Coronavirus Daze

  As much as I would like to do what my "familiar" Gizmo is doing in his box, I also recognize (as he does not) that those boxes just come and go. They are not a stable or reliable way to remain safe, and sheltering in an unstable, perishable bubble is not a great idea. He also jumped into my clothes dryer this morning -- another indicator of his less-than-stellar IQ.  I am eliglble for a vaccination next week, 2 days from now. But apparently there are not enough doses available, and so no new appointments are being accepted. I am checking the website daily. That is my ray of hope.  At least we now have a president and administration that is responsible enough to not only ask Americans to stand together to defeat the virus by wearing masks, social distancing and being sensibly careful, but to model the correct behavior. He has been criticized for taking off the mask while speaking from a podium, but you cannot see what is immediately around him, everything is sanitized be...

My summer work wardrobe will be like brand new next year, if we are finally past the pandemic and able to live more normally. I've been wearing T-shirts, jeggings and capris with sneakers or flat sandals all summer.  And makeup? Why bother? My face is basically covered when I'm out in public. I wonder if cosmetics and salons will see a big resurgence when this is over with.  The  again, perhaps we will have gained some better sense of priorities by then.  I keep getting tempted by deep sale prices on summer sandals, lovely and chunky, practical and not so practical. Then I think to myself: Where would I wear them? Who would ever see them? But they're only $30, marked down from $135. I mean, who can resist that? I'm still mulling that one over. My size is available and they're only $30. And there will be future summers when I may want to wear them, not dressy, better than total casual.  Just spent 2 days at MAC in deliberative meetings with a nonprofit committee,...

So awoke this morning, not unexpectedly, at 5 a.m. to a strange sound that, after some fumbling, appeared to emanate from my cellphone and was a warning about a tornado, although that part of the message was so confusing, I wasn't sure. I later heard the sound again, after falling back asleep, and caught the fleeting message about seeking shelter immediately, which we did, in our tiny walk-in closet. That was miserable. The warning expired, and we got back in bed. Only to be awakened a second time about 20 minutes later. We got up and looked out the front door, and saw that our immediate neighbors were also looking around in confusion. There was no rain at that point yet, nor wind. But once the door was open we could hear a distant siren sound, which we believe was the county siren for tornadoes. We spent another half hour in the closet. Haven't had that kind of warning since. But we remain on tornado watch until noon or so. We had a couple of spells of hard rain and lashing wi...

It is threatening to rain today. We are expecting severe heavy rain and possible thunderstorms later today.  I am home. T is home. R is suffering both physically and mentally, actually suffering discouragement because of his physical limitations at this time. He has not been spared a day of work because of the pandemic and the strain is showing. He does have a high-risk scar tissue problem that is giving him trouble, and he is now pondering taking the risks to have surgery to alleviate the problem.  I am both discouraged and encouraged, grateful and apprehensive.  My days remain busy, my discipline is improving. I have a major contract (for me) to do some ghostwriting. I am immersed in a centennial anniversary project with our Chamber of Commerce, and that is leading to the possibility of more freelance work for them, which would be awesome! I am still freelancing for the SbyInd.  The household is gradually becoming more organized. I do have some guilt feelings about...

Sunset, good night So the country is on a real downward spiral right  now. Florida seeing more than 10,000 new cases a DAY. Texas at more than 5,000 new cases a day. USA has topped 3 MILLION cases. Deaths approaching total of 150,000 in USA. Maryland is doing OK, one of the few states not seeing a rapid surge. But how long can that last? Just learned a family from my church got it by visiting a Delmarva beach, now they're quarantined (do not know who it was but I have my suspicions). So Maryland is one of maybe 10 states that's holding steady. But every state that enthusiastically re-opened is now in trouble. Why? Maybe because nothing has changed, so when people start going out again, it's there, waiting. And because people, not all but too many, are ignoring guideline about masks and distancing and such. Some are flagrantly flaunting it, screaming about liberty and other foolishness.  On a more personal note, I got a nice freelance ghostwriting job today, will have to pay...

The most discouraging holiday weekend is behind us. Not us personally, as in my household, or my circle of friends and acquaintances. But us as USA.  That weekend is the Fourth of July weekend. The holiday fell on a Saturday, which made for a lovely long weekend (if you are still gainfully employed, which I am not, except by self).  The reason it was such a bummer to me is this: People in this country just lack all sense of discipline, they lack a sense of community and the concern for others that goes with it. Some even apparently lack the ability to remain grounded in reality.  T While normally I would shrug that off, what those factors lead to today is a raging wildfire of virus spread that will not quit as long as people are so self-centered as to continue acting like the pandemic doesn't exist. Or that their desire to have fun, socialize and generally prioritize their personal whims, desires and sense of entitlement over rational restraint in the face of a highl...