Life in the Time of Coronavirus, 5/29/20

Us!

Over Nine Weeks in Quarantine
We've been mostly at home and safe for over nine weeks.  I've lost count of how many times each day we hear the words, "Coronavirus" or "COVID-19". Some days, I have to tune out and limit my news and media exposure.  It's very stressful to not only deal with the virus, but also with the tragic and sad events of the World.  So many sick and dead, protests and riots in the streets, people out of work, families with hardly any means, no food and even locusts wreaking havoc in other countries.  So many people are angry and taking it out on others. And our Federal Government continues to pat itself on the back for doing, "Such a great job". Um, "No!" It is the saddest time that I've experienced in my life, and I do hope that it gets better.  I'll turn 61 next month, and I'm sure that life will never be the same for me as it was just a few short months ago. Maybe that's good? We took so much for granted. Didn't we?

What Happened to Us?

We claim to be the most advanced Country in the World, but we certainly haven't shown it.  At this writing, over 364,000+ people have lost their lives globally to COVID-19, and 104,000+ of those were in the USA.  We rested on our laurels as we saw that huge virus storm coming. We weren't prepared at all.  The tidal wave of Coronavirus/COVID-19 washed over our country with a fury that we never anticipated.  It took weeks (rather like days in virus time) to get ventilators, PPE, and the most simple of things, such as hand sanitizer and face masks, into the hands of our healthcare workers who needed these most, and then longer to get them to the everyday citizens.  It still grinds me that the CDC said for weeks and weeks that we did not need to wear face masks, which are now mandatory.  So many things are so wrong, and so negative. It is frustrating and disheartening. It makes no sense.

There are Bright Lights and Hope

Sorry to be such a bummer, but this is how I feel.  Now for the bright side!

There are positive things that give me hope:

• Our San Diego County and California State Governments continue to move forward with sound strategies and plans to relax restrictions. All have very specific guidelines to follow, but it is good to see things come to life once again.
• Despite all of the bad news, our Carlsbad community continues to be vibrant and kind.  People are pretty much the same as always here - laid back. I don't notice anything that makes me wary.
• While the economy is absolutely nuts, our financial managers are keeping us safe. Being retired, that is a big concern.
• We are getting closer to having home tests and a vaccine.  This monster virus is going to be on Earth, maybe forever, so we need to have ways to fight it off.  Since we don't have a vaccine yet, we need to test regularly. I'm envisioning once a month tests that are mailed to our homes, or we can pick up, and we mail in or drop our tests, get results and know that we are safe to be around others. Once the vaccine(s) arrive, we will probably get them annually.   
• No matter what virus comes in the future, we have learned and 'should' be more prepared.  We should never again let our guard down.  How could such a thing happen in 2020?  This little monster changed the entire World, as we know it.  

We Have Settled into Our Quarantine Lives

Life is good for us here. We want for nothing, which we are grateful for.  We live in such a beautiful place.  We stay home pretty much every day, enjoying our home, yards and pool.  We cook new recipes every day, play games, do projects, classes, artwork and puzzles. It's good to work other parts of our brains. 

Outings

We have been doing outings once each week to drive to the Oceanside Harbor and Beach and then through Carlsbad Village and Beach.  The restaurants are opening to sit down eating, with modifications.  We still notice that almost no one under 25 wears a mask, and only about 30% of all we pass wear masks.  The beach rentals still seem to be thriving, but many places are up for longer term lease or rent.  Our Carlsbad Farmer's Market reopened last week, and there was a 20+ person line waiting to get in on Wednesday, all social distanced and masked, thank you.

We went to our Village Smart and Final and picked up a boatload of good, fresh grocery items again.  There is a young man outside the store who retrieves the shopping carts and sanitizes them for all of us.  All of the workers have masks and most have rubber gloves. I'm so thankful for this store because it's so close and has pretty much everything you would want, even fresh flowers and plants.

Wishing You Well
Please hang in there. Be safe. Be kind. We're all in this boat together, and we will sail through this virus storm into safe waters.  Keep the faith and hold fast. Until next time. Here's a sunset for you!

Life in the Time of Coronavirus, 5/18/20

The Pacific Helps Us Forget and Raises Our Spirits

Eight Weeks of Quarantine and Counting
We've been quarantined for over eight weeks and counting.  In so many ways, it has been a very long two months, but in the scope of life, it is only a short time.

Truth!

At times, it feels as though time is standing still.  Most of us are mostly isolated in our homes, and the days blend together so much so that we sometimes forget what day and time it is. Since we retired, someone once told me that every day is like Saturday or Sunday.  I wish that we could be happy about that for everyone who is out of work, but it's a scary and stressful time for so many.  Most retirees have nest eggs (which are also volatile right now), but so many others have no savings to draw on. I pray that everyone in need receives their stimulus and unemployment checks to help them get by. Can't imagine how they are making ends meet.

Venturing Out:
Oceanside and Carlsbad
Last week, I took my first trip in the car in several weeks.  We had to go to a local store to make a return. Even that was a strange experience.  We drove up to the front door, called the store, then a young lady wearing a mask and rubber gloves, came out to our car and took the package out the back hatch. She took my credit card for the refund and returned it in a bleach wipe.  After that, we drove to the Oceanside Harbor. There were quite a few people out. The boating area was pretty packed.  Many of the restaurants are open, but only for take out orders.  From there, we drove through Oceanside, near the beaches. Again, lots of people out walking, riding bicycles and hanging out at the beach.  Then a loop back to Carlsbad and the beach. Same thing. Lots of people out.  We noticed that only about 30% of people are wearing masks, a requirement here in public places.  If you didn't know better, you'd think that things are normal.  But we know that they aren't.

Carlsbad State Beach

Carlsbad
Since then, we've taken two more trips out for cash and groceries.  We have a Smart and Final grocery store just one mile down the hill from our house, and an Ace hardware in the same plaza.  This was the first time in over eight weeks that I had been in a store, as my husband Darrell has been doing our shopping runs, or we order from delivery services. We put on our masks (beautifully made by one of our neighbors) and rubber gloves before we left the car.  Darrell did the hardware shopping while I shopped for the groceries.

I was amazed! That grocery store had pretty much everything anyone would want. It was a Tuesday, and I'm guessing that they received their truckloads of goods that day or the evening before. They had every type of fresh produce, bakery goods, dairy, meats and even boxes of toilet paper and paper towel rolls.  I'm on a quest for yeast, which they did not have, nor can I find it anyplace on line.  So I've made my own sourdough starter instead (first time ever).  All of the patrons and workers had masks and most had rubber gloves.  People kept a safe distance and everyone was very polite.  We returned to the same store a few days ago to pick up a couple of small things.  It was such a relief to see that at least one of our local stores is still very well stocked and with fair prices too.

Our Local Grocery Store Has Almost Everything

We stopped by the local credit union to take out some cash from the ATM. There was a guard at the door, as there always has been.  It felt weird to go to a bank wearing a mask and rubber gloves.  Must be a bit scary for the workers.

We always swing through the Village and by the beach to check things out.  We noticed that even some of the hotels seem to have a few patrons. Makes me curious.  We stopped by the local flower stand to pick up some fresh flowers and a few new new plants.  The proprietors have been able to keep it open because it's completely outdoors.  I'm happy for everyone who is able to keep their business open during these times.

Fresh Flowers Brighten the House

A Generator, Just in Case
We also stopped by a gas station to pick up a gallon for our new generator.  Maybe I'm being paranoid, but it struck me that while we are going through such strange times, we are very vulnerable in many ways.  A few years ago, I attended a work conference where Ted Koppel was the keynote, talking about his book, "Light's Out". He said that hackers from other countries are already in our power grids, and it's just a matter of time before they take one or more down for days, weeks, or even months. Thinking that through, we decided to purchase a good one from Home Depot. We are now set for any outages.

Ted Koppel's Book

Daily Life Continues

Me and Darrell Enjoying Our Pool

Keeping busy enjoying our pool, playing games, catching up with family and friends on the phone and online, experimenting with new recipes, listening in on financial advisors webcasts, taking a Audubon class on how to draw birds, house cleaning, reading and other projects.

My First Bird Sketch from Audubon Class

Still exercising on the elliptical and doing yoga.  I have two new exercise partners (my dogs) who come to visit our sun room while I work out. They generally steal pets, hugs and kisses, watch me and siesta.

My Exercise Partners Aren't Getting Much Exercise

Hope

A lot of things are moving forward toward testing and a vaccine. Every day, it is more promising. But it will still take longer than we'd like.  We have to learn how to live with this virus until we can effectively find a vaccine. Testing is finally becoming a bit more available for those who need it.  Today, a research company in Massachusetts has come up with a potential vaccine, and there's another in Oxford who also has a break-through candidate and many others are racing to help us.

Many places are beginning to open up. There are still a number of protesters clambering for things to open and for going back to work.  It will take some time, but we will get there.  As things reopen, there will most certainly be resurgences and more deaths.  There's a notion that we can't go on hiding from this invisible killer and that we must open things up again, while also trying to protect the vulnerable.  We most certainly are more prepared now than we were two months ago, and we've learned so much. Yet, we have so much more to learn.  I remain cautiously hopeful for all of us.

#ItWillGetBetter
Let's stick together, help and support each other, and we'll get through this.  I wish you all good health and peace.  Until next time #StaySafe and #HoldFast.  I leave you with tonight's beautiful sunset.

Life in the Time of Coronavirus, 5/7/20

Quarantine Sunset View from Our Backyard

Seven Weeks of Quarantine and Counting
It has now been over seven weeks of quarantine for us.  We persist.  We are thankful that we've remained safe from the Coronavirus thus far, have a safe place to live, financial resources, food to eat and mainly, that we have each other.  We pray for those who have lost their loved ones, are sick, depressed, jobless, broke, alone, hungry and in need. Every day, it seems as though the news becomes darker, and it is crushing. We won't wake up from this nightmare for some time, but we do see some glimmers of hope.

Perfect Weather

Enjoying Our Home

The weather here has been gorgeous and very warm.  We're spending more time out in the yard and in our pool, which always brightens our days.  We're starting to see more butterflies and different types of birds.  Most nights, I've recorded our Pacific Coast sunsets, using my iPhone in Time Lapse mode.  It looks like one minute of real time equals one second of time lapse.  It's so beautiful to watch the differences each day, when there are clouds, when the marine layer moves in, and on the perfect days, the reds, pinks and yellows are breathtaking.

Things are Beginning to Open Up
Our California Governor, Gavin Newsom, has a multi-phase plan for opening things up here.  This week, our Carlsbad beaches opened, as did many other California beaches.  People seem to be following the social distancing rules pretty well.  The police, lifeguards and others who protect and preserve order are out monitoring for safety.

Our Carlsbad Beaches Opened on Monday

Many Have Become More Angry and Desperate
There are still many protests in our State, Country and around the World.  Some are demonstrating and not taking the proper precautions for their own health, nor for those around them. Some are packing guns and rifles, which is frightening.  There are thousands of people who face not being able to feed their families.  Lines for the Food Banks are sometimes miles long.  My prayer is that we can continue to help people get by, and that things don't become so dire that crime and violence rises.

Some people still don't believe that the virus exists, and that so many are sick and have died.  I'm not sure where they are getting their information, but hope that they can recognize that this is real.  At present, globally over 270,000 people have died from this silent killer, and if people don't take care, there will most certainly be resurgences, which may double or triple that number.

The other disconcerting thing is that, in a few places, protesters are threatening, pushing and even spitting on healthcare workers and police officers.  I will never understand this.  Just watched an interview with a nurse who stood her ground against protesters.  She said that no matter what these people would do, she and her team would kindly take care of them, if they did contract the virus. People, why are we so angry and why are we threatening others? Isn't this virus enough of a threat to us? Why are we not working together to help each other?

Protestors Clash with Healthcare Workers

People Sharing Good Things
Some people love social media, and some despise it.  I genuinely enjoy it, and see it as a bit of a lifeline right now.  People are posting and sharing the most uplifting, positive and inspirational words, images and videos.  There's one that my friend, Kelly, told me about last week called, "Some Good News". It's a weekly YouTube series created and hosted by actor John Krasinski.  If you want to raise your spirits, watch this series. It is amazing and completely positive.  I think you will love it!

A must-watch, "Some Good News"

And here's another ray of hope:  The Great Realisation

Another must watch, "The Great Realisation

We Would have been in Spain Today
The virus shut down our big trip to Spain and Portugal. A couple of months ago, I knew it was looking worse, so I wrote my volunteer friends who were to meet and travel with us.  We all held out as long as we would, but it became obvious that we would have to cancel.  I was hoping to go in the Fall instead, but it looks like Spain won't allow visitors until at least Christmas, so it's more likely that I won't be able to go until next Spring.  We were just talking about what we would have been doing on our trip today.  Sad.. Oh well, another day.

Wishing We Were in Spain 

We've had a Few Visitors at Safe Social Distance
We had two fun visits with local friends in our backyard.  We kept a safe distance and followed other safety practices.  It made us all feel normal and alive again. We had the chance to catch up and share experiences.  I sure do miss socializing with others in person, don't you?

We Bought a Ukulele!
One of my Facebook friends, Bernie, posted photos of two stunning hand-made ukuleles that he recently crafted. I mentioned it to my husband, Darrell, and he wanted to know if he would sell either of them. We both think that it will be fun to learn to play.  Everything worked out, and Bernie and his wife stopped by yesterday to meet our dogs and deliver the instrument.  He gave us a case, a tuner, some songs to begin with and links to sites with helpful tutorials.  My goal is to learn to play Steve Martin's, "Tonight You Belong to Me", from "The Jerk". It's going to be fun!

Our Gorgeous New Hand-crafted Ukulele

Little Things that are Keeping Our Spirits Up

Cooking has been a blast!  I've made so many new dishes, and change it up every day.  We have fun themes, such as: meatless Mondays, taco Tuesdays (Mexican food of all sorts), throwback Thursdays and we still have happy hours out in the yard and pool.  I have an air fryer now, which we love. I think the french fries are comparable to In and Out Burgers.  My latest idea is to have at least one international dinner each week, where we'll visit Spain, Italy, Thailand, China, India, etc. by preparing recipes from those countries.

Every night, I do a turn-down service for us in our bedroom. No chocolates, but an inviting and cozy welcome to beddie bye each night.

The dogs are pushing our food buttons and trying to get us to feed them earlier each day, as well as pressuring us for treats.  They are truly masters of manipulation!

Masters of Manipulation

We play table and outside games, as well as mindless online games. Our favorite is still our table hockey game.

Still working out most days each week on the elliptical, doing yoga and swimming. Our sun tans are blossoming with the great weather.

I hope that you have some new simple things to brighten your days!

Keep the Faith
Until next time, I wish you all of the very best.  Please stay safe and keep the faith.  #ItWillGetBetter. I just know it!