Weathered pine floors courtesy of Scout and Riley.
• Last night we were watching the primary results and I saw this on the screen:
65+
For the first time, I really got that I am in now in this demographic. You know how something suddenly hits you in the gut and the mind at the same time? That’s what happened to me. That demographic used to mean somebody else, some other group of people…old people. And now I’m there. I still don’t feel like I’m that old. I think of myself as someone at least a decade younger. How can I be 67?
Gulp. A big dose of reality last night.
• Also: Spring is officially here. I heard Peepers last night from our neighbor’s yard! When the Peepers start and the groundhogs come out of hibernation, it is most definitely SPRING. Huzzah!
• We, like most people I suspect, have been stocking up on supplies given the nature of the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19.) Currently, New York has 173 cases statewide, with many more people under voluntary quarantine. We bought a bunch of canned goods and other supplies last week and we’re going to take an inventory today to determine what additional supplies we need. I know you know the drill, wash your hands, try to avoid crowds or big events, use hand sanitizer, etc. With the news that the White House nixed a CDC request to alert those over 60 not to fly, we are more than uneasy about anything coming (or not coming in this case) from anywhere but the CDC and NIH. And in our case, our state government, which seems to be on top of things.
Anyway, I’m not actively worried, but I sure as heck am going to keep a low profile. I shared a little thought yesterday on IG Stories:
“Not to make light of the Coronavirus, but “Social Distancing” sounds like heaven to an introvert like me.”
• I want to share a podcast I discovered yesterday. It’s called Diving In. Two friends from Australia share their thoughts on what they’re reading, favorite books, and whatever else is striking their fancy. They’re wonderful. The latest episode is the one I listened to – all about the Mitford sisters and Nancy Mitford’s novels. Since I’m currently reading Mitford’s The Pursuit of Love, I found this podcast very timely. I’m charmed by the hosts, who love reading, giggle a lot, and know their stuff.
I saw it mentioned on Instagram by a book lover that I follow, so I immediately subscribed. I have several podcasts that I follow, though I don’t stop and listen to them often enough. I’ll try to put together a list for you for a future post.
• Off to take an inventory of our supplies and head to the store with Don.
Take care of yourselves, my friends.
Happy Wednesday.
A few years ago I was having blood drawn and the phlebotomist handed me a piece of paper. She wanted me to verify that the info they had for me was correct. It all looked fine until I came across a strange number: 60. I could not imagine what that number had to do with me so I asked. It’s your age! she told me. I was embarrassed but luckily she was in her sixties herself so did not (seem to, anyway) suspect me of senility.
Thanks for the podcast recommendation, and thank you for your wonderful blog which I have just recently discovered.
You are most welcome, Christy. Thank you for being here.
I keep thinking I’m younger than I am until I try to stay up too late.
Because of our unpredictable weather, we tend to keep at least two weeks supply of necessities on hand at all times. So while I can understand adding one or two extras to the shopping cart, I don’t understand the person raiding the shelves at our local grocery store as witnessed earlier this week. Buying all the available boxes of toilet paper at one time, doesn’t leave anything for those on a fixed or limited income who can’t afford to buy “extra” to put away. I would like to think that that person was sharing, but last night we saw ads on Kijiji for toilet rolls and hand sanitizer at massively inflated prices. Everyone has their own agenda I guess.
I agree. Hogging all of the supplies is simply wrong. Inflating prices is even worse. Thanks, Barbara.
Not to laugh, but… “Not to make light of the Coronavirus, but “Social Distancing” sounds like heaven to an introvert like me.” PERFECT!!
You are so right. If nothing else, over these last 3 miserable years, we have learned not to believe anything from the White House. So sad…. But I am happy the CDC and NIH still seem to be able to speak without being squelched. So hoping that lasts.
We, too, have stocked up on a few things. I pretty much stay home, but hubs still teaches 2 days a week. Lower elementary kids, who don’t seem to be too hard hit as of yet, but it is all disconcerting. With our very first grandchild due in less than 10 days, that, too, is forefront on our minds. My daughter was to be a presenter at a national education conference on April 1, and it has been cancelled and will all be done remotely. I worry about all of the sports tournaments ahead in the next few weeks, and spring break with everyone moving throughout the country. I think following all of that will be when it possibly really elevates. Take care everyone!!
Yes. More restrictions announced last night. The State University system is sending all students home for the rest of the semester. And on and on it goes. Thanks, Chris.
I’m as prepared as I can be and totally freaked that Rick is doing a trade show in Massachusetts. We’ll be doing big time social distancing when he’s back. I plan to lay low in Canada with a friend while he’s gone; we’ll watch videos, read books and wash our hands a lot. This is what happens when you are in the high risk category. I hate it. I hate being that way.
I heard someone talking about the virus affecting the elderly, those 65 and up. I never thought of myself as elderly, much less the demo thing you mentioned. How does this happen?!
I don’t know. But I’m continually surprised that I am considered elderly.
I’m not!
Thanks, Jeanie.
I stocked up yesterday and should have enough for three weeks. After that I will decide what to do based on how large the outbreak is. I may use Instacart. I have books to read, things to stream, and I may be forced to spring clean. xo Laura
Yes. I’ve thought about that – I may have to CLEAN!
Thanks, Laura.
I’m reading Stephen King and we are living off the supplies in our pantry and freezer. My husband has been shopping since he retired so we have enough to last a looooong time. I am 71 and still changing diapers. Want to change places???
Take care, Jane – glad you have plenty of supplies!
Son canceled my flight to see the grandsons. I have stocked for a eeek or so if my building is locked down. Daughter could bring food to door if needed. universities closing classes-grand studying abroad and waiting…
I will adjust to whatever-we all will. You are YOUNG….
We will all adjust, right? We have no choice. Thank you, Brenda!
Sending Love<3
Thank you, Grace!
Well, UW just cancelled classes til April 10th…and asking all residents of the dorms to return to their permanent home. I think the thinking is they will have classes online.
We are well stocked up on food. We just returned from Costco…thankful we didn’t need TP. Evidently they bring out pallets of TP in the morning, and after the crowd rushes in…they are all gone! I think we have some hysteria going on around here.
We’re just going to lay sort of low, wash our hands, and listen to our local officials and the CDC. It’ll be a good time to read and plan my landscaping and container gardens.
It’s a crazy world out there these days..take care! ;)
Same thing is happening with the SUNY system. They’re sending students home next week.
I’m thinking that planning my garden will be my sole source of excitement! Thanks, Donna.
The former sixties are the fifties now, so they say. In Corona case things in Europe go much the same than in the US, seems to be so in any other country. Yes, elder people are at risk now and I take this seriously. I stay at home and enjoy it. I do things I should have done long time ago (cleaning etc.). And it will be gardenworktime the next few weeks. The weather will be like early summer here. The hardest thing for me is to avoid the antique- and fleamarkets.
Keep body distance to each other and wash your hands and no hysteria!
I loved the photos of your workspace on IG yesterday, Helga. I don’t mind saying I’m jealous! Take care.
Thank You, Claudia! But let me say, don`t look too close. It’s part of an old farmhouse in which we live since 33 years. We are no rich people and everything is done by ourselves.
The pics were an idea of; stay save and well in your creative space where nothing could hurt you.
Take care too!
But you’ve done it beautifully, Helga! I’m going to work on my dollhouse during these next weeks. Thank you.
With 3 daughters we are always stocked on toilet paper! Mt Holyoke College is sending all their students home, so youngest daughter has to pack up her dorm in 3 days, arrange for storage, and find a flight home. She’s only a sophomore, but I feel sad for all the seniors who will miss out on their senior celebrations and even graduation. They’ll have online classes, but it’s not the same. I can’t decide if it’s for the best, or over-reacting.
I think it’s for the best, but I understand your thoughts. Better to be safe, I think. Thanks, Linda.
We are staying home,too. We do not mind in the least to stay at home. We never go out much any way.We are even wearing rubber gloves to take out the garbage. I have washed my hands too many times to count.
Marilyn
My hands are dry from so much washing! Thanks, Marilyn.
Dear Claudia
On reading the first paragraph of your today post I said to myself wow it seems I would have writtenthis!It’s exactly what I think about myself.I’ll be 67 in May and I can’t stand being called a third age person!I still have a teenage spirit inside me and I wonder where youth has gone according to what the mirror reflects,but what can we do ? That’s life!I must tell you I’m a lot worried about Coronavirus.We had the first case in the country coming from a man who had arrived from France feeling symptoms but not having checked his health state for fiv e days.Unfortunately he has died and his wife is being studied .besides the medical staff who treated him is under quarantine as well as the other passengers on his flight.Other travellers coming from Italy are also infected with the virus and the government is taking urgent decisions to avoid the population can be infected .Ithink we must have social conscience and care about ourselves.I really hope you are both well and take care of yourselves
xoxo Alicia Buenos Aires
Please take care of yourself, Alicia. Stay home and stay well. xoxo
I too welcome the social distancing. I am a professor at one of the colleges that will shut for the remainder of the semester. As I sit thinking about the plan to change my face to face teaching to online – due on my department chair’s desk Friday (the 13th, yet) at noon, I am grateful that my state has stepped up with a proactive plan. How nice to hear a politician speak grammatically, succinctly, with understandable charts.
For a giggle, I walked the paper product aisle at Wal Mart today. As others have mentioned, there were only 3 toiled paper rolls that must have fallen out of a package. Bleach is also pretty empty. Yesterday a woman had 9 bottles of toilet cleanser in her cart. There’s preparedness and then….
Thank you for the pod cast tip
Our State University system is sending all students home, as well. It’s the right thing to do. Good luck with teaching online. I wonder how that would work for the voice and speech classes I used to teach? Hmmm. Thanks, Carol.
I didn’t say, but it’s my State University system (Brockport). I am so very grateful that smart people several years ago presented sessions on using a variety of teaching techniques. One book summed it up: Leaving the Lectern. My courses are designed to be very interactive, so it won’t be a big deal for me. Oh My! Those who clung to the lectern are in a very bad place right now.
Video programs like Zoom and Skype could be used for voice and speech, but I think the audio would never replicate the true sound of the voice face to face. Would you agree?
Yes, I would agree. Thanks, Carol. Hang in there!
I mentioned last week that three people in the town where I work had been diagnosed and sadly the gentleman who had recently returned from Italy has died. He was sixty.
I took my own bottle of anti bacterial handwash to work with me rather than use the soap dispensers provided. As soon as I got off the bus and into work I was scrubbing my hands which I repeated throughout the day. You can’t buy hand sanitizer in any of the shops but you shouldn’t need it if you can wash your hands.
All we can do is follow the guidelines and pray it peaks soon.
Aging is a funny thing, isn’t it. I’m 64 and in my mind I still feel sharp witted and like to take interest in new things but sometimes I feel judged by it. The other week I had to buy a new oven and make a phone call to register it for a guarantee. I don’t know about other countries but here in the UK it feels like everything barring your bank details is known, plus there is CCTV everywhere.
Anyway from the first line of my address, the young guy on the phone knew my name etc. and read out my postcode using the NATO alphabet. He asked for the long serial number and letters on my new cooker, so I read them back to him also using the NATO method. He was very impressed but I could tell by his voice he was thinking, fancy an old gal knowing that!
Speaking of new things, what are Peepers? 😀
Could you please explain the NATO alphabet, Dee Dee? I’m very curious.
Peepers are tiny frogs that come out in the spring, they live near wooded swamps. (Which is what my neighbors have on their property.) They’re called ‘chorus frogs’ – they have a high-pitched call, rather like the chirp of a bird. They’re amazing.
Hi Claudia – thanks for letting me know that Peepers are little frogs!
You may know the NATO alphabet by another name. It’s a phonetic alphabet mainly used by the Military and the Police. It ensures that a letter of the alphabet cannot be misheard during telecommunications e.g. B and D sound similar, so they are Bravo and Delta. Very useful for checking car registration plates.
Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin is really just Checkpoint C!
We use it often at work to confirm someone’s membership or spelling an author’s surname, it saves time. I’m not sure if it came into being during the First or Second World War.
Ah, yes I do know that alphabet! Thanks for explaining!
Yes, I said I wouldn’t talk about novel coronavirus anymore here on the blog but it’s more on the mind than ever. I talked with a cousin today, my only relative in the area (she’s younger, age 50 [looks and feels 30; is supremely healthy and athletic, slim & active] and not immuno-compromised like my husband and, especially, me), about fleshing out some scenarios in case my husband and I were to both get sick with the virus, and how she’d take care of our animals; that sort of thing. (We’ve got long-term care insurance; we could bring in a home nurse for help if it came to that and were well enough to coordinate it…if there were any nurse-caregivers to spare…and I wouldn’t want to burden my cousin or put her in any kind of unsafe circumstance, but I may need her help; hope not.) I’m currently revisiting all my prescription meds again (I take a ton of them every day, to keep myself alive, and am prepared to go dish out $400 tomorrow [ouch, says the budget], cash out of pocket, for getting in extras at home for what the insurance supplement won’t cover because it’s off cycle in terms of my normal refill schedule; I thought I had enough on hand [the experts had initially said a 2-week supply; I think I’m now gonna need a heckuva lot more stock-up than 2 weeks]).
By the way, I’ve listened to your governor a few times on TV and he seems to be presenting a calm, rational demeanor during this New York outbreak; speaking with pragmatism but honesty. Is that how you’re taking it?
As aside as I ramble: I’ve always wondered about those separate ‘deep freezes’ that some people have; I knew of them from some of my relatives in other years who lived in the middle of the country with severe weather. They were used to stocking up, staying in and having a separate freezer full of food. I’d forgotten about that til now. My gosh, when my one aunt died, I remember my relatives saying she had a couple of years’ worth of food in that freezer of hers, and she was just one little old lady, bless her. I wish I had something like that now! I only know of one person who has a second frig/freezer appliance, in their garage. But a lot of garages in SoCalif (like mine) aren’t insulated, so those frig’s can overheat in hot weather. We, too, have the rolling blackouts for wildfire (Santa Ana winds) and I was just talking with someone last week who is completely OVER losing the contents of her frig due to the mandatory power shutoffs. It hasn’t happened to us (me & my husb)…yet. But she said she just can’t handle the expense of having to repeatedly throw out all the ruined food and replace it. I’m gonna think on it, though; like, where in my small house I could fit in a freestanding freezer. Maybe a purchase for next year. I currently have the world’s smallest frig, which came with the house.
It’s one thing after another to think of – – as I just said, I’d prepared for a certain number of weeks housebound, but it may be much longer than any of us had considered in terms of shutting ourselves off and staying home (we of a certain age and who may have some degree of co-morbidity factors, i.e. other underlying disease…such as one thing, just one of many I deal with, ASTHMA, when Covid-19 is already a lung infection, so it’s a deadly combo; I know my old wheezy asthmatic lungs and airways probably don’t have a chance against this vicious virus, although every person and every disease, and that includes asthma, is different, and we have to hope for the best). I get my mail at the post office and don’t want to (can’t) be in a line with people in a tight, crowded, somewhat-airless lobby, so I have the most blessed friends who work at our local post office who will put any larger items I receive in a locker for me so that, in off hours with no-to-few post office customers, I can just go to the locker and avoid standing in line at the counter in peak hours to pick up any mail that doesn’t fit in the ‘regular’ post office box I use. They leave the locker key in my post office box. Is very handy. [But I think after this week, my husband will be doing these post office runs, not me; it’s just not wise for me.] SO glad those lockers are something they instituted a year or so ago. Then, we’ll leave my mail sack/parcels in the trunk of the car for a few days as we have sun here in SoCalif (rain has been minimal) and the virus doesn’t like heat, so maybe if the mail is ‘surface-contaminated’ this could help, although it’s pure conjecture on my husband’s & my part.
(Our friend who’s been in the biocontainment unit, who was on the tainted ship, who no longer has fever but is still testing positive, and it’s been weeks now … they kept his isolation unit so warm it felt like a sauna [well, not really, that’s an exaggeration, but the thermostat was a constant 77 degrees {F} in the room/unit], and they had him frequently drinking hot ginger tea. Also noteworthy: Gatorade.)
We all have to think of everything. Our usual routines and how they may be disrupted, so what is our Plan A, our Plan B. I’m walking the fine line between prep & panic; in our case, with me being ultra high risk for complications from the virus, how we personally prepare is sometimes, I’m sure, OTT and over-prep to other people. My husband did drop out of helping with the 2020 U.S. Census and he’s VERY disappointed (he finally told them last night; it was one of the things in his life’s bucket list, to be a census taker; he thinks it’s really important), but that would not be a thing for him to be doing right now (door-to-door contact) and the govt hasn’t said (so far) that they’re delaying the census due to the virus outbreak. If they would have just declared a delay, he probably could have done it later in the months after there’s some kind of handle on the virus/safety. He feels that in the next census of 2030, it won’t be feasible for him due to his age. So, the opportunity for the one time chance to participate is now gone. There will be lots of people with lots of dashed plans.
Something my husband and I have been doing a lot of, too, is talking to each other about our mental health because it’s one thing to stay home when it’s on your terms; quite another when it feels forced, even for our own good. I can’t help but think that even though ‘risk-factor Vicki’ can’t technically be out of my home environment, why couldn’t we just get in the car and take a drive; never get out of the car; if we felt like we were going nuts and needed a change of scenery. But then I was reading about what a country on lockdown is like (Italy) and I got conflicting reports about that kind of mobility, and I don’t think you can do it; transport/driving will be left for people who have to get to a job, not us retirees who are just going stir-crazy at home. (It seems as more people are tested, and they can figure out just where the virus is, containment will be more successful; maybe less restrictions[?], that a lockdown is of course temporary, were it to even happen here [I wish my mom were alive; I’d like to know how she and my dad dealt with the whole polio thing in the 1940s; early-to-mid 50s; til there was a vaccine; I should read up on it; I know it was diff than coronavirus, though].)
But if there was ever a time to do home projects, this is it! (My husband says if we actually get to a point with our shifting/sorting and decluttering to start painting, he can always have paint & supplies delivered, to avoid going to the hardware store, although you begin to wonder how many people will actually BE in stores anyway, as this virus ratchets up.)
Oh, Claudia, I thought of you when New Rochelle came into the headlines! I think you’re only 90 minutes away (north) from the ‘epicenter’/cluster of the virus. I’m glad you’re in the country; I’m glad you stocked up more today. Let’s see how things are by, say, June. Don still has all summer to do his portrait work, if crowds begin to gather and mingle again; if virus threat lessens in the warmer weather. You have the luxury of working in the garden and to not be around people – – can you think now of anything you need like soil enhancement or fertilizer? Are your garden centers there in the N/E open yet (from winter season)? That’s what we got at the garden center last week, sacks of soil and some other stuff. Bought it now instead of later.
Will be interesting to see what Trump has to stay in his special speech to the nation tonight at 9pm your time (com’in right up in about 15 mins). I usually can’t stand to look at him or listen to him; but, tonight, he has my attention. I hope he can leave politics out of it and, for once, talk to us honestly. I am fed up with the mixed messages. I listen to Dr. Fauci; I listen to the former surgeon generals; I listen to the epidemiologists that are brought on to panels at the news channels; I listen to the CDC. I watched the city manager of New Rochelle speak on CNN a few hours ago and they still need test kits, so where are all these millions of test kits Pence was promising yesterday? Until major portions or all of the populace in the U.S. are tested, the medical folks trying to deal with this virus are in the dark in terms of spread.
Here where I am in SoCalif, we’re hearing of one college after the other shutting down, going to virtual classroom/online teaching. Some are trying to stretch it to Spring Break (later March here in some cases; might have to be sooner). Not every instructor has learned how to teach online, so they’re getting a crash course in how to do it. (We know someone who’s tearing out his hair at the moment! And if you have lab classes attached to your subject, what happens with THAT?) But like, with my cousin, her daughter is a student at one of the universities here and, to avoid being in constant L.A. traffic, the girl is living with her grandmother at Grandma’s house nearer to school, so they’re dealing with the fact that the daughter, if she is or could be positive for the virus, now or as time goes on, could seriously impact the elderly person (age late-80s) with whom she is living…lots of households around the world are multi-generational…in which case, yes, it’s better for the younger girl to not be at the college campus with thousands of other people (think of the professors/staff; many of them are in the risk group of over-60 and there are plenty of adults in their 40s and 50s who work at a college/university [any school] who may have underlying issues like diabetes, which is an epidemic in itself; sure, hopefully children, and students in their teens and 20s will stay safe and not get badly ill, which seems to be how the virus is trending, but what about everybody else in a school complex/college campus?).
In moments of some fear and despair (frustration), I say pointlessly to myself, “Why, WHY did this have to happen for the world?” Certainly already in the U.S., we already had uncertainty with the elections. I was thinking of those who live off grid in some far-off place, away from news of the globe, when ignorance is bliss. But, you know, I think by now, all of us/most of us are doing everything what’s said to do in terms of sensible prep and to keep ourselves safe in what the experts really are now calling a pandemic. So, it’s a bit of inconvenience and a bit of altered life, for now, but we can do it!
And, remember, Claudia; in other scenarios, age is just a number and you’re as young as you feel; but, yeah, to think of ourselves as being ‘the elderly population’ (I thought we were just ‘baby boomers’!!), how did we get here that fast?! Gulp indeed.
I was thinking how a person could take this time at home to finally write The Great American Novel. Are you up to it, Claudia? You’re a great writer…
So after Trump’s big speech (my husband and I both exclaimed/gasped out loud when he said he was stopping travel and trade between Europe and the U.S. [although I guess other experts are trying to dissect that right now and figure out exactly what it means, since there are exceptions]) and listening to the various experts on the news-station channels, they brought up the new headline about actor Tom Hanks and his wife testing positive while making a movie in Australia…where it’s warm, and is the country’s ‘summer’. So THAT theory goes out the window, of hopes Covid-19 could die down by the American summer months (like some of the other flu; but Dr. Fauci highlights this isn’t like a ‘normal’ flu at all). As they all say, they just don’t know enough about it yet. But I did hear one doctor say on TV that there could be a vaccine in six months and that’s different from what I’d heard before, that we were 18 mos away from one, so I felt that was something to hang onto; better news! We’d have the vaccine to protect us all, right around the time we always get a seasonal flu shot for winter anyway.
It was also sobering to hear some of these medical experts talk about the CDC’s ‘curve’ which was a diagram/graph I guess they released which shows what can happen if we don’t get protective measures in place IMMEDIATELY, and it was a dramatic illustration, which is why I guess everything is shutting down all at once…the sports events, the concerts, schools, conventions, etc. Without the tests…enough of them to tell the story…there’s no alternative except to just…stop. Close off. Today. Do it all at one time; abrupt halt that it is. But keep everybody away from each other; keep us at home as much as possible. Emergency measures.
It’s an interesting study, isn’t it. I can see how epidemiology could be a fascinating career.
xoxo
Our university system is sending all students home next week. I don’t know how I would have taught voice/speech/dialect classes online! Or acting classes. The mind boggles.
Probably not up to the novel, but you never know! Take care of yourself, Vicki. xo
ditto about the sound of peepers (as long as they stay outside), the almost-shock of seeing my age in print (62 next wednesday) and a bit of stocking-up-but-not-panicking here. agree, too, with your words about social distancing for introverts.
also …anger that our government could and would block an agency like the cdc from sharing a health recommendation … but not one bit surprised that this white house would make such a choice. i think someone is just trying to protect himself come november. ugh.
thanks for the tip about a podcast … something i can listen to for enjoyment/distraction while trying to fall asleep.
hope you are sleeping better.
stay well, everyone!
kathy in iowa
Podcasts just might keep us sane over the next month or two, Kathy!
Since we live in Florida, we try to stock up for hurricane season just like people need to stock up for blizzards. I guess I better stock up a little early this year and maybe more.
It is interesting to watch the store shelves and see what is out of stock. First no bleach or water. Now they are back on the shelves. Still no disinfecting wipes or hand sanitizer. Plenty of soup.
Whatever your opinion this will be very interesting to watch.
I don’t mind staying home but so far I am still being social in small groups.
It’s not like anything we’ve seen before, Kay. Take care of yourself!
I’m thrilled to be old enough to be retired and stay home. I’m hoping for the best but prepared for the worst–and hoping we all stay healthy.
We got a compliment from the checker today when we didn’t get t.p. or water during our Costco run! Truth is I was ahead of the curve when I stocked up with all the usual goodies, just more of them, a couple weeks back.
Meanwhile, simple pleasures. Working in the spring garden, improving my watercolor skills, reading new acquisitions and rereading old favorites, and getting outdoors for exercise. Who needs crowds when nature and art provide more than enough fun!
Best reliable advice I saw today: keep your immune system up with lots of sleep, good food, and common sense. Stay safe and healthy, my friends!
I’m very fortunate to be able to stay home, Roxie. I agree. Simple pleasures are always the best aren’t they? Thank you!
I have The Six, the book about the Mitford sisters. Some of it is hard to follow along. I had to put it down for a while but will pick it back up at some point in time and reread what I’ve already read. I saw an article on the Messy Nessy Chic site about the sisters and the book. I had to get it to read.
I just ordered a different book about the sisters. I’m looking forward to reading it. Love Messy Nessy Chic! Thank you, Kathy.
At 66 I’m very annoyed about being classified as “elderly”, especially since I know a LOT of vital people in their 70s. But that’s the way it goes. Per your comments on preparing for the virus, our administration has done a dangerously shitty job both in preparation and education. One needs to be careful who to trust. It helps if you know people in other countries who are facing what we’ll be looking at in a few weeks; other governments have been more active and transparent. My impression of New York’s leadership is very positive, and Newsome in California has always been on top of things there. Washington state is beleaguered and has been largely screwed over despite it’s awful vulnerability. It’s easier not to panic when you know you are getting the truth. I tend to trust Fulci but he has to be careful given the company that he’s in. We’ve stocked up on canned goods and cat food and we have a well so I think we’ll be OK on water. I had to go to the GP’s office yesterday and I was nervous about that, but the waiting room was largely empty and there was purell everywhere and I scrubbed up afterwards. I’m not stopping going to our local Barnes and Noble where a group of friends meets almost every day. For one thing, if I can, I want to support local businesses and for another I need a familiar place to be with my people. The staff there are wonderful, many of them young people, young mothers, or moms of teenaged kids or kids in college. I worry about them being able to get paid. It’s a very complex issue, so much to consider, and not must trust in help from elsewhere. Reading, movies at home, music (Don’t lovely guitar), in our case cats, and maybe we’ll take up backgammon again. And wish everyone everywhere good health.
You have the right attitude, Nora. We’ll do our best to remain sane during all the panic.
Thank you!