April 2020
Under Quarantine Until Further Notice
PA
I stayed up until 5:30AM which is always a mistake because then I am completely out of sink with the rest of the world. And then I couldn't fall asleep because I wasn't sure if this was the day I was supposed to have an 11:15 zoom appointment with Sharon. So I worried too much about it. Then the guy upstairs started hammering like crazy at 8 AM and that distracted me. It was so annoying. I did have my appointment with Sharon and that lasted an hour. So I laid down at 12:30 for a quick nap and I got up at 5:30. I did very little after that. Yet another wasted day.
2-TH- PA- Quarantine Day #18-
I drove to Sharon's house to drop off some computer equipment and I was so happy to have something to do. We sat in her garage for about an hour and just chatted. Then I roamed through Northern Liberties and took photos.
I got an email, telling me that my writing retreat in Ireland was postponed until October and that I would not be getting my money back. Now I am pissed off at them. I paid them almost $1500 and the director said he wasn't cancelling the class, only postponing the class. Therefore I was not entitled to a refund. I wrote back and threatened to take legal action.
On the way home, I stopped by the grocery store in search another great deal on a waygu steak but no deal was found. I came home to two packages: my new scarf and my new fitbit. Then we had another family zoom chatted. And then I watched a four hour series in Netflix: Unorthodox. I had a very busy day.
3- F- PA- Quarantine Day #19-
I spent too much of my day in anger. The man from the Irish Writing Retreat is not going to refund my $1400+ for the writing retreat so I was off to the bank to see what could be done. I have to file a complaint with Pay Pal so we will see what will happen.
I watched the movie A Little Chaos and realized that I distinguish my days now by what movies I am watching on Netflix and Amazon Prime.
One day no longer distinguishes itself from another.
4- SA- PA- Quarantine Day #20-
The sun finally came out today after a few days of cloudy and chilly weather. But I didn't go outside as I was watching a very dramatic movie: Milada, the story of a woman of great courage who worked to bring democracy to the Czech Republic. This woman had far more convictions than I will ever have. And I have far more freedoms than most people will ever have.
I was standing out on my balcony and Terri Cohen called over to me. She asked me how I was doing and I told her that I was not going to complain because I am still so much further ahead today than most of the world.
I filed a complaint with PenPal over my lack of refund from the Irish Writing Center. I should hear back from them in 10 days or so.
In the evening, I watched The Laundromat with Meryl Streep, the story about the Panama Papers and the greed of the most wealthy in the world. It made me mad.
5- Su- PA- Quarantine Day #21-
I took a road trip to Berks County and just drove around and took photos. The governor has requested that we all wear face masks to protect each other. It seems as if the people of Berks County didnt get that memo.
I got home and had a message from a Stroudsburg teacher. Mary Ann Hynes died a few days ago from corona virus. I haven't seen Mary Ann for 9 years but her death still hit me hard. I am filled with sadness and regret.
6- M- PA- Quarantine Day #22-
The day is beautiful. At last, the sun is out and the weather is warm. I spent the morning trying to connect with Mary Ann's family. I spoke to Richard, her brother. I think he really wanted to talk to me. I texted Eric, her son who was estranged from her. Stephanie isn't answering her phone. And I don't know how to contact Karen. Her funeral is on hold until this virus passes.
Sharon had a Zoom meeting with about 50 of us to discuss our power at this time. One woman asked, "WHAT ARE WE BEING CALLED TO DO?" I think this is a profound question to consider and to define a call to action.
In the evening, I found a site that is offering free foreign, independent movies. I watched one, Court India, about the abuse of the legal system towards political artists.
7- TU- PA- Quarantine Day #23-
The sun was out so I got in my car and drove to New Castle, DE. I wanted to hang on the beaches at Battery Park. But there was enough of a chill to deter that idea. So I drove around this quaint historical town and took photos. I stopped on the way home to pick up some beer to celebrate National Beer Day. And I discovered a new Bob Dylan song which is a tribute to JFK and is 16 minutes long.
I passed gas stations where the gas was $1.88/gallon. I should be on one big ass road trip around the country. I will never see these prices so low again.
As I returned to my apartment, Gina and Bonnie were chatting each other up in the hallway so we had a conservation with each other. Today felt normal to me.
8- W- PA- Quarantine Day #24-
I started my day with a call to Jerrie to discuss the fate of the World Academy. As it is around the world, this program is dead right now and in danger of not resuscitating once the quarantine is over. I will to go China with Jerrie in October to see what we can to relieve the program. It's going to be a challenge.
I watched The Resistance Banker, a story about two brothers who raised lots of money to help Jews and other resisters in Belgium during WWII. I don't have this kind of courage. And I am stunned at how many of us today are talking about the challenges of this quarantine. Too many people around the world are struggling more than me and they struggle every day.
It was a gorgeous but chilly day so sitting on my balcony was a challenge. i didnt last long out there.
I finally got to speak with Stefanie Schweinberg about her mother's death. It was good to catch up with her. I think I spoke to her about seven years ago. It's hard to believe that Mary Ann died of this damn virus.
9- TH- PA- Quarantine Day # 25
I was scheduled to give blood today. But as has been the outcome of every other effort to give blood, I was rejected. The nurse asked me where I had traveled outside the USA in the last year. I told her Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Borneo, Indonesia and Bangladesh. I forgot to tell her that I also went to Canada, Mexico, Honduras and Belize. It was the Boreno that did me in. That is a malaria country. So I can't give blood for a year after my visit. Oh well.
I came back to my apartment and laid down to listen to a few podcasts. And, of course, I fell asleep. When I woke up it was 6:30 AM. I couldn't believe it. How did I sleep all of those hours? So I got up, brushed my teeth, combed my hair and flopped back on my bed to check in on Facebook to see what I had missed last night. As I was reading and scrolling away, I noticed that it was not getting lighter outside but rather darker. I was so confused and looked at the clock again and discovered that I had only been a sleep for a few hours. This quarantine has me so confused with time.
I watched the movie Outbreak, about a pandemic virus and when the movie was over, I ordered more masks on Amazon.
10- F- PA- Quarantine Day #26-
It was very windy and chilly today. I tried to sit out on my balcony but it was unpleasant and too much effort. So I spent most of the afternoon on the phone. I spoke to Jane Momer for over 2 hours. I spoke to Sue Descano for almost an hour. And then I called Sharon and spoke to her for awhile as well. I had a zoom call with Jerrie and WAFW.
Then I watched Wanda Skykes' comedy special that was so damn funny. And, finally, finally after 57 years, I found a place to rent the movie The Lillies of the Field. We saw that movie as a family in 1963. I didn't remember the story but I remember loving it. I watched it and now I don't need to see it again.
Before I went to bed, I looked up Mabel's BBQ restaurant here in town. It is now open on weekends and I went to bed with anticipation of ordering BBQ tomorrow. Can't wait.
11- SA- PA- Quarantine Day # 27-
It's 27 years since Chris died. it feels like a lifetime ago and then again, as if it happened yesterday. I still can't talk about it.
I called Mabel's BBQ at 1 PM sharp and was told that they really open at 2 so I called again and orders, ribs, a brisket sandwich and a fried fish sandwich and sweet potatoes. I was so damn happy. When my order came, I grabbed my order and drove around the corner, parked and ate my brisket sandwich like a big pig. It was great but I wish I had only eaten half which would have been plenty and now I will have to wait a week to get another one.
The day was beautiful but chilly. When will the warmers days get here. I took an 1 1/2 hour drive around Ridley Creek State park. Fishing season has started and lots of people were out fishing.
I came home and listened to David Sedaris' book. I've listened to this book about 3 times now. But I fall asleep every time I play the audio. So I am really just getting bits and pieces of his stories. I watched Alone in Berlin about a couple who wrote protest postcards in Berlin during WWII. They were caught and hanged for treason. Sometimes I forget how precious freedom of speech is.
I've been thinking about the beggars I met in Bangladesh. Where are they today? Who is on the streets to give them any money, nay food, any shelter? Again, I am overwhelmed at how very lucky I am.
On another note, I tried very hard to save my spare ribs for dinner tomorrow night. But that didn't happen and they were delicious.
12- SU- PA- Quarantine Day # 28-
It's Easter Sunday and I am usually away at this time. But the quarantine has me right here. So I am somewhat surprised at how I had to check in with my family for this holiday, which is meaningless to me. We started with a 1:30 group call to the siblings. Then at 2, I checked in on the Anderko family chat. And then at 3, we had the Hakes on zoom. Around 4, I called Steve and Phylis and chatted them up for almost an hour. It was good to hear from all of them.
Today would have been my mother's 93 birthday. I posted a tribute to her on Facebook. I put up one photo where she just looks so damn happy. It may have been Easter 1992. That would have been the last happy Easter for her and for us as Chris died on Easter in 1993.
I watched 93 Days, a movie about the Ebola virus in Nigeria in 2014. I have to stop watching these types of movies right now.
13- M- PA- Quarantine Day # 29-
It's raining and a tornado watch in in effect for the next ten hours. That means I am going nowhere today and I can not believe that I feel a different level of stuck than I did yesterday. Maybe a package from Amazon will come in and will have a reason to wander down to the lobby. I napped and was again confused when I woke up.
I had a zoom call with Jerrie and WAFW and I couldn't pay attention. I watched the old movie, Indiana Jones and I couldn't concentrate. It was just too boring. I can't soothe myself today.
The tornado hit parts of the NJ beach and southern states suffered from the tornado. My area was spared. Now these people are hit hard again.
14- TU- PA- Quarantine Day # 30-
The sun came out today just a little bit but it was enough for me to get in my car and drive to Bombay Hook Wildlife Refuge. There wasn't much to see but it was good to get out of the apartment.
I came home and watched yet another movie, Ali's Wedding, a story of the mandates and limitations of customs of two Muslim families. Religion really has a way of choking the spirit out of people.
On a happier note, my tulips are blooming. The world is becoming greener and greener every day. And maybe we are one day closer to the end of this quarantine. Debbie texted me and asked if I needed anything. I wrote back and told her that I just wanted to sit in bar with friends and have a beer. Unfortunately, that is asking too much today.
15- W- PA- Quarantine Day #31-
I really had trouble sleeping last night and I was still wide awake at 7AM. I thought I should just get up and move on with the day. But I didn't. I tossed and turned a little more and finally feel asleep and woke up at 2 PM. I woke up with the sense that I had wasted my day. But really, does it matter what time I roam around my apartment in this quarantine.
It's sunny outside and I should really go out but that would require a shower first as it has been a few days and my hair is greasy. And I just don't feel like grooming today. Maybe I will get it together to go to the grocery store. I am out of cream for my coffee and have started to use fake cream. This has to stop.
I did get to the grocery store in the evening (without showering). It was eerie. Most people had masks. They were purpose driven and silent. They moved quickly and worked from a list of items needed. We all avoided each other with great effort. There were no interactions amongst us. I think we will be like this for a long period of time.
I got a text from Rosina. Kathi Lewis in on a ventilator and hanging by a thread in the ICU at Bryn Mawr Hospital. This breaks my heart.
I came home and watched The Death of Stalin, a dark comedy on Joseph Stalin's sudden death and those who came to claim his power. I think I need to read about this era again. I didn't get all of the nuances of the men and their corruptions.
My smoke alarm has been sending shrill noises to let me know that the battery needs to be changed. I've been ignoring these annoying reminders. But now, it appears as if two smoke alarms need new batteries. And it appears as if they are calling to each other. I will have to call maintenance but first, I will have to pick up/clean up my apartment.
16-TH- PA- Quarantine Day # 32-
Today was a day of great relief. I heard from my complaint with the Irish Writing Center. I am getting a full refund and that is a big, big load off my mind.
I went out today and found it was too damn cold. And there was a minute or two when we had snow flurries. This has to stop and I need a couple of warm days so I can find a beach where I can just sit there by myself.
I am in the midst of binging a Amazon TV series on a crazy guru from India. I thought there were only 4 segments but it looks as if there are at least 6 and I am hooked but I've watched four hours today and that is too much. Now I have something to do tomorrow.
17- F- PA- Quarantine Day # 33-
OMG, something happened today. I was up and functioning by 10 AM. By 11, I was dressed and on the road. What's become of me!!???!!?? I stopped first at the bank to cash a check and the woman said, "have a nice weekend." And I thought, "What???" No day or moment distinguished itself anymore. It is all the same day.
Anyway, I headed up to Washington's Crossing, along the Delaware River, a place that has always been on my bucket list. It took me an hour to get there. And, of course, it was closed. So I took a drive to the Delaware River to get a sense of this historical crossing. But the moment was lost in the chaos of the quarantine. The park was closed until further notice. So I thought I would find a local brewery to support. I found the River Head Brewery which has always been beer that I enjoyed so I was so damn happy. I knew I would not be be able to stop in for a beer but at least I could support this place during an economic crisis. The website said it was open so I would buy some beer to go. But it wasn't open so I left empty and heading home. I stopped at the Locust Lane Brewery in Malvern and it too was closed even though the website said it was open. And I stopped at Stolen Sun and it too was closed. So much for my humble efforts to keep the economy rolling.
After a short nap, I called the Ironhill Brewery to see if I could pick up a 32oz growler. After much effort, they agreed and I got my beer and got a little bit shit faced. I watched the documentary, Wild, Wild Country, and I need to talk to people about this event. It's a story of religious freedom, individual rights vs. cultural norms, cults, local culture, the justice system, tolerance, evil, corruption, government intrusion, redemption and personal freedom. I am going to ask a few friends to watch this six part series as well. And I am hoping that we can discuss it when we get together again and I am hoping that I can remember some of the key points as well.
18- SA- PA- Quarantine Day # 34
The day started out a little dreary and that always makes it difficult for me to get up and going. I started my day by trying to catch up on a strand of texts from my siblings. We have taken to chatting each other up about random thoughts at the moment. Much of today's discussion centered around our views on whether our brother-in-law should shave his head and go bald. Tricia is going to cut it in the afternoon and send us photos. Can't wait to see the outcome. I hope he doesn't look like a cancer patient, going through chemotherapy.
I watched a very bizarre movie: Little Hours. It was the story of three crazy, young nuns in a convent who engage in homosexuality, deceit, foul language, witch craft and deviate sex. I can't tell if I really like the movie or I really liked to irreverent portrayal of the nuns.
I'm sitting here now, checking my phone every ten minutes. I am waiting on three different package to come in the mail and I can't wait to receive any one of them as I am in need of a shot of immediate gratification. I am ordering too many things on line to satisfy this need. I have to get this under control.
19- SU- PA- Quarantine Day #35-
Today was sort of a nothing day. I woke up late because I took an extra dose of a sleep aid and then dreamt about the effects of taking too much sleep aid.
I chatted Sharon up a bit and convinced her to watch Wild, Wild Country so we could discuss it. She wants me to come over for dinner on Tuesday but I am not going to go to her house until this situation is much, much better.
Then I went for a drive in search of beer. I went in to a WAWA and people came in without face masks which have now been mandated by the governor. I confronts one woman and she claimed 9th Amendment Rights as her defense. She doesn't have to wear a wear a mask if she doesn't want to. I was going to continue the argument with her but decided to let it drop. Maybe she was shamed enough for one moment.
I got a follow up report about Kathi Lewis. She seems to be doing better today. What a relief.
20- M- PA- Quarantine Day #36-
Today was a lazy ass day which is hard to call because all of these recent days have been tinged with an abundance of laziness. But today was particularly lazy. I sat in my blue chair all day. I tried to watch movies but my attention span was broken. I would watch 2- 30 minutes of a movie and just move on. I'm losing interest in this option. I did watch the movie Satan and Adam about a old, black musician and a white, young musician who played together on the streets of Harlem. And then I had regret that I was never a musician who traveled the world and sang. if only I had had some talent.
Then I got sucked in to a damn TV series about the Innocences Project. I don't know how long the series is but I watched two shows. And then, coincidently, I got an email from this group, asking for a donation. So I sent them some damn money.
Leslie Grims texted me to check in on my mental health. I texted Jane Momer to let her know about Kathi Lewis. We got another update on Kathi and things are slowly improving. So we have already started planning a time to get together. I volunteered kathy Flatley's house at the beach in Avalon, NJ.
I checked in with Kevin, my nephew, to see if there is a baby wish list on Amazon for Baby Girl Staudt who should be hatched around July 18. With the current delays deliveries, I want to get the baby something and I would like it delivered in enough time. So I ordered a stroller and, of course, it will be delivered next week. Meanwhile, my face masks that I ordered two weeks ago will be here some time between mid-May and mid- June.
Later in the evening, I called KT to see if she wanted me to come visit in July. Fights right now are $117 to Denver. She's a little nervous and thinks that might still be too early to travel. I, however, am so damn ready to book a trip just so I have something to look forward to.
ave to visit.
I did go on line to see how long it would take me to drive to North Dakota. It's one of the last two states I have to visit. It will take over 22 hours to drive which means at least 4 days each way and that is just too much time on the road. And I may have to sleep in my car on some of those nights as I would be driving through states that are closed down to tourism. So then, I thought that I would consider flying out there. ND has not shut down yet for the virus. I have to do something. I am going crazy with this indefinite shut down.
21- TU- PA- Quarantine Day #37
I had an appointment to talk to Jerrie about China and WAFW. She still doesn't have a start date in China for the fall. And that is her Achillies Heel of frustration. As I want to get my travel schedule up and running, she wants a definite start date so she can recover the program. She had no new information to give me and she is looking for answers form me but I am not sure what is her question.
KT called me back and she is a bit more receptive about a possible road trip in July. She thinks we could drive to Wyoming or Montana as they are two states that still think this virus is no big deal. So we are plotting and planning at the moment.
I went to Walmart today as I just had to do something. I bought clothes without trying them on because I just didn't feel like it. So, of course, one pair of jeans has to go back tomorrow. I also bought two more plants for my balcony garden. So far, it looks as if I will have some vegetation this summer.
I was supposed to receive an Amazon package today. I was to receive my new, colorful face mask. But the shipment is delayed and this lateness is eating at me. I am used to such prompt delivery service and this weight is a minor aggravation. There are so full things to look forward to at the moment. So a silly, delayed package is now enough to throw me off a bit.
22- W- PA- Quarantine Day #38- I looked at the jeans I bought yesterday and was just so damned determined that I could get them zipped even though I tried twice yesterday and they were too small. So I sucked in my gut and tugged at that zipper and got them on my fat assed body. I was so damn happy. Now, I don't know how successful I will be when I have to go to the bathroom later in the day and get them zipped up again. I hope the zipper doesn't pop open.
I called Penn Medicine about a damn health insurance bill. It looks as if I am being charged twice for my procedure in March 17. I got someone on the phone and she told me that I paid $120 for the procedure and now I owe the doctor another $120 to read the report. That pissed me off and I told her and she asked, "Would you like to pay that bill today." And that pissed me off so I wouldn't pay it at that moment. She called back 5 minutes later and she is going to appeal this bill for me. She, too, thinks it might be an overcharge. That made my day. And I told her so. And that made her day.
KT called me and she wants to put our trip on hold. She just found out that the Covid virus causes kidney damage and since she only has one kidney, she doesn't want to take any chances. Damn, damn, damn. I needed that trip so I could have something to look forward to. After we hung up, I looked at flights to North Dakota but I didn't book anything. Maybe I should just wait until things are a bit more stable.
I am restless and antsy today. I feel stuck and I don't have anywhere to roam. I don't want to go to a store just for the sake of getting out. I want to get back to normal.
I got another update on Kathi Lewis. She is off the ventilator. That is a miracle. Leslie Grims contacted me again to talk about Kathi. I told her that I thought we were going to lose Kathi which would have been a real loose. Kathi has not yet had day where she could just do something for her. She has worked all these years and then she took care of her old mother all these years. She deserves a moment to herself.
I sat in the living room this afternoon for a few hours. That was unusual as I have been spending most of my time in the bedroom and specifically in my big, old blue corduroy chair. So a change of scenery was nice. It was sunny but too damn cold and windy to hang on the balcony.
In the evening, I wrote a project proposal for WAFW, My Sisters' Keeper. It is a program for our students to raise awareness about domestic violence in China, Nepal and Bangladesh. I hope we can get some semblance of the program up and running.
I watched two more episodes of The Innocence Files and continued to feel so much sadness for these people who lost years and years and years of their lives. After that, I watched God Knows Where I Am, a documentary about a woman who suffered from schizophrenia. It was riveting. She was found died in an abandon house and kept a journal. Her story was told through her journals and as more and more of her writings were revealed, you could understand how she was unraveling and fading away from reality and a quality of life. And it got me thinking about my journals. When I die, will my family read my writings and think I've been crazy for years now?
23- TH- PA- Quarantine Day #39-
It's another gloomy day and a day of very little activity for me. I need, need, need some sunshine and warm weather. But it looks as if neither of these conditions are happening soon. We have another week of overcast on the horizon. I just want to sit on the beach.
I did have a video chat for an hour with Steve and Phyliss and they are tired of each other. Phyliss' mother died last week. She was 99. So they had a graveside service for her in Lancaster yesterday. It was just the two of them and their one son and no one else to say goodbye. I suggested to Phyliss that a group of us go to Lancaster when we can and have another small service. She seems to like that idea.
I heard from Sally Doan. She is out of the hospital and home after her lung transport is that is fantastic news. This is a tough time to be that sick. She may need rides to physical therapy and I would welcome the opportunity to have something to do that would require me to be out and about with a genuine purpose.
My Amazon packages still have not arrived and I am allowing this situation to be a source of annoyance. I want my things. I've ordered ear buds from Bose. I've ordered linen blouses from a store in China. And I have four different orders in for face masks. One mask was supposed to come in two days ago and now it is delayed until May 10. The other orders aren't coming in until mid-May to mid- June. I want them and need them now. And I keep thinking that if I order more, eventually something will arrive at my door.
Trump just announced that we should consider light beams and lysol as a means to rid ourselves of the virus. He is batshit crazy. And people are going wild with hysterical memes and videos as a retort to this ridiculous idea.
24- F- PA- Quarantine Day #40
It rained all night and throughout the day so it's another day that is filled with effort to get out there and do something. And to add to my lethargy, a memo was sent out by the building management to refrain from roaming the hallways as a means to get some exercise. Now, I wasn't roaming the halls. But most days, I would try to encourage myself to do at least this little bit of exercise. But that is no longer an option. I have to get moving. I am only doing 500 steps a day.
When I started the quarantine, I really believed that I would complete one small task a day. I would reorganize one drawer or one box of things. I would weed out my book collection. I would get back in to reading every day. I had so many things I was going to do. But I am doing none of them.
I haven't done my taxes yet. My car needs to be inspected. I have to cancel my health insurance. I have to cancel my subscriptions to National Geographic and the Smithsonian magazine. I have to petition for travel miles with American Airlines. I have to send in a check for my 2019 IRA contribution. I need to clarify my dental costs for the year. My refrigerator has a spill that needs to be cleaned. There are blouses that need to be ironed. I have a blanket that I want to throw out but it's too big to go down the regular trash shute. I have to take it, myself, to the trash room and I haven't done that yet. My car trunk needs to be organized. It should only take 20 minutes but I haven't done that. I need to do the laundry. I could be cleaning a section of the apartment every day. I only have 800 sq feet. But I do none of these things. I look at them and tell myself that I will do it later. I have time to put it off. There is no urgency in any aspect of my life right now. I have time. I have plenty of time. I lack energy, motivation, structure, and discipline. I am just focused on not going crazy. And that is taking the 4 ozs of my energy.
I was going to go to bed at a reasonable time tonight. I was a little sleepy around 10 PM but Tricia called me which was unusual for this time of night. We talked for about an hour and she had a full schedule of how I should be spending my time. She thinks I need a routine. When she realized that I was just listening to her and not taking any of her suggestions to heart, she said she was going to mail this schedule to me so that I can give it some consideration. I laughed, thanked her and hung up. It was nice talking to her.
25- SA- PA- Quarantine Day #41
OMG, it was a gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous day. I sat out on my balcony and had a cup of coffee. I had to put the umbrella up because it was so damn sunny. It was nice and warm. And life was great. I was so damn happy.
I took a drive to Oxford and Avondale. I was in search of the Turtle Bog Brewery but it appears as if this brewery moved to Maryland and I was not willing to drive all that way for a beer. So I did find a new brewery in Avondale and did score a growler. So life was good.
In the evening, I watched The Word Lady, a movie about a woman who hoarded ducks and geese. She had over 100 of them and the SPCA came in and took them and then charged her with cruelty to animals. She was convicted and lost all of her birds and had to serve on probation for 5 years. Her husband left her as a result of this mess. And just as they were beginning to reconcile, he died suddenly. Damn, that woman had a lot of bad luck.
I dont think she should have been charged with cruelty because I think that involves intent and she never intended to be unkind to them. I definitely think she should have been charged with negligent through insanity. She was crazy as a loon.
I am watching too much Netflix. I hope I can go back to my regular routine when this is all over. This is an easy, mindless way to pass time, even if I am backing an attempt to watch mostly documentary films.
Trump announced today that he was being sarcastic when he recommended light beams and lysol as treatments for the virus. The press, cartoonists, tweeters, pundits, medical professional, haters, other politicians, and late night TV hosts have been all over him. So he announced that we was no longer going to hold press conferences to an ungrateful nations. One small victory for all of us.
26- SU- PA- Quarantine Day # 42
It's miserable and rainy and cold today. And I had so much trouble waking up this morning. So I missed an 11 AM webinar/ play by Sybil Kempson, a former student who is off Broadway and I missed a family call to Patricia for her birthday.
I was able to get up and moving (but not showered) for a 2 PM call with Tricia's family. We talked for about 40 minutes straight which is longer than we usually talk when we are together. As we were hanging up, Lauren announced that we are going to catch up again next week.
I did all of my laundry, folded everything and put most of the clothing away. This is the most ambitious I have been in a while. But I still need to step it up a lot. I am so damn lazy.
I am continuing with my binging on the Innocence File series. After watching several of these cases, it seems as if the justice department never gets it right. I wonder how many people are in jail in our country because of wrongful convictions.
My tweet for today is getting a lot of hits: Trump is no longer going to hold press conferences to this ungrateful nation. One small act for man. One giant relief for mankind! So far, it has over 100 hits on Facebook and several hundred views on Twitter.
27- M- PA- Quarantine Day #43
Just like yesterday, I really had trouble getting up today. I was in a deep sleep and a wild dream when I woke up. So I was foggy and disoriented. But i did shower, put on all clean clothes, wash my hair, clean up a little bit in the kitchen, straighten up a little bit and got out of the apartment. I also made a raisin tea that was delicious.
I called my bank and discovered that my $1480 was refunded from the Irish Writing Retreat. That was big victory and a load off my mind. But it is also a burnt bridge. I will never be able to take a writing course from them in the future which is a loss.
I went to BJ's Wholesale and opened a membership. I looked around the store but nothing interested me. And the check-out line was around the perimeter of the store. So I just left. As soon as things are a bit more normal, I will go back there to order my prescription eye glasses.
A local women running for state congress is making cloth face masks for people for free. She is looking for people to help her with her campaign, which I am willing to do. So I stopped by her house and picked up my homemade mask. It's a little small but I can breathe better with this mask as compared to what I have been using.
I picked up a few day lily plants at Produce Junction and already have them replanted and on the balcony. My garden is starting to take shape. I am hoping that I can be a few more perennials planted before I start going crazy with the annuals.
I went to Wegman's Market after dinner, not because I really needed food but I had to get out of the house. I am reaching my saturation point in watching TV and movies on my laptop.
28- TU- PA- Quarantine Day #44
OMG, I slept too late today. For the last couple of days, I have been having real trouble waking up. So I stayed in bed until almost 3 PM. And I was still in a fog as I attempted to get moving.
And then I had to hustle to get to Sharon's house for dinner at 5. Last week, I was adamant that I was not going to her house until the pandemic was over. But today, I accepted her invitation for a Take Out Taco Tuesday dinner. We ate on the backyard patio and kept our distance. As I was leaving, Sharon told me several times that she is very proud of the way I am handling this quarantine. She is amazed that I have a good attitude about it and that I have not slipped in to a depressing hole of self-pity and despair. And I have to wonder what kind of image, what kind of vibes, am I giving off to my family that she is relieved that I am handling this situation with maturity.
I didn't stay long and on the way home, I found a place that was selling face masks so I stopped in a got some and they fit better than the other masks I have now. So I am happy. I tried to cancelled the orders I have out on Amazon for masks. But so far, none of the sellers are willing to give me back my money. They all claim that my order in is transition and will be here momentarily.
I came home and watched the last in a series on The Innocence Project. WOW. We have a broken system. And only those with money can beat this system.
I also watched The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin. I had never heard of him. But he wrote a regular fictitous column in the SF Chronicles about gay life in SF. It then become a show on PBS and was so controversial because of this gay element. After a lengthy congressional hearing, it was no longer funded because it was viewed as too immoral for public funds.
29- W- PA- Quarantine Day #45
I was up and out and in search of more plants for my small, simple, balcony garden. I posted a few photos of the garden on facebook this morning and got some nice feedback so I was motivated to expand my minuscule but lovely garden. Of course, I picked up too many plants; 10 to be exact. But they are all planted now and I am out of room so I hope I have enough sense not to buy any more plants until some of them die.
I got two of my Amazon packages. I was so happy to skip down to the lobby to pick them up. A big beach umbrella and a foot rest showed up. I got to speak to Allie from the Main Office. I haven't seen her in over a month and we got to chat a bit. She is under the impression that I must be OK in my quiet oasis of an apartment. I am Ok but I really, really want to get out and roam around on my terms.
I went to Produce Junction again. And any effort to maintain social distancing was not evident. The place was crowded and the garden plants were being snatched up quickly. It was a nice day. I think people just wanted to get out and garden.
A Secret Love is a movie I have been waiting to see. It was released today on Netflix. It's the story of two women who hide their relationship for 65 years. They were well in their late 80s and still worried about what their families would think. Finally, finally, they got married and then one of them died. Shame on all of us who stand in the way of people living their authentic life.
I followed up with another movie, The Climb, about the first Black, French, Inexperienced Climber to reach the top of Mt Everest. I still have a pull that pushes me towards a trip to, at least, to Base Camp. But even that trip would be more than I could ever dream of doing. If only I could get a helicopter to take me there and let me spend a few days in that freezing, brutal environment. I would be so happy.
30- TH- Quarantine Day #46
It's been a long, long, long month. And I am not sure there is any end in sight to this quarantine. It was really windy this afternoon. I contacted Debbie to see if she wanted to go to Rite Aid with me. She jumped on the chance to get out and get together. How pathetic have we become.
Three packages came in today. I was so happy. My two portable coffee makers came in. I hope to use them for my next trip to China. And my long awaited face mask came in but the wrong design was sent. This is the 2nd time this has happened to me. I think mask companies are just taking orders and sending anything and counting on us just to be happy to get anything. But I lodged a complaint and now, I get to keep the mask and my money was refunded. Not bad.
And my big beach umbrella, that arrived yesterday, has a missing part. So I wrote to this company and am hoping for a compensation of some sort. Yes, managing my purchases has become my busy, busy life.
As I was perusing facebook, I saw that Estelle Whitney died last month. That came as a shock. She had kidney failure. She and I worked together in Haiti for a very brief moment in 2013. She was a good doctor.
At 5:30 PM, I attend my first zoom birthday party. A bunch of high school friends got on line and we spent too, too much time talking about medicare options. What has become of us. It was Leslie's birthday and she was so honored to be remembered. And it was really nice to hear from everyone. We got an update on Kathy Lewis and she has slipped back a little bit in her fight with the corona virus. And Rosina told us about Michelle Fuller's battle with lung cancer.
At 8:30 PM, I had yet another zoom call with Jerrie and the WAFW crew. I was determined that we would begin to get some project off the ground. Now I am heading a project where we will work with our students to reach out to other women during these times as a way to address domestic violence. I hope we can do something, anything to make a difference.
I got sucked in to another Netflix series. Damn. I thought it was only going to be one show but it isn't and the subject matter is too hard to watch. It's the story of yet another moment when the judicial system failed 6 black teenagers in 1989 and accused them of rape in Central Park. This is a dreadful story. Fortunately, I know the ending, otherwise, I don't think I could watch this injustice.
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