quotidian covidian

 

Nala in her new pineapple bed She's been known to squeeze into bags barely bigger than herself. Hopefully she'll sleep in here at night instead of Naomi's bed which increases her allergies

I buy so many orchids but half don't survive beyond the first bloom

last of the amaryllis. I have better luck with them. This one is 5 years old

Cooper's hawk comes daily to feed on my birds. Only once have I seen one successful. I did see a sharp shinned hawk chase around a morning dove barely smaller than itself. 

Each day blurs into another but perhaps there is light at the end of the tunnel. Steve finally received his first vaccine. Bonus, he didn't have to make a 90 mile roundtrip north or south to the alternate venues we found. He didn't cancel them until the last minute. Once burned twice shy as last minute cancellations have happened. But he got the wait 4 weeks instead of 3 and our in common health care provider no longer is handing out free gifts to the vaccinated.

And vaccines are starting to pour in. They are going to start with the 50-65 age group next week though I know they haven't reached all the over 65s. My daughter is a line and prep cook, recently back to work. Still not covered. True she doesn't see the public but in minutes food that has been in  her hands (gloved!) goes to the public.

We did attempt to eat outside last night. Temp 38 and with the wind, windchill 28. Although we were surrounded by heat lamps, somehow the heat goes up and not out so...useless. We had Maya with us who happily played with her cousins. They spent very little time sitting down, instead they explored the blocked off downtown

I still have my injured hamstring which prevents me from running though I have some increase of range of motion. While I am resting, I have it on a heat pad which seems to help. Fortunately my new to me indoor bike provides exercise and I've biked outside a few times. It will be warm this week so I can get some fresh air and maybe try running even.

Also only 3 more days of having to take my blood pressure 6 times a day, which is annoying especially when they read high. They are getting somewhat lower and I even have had some readings close to a I have got in the doctors's. They cause undue anxiety. I will enter 'phase 2' of the study in whch I take my blood pressure only once a week

Maya will go to school in person in 5 weeks for only 2 days. More than half of the covid cases in our county are due to those fun loving  but profoundly selfish college students.  My other grandkids not living in college towns have in person school now. Will we ever be Covid free? Not with idiots such as the governors of Texas and Mississippi removing mask mandates. Biden called this 'Neanderthal thinking' He was too kind. Fox news was all over this saying how can Biden claim to be a uniter when he calls this governors Neanderthals. Also they blamed him for not publishing some racists Dr. Suess books (not his decision) and for having an ugly German Shepherd (does not look presidential) Actually his dog is quite handsome but they are really scrapping the bottom of the barrel criticizing  adog

Breaking down

On the coldest morning (minus7) these deer seemed frozen in place on our property line

a foot of snow

Hannah

A few more orchids will bloom soon. Not having good luck with them.

What's breaking down beside the Texas power grid, whose officials had prided themselves for being independent of pesky regulations and preparing for 'what-ifs"

Me. What is crucial to my sanity is being able to exercise but now I am injured with a painful hamstring tear. This happened just I decided not to bury my head in the sand about my weight and face that. Yep I am on my way to becoming fat again though I have been modifying my diet, particularly my drinking in the past two weeks. I can't even walk fast without being in pain nor do a lot of my other exercises. I figured biking would be OK because my hamstrings aren't used in that but then came arctic temps and the permanent foot of snow. So maybe an indoor bike? I quickly found a barely used one near Shanna's house (useful as I needed her van to transport it here). I paid one third of its usual price. It seemed to be in excellent shape until I got it home and noticed I couldn't tighten the seat as a bolt was frozen (we might be able to unfreeze it with penetrating oil) I began to sink into despair again (one pity party after another) but noticed as I use the seat all the way back anyway (freakishly long femurs), I could ride it just fine. Indeed after riding it for 3 minutes, bells went off saying"longest ride ever!"so at least I wasn't lied to about it being barely used. She must have known about the frozen bolt though and neglected to tell me so boo on her. But I can get my heart rate up to almost where it is running so that will help until I can go outside again.

Generally I am in pretty good health (except for that cancer gene). Except in the last 2 months of pregnancy with Shanna, I never have had high blood pressure. I am now on a study administered by the University of Michigan about monitoring for health using an iWatch and a blood pressure machine, were supplied to me. I already had an iWatch but it wasn't new enough so they gave me a new one (and Naomi got one that's only a year old) I also need to do breathing exercises and run EKGs. But this blood pressure monitor most of the time says I have Stage 2 hypertension. Never even when I as fat was it ever above normal. Actually it usually is low. I got permission to take Steve's and his was high on it too (though not as bad as mine) Only today did I get a 'normal" reading surprising as I was really stressed while I was taking it. I tense up now just at the sight of that blood pressure cuff and am getting headaches. About to burst a blood vessel? Carbon monoxide poisoning? Lack of fresh air?I feel that I am falling apart.

Vaccine distribution? All broken. Aside from the state's program to administer through health departments and hospitals (Steve is presumably on 3 different lists, still no word from them), the federal government has started sending them to local pharmacies. As soon as we heard about that, we went on line increasing the distance willing to travel further and further. Pay dirt 40 miles north of us. Fine and dandy. He was supposed to get his first vaccine tomorrow but today was told that the vaccine wasn't shipped in time and made the new appointment 3 weeks from now. We have since found one in 10 days in Ohio (same distance only south)

I did get my 2nd vaccine yesterday so at least I am covered.

Studies are coming out that maybe one could get away with just one vaccine. If there is such a limited supply of vaccine, would it be more ethical to just give one and then twice as many people would be protected although only to the tune of 85% versus 95%.

Within the same hour the other day, I was told both my cruise and my bike ride were canceled. Trying to rebook the  river cruise has been an exercise in frustration.

Our insurance allows us to order over the  counter items. We were told that this drug I ordered would take 2-5 days to come. It is now day 14.
 

Half vaccinated

 

Oliver was allowed to finally return to in person school two days a week after almost a year at home. His siblings have been going on and off for the past month. Allie is in full time school. Maybe Maya will go back part time in a month. Such weird times we live in. My grandkids live in 3 different counties with differing rules

I am a light junkie. Can't wait to put these along my walkways. But until the ground melts, I have to wait

No school photos during the time of covid. They will make a yearbook from parent submitted ones

Also I try to have flowers inside forcing paper whites. Still have amaryllis in bloom, christmas cactus and some orchids ready to bloom

our big sky

looking towards the east Treetops glowing orange

This whole vaccination  scheme is such a pain. Steve is on various waiting lists but no word when he might be able to get one. He uses the same care provider system as I do. They sent me two notices. Was one meant for him? You aren't allowed to talk to them. We sent a note asking if they accidently gave me his slot. No reply. Meanwhile these vaccines are being made just 90 miles away by my former employer. Until he is vaccinated, our life continues to be on hold.

I had to go to the next county (same health system though) to get mine. They were well organized. My arm was sore the next day and I had the chills but soon felt fine.

I do hate these winter months. If the temp goes above freezing and it's not too windy I bike, almost 200 miles so far. I have not run outside as the dirt roads are ice slicks. I could run in the bike lane of the busy road which I have done other years but instead I am using our treadmill.

I am relieved that there is less of Trump but there are plenty of despicables jockeying to take his place. My favorite (not!) is that QNON idiot from Georgia. Turbulent times. 

We can breathe

 

View from my tub

Not a flattering photo of me but I am comfortable

I have cut down significantly on my art purchases due to Covid and that this house is finally becoming filled but I couldn't resist this fused glass plate

And a felt jester hat for Maya

Every evening a herd of ten deer slowly pass through our backyard

Not knowing what evil the orange swine might have been plotting with his ragtag mob of mindless thugs, I nervously anticipated Inauguration Day. January 6 continues to unfold. Who would have thought he would turn on Pence having his thugs search for him ready to kill along with a good portion of our house and senate. But it has passed and the whole world can breathe. Still a big mess he has caused including the 400,000 people who shouldn't have died because we were led by an idiot in denial. Still no shot for me even though I got a message theat some will be shipped to my provider this week. I keep anxiously checking my mail. Again I blame him.

Not a fan of winter. Awaiting impatiently for my street to melt so I can bicycle. It will as it is sunny and slightly above freezing.  I've been using the treadmill a lot 

I will be on a study sponsored by Apple for 3 years monitoring my health . I get an upgraded watch and a blood pressure device and get to see the results of some genetics tests. I will earn around a dollar a day but I use the health app anyway. Only extra work is doing the blood pressure measurements and installing more apps on my phone and ipad.

Sedition! (To the tune of Tradition from Fiddler on the Roof)

some of my glassware including my new old fashioned glasses from Shanna

Yes we have  snow and it has not gone away so on the treadmill alot

my jacuzzi  minus the  candles and the gingerblossom bubbles Awaiting my spa pillow

different colors

she turned 4

lots of amaryllis 

another one

new toy, a lens ball

 still playing around with it

a small plane crashed  last weekend 5 houses  over from Josh. The 3 people in the plane died. the people in the house survived

What a start to the new year!  It started pretty boringly here. Early to bed, no parties, nothing special. Fell asleep watching True Detective (season 1 best; season 2 worst)

I get a call from Josh who was preparing a birthday party for Hannah that I was not invited to because I'm not in their bubble though the other gramma is and more recklessly, the aunt is. A plane just crashed, got to go.

What? He lives very close to a regional airport. He heard it buzz loudly  over his head then an abrupt stop. It hit the dirt first sparing the 5 occupants of the house who had just moved away from the room that took the direct hit

At the same time rump was alternatingly wheedling and threatening the Georgia election head for a full hour to lie about the results. No can do. He is my hero but after he had to be  escorted to safety once the deplorables caught wind of this The whole phone call was recorded. I listened to some of the highlights, such  a sickening psychopath but the upside a few days later, the Democrats got control of the Senate.Stacey Abrams got the vote out and rump discouraged his followers  A two prong operation with help from an angel and the orange devil himself.

Desperate psychos call for desperate measures .A day later he and his sick sycophant' Rudy are firing up the mob on the Ellipse urging them to break into the Capital and stop the vote. C'mon I'll lead you marching down Pennsylvania Avenue.  The mob with all their flags, Confederate, Nazi, went to task. Did they notice their fearless leader had slipped away to watch it on TV? Once the seat of our government was breached, he did nothing to stop it grousing how low class his supporters looked. Were they to commit treason in 3 piece suits? Once they started smashing things he finally tweeted them to go home adding that they were very special people and that he loved them. He had the crowd turn on Pence who has spent more than 4 years sucking up to him but finally told him , no I can't singlehandedly turn over the election. Fine thanks he got. My favorite scene was the young woman whining that she got maced when she only wanted to commit treason. Well she was dressed better with her piano scarf. Always pays to be fashionable when staging a coup Lots of funny memes by black people saying white people don't know shit about committing crimes. Where's the mask? Why film yourself and turn to the camera and give your full name and address.

Of course they saw themselves fulfulling some holy mission turning the government over to its rightful dictator and  false orange god. There must be some reward for them for this. When will they realize they are just useful idiots. Some of their employers recognized them and promptly fired them. Others are getting jail time. Perhaps they will be pardoned?

In the end, the vote continued and certified the election. His faithful are bailing right and left especially those with deep pockets. The hoi polloi however still insist that democrats somehow staged this The orange demon is scrambling for alternate means of reaching them as he has finally been cut off of Twitter.

Merry Covid Christmas

 

We had three shifts of Christmas guests: Christmas Eve Mya, Mid day Christmas Josh's family and later, Shanna's family. Naomi who would be all alone was there the whole time. Yes it would have been more fun to have everyone at once..Next year. I guess. I had the kids smile in their photos before they could open presents

Josh and Allie

A pensive Naomi. Finally her hair is near to its original color

Hannah and Allie

tree with snowflake ceiling

Yes I am a sucker for various lights. I like the pattern these lanterns make

Maya and Nala

Our 43rd wedding anniversary came and went

more lights

Its turned cold and snowy so luckily we have a treadmill. With the heat off, the fan full blast and my music full blast, it is almost tolerable. Warm now is defined by me at least at 35 for bicycling

As in most of the world, I feel like I am in a holding pattern until we can get those vaccines. Also cannot wait until Trump leaves. I keep being afraid one of his dastardly plans might work. Now I can see why he wants to stay in office at all costs but why anyone else would.

And each day now gets ligher

Awaiting the vaccine

Went to an art show down the street

the first snow that stuck with weird evening light

looking through my various art glass to the snow

Regal Kaya. I get to see her but not the kids

Josh's family

our bedroom. Facebook showed this when the previous owners had only a mirror on the wall

I've been putting up Xmas lights

the white tree

the big tree

 This covid crap is getting old. It is more or less under control in our county but we are surrounded by maskholes. And the rate is going through the roof in the red states.

The vaccine won't come soon enough. Now there are debates who will get it first. I would like to suggest those who had refused to wear a mask will be at the end of the line but they probably have no interest in the vaccine anyway as they don't believe in science or already had covid.

Naomi's workplace was shut down and she has only 4 weeks of unemployment left. On top of it all, Maya's insurance was taken away. Technically low income families in Michigan can get free insurance for their children. She has received this since she was born but as of last week, it disappeared because her father who lives 130 miles away signed up for health insurance at his new job and was told he had to include her. Nevermind it is in a different region of the state and doesn't cover anything until a huge deductable has been met.  She is not even his dependent by IRS rules. The insurance costs his employer nothing and I am sure they get some sort of tax break . We are encouraging him to look for a new job. So frustrating. Very upsetting.

Trump still is spreading disease with his rallies insisting he won the election. I am hoping he knows he didn't but is just using this as an excuse to fleece his supporters who have sending him money for his defense. Rumor has it that he just pockets it. Now his slimeball lawyer is in the hospital with covid which of course serves him right.

Why decorate for Xmas when noone will see it? Just trying not to sink into despair.