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Good morning friends! How are you? How was your holiday weekend? Did you celebrate the long weekend with a bbq, time at the beach, did you see friends and family? The weather was not very nice here so it was easy to stay inside and read, relax and a cookout.
We are on Phase 1 reopening so there is not much open, I did go to the dentist, and my husband went to get his hair cut. We wore masks and gloves, I obviously took mine off while getting my teeth cleaned. The stores are a mix of masked and unmasked people and oddly there are empty isles, almost no cleaning supplies, a few 4 packs of toilet paper, no tissue, or paper towels. The meat sections are sparse and I see a lot of strange brands that I have never seen before on the shelves.
The summer weather is starting to make an appearance, the heat and humidity are on the way. The locals are venturing out to the beaches, but the tourists have yet to arrive. There are signs of good will and “congratulations graduate” on many lawns in the neighborhood, everything from kindergarten to college. Last week I watched my cousin graduate from medical school on Zoom and after it was over I found myself shedding a few tears for her and all of the others that have worked so hard and found their celebrations dampened by the times.
Life seems to be getting back to “normal” and yet it seems so odd somedays. I don’t know how to describe it but I feel as if I am living between two worlds, I am in limbo and yet I am not. Life is restarting and yet it’s not. People are happy and yet many are grieving. They are grieving not only their friends, family and others that have passed from the disease but also missed funerals, weddings, proms, graduations, vacations, sporting events, jobs: small insignificant events and big ones as well.
Life as we knew it is over and I am finding it hard to navigate. I am outraged that we have been sheltering in place for months and the minute they open a few states people run out with no masks, and no regard for all that we have sacrificed, they are piled upon one anther at the parks, pools, beaches and anywhere they can.
I am in awe at the staggering number of children that are starving, 12 million kids in the richest country in the world live in households without enough food. And 30-40% of the food in America is wasted!
I have known about food waste for years and have been researching ways to help. I have donated money to some of the organizations that are doing their best to help with both situations but this pandemic has made me realize that I need to do more.
How are you doing? Are you happy to see the gradual reopening of your state? Have you celebrated any graduations, weddings or other occasions in a new way? Are you happy, sad, mourning the old days? Is there anything you learned during the time at home that you were surprised by? Something about yourself, others, a skill or something else? What are you most grateful for? Please share your thoughts, I would like to hear them.
I hope that you have a safe and a great day.
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I feel much sadder this past week and just have a hard time focusing on getting any one thing completed. I start new projects – such as pulling out boxes of old photos (the real photos) from the attic. Yes I know they shouldn't be up there but where else? Have good intentions to start sorting, organizing, separating, to pass along to family members etc., but get stuck in the middle and push them aside. I have four books by the bed and am reading all but can't really get into any of them – sometimes I can't even recall what each one is about and have to re-read several pages over – so unlike me!
I'm tired of cooking – well tired of dreaming up what to cook with what's at hand. I buy too much produce which is perishable, as I only go once a week (and dread it with the no-maskers bearing down on me from the wrong direction!), and am angry at myself when I end up tossing salads and vegs in the compost.
I look like hell, have gained three pounds, and am beginning not to really care. I wear hats A LOT!!!!! Still trying to make the huge decision on continuing to grow out the grey before heading to my stylist for color. Must get a cut ASAP though, looking unkempt now!
Gel nail days are done forever I think. Having huge issues getting rid of mine and don't ever want to go through that again – have had them for what seems like a lifetime, no more though, reverting to just a manicure!
. . . . . . . . . . . and now, this morning, the little yellow notice comes up from Blogger re: the changes coming – why right now when we don't need anymore changes, and which I'm too old to deal with, grrrrr! Also, with Adobe Flash closing permanently end of this year, I'm needing to learn a whole new editing program if I continue to post photos – which of course is a big part of my blog. All this is certainly stressful along with everything else going on in this crazy world!
Thanks for your nice post Elizabeth – forgive the negative rant here from me. No sun, more days of rain ahead, the lovely part of spring has left and now summer will be another test of one's survival in the south – just hope it's not too humid and that the hurricanes stay away.
Stay well my dear – and in answer to 'what am I most grateful for' – remaining healthy along with my family and friends. Hugs – Mary
I share all your feelings Elizabeth….I am skeptical that we get accurate information on the news…there are so many people that seem irresponsible….I have not been anywhere since the beginning of March except for car rides…I worry about the future for the children and jobs for some family currently…I doubt life will be the old normal for some time….warm hugs from me to you!