The gorgeous weather continues. It’s going to get warmer, into the eighties, which is a bit too warm for my taste. We’ll be putting in the bedroom window a/c unit later today because that upstairs bedroom gets warm at night.
In case you ever see a missing letter “t” on this blog it’s because my keyboard T is hardly working, which means I’ll have to visit the Apple store soon. It’s annoying, to put it mildly. It gets a bit better as the computer warms up, but I almost always have to hit it 3 times before it works. (Now, after typing this post, it’s working well. Go figure.)
A frustrating painting session yesterday. Nothing seemed to be working, I couldn’t mix the colors I wanted, I didn’t like the way it looked. So, my second attempt was not a happy experience. Don, as always, brought me back to reality and reminded me that I’ve barely started this journey. It’s all about learning. I do watch some teaching videos and they help me with the basics. I just have to go for it and experiment and see what works and what doesn’t. I was feeling sorry for myself, but thankfully, that is over. I’m going to do a couple of small studies today on paper. Start small.
I watered everything yesterday; grass seed, morning glory and zinnia seeds, all the potted plants on and off the porch. I have gently urged Don to water the grass seed today…we’ll see if he remembers.
I’m really enjoying my reread of Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart. I haven’t read it in many years. Such a wonderful sophisticated romantic mystery by the Queen of that genre. I read a chunk of it every night before I go to sleep. What would I have done without Mary Stewart in my teens? I specifically remember a car trip with my parents to visit old friends who lived in New Jersey. I fell asleep while reading The Ivy Tree and my mom removed the open book from my hands when she came in to check on me.
Gov. Cuomo has gone along with the recommendations of the CDC as of today, although individual stores can set their own policies. Oblong Books, for example, is requiring masks until sometime in June, partly to ensure the safety of staff members who haven’t been fully vaccinated yet, as well as for children and the immunocompromised. Don’s going to the grocery store this morning, so we’ll see if they still require them. No masks for those who are fully vaccinated, but you know that those who refuse to be vaccinated will also not wear masks, and there’s no way to check on that unless you require those who are fully vaccinated to show their card upon entering the store. Anyway, both Don and I have decided we will continue to wear masks indoors (in a public setting.) I was talking to our next-door neighbor the other day and they are also continuing to wear masks indoors – and each of them had COVID early, in February/March of 2020.
I don’t love it, but I surely don’t mind wearing a mask if it keeps myself and others safe. No big deal.
Okay. Another attempt at painting in oils on the docket for today.
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
Yes I agree it is no big deal to wear a mask
I long for the day when we feel safe to get n a plane to visit our family in Ca
It has been painful nit to see them.
Patience, in due time this will pass
Yes it will.
Stay safe, Linda.
I’ve talked to a ton of people about mask wearing (my husband points out that it’s mostly people my own age, and I’m in the retirement years); the consensus is that most everybody is going to continue to wear a mask for awhile yet (indoor public settings for sure; if you have a conscience, how can you not want to protect the unvaccinated?); of course where I am in SoCalif, our state isn’t following the CDC’s ‘latest’ until mid-June; we’ve still got the mandate for now. I did hear that our high school is going to go ahead with Senior Prom, so I have no idea how that’s supposed to happen, as in dancing cheek-to-cheek, even if they’re outside and not in the gym. I guess we’ll see all kinds of changes over the coming weeks. I have a cousin who has been eating out, inside restaurants, for awhile now; he’s in a state that never had any kind of strong mandates or certainly not for very long; but he said that even as of yesterday, waiters/servers…and cooks/chefs…in their restaurants there, are continuing to mask up even if the customers come in maskless.
At the worst of times in 2020 with Covid, I never saw my younger neighbors wearing masks or distancing, and that’s just three families (where the parents are in the age 25-40 group); but when I was ‘out’ this time last week in another town, walking around in the outside/outdoors, and also with out-of-town tourists in our midst, I saw a lot of masks; many more masks than not; I’d say 90-95 percent mask-wearing as people were walking/strolling and boating (if they had passengers). Groundskeepers/janitors, sweeping sidewalks and scooping up litter/trash, also had on masks. When we were at the veterinarian’s clinic last week and this week, all of the staff are not just masked, but double-masked.
It’ll be interesting to see what kinds of changes will happen with what kinds of businesses as time goes by. Lockdown really did a number on us; there’s still fear out there (maybe fear isn’t the right word; there’s still CAUTION out there). But I’m with you; I don’t know why people make such a big deal about masks! Like, I’ve got a significant ‘floater’ in one of my eyes that’s not expected to collapse for a couple of years yet; bugged me so much in the beginning because it’s smack in the middle of my vision, but you learn to live with it; just like masks, aren’t we all so used to them by now that it’s just second nature?
Sometimes I still read Susan Branch’s blog/Twitter and I took note that she had a birthday party indoors for a friend; and even though the good-sized group of guests were all vaccinated, the birthday girl decided not to ‘throw spit’ on the cake everybody else would be eating, too; so, there’s a case of blowing out candles on a birthday cake and is that one of the traditions people will think twice about, not just for now, but in the future. A lot of talk is going on, too, as to whether we’ll ever be a society who shakes hands in greeting/courtesy ever again. We may get viruses after viruses in our global future; who knows if we’ll always be dealing with some type of protective measures for ourselves. We’ll hope not; but …
This was on my home page this morning: ‘France recently announced plans to welcome foreign tourists back on June 9, 2021, provided they’re eligible for a “health pass” that states the traveler is either fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or is in possession of a recent negative COVID test. This means Americans will soon be able to visit the capital city of Paris and enjoy its museums, incredible food and awe-inspiring architecture. As one of the first major European destinations to reopen to Americans, France will undoubtedly be a huge tourist destination for Americans this summer.’
How could I not think of you when I read this, Claudia?!!
Yes, I read about that a week ago – simply because I follow some Parisians on IG.
I can’t wait, but don’t know if we can afford it right now. The house needs work and we need another car. If Don could get some work (and me, as well) we could start saving for a trip.
Thanks, Vicki!
Frankly, I wouldn’t mind wearing one indefinitely. I’m glad I don’t have to wear a mask outside, but otherwise? I’m fine with it.
Stay safe, Vicki.
Yes, agreed; a friend of mine who’s age 74 and completely healthy (she could run circles around most people; she’s slim, agile, strong; no underlying medical issues; walks a lot for exercise and also swims [works out as well in a home gym, some version of NordicTrack and weights, too, for strength training and not just solely cardio]; eats supremely-healthy meals [mostly plant-based] which are all home-cooked [slow food, never fast food; although she and her husband do go out to eat at carefully-chosen restaurants with decent fare on the table]), surprised me recently when she said she thinks masks have turned out to be a good idea UFN/ongoing; for instance, what a help they’ll be with influenza in the months that run about October-Mar/Apr (sure, we get flu shots, but we’re never completely immune to picking up a flu strain [and who needs it? {gosh, I would stand in the line at the pharmacy with 20 other people all of whom were sneezing and coughing, sounding like they should be in bed ‘sick’, thinking to myself, ‘I’m a gonner; there’s too many germs getting sprayed around, back in this corner of the store!’}]).
In other years, on rare occasion, I’d see somebody out in public wearing a mask and I’d think they were either a complete germaphobe or else had some terrible health problem which meant they had to live that way; but, now, if we continue to see mask wearing, I don’t think it will seem so unusual because we’ve all, by now, ‘been there’; there’s a greater understanding and I hope tolerance.
I used to feel the same way when I saw someone in a mask. That has completely changed!
xo
Ah…to mask or not to mask. Our county has decided to keep the mask mandate until June 2. Evidently, Dane County is the #1 county in the country of its size, in vaccinations. Go us! They figure we’ll be at 75% vaccinated by then. However…we still haven’t decided if we will continue wearing masks when we are in indoor public places, after June 2. We do plan on carrying them with us at all times, and will continue sanitizing our hands when we return to our car.
We are finally getting rain….a nice gentle one, good for the trees and plants. But, starting tomorrow the 80’s arrive…too early in my book, so I’m sure the air will be turned on.
I applaud your painting efforts. It can’t be easy to just start up a new hobby….just like anything else it takes patience, and practice.
We have errands to run today. Such excitement. Hope the painting goes better for you today. ;)
I will wear one indoor indefinitely. We always carry hand sanitizer when we go ou.
Yes, the 80s are here and we didn’t get around to the a/c unit. Tomorrow.
Stay safe, Donna.
Those lovely flowers in your photo at the top of today’s post would be lovely subjects for your painting hobby! The purple and golden yellow ones are so vibrant!
I will keep wearing a mask when indoors shopping – all the stores around here still require it. It has become a habit now and doesn’t bother me at all.
We are having a nice steady rain today and then the hot weather moves in like you mentioned. I suppose I may crank up the A/C…
Have a nice day, Claudia!
We could use a little rain, but I don’t think there’s any in the forecast until next week at the earliest.
Stay safe, Ellen.
Don’t give up on painting. I’m sure it takes lots of trial and error….the type of thing you have to learn by doing.
Stay safe
Yes. I did a couple of very small studies today and I’m feeling better about it.
Stay safe, Marilyn.
I will wear one
Just like my seatbelt
Protection
No big deal
Waiting on the next wave
Hope not
Prayers
Love love this picture so much
Exactly! Just like your seatbelt.
Thanks so much, Brenda.
Stay safe.
We were out most of the morning finishing up some planting. I still need to get all of my Impatience, Marigolds, Moss Roses & some Dianthus. It is cloudy & cool, but one can definitely feel some humidity. Supposed to be in the 80’s all weekend w the heat index in the 90’s. Too much, too fast, I think.
Hope the painting goes well today! Take care.
Too much, too fast indeed! I was working outside today and it was hot – we hit 85 degrees!
Stay safe, Chris!
Claudia — I so admire your artistic talent — I have zero but it is OK but I do wish I could paint or draw. Ky gov has ‘loosened’ some restrictions — more to end 6/11 — I am not in any hurry to toss my mask — it has served me well for 1 1/2 years and will continue to use it. many stores here have ended mask restrictions BUT anyone unvaccinated has to continue wearing one. I am quite sure no one is gonna admit to no vaccine — is your forehead marked ‘yes’ or ‘no’??? mine is not LOL please continue your painting work, stay safe, healthy
You’re right – those who choose not to get vaccinated are not going to admit it when entering a store.
I painted today, and I feel a bit better about things, Linda.
Stay safe.
My husband and I are completely vaccinated (have been since February) but we still always wear our masks in indoor settings. I think after having to wear them for so long it has become stressful to think about going without them. Wonder how long it will take us to Feel safe doing so.
I agree with you. They represent safety.
I think it’s going to take us a long while until we feel entirely comfortable maskless.
Stay safe, Lynn!
I still fail often when I watercolor. I call it a learning process. I try not to get frustrated but it happens. Just keep trying. I will be wearing masks for awhile I decided. Too many non-vaccinated in my state and I don’t feel safe. I’ll be ok with family and some outdoor gatherings but any stores I shop in, I’ll wear a mask. I hope the painting went better today. Hugs!
It did. I’m painting little studies and I feel much less pressure.
Stay safe, Linda.
How have I never read Mary Stewart? Thanks so much for introducing her to me. xo
She is wonderful. You will love her books, Annette.
Stay safe!
What fun to read your blog for the first time today and discover a fellow Mary Stewart fan! I read her books as a teenager and have continued to re-read them ever since: I am now 70. Her impeccable use of language remains a delight.
I agree. I’m getting so much more out of them at this point in my life. She describes ‘place’ better than most any other author.
Thanks for stopping by, Elizabeth!
Stay safe.
hope today included some time spent painting and that you feel better, had fun with it. please don’t be so hard on yourself … your first painting was (is) beautiful!
good luck with the weather, installing the air conditioner. been too hot for me already (i am happiest weather-wise when it’s 40 to 65 degrees and rainy … not a big range, huh?!).
there are now even fewer people at work wearing masks. i will continue wearing one indoors for the foreseeable future… and outdoors if there end up being lots of people around. stay safe and well, everyone!
hope you and everyone else are having a good night.
kathy in iowa
It’s too hot here – it was 85 yesterday.
We’re putting the a/c in today because we didn’t get around to it yesterday.
Stay safe, Kathy.
Good Friday morning! I am so anticipating the weekend and I don’t know why, because when you don’t work, as Rick says, “It’s all the weekend.” I overbought on plants the other day (some will go to the lake) so yesterday I got those planted, some painting done and a little baking. And I hit 650 pages in “The Mirror and the Light.” Looking at the remaining 250, I think, “Well, that’s about the length of a good mystery, so it shouldn’t be much longer!”
I think your day sounds pretty darned productive, too, with all that mowing and the painting. Mixing colors is really my worst skill set when it comes to painting. They work or they don’t and sometimes there’s no understanding why one day is a good one and another isn’t. You just roll with it.
The CDC guidelines are frustrating. I’m not sure America has ever been good implementing the “honor system” and I’m extra sure it will be less so with masks. When I went to the nursery on Wednesday (which also has a massive food market as well) I’d say it was about 50/50, both inside the store and in the greenhouses/outdoors as well. I have no intention of bagging the mask anytime soon in a crowd or a store and really little desire to eat in a restaurant unless possibly on a patio. I admire the stores that are sticking with it, at least for awhile. I think we are under 50 percent vaccinated here in Michigan (or were the other day) and I don’t see that getting a lot higher. What’s interesting is that (at least for now and for me and most I know) it does seem to change the way we are doing things — the masks, of course. If seeing people; seeing them outside more than in; home entertaining in small groups. And that feels kind of good, less pressure.
Thanks, Jeanie. I’ll keep plugging away!
Stay safe!