Off We Go This is how the sky looked the morning we got up to leave Texas. It was nice to ease into the thought of a westward-pandemic-road-trip, by spending our first night at our cabin. It was a peaceful morning. Why we would want to leave this? Because we have been so darn eager to see our kids, during these pandemic months! Pics From the Car We knew we had 3 days on the road, to California. Don and I are eager car travelers, but we're not used to feeling so trapped in our car. We like to meander and go off on tangents and stop at quirky roadside diners. None of that. As we traveled through TX, NM, AZ and CA, I only took photos from inside the car. This trip was never about the journey. We have been on a mission to avoid as many people as possible, as we travel west to be with family. Can't Forget There were moments when it just felt like one of our many, many road trips. But, when we stopped for gas, it sometimes felt like Twilight Zone. It was odd and surprising and nice, to see how many climbed out of cars and put on masks, before pumping gas. Signs and billboards, also reminded us. We've been on the road, away from TV and news, but there's no way to forget what's going on in August 2020. The signs aren't attractive and fun, but I'm happy to know everyone is being reminded to be safe.
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Cleaning and Health Supplies I'm not used to this kind of packing. I've never packed a thermometer or face masks, for a road trip. Actually, I'm not even sure why I packed that thermometer. Oh well, it's small. Games! This was the fun part of packing. We'll be staying with our kids and their spouses for about 2 weeks. During all these past quarantine months, I've thought about how different it would have been to have been "trapped" in a home with our family, not just my spouse. Yay! I'm excited to "play quarantine" with our whole family, even if it won't be in our own home. I love playing games with Don, but it will be more fun with all of us! We don't really have to stay inside, so we have some outside stuff, too! Yay for Kadima! 6 Kids This pandemic summer has felt like summers of my childhood. As a kid, spent a lot of long, warm days, hanging out at home and in the yard. I know we 6 will spend most of our time catching up and enjoying adult conversations. There's so much to talk about. But we 6 might need some kid activities, too. Movies I'm sure we'll avoid news on TV, so we might want some movies. I packed some old favorites. If the weather is bad, we'll have about 20 movie options. Pandemic Goodie Bags Besides packing up tons of food and drink, I made sure to gather some non-essential stuff. Everybody gets thermal mugs and foot and face spa stuff... a kite making kit ... and some masks and sprays. Actually those are essential.
What didn't I pack? No need for jewelry and dress clothes. Oh well. Leaving Texas? This was my last peek at the TV, on August 6. It looks like a good time to escape the state. Really I'm not worried about being in Texas. Our home is a safe bubble with no worries. I do sort or hate leaving our safe little oasis, but we're missing our kids on the west coast. Road Trip Don and I love road trips. Car travel is the only way we are willing to go. Recently, we both read this book for a little quarantine entertainment. There are fun bits of road trip trivia, but there are no tips for traveling during a pandemic.
This will be interesting. Our Neighborhood We no longer have kids in school, but I worry for my neighbors who do. So many unknowns. It was odd to see our neighborhood newsletter for August. Today, it was strange to drive by my son's old Middle School and see the the signs and tents, ready to hand out laptops to students. Houston This Back to School Fest in Houston, looks more worrisome than fun. But I guess back to school is always a bit worrisome. I so remember stressing as a kid, when I saw "Back to School" advertisements in store windows. I dreaded the end of summer. How do kids feel today, with so many unknowns? Our neighborhood schools open in 10 days, with virtual learning. I'm glad for that. Georgia This image was taken by a student on the first day, at a high school in Georgia. Masks were encouraged, but not required. Evidently there are also no plans for keeping 6 feet apart. I'm feeling sad for these students and the teachers and parents and staff. This just looks plain dangerous. I wish them well.
Masks Everywhere Finally people are wearing masks, even if they said they never would. This couple had the nerve to speak up on TV. They refused to wear masks before, along with all their partying friends. Then they became "mask believers" after both became sick. She spent time in the hospital and still has health issues. You have to give them credit for getting on TV, to push people to wear masks. Their masks aren't creepy. Masks on Commercials I'm pretty used to seeing masks on TV. We've seen journalists and police and politicians and even the president... about once. We've seen baseball players and tennis ball kids and golf caddies. But, what's really odd is seeing masks being worn on commercials, that have nothing to do with the pandemic. This image freaked me out! Mattress Mac has been on local commercials selling furniture since we moved to Sugar Land in 1998. Today he did his usual "We'll save you money!!!" bit, behind a mask. Yikes! That threw me to see his big old frozen smile on the mask, while he spoke. The Creepiest Masks The worst masks, are the discarded ones that don't make it to the trash can! I If you are concerned enough to wear a mask, aren't you the kind of person who cares about littering? Ugh. This was spotted on a neighborhood walk. Sad. Who Cares How they Look? I guess I don't care what masks look like. I just hope more and more people start wearing them!
New Home in Covid Times! Today, something good is happening out in Sacramento! After months of working (and living) from home, in a hot and stuffy rental, Scott and Chali are moving into a new home, with central air... today! This is how your New Homeowners Photo, looks when you buy during Covid times.
This makes me so happy! Next time we Zoom with our kids, they will look cool and dry... no dripping sweat, like the last Zoom. Cheers to Chali and Scott! This is about much more than air-conditioning. We are so excited for you! New Yorker Humor Sometimes I read the New Yorker magazine, just for the cartoons. I can relate to this one. Why am I worrying so? Fires and Hurricanes This pandemic has made me a worrier. I worry for all the people I don't know... As if a pandemic weren't enough. There are people who are homeless, due to fires in California and floods in the east. I worry for them all. People I Know My fretting and worry is also about people I do know, who are dealing with loss or extra worry. In the past 24 hours, I've spoken with a friend, struggling with grief... I talked with a neighbor, anxious over the start of her son's school year... I've written a condolence card for an old friend, who lost a brother to coronavirus. And I was heartbroken to hear that a dear friend's mother suddenly passed. These past two days feel heavy and it's hard to know how to help. I know my worrying doesn't help anything and no one is asking me to fix a thing. So right now, I'll focus on the people I care about...
22 Years We've had 4 Live Oaks growing in our front yard for 22 years. Today, two of them were gone in less than an hour. They needed to go. Five guys skillfully climbed and zipped and sawed and danced around our yard for a total of two hours. Long limbs were trimmed. Stumps were ground into sawdust. Leaves were raked. The yard got brighter. I moved from window to window, watching the show. It was the biggest "quarantine window entertainment" we've seen in 6 months. But the view from upstairs made me sad. The tangle of green branches is gone from this view. Yes, the "street trees" had to go and the bigger tree limbs were touching the house. But I really liked the cozy, private, jungle-feel, of before. It's funny though. On this day, when the house suddenly became more visible and the yard became brighter, I saw and spoke with more neighbors than I have in months.
Before the work began, I had 4 conversations while standing apart in the street. These in-person chats were brief, but so needed... after months of neighborhood texting. For a half year, the homes on our street have pretty much been sheltering in place. Those who brave the heat like us, mostly hang out in backyards. Suddenly today, the world opened up in front! Flying, Buzzing, Humming & Stinging Critters Luckily we haven't seen any murder hornets yet, but we've been hearing about them! However, another kind of stinging beast came to call, a while ago. Luckily these bees came and only stayed less than a day. I prefer the humming critters! We've had a lot of competition, though. We've had to work hard to attract them this year. So many people are "staycationing" this year and looking for bird entertainment. Birdseed is sometimes out of stock! Lizard-type Critters What is it with all the chameleons and lizards and geckos this year? We share the patio with them every night. They like chips and popcorn. At the Cabin We've been lucky to be able to escape to our cabin every few weeks. I wasn't able to catch a photo of the roadrunner that I saw, last time. But, Don got a photo of this deer, waiting for me to fill the bird feeder... so she could enjoy. Creepy Critters At the cabin, we also saw this eerie little stick bug. I found this nifty locust shell on our front sidewalk. I haven't seen one of these, practically since I was a kid. I had a little fun attaching his claws to Don's shirt. That's what we kids used to do. Sweet Friends This Morning So I've enjoyed some odd and curious critters, during these slow months of home stay. This morning I was rewarded with the nicest surprise of them all. Little Miss Independent, is my very favorite!
Dad Gets Steak This is a photo taken of my dad (by his brother) after an outing that included the barber and lunch! When I got the text that included the news and photos, I felt a big old batch of emotions. Surprise... Worry... I could go on and on. But I studied his happy face in the photo and I called him on the phone. His "Hello!" sounded different. He voice was energized and upbeat. He described the steak he ate and I could almost smell it.
After months of isolation, with every meal delivered to his room. My dad ate out! I got off the phone feeling happy for him. I also felt a little jealous. |
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
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