Forgive me while I whine. We had torrential rain all weekend long. And we are to have rain today (the only day that was supposed to be dry) and every day through Friday. I can’t do any work outside. By the time this ends, the lawn will be impossible to mow. Insert scream here.
I did pot some impatiens yesterday, but I ran out of potting soil. I’ll get more today. It’s also damp and cold, so I have to hold off planting the coleus that I pot for the Secret Garden. As the little sign at my local nursery says, “Warning! Coleus does NOT like cold!”
Don is doing better. He’s still dealing with post-surgery pain. I washed his hair again yesterday, but I think today is the day he can actually shower. I bet that will feel good! We’ll rig up a plastic bag to cover his bandage – though plastic bags are hard to come by now that NY has outlawed them.
With the terrible gun violence in our country, including the recent slaughter of a family in Texas, and the complete misinterpretation of the Second Amendment, handily leaving out the words “a well-regulated militia,” with the weapon being a musket, I’ve been remembering a conversation that Don had when we were last in Paris. That would have been October 2019. We used to buy vegan hot dogs from a little shop just down the street from the Luxembourg Gardens. One day, while we were watching a game of pétanque, Don went to the shop to get some take-out hot dogs. He was chatting with the young owner about America and the young man said: “Oh, I would never go to the United States! It’s too violent!” That was four years ago. It’s only gotten worse since then. Between gun violence and the rise of fascism and ultra-right “Christians,” I wouldn’t visit here, either.
I try to stay positive these days, but I must have been willfully naive: I never thought our country would come to this. Anyway, that’s what I’m thinking this morning.
Stay safe.
Happy Monday.
I hadn’t realized plastic bags were banned in NY. If plastic wrap is still available to you…that is what my husband wrapped around his hip area to shower. Don might want to try that.
It’s cold and rainy here too. But I think Wednesday I will still go to the nurseries to get plants …and I’ll just wheel them in and out til the weather settles.
It is unsettling what is happening all around us in this country. I don’t understand why or how this is happening. It is hard to remain positive but we have to…our future depends upon it. And, on that note….try and enjoy your day! ;)
I will. I potted the rest of my impatiens, so that was satisfying. But it’s so windy that pollen is blowing in my face, so I came in.
We used a freezer bag with a rubber band.
Stay safe, Donnamae.
I don’t quite understand why people are so afraid they feel they have to carry a gun. When at my knitting group the subject came up and someone said they were carrying then. Why would you need a gun at knitting?
On a Facebook post about finding stones on the beach a person complained that someone picked up a stone that the writer wanted. A response stated that is why you should carry on the beach. Really???
I am 73 and can honestly say in all those years I have never wished I had a gun.
Life is good,
Eileen
Oh my god. That’s really scary. I would have to leave if someone was carrying.
I am the same, Eileen. No desire to ever have a gun.
Much love to you,
and stay safe.
I’m glad to hear Don is having a little less pain.
It is cold and rainy here too, and we have snow coming later today according to radar. On May 1!
I don’t understand what is happening in our country. The big mass shootings are one problem, but now we have to beware of everyone, everywhere. It’s becoming like the wild west again.
Take care
It is. You never know when someone is going start shooting. Another reason to stay close to home.
I’m sorry about the darned snow, Marilyn!
Stay safe.
CT has banned plastic shopping bands too and I’m glad. Too much wildlife getting caught in the bags people allow to blow all over the place. I’m sure you’ve thought of this-I used a zip lock bag with an elastic band around my wrist. CT hasn’t banned those, Has NY?
I told myself yesterday I have to stop reading about the murders that are occurring almost daily. Not sure if I can do it but it’s really affecting my mental health, bringing back so many memories of Sandy Hook.
April showers bring may flowers! Hopefully soon.
bags not bands. lol
xo
He took a shower about two hours ago and we used a ziplock freezer bag with a rubber band, which is sort of what we planned on doing all along.
Stay safe, Betsy.
I bet it will feel so good to be able to take a shower! Always helps! We’re having cooler weather here this week, even a possible dusting of snow in the hills. We could use more rain…the hills are becoming browner and browner. It’s interesting to hear what people from other countries think about the United States, especially lately with so many mass shootings. I can’t imagine going out with a weapon, and, as a retired teacher, absolutely cannot understand the discussion of arming teachers….and no person needs to own an assault -style weapon. Sadly, this will be a conversation that will continue alongside more mass shootings. Heartbreaking…
I am also a former teacher. I would refuse to be armed. What a damn nightmare that would be!
Stay safe, Barrie.
Retired teacher here too, Barrie, and when I first heard the calls to arm teachers (was it a year or so ago?) I wanted to vomit. It was such a visceral reaction to the idea.
But then, I live in a country where guns are incredibly tightly regulated and we have bushfire drills, not shooting drills. I can’t imagine the fear many parents and children must live with.
A few years ago now we paid a visit to Alaska, such a beautiful place. We were both shocked, though, when we visited a Wal-Mart for the first time. Children’s toys, clothes, ladies’ lingerie, and a wall full of guns. Couldn’t get out of of there quickly enough.
good to hear that don’s pain has lessened and that he can take a shower today … progress! :)
is the state ban only on plastic grocery bags or does it also apply to those for holding raked-up leaves and grass clippings, and zip-lock baggies, etc? do stores use paper sacks instead (if customers need a sack and didn’t bring their own)? i’d like to see that happen here, but, at least where i’ve been shopping, it’s the opposite … hard to find paper sacks, and plastic bags are the only option (again, if you don’t bring your own reusable bags).
glad you got a little gardening in between all the raindrops. maybe your weather forecast will be like spring around here … quick to change … so you can get out there sooner rather than later and the lawn-mowing won’t become tough. in the meantime, that view and that green are lovely!
took another covid test this morning, just in case, and it’s negative. :) i still sniffle and cough some (but nothing like during the past nine days so maybe that’s an allergy?) and i feel overall so much better. my family’s comfortable with that, too, so i am headed out to spend time with some of them today! :)
happy “may day” to everyone! stay safe.
kathy
meant to also say that i agree about all the violence, easy access to guns, and division and actions meant to further that divide for personal gain …. sad, scary, maddening. i am 65 and, other than those carried by police, happy to say that i’ve only seen an actual gun once in my life (visited a friend and her husband to help them after hurricane katrina, once they returned to new orleans … and she did the right thing, told me about it, showed me where it was, it was unloaded, etc.). no one in my family has been into hunting, etc. oh, except at a huge flea market at the state fairgrounds … there were guns for sale there (iowa has long had that loophole for buying, among other increasingly scary easy-access, carry-without-a-permit-or-training laws). will keep praying …
be safe, everyone, in every way!
kathy
xoxo
Plastic shopping bags. If you don’t have a reusable bag, then you can pay 5 cents for a paper bag. It’s really a good idea.
Glad you feel better, Kathy!
Stay safe.
“I must have been willfully naive: I never thought our country would come to this.” Oh, I hear you; I’ve often thought that, for years and years, I put myself in some kind of bubble, insulated from doubt and fear about the U.S., maybe a lot as regards my safety and security from Bad Stuff Going On Out There. I think what really affected me was 911; so, the terrorists accomplished a purpose in making me feel vulnerable although I’ve tried to fight against it because I don’t want them to win. (But I’d thought we were untouchable. That no one could breach our shores.) I have to believe that ‘the extremes’ won’t prevail in my America; that more-balanced, intelligent, knowledgeable, experienced heads will still be the decision-makers. I have to believe it. The alternative is unacceptable. One thing lately, I’m encouraged by the younger voters; I think they’re more ‘on it’ than we think. Have faith in our youth!
Young people are our hope, Vicki. There’s not much I can do but vote, which I always do. I don’t have the energy to do more.
Stay safe, Vicki.
We are under a near critical fire warning due to excessive days of high winds and this is after having nearly a record season of snow and many showers in April. I’d take your rain any day. The fact that we have had such a late Spring, means things have not greened up much yet, so with the winds and all the snow gone, we are under a fire watch. And still have issues with wind, so one spark can cause a serious problem, in a very short amount of time. No rain, in sight, for this week, anyway.
I’m sorry you’re experiencing those conditions, Ranee. It must be very worrisome.
Re: the rain, keep in mind that we are also experiencing flooding. I’m seeing farmer’s fields flooding, the river nearby us is overly high and there is property damage.
Stay safe.
We, too, have had flooding issues. Serious concerns for many areas. Our local river was the highest it’s been since sometime in the 80’s, so, yes, I understand that concern as well. It is a year of bizarre weather, and after having serious drought issues in 2021 and still some drought issues last year. We were believing that heavy snow pack and early snow storm was helping us overcome the drought, which it has, because the ground did not get a chance to freeze solid, so much of the snow melt did soak into the ground but there was still much runoff and the rivers were all surging. Mille Lacs lake still has ice so there is still a worry for that, as well, because ice break up and wind has been know to cause serious damage to the home owners. So, yes, we have seen the same situation with the flooding and the fields are still not dried out. The brave farmers would be planting this month, but many fields still have more lake, than field. There is still serious flooding concerns for lower Minnesota along with Iowa. The Mississippi has over flown it’s banks in many communities. Some flooding is often expected, but this one had the potential for being really bad in some areas. I guess we all have worries, when it comes to weather and have no control and can only hope and pray for the best for everyone. Right now, I just hope I don’t smell smoke when I go outside. You, too, take care. (One thing I will mention also, despite the situation, our weeds have found their way and are doing themselves proud.)
xoxo
So glad to hear Don recuperating well, and that you are hanging in as his care-giver! Oh girl… I feel you guys about the RAIN, RAIN, and more RAIN. You might remember I live down here in Albany, GA (the ground zero for Covid-19 in March 2020 is how we are always remembered, sadly, after the 2 funerals in March set off a whirlwind of Covid) and we have had days and days and days and days . We had rain most of last week, and all weekend too. So boy, do I get you on that.
I forgot about Albany being ground zero because NYC seemed to have most of the cases when it first started.
Let’s hope the rain goes away!
Stay safe, Dawn.
A couple months ago some neighborhood children were raising money for their baseball team uniforms and were going door to door selling raffle tickets. Unfortunately the “prize” was a brand new shotgun. Uh, no. They looked disappointed and surprised when I told them we don’t have or want guns in our house. Glad to hear Don is feeling better, take care! Jen
Oh my god. I would have said the same thing. NO THANK YOU!
Stay safe, Jen.
I’m glad Don is feeling better.
I briefly lived in Spain and a Spanish friend told me she would never visit the US because of the guns. That was over 20 years ago. It’s gotten exponentially, unimaginably worse since then. And I do not understand these people who are so fearful they feel the need to carry guns into grocery stores and parks and – a knitting group??? How will this ever end?
I don’t know.
I honestly don’t know.
Stay safe, Di.
Whine all you want, Claudia. We’ll listen. Our crazy world is getting more violent. Here in Toronto we’ve recenly had violent attacks on riders using our transit system – random stabbings, people pushed onto the subway tracks, a woman set on fire on a bus who later died. I used to ride the subway, bus and streetcar downtown to my job for 21 years. Glad I don’t have to do that anymore. It sounds like Don is recovering nicely under your care. Take care, you two. Hugs, Elaine
I always think Canada is exempt, but it isn’t, is it?
Stay safe, Elaine.
So glad Don got to shower. That makes such a difference!! At least the rain is keeping him housebound for his recovery.
Our river is way over the banks and the Mississippi is a mess from here in Wisconsin all the way down-stream. I remember last summer when they couldn’t let the barges on the Mississippi because it was so low. What a difference a few months makes!
It was sooooo cold and windy here today! We babysat the little one and she wanted to take the dog for a walk. Hubs said about 3 blocks out she reached up for him to carry her because “it is soooo BURSY COLD outside!!”
You know my feelings on the craziness in this country….. and if we have to listen to another 12+ months of Trump campaigning, I seriously might lose my mind.
Hoping you have a good day tomorrow and Don feels even better. Take care
Oh, that cutie! She must make every day a bit more magical.
Thanks, Chris.
Stay safe.
We’ve got constant rain and cold and, today, snow even. It is so depressing! Everyone is so wanting to work outside and it’ll be several days before it is dry enough much less warm enough.
Regarding the guns, it’s sickening the way the gun lobbyists own the politicians and have for a long time. Between no government oversight and Fox blasting out fear and hatred on a daily basis it’s no wonder there’s I don’t know how many guns per person in this country now. I’ve never been more grateful my kids are long out of school. It was bad enough the last dozen years I was working on a college campus and we were required to have active shooter drills several times a year.
I’m very grateful I grew up without that worry. I wonder what longterm psychological damage is happening with children who grow up with shooter drills. It would have been unthinkable when I was a kid.
Stay safe, Kay.