41st Anniversary Don and I had not planned on staying at a hotel in Branson, Missouri for our anniversary. The pandemic somehow got us here. This is part of a plan to sort of quarantine and visit my dad. If there had been no pandemic, we would have been packing to head to Italy right now. Instead we woke to a cold rainy morning and Don had Krispy Kreme doughnuts delivered. Funny, because I am not complaining a bit! Love This Guy! Since 1980, we've celebrated anniversaries with cards, gifts and food. This year we said let's skip gifts. Gifts are nice, but it was sort of treat to focus on cards and messages. I will admit, Don did a much better job with his note. We had our decadent doughnuts and champagne and popcorn and chocolate mint cake! We also had a nice dinner delivered, since our hotel only has a microwave. And we played ukes and I must admit, Don did a much better job with that, also! Tomorrow?
For a Pandemic Anniversary, I'd say this was pretty nice!
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Missouri Ozarks Why of all places, would Don and I go to Branson, MO? This isn't our vacay choice, even when there's no pandemic. This was all part of a complicated plan to have a safe visit with my dad in Springfield, 45 minutes away. We needed a decent place to stay, until we got the all clear from Dad's assisted living facility. Safe Marriott Just off Branson's main street craziness, we booked a quiet and safe Marriott through a timeshare swap. We'll stay here until we're cleared for a visit. All felt safe when we arrived yesterday. Marriott follows strict covid guidelines, so we know we'll be able to isolate safely and not put my 92 year old dad at risk. The masked staff was professional at check in. They even offered complimentary masks. We mostly avoided the elevator, but it was made as safe as possible. There was a large reminder sign, as well as a dispenser for sanitizing wipes. Home for a Week? Our room was on the third floor, so we got some exercise using the stairs. Yay for open air corridors and stairs. Seems rare for a Marriott, but so preferred during these times. We did the budget route and booked a studio. Not much space, if we end up spending a week here. But it's clean and cozy and I really can't complain. When I look at our crowded space, I'm reminded of my Dad's studio apartment, at his assisted living facility. He has spent many months of 2020, quarantined alone, a space just like this. I so hope we are able to meet him. Killing Time in Branson Today I got up very early and ran in the fog. I passed 2 putt-putt golf courses and laughed. Oh how I loved Branson as a kid. Luckily Don and I are fine without playing mini-golf with the dinos. There are tons of options for music shows and jamborees. No desire to do that either, but evidently lots of tourists are eager. They seem to be flocking to Branson this fall, because it's a tourist destination that is NOT shut down. I still believe we're "quarantining in Branson"! Food Outing We aren't doing the tourist thing, but we do need to eat. Don and I made one trip to stock up at a grocery store. I laughed when I spotted this car parked in front. The cat-eyed taillights reminded me of childhood trips to the Ozarks. Oh how I loved riding in the car on the hilly roads, searching for this eerie cat image! Later, we passed this yellow building. Ugh. Not long ago, the Dixie Outfitters store, made national news. Last June, I cringed as I watched two groups in front of this yellow building. Peaceful Black Lives Matters protestors and locals draped in confederate flags... Safe and Cozy Marriott I was glad to just get back to our hotel room and hunker down as the rain moved in. No desire to be anywhere else. We now have food in the fridge and some fall decor. We had a cozy afternoon and I called Dad. He said all Covid tests at his facility have come back negative!
That's a much better call than the one a week ago. Dad had suggested we put off the visit, since there were new Covid concerns at his facility. It feels like we're walking on eggshells, attempting a visit. But winter is coming and time's running out for safe outdoor visits. Fingers crossed. On the Road So, Don and I are on our way. We are attempting a road trip, to visit my dad in Missouri. After months of isolation, we want to grab this window of good weather, when his facility it okaying family visits. I know we can make this safe, but it still feels like we're doing something horribly risky. Our picnic stop in Marshall, Texas felt gloomy. The weather was drizzly and the 3 picnic pavilions held no tables. Covid precautions? We ate on a bench. Then we stopped at Telegraph Park and I hopped out to see the beautiful courthouse. There was a statue of a confederate solider. That's not what I wanted to see at that moment. How long before that's removed?
These are uncertain times and I needed some sunshine today. Oh well. 2016 & 2020 Four years ago, I stood in line to vote, wearing a scarf on my head. I had recently finished my last chemo. A couple days ago I stood in a longer line to vote, wearing my cloth face mask. Both years, I felt worn down by election stress. Both times I felt vulnerable. Cancer and chemo in 2016 and Covid in 2020. But both times I felt positive and energized when I voted! I just knew that our country would do the right thing and we would not end up with a narcissist for a president.
I was wrong the last time. I think I'll be right this time. Keeping an Eye I run or drive by our neighborhood middle school, frequently. The other day, I just drove right up to see what the signs said. "Students must remain in the car, until Temperature screening has occurred" The sign by the door said, "All Walkers Enter Here". This one reminded me that water fountains would not be a good idea. When Don and I walked near an elementary school, we saw the masked crossing guard help a masked mom and student. A young boy rode by on his bike. No helmet, but he had a mask.
These images make me sad. Debate/Town Hall The second presidential debate was scheduled for today. Trump refused to debate virtually, so Biden planned a virtual Town Hall in Philadelphia. Trump decided he would do a Town Hall at the same time in Miami. We chose to watch Biden. Back and Forth It was so calm and stress free watching Biden. He did ramble a few times and I was tempted to watch Trump... but we refused to change the channel. I did however peek at my phone a bit. Evidently the Trump Town Hall, with Savanah Guthrie was quite a show. Chris Christie Tangent While peeking at my phone, I found a surprising update about Chris Christie. Christie is now out of the hospital and recovering from Covid. He admitted he made a mistake not wearing a mask when he helped Trump with prep for the last debate... he said no one should act cavalier about getting this virus... I was amazed and so grateful to see his honesty.
It was incredibly odd that this"presidential debate night" turned into separate events with the candidates 1,000 miles apart. I now wish I'd had a split screen to compare. I wish I'd been less distracted with my phone tonight... but I'm glad Chris Christie is doing well and that he shared his thoughts. Warm Walks Every October I feel a little sad as the days get shorter and cooler. But it's even harder this year, saying good-by to warm days. I love walking on balmy mornings. Don and I can walk year round in Texas, but will these spoonbills hang around much longer? I've been giddy, since we discovered them. Pool Time I've never enjoyed our pool like I have this year. Well, actually I enjoyed the pool even more, when the kids were young and the whole family was in the water. But I loved and appreciated the pool so much this year. Swimming laps, and reading. It seems almost sinful, that I'm allowed to float and read, in October. Patio Time I hope our weather stays nice for a long, long time. I'm finally beginning to feel like it might be time to open up, to safe outside visits. I actually had a visitor today. I haven't seen my friend's puppy since she got him this summer. I haven't seen my friend since February... I think?
Today we had a much needed visit on the patio. It was a treat to talk with my friend and it was a treat to pat this fluffy little pup! So glad we were able to do this. Early Voting in Texas! I've never been so excited to vote! We arrived at the same polling place where we voted four years ago. So many comparisons! The Randall's Grocery store is now a market that carries international foods. But mostly, we've never voted during a pandemic. Lining Up We knew there could be long lines on the first day of Early Voting. But we were eager and we were happy to wait, with other eager early voters. We arrived 15 minutes before voting started at 8. There were about 50 ahead of us. We greeted the woman in front of us and behind, but everyone was attempting to keep distanced. No chatting. All were wearing masks, but it would have felt safer if we'd been lined up outside. It wasn't perfect, but we'd be in and out before too long. Not Moving By 8:15, we noticed that the line had not moved. We heard there was a technical glitch. Some people went to their cars and brought back folding chairs. Don and I amused ourselves looking at all the curious foods. After an hour, my back was killing me and the nearby frozen food case had made my fingers go numb. 2.75 Hours By 9:00 the line began to move! There had been some processing issue in our county... something about the wrong date plugged into the system. The poll helpers were friendly and I was amused by the wobbling little stylus that I got to use with the machine. By 10:30 Don and I had both voted! I am feeling so good! Texas! It was fun watching local news for a change. Record turnouts! Nearby voters in Houston had some drive through options! There were some issues with that and of course problems due to the decision of having 1 ballot drop-off box per county. There were longer lines and longer waits in other places, but everyone seemed excited and determined!
1 million Texans early voted on the first day of early voting ! Wow! Jenni's Birthday Today is my sister's birthday and I'm missing her. I miss posing with her in front of our family cars. I miss traveling with her. I miss her and I miss traveling. Ahhh... travel without packing masks! Today I talked with Jenni on the phone. She is about 1,000 miles away so we won't be traveling to see each other soon. But we did talk about Don and me, taking a trip to see my dad in Missouri. She's excited about that. Dad is no longer confined to his room at the assisted living facility. He's allowed to go on outings with family. Picnics! This is from 4.5 years ago! Here we are, on a picnic in Springfield, Missouri! Kate, Don, Jenni, Dad and the pets... and me taking the photo.
It's fall now! The leaves will be changing soon! Sigh! Election SNL SNL offered a lot of comic relief 4 years ago, during the election. Now we really need some humor-distraction, with this 2020 election + pandemic. The season began last week. It was odd to see Chris Rock come to the stage, in his mask. But they were back on stage at least. Not the SNL from spring, which was an awkward, zoom-style SNL. It was good to see the actors performing together. Both debates offered lots of material! Jim Carey as Biden! That was pretty darn funny! Social Distance? The closing felt weird. Not just because we couldn't see faces. But they were jammed together and not outside. I'm sure they were "all tested",... but that's what Trump said before the big Super Spreader at the Rose Garden.
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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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