Yesterday a dear friend emailed me about her concerns regarding the "new normal" during these days of plague.  Then during the night the cities of the United Stated burned in reaction to the unmitigated police brutality.  When I responded to her this morning, this is what I wrote:

"Methinks this is going to get a lot worse before it gets better.  I've read in the news the police were really cracking down on protestors last night???  Well, is that not fighting fire with fire???  Police brutality has to end.  Oh, and lest I forget...all freeways in and around the TC were closed last night.  And they were closed not particularly because of the protestors but because of the truckloads of white supremacists descending upon the TC in order to create a firestorm of mayhem.  Lastly, as I point out to people...let us not forget that the police unions back Trump 100% and that right there explains their excuse for brutality.


And yes...what will the new normal be during this plague?  I am thinking that nothing will improve or change until there is a vaccine.  Yet, let us not forget that the so-called "Spanish flu" killed maybe 20 million people and yet the world finally did return to business as usual...large crowds, etc.  But yes, we are fortunate to have those days of wonderful memories of getting together without a care.  I also think we are fortunate to be retired at this time and not worried about job loss, etc.

And other than that it is a cool sunny beautiful morning here in the northwoods.  I did have to turn on the heat for a wee bit to take the chill out of the air.

Stay safe."

And...for all of you reading this...please stay safe.

Over 100,000 Americans are now dead from the virus and the depraved indifference of the #republican administration of Olde Pucker Lips.  May each and every republican including Olde Pucker Lips be prosecuted for their malfeasance.

This is a rough day for a few reasons.  First, I am bored...I am bored out of my mind today.  I want to be able to go somewhere and do something.  Yet, I am a responsible adult and know and understand that by being safe and minimizing my exposure to the virus, I am doing the right thing.  Second, I am homesick for my home in Pacifica, CA.  I miss my friends and I miss our get togethers...meals at Tams, Moonraker, Surf Spot and Barolo...just to name a few of our Pacifica favorite places.  Lastly, this morning I am feeling each and every one of my numerous years.  By back is making itself known via my aching legs, I have an eyelash(s) growing backwards in my upper right eyelid, and the psoriasis is itching like mad.

The back discomfort will pass and I have Ibuprofen for that pain.  The eyelash(s) growing backways...I need to contact the eye doctor today.  The psoriasis...I am going to have to deal with it for the drug I am supposed to start taking suppresses my immune system...and during this time of plague a suppressed immune system is not a good thing.

​So...that's a summary of my life today.  Thankfully I am enjoying a delicious cup of coffee...as well as enjoying the companionship of my cat.

92,000 people are now dead because of the virus.  It is being reported that if the #republican leadership of this country had not ignored the warnings of this pandemic...that the number dead would be half of that figure.  #republicans are guilty of depraved indifference and should be prosecuted.

On a lighter note I got my hair cut yesterday!  The last time it had been cut was at the end of February.  My hair stylist/barber was complimentary in saying the long hair did not look bad on me and was I sure that I wanted it cut short.  My response was that the last time my hair was this long, I was wearing bell bottoms, platform shoes and puka shells...and yes please cut it short.  The short hair feels so good right now!

Because it is almost Memorial Day I noticed that blueberries are now in the market and on sale.  So I bought enough to make a blueberry pie.  And last night I baked a blueberry pie (picture attached).  Then for my dinner I doctored up a DiGiorno frozen pizza.  Between the two of them I ate well.

Lastly, this morning I caught myself thinking of a long departed friend.  Her actual name was Ruth but those of us that were her friends called her "Jane."  I have no idea where that nickname came from...but it stuck.  Jane has a magnificent Magnavox console stereo that must have been seven feet in length.  And she loved opera and many a time when visiting her in the summer as I would pul in her driveway and be greeted by the sounds of some opera pouring thru her open windows.

Today the thing that triggered that particular memory is that I was out in my yard...and realized I could hear the sound(s) of classical music pouring from my open windows.  Jane, dear friend, I've learned so much from you!

It's the little things during difficult times that keeps one sane.  For instance, tomorrow I am getting my hair cut.  Yes!  It will be the first time since the end of February!  My hair stylist/barber and I are doing all the necessary precautions in order to be safe and that makes me feel good too.

#republicans have now made the plague political.  They know they cannot win on the issues that are facing this country...so they character assassinate as well as divide the population.  Their latest ploy is that 100,00 to 200,000 deaths are ok as long as the economy is doing well.  In my book any society that is willing to sacrifice lives for dollars is far sicker than any virus can make it.

Spring has fully arrived and today's forecast high temp is to be 76 (F).  Blueberries are in season and I plan on baking a blueberry pie.  Once again, it's the little things.

​All is well here.

Memorial Day weekend is approaching.  This weekend is the unofficial beginning of summer which then ends with Labor Day weekend.  This year with the plague we are confronted with many things...choices perhaps...as well as moods that are generated by what was, what should be and what is actually happening.

A dear friend and I were discussing this via emails this morning.  Here are my thoughts:

"I heard you loud and clear in your comment(s) yesterday for like you I have those moments and/or days.  Sometimes it's a whole day.  Sometimes it is a day of roller coaster moods.  When I was in California at Christmas...little did we realize what 2020 would bring and that it may be a very long time before all of us can be together once again.  When Sandra & Rod or Tammy & Adam were here in January we did not understand it might be a very long time before we see each other again...in person.  Zoom is nice but it is not the same.


So it was with shock that I realized this coming weekend was Memorial Day weekend.  I think back to better times...nicer times...when the weekend was about starting our summer tans, getting together with friends and family, barbecues, bar hopping...just having fun.  This year it is going to be CJ and I.  The weather is to be very nice so maybe I will grill a steak or a burger...but it is not the same.

And now Wisconsin is wide open.  Minnesota is opening up today.  Rates of infection are starting to spike.  My doctor had a very frank discussion with me a few weeks ago and he said that this is a very dangerous virus about which we (the medical field) know little.  Immunity?  He laughed at the idea and said it may be 10 years before we understand that.  In conjunction with what he said there are now news articles showing up that say the virus is attacking children...that it is not just a respiratory thing but that it can damage hearts, livers, kidneys.  And we are rushing to open up the country???

The bars & grills here may be jam packed this weekend but I am not going anywhere close to them.

Yup...we all have our moments of being discouraged and/or blue...for it seems no end is in sight to this nightmare.  Yet somehow I know someday we will get beyond this.  I hope I am alive to see it.

A couple of loads of wash are going this morning.  It is cloudy right now but the weather is supposed to clear and be a nice sunny day.  I need to get to my parent's and sister's grave this week to put flowers on them.

And that's it for here.

hugs
us"

Today I am not going to dwell of the horrific numbers except to say that here in the United States the death toll is over 80,000 and that number is growing by 2,000 to 3,000 people per day.  Meanwhile #republicans continue to play politics and are guilty of depraved indifference.

A couple of days ago I mentioned the story of Gabby and Hatties.  Wednesday of this week they finished raking my yard and getting it ready for spring and summer.  It truly has been a delight to know these young women.  Their hard work couple with their thoughtfulness has earned my respect.  Needless to say, they agreed to come next spring and help once again.  And...they also said if I needed any help this summer...they would be willing to work.

Next week I will talk to their grandmother (Doreen) and advise her of the game plan.

I am happy to report that my friends and family are all well.  That in itself is the biggest blessing I could ever want.

​Enough for now.

Here are the tragic numbers as of this past Friday.  Please note the numbers are based upon those people tested and do not included the millions not tested:

People infected worldwide - 3,864,696
Deaths worldwide - 270,020

People infected United States - 1,256,972
Deaths United States - 75,670

The term that comes to my mind most often these days is depraved indifference.  Here is the legal definition:  "To constitute depraved indifference, the defendant's conduct must be 'so wanton, so deficient in a moral sense of concern, so lacking in regard for the life or lives of others, and so blameworthy as to warrant the same criminal liability as that which the law imposes upon a person who intentionally causes a crime. Depraved indifference focuses on the risk created by the defendant’s conduct, not the injuries actually resulting."

The republican Trump administration is guilty of depraved indifference in every way imaginable.  The virus is mutating...new types of symptoms are appearing...immunity is not guaranteed...and republicans want to open up the country and force people back to work.  Americans should NOT have to choose between poverty or death.  Yet that is unfettered capitalism in today's America.

I despair for my country.  And for all of the lives lost and for all of the lives yet to be lost...I despair.  God help us all.

Here are the grimm numbers:

Infected people worldwide - 3,772,667
Deaths worldwide - 264,189

Infections United States - 1,228,609*
Deaths United States - 73,431

*These number under report the severity of virus for the republican administration is hiding the numbers...they consider the average American to be expendable.  As long as the 1% does not get sick and is able to maintain its wealth, that is all republicans care about.

However, on a lighter note, let me tell you about Gabby and Hattie.  About two weeks ago there was a hand printed brochure on my front door for a Gabby and a Hattie. The brochure said they would do the spring raking, supply tarps, and a trailer with which to haul away the leaves. Their fee was $10 per hour. They were available weekdays between 3pm and 5pm and available on weekends “by appointment only.”

So I called the number on the flyer and talked to their grandmother…Doreen. I am sure the phone conversation was a screening process. The first day these two 12 - 13 year olds showed up, I had my doubts…especially as I listened to the non-stop young chatter while they worked. But, you know, they did a good job. And they continue to do a great job for they have been here one to two hours each afternoon for the last four days. In the next two days the job should be wrapped up.

​Honest to gosh, these two young women have been hard workers and a pleasure to know. These two pics capture the essence of this adventure…a gas can and a sequined purse (Rick Sanders! It’s not my purse!)…and a trailer filled with leaves. BTW, at the end of each time here, they tell me what they have accomplished and then give me the game plan for the next time they are here. It’s all quite professional. And it makes this olde man smile.

Here are the grim numbers:

Infections Worldwide:  3,601,760
Deaths Worldwide:  251,910

Infections United States:  1,180,634
Deaths United States:  68,934

The United States has almost one third of the world wide infections due to the incompetence of the Trump administration.  Olde Pucker Lips and his republican minions are more concerned about reelection as maintaining power than the well being of the American citizens.

It is a total disgrace...and there is no excuse for it.

The state in which I live is still SIP until the end of May.  Then if I am understanding correctly, it will be a structured re-opening.  Right now there is state-wide testing for the virus happening.  The testing will determine the so-called "hot spots" and those areas will not open as soon as the areas that have minimal numbers for the virus.  This makes sense to me.

Here at the homestead it is a beautiful spring day with lots of sunlight and mild temperatures.  The fountain on the deck is burbling away, flowers are blooming and the bird bath has been filled with fresh water.  There is one robin that really gets into bathing so much that when he is in the bath it looks like a fountain!

Have a good...safe...and healthy day.

Here are the numbers as of May 1, 2020:

Worldwide infections - 3,274,474
Worldwide deaths - 233,792

United States infections - 1,070,032
United States deaths - 63,019

Mind you...the infection rate is of only the people that have been tested.  The United States has no testing in place nor any effective plan for testing so that are millions more people with this virus walking around and exposing others to its cruelty.

Spring arrived for a day here in the Northwoods.  Today is different in that it is going to be about 20 degrees cooler.  However, the world outside my windows is turning green.  The azalea in my front yard is getting ready to bloom.

​During these strange times we take joy in the little things for they are the things that carry us through the crisis.  So...all is well here today.