Hello

Subclinical
I believe that you should pick out that crib and purchase it.
This a once in a lifetime milestone for you.
I remember the great joy buying a bassinet for my baby, her 1st great grandchild, was for my Granma.

Other people are buying non essential things that aren't time sensitive.
But this crib is a necessary purchase that will be needed soon.
Or we can just put the baby to bed in an open dresser drawer. (((HUG)))

Also, since you can't be there with your Daughter when the Baby comes at least you can do this.

Hi Tatoulia
YEA!!! for things getting to the cleaners!

Keep up this GREAT job of whittling away at that closet!
WTG!!! :D


We all can only do things in the present with the knowledge of all the facts we have at hand.
We never know what new evidence may arise in the future that would make our decisions today bad ones.

When I was a practicing phlebotomist my job was to collect blood donations, process them and send them off to a laboratory to be made into medicine to help hemophiliacs.
Well, at that time we did NOT know about HIV and I know that I am personally responsible for the many deaths that came from that.
I make no excuses for my actions and take full responsibility for my actions.
I thought I was doing good, the FDA thought it was wholesome.
I was proud to help hemophiliacs since I have personally lost family members to that condition.
I apologized to many others in person and over the phone.
I will carry this burden to the grave even though everyone has forgiven me.
But at that time, nobody knew...

Hello Tillie! That sounds like great fun having the blue angels around!

The laundromat was open and I dropped off my comforter. I also took my winter coats to the drycleaners. I went to the grocery store and bought a few things. I just realized that I want to lay down but I haven't put clean sheets on my bed. I also need to shower and wash my hair, Tillie. I don't feel like doing any of this.

But I will. I chipped away some more today. Feels really good. My goal is to have very little to put back.

CM, I hope for some good news for your roomate and cousin.

I think, that just as a building isn't required for a school, it isn't required for a church. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have my building back, but not now. Right now it is more Important for our communities to be safe than for them to be together.

Tatoulia, I hope you got to see the planes.

Tillie, top gun is my dd2's favorite movie.

I am not going to hope to get to hold the baby. Not for a long time. I think it will just leave me disappointed and sad. I would just like to get to see him up close and not through glass. I will wear a mask. I want him to be able to hear my voice. It is hard for me to argue with Dd, because I too want him to be safe.

I still can't decide if doing material drop off and pick up for my class is a good thing or a bad thing. I still can't decide if it is ok to buy Dd a crib.

I think buying feed for the animals is essential, but even there, I ask myself if I am actually willing that someone should die so that my goats don't starve. They could probably survive on forage - they would lose weight and probably dry up, and I might lose some of the kids...but against a person's life....

Every year we lose someone on a curve out here. One day it could be my car they hit head on or swerve off the road to miss because they took the curve too wide. But I drive. I can't first do no harm, or I will do nothing, but the slope of how much risk of harm I am willing to accept is black and slick, and I need to stop thinking about it.

10 more days of video school.

Just noon here

I took a shower and got dressed, brushed my hair.

YEA! ;D

Good Morning Fellow Quarantine Inmates

Hi Subclinical
I agree with you wholeheartedly as to how we should handle these "terrorists".
In Nevada should a street walking hooker be arrested and tests positive for HIV/AIDS they are given life in prison sentences for attempted murder.

My fingers are crossed that it all works out with you being able to hold the baby.
You are doing so well keeping yourself virus free and they are doing the same so exposure to each other may be alright. ((((HUG))))


Hi CriticalMass
Hoping that everything goes very well with Roommate's treatments and she has a full recovery.

Things sound very encouraging for your Cousin right now.
Cards will let her know you are thinking of her (((HUG)))


Hi Tatoulia
Good luck with your chipping away plans for today!

The Navy base here is where Top Gun pilots train so I get to see Blue Angels fly almost daily.
The movie "Top Gun" was filmed a lot here.
I recognize landmarks from the flying scenes.
One day they drew large circles all over the sky.
Yesterday it was a large grid pattern.
Out by the bombing ranges they fly low and play hide & seek as I drive through the desert hills and valleys.
Since the personnel come from all over the planet, the base has been doing a fantastic job of keeping from spreading virus.
They have all been restricted to staying on base and grocery shopping at the base commissary.


Today it's supposed to not get hotter than mid 70s.
Rest of the week it's supposed to be upper 80s
Might find some laundry to do today. (?)
Might water trees or something. (?)
Might just veg out and sit & stare into space. (?)

I think sending cards to your cousin will be a very cheerful for her! My mother goes over her daily mail and sometimes it takes her an hour or so to marvel at the postcards or to read my silly notes. I'm sorry about your roommate and hope that she can get her specialist appointment soon.

Tillie, you've done a great job in making your food last! I'll probably hop to the store someone today. During the day, there's no waiting to get in.

You are doing a great job, SubC, planning for the baby.

I'm going to get dressed soon so I can see the F15s when they fly overhead around noon time.

I will continue to chip away here and will keep you posted on my progress!

Addendum - there's been so much I can't track

My cousin will begin her stroke rehab soon in Kansas City. And now it sounds like she may not have a tear in the aorta. Husband said they didn't mention blood clots either. It's enigmatic and shifting news, but seems to be trending better overall.

I wish I knew something I could send her like a puzzle book or whatever to pass the time, but I'm not sure what she likes or has energy for. Another card may have to do.

Mixed news...nothing bad bad, but some sad
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Scroll down...
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Okay, the sad - but we're hoping manageable:

Roommate's biopsy came back as cancer - BUT - if it's the more common kind for the location it was, it sounds quite curable and without lengthy and difficult treatments. The stressful thing at the moment is wondering when she'll get in with a specialist. The covid made a backlog with doctors, as we know.

In other news...

Her car has also been at the shop, for a mysterious issue that's been going on awhile. It may return today. But I'm not sure if she's up to driving yet, especially with it being a manual, might put strain on surgical incision or just be too soon.

My van was supposed to be worked on yesterday, but the parts store gave mechanic the wrong gasket. So maybe today.

The wonderful guests had to leave yesterday; we wished they could've been here longer. They might be able to come again if needed.

My church has reopened but with many cautionary measures in place. I'm not sure though whether to go this Sunday or just do livestream. I want to, but it sounds like they assign you a place to sit, and I'm unsure about that; I used to have panic attacks, and had my familiar safe spot to sit so I could not have to deal with that nonsense.

And then there's my roommate with her asthma and she has had a lot of sinus drainage after the surgery, and coughing. I don't want to bring anything home. Must pray about it all, and discern wisely.

City/state I guess have reopened but I haven't been out in it much to see, and don't plan to loosen my own protection measures at any rate. At the grocery store people were social distancing quite well. Glad about that.

That's the basics for now. I'll be back as soon as I can. Take care.

I talked to ❤️Daughter last night. She helped center me a little.

I did not vote for our governor, and we disagree on many things, but I was pleased with how he was handling this right up until he started talking about reopening. I think he is moving too soon and too fast.

And I hate that he backed down in masks because people were being harassed and someone was killed in another state that required masks. I understand it, but he is basically giving in to terrorists. I think a better solution is education - blanket ads everywhere about who you are protecting with your masks - don't applaud the essential workers, help them! and a zero tolerance policy for any form if harassment - you will be arrested for disorderly conduct if you are so much as rude to an employee attempting to enforce the rules, and for assault if you cough at, spit at, or touch them. And after we arrest you, we will test you, and if you test positive, we will upgrade it to assault with a deadly weapon, Yeah, I know, the courts would have a field day.

I saw a quote the other day that demanding the freedom to do whatever you want without responsibility and concern for the effects on others is not patriotism, it's adolescence.

Kitties are good. Flat cat came by last evening during a break in the rain to sit in the driveway and stare at the house.

My Dd says her plan for the dog while she and her Dh are in the hospital having the baby is not going to work because the dog person is breaking quarantine. She said I might be their best option and that if so, if I will care for the dog, I can see the baby, since they will already be exposed to me because of the dog.

Thank You!
Those Kitty pictures are very cheerful!
That cake and ice cream look so delicious.

Yes, so very grateful Mom has her Kitty with her (((HUGS)))

I am grateful Twinkles and Scooter are here with me and that you, Subclinical and CriticalMass have companions too.


There are too many people who don't believe this virus is serious, like Steven and his "friends".

The United States is heading into a very sad time in our history when so many more people will die because of the deniers.

It's one thing to risk their own life but it's criminal to risk any one else's.
There are a lot of news articles on how things are going in Massachusetts and there are a lot of crazy people there, as in all big cities.
Things will get even crazier everywhere as Summer weather takes over.

Looked on the calendar and it's been 31 days since I last grocery shopped and I believe I can go at least 10 more days.
I am quite proud of myself ;D

I just posted a bunch of cat pictures, in case anyone needs some cheering up. Mom's old cat is featured prominently. She was a good little cat. I am so glad that she has her new cat with her. I'd hate to think of her as being alone right now.

Tillie I need him to assemble your cooler. I hate him too, right now.

SubC it defies logic that people think they don't need to distance, isolate, and cover up. This is such a terrible time. And the healthcare workers are overworked and overwhelmed. Yet I see people in the city not wearing masks (all ages, all ethnicities) and people wearing their masks over just their mouths. None of us wants to live this way, but we do it to protect us and the people around us. I am fortunate that we have a good Republican governor and an excellent Democratic Mayor and both of them are excellent with communication. I am grateful for each of them and of their enormous efforts to keep us safe and fed and healthy. And without their leadership (and the leadership of my company), I would surely lose my mind.

Sending both of you and CM much love.

Hi Subclinical
Big ((((HUGS))))
People in the rural areas feel safe since the numbers are low.
Unfortunately, soon it will run through the rural areas like wildfire.
It just is taking longer to get here due to the lower populations and distances from larger cities.
Does not help when ignorant officials downplay the risks just for financial gain.

My county is still "closed" until further notice.

How wonderful you have blooms now and more soon!
YEA! your Hummingbirds are back home! :D

Poor Flat Cat with the rain making puddles.
Glad you now have a Cow Kitty too.
Mr. Kitty could use the help with the rodents.

I have watched Chickens hunt, kill and eat mice as they run out from the hay bales. ;D

No, the apathy is from the parents not keeping the children enthused and actively studying.
It can not be expected that a teacher online can do everything, the parents must participate too.

I will stay home as long as I possibly can, eating what is here.
Eating canned and frozen fruit and veggie is worth not risking any lives.

In the 80s today...
The cooler is still not assembled.
I hate him

Week 6 of online school. It is cold and dark and has rained most of the day. Today I wore my barn sweatshirt to school. I did not even care. I'm not sure the apathy is the students - most of the seniors came and one other boy drove himself. The younger kids can't come on their own. 11 more days of video school. 17 calendar days.

No flat cat today, but cow kitty did walk close to the house. I have not mentioned cow kitty before because we usually see it at a great distance. I am hoping all these kitties are being lured in by the yummy yummy rats.

Also, the hummingbird came to the front window during my afternoon class. He wanted to complain that the coral bells are not open yet. I told him just a few days. Hopefully he will find something else to eat while he waits.

My amaryllis is about to bloom - but that is inside. The calyx is open, but the individual flowers are not yet. The lily of the valley is blooming and I picked some and brought it inside.

Sometimes I think I am losing my mind. I do not understand this opening up. What has changed? Nothing has changed. D is four years old running barefoot across school grounds, no he's eight with chocolate all over his face, 12 with long sweaty hair. Big eyes, big grin, he graduated 4 years ago. He lives with his parents and his sister and her boyfriend and they are all still going to work and to stores and seeing friends and not wearing masks because the president told them it's ok. He's a paramedic. And I am afraid. I am afraid someone will send me a note that says we are collecting for the family and I will want to scream that we didn't have to be here.

Cases in my state are still going up.

And I am thinking about doing curbside pickup and getting my daughter her crib.

And I am having students pick up projects and materials.

And asking grocery employees to put cookies and wine into bags for me.

And warehouse employees to ship lawnmower parts.

None of that is worth a single life.

Good Afternoon Everybody

Hi Tatoulia
I love seeing the pics of Miss Kitty sitting in different locations in your home. :D

WTG! returning that dress and getting it over with and out of your way now!

You are doing FANTASTIC! with the closet!
Happy you are feeling so good with your progress there.
That closet has been a "To-Do" for too long (((HUG)))

YEA! for yoga!
My goal for this month is to eat better and move more.

I figured that the cleaner could be open.
So easy to stay in business and also to stay safe.
Understandable the laundromat is still closed, too tight quarters in them.



Two more positives identified in county - May 5
We are up to 5 cases now.

Tillie I've noticed how much my kitty has aged. She's 15-1/2. She seems much older and much sleepier. But she's sweet as sugar.

I went to the PO and mailed the remaining cheerful napkins. I also returned a dress I'd bought before the lockdown. I've been holding it up return once stores are open but it's bugging me, so I'd rather pay the return postage than sit here a s stew. Plus the credit card is paid off so I'll have a credit and don't miss the return postage. Small price to pay to get something aggravating out.

I haven't returned my papers to the closet and I'm continuing to whittle them down. I have to do what I can between now and Thursday night, when I take the trash out. And I also have to deal with the keepers. I can't keep living with my closet a disaster and I'm sick of having the papers strewn about in my living space. I'm feeling good, better than this rant may lead you to believe. I actually and truly see that I am making progress. Important progress, in fact.

Okay it's sunny and beautiful and I'm going to listen to Tom awaits before yoga. I am skipping my department happy hour today. I had a good video with someone yesterday and have a call scheduled with a friend for Thursday. I'll do the company side happy hour on Friday.

Oh! Laundromat still closed but drycleaners we're open. I'll take my coats to him tmr and I'll take BF's shirts in for him.

Good Morning Everyone

Hi Subclinical
So sorry (((HUG)))
That is very discouraging.
From news articles it's not just your students there but all schools in general where there is so much apathy.

The constant fear of layoffs hanging overhead is so depressing and anxiety causing for you and DH.
And it's the reason so many are taking to the streets to protest the lockdowns.

Wishing you both all the best and some inner peace.
(((((HUG)))))

Good glove wearing procedure you are using.
I have a bunch of medical quality hand sanitizing "wet naps" and use one after touching things at the gas station, bank drive up and water depot.


Hi Tatoulia
Very glad BF's business is hanging on right now.

Relieved your company is thinking things through thoroughly as to how to reopen.

That's good that you get cleaned up and dressed for video conferencing and the happy hour.
I sincerely do understand the hair brushing trauma at times.


Woke up at 3am and couldn't fall back to sleep.
Watched some boring tv for a few hours and was able to get a few more hours of sleep.
Scooter has been extra cuddly, wanting petting
which doesn't encourage me to get up and leave him.

You have a lot on your mind, SubC. This continues to be a very sad, and worrisome time. I am worried about your husband's job and company. And I understand your discouragement. I am so sorry.

BF and I had a long talk about his business last night. He's worried but not terrified. We stand firm that we do not want to take on any debt. His business is self sustaining right now. And we aren't spending any money.

I have a few packages to take to the post office today. Mailing out my 32 cent cheerful napkins. I only have one packet left. All the plates went to mom and kitty.

People are saying my office will open June 1 on a staggered basis. That seems early to me. We shall see. They've got a great group of people assembled to look at this.

I have meetings starting at 10. I am not going on video. I can't comb my hair right now. I find I can do video every other day. I enjoy it and I'm comfortable with it but I'm just not up for it this AM. If I join happy hour today I'll shower and get dressed.

SubC I am thinking about you.

I'm not sleeping well.

Yesterday only 10 of 30 families showed up. 5 were seniors who needed their caps and gowns. - the pick up was at the same time. I did get to see most of my seniors. People who made requests did not show up. It is discouraging.

I had students put their work on the firing cart. Then I wore gloves while I loaded the kiln, put the carts away, and locked the gate. Then I threw the gloves away and washed my hands. I took another glove to wear when I used the touch pad and gas pump on the way home.

I picked more cilantro from the school garden for Dh. I am one of the people who thinks it tastes like soap.

Yesterday Dh company announced that there will be another, larger round of layoffs.

Today it is raining.

:D
Yes, I remembered your company does that.

So I wasn't worrying about your savings and loan payoff plan.

That is so great that they have that.
Allowing the employees to choose which charities to sponsor. :D

Thank you, Tillie. I want to be clear that the money I directed today was just that-directed by me. Company gave each employee a minimum of $500 to donate. Great feeling today.

Hi Tatoulia
WTG! you did a LOT today! :D

I believe a laundry could be open.
Drop off stuff in bags, they use precautions as they put it in machines.
Plus the virus doesn't live very long on fabric.
Once it's washed it's safe.
One person in the shop front, pays and picks up their clean laundry.
Easy peasy.

Happy Mom sounds good. (((HUG)))
Just wish things weren't the way they are right now.
I know you really miss being with her and little Sister.

That will surely be a surprise for your friend to receive a long ago souvenir.
I'm sure she will smile at the memories it brings up.

Wonderful charity donation places you chose.
It will be appreciated, especially at this time.

Have fun puttering with Dorothy. ;D

Okay all garbage and recycling is out! I'm now sitting in car while BF runs errands. It's just started to rain a bit. I wore gloves while taking garbage out and am now bare handed. I had a pretty good work day. I will wash my towels tomorrow.

I think I saw the laundromat open this weekend. I'll have to pay better attn so I can drop off my comforter.

Mom sounds good. I mailed off some postcards today.

Thank you for the reminder regarding the gloves. I have a procedure now where I wipe down my alarm pad and my phone, keys and doorknobs once I get inside and after I've removed my gloves. But you are absolutely correct. Why wear the gloves! They do keep me from touching my face. M
Will spend some time with Dorothy the Organizer tonight!!

I have one bag of garbage out. Will take the second one Ave the two recycle bags out now.

I sent my friend, who I went to Europe with the summer of 1990, a souvenir I found in my closet. She will be amazed by it!

I continue to get rid of stuff and whittle down the closet. It feels so good!

I got two loads of laundry done but then my hospital neighbor needed to do laundry. I was glad to see her as I was able to ask where she would like me to donate some $. I have $500 that I can direct the donations, so I did some to Boston Medical Center, some to a women's soup kitchen and some to a local homeless shelter.

But my two loads are folded and put away! I have to go help BF with something now and will continue to putter when I get back

Very nice weather today.

Had towels and washcloths out on the line this morning.
All dry and put away.
Last night I washed a load of my clothes and dried them inside on hangers.
All dry and put away.

Went outside and watered the garden plants, will water the grass once the sun is closer to the Western horizon.

Since I did all my Swedish cleaning out and all that, there is really nothing but general house cleaning and daily tidy ups.
It's nice. :)

Good Morning Everybody
May The Fourth Be With You ;)

YEA! for a lovely day there Tatoulia :D
Have a wonderful cathartic day doing laundry.

About the gloves...
Soon as you touch anything while wearing them
you must then consider them contaminated.
Should you then touch your face or hair, you have now spread contamination there.
It's all the same as when not wearing gloves.
Washing our hands then not touching things keeps us from spreading possible virus onto ourselves.
Washing or wiping down items we have touched with hands that have been touching things in public cleans off possible virus.
So please don't have a false sense of security because you wear gloves.
Treat gloves same as you would treat bare hands.
Wash with soap for 20 seconds whenever possible or use a good quality hand sanitizer.

When I grocery shop I don't wear gloves.
I keep my hands off my face, hair, person.
When home again 1st. thing is I kick off my shoes and wash my hands, I wipe down the car, keys, door knobs, etc. because I touched them while my hands were contaminated.

The face coverings out in public places are important when within <10> feet of each other and most of all when indoors where we rebreathe each other's air.

It's this virus getting into our lungs, mouth, nose, eyes we need to prevent while around breathing humans.

So just use cautions and not suffer wearing gloves when it's just too hot to tolerate them.

Steven reports that almost nobody in town is wearing face masks everywhere he goes.
And they are bunching up all together in crowds in stores.

Hi Subclinical
YEA!!! for a chance of seeing your kids today!!!

Wish we could not have to go into the grocery store here too.

Wow. Tillie. Wow.

SubC that'll be great to see your students! You will brighten their day. And your day will be brighter too.

Today is lovely and sunny with a light coolness to it. As BF said, it's my kind of day.

I think I'll not wear the gloves when I'm walking around. I can put on when touching or going into a store. It will keep me cooler.

Okay back to work. I'm washing last week's sheets and doing a small load of light colored miscellany. I'll then wash my towels. I'm doing my towels more frequently now. Soothing.

Okay everyone have a great day and wow Tillie, just wow.

I forgot to say, that I don't really care about the meat because I don't eat it. But Dh was sad. He wanted a piece of beef and some bacon. And there was no bacon and they were out of beef.

If we needed to poach for food, I would poach a goose. I am confident that I know how to butcher it, and there would be almost no waste. Also, there are too many of them in our county - often non-migratory. And the geese are not afraid of me, so I could get really close.

Our governor backed off from requiring face masks when businesses reopened because there have been so many dangerous reactions in other places. This makes me angry. You are being asked to do something simple to protect other people, and you find it inconvenient or uncomfortable, so you harass others or threaten them with violence? And these people who throw their little tantrums win. I am ashamed of our country.

Today, I will maybe get to see some of my kids again. I will wear my mask. Even though I will stay at least six feet from them. I don't want to breathe germs on their bags.

Tatoulia, you got a lot done!

I am so glad we don't have to go in the grocery store. I think it is better for the grocery workers too.

CM, glad the visit is turning out well.

Tillie, that makes me so angry!

❤️Daughter mostly raised her sister. She has told me some really awful stories about things her mom did and things she did to take care of her sister. This boy is a teenager and has a nice home and good food and toys for his brother, and adults to call and talk to, so it is a lot of responsibility and very tiring, but not awful.

Off to bed. Busy day tomorrow.

P.S. to clarify...
It wasn't really Mr. Seagull but that is the name my father was calling him as he was screaming at my muther.

Back at that time Las Vegas belonged to organized crime syndicates.

WAY TO GO! Tatoulia!
Fantastic job today on that closet! :D

So sorry about that rude pervert at the store.
Some people! >:(

Good you found the health care proxy and now know where it is.
I have Steven's in the wall safe and Nate has his copy of mine, my copy is in my secretary desk.

I figured people would start protesting even more once the Summer heat arrived.
Having worked in surgery for so many years I know how uncomfortable face masks and gloves can get.

YEA! the donations are in the car and make sure to get out the recycling before it gets too dark out tomorrow.

Really hoping someone helps your Mom get the Kittie's box done.
Very relieved the fan helped to cool her today.

I was responsible for my two younger sisters since they were born.
Feeding, bathing, dressing them and everything.
I was only 3 when the 1st one came and 8 when the second one came.

When I was 6 and 1st sister was 3 our muther deserted us on the Las Vegas strip while she went inside to gamble.
After a while my sister's constant crying caught the attention of casino workers and even Bugsy Seagal who came out to see us, took our picture.
Well, my parents were run out of town before sundown with us in tow and the mob extremely angry at them.
I was in trouble for not keeping my sister quiet and causing my parents problems.

I never forgot how nice Mister Seagull was to me. :)

Great to hear from everyone! SubC I'm glad you can still fire pottery. Nice that the kids have something to look forward to. I'll keep all your kids close in my thoughts, esp the one caring for the little brother. I took care of my brother from a young age and it was very hard.

Cm how nice to hear you're cousin is in a safe place. I'm glad the roommate's family is so nice. I too use to look at other people's relationships so I would know what I was looking for. We need role models no matter our age!

Tillie the cobbler will be so yummy. We have trouble with eggs, flour, meats, etc here. I was able to buy fresh flour and eggs for BF's birthday cake. I did find tuna today and bought two cans.

Tp is back on our shelves fairly regularly.

I did a ton of shredding today. I'm so pleased with myself. I haven't put anything back because I'd like to see what I can accomplish before trash goes out tmr night.

I also found my mother's signed health care proxy, which I may need some day. So I've put it with the cemetery info. She sounds great today. It was very warm here today, in the 70s, and mom started to overheat. But she found her fan and it has cooled down. The person who was supposed to clean her cat box hadn't done do her. I'm trying not to worry too much.

I hope Steven sets up your evaporative cooler. This is important!!

The grocery store was a nightmare tonight. We drove to one. Absolute nightmare. But we made it through in one piece. BF was coming around the corner as I yelled at some guy. The guy kept standing near me, just hanging out, with his mask half off, scratching tickets next to me in a very long line (ONE lane open that wasn't self-serve) and he started to motion to me to come near him when I shouted, I don't need your help. Just as my BF rounded the corner. It was pretty great.

I got my donation bag to the car. The day felt exceptionally warm with my gloves and mask. I showered and wore a skirt but still just too warm, even with wet hair.

I am so excited that I worked on my closet today. I got rid of one giant brownwell of papers and a smaller yellow banker's type file folder. And I threw out the folders too. I got rid of a souvenir program from Les Miz, which I saw in NY in probably 1993. I put it in the donation bag just in case someone wants it.

So I have a giant recycling bag of just papers and a giant trash bag of just shredded papers. I had a good day doing this. I'm pleased.

Other day I was going to make raspberry cobbler but it was warming up too fast here to have the oven on.

But right now, since it's cool here that cobbler is in the oven.

YUM! :D

He has still not gotten the cooler set up for me in here.
But he is now working on setting up the cooler he has for the garage, where he loves to spend all his time with his hoard.

Hi CriticalMass
Great to hear all your good news today! :D

SO wonderful to know how very wonderful Roommate's people are. (((HUGS))) to them

Sounds like your Cousin is in the best place possible to be.
Still holding her tight in my heart.

True, when in a rut the best thing is to be pushed and lifted out of it.
And this sounds like a very gentle and beneficial push you are getting. ;)

Today it's low 70s for the high, gentle winds.
Absolutely no rain predicted even though there are clouds.

Sweet little Bunny pics you have posted and the flower is beautiful.

I hope to find beans and legumes for protein and fiber when I shop next.
Never really eat much meat and I love beans.
Want to make my 3 bean salad, so cool and refreshing on hot days.
Last time I shopped the beans (canned & dry) were all missing from the shelves.

But I found it very strange last time I shopped that the cans of whole chickens, Spam, potted meat and other canned processed meats were untouched.

They grow the beef cattle out here on the open range so I could easily buy a cow if I wanted to. LOL :D

Hi everyone

Hello to Flat Cat, and Hummingbird with an attitude!

How is the weather in Narnia?

We're all chilling; Roommate is napping. Her sis and brother-in-law are outside with the dog. They have been so helpful in so many ways. He has been fixing and doing things, including the CO alarm that has sat around needing to be put up. They are such nice people, and observing them I know if I ever met a guy to marry I'd want that strong loving bond like they have.

I realized it has been good for me to have company and different routines - it's something I resist in my mind, yet change does break me out of my old ruts. I think that'll carry over into continued mojo for projects - including decluttering.

He is familiar with Linux and helped me get Zoom installed on my computer (for doctor appt. Wed.), and I feel ready to do more things that as a beginner user I felt trepidation about.

Latest email on my cousin last night clarified she will be at the place in KC for more tests. It's a university hospital. Hopefully with experts who can help. I feel guarded optimism.

Here on the Plains we still have meat, but I might pick up an extra can or two of cubed chicken at the store just in case next time I go. (But only my fair share, no greediness.) Canned works better for me because it doesn't necessitate advanced meal planning in my unpredictable life.

Been sleeping better, and not staying up to extremes. I could go for a nap, actually, but it's now almost 5:00, so may not be able to. Weather here sunny today and nice, some rain days to come. Hopefully not all together.

Thanks for the update on your school kids.
My heart breaks for the ones struggling and/or feeling alone.

I figured you all could hole up pretty well at your place.
Plus you could probably poach some nice meat. Poaching in desperate times is alright.
I have Quail, Dove and Cottontails all over the place, Deer just a little farther away by the river and alfalfa fields

LOL, little Flat cat and puddles. :D

YEA! for being able to get flour!
Been seeing news articles about the meat processing plants so figured meat would go the way of TP.
Too bad there aren't any local wineries near you.

I haven't had any soda pop in years but last time I was at the store I wanted a 6 pack but there were no flavors I wanted so I ended up with a 12 pack too.
Haven't drank any of them yet but if I were to get a burger or pizza I definitely would drink one. :D
I got black cherry Pepsi.

Tillie, this place was actually set up as a Y2K retreat by the people we brought it from. They took the electric generator, but the land and the tree line are such that if someone parked a vehicle on our bridge, you could only reach the house on foot, or with a horse or two wheeled vehicle, or with something that would knock down full grown trees in your path. We have plentiful fresh water and firewood for heat and cooking. And I could feed my family adequately if not enjoyably for a long time.

The grocery store says we cannot have any meat or wine because it is not available. But we can have flour now, so that is good. Meat and wine are not needs. I ordered a 12 pack of soda for treats. I was going to order a six pack, but they didn't have any in flavors I like, so this will last a long time!

There are puddles in my yard that are definitely deep enough to cover Fiat Cat.

Most of my kids are doing ok. I think a lot of them are not going outside much. Some of them are having really hard struggles. One lost her part time job and her adult brothers have both moved back home. They are driving for delivery services, and her little nephew, who she used to see all the time, is living with his mom to stay safe. Her future step-dad works construction, so he is out every day and she and her mom are just at home worrying and missing the baby. Another student has two medical worker parents on 12 hour shifts and is taking care of his 5y.o. brother. At least one is fighting some pretty bad depression. I try to make positive contact with him as much as I can - offer him meaningful, but easy things to do and give him positive feedback.

Tatoulia, you are doing good work!

Good Morning Subclinical

Yes, such an amazing feeling to actually hold one of those sweet tiny birds!
YEA! that your Hummers will be showing up soon! :D

Flat Cat would need to keep to higher ground in the rain to keep from being underwater. LOL ;D

Very glad you are getting a new CO detector.
They and smoke alarms do wear out over time.

With so many scientists and labs all over the world working on a vaccine we may have a good one soon.
There are many right now in the human testing stage of development.

Good luck with your work tomorrow.
How are the kids doing? Are they coping well enough?
I hope they are reading books and getting outside in the fresh air and sunshine.

I believe that you should be able to dictate whether or not masks are to be worn in your classroom.
So no more bad dreams, it will all be worked out when we get back to our new "normal".

Yeah, anarchy is a possibility and I want you and all your kids together at your place.
Armed to the teeth.
Right now people are starting to revolt against the strict rules and regulations and not being able to earn money.
Not being able to feed and house their children makes people desperate.

So many mixed feelings about getting drive through, take out, ordering things online for delivery, even about having to buy food at the grocery store since the employees have to be there too.
Whenever I encounter someone I always say "stay well" and I really mean it too.

With Steven always running off to who knows where
I never know if I am infected and possibly passing it along.
So I just do without as much as possible and keep to myself at home.
If I get it that's one thing. If I give it to someone that's tragic.

Good Morning Tatoulia :)

WAY TO GO! eliminating those items that have bad emotions attached to them!!!
Life is too short to keep around things with bad mojo!

A pillow with beads, sequins, buttons & bows, etc.
is so wrong.
You cannot use it comfortably like a pillow is supposed to be used. ;p
I have also seen quilts decked out that way and think how unwelcoming they are.

GOOD LUCK! with the car.
About every week or 10 days I have been starting up the car to keep the battery charged and it's been working fine.
Just have that nesting yellowjacket problem to keep in check. :O

FANTASTIC progress on the closet project!
Soon, very soon you will be able to access Narnia through there. ;)

But best of all is you letting go of items that remind you of bad times and negative emotions.
That's where Marie Kondo's "spark joy" method of deciding really resonates with me.
If an item sparks happy emotions or indifferent emotions, I can keep it.
If an item makes me feel bad in any way it must leave.

Washed sheets & pillow cases this morning and they are out on the line.
Tonight they will smell so wonderful when I put them on my bed and sleep with them. :D

I love hummingbirds! The coral bells are just about to open, so the hummingbirds should come looking for them soon.

One year we had one accidentally fly into the house and I got it to perch on my finger and carried it outside. It was amazing!

It's raining very hard off and on today. We don't see flat cat when it rains.

I have mixed feelings about the pizza. We are supposed to stay home, but restaurants are allowed to be open for carry out. And we want to keep our restaurant in business. But I also worry about the employees. But they also need jobs.....

Dh put in our grocery order for pick up tonight.

Dh also ordered parts to fix the mower and a new CO detector by mail. We decided that if you take your CO detector outside and reset it and it goes off again, and then you change the battery and reset it, and it still goes off outside, either it is broken or the whole neighborhood is doomed.

I am doing dishes and laundry today. Tomorrow I have to go to school, unload the kiln, And pack up the kids work,. Then I put it out in the parking lot again and they come to collect it and put new work on the cart. I load the work from the cart, Start the kiln again, wash up, and come home. I will probably bring home another load of stuff from my room.

I had my first covid 19 related dream last night. We went back to school, but my boss wouldn't make the students wear masks. We had a big fight about it. I woke up during the fight.

Yesterday, I told my daughter I was sad thinking about possibly not being able to take care of my grandson. Dsil said "that's six months from now. We don't know what is going to happen in six months. We could have a cure. Or anarchy." Dd said if it was anarchy they would move in with us and I could see the baby all the time.

Dear little hummingbird! So sweet. Love hearing about the wildlife including Flat Cat!

I'm working on my closet. Have been through a bunch of bags of paper. Getting through it. Committed.

Will go to car in a bit to try to drive it. Yikes. I'll
Also take that bag of donations. A crazy little bunch of stuff. Including that final pillow that the friend brought me two years ago. My sister took one. I just am not a sequins and beads girl. Doesn't fit my vision for my life. Ever. I think it's safe that she won't visit again. It's hard to tell but it seems unlikely. I resent holding it for her.

I put a measuring cup in there too. I remember when I bought it. I hated the store, I hated who I was with and I had an all around miserable day. So why should I bake with it? I also got rid of a fridge magnet that brought up different bad feelings. I've learned so much here.

Love you all so much.

Good Sunday Morning
"Clink!

My yard has been swarming with Hummingbirds the last two weeks.
They come every Spring, raise babies, stay all Summer then migrate in Autumn to warmer climates over the Winter.

For this last week there has been this one Hummingbird that has been coming to the back porch.
When I go out to feed little Cowgirl kitty it hovers at face level "screaming" at me.
Then sits on some wires Steven has draped around near the ceiling.
Hovers face level screaming some more then flying off through the carport.

I keep looking to see if it is nesting near there but so far haven't seen any nest.
But their nests are so tiny it could be anywhere.

I used to hang Hummingbird feeders out.
But Steven's hoard gets so many yellowjacket wasps that the Hummingbird feeders were always getting covered with wasps and no Hummingbird or Oriole could get near them to drink.

Anyways...
Having a Hummingbird screaming right at my face doesn't bother me in the least.
I find it to be very cute. :D

Sometimes when I am out weeding my garden one will come hover over my shoulder watching what I'm doing.
Almost daily one will come hover at the window looking at the cat.

HaHaHa Flat Cat HaHaHa ;D

You're getting pretty close
keep it up and she will soon be drinking her treats herself.

Had one feral kitty boy who trusted me because I promised I would never try to touch him.
And I didn't.
He kept coming closer and closer day after day, week after week.
Then after a time he started rubbing on my ankles.
One night as I was putting the food out he put his head into my hand.
So I petted him and he absolutely loved it and could never get enough pettings after that.

YEA! for a drive and a pizza too!!!
I have been wanting pizza or a hamburger but to get it I would have to leave the house.
There are signs all along the roads saying "STAY HOME".

Little Cowgirl kitty came by for her supper and the fur on her back is lightly singed.
Other than that she looked alright.
Think maybe she went under a hot car???

Today I got within 8 ft of the new kitty. I tried to give it a treat of goat milk, but it ran away, and then mr. kitty ate the treat.

The new kitty has short legs and a wide stocky body and wide flat face. When it sees us, it crouches down very tight to the ground. Today Dh named it "Flat cat".

The weather was nice today, so Dh and i took a drive into town for a takeout pizza.

This ALWAYS happens...

I get all the dishes washed, rinsed, dried and put away.
As I am finishing wiping up the stove top and counter, etc. I turn around and the little beggars are sitting at the edge of the kitchen linoleum staring holes into my head, begging for a bowl of can food.

So before I am ever finished with kitchen clean up
they are dirtying up more dishes.
The dishes are never done...

Good Morning Everyone

Hi Subclinical
I had been wondering if the New Kitty was still coming around.
Sounds like the two cats have reached an agreement. ;D

If you had a "Guard" Turkey, Mr. Kitty would learn not to tease the Chickens. LOL

Yes, alone time, real alone time.
So necessary.
Only time I get that is when he's out socializing or his frequent grocery trips so it's not good alone time for me.

At least golfing is outside in the fresh air.
If they keep far enough away from each other and don't touch things and wash their hands, they should be alright.
Safer than a trip to the grocery store.

Sorry you weren't allowed to sleep in this morning.
At least the cats here wait until my eyes are open before they nag me for breakfast.


Beautiful cool morning here.

Scooter found where I hid Mousie last afternoon this morning.
I've been hiding his snacks around too.
This hunting for treasures seems to be making him happy.

The yellow Roses are lovely but my allergies from them are horrid.
At least the Lilacs only make me sneeze when I stick my face into their fragrant blooms.

Looking for some motivation to do something creative.
But have a bad case of "why bother?".

Will get outside and get some vitamin D before it gets hot today. ;)

Tatoulia,

I am so sorry about your friend. I'm afraid we are going to lose a lot of good people before this ends.

Let us know how the trip yo Narnia goes.

CM, good wishes for your roommate's recovery, and for your cousin.

Tillie, I really appreciate you keeping us up on all the news there. I really hope you get your cooler set up soon.

New kitty came by this morning to hang out in the driveway. Mr. kitty went out to join and they stared at each other from a few feet apart for a bit - too close for social distancing! Then new kitty followed Mr. kitty around the yard for a short time until Mr. kitty got annoyed and chased his shadow across the front yard. New kitty stopped at the edge of the woods and Mr. kitty came in for a nap.

Now Mr. kitty is outside pretending to hunt chickens. The chickens are not amused.

Dh has gone to play golf again. I am not sure how I feel about this golf playing. I'm not sure it is entirely safe. But I actually like having him gone for a little while. I generally like having him around, but having him here in the house working is somehow tiring from another person without any of the reward of actually being with dh. When he is here, even if he is out in the woods and I am alone, I don't feel alone. And I need alone time.

It is sunny and not too cold, and I want my garden to be nice and my stalls to be clean. But I don't have any motivation to do anything. I just feel tired. I wanted to sleep late this morning. I did sleep in a little, but Dh came at 6:00 and woke me up and begged and cajoled until I got up and made him breakfast. It would have been less effort for him to just make his own breakfast.

12 more days of video school.