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.