Lots of musing going on.

Firstly, I want to thank those of you who reached out to see if I was still alive and well.  Yes and yes.  My silence was due to the fact that I am slow to adjust to being turned on my head.  I've gone through all the stages - I'm sure you can relate - denial, worry, wine, worry, potato chips, worry, ice cream, worry, chocolate, worry and now I am settled on pretty much adjusted.  As long as no one starts hoarding coffee, I should be okay.


As is required in my state, I have not been out, with the exception of one bout of grocery shopping for the month ahead, to deliver eggs to a friend (those of us with chickens are becoming very popular - too bad I didn't know this in high school), and a quick stop to check on my sister and mother - blowing kisses at them from across the room.  I did bake a birthday pineapple upside down cake for my neighbor who turned 85.  Since his family couldn't be there, I spent a couple of hours with him, at a distance of six feet.


I am lucky to be able to work from home, so my paycheck will continue.  That is good news, as my favorite local restaurant is allowed to offer margaritas to go.  I worry about the local small businesses and how they are faring through these unprecedented times.  It underlines - for me - the importance of giving them my business.


So far, the novelty of having me around 24/7 has not worn off for the dogs.  More's the pity.  They shadow me constantly.  I'd go outside more often, but it's been raining almost every day.  We're all getting a bit stir crazy.


When I did go out, I discovered that the front yard had been invaded by a population of gophers over the winter.  That, or the entire population of voles and moles on the Eastern coast.  It's unbelievable!


There has been cooking.

Cheesy Cuban Chicken

And baking


Paleo blueberry muffins

And finishing things I had started (oh, say, five years ago....)

Not quite finished, as it has a long way to go.  Years ago, I had made three of these little doll houses - which includes furniture and a mouse/bear/bunny family - and sold them in a consignment shop.  Unfortunately, they were a huge hit and I realized that I could not possibly keep up with demand.  Now I am doing it just for fun.  I'll take pictures as I go along.


So.  I will post more regularly and with more pics as my NEW PHONE has a better camera.  Yes, as these things often go, my phone started to die two weeks into this isolation.  Since no stores are open, I had to get a new one via virtual chatting.  Geez. 


I hope you are all safe and well and not going bonkers.  As someone very wise once said, this is a great time to finish things you've started.  So far, I've finished a bottle of pinot noir and I'm eyeing a bottle of sauvignon blanc.  Heehee.

Individual Cocooning - the New Social Distancing!

Social Distancing

Individual Cocooning

I will say one thing about the general chaos that has struck this nation, it is tending to bring out the better side of people (with the exception of the selfish idiots who stripped the shelves bare - you know who you are.)  A plethora of posts have popped up on FB that have people offering to pick things up and do errands for those who are safest at home.  People are buying gift certificates from small local businesses who have been forced to close - giving them a slim lifeline until the danger is passed.  It is heartening.  I have started seeds, if for nothing more than to make myself feel more hopeful.  I am still commuting to the office, although that will change by the end of the week, I feel.  It's a good thing I pack in my lunch, as all restaurants are closed.

These are interesting times.

Why Alexa and I will never be on speaking terms.

Apparently, all those enunciation exercises I was forced to go through in Charm School (yes, I was actually sent to Charm School by my desperate mother), have atrophied.  While I think I speak clearly and succinctly,  I am often misunderstood.  However, I can get in and out of the car more gracefully than anyone I know.

This morning, being in a rather self-indulgent mood, brought on by my annual attempt to banish sugar and dairy from my diet, I ordered a large latte, with no sugar, almond milk, and a senior discount (ahem) from Dunkin Donuts on my way to work.  This was also as a reward for getting out of the house earlier than the new time (WHY!?!?!?) has allowed since Sunday.

What I got, when I sat at my desk and took my first sip, was a large latte with almond milk and four tablespoons of sugar.  I managed not to spit it across the room, but the good feeling was gone.  Good grief.

There have been a lot of entertaining texts generated by my lack of clear speech.  Especially when I dictate while driving and without reading glasses.  "Hi, Rosie.  Your pig will be congo with federal express."  "Hay, Marianne.  I will be aardvarked on the bags."

While sitting with my mother, we often try to get Alexa to read a book she's been listening to.  Without my sister there to interpret, we often end up pleading with her, to no good results.  The last time, instead of a book by Sue Grafton, we got homicide statistics for some unknown city.

Good lard.

Just your typical Monday.

At least Spring seems to be getting a toe-hold.  Saturday started with a light coating of snow and yesterday started cold but, by the afternoon, the sun had warmed up the air enough for me to open the sliding glass door a bit.  All of the furries were taking advantage of the sun beams.

I can hardly stand it...Lovey with her
cat.

Saturday, my sister met me at their local TSC and we availed ourselves of the DIY dog wash.  It is a great service - they provide the facilities, the shampoo, conditioner, towels, dryers and grooming stations.  Both pups are squeaky clean and were awarded biscuits at the checkout.

Sunday was spent cleaning, organizing and cooking.  I had my neighbor over for dinner and tried out a new dessert - a vegan coconut rice pudding that turned out great.  He didn't even know it was vegan and loved it.  It was also way less sweet than my old recipe, using a quarter cup of maple syrup.

Then I broke a tooth.  The fun never stops, does it?

I left a message with my dentist's office and waited for their call back this morning.  Then I spent a blissful hour and a half getting set up with a temporary crown.  Oh, the joys of old teeth and old fillings.  It's a good thing I just finished paying off my last two crowns last week...

By the time I made it into the office, it was after 12.  There I was greeted with the news that I am now the 'back-up' for yet another attorney in HQ.  Let's hope this one sends his own emails.  I am now trying to eat my salad without using the numb side of my mouth - which, this time, has included most of the lower half of my face.

I am trying not to get too excited about going out into my garden, as I may jinx the weather!  I had a young fellow down to give me an estimate on fixing my deck and replacing my fence.  I have a feeling it's going to be an expensive year, especially since most of what needs to be done, I can't do.  But I can snoopervise... :)

I leave you with a photo of my 96 y/o mother at the voting venue in VT.  Bless her pea-picking little heart.

Notice how she matches the decor...this family
has STYLE!