Friday, July 3 2020

Weight unknown

Has your state rolled back covid opening? Ours hasn't yet, but of course we border Texas, which is a new epicenter. But we're in Oklahoma, with a lot more space, and a lot more "you can't make me." Tbh I feel some of that. I keep trying to wear my mask. It's rough. The heat doesn't help (107 heat index). And I finally made it in to dermatologist who said masks are the culprit to my dermatitis and that she's had a boom in business thanks to them. Go figure. SIL's memorial is next Saturday. HOping it doesn't get canceled.

We went to visit the widow last night and take food. We met his parents and you can tell that it has not hit them yet. They aren't going to have a service here and are packing up his wife and kids and moving to Utah on Sunday! They told us the way we can contribute is to come and buy anything from the house and pass that along to his friends. It leaves a pit in my stomach. I don't want to take his things. They are beautiful. And I'll always remember the first time I went to his house and how perfect everything was. But I guess it's a way to help.

I debated on sharing this or not but hopefully this is a small enough corner of the internet. DH's dad attempted suicide when he was 12. I think it's really hard on him whenever he hears of suicide, much less when it's a friend who leaves kids behind. By the grace of God his dad did not die, but did become blind.

So this whole thing has really caused me to reflect on what's important. While I think it's important to enjoy the small things, I think it's essential to look at the big picture and realize how unimportant most of those things are when it comes down to it.

DD-I got a kick out of your MRI picture. It sounds like you have a plan.

Liz-Beautiful cushions.

Weight 121, WW Bluepoints 20.

Bonnie, I am glad you are here in this tough time. Hold Rich and the girls close to you and your mutual love will be healing. Our next door neighbor where we lived for 20 years committed suicide. There is no real way to wrap your head around it other than to realize that in their mind there must have been no other choice.

Yesterday was a perfect Cape Cod weather day with the temperature in the high 70's, beautiful sunshine, a breeze and ocean water warm enough to swim in. The latter usually doesn't happen this early. I was at the beach from 10:30-4 yesterday though I spent quite a bit of it completely covered up to keep the sun off. Plenty of social distancing but I am not going to try a repeat over the holiday weekend. DS made great grilled swordfish and broccoli/cauliflower, so a healthy meal which we shared with the 2 SILs on the deck last night.

This morning is just as beautiful so I think I will take Justice for an ocean walk once I have ingested enough coffee. Later today SILs and I are going to a quaint village a little way from here and visit a pottery shop which DH and I used to frequent but I haven't been to for many years.

Today is the 6 month anniversary of losing DH, though I guess it feels longer because he was mostly gone mentally for a couple of years before that. Seems like we spent a lifetime together but at the same time that he left a long time ago.

I hope you can enjoy a good day in your neck of the woods. Stay safe and healthy!

Your description of Cape Cod sounds so delicious.

I love Oklahoma but what I wouldn't give for a getaway right now! I think a few of you have mentioned kayaking. That sounds so cool!

We've reached the point in the year where things are just getting so hot and dried out from lack of rain. But it's been muggy so the heat index has been ridiculous. We do have mighty wind which is nice for the breeze but you just know you're sucking in allergens.

I posted the other while you were finishing your post Bonnie. Of course Rich is even more sensitive to this sadness. I hope the wife and children will be okay. It sounds like that are so numb that they are going to just be herded by the in-laws for now. Which may or may not be a good thing. And yes, you must focus on the important things when a tragedy like this strikes: Your loving family and friends.

Massachusetts seems to be in great control right now, though we will see what it looks like in the fall. We are going to phase 3 reopening on Monday which I believe will allow gatherings of up to 25 indoors and up to 100 outdoors, with distancing guidelines. That means that small weddings and funerals can proceed. Other venues are opening with restrictions such as movie theatres and casinos. Our restaurants have already been open for a few weeks. All have some serious restrictions including mask wearing anytime one is within 6 feet of another person.

I feel for your friends. Leaving so abruptly does not seem like a good idea, but there may be more to the story.

We are still doing okay here in Minnesota, cases rising, but not astronomically, hospitalizations continue downward. We have capacity for 20,000 tests daily, so people who think they've been exposed can get tested, and then isolate and let other people they came into contact with know if they are positive. But with rates of people who have covid on the rise, our hospitalizations could increase. No spikes so far though.

We are almost ready to take off for the beach. Kayaks are on the car, order for Panera pick up placed, diet cokes in the cooler. Sunny and HOT.

OH, to have a lake near by...

I'm thinking of you specially today!

Our part of California is not doing well, viruswise. My city has 27 new cases yesterday for a total of 446. I think virus fatigue has set in and people just aren't scared anymore.

I had lunch and a masked neighborhood walk with a friend of mine yesterday. Normally I don't have a mask when walking outside. My friend is older and I want to protect her. So we both wore masks, but even though it was only in the high 70s, neither one of us felt like we could get a decent breath! So we traded off taking off our masks to gasp and get some fresh air. I hate them. I'll wear it when I have to, but it is definitely hard for me. It's slightly easier in stores where I'm not exerting myself, but it still sets off my claustrophobia and gets in the way sometimes of my vision (looking down into my purse or at my phone for example). A vaccine can't come soon enough so I can burn the lot of them!

I picked up a new camellia bush I ordered and need to get it in the ground today. I had 4 lining the path to my front door and one died. Luckily the nursery could identify the variety from a picture of its flower I had and special ordered it, so it'll match the others.

I ordered my bird bath too! May be a month plus until I get it, but it's progress. While I wait I can clean out the "witches forest" and continue laying down mulch.

Food has been too much, but not as bad as in the past. Baby steps, as What About Bob? would say.

Yes the masks are nasty and we are all getting so tired of it all!

If I'm enclosed with people (outside my home), the mask is on. Out and about in the fresh air (as long as we're not up in each other's face, the masks come off. There has to be a middle point- walking is supposed to be a fun thing!

Bonnie, my grandfather took his own life. I never knew until maybe 10 years ago. He was in his 80s, but was depressed after my grandmother died from Alzheimer's and he remarried a woman who was a horrible person and made his life miserable. It happens so often and no one talks about it. Maybe if we did, more people would get help before they make an irreversible decision.