It's still stressful...

The world seems to be opening up...well, maybe only a little.

I'm not so good with the opening up. I get it that people want things to open up ... I know the economy can't take a shutdown of these proportions...but, what if we're wrong...

I am committing to walking in Laurelhurst Park tomorrow. I'll have a mask - if I feel I need it - I'm not yet ready to get on my bike. We shouldn't have to be this concerned. Donald Trump does not understand what the federal government is for - it's to protect all of us! I really want to be tested - have I had it, will I get it, how do we cope.

So...I'm still drinking too much - wine, gin - it's good! We'll see how long it lasts. As long as I call myself out, it's at least acknowledging I'm doing it. Oh, BTW, the COVID-20 is a real thing - not yet 20 pounds, but I'm heading hard to a 15-pound gain!

It's relaxing...is that a good thing?

So, I've had a "virtual visit" with my doctor. Suffice it to say, it was a nice chat. Her daughters are doing well - Sophia is looking at colleges and her younger daughter (Grace?) is headed for high school next year. I will be seeing Cynthia (Dr. Cynthia) later in May. (Well, all things remaining relatively stable....)

I've made about 60 masks (OK, Sarah, in all honesty, you only got about 40 of them - I sent the others to friends who needed them). I'm thinking about doing a completely different May Day. When I was a kid, May Day meant you cut flowers, delivered them to neighbors, rang the doorbell and ran! This year, I'm thinking about doing just that - but wrapping a flower in a mask with a tag that says "May Day Masks!" Happy May Day!

Charlie has gotten a contracting gig! He's working for CDK for a while - and we're reaping the benefits! The benefits are more than just the money - he really needs a distraction. He has been spending too much time reading/watching Covid news. With him working - he's distracted!

This week, I'm going to set up my bicycle trainer - I need to start moving somehow - either on the road or on the porch.  Putting it in writing - makes me commit to it.

As we enter month 2....

We started this adventure on March 20 - how do I know? That was the day I went to Costco... and we weren't yet under the directive to wear a mask in public - simply keep six feet....

So both Charlie and I have had "virtual" visits with physicians...whatever that means - "Hello, how are you...we're fine...what can I do for you...apparently nothing right now..." What that means is, we're basically healthy! We'll both be having follow-ups in May...or June, depending on how this whole thing plays out.

Still drinking ... trying to adopt the habit of no liquor after 7:00 pm PST ... so far, not so good! I think I'm going to have another gin drink ... gin and some kind of seltzer... Yep, I'll stop tomorrow!

Going to set up my bicycle trainer tomorrow...at least I'll start moving more...

It's just hair....

I know it's just hair - for god's sake, Nick shaved his head sometime earlier - I don't really recall when... But Sam shaved his head today, and it made me cry. I always thought of Nick as my boy, but Sam shaving his head made me cry! Yeah...they're both my boys....

Even as I post this I'm crying (full disclosure, I've had a couple of martinis so that might be helping to fuel the tears..) but he shaved his head....

Sam was almost two before I took him for his first haircut - he had beautiful blond curls and I couldn't bear to cut them. I listened to people ridicule me - fuck them - I loved the curls and I kept them. Finally, I decided it was time to cut them and I took him to a barber - and he hated it! He squirmed and cried - but after he had his haircut, he strutted like a boy! Even my parents said, "He's not a baby anymore - he's a boy!"

I love and adore both my boys - but the rebel, Nick, you can have a shaved head - Sammy, you need to grow back that hair!

Got a little abrupt last time...

So, last post was posted a little abruptly ....

We got our "stimulus" checks today - so at least April and May will likely be OK. Anyway....

Joe Biden will be our nominee - thank god - we'll be campaigning strongly for him and against the damn orange stain. My liver really will not survive another four years of that 13-year old (yep, I know I'm repeating myself - again).

I have about 75 face masks to complete once I get some elastic - it's scheduled to arrive in the next five days - then I have to decide if I'll make more. I'm letting Sarah decide that...I have Halloween fabric, Christmas fabric and muslin left. I'll make as many as she wants.

So, what do I want to do as soon as the quarantine lifts? I want to go get a beer...and have someone hand it to me.(Belmont Station - I'm coming!) ...I want to go out to dinner at one of my favorite restaurants (3-Doors Down - please don't fold!?!)...I want to get my hair cut (Erin - I'm coming back) and I want to get my facial hair taken care of (Shubha - I want a threading and, let's go all out, and to get a facial).  So, bottom line is, I want first world comforts back. Truthfully, I just want the mundane to return. I want to ride a bicycle and not worry if I fall off and need to go to an urgent care, I can. I want to go on a walk without worrying if I should cross the street or make sure I'm wearing a mask. I just want the everyday to come back.

More later - I have to get more gin! (Yep, still drinking too much!)

Is it stressful? Yep...it is...

What a beautiful day we had! I spent a portion of it on the porch, in the sun. I also spent a good amount of time in the basement, working on face masks for whomever Sarah will be donating for the good.

OK, it's been ten days...

I've been away for awhile...ten days, to be exact...

It's Easter - and we celebrated as we have always celebrated since the boys have been adults - we did family dinner! Well, this year family dinner consisted of Duane and I and Molly...

The weather was gorgeous! A sunny Sunday that I got to spend the better part of the day sitting on the porch, listening to an audio book and watching people (many of whom were wearing masks) walk by. Apparently, the house across the street on the corner is garnering more interest, because this weekend we saw at least three couples look at it. I'm pretty sure an offer was put on it by one couple - I'll let you know later.

I'm listening to about one book every other day (that's two books every three days!) I've decided I'm going to have to actually"read" a book next week, just so we don't go broke on Audible (although, in all honesty, I've been using the library extensively - and, yep, that's the one tax measure I'll be voting YES on in November!).

I've been baking - coconut macaroons and honey-bunny cakelets. I'm pretty certain that between the increase in eating baked goods and drinking (wine, gin, vodka, rye) I'm going to top 200 pounds by the end of this shit-show!

Well, until next time - Happy Easter - they're saying we'll likely be quarantined until the end of May...

Stay Home, Stay Safe Day 14 ...

The last time I was outside of the house (well, I've been on a couple of walks around the neighborhood as well as sitting on the porch and deck) was March 20 - that means I've had no contact with anyone other than:

• Charlie;
• Molly;
• Melissa (I've borrowed jigsaw puzzles);

So, a full two weeks and no contact. At least today, not infected with Covid-19. Not that I'm really that concerned. Should I be? Yeah - I should. But, damn it - I want the powers that be to finally take control and get the appropriate equipment and materials to the people that need them. That way, I don't have to be concerned - we'll all get the care we need, when we need it. 

Have you watched the most recent version of "War of the Worlds"? It's uncomfortably like living through this reality shit-show - but earth is attacked by extraterrestrials - call it what you will - Covid-19 is as close to an extraterrestrial as most of us will experience. Humans survived the Black Plague, this too, is survivable. 

I feel like I'm in a bubble - and perhaps I am. The neighborhood is "good citizens," practicing appropriate social distancing and we really don't see what is going around in the city. I feel a little paralyzed - the immediacy around me is fine - but what about 2 - 3 miles from me? As a "progressive" city are we really figuring out the solution to this thing and doing what's right and containing it? Man, I hope so. 

On a personal note, I'm still drinking too much. It's a binge drink problem - I'm good until about dinner time and then it's who cares. Bring me wine. Maybe, tomorrow will be easier.