Life in the Time of Coronavirus, 4/2/20

The Lone Surfer
Carlsbad State Beach

21 Days Into Our Quarantine
Hope you're all well and hanging in there.

It's been 21 days since we decided to self-quarantine at home. As of two weeks ago, it is mandatory in all of California.  We've only taken a couple of trips out: for groceries (thanks to my Husband, Darrell), one car outing to see the Carlsbad Flower Fields, and last Sunday, we took a bike ride to Carlsbad Village and to the beach.

I am thankful that I have Darrell/Ted and our five dogs to keep me company. I can't imagine having to go through this alone. Even so, frankly, sometimes I do despair. The news is pretty much bad or horrific, and things continue to get worse every day. The USA is now getting hit very hard by this virus, and it is frightening. So many people falling ill and so many dying. It seems to at least double every day. It is just incredibly sad. We've had the advantage of seeing what tragedies have happened in so many other countries, yet we have faltered, and we are paying a tragic price with thousands, if not potentially millions of lives lost every day. God help us!

Sunday's Bike Ride
On Sunday, we took a bike ride to the Village to get out, get some money from the ATM, and to see how our locals are faring.  There were many people out in their yards, enjoying the sunshine and doing chores. Lots of other folks walking, bike riding and running.  They seem to be abiding by the six foot distance rule pretty well.  But at the beach, on the sidewalk trail, people still walk much too close together, and cannot avoid doing so, when they pass each other.  We were surprised, once again, that the roads and sidewalk areas were still quite packed.  The lifeguards, Coast Guard and police were all out watching over things and blocking off beach parking lots.  There were still a few surfers out, but they were well spaced apart.  We noticed that most of the Village businesses are closed, but it was surprising to see one local hot spot restaurant had a line of people, very close together, waiting for take-away orders. Since Sunday, things are even more locked down.  We are now at the point where beach roadside parking is completely closed, and anyone out and not safe distancing can receive up to $1,000 ticket and/or time in jail (where you don't want to be for so many reasons right now).

Yikes! Our Sewer Drain Blocked Up
We absolutely love our home here, but we have faced issues with our main sewer line from the house to the street becoming blocked, both times in the Spring.  Great timing, eh? We are staying home most of the time, and this would have to happen now.  I called Mr. Rooter on Sunday, because we had just recently received a coupon from them.  They came on Monday afternoon, tried to clear the drain, did a hydroblast, which cleared the line and revealed that we had tree roots blocking the pipes, and then came back Tuesday to put a camera down the pipes to further diagnose the problems.  They discovered that we had two big issues, the old clay and cast iron pipes had separated, allowing water to leak and tree roots to block it up. We paid a pretty handsome amount of money, for it, but they fixed it right, and they did give us a discount. They ran new, better pipes and they replaced and sleeved our existing pipe, all the way to the connection to the main street line.  The service workers worked so hard, did a great job and very quickly.  I so appreciate them providing this service, all the while, likely risking their own health. Thank you so much!

Mr. Rooter Workers Doing Such Hard Work to Fix Our Drain Pipes

Keeping Busy, Staying Entertained

We keep up with our routine and try to add new things here and there.  Enjoying our hockey table game. We even have our own Detroit Red Wings Zamboni now! BTW - Darrell wins most of the time.

Trying lots of new, healthy recipes, which is fun and mixes things up a bit. Darrell did a Costco run on Wednesday, and we are well stocked, for which I am grateful.

Still working out every day -- elliptical, yoga, walking and biking.  Really enjoy our sun room, off the garage. It's peaceful, sunny, bright and a great place to work out.

The Internet and television are keeping us up on current events.  We try to limit how much news that we watch because it is -- well -- depressing.  On the other hand, I am really enjoying the live talk shows, being webcast from the stars homes.  They are refreshing, and I think they should all do one show a week from their homes, after this blows over.  Special shout outs to:  Kelly and Ryan, The View, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and Late Night with Stephen Colbert.  Hard to be serious and/or funny without a studio audience and high-tech television production, but they are doing it.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, at Home in a Bubble Bath

Also heartfelt thanks to our entertainers, whether they be famous professionals, like Joan Baez, Jon Bon Jovi, Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks, among many others, or very talented not-yet-famous musicians and singers, such as my friend Marie, a brilliant pianist who lives in Aachen, Germany and is recording daily songs to share on Facebook. You are all amazing! You make us happy.

My Heart Breaks 

My heart breaks for the sick, those who are dying and have died, their families, who can't be with them or even honor their passing, the healthcare worker (angels walking among us), those who clean up after us (janitorial, housekeeping, garbage workers, street cleaners), mail and delivery service staff, the jobless, the impoverished, the homeless, the mentally ill, the frail senior citizens, the children and those who are expecting children. This is so hard, and yet somehow we are doing it. We need to hold fast because we probably have months to go before we see brighter days ahead.

Fasten Your Seat Belts

The virus tidal wave has arrived.  New York is our 'canary in the coal mine' and it feels so awful to watch it all happen there and around the World, feeling so helpless regarding what to do.

Folks, it is here, so #stayhome, #staysafe and remember #stayhomesavelives.  We'll continue to pray for all of us.  Hold fast, take care and help others as much as possible during this strange and catastrophic time.

Blessings to you and yours.