Friday, March 20, 2020

"Safer at Home" on Thursday

WPSH Alt. F: The Sky Today*

Today, the entire state of California has been mandated to stay home.  "Safer at Home" is the reasoning behind it.  We may go out for essentials such as groceries, medications, etc., but, for the most part, we are all being required to stay home.  I shall most definitely do my best to comply.

We had a little sunshine in the morning, followed by a shower of rain.  The rain cleared in the afternoon, though, and we had sunshine.

* WPSH: Eileen has kindly extended the deadline for the Winter Photo Scavenger Hunt until April 30 and added several alternatives to help us since so many of us are staying home in light of the Covid-19 virus situation.  Thank you, Eileen!


My eye doctor's office called to remind me about my upcoming appointment (scheduled for next week) and I rescheduled it for May!  It's my annual check up, but, I think it will be OK if it is delayed by a couple of months.  Hopefully, by May, this virus will be more contained and things will be better.

Then, I filled out the Census20 survey that had come in the mail.  I filled it out online and it didn't take too long. 

I received a text from the pharmacy that one of my prescription refills was ready for pick up and I could opt to have it delivered free of charge.  My daughter had to help me with signing up for it, but, now, it is done and the refill will be delivered to me; I won't have to go in person to collect it.  May the delivery people be blessed with good health as they go about being of service to those of us who are staying home! 

In the afternoon, around 3:00 p.m., I set my timer for 20 minutes and walked in my driveway and in front of my house and my neighbor's house.  It was mostly sunny, but, chilly!

Blue Skies and White Clouds
 
Today, after my walk, I took a nap on the living room sofa.  Then, I had a cup of tea and watched the news and a documentary on the public TV channel about the 1918 influenza epidemic.  I continued to knit on the pair of socks I am making while I watched TV.

Breakfast had been a banana (the last fresh banana for now).  Lunch was the last of the spaghetti.  Dinner was the last piece of fried tilapia neighbor S had sent over, with cucumber salad.  I am trying to finish up all the leftovers in the fridge!  I also cooked some of the green beans I had bought earlier; the ones I bought on Saturday are still in the fridge waiting for me to blanch and freeze them. 

In the evening, I did the dishes, practiced the piano, and video chatted with my daughter. 

One more picture of today's sky


Today, I have felt stressed about this whole virus situation.  The rainy weather has been affecting my asthma and I had a slight headache, earlier (probably because I hadn't eaten, yet) and suddenly, I was worrying if I am going through an incubation period!  LOL. 

Today, I am grateful for:
- The rain shower we had in the morning
- The sunshine in the afternoon
- The option of having my medications delivered
- Video chatting with my daughter
- Having a home in which to shelter

Today's joyful activities were walking and video chatting with my daughter.

Plans for tomorrow include doing some housework and having M tend to the garden.

How was your Thursday?  What are your plans for Friday?

24 comments:

  1. I was thinking exactly the same about the delivery drivers ... who would have thought that the job would become so essential and carry the risks that it now does.

    I'm now staying in home ... the prime minister suggested that this stage of social isolation will need to last for 12 weeks so I will be getting out for walks (maybe along the canal towpath?) or up and down the street like you. It feels strange as the streets are empty but we can do this!

    I like your sky photo. It's still very grey here but I am hopeful that we'll have sunshine and fluffy clouds soon.

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    1. Oh, my! 12 weeks is a long time, isn't it? But, with deliveries of groceries and so forth, we can make it, I'm sure. Maybe alternate walking between the towpath and up and down your street?

      Thank you; this morning, the sky is mostly grey clouds!

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    2. I think it will be longer than 12 weeks. There won't be a vaccine within that timescale and without that I don't see how the high risk groups or anyone else can be protected. This first 12 weeks is all about slowing the spread, trying to reduce the number of deaths and hoping to contain it so that the NHS isn't overwhelmed and can continue to function properly.

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    3. Yes, this initial isolation/social distancing is to help slow the spread or "flatten the curve" as they say, here. I've a feeling our health care system is already getting overwhelmed! Well, I'm prepared to stay at home for as long as it takes; it's the least I can do!

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  2. I think we're all on edge because of the virus. This is definitely a serious situation, but the constant news of it everywhere doesn't help.

    The sky is beautiful in your pictures.

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    1. I'm sure you are right, Live and Learn. We are all on edge because of the virus.

      Today, the sky is cloudy; almost no blue to be seen, yet, anyway.

      Hope all is well with you and yours, Live and Learn.

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  3. I too canceled my follow up appointment. I asked the clinic to mail the results.

    I had a productive Thursday, working in the yard. Today I’m going to work on class material.

    I hope you and your daughter are doing well, Bless. Stay safe.

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    1. I think asking the clinic to mail you the results was the right thing to do, Nil; minimize the chances of exposing yourself and others to the virus.

      You certainly had a productive day working in the yard on Thursday. I saw the before and after pictures! I hope you have an equally productive day working on class material, today.

      We are doing well, thank you, Nil. Daughter is working (from home) today, and has plans to "socialize" with friends online, over the weekend. I am looking forward to doing some knitting and, maybe, gardening.

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  4. It is chilly here this morning as well. The wind is whipping up the snow that is currently falling to make near whiteout conditions. Ha. I have had my face time conference call this morning, as well as face timing my daughter. They are doing well. She is letting her kids have their regularly scheduled March Break this week before setting up some "schooling" the next 2 weeks and indeterminate weeks after that. I am still concerned for my family members and friends that are still required to work. I realised yesterday that I could be getting ahead with my Christmas gifts right now with the supplies I already have. AND, it relaxes me.

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    1. Snow and windy - that sounds downright cold to me! Glad to hear your daughter and her little family are doing well. There's a certain little girl I keep in my prayers, as you know. This is a time of worry and concern for our friends and family who are still working, isn't it? One of my cousins has twin daughters, one of whom is a nurse and the other a pharmacist; my cousin is very worried about them, both.

      This is a very good time to work on Christmas gifts! We have all the time we need to craft!

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  5. I saw on the news that your governor has the entire state staying home. I'm glad you and your daughter have prepared to do so.

    I try hard not to waste food ordinarily and now it is of the utmost importance.
    I made cilantro ice cubes yesterday. lol.
    I bought 2 bunches thinking I would find a way to preserve them and I saw that suggestion online.
    Chopped up my fresh cilantro and sprinkled it into an Ice cube tray and filled it with water.

    I ate the rest of some curried lentils with fresh spinach and an egg this morning.
    Trying to eat things up before I cook up some more food.

    Which I will no doubt be doing later ;)

    Your sky was beautiful!

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    1. Yes, the whole state has been told to stay home for the most part, with the exception of people performing essential services and those needing to grocery shop, pick up medicines, etc. My daughter and I are prepared to do just that. She might need to get more groceries after about 4 weeks, but, we'll see how things are by then.

      Well done on freezing the cilantro! I'll be getting a few things ready for the freezer, myself, this weekend.

      Hope you and your loved ones are keeping well, Debra. Take care.

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  6. Sending hugs your way. So far we don't have any outdoor restrictions so I'm managing to get out for a walk each day. I am sure they are coming so I'm trying to make the most of it. I'm not bothered not being around people but I would find it really difficult if I wasn't able to get out for a walk.

    I'm trying not to read too much media regarding the virus (only the necessary updates) as it makes me just worry more. I'm trying to keep my fingers crossed that husband and oldest son will not lose their jobs. I'm trying not to stress about it but I'm sure it will be coming soon. I'm worrying about Mum and daughter as they are so far away.

    I'm hoping that we can get out for a walk on Saturday and Sunday. There are so many more people out because they are working from home or off school though we're going to go early in the morning.

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    1. Thank you, Sharon. These are worrying times for a lot of people, not just about getting sick from the virus, but all the ripple effects of it - job losses and so forth. I hope all will be well with your family. I'm glad you are able to go for your daily walks and hope you will be able to go for your walks over the weekend, too. Take care and keep safe.

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  7. That's great that you can have prescriptions delivered. Our pharmacy does the same and I have never needed to take advantage but in a couple of weeks I will need a renewal and I may just get it delivered. I thought of putting the plastic cooler outside with the money in an envelope. This would avoid close contact.
    Yesterday I thought about going out to the hardware store for something I ordered that I was called about. But I have 30 days to pick it up and it is already paid for. I heard today that they are very busy in there! People are staying home and fixing things, or painting, I guess. Somehow I no longer feel the urgency to leave the house. I called an uncle in England this morning and phoned my friend round the corner. We can do this!

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    1. It is good to have the delivery option; this is the first time I am taking advantage of it. My daughter or a friend's daughter used to pick up my prescriptions for me when I was staying home during chemo, but, that was different; there was no highly contagious virus raging at the time!

      I'm glad you decided to stay home instead of going to the hardware store. The more you can avoid public places, the better!

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  8. One word of advice for reducing your stress level .... don't watch the news each day. i just keep up with CDC updates that affect my area and nothing more. Earlier this week I watched news reports and let myself get drawn into the hysteria and gloom and doom and that benefited no one. Today I’ve stayed away from reports and I’ve had a wonderful, calm and positive day. It makes a world of difference!

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    1. Thank you, Carolyn. I'm a bit of a news junkie, so, yes, I've been watching the news, both international and national. If I hadn't watched the news, yesterday, I wouldn't have known that our governor issued a statewide stay at home mandate. But, maybe I should reduce the amount of news I watch (and read online!)

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  9. Yes, I'm staying home, too. I do take a bike ride with my dog each morning, but we are the only ones out there. It's nice to sit out on the porch, soak up the sun, and have a cup of tea. Knitting seems to help me calm down. Your photo is beautiful.

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    1. Glad to hear that you're staying home, too, Stephenie. That morning bike ride sounds like a good way to get some exercise and fresh air. Knitting is a big stress reliever for me. :)

      Thank you; I like seeing all the cloud formations. :)

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  10. I still have to go to Mom's each day and am in contact with her care givers. I also find myself having to go pick up something or another for her nearly every day, but I time it when the stores are least likely to have many people in them.
    We are overstocked with food, but it was not emergency buying, I always have a full freezer.

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    1. That's a bit worrying that you have to go out to the shops so often and that your mom is also being exposed to her care givers. Let's hope that the care givers are taking every possible precaution, themselves!

      At times like these, a full freezer is a blessing!

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  11. I didn't realise until the evening that you are now on lockdown, so it must be relief that you have your yard where you can get out and enjoy some fresh air.
    I also like to hope that we will be over the worst by May.
    Stay well. X

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    1. Yes, our entire state is under lockdown. I am very grateful to have my yard; I worry about my daughter who lives in a studio apartment. Hope you and your family are keeping well, Jules.

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