Happy Fall, Y'all

Well, it's fall. Whether it's happy or not is a matter of opinion, I guess. With COVID-19 still among us with increasing cases daily and the looming election tension, it's enough to make even a devout teetotaler get sloshed!

In addition to learning how to navigate Zoom, WebEx, and Google Duo, I've learned a lot during these COVID months. I've learned that I really don't need to go and do all the running about that I used to and can be perfectly happy staying at home. We have swapped dining out for take-out meals. We mask up and go where/when
it's absolutely necessary - grocery store, pick up prescriptions, doctor appointments, to take Mom to her appointments or to help her, and to visit Daddy. Sometimes, it's just too peoplely (my new word for 2020) out there. I've expanded ways to entertain myself - jigsaw puzzles, watercolor painting, tending to birdfeeders and nest boxes, watching all the birds, heartfulness meditation classes, walks, reading, sourdough breadmaking, sketching, gardening, knitting, FaceTime and Zoom check-ins and classes, and occasionally cleaning my house. We did manage to get to the beach (Emerald Isle, NC) in August. Both of our boys and their families were going to be there so nothing could have kept me home. It had been FOUR years since we'd all been together. We only had a couple days with them but it was wonderful!!! 

We have been well - so far. Daddy turned 92-years old earlier this month. I keep holding my breath as the numbers trend upward and there seems to be a new case - today there were five reported - at Mom and Daddy's senior living community daily. The community has been very proactive and has only had 42 cases cumulatively. They have roughly 600-800 residents in all living situations - independent, assisted, transitional, memory, skilled nursing - so have done very well. I think most of these cases have been asymptomatic to moderate. We are still allowed window visits with Daddy and they just restarted courtyard visits with all the precautions. It's getting a bit chilly and I hope for Mom's sake, they start letting us have visits indoors. His burning question at every contact - via phone or in-person - is "When are you gonna get me outta here?"

I've also learned there is a distinct lack of respect and civility toward our fellow man/woman (those in charge and those of us trying to do the right thing) in this country. This, perhaps, has been the most disturbing thing I've learned. Maybe being a registered nurse with years of experience in public health makes it hit deeper with me. I don't know. What I do know is that in all my years, I've never quite felt such a gut-wrenching and heartbreaking response to what I witness/read/hear on almost a daily basis. It saddens me deeply and I weep inwardly for this country hoping that we will learn and be/do better. We are not as great a country as we think we are. We have a lot to learn and implement. I'll just leave it at that and hope for peace. 

This year, the autumn colors have been exceptional. The last few years were dry and a good rain would come and just strip the color right off the trees. Not this year. It's been beautiful! We made a day trip to Zoar, Ohio and enjoyed touring the historic village. The village was founded in 1817 by a group of over 200 German Separatists seeking escape from religious persecution in their homeland. Very interesting, great lunch at the tavern there, and such a beautiful drive to and from. 

Andy has been busy working to finish the barn. It was a shell with a dirt floor and not closed in all the way around. Now it is completely closed in with cement footers and cement ramps at the doors and the gutters are up. He has it divided inside - the front section now has a cement floor, is insulated, and has walls and a ceiling and will serve as Andy's forge and machine shop. He will add a half-bath in this part, as well. There is a wall with a door between this section and the back part which will have a gravel floor and house our old pontoon boat, mowers, etc. 

I've been busy trying to improve my watercolor skills. It's a different kind of focus when compared to knitting. I'm really enjoying it but am sad that the in-person classes I was taking stopped. Thank goodness for Zoom classes! The art community has gone above and beyond embracing the online format for tutorials, live demonstrations, workshops, and classes. It has kept me sane! I do little daily paintings (Doodlewash prompts) and what I call Daily Smalls. I treat my Daily Smalls like an illustrated diary. I paint something from my
day and then write a few things I did that day. I started these in January and have thoroughly enjoyed looking back at the months.

Mom and I have also had a great time flower-bombing Terrace Place. I pick and take lots of flowers to her and she puts them in bottles and places them out in the hallway of her apartment building for her neighbors to take. We've done this about 8 or so times over the summer. It's brought joy to us and to the recipients. Who doesn't love flowers?!

Recently, I've discovered Girl Travel Tours. Marah, who led tours with her Girl Scouts and their parents and also adult-only trips, is trying to support the travel/tour industry since we can't go anywhere. These virtual tours have been great! So far, I've been on an African Safari, to New Zealand, and to Germany. Next week, I'm going to Transylvania! Upcoming tours - Scottish Highlands, Japan, Berlin, etc. Exciting! Armchair travel. The tours are led by actual tour guides in the various countries and have been so knowledgeable with their presentations and when answering everyone's questions at the end. The tours are free but tips for the travel guides are appreciated. You can attend the tours live on her Facebook page or catch the recorded versions on her website (previous link).

What are you all doing during this pandemic time? Are you having to school children at home? Have you learned anything new / taken up any new hobbies? Activities? Coping skills?  

Stay strong and well. Thanks for reading and I hope to be back soon! 

Comments

[Sharon]

I’m trying to remember to check in on the bloggers that are in my feed and was delighted tonight to see your post. I share many of your sentiments, and in fact, just finished reading a New Yorker piece this evening called The Shaming Pandemic, how social media has given rise to a modern version of the pilgrams’ stocks to humiliate as punishment. I was driving myself crazy with too many volunteer activities and am enjoying this slower pace of life. I meet up with fellow knitters once a week in parks, weather permitting, and on zoom when it doesn’t. We watch our granddaughter two days a week and must own a dozen different masks.