Covid Chronicles, Week 19

Last week, on Sunday evening (7/12), we got some takeout in an attempt to return to a "date night" routine.  I ordered a burger (which comes with *amazing* onion rings), and also a kale salad that I planned to mostly consume the following day for lunch.  

Unfortunately, the evening after I ate the salad on Monday, I woke up with the runs.  

After the second excursion into the bathroom, I realized that this can be a symptom of Covid.  (I have a good friend who actually had this symptom with Covid!)

"I'm going to sleep in Katie's room," I told Peter.

"No, you can stay here."

Pause.  Rumblings in my stomach continued.

"No, I'm going to sleep in Katie's room."

I must have hit the bathroom five times that night.  I got up with a mild headache.  I ate breakfast in a separate room.  I wore a mask anytime I was inside.  

I recalled reading articles that suggested if a person is exposed to less of the virus at the onset, the symptoms are more mild.  This stuck with me because it seemed logical to think that meant a vaccine could be effective.  I figured that anything I could do to keep Peter from possibly being in contact with the potential virus was good, even if he was destined to get it anyway.  

I took my temperature.  Twice.  No fever.  Stomach stayed OK, too. 

By 10:30 pm that night, alone in Katie's bed, I decided it was too hard to sleep there, and I was feeling better.  I crawled back into my own bed.  I felt pretty good by Wednesday morning, and I resumed all normal activities.  

Except kale salad. 

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This week I came across this interesting piece:

Dear Diary 2020 Edition,

In ❄️ January, 🔥 Australia caught on fire. I don’t even know if that fire was put out, because we straight up almost went to war with Iran.  We might actually still be almost at war with them 🤔. I don’t know, because 👩 Jen Aniston and 👨🏻 Brad Pitt spoke to one another at an awards 🏆 show and everyone flipped out 😲, but then there was this thing happening in 🦇 China, then 👑 Prince Harry and Megan ✌🏼 peaced out of the Royal family, and there was the whole impeachment trial 👩‍⚖️, and then CHINA virus 🦠 showed up in the US ✔️“officially,” but then 🏀 Kobe died 😭and UK peaced out of the European Union.

In February, the president was acquitted and the 👩🏼‍💼Speaker of the House took -Ten. Whole. Years.- to rip up a speech, but then the👨‍🔬 🌎WHO decided to give this virus a name, COVID-19, which confused 🤔some really important people 👔 in charge of, like, our lives, into thinking there were 18 other versions before it, but then Harvey Weinstein was found guilty 👨🏻‍⚖️, and Americans started asking if Corona beer 🍺 was safe to drink 🤦🏻‍♀️, and everyone on Facebook became a doctor 👨‍⚕️ who just knew the 🤒flu killed way more people than COVID 1 through 18.

In March, stuff hit the fan 👿. Warren dropped out of the presidential race and Sanders was like Bernie or bust 💥, but then Italy shut its whole country down 🚷, and then COVID Not-1-through-18 officially became what everyone already realized, a 😱 pandemic, and then a nationwide state of emergency 🆘 was declared in US, but it didn’t really change anything, so everyone was still confused or thought it was still just a flu 💁🏻‍♀️, but then COVID Not-18 was like, "Ya’ll not taking me seriously? 💡 I’m gonna infect the one celebrity everyone loves!" - and totally infected Tom Hanks👨🏻, and also said, "Y’all close all of the schools so y’all can 🙏🏼 appreciate teachers 👩‍🏫 for once (because you can’t teach them anything other than how to use a touch screen🤦🏻‍♀️)," and "Close down all of the salons so you can’t get your 💇‍♂️ hair or your nails done 💅."  Then everyone had to work from home and attend Zoom meetings in their underwear. The 📉 DOW took a dive on itself, and most of us still don’t understand why the stock market is so important or even a thing 🤔.  We were then all introduced to 🐅 Tiger King and the ONE thing we can all agree on this year 👍🏼, Carol totally killed her husband ⚰️ ..... whacked him!  And then Netflix was like, "You’re welcome," and we all realized there was no way we were washing our hands enough in the first place because all of our hands are now dry and gross and were all searching for lotion now.

In 🌧 April, Bernie finally busted ✌🏼 himself out of the presidential race 🏃, but then NYC 🗽 became the set of The Walking Dead 💀 and we learned that no one has face masks 😷, ventilators, or toilet paper, or THE FREAKING SWIFFER WET JET LIQUID, and by then our 🦁 outgrowth was showing, so there was a shortage on 📦 box hair dye and all of our hairdressers were like, 😱 "NO DON'T DO IT!!!"  But, then Kim Jong-Un died, but then he came back to life … or did he? Who knows, because then the Pentagon released 🎥 videos of UFOs and nobody cared, and we were like man, it’s only April….

In 💐 May, the biblical end times kicked off, with historical locust swarms, murder hornets 🐝, and the realization that 2020 was the start of the Hunger Games 🙈 (however, people forgot to let us know). Some people started to protest lock-down measures with 🔫 AR-15s.  🏀⚾️ Sports events were cancelled everywhere.  Then people all over America finally reached a breaking point with race issues and violence. There were 🗣 protests in every city 🌃, which was confusing to some of us because people were definitely gathering in 👫 crowds of more than 🖐🏼🤚🏼10, and for sure closer than 6 foot away ⬅️➡️ from each other. Those people must have forgotten about the 😖 pandemic called COVID Not-One-Through-18.  Media 📺 struggled with how to 🤬 focus on two important things at once, and people in general struggled to focus on more than one important thing.  A dead whale 🐋 was found in the middle of the Amazon rain forest 🌳 after monkeys 🐒 stole COVID 1-Through-19 from a lab 🔬 and ran off with them, and either in May or April (no one can keep track of time now) a giant asteroid ☄️ narrowly missed the Earth 🌍.

In ☀️ June, science and common sense just got thrown 🤾🏼 straight out the window and somehow 😷 wearing masks became a 🏛 political thing, but then everyone sort of remembered there was a pandemic, but then decided that not wearing a mask was somehow a ✝️ God-given right (still haven't found that part in the Bible, or even in the Constitution). Then 👨‍🔬 scientists announced they found a mysterious undiscovered mass at the center of the earth, and everyone was like 🙅🏽‍♂️🙅🏻‍♀️🚧 DON’T YOU DARE TOUCH IT, but then everyone took a pause to realize that some people actually believed that Gone With The Wind 💨 was like non-fiction, but then it was also announced that there is a strange 🛰 radio signal coming from somewhere in the universe 🌌 that repeats itself every so many days, and everyone was like 👽 DON’T YOU DARE ATTEMPT TO COMMUNICATE WITH IT‼️🚫 But then America reopened 🙌🏼 from the shut-down that actually wasn’t even a shut-down, and so far, things have gone spectacularly .... not that great 👎🏼. All of the "Karen"s came out at once, and people started tearing down 🔨 statues. Everyone was on Facebook arguing 🤼‍♀️ that masks kill because no one knows how breathing works 👃🏼, but then Florida 🏖 was like "Hold my beer," 🍺 and "Let me show you how we’re number one 🥇 in all things, including new Not-Corona-Beer Coronavirus."  Trump 👱🏻‍♂️ decided it was a good time to ask the Supreme Court 🏛 to shut down ❌ Obamacare because what better time to do so than in the middle of a pandemic 💁🏻‍♀️, but then we learned there was a massive dust cloud ☁️ coming straight at us 📍 from the Sahara Desert 🐫, which is totally normal, but this is 2020, so the 👻 ghost mummy thing is most likely in that dust cloud. We then 📚 learned of meth-gators 🐊, and I'm like, "That is so not on my flipping 2020 Bingo card 😡 and can we use it as the free space??" 🤷🏻 Then we learned that the Congo's worst ever Ebola 🚨 outbreak is over 😓, and we were all like, "There was an Ebola outbreak that was the worse ever?" 👀 ....... and don’t forget we just discovered FLYING SNAKES! 🐍 Seriously! FLYING SNAKES!!!!

So here comes July…. at this point we are over it, just tell us what’s next .... 👽 Aliens? 🔱Zeus? ☄️ Asteroids?  Artificial Intelligence becomes self aware?  Can it just be something cool 😎 or fun for once?  Maybe even a good laugh, like hahaha 😂 April Fools! We all actually wouldn’t mind that joke at this point.

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I have no idea who wrote this.

Also, why didn't I know about the whale in the Amazon? 

Or a few other things because I just can’t keep up anymore!

Covid Chronicles, Week 18

It's getting characteristically hot here in CT at this point.  I love being outside, and when I want to read or knit it seems such a waste to be sitting in the air conditioning, but sometimes it is so humid that it just doesn't work.  Generally, if I can get shade and a breeze, I'm fine as long as I'm only reading or knitting.  The trick is that the shade doesn't set in on my back porch or front patio until 3:30 or later.  

Peter is back to his welding class at Asnuntuck......daily lab work, 12-3!!!  It's a lot considering we have been getting comfortable with more time at home.  He can't go to welding lab on Tuesdays, because that's his work day for YNHH.  He knows that he doesn't "have to" do this, but he generally is not a quitter.  We're hoping that it only lasts until July 30.  (No one seems quite sure about the complete schedule.)

The biggest news since last week has been that John broke it off with his girlfriend.  They had been dating just a few days short of three years, but things came to a head on July 5, which caused him to reflect on what life would be like if they stayed together.  I must say we completely understand his situation and feelings; we believe he has come to the right decision.  It's all very complex, and I'm glad he stood up for himself like he did.  

Never a dull moment!!!

Covid Chronicles, Week 17

Perhaps you are like me in that, during this darn Covid crisis, some days I feel like I'm rocking it; other days I just feel like crying.  Luckily my "lows" are getting less frequent, however. 

Last week I had a day where I was rocking it:  I did my power exercise routine with weights for an hour, working up a sweat.  I also worked for about four hours organizing my recipes, which are in four three-ring binders.  They are greatly pared down now, and still in four three-ring binders, but they are no longer overflowing, and they are fairly organized.  I even went for a few walks that day, and achieved well over my 10K steps goal! 

I'm trying to keep this momentum up.  Yesterday I cleared out my shoe areas, and each day I'm trying to do a little bit more to reduce our "stuff."  I think it's good for me to have daily "objectives" to meet.  We all need a sense of accomplishment.  

On Thursday, July 2, Peter was out working at his new garden.  He came in slightly earlier than expected, and when I saw him run to the sink with a bloody mess in his hands I gasped and exclaimed, "Is that YOU?"  He responded, "Yes, but it isn't as bad as it looks."  

Apparently he cut the outside of his thumb with a hand saw.  (How ironic!)  I dropped everything to drive him to our nearest walk-in center that can do stitching.  Luckily he was able to move his fingers and all; that's a good sign.  Of course, due to Covid I waited in the parking lot while he went in and waited for his turn, etc.  He texted me photos here and there.  The whole thing only took about two hours total, so it didn't impact our day except for a late lunch.  Some ibuprofen before bed helped him to sleep without pain.  And yes, he has antibiotics.  

Yesterday Peter finally was able to go back to Asnuntuck Community College to get back to the lab work for his class in welding. Since he's right handed, the injury doesn't seem to matter too much. It should be pretty safe for him to go into a well-ventilated welding booth by himself, especially with hardly anyone else in the building!  He'll be happy when he is finally done with this class, just for the fact that it was suspended for quite a while due to Covid.   

Last week in the CSA I received kohlrabi.  I got another one today!  It's an interesting vegetable that looks like Sputnik. In the past I've make kohlrabi chips in the oven, but now that I have two large bulbs I'm planning on googling some other recipes.  Will probably roast them this time.  Roasted veggies always seem to taste good!

Covid Chronicles, Week 16

On Friday of last week we packed a picnic lunch and headed to a local winery.  Trying to stay away from crowds, this worked very well.  The winery opens at 11, and we were there shortly after that.  Only a few others were there and everyone was well-spaced apart.  It was very nice.  Later in the day and into the evening they have music, and by the number of chairs it looks like they get quite a crowd!  It looks to be all within guidelines but I still prefer the less-populated lunchtime.  

From the winery we drove to Peter's office in Hamden.  No surprise that he had to clear the room out; he's only working one day a week, and the entire department is working from home now.  So we each donned a mask and I met a few people in the building.  I had never seen his office before.  The new person's name is already on the door!

It was all kind of fun, just getting out like this.  We are trying to enjoy the "little things."

Our Polish friends and their daughter (age 5), were supposed to take two weeks to visit family in Poland at this time.  With Covid, that was not to be.  They rented a home in Old Saybrook instead.  They have rented there many times before, and have often invited us over during their stay.  This time, they invited us again, so on Sunday morning we set off in spite of an afternoon T-storm watch.  However, the weather held out and we had a wonderful time in the shade in the back yard!

The back yard is adjacent to a salt water marsh that houses many birds.  We all love the red-winged blackbirds!

I knit a crown for Vivienne; unfortunately it was a bit small for her.  I promised to make her another one in yellow, and it will be a bit larger.  Here's how it came out, modeled by a stuffed animal:

We worked our visit with a combination of masks and distancing.....and of course hand sanitizer.

Covid Chronicles, Week 15

In 2017 I joined a CSA at a local farm, called "Deercrest".  In case you are not familiar with the term, CSA stands for "Community Sponsored Agriculture."  It's a way to continually get seasonal, local, fresh food while helping your local farmer.  One pays up front, and each week you get a box or bag of produce.  In total we spend about $25/week.  What you get varies from farm to farm, and if the weather is not cooperative the quality will not be as you hoped!  However, it's an "investment" in your local farm.  Since we are always trying to help our local businesses, it's perfect for us.  If we have too much food or are on vacation (LOL, no vacation this year!), John is always happy to take on some fresh produce.  Easy.  

We like Deercrest a lot because they always have some fruit in the box.  They're also really friendly.  They also occasionally include fresh apple cider as we move into late summer.  Peter and John both have a fondness for real, unfiltered, unpasteurized apple cider.  

Last year I decided to try a different farm, one that was a bit closer.  It wasn't as good, even though it is an excellent farm.  Too many greens and hardly any fruit.  We missed the variety.....so now we are back at Deercrest!

Last week we got our first CSA box with broccoli rabe, regular broccoli, dandelion greens, radishes, baby salad greens, and strawberries!   

Doing a CSA often requires a bit of research.  My farm will provide recipes on its website, but I usually just Google things on my own.  How the heck does one cook dandelion greens, for example?  Well, I found a recipe.  It involved simmering the greens in salted water for a few minutes, which supposedly gets a good part of the bitterness out.  Then they went into the skillet with some sauteed onions and spices.  We ate it all!

Here is our second CSA box, which I picked up this morning:

Broccoli, cauliflower, turnip greens, field greens, strawberries, and apple cider vinegar!

I have a recipe for the turnip greens, which also uses the vinegar, and I will try it tonight in my "Instant Pot."  

Covid Chronicles, Week 14

Yes, I skipped week 13.  Not a good week.  

My Aunt (Mom's youngest sister) and Uncle live in Norwalk.  She's been in Bridgeport Hospital. She had some heart issues, went for some sort of surgery, but is not doing well.  It doesn't look good.  

Peter and I have been working on our new patio in the front yard.  We are finally finished with it enough to sit on our new "conversation bench."  

Good thing we can sit now, as today I am achy from all the bending over yesterday!!!

A few days ago we took a ride to the ferry landing in Glastonbury, where the "oldest continuously operating ferry in the United States" travels to and from Rocky Hill.  It was very peaceful there.  I looked across the river and saw that the restaurant there had tables, just scattered farther apart than they used to be.  So they appear to be up and running.  The ferry is also continuing, with limitations.  

Regardless, for just a moment it seemed like all will be all right with our world.

I hope you are finding things like the photo above to remind you of hope and resilience!

About a month ago I contacted my hairdresser and asked if she would be interested in coming to our house to cut three heads of hair on the back porch.  I specified that everyone would be using masks, and she wouldn't be doing any washing, coloring, or blow drying.  Also, no worries if she declined.  Well, she said yes!  She came yesterday around 5 pm, and now Peter, John and I all look a lot better!

Covid Chronicles, Week 12

OK, so now I am over the Memorial Day holiday hump and moving on.  We drove north again on Saturday to have another short visit with Katie, and John came over again for a distanced Sunday evening dinner on the back porch.  Our garden is moving along, and so is the small patio in the front of the house.  I’m expecting my new bench from Wayfair today.....hopefully.  

Two fun stories for today:

First, a story about the garden.....Peter has been curious for a while now about growing hops.  Yes, the stuff they use in beer.  We know they are “bines,” that grow tall and climb on things like string or poles. They actually seem to be decorative as well.  But where to find them?  They certainly aren’t in any local nurseries!

He finally found some online, from Michigan.  They are not cheap.  So he bought just two, one each of two different types (Cascade and Chinook).  He even paid for shipping!  Whoa!

No, he’s not starting a new hobby....just very interested.  Perhaps a neighbor will use them to make homemade beer and share?

They arrived with certificates!  They are “pest free.”  Cute little things growing in little pots.  They also arrived with information on “growing hops.”

Um, did you know there are male and female plants for hops?  The female plants are the ones that make the cone-shaped hops that are dried for beer.  

So, what do we have?  Do we need both a male and female plant?  Good grief, why did we even get two *different* plants?  How do you tell a baby male plant from a baby female plant? 

So today he called the company.  The woman who answered the phone was very helpful!  Good news:  They only sell female plants, because the ONLY reason you need a male plant is if you are breeding new plants.  And then it’s a gamble about what kind of hops you end up with, anyway!  Yes, we can plant the two different plants next to each other, about 4 feet apart.  Phew!!!

He took an old dead cedar tree and set that up in the garden.  Soon we will have string strung up to one of the branches, and our baby hops will have a home.  

The second story is an addition to last week’s story about re-writing “9 to 5” as “6 to 10.”  I sent this to a number of people via email.  One of them is a friend that I worked with at our local magnet school (she was a first grade teacher then), and she is also in my weekly bible study group.  She responded enthusiastically, asking if she could send this to a friend in England who would love to sing it!  Would I mind?

No, of course I don’t mind.  I just do this for fun, and hopefully others will get a smile out of it.  I don’t worry about copyright or anything.  Send it anywhere you want!

A few days later, I received an email with an mp3 attachment.  Her friend recorded the song!  It’s AMAZING.  That certainly made my day!!!! 

Best wishes for health and safety to you and yours,