this). I guess it’s all gonna vary from state to date with various target dates. And retail/restaurants, at least here in SoCalif, can use their judgment about how much they want to change their modifications. (I’m learning about this as I go; trying to get informed of changes; will be an interesting rollout for sure.)
My husband said he actually felt this distancing and care at the (large chain) restaurant was efficient and why not keep it that way although of course they have reduced capacity and they’ll eventually want more income. But, for instance, what’s so wrong with having single-serve condiments (in cute little disposable paper cups, even the s&p) than grabbing the ketchup bottle on the table that somebody else just poured from, when you’re picking up a breakfast sandwich and eating it with your bare hands? Is this ‘germaphobia’? How much of it just makes good sense in the changing world we find ourselves in?
Will be a fascinating ‘study’, over time, to see how much we’ve changed.
Actually, at the moment (I’ve just been reading about this!), my particular county hasn’t changed anything about their mandates/requirements and guidance, despite what came out from the CDC (relaxed ‘rulings’). They’re going to see what the state advises, and then decide. California hasn’t made that ruling to this date. So it’s a county-by-county decision here, at present. (My husband was in L.A. County for this morning’s breakfast outing/store shopping [with apparently relaxed measures, ala the CDC switcheroo on distancing and masks {at least in that grocery store}]. We live in a neighboring county who’s not doing what L.A. county is doing, not yet anyway. I’m tell’in ya, it keeps you on your toes, trying to stay informed!)
No changes here yet, either.
xo
We discussed this while having coffee. Even when Cuomo tells us the mandate is no more (not sure when that will be) we are still going o wear masks when indoors. We just feel safer that way.
I know it’s time to end this thread but I agree we should each do what we feel is safe. I’ve been reading SO much about this subject of masks/no masks. Explosion of articles on the web in the past few days since The Big Announcement! The public health experts aren’t necessarily agreeing with the CDC. Until everybody’s on the same page, I’d rather be safe.
Dr Wen has gone on to say (I shortened for length), “This is such a sudden reversal. I don’t think people fully understand why the change was made — it feels like we went from zero to 100 overnight. I wish the CDC was less abrupt with their guidance. They should give us time to adjust to a new normal. Wait until infection rates decline more, then ease the guidance. It’s completely OK for people to take things at their own pace. Work your way up. Perhaps take your mask outdoors on walks; and, if you wish, indoors in settings where you can still keep physical distancing. Even though it’s safe for you to do something, doesn’t mean you need to. If you still wish to avoid crowds of possibly unvaccinated people, it’s absolutely your right to do so. The way I interpret the CDC guidelines is that it’s really now up to us. We have to decide what level of risk we are comfortable with for ourselves and for our families. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. We need to decide what’s important to us.”
Another article on CNN from a Dr. Holtgrave (dean of the Univ at Albany School of Public Health [who has held a senior position at the CDC and worked under Obama]) and Dr. Rosenberg from the same School and who’s also an epidemiologist: “If you have questions after the CDC declared on Thurs that it was safe for a Covid-vaccinated person to cast aside their mask (and social distancing) … then you are not alone. While we agree that the current vaccines have outstanding effectiveness … the CDC should better articulate the case … relative to the numerous drawbacks. We are still not across the finish line in the U.S. pandemic … we need ALL the tools we have in the Covid-19 prevention toolbox for perhaps just a short time longer. We know from clinical trials that even these outstanding vaccines are not perfect. Breakthru infections do exist and in some rare cases can be serious. People should be empowered to make their own decisions after being fully vaccinated, perhaps with the additional second layer of protection that masks afford. The CDC failed to provide support for people who are fully vaccinated and for a time may elect to wear a mask. We count ourselves in this category: We are fully vaccinated, we are public health experts with infectious disease experience, and we know the Covid-19 literature well. Until more people are vaccinated, deaths are at about the level of influenza, and more security against potential new vaccine-evading variants can be assured, WE ARE GOING TO KEEP WEARING OUR MASKS.”
(This is a long article which I just picked out key points from, but it ends like this: “The way the CDC unveiled its message, it can’t easily now be undone. If the pandemic gets even worse, this will be a hard policy to reverse. We hope the U.S. can continue to make progress on Covid-19 prevention and treatment, but it will have to be done despite the CDC’s messaging, not because of it. Much work remains to be done to improve vaccination uptake, continued use of other non-pharmaceutical interventions, and achieve better access to treatment so as to truly lower Covid-19 cases and deaths and do so in an equitable manner. The fastest way there is NOT by discarding safety measures.”)
Whew. It’s exhausting!
Thanks for all of this, Vicki!
xo
My Bridal Veil rarely blooms. Do you feed it anything in particular? It’s gets big and green but rarely blooms. Yours is GORGEOUS! Do you prune it? Any tips would be appreciated.
Nothing. It’s been there for years and some years it blooms more than others. This year is great. I don’t prune it. I don’t feed it.
Sorry I don’t have more information, Mamey!
Stay safe.