Monday is the July Treasures in My Closet post, so I hope people show up today for the weekly conversation. How are you doing? Do you need distractions? What are you doing if you can’t push yourself to read a book?
I slept late yesterday, or I should say, I went back to bed. I find that getting back into the world, even when I’m in a closed floor on the library, is tiring. Wearing a mask for meetings or when leaving my office, careful around other people, not getting to spend time and hugs with my best friend. I don’t have it anywhere near as rough as others. I have an office, and don’t have to wear my mask when I’m alone in there. Even so, it wears on me. So, I end up crashing on the weekend.
I did spend an hour on the phone with a friend, Aubrey Nye Hamilton, and we talked mysteries for most of the time, which is always fun. I’m finishing up a series of dvds that were originally on Hallmark, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” about a dead letter office at the Post Office. It’s one of those touching series. Remember when “Touched by an Angel” was on TV? It sort of has that same feeling.
And, my mother and I worked on some genealogy over the phone, after finding a point where I skipped a generation.
Those were my distractions in the last week. What have you been doing?
Not a lot of distractions as I've been pretty much self-quarantining for the last two weeks (ending tomorrow), which, I must say, is not really different from the six or eight weeks that came before it. I'm still going to be stuck here for a couple more weeks before I can (fingers crossed) finally get my laser procedure done. But so much luckier than so many, with NO symptoms at all. I still get up at 6 every morning, no matter what time I go to bed, so yes I do nod off occasionally during the day. We are mostly cooking, though we are up to about half a dozen restaurants we get take out or delivery food from. It's mostly reading – last two weeks has been Joe Hill short stories – and Netflix and Amazon Prime.
My mantra for years has always been "things could always be worse" and that hasn't changed. I know how lucky we are, being retired and having enough money that we don't have to worry about how we are going to pay the rent or mortgage or car payments or college tuition as so many others do, so yes, always counting my blessings.
Stay safe!
Connecting with friends, some of our classmates from college have gotten together every other Monday on Zoom for about 90 minutes or so. It has been fun playing catch-up. We figured out how to play bridge on line with an app called Trickster – so am averaging twice a week. Reading a lot.
Take out from our local wonderful bakery, really more than just a bakery as they serve delicious meals. She has put together inventive and delicious family meals – and she has made donating meals an option as well.
Weird weather – very hot and the next day 30 degrees cooler. I too am blessed that I do not have to worry about all the things that Jeff mentioned. It has been very difficult watching what is happening in our country – many protests in many cities here in California.
Take it easy Lesa – one day at a time. Our library is starting to crank up. They are going to use Zoom for book clubs which is great.
I spent part of yesterday weeding the garden and this morning we picked up three plants from a local nursery which we have to plant. The nursery is one of the few places we don’t mind going since it’s a large outdoor area and we go when they first open and it hasn’t gotten busy
yet.
We’re mostly cooking at home but we do try to take out lunch a couple of times a week from some of the local places. And one of the outdoor farmers market near us has started operating on Saturday mornings. They’ve doubled the size of the set up area to spread the booths farther apart and have marked areas for lines so that’s another place we’ll be buying from.
Jeff, Netteanne, and Sandy – Like all of you, I am fortunate that I haven't lost a job, and was paid for the two months I was home. I know how blessed I am. So many reasons to say stay safe right now. Continue to take care.
We both have pretty much settled in to our at home routine. Donald is finding all sorts of outdoor projects that are keeping him busy, and I'm comfortable with being lazy. We don our masks maybe once every 10 days or so to pick up groceries curb-side and check our mail after hours at the post office. Both of us already being somewhat reclusive does help with sheltering, and admittedly, we're quite lucky and blessed. I try to remember that every single day. I'm trying to limit my Facebook time and my exposure to the news. I want just enough to keep me "in the know." That's all I need. There is so much that breaks my heart, and so much that makes my head explode.
I know you're exhausted, Lesa. Stay strong, and stay healthy. Love you.
xxoo
Most everything is open here. Actually went out to a restaurant with some friends.
Yesterday, watched all the Space X stuff. That was exciting.
I know, Kaye. I'm glad you and Donald have found a routine. The news is just too sad, too tragic. I hope people remember this in November.
Glen, I'm glad you could get out again. I hope it's coming for all of us, soon.
Beautiful weather in Kentucky the last few days so I've enjoyed sitting on my deck and reading. As usual Saturday was our order ahead/pick-up Farmers' Market. They're going to continue this for at least one more month. Yay! So far I'm getting enough food there to last me through the week with what is already in my freezer. This week it was sugar snap peas and ham steak and strawberries. And lots of great bread. Yesterday I completed my 29th jigsaw puzzle! To be fair I started doing these before the "healthy at home" directive. I don't think I've mentioned before that I'm a pianist (I was a music therapist then taught for 35+ years) so I do try to play every day. Yesterday was Sunday so it was hymn & gospel arrangements. The neighbors seem to enjoy it. Weekdays mostly classic tunes – George Gershwin, Richard Rogers, etc. Also, Lesa, I'm glad to see that you're back doing genealogy. I also managed to do some this week.
Like everyone else I'm appalled at what is going on across the country. The eruption of so much pent up frustration. And our government leaders feeding the flames rather than calming the waters.
And I, too, am blessed with enough money to feed, clothe and house myself. But it is lonely with only a dog to keep me company. But she's a sweetie.
As things begin to open up I hope everyone stays safe and not only you but those around you are wearing their masks.
I was using instagram, but too much depressing things on it so I uninstalled it for now. This past weekend I watched a 3-part miniseries on History Channel about Ulysses Grant. I had it on the dvr.
I'm having trouble reading. The time I used to spend listening to audiobooks is now spent listening to and watching CNN. I've always been somewhat reclusive and only paid the news a cursory listen. So when the pandemic hit, I decided that this time I was going to live through it consciously and pay more attention. What a time to choose to do that! Personally life hasn't changed much. I pretty much stay at home anyway since we only have one driveable car. Now the news is on probably far too much, and the scenes are gut-wrenching. I'm appalled at our "leadership" and will be mailing in my ballot in November, which is not a fake. I better turn the TV off for a while. Maybe pick up a book?
Wokes up this morning very stiff and sore and kept doing stretching exercises but got no relief no took a Tylenol. Watched George Floyd's brother talk to the protesters. Do not think I will ever forget that. Then had to leave to get my labs for the cancer clinic done. they put table at the door, removed two thirds of the chairs, took my temperature and I waited to go in the lab which was all thinned out two. It was changed in the office.
I have one puzzle to do but I made James promise to remove the tape from the walk in closet so I can get photo albums and my genealogy binders, Not sure where I can put them but I really want to work on the genealogy ones. All my parents, aunts, uncles and some of cousins have passed away but now I have picked out several branches of the family tree that I want to learn more about.
My son called me from Shanghai this morning! His children go back to school for one month only and then they will be on vacation. No new Co-Vid 19 cases in the city. It was wonderful to hear from him.