Monday, May 4, 2020

Pandemic 5/4/2020

We're into May.  This has been a very trying Spring.  But maybe with nicer weather it will be better.  We had over 2 inches of rain on Thursday so the yard was very soggy this weekend.  I had wanted to buy more flowers for planting, but Pat was focused on the building the shed.  That's fine.  It's still early.

My roses are really thriving!  They are beautiful already.  Two of them have been producing flowers a lot. I even clipped one to have in an old milk bottle on the porch.

Because of all the rain, I was battling mud all weekend.  I cleaned the porch and kitchen floor several times.  Kind of annoying, but that's what happens when it rains.

There is talk of beginning to reopen things.  It is a bit nerve wracking.  There will need to be testing and we'll probably be dealing with this virus until there is an effective vaccine.  It really makes you wonder what the world will look like.  It's pretty clear we won't be where we were any time soon.  If ever.

The meat supply is suffering.  Not because there isn't enough but because the meat processing plants are shutting down--due to employees who have the virus.  So, now most stores are limiting the amount of meat you can buy at one time.  We have plenty.

The NFL will be putting out it's schedule for the 2020-2021 season.  But, what about hockey?  Will the NHL come back to finish the 2019-2020 season?  Will Youth hockey happen?  It was reported on Friday that the Little League World Series was cancelled.  I guess that means there will not be any Little League season this summer. . .again, what about hockey????  So sad for the kids.

So, the numbers as of this morning:

World: 3,507,265
United States:  1,184,248
Virginia:  17,873
Loudoun County:  931
Maryland:  25,462
Washington, D. C.:  5016

Wear your face mask when you go out.

Stay safe.  Stay well.

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Pandemic 4/28/2020

Some days, Aidan has to be reminded what day it is.  He's lost track.  There really isn't anything to give him much structure, aside from his Google Meets on Tuesday and Wednesday.  The rest of the time, there isn't anything to give any structure.  I think I might get him his own calendar to mark the days off.  I have also left him notes of his daily chores with a sentence at the top that says, Today is Tuesday, April 28th. . .

The Food supply is breaking.  The Processing Plants are closing down because so many of the workers are getting sick.  So, there are farmers out there raising hogs and chickens having to euthanize their animals because there isn't any way to process them.  God knows what will happen with our food supply in the coming months.

As I indicated above, Distance Learning is happening.  They began Google Meets last week which was added to Edmenton with assignments as well as Hyperdocs.  It's all very crazy.  It is some of the hardest things I've had to do, be a Homeschool teacher in a Distance Learning environment, plus working full time without any sports.

There is talk of possible reopening.  The rule for the Commonwealth of Virginia is that we need to have 14 days in a row of decreasing new cases.  Some days I despair that this will ever happen.  Others it seems like it might be possible.  We'll see.  If Trump had his way, everything would just reopen and be back to normal immediately.

These days there are many in need.  St. Matthews Episcopal Church is buying baby formula, diapers, food, etc. for the people living near the church.  I've sent a couple of checks and will try to send more.  There are just so many in need. . .

Today's numbers, ever higher:

World:  3,042,444
United States:  1,010,277
Virginia:  13,535
Loudoun County:  628
Maryland:  19,487
Washington, D. C.:  3892

Stay safe.  Stay well.

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Pandemic 4/23/2020

The government is beginning to talk about possible reopening of some businesses.  But, they want to do it in a slow orderly fashion to be sure there is no resurgence.  The rule for Virginia is that when we have 14 days in a row of decreasing new diagnoses, then we can begin reopening in small ways.  We had a three day downward trend going, but then we went right back up again.  So, we aren't reopening yet.

Georgia is going in full force with reopening everything.  Most people vehemently disagree with this approach.  Although, there are some, like two of my cousins, who feel that this is all a hoax.  That we are being lied to by the media and the government.  Ironic since they are also supporters of the current President.

I was finally able to get my medicine.  It's been backordered by Giant for a couple of weeks.  My RA doctor got frustrated and changed where I get the prescription and now it will come in the mail.  The next 90 day bottle arrived on Monday.  I had one pill left in the original.  Timing.

Online learning has stepped up in Loudoun County.  This week began live online learning.  Tuesday is A day and they run through the blocks just like they are at school.  1/2 hour of teaching by the teacher and then 1/2 hour to do some hyperdocs.  Wednesday is the same thing but it is B day schedule.  Monday, Thursday and Friday are days to do the hyperdocs and other quizlets/tests or assignments.  And the teachers have "Office Hours" during Monday, Thursday and Friday.  We weren't sure how it was going to work but it seems to be okay.  There are no cameras or microphones, but they kids can see who all is there (as can the teachers).  So, there is some interaction at least!  Maybe they won't be socially inept after this is done.  Aidan actually liked it, so that was good.  Only problem I see is that since it is working, will this be the norm for the future?  LCPS Board did meet on Tuesday night and discussed scenarios where Distance Learning online could continue next fall.  Oy vey.

We went to Meadows Farms last Saturday and bough a bunch of plants.  I wanted to redo one of our gardens with some roses.  I bought three yellow ones because they make me think of my inlaws.  They will be pretty in the outside corner of our porch.  I also put some Dianthus and Lavender over thre.

One final thing before I post today's numbers:

When all of this started, I told Pat we needed to invest in Netflix.  If people were home for an extended period of time, Netflix was bound to get a work out.  Yesterday, Netflix announced that their membership nearly doubled during the first quarter.  And no, we didn't buy it!  Should have listened to me!!

The numbers as of this morning:

World:  2,639,243
United States:  855,250
Virginia:  10,266
Loudoun County:  475
Maryland:  14,775
Washington, D. C.:  3,206

Stay safe.  Stay well.







Sunday, April 19, 2020

Pandemic 4/19/2020

Today's number coi chue to be alarming at best:

World:  2,395,636
United State:  759,134
Virginia:  8537
Loudoun County:  385
MAryland:  12,830
Washington, D. C  2793

We are joining the throng of folks doing a Victory Garden.  We've always done vegetables.  But, this year, we're doing even more.  And we're doing a lot of herbs.  WE have our chickens, but I wish we could do some bees too.  Not good, though, in our urban setting.

I changed up a garden out back.  The one at the corner of our porch outlined by a rock wall.  We bought a couple of roses, a lavender, some phlox and some dianthus.  One more rose and we'll be set for that garden.  I love it already!

Aidan is outgrowing so many of his clothes, including his underpants.  So, after dinner today, he and I did some shopping online for him.  Sort of fun!  Sort of. . .

Stay safe.  Stay well.

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Pandemic 4/15/2020

It's cold today.  It's only 38* this morning and expected to be even colder tomorrow morning.  And it's raining right now.  I guess the winds will pick up as well at some point over the next day or so.

Today is Wednesday and I'm working from home.  I'm enjoying the one day a week.  I am getting a lot done, answering a lot of calls, AND I'm able to supervise Aidan's school work.  Today, that is very important because Loudoun County is beginning Distance  Learning of new material.  I still maintain that it will be difficult, at best, for students to learn a Foreign Language through Distance Learning.  I'm just hoping Aidan can pass French.

Gas at the Paeonian Springs Shell is now $1.79.  Honestly, this is the lowest I've seen gas prices since 9-11.  I remember we were all very shocked a few days after 9-11 when the gas prices shot up to $1.84. . .and they only went up from there.  I still have a 1/4 tank that I purchased a month ago (at $2.09 a gallon!!) but I'm still going to fill up tomorrow on the way to work.  I can't not take advantage of that $1.79!  And to think I thought $2.09 was awesome!!

Okay, time for some numbers:

World:  2,008,977
United States: 614,451
Virginia:  6171
Loudoun County:  344
Maryland:  9472
Washington, D. C.:  2058

Maryland is up over 1200.  Makes Virginia's almost 900 seem not so bad. . .but it is bad.  We're still rising.  The President keeps talking about wanting to get people back to work and reopen the country.  But, what about a resurgence?  That is the big concern--if we go too fast, we could have a second wave.  Please God, no second wave, okay??

Yesterday, I ordered several seed packets from Monticello for vegetables and herbs.  I'm excited about them.  I'm hoping to talk Pat into going to Meadows Farms this weekend so we can pick up some plants.  It's a little early still for bedding plants, but I could keep them on the porch where they would be protected.

I also ordered two storage boxes where we can store cushions for the furniture that is outside.  I'm hoping to get the patio and porch cleaned up this weekend.  But, what to do about that old refrigerator?  We also have the old steps from the pool.  I'm going to see if we can just take that apart and store it in the work room so we can keep it, just in case we have to buy another pool this summer.  We tossed the old one because it had some rips in the lining.  And we hadn't planned on buying a new one.  However, if the neighborhood pool and the one at Ida Lee don't open this summer, we will want something.

I saw something on the news the other morning saying Maryland is considering distance learning for next year.  I can't even. . .

I think I'm going to try and start getting some nature pictures to put on here at the beginning of each post.  Maybe something to look at and contemplate.

Stay safe.  Stay well.