The Covid Variant is Wreaking Havoc
We Are All Ordering KN95 Masks
Cloth Masks Are Out
PA, NV, UT, MD, DE
Barbados
1 -SA- PA
We had a family zoom call today and I think we are all tired of zoom calls. With the exception of Heather and Quentin, only my generation showed up and we were out of things to say. Some of the conversation was strained.
I went to check out the mandarin duck that was discovered at Pennypacker Park. I found him floating away with the wood duck that everyone on social media mentioned. He is beautiful.
Penn State lost the football bowl game because 8 players have already signed on with professional teams. And I can't blame them for forfeiting this game.
2 -SU- PA
I started my Road Trip #2022-1- NV and UT with Brian, Cindy, Gus and Clay Kelly. I am excited to ravel with them.
I am having anxiety about covid. I do not want to get covid but I don't know how I can dodge it if I chose to take a trip which involves flying. I am just going to have to wear my mask as often as possible.
Brian and Cindy and the kids came up from VA. I started packing for our trip two weeks ago. They will be here in about an hour and I am in a panic because I forgot some things. Now I am running out of time.
We went to Ironhill Brewery (1) for dinner and my flight was delicious. I had my favorite Russian Imperial Stout, a winter warmer ale and two IPAs.
Afterwards, we drove to a hotel at the airport in preparation for our early flight to Las Vegas, NV. We were in bed way too early for me but we have a 5:30 shuttle to the airport. I set my alarm for 5:10 AM and I went to bed fully dressed.
3- M- PA/NV
We were up by 5AM and on our way to Vegas. We got the airport and I panicked. The line to drop off our luggage wrapped around the entire first floor. I panicked because I thought, for sure, that we were going to miss our flight. And then, out of nowhere I heard a voice, "If you are going to Vegas, get in this line." and just like that I was at the head of the line.
Brian and I had a bloody Mary flight to drink during lunch. OMG, it was great. I only wish that I could have spent the rest of the afternoon drinking it as it just about required that amount of time. But the others were finished lunch in 35 minutes so I had to drink quickly.
In the evening, we walked the Strip which was alive with lots of festive people. We took the monorail and traveled the entire length of the strip. Then we got off and ventured in to the Caesar's hotel in search of the Fountains of the Gods. As we returned to our hotel, we noticed the Bellagio Hotel which had a water fountain show that was synced to Italian opera. It was beautiful.
I took 14,000+ steps today and I hurt like hell. Maybe I should have done a bit more training before I decided to take a hiking trip with people who are in shape.
4- T- NV/UT
We got up and went to Bellagio Casino to see the glassware. Then we headed over to the NY NY Casino. We wanted to grab a slice of pizza but when we discovered that it was $7.50/slice, we all said no. At that point, my gang had had enough of urban life. So off we went to Utah.
Our first stop was Pioneer Park in St George, UT. I had been here last October and stumbled upon this place. I thought it would be a good introduction to the trip and it turned out to be a fun stop.
The mandarin duck, in Philly, was found dead this morning. The people in PA Birders are going wild with allegations and accusations as to what happened to this beautiful duck. I'm just glad I got to see him a few days ago.
5- W- UT
We spent the day in Zion National Park. We all got in free because I had my senior citizen pass and that always makes me very happy.
The park was just about empty. There were still people around but nothing was crowded and annoying. It had snowed so some of the trails were slippery and muddy. The temperature was just perfect, maybe around 50F and it was so damn sunny that I needed my sun glasses.
For dinner we went to the Zion Brewery (2). This brewery fulfills my brewery In Every State Goal. Because I was driving, I only had three samples and they were on the lighter side, only 6.2% alcohol. They were IPAs and good. I would have liked to had tried more.
Clay and I checked out the hot tub in the evening. It could have been just a little bit hotter.
I had yet another one of my reoccurring work dream. In this dream, I was fired and it was ugly and I woke up a bit unsettled. I've been having these dreams since I retired in 2010.
6- TH- UT
It was a year ago that Trump supporters stormed the Capital and tried to overturn the election. Biden came out today and told the world that Trump was responsible. Good for Biden.
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park was great, great, great fun. The dunes were so steep that I had to get Gus and Clay to get my fat ass up to the top. And that was a humiliating moment.
Afterwards we went to the Sand Castle. From the looks of it, I declined to join the hike up the side of the mountain. Brian and Cindy made it to the base of the incline. Gus went up to a certain point and decided he wasn't going any further. Clay got to the top. But, apparently, going down is the bigger challenge. He made it down but he struggled the whole way.
I had yet another reoccurring work dream. But this one wasn't so anxiety-producing. I was helping coaches find athletes for their teams.
7- F- UT/NV
We spent the day at the Valley of the Fire State Park in NV. and it was as beautiful as I had hoped it would be.
Our 10:30 PM flight home canceled at the last minute. We were already at the airport when I received a food voucher and an apology for a delay in services. And then I got the notice that the flight was cancelled. FUCK!!! the five of us were now stranded. So I got down to the ticket desk ASAP and we were able to reschedule a flight for later that night. We were so damn lucky.
Our $105 food voucher was spent at the newspaper store. It could only be used at one place and this was the only place open at this hour of the night. The boys grabbed sandwiches, cheese plates, cans, sodas, snack, candy bars and anything else that looked appealing to them. We left with three bags of food and they felt as if they won the lottery.
8- SA- PA
The Kellys dropped me off at 830 AM and I was tucked away in my bed by 8:45 and I stayed there all day. They, on the other hand, had a five hour drive ahead of them.
Jaye called me. She is in the hospital and has been diagnosed with liver cancer. This is upsetting news as I just assumed that Jaye would go gently in the night at age 98, just like her parents. Cancer scares me.
I had a variation of my reoccurring work dream. I was helping to put together a fund raiser. The dream centered around podcasts I had playing while I was sleeping..
I took 5,000+ steps today.
9- SU- PA
Brian called me to tell me that Cindy just tested positive for Covid. Fuck. I immediately took a test and tested negative but I am still worried about my status. I am going to quarantine for five days and then go and get a test.
I did nothing today but go out to pick up two hoagies. I spent most of the day in bed which is exactly what I did yesterday.
I heard from my high school friend, Mary Ellen. Her husband died on Thursday from covid complications.
Tweet: Ted Cruz is so cowardly, it’s repulsive. #CruzIsATraitor
I didn't come anywhere close to meeting my step goal. I was a lazy ass today.
10- M- PA
I am struggling with my anxiety about covid. I am teetering on catching a cold. But I haven't had a cold since the beginning of the pandemic. My throat is a little sore. And I have been sneezing and I am afraid that I am slipping in to a bout of covid.
Sharon had me on a call with her to discuss her new portal. She is exhausted and exhausting.
Afterwards, I drove to Pine Run Reservoir in search of Sandhill Cranes. They have been documented on PA Birders. But I didn't find them. The area was too muddy to wander around and the temperature was below freezing. So my heart was not in to the search.
Jaye called me and told me that her cancer has been diagnosed as Stage One. That is great news. Her voice sounded stronger today. She said she has less pain than she has been experiencing the last few weeks.
Covid deaths to date in the USA: 838,000. There is no way to measure how many people are infected now because too many people are treating themselves at home. So the most accurate way to measure the impact is through hospital stays and deaths.
I scheduled a covid test for me for Sunday. Until then, I am just going to hang by myself so I don't possibly infect someone or i get infected.
11- TU- PA
I slept until noon. I slept soundly. I didn't even stir at 7 AM, my usual time to wake up and assess my world. This new sleep mask of mine is great.
My dreams are starting to worry me. They are so vivid and worrisome. In one dream, I was taking the Semester At Sea voyage and packing all of my things in a collapsible crate. In another dream, I was lured in to a home with people who turned out to be cannibals and they tried to eat me. Fortunately I got away and even more fortunately, somehow I turned in to a younger, faster, thinner version of myself and I outran them all.
So now, I'm up but I know it is so damn cold out there that I just want to stay in my apartment.
I've heard from Sharon. Her anxiety level is through the roof as she attempts to launch her new website.
I have a mammogram tomorrow. I called to see if they wanted me to reschedule due to my exposure to covid. Surprisingly, they told me to come for the appointment.
There is a doctor who is an anti-vaxxer and he is promoting urine as a vaccine for covid. He said God has given all of us that we need to cure ourselves and urine is just one thing we could use. He then proudly announced that he has been drinking his urine for years. I say let them drink up as much as they want.
I spoke with KT. Her divorce is stalled at the moment. I think Mike has cold feet about the idea that he will be completely alone. He's stuck between holding on and letting go.
12- W- PA/MD
Ronnie Spector died today. She made some great music. Mostly, I like her duet with Eddie Money, Take Me Home Tonight.
I started the day at the health center, getting a mammogram. I don't think there is anything more humiliating than a mammogram. Nothing showed up on the test but I do think this is a fairly unreliable way to find a problem.
Next, I drove to Octorara Reservoir in search of the damn sandhill cranes. They were spotted there one day this week. I didn't find them as this area is just too big to cover. And when i got home, someone else had posted photos of them just a few miles up from where I was looking. I have to surrender my search and just wait until I go to Colorado in late February to see a whole flock of them in the midst of their migration.
After that failure, I went to the Bog Turtle Brewery (3)- MD. My beers were mediocre and my food was lousy. I think I am finished with this brewery.
I came home to a check in the mail so the day was not a complete failure. I was billed twice this year for my AAA membership so they sent me a check for $76. Yippee!!
I heard from Brian. Cindy is doing OK with her covid. Brian is still negative and the boys are staying away from them. I am so sick of this virus.
I went on facebook and saw people's photos of sandhill cranes around the Octorara area. Oh well.
I booked a flight to Colorado for Feb 23 to March 1. KT and I are going in search of the Sandhill Crane migration in southern CO. Can't wait. I am also looking at booking a trip to Barbados but I just cant brig myself to commit. This damn variant of Covid has me nervous.
13- TH- PA
Sue asked me to drive up to the Poconos with her because she had to unlock the shed for someone who is going to fix her golf cart. Afterwards we went for pizza for lunch and had a great conversation with the waitress. I also had a delicious hazy beer and a banana rum Russian. And I got to take two slices home with me which then became dinner. So it was a good food/drink day for me.
And in breaking news from London, the queen stripped her son from all royal titles because he has been accused of raping a minor female. WOW!!!
Tweet: God Save The Queen!!! That was a bold, courageous and rightful move on the queen’s part to strip her son of his royal status. Wow!!! #TheFormerPrinceAndrew
14- F- PA
I'm home today and just a little hesitate to mingle back in to the general public until I am tested for Covid. I don't get tested until Sunday. Maybe I will go to the grocery store in the evening, when it is less crowded.
I finally, finally, finally reschedule my appointment with the gastro-intestinal doctor that I dislike so much. She cancelled my October appointment back in September and I just called today to reschedule. I go in March and really, if I didn't have that suspicious lesion on my pancreas, I wouldn't follow up with her.
I decided to order a hoagie at my favorite sandwich shop. But they weren't taking any online orders at the time. So i ordered at my second favorite place and went to pick up a steak and eggs hoagie. I had plans on going tot he grocery store but is was so fucking cold that I got nervous about being outside for even a minute. I didn't have socks or a scarf or gloves and it was just too cold.
So, instead, I came back to my apartment and strolled around my floor and picked up pieces of candy off the neighbors' candy jars. I wish they wouldn't leave all this candy. I think i am the only one who eats it. I like Gina's candy offering the best. She leaves hard mints that do not interest me.
I booked a flight to Barbados for the end of this month. This will be my first trip abroad in two years. The covid virus has wreaked havoc on my travel options. There is nowhere safe to go. But I find myself becoming hesitant to travel the longer I am away from it. I think this should be a safe journey as I will be outdoors most of the time.
15- SA- PA
I had yet another work dream. This time I had to go back to work to help get rid of a teacher who was having mental health issues. These constant dreams are giving me mental health issues. And the principal of the school was my former secretary from Loyalsock High School. I haven't thought of that woman in 40 years.
I had full intentions of getting up late, but not too late, to take a road trip. But my new sleep mask is so effective that I am falling asleep and staying asleep and, of course, I got up too late. But that is really OK as I think it is too damn cold to do anything today. It's 21F right now and it is going down to 13F in the middle of the night.
Biden's security jets flow over my apartment this afternoon. I don't know why I haven't heard them for the last year. But they were loud and unnerving in light of the fact that a helicopter had to make a crash landing in Delaware County this week.
I watched the movie, Telsa. What a genius! How can one person have so many extreme ideas that lead to stunning inventions. Afterwards, I listened to the final chapter of the Elizabeth Holmes case. She was just found guilty of engaging in fraudulent interactions with her investors. In some ways, the two of them were so similar. Just like Telsa, she had a wild vision of what the future could be. She claimed she had new, game changing blood monitoring technology. Just like him, she found investors and took their money but she never really had a product. So now, she will probably spend too many years in jail.
I had a call from Laydon last night. It was good to hear from her. I think the last time we spoke was July. In this short period of time, I can hear a little bit of decline in her english skills. I have to step back in and chat with her so she doesn't lose any more skill. She is back in her village until the end of the Chinese New Year.and she may be delayed in returning to campus as the virus is causing problems again in China.
Tweet: I just can't express my rage with this one. I don't get how a police officer could be so horible to another human being. I'm losing confidence in them.
16- SU- PA
I was wide awake at 4 AM this morning so I got up and got dressed and stepped out on my balcony because it was 13F and I wanted to feel that coldness. And after 4 seconds, I came right back in because it was cold, really cold. The sky was a midnight blue. The air was crisp. The moon was full. It was beautiful.
I went back to bed and put on my new sleep mask. OMG, it is so dark that once I am asleep, I stay asleep. But I am finding it hard to wake up. When I open my eyes, it is still pitch black. So I am waking up later and a bit befuddled.
I had an appointment with Urgent Care Center for a covid test. I scheduled a regular test but my notices indicated that I had schedule a rapid test which is $150. I didn't want that. I didn't need the results that badly and I was too cheap to pay that price. But I found out that it was free for me because of my medicare status. It pays to be an old bitch.
The results came back negative which was a relief. And experts are predicting that most of us will be this variant. But I want to ward this off for as long as possible. I checked in with Cindy and her bout of Covid was mild which is also a relief.
I went right home after my test because snow was predicted and I didn't want to be caught somewhere when the snow started. Steve and Phylis were in the lounge so I stopped in to chat with them. I stayed for about an hour and then went back to my apartment to try my third attempt to watch a Tom Hanks movie, A Hologram for A King. It isn't holding enough of my interest and every once in a while, a scene pops up and reminds me that I have already watched this movie. But I know have 17 minutes left so I think I will finish it before I go to bed.
Finally, I got to the grocery store. I haven't been here since before my trip and now I have too many perishable food and that always puts me in a panic and it makes me overeat because I don't like to throw food out because it spoiled.
It's snowing, not a lot, but just enough to cause everyone to stay home tonight. Hopefully, it will turn to rain and clear the road so I can wander around somewhere tomorrow.
I spent the evening in the lounge with Debbie. We were the only ones there. The place has started to feel like a ghost town once again now that this Omnicrom virus is wiping people out.
I now have three damn neighbors who are leaving candy outside their apartments. I hate them. I particularly hate the people who are leaving the malt balls. It is so easy just to grab three little packs with my right hand and I don't even have to break my stride to retrieve them. Someone at the end of the hall is now leaving KitKats and the neighbor that I am fighting with is leaving twizlers. I hate them.
Tweet: I don’t think I could have described him any better: “FART-A-LOT-GO, FLORIDA — Out in the nation’s Hanging Dong State, a tubby, elderly, sundowning, most assuredly senile white collar crook and dangerous, lying sociopath is still at it.”
17- M- PA
I woke up at 930 AM to assess my weather situation and the weather is still shitty so I am not going to drive to Cambridge, MD to see the Harriet Tubman mural. I will have to see what tomorrow brings.
Leslie G called me. She is spooked by an email we received from a classmate who has slipped away in to the deep hole of conspiracy theories. This woman has been sending me theses types of videos for the last five years. So I don't even open them. But this is the first time she sent such a video to the entire class. It's creepy.
Lauren called me with great excitement. She has a new job. She's been unemployed for three months and she gets to start anew next Monday She sounded so relieved. Tomorrow night we are going to celebrate so my trip to MD will now probably be on Wednesday.
Good news!!! It looks as if two of my three neighbors are out of the candy distribution business. One person has taken her cup off the shelf. The other didn't fill it today. But the third one is still offering milk chocolate hearts. So now I am down to only hating one of my neighbors.
Finally, finally, I watched the last 15 minutes of the damn Tom Hanks movie. OMG, that was a chore. And I didn't like it enough for the amount of effort I put in to watch it.
It's MLK Day today and al of the republicans are leaving posts on social media about his good work on justice and freedoms. Yet, none of them support the Voters' Act which is on the floor of the US Senate. Of course, social media is exploding today with their hypocrisy.
My Facebook memory today showed photos of the Women's March from two years ago. We didn't have the march last year because of covid and I dont think there was any discussion about having one this year now that Biden is in office. Personally, I would like to have an annual Women"s March on March 8, the International Day of the Women.
A few days ago, I was searching for places to go exploring. I found a Hare Krishna temple in WV that is supposed to be beautiful so I put it on my list of two day trips. Today, I started listening to a new podcast about a murder within the Hare Krisna community and here, it centered around their temple that I want to go see. So I was so intent on hearing everything this podcast had to tell me. And I have now listened to the first episode three times because I have called asleep each time I start over. I think I can only listen to audible stories when I am driving.
Tweet: It’s MLK Day, Betty White’s bday and Michele Obama’s bday. We have a lot to celebrate today.
18- TU- PA/MD
Lauren texted me to tell me she fell and hurt her ankle so our dinner date is off. So I got in my car and drove to Cambridge, MD in search of Harriet Tubman, Road Trip #2022-2. I wanted to see her mural and begin to travel her freedom trail. There is a statue of her which is traveling along the east coast. It is in Philly for several weeks. SO I decided to start her trail at the most southern point and make my way up to Philly. My first stop was her mural, Take My Hand, in Cambridge. It's tucked away in an alleyway and I really had to search for it. And I was surprised at how moved I was to see it.
I finished my audible book, One Native Life by Richard Wagamese. I love listening to a good story teller.
"Anyone can be spiritual in a quiet room. But out in the world is where the challenge presents itself. When you live a principled life you learn to live spiritually. When you learn to live spiritually, you learn to live in harmony with people".
Later in the day, I stopped at RAR brewery- MD (4)- OMG, all of my beers were delicious. I had a nitro coffee and vanilla stout.
19- W- MD/DE/PA
I got up and made my way to the Harriet Tubman Underground Railway Museum and it really wasn't a museum at all. It was a welcome center. That was a disappointment.
So I headed over to the Blackwater Wildfife Refuge and that was a treat. It's a 2.5 mile drive through the wetlands. I saw swans, snow geese, canada gees and a whole pool of ducks. There is wooded areas in this drive and I could tell by the number of birders that this place was a great place to find birds of various kinds. I also saw lots of very expensive camera lens. I guess we are all in search of that great photo that National Geographic is looking for.
In the late afternoon, I stopped at the Eastern Shore Brewery- MD (5). At first, I did not like the vibe at all here. I wanted a flight and they pre-determiend what beers I could try. That always pisses me off. I want to pick my own damn beer. So, instead, i ordered three of their smallest pours which is what they pour for the flights. So I got what I wanted after all.
About an hour later, I also stopped at JakL Brewery- DE (6). I was the only customer so I got lots of attention from the bartender. I ordered my porter and two IPAs and one sour and all were good. But then the bartender gave me a sample of the jalapeño beer which was also very good. They have been able to make a beer with a strong taste but it doesn't have a lot of heat which just destroys the beaty fo a cold beer.
On the way home, I stopped at REI to investigate a foldable kayak that is on my mind. And I hope to god that I do not buy it. It's $899 and it folds to the size of a suitcase and easy to carry. But I no longer have kayak friends so where am I going to paddle?
Tweet: Do you go through life thinking of your “rights” or your “obligations”?
20- TH- PA
I sat in the lounge all afternoon and plowed through some of my bills and obligations. One thing that needed to be addressed immediately was the covid test that I didn't know I have to have to get on a plane next week to Barbados. Fuck. I just had a test 10 days ago. I wonder if my insurance will pay for another test so soon after this test.
Mid-afternoon, my computer locked up. All day I was getting notices that my storage was full and I threw out a few photos, thinking I was addressing the issue and then, just as I was getting on my weekly DG meeting, my system crashed. FUCK.
Senator Mitch McConnell made a grand faux pas today. He made a statement about African Americans voting almost as much as Americans. Needless to say, the internet blow up with this statement.
Twitter: So apparently we have Americans and African-Americans. My thanks go out to #MitchMcConnellTheRacist for clarifying this misunderstanding for all of us.
Twitter: Why are people tweeting #MitchPlease? We need to call him what he is. #MitchMcConnelIsARacist
21- F- PA
I started the day with the Great Dames portal webinar. At long last, the portal has been launched and the enthusiasm from people today was rewarding. People seem genuinely excited. Now, let's hope they follow up and participate in the forms.
I saw my Sandhill Cranes today. I have been in search of these guys since I got back from Utah. I got a better location in Octarara to find them. I parked my park by the lake and just sat and waited. Nothing was going on. So I decided to leave and just then, they came out of nowhere and just soared through the sky. At first, I thought they were herons because their structure is similar. But then I could see how much bigger they are. So I sat and waited again for another 30, 40 minutes and nothing. So I started to take off again and again, they just showed up out of nowhere in the sky. I think I will go back again in a few days and see if I can find them again. I wasn't able to get a photo either time and now that is unfinished business for me.
22- S- PA
It was cold, windy and wintery today. In the early morning, it was 11F. Fuck, that is cold.
I started out by wearing my cowboy boots. I bought them last year but have only worn then a few times because they are so stiff and uncomfortable. But just as I was walking out the door to go to Sharon's house, I changed out of them. What if I have to walk 3 blocks to get a parking spot near her home. My feet will be in so much pain. And now sSharon is requesting that we take our shoes off when we come in her house. These boots are too difficult to take off and on. And so, at the last minute, I substituted shoes and consequently, I was a few minutes late to her house.
She had more gifts for me as a thank you for all of my help with her business portal. She has already given me a gift. But today I got a variety six pack of tall IPAs and a pound of coffee. Additionally, she had Glenn run down to the 4th Street Deli for brisket sandwiches which are just my favorite sandwiches.
Afterwards, we watched the movie, Rushmore, Wes Anderson's first movie. Of course, I've seen it before but I forgot how funny it was. All of his movies are great. What a warped mind.
23- SU- PA
OMG, I am worried about my new sleep mask. Again, I slept through the night and woke up way too late. I must set an alarm when I use this mask. It is frightening to me to see how late I can sleep. And I must be in a deeper sleep because I am having vivid, wild dreams.
It's a great, cold day which leaves me without energy to go outside to play. And I am hesitent to go to the lounge as well because I am working diligantly to dodge the covid virus. I take off for Barbados on Thursday and I MUST have a clean covid test to get on that damn plane. I can not afford to hang with anyone right now. I am tired of this damn virus.
Tweet: Just a suggestion to Mitch: I humbly apology to all African-Americans for my dreadful choice of words. Never, ever, have I consider African Americans to be less than American. I am humiliated by my carelessness. Please forgive me. Words matter. Black Lives Matter. #MitchPlease
Tweet: Only in a white privileged world can a racist, white man carelessly insult and degrade every African American and be called on it and then sit back and act as if he is the victim. #MitchPlease #MitchMcConnelIsARacist #BLM
We have had 865,000 Covid deaths in our country to date. I know of 6 people who have died of this virus.
24- M- PA
Sharon had another GD webinar to introude her new portal. This workshop was not as well received as the Friday event. So that was a bit disappointed.
Jaye and I spoke on the phone. She seemed down today. I think her attitude has been pretty good but the pain is wearing her down.
The underworld of YouTube continues to take me by surprise. It seems as if everyone is an influencer today. Everyone has a channel. I watched a young man's video of his 40 mile hike through the woods. Mostly, he walked and showed us his map and babbled about life on the trail. In the past year, he has had 1.8 million views. That's a pretty nice way to make a few bucks.
Social media is abuzz becasue Biden called a Fox reporter an SOB. It was so damn funny and yet, unbelieveable becasue it was so out of character for Biden. Later he apologized. He is a class act.
I watched a movie Four Dames At Tea. This movie had great potential but it feel flat. We spent the afternoon listening in on conversations from the 4 Grand Dames of England: Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and two other women whom I recognize but don't know. There wasn't enough conversations and there were long, drawn out moments where there was no conversation. It was more boring than entertaining.
25- TU- PA
Mary Ellen's husband's funeral was today. It was outside because of covid. There were 15 of us. She spoke for about 30 minutes. I thought her speech was insightful, transparent, genuine and kind. She was stoic but friendly. She thanked everyone and gave them credit for David's joy in life. And then she proceeded to talk crazy QAnon talk and told us that JFK Jr will emerge.
I just got a notice from my airline with regards to returning from Barbados. I now have to have a covid test to get back in the USA. That means, I have to start looking for a covid test as soon as I arrive in Barbados. This virus and this trip is exhausting me.
Kirsten and I chatted today. She and Martin are coming in from Germany in June. We are going to head to LBI for a few days. I booked rooms at the Spray Beach Motel. It will be fun to get together with them again.
I booked my trip to Myrtle Beach, SC. I am going in late March.
By mid-afternoon, I was hungry so I decided to walk through town and see what appealed to me. I didn't make it very far because it was just too damn cold. I went to the Couch Tomato and ordered a pizza and got the hell home, where it is warm.
26- W-PA
I had another dream about work. I've had so many of these dreams that I have started to record them as best I can. It was a little different than previous dreams. In this one, I was called back to serve as an ally for my nephew who had written a scathing profile of the high school principal. His guidance counselor was demanding that he apologize and she wanted to suspend him for three days. I intervened and defending his first amendment rights and questioned her relationship to him. She backed down.
My trip to Barbados is becoming so damn stressful to me. I set the alarm for 6AM so that I could check in to my 6AM flight tomorrow. Because I have to show covid testing, I cant log in on line. Now I have to get to the airport earlier than I wanted for my flight. I should be there by 4AM. FUCK, that is early.
I had a covid test yet again today and I was so nervous that I would test positive even though I have been isolating myself and I had no symptoms. I tested negative so I am good to travel tomorrow. And, once again, Medicare paid the $150 cost. That's the 2nd test this month and the tests exceed what I pay for my insurance. I love my medicare insurance.
I had to go to the bank to get some cash for my trip. I went through the drive through and it was so cold that the pen I was to use to sign my check was frozen and dysfunctional.
I still have to pack. No matter how much effort I put in to packing early, I am always rushed at the last minute. And as usual, I am overpacked.
I am happy to report that I have 4 trips in front of me as of today. This feels like my pre-covid lifestyle. None of them are big ass trips but, at least, I am making an effort.
- Barbados- Jan 27-Feb 1
- Colorado- Feb 23-29
- Myrtle Beach- March 20-24
- LBI with the Germans June 15-17
27- TH- Barbados
It's been a long, painful day and if this was my first travel experience, I would never travel again.
My airport hotel did not offer a shuttle as early as I needed so that presented a challenge. I had to take a taxi with a driver who ripped me off on the fare but it was him or find someone at 4AM who would come and get me.
The flight was painless but the Barbados airport was another story.
The vaccination line in Barbados delayed me by two hours. The test results that I brought with me were not good enough so I had to get another test and be quarantined for the next 24 hours. I was given an orange band which indicated that I may be diseased. I had to show this band to the hotel clerk who told me that I could not leave my room until I hear from the Barbados Board of Health.
28- F- Barbados
My quarantine has been lifted. My orange band has been cut off. I am covid free and I am now allowed to room freely and infect or be infected by others.
I wandered around the area and discovered that it is just a maze of hotels. There is nothing to see here but mostly European tourists who sit on lounge chairs all day.
The beach is beautiful. The colors of the water are gorgeous. The sounds of the waves are soothing. I saw a yellow crab scurrying on the sand. Even the Mourning Doves are different and intriguing.
I listened to Joan Didion's book, The Year of Magical Thinking, about the death of her husband.
I received word that Beth Fellona died of cancer. She was diagnosed over 15 years ago and at one point had reached her brain and we all thought she was going to die in 2008. So it is a miracle that she lived this long.
29- SA- Barbados
It's gorgeous and sunny and warm and I don't feel like doing anything. I don't feel like going to the beach, I don't feel like booking a tour. I am way to sluggish at the moment. So I laid by the pool, drank Guinness beer, waded in the water and struggled to avoid the intensity of the afternoon sun.
Tweet: Students should start their own #BandedBooksClubs. School board members are not allowed to shut them down as students have a right to assemble. #BannedBooks
Tweet: Why do I think that the people who are banning these books have never even read these books? #Read #ReadBannedBooks
30- SU- Barbados
I had yet another dreadful, reoccurring dream about work. I've been retired now for 11 years and I still have these dreams. In this one, I was to come back and investigate missing teachers. There was a thought that there may be a teacher or two who were hiding in the building, not teaching and getting paid. In my search, I found a hidden faculty room filled with teachers who were alcoholics, mentally ill, or physically unable to teach and they were hiding out. Maybe there were 6 of them. I told them I would help them get some help to end thier career without a huge financial penalty. When I went back to this room the next day, word had gotten out about me and now there were 20-30 teachers wanting to talk with me. It was frightening. And I woke up a little shaken by this situation.
I went snorkeling and as usual, it was thrilling. A huge sea turtle swam right up to me and bumped in to me. He was beautiful. And of course, I didn't have a camera with me so I felt as if I had missed one of my greatest photo opportunities in my life. I felt unprepared for the moment.
I started listening to David Sedaris' book, The Best of Me. It's a compilation of all of his writing and in light of the fact that I have read every book he has written, many of the stories were familiar to me. I love how he tells a story.
In the evening, I sat up on the patio that butts right up to the sea. I was the only one there and I just sat and listened to the waves. It was warm and breezy and soothing. Today was a good day, the only day on the trip that gave me some peace.
Tweet: I just did some research that says windmill cancer is down 100% now that Biden is in the WH. Many thanks to the #BidenHarrisAdministration . It’s an overlooked but greatly appreciated accomplishment.
31- M- Barbados
I was up early to go and get my third covid test of the week. It was $50 and $25 for the taxi and then I waited all day long for the results. This covid has made this trip so stressful. I spent the day before the trip, getting a test. I got a test at the airport and then I had to quarantine the first day. Then I didn't want to go anywhere because it was too risky to get covid.
The rest of my day was spent, sitting by the pool, plotting and planning as to what I would have to do in the event I have covid.
I finished up the Sedaris book which ends with the death of his father. I was surprised at how angry he was with his dad in the end. I thought, for sure, this death would heal wounds but it didn't. As a matter of fact, I was a little disappointed in how angry David was with his father and how public he was. I think it took courage to be this honest, this truthful. But now, I feel a need to fix this anger for him. I wonder if he has regret now that his dad has been gone for a few years.
I am staying in the USA until this damn virus is gone.
Tweet: I don’t do Wordle and I haven’t been watching football. I feel like a woman without a country. #USA #America
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