Dancing on my Toes Don was cooking the other night, when I got inspired. I gave him a little dancing show, while he worked. Ouch. My feet still hurt. I got the idea of dancing in oven mitts from someone else, but the skill was all mine. Oven-Mitt-Boot-Dancing is a lot harder than it looks!
I cranked up the volume on "Alexa" and let Nancy Sinatra fill the kitchen. I stood high on my toes and "stomped" in my quilted boots, trying carefully not to crush those delicate thumb-heels! "These boots are made for walkin' and that's just what they'll do!" I haven't had such a good time since I danced around in go-go boots in 5th grade! It's going to be kind of sad when we start getting back to normal and I have to start acting my age.
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Pandemic Reading I actually don't need to worry about running out of books. I have a huge pile of books that I'm excited to read. I just wish I read faster, so I could get to them all! But my reading progress is slow. I'm distracted these days. Initially, my attention span was just poor. I was constantly fretting about our new complicated world of Coronavirus. Now I'm distracted by birds or weeds or cracks in the wall, or things I should be doing. I still feel guilty, reading in the day. Books for Kids I've got plenty of books, but some people are running out of things to read. At the beginning of this stay-at-home period, I FaceTimed with one of my favorite families. They were doing well, as I expected. There are 3 kids in the S. family and they are used to entertaining themselves, with books and games, art and cooking... an unusual family for 2020. When we chatted in April, they laughed about how they were running out of books and wished they'd had a big trip to the library before lockdown. So, I ended up digging through a boxful of old chapter books. There were favorites that belonged to my kids and my childhood picks, as well. I was glad that the kids were eager to adopt some of these well-loved treasures. My Old Favorites There were three books in the bunch that took me back to 6th grade. Oh how I loved reading the books about the "5th Formers" in their boarding school. I told Hannah that just like her, I was in 6th grade when I read them. Then I suddenly realized Hannah and I were having a similar 6th grade experience. Hannah is finishing her last months of 6th grade, schooling from home with her family. She seemed surprised when I told her my 6th grade memories were sort of the same. "I went to school in the fall and then after Christmas, we moved. I learned from home for the rest of the year." 1969 in Italy I explained that when I was 11, my family moved to Italy, for just a half year. Instead of attempting Italian schools, we packed school books and my mom planned to teach the four kids. I wish I could find a photo of our dining room table, in the apartment. It was a massive thing, forever buried in books and maps, pencils and paints. Mom gave each of us lessons for a couple weeks. Mostly though, we spent those months following whatever excited us. It was kind of like a quarantine house in 2020, only we had no TV or computer. Cooped up in the Apartment We four kids played together and we bickered and teased. We had crazy character tea parties and floated paper boats in the bathtub. We played Blind Man's Bluff and Foosball. We learned about Dante and Michelangelo and the Medici family, because they were names we heard every day in Florence. We played games with the maps that were pinned to the walls, because we were curious... and bored. Quiet Times We also quietly did our own thing, in whatever corner we could find. My seven year old brother painted fantastic scenes of Florence. My older brother focused on learning Italian. My sister played folk songs on her guitar and I wrote my "autobiography" in the attic. And we read and read and read. No More Books I remember running out of things to read and borrowing books from my siblings. A Human Comedy, To Kill a Mockingbird, Up a Road Slowly, A Miracle Worker... Then our family took a trip to London and the 6 of us spent what seemed like hours in a book store. We came back to Florence loaded with books... in English! What Did I Read? I can remember what I read in the winter and spring of 1969. The books I read during that time, I will always associate with Italy. I hope these kiddos are enjoying a few of these books. I wonder if they'll remember the books they read during lockdown. And will I?
I hope these kids get back to their school in the fall, like I did. I remember starting 7th grade with an enthusiasm for school, that I had never had before! September seems far away. I so hope there are good surprises in the fall. I Love Bread There was a day when I used to make bread, but who has time for that? Now I have time, but there is no yeast! Don has tried and failed on his grocery store trips. I made my mom's recipe for Beer Bread and it was so bad I through it out. Sorry Mom, I think your recipe is okay, I just cooked it into a brick. Rye Bread Don made corned beef for St. Patrick's Day. That was way back at the beginning of all this lockdown stress. It took him forever to track down corned beef. He was not at all lucky finding rye bread. We froze the leftover corned beef and finally found some rye bread! Yay! Many weeks later, we had Ruebens! Dry Banana Bread A lot of people are making banana bread these days I was thrilled when my bananas got ripe. I made the bread! But I guess there wasn't enough banana This looks okay, but I had to slather on butter to moisten it. It still tasted dry.
Right now I am craving Italian bread... as in bread that you eat IN Italy. I want to be sitting at a cafe with a glass of Chianti and some hard rolls with cold butter. Yes, that's what I want right now. Texas is Opening Texas is easing restrictions. It's worrisome. Some salons and restaurants are open. I could get my hair cut. Don and I could dine in an actual restaurant if we wanted. But I'm not ready. If I could trust everyone around me, I would be ready to venture out a little more. But there are too many people ignoring the virus and refusing to wear masks in store. We'll just do carryouts from places like this neighborhood restaurant. With a sign like this, I know the owners are taking things seriously. Unfortunately, many of their customers aren't. The young woman working there, said they had been "booed" for having a sign, requiring masks. I told her the sign made me want to be a customer! Lowe's Hardware Store Two days ago, I went inside a store for the first time in two months.. Don and I cringed at the crowded parking lot, but felt relieved once we got inside. The majority of customers wore masks and kept their distance. I felt like everyone was pretty much "getting it". There were reminders over the speakers now and then, telling us to respect social distancing. This is a weird world. But I was appreciative. Who Will Wear Masks? I was relieved that my first store outing was successful. I was happy to get all the things we need, if we hunker down for a couple more months. But, how are things going to get out there? Will people start feeling less uncomfortable about masks and just start making it routine? I doubt it. When you have a president who refuses to wear a mask, you can't expect everyone to think masks are important. President Trump didn't even wear a mask when he visited the mask making factory. The doctors who are trying to share their wisdom, are wearing masks now. He is starting to look like the silly one out there. Pretty soon, he will be the only one out there not wearing a mask. This just makes no sense.
Guilty We've all been doing it. We've been spying into homes and we've been judging. It's actually really entertaining. I just stop listening to the news and I stare at whatever is behind the news person... or the celebrity. I like to examine the bookshelves. I see there is a turntable behind this guy... This fellow needs to tidy his books! But I adore his fireplace. Is this real? Does he live in a castle? I got up close to the TV and studied these shelves! What are these little cutie things! Is that possibly a miniature puppet theatre, over her right shoulder? I need that! I love all her treasures. I should listen to what she says, because I like he whimsical things! Peeking at Mine I'm not doing Work Zooms or interviews for TV, so it doesn't matter. When I FaceTime or Zoom, I usually sit in the dining room, where my cell service works best. But where would I sit, for an important video call? I might be judged! I could sit in front of my living room bookcase. There are a few tumble down books, I could fix. Would anyone see my antique refrigerator. I hope so. What's Me? If I actually wanted to reveal the real me, I'd place myself in front of this silly case of books and junk! This bookcase is full of themes that I love. When I volunteer with kids and senior groups, I use themes that everyone can relate to.
I've got all my props and books, at the ready, for the next time I gather with one of my groups. When will that be? When can we gather and talk about boats or telephones or picnics? Who knows? A long time, I'm afraid. But until then, this silly shelf delights me. I need to dig into this collection and amuse myself with some books and toys. Maybe I'll do my next Zoom here. Sugar Land, Texas While pausing at a stoplight today, I studied the big sign at Smart Financial Centre. It's sad to see the sign messages are still all about Covid. No announcements about shows and performers. Hurricane Prep Week Well, there was one other announcement. I guess it's Hurricane Preparedness Week! Or actually, it was last week. That means we're closer to Hurricane Season. After I got home, it started storming. It's still raining and there have been flash flood alerts. I'm not really worried about hurricanes at the moment, but it was hard not to be reminded about Hurricane Harvey, in 2018. Our neighborhood had a mandatory evacuation, due to concerns of the rising Brazos River. That wasn't fun.
Oh dear. Floods, hurricanes, tornados, fires... these things happen. How does this all work with a Pandemic? Mail Delivery I've had lots of gripes about mail service over the years, but I actually do appreciate it. Especially now. Delivery workers must be feeling stressed. Thanks to mail and UPS delivery, we've been able to get most of what we need without entering stores. I've also been able to recycle all those envelopes. I haven't been to a store in 2 months, but I've been to the post office 3 times. That's because I've had "essential mailing" to do. Essential for me... to send important things like chocolate chip cookies and puzzles and books to my grown kids. Extra Slow Mail It's frustrating that mail seems to be slower. But sometimes there's a good excuse. My daughter apologized for her late birthday gift. She didn't realize the craft kit she sent, was being sent from Turkey! It was pretty exciting to know how far my gift had traveled! I fretted that my dad hadn't gotten the box I sent, with cookies. He's been confined to his room in assisted living. He needs those cookies before they get stale! Then I realized, his mail was being quarantined before they delivered to his room. I felt relieved to know they were being extra cautious. Snail Mail Sometimes this quarantine feels like the Olden Days. Food rationing and pandemic flus, makes me think of my grandmother in 1918. She had to send a telegram to her mother when she got Spanish Influenza. Phoning was expensive back then. Letter writing was common. This odd, backward time, has inspired me to send letters. Snail Mail is a good way to connect with some of the senior folks that I work with. I don't have many options for cards in the house, but I did find quite a stash of old photos. I was able to make some cards and get rid of some junk at the same time! Feeling Grateful On Cinco de Mayo, I got my own package in the mail! My childhood friend, Diane said she had aimed to get the surprise to me in time for May Day! We both share memories of May Baskets, filled with sugary treats! The mail was a little slow and the packaging took a bit of a beating, but my surprise was a total delight! The little box was full of the same candies and treats, that Diane and I would have bought at our neighborhood store, back in Grinnell, Iowa! More Communication After getting the box, I texted Diane right away. Then I dug in for a feast. Later, I made a card, with a photo of a Troll doll. It's the blue-haired doll, that I played with, when Diane and I were neighbors. A few days after mailing the card, Diane sent a text with this image. Our trolls stood together! That made me grin. One More Text I replied to Diane's text. We talked about getting together in the future, when this pandemic is over. Maybe we'll have an adventure in Texas or Vermont, or somewhere between our homes. Then I dug into my closet and found my "autobiography", the one I wrote when I was 11. This was the scribbled illustration, that went along with one of the many stories about Diane and me.
Covid Reunions I love all the little reunions that have come about, thanks to this awful pandemic. So many people seem to be communicating more, with friends and family. Texts, phone calls, Zoom meet-ups and old fashioned mail! It's hard to beat this little combination of old-fashioned & modern communication, with my old friend. Thanks Diane! Hard to Look Glamorous I had issues with my looks, nearly 4 years ago. If I'd been young and wrinkle free, I might have been braver about going out in the world bald. But, I wasn't that brave. I did the wig thing and I also had tons of scarves. Don bought about 12 different tube-like boho-scarves and we ended up having some fun with fashion! Looking Glam Today It's hard to look fashionable today, since my hair is pretty awful. My last hair appointment was in December. Best to keep a hat on. But those boho-scarves from 4 years ago, are back in use! Now we wear them around our necks when we walk. We pop them up, whenever we see anyone approaching. Do we look lovely or scary? Doesn't matter. Nobody would recognize us and gossip about our style. Clever Don Don has messed with some of our these stretchy boho scarves and given them a whole new look. Gotta love this guy with his engineering and fashion skills! Gotta love a face mask, held on with a mini-carabiner!
No Handshakes It's easy not to shake hands, when you don't go out in the world. But how will it be, when I start getting out more? How will we greet, with no handshakes and no hugs? How long will this really last? Will our great-great-grandchildren laugh someday, when they see old movies with people shaking hands? Hands We've been talking about hands for months. Hopefully everyone is better about washing them. But we've been hunkering down at home, we haven't been practicing as much. Oops! Some people will be happy with an excuse for NOT shaking hands. Others will forget over and over. A week ago, the President sort of forgot about handshaking. He went to visit the mask factory. He started to shake hands and awkwardly corrected himself with a hug. That's better. He also "forgot" to wear a mask when he toured the mask factory. Last Handshake? I wonder how many remember their last handshake. I do remember. Don and I went to a furniture store, in early March. The salesman introduced himself and shook our hands, before I could remind myself. We bought a couch and he tried to shake again. So now I also remember my first handshake refusal. I laughed and reminded the salesman, that we weren't supposed to shake hands. There might have been a fist bump, I don't recall. No Handshakes Ever? Not every culture shakes hands. My daughter in law reminded me of a lovely gesture she sees with refugees that she works with. Some place a hand over the heart... or offer a gracious bow. But reaching out and greeting with touch, seems so natural.
Right now, I'm thinking of those who are quarantining alone. I am feeling incredibly sad at this moment when I think of my dad. What will it be like for him, when he first is allowed out of his assisted living lockdown. He is a big hugger. We might need to get really good masks! I think I will go call him right now! Press Conference I know I shouldn't watch, but I can't help myself. Today, I watched part of the briefing in the Rose Garden and just shook my head. We're leading in testing! The number of COVID-19 infections and deaths are declining in US! These statements baffle me. And what's with those big bragging banners? Our Leader When the President opened to questions, I was stunned to watch how he handled a reporter, with her "nasty question". He got annoyed and suddenly removed himself from the briefing. Lately I've been wishing we could gather around an old radio and get encouraging words from a leader like FDR. Uplifting News Or maybe we just need a little glance at the local news! I got a tip today and made sure we watched the ABC, at 6:30. There was Little Jessie! We've known her since she and our daughter met, in 6th grade band. Now she's a nurse practitioner, who just returned from 40 days in NYC. Thank You, Jessie! Jessie is the kind of leader we need in our community. She's willing to do a whole lot more than wear a mask, to show that she cares. I haven't been to a grocery store in 2 months, but Jessie just spent 4 weeks in the epicenter for Coronavirus cases. I know we can't all do what this young woman is able to do, but we can stop griping and appreciate!
Thanks Jessie! |
Not-So-Happy List
Cancer, Covid & Coronary... I started this complaining list/blog, in May 2016. I posted 200 gripes about my breast CANCER and then I was done. On March 13, 2020, I started venting all over again, when another disease (starting with a C) interfered with my life. This time it was the invasion of COVID and it affected every person. I ranted for a year, until I got my COVID vaccine in March 2021. CORONARY Artery Disease was the reason I restarted this blog on September 26, 2021. This time it was my hubby Don, who was dealing with a worry that started with the letter "C". Coronavirus and Cancer, Coronary Artery Disease! All are evil, but none can totally get me down... if I vent! I usually end up feeling a little more positive at the end of each post! Navigating This Mess! The most recent post is at the top, from coronary posts in 2022, back to cancer posts in 2016. To find past posts, look below the "Archives" section, to find "Categories". Archives
January 2022
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