Monday, March 16, 2020

3-16-2020 Monday-2:30pm

Good afternoon!
What a week!
Well, I think I had been too stuffed up to smell that the sunflower hearts had gone bad but I could finally smell what the smart birds and rabbits knew all along--LOL!  Now the suet mystery...
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On Tuesday I was having a long pajama morning, shall we say...so the blinds weren't open, just cracked...and who did I see out there eating the suet?!  Crows!
I was sooo excited!!  I tried to take pictures through the blinds and this was the best one I got.  There were four of them here for a while!  A murder of crows in my very yard!  I love crows!!  I hoped they would come back but I haven't seen them or any evidence of more suet being eaten.  So far.  I have hope.
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When I moved up here to Moorhead, Minnesota to go to college the first year I walked to school and back.  There were usually 1-3 crows who followed me to school and sometimes I'd see them on the way home, too.  They'd caw and fly from tree to tree along the 10-11 blocks with me.  I cawed back, of course.  There's something about them that makes my heart sing.   
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I have loved them since there was a single crow that showed up near the new high school when I was a kid.  That one also "talked" with me and followed me around in the fields one summer.  I really wish the crows would come here every day!  Oh well.  They'd probably make a lot of mischief, of course...but I would love their visits, regardless! 
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Tuesday night I sent some foods home with Leah for the boys (like almond milks, etc).  She brought me some pre-cooked goodies.  She came Thursday night, too.  I do so love her visits.
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Thursday I had my bone scan.  Easy peasy!  Wore pants with an elastic band so no zippers or buckles...took ten minutes from the time he called my name.  Didn't even have to take my shoes off since I was metal-free.  Just laid still and they took pictures of my lower back and each hip.  (Not that lying flat on my back isn't painful and I needed help to sit back up-lol!)  But it was really fast and easy.  Nice!
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May be quite a while before l know the results.  Because of the coronavirus I am self-isolating.  I just moved my appointment with Dr, Kessler to June 5th because it isn't a necessary doctor appointment.  Also cancelled Caroline for cleaning tomorrow.  Caroline is supposed to come again on the 31st--we'll see how things are by then.  Since my health has been definitely on the more-than-my-usual compromised side since last June...trying to limit my exposure.  All the activities and events have been suspended here at North Sky where all us old folks live--LOL!  I go check mail late at night.  Being a night owl has it's advantages sometimes.  And I wash my hands when I go check mail or bring out my trash.  Other than that--life as usual for the housebound.  
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BUT, I will miss Gramma Days and my evening visits with Leah.  We made up for it with video chats with Ian and Liam on Saturday and Sunday.  Last night I read Ian stories before bed through the laptop.  (Liam got bored--LOL!)  What a world, eh?  I will have to learn where to hold the book to show him the pictures--LOL!
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Leah went on a late night grocery run Friday night and dropped me off a few perishables, etc.  Nope--I didn't need toilet paper...and that was a good thing, I guess--LOL!  We plan to stay put for a good month.  Leah's not going to the Wellness Center with her grandparents (and Liam) for walking/exercise...or shopping unless absolutely necessary.  Ian is home from preschool.  Dagan is working from home and if he needs to physically go in he can usually go in late at night when it's basically empty.
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Life has changed for now, that's for sure.  I hope everyone is doing the best they can to isolate so we can flatten the curve, as they say...so that the people who really need the care will be able to get it.  It's scary when you think that over 27 million people have no health insurance at all.  58% of Americans have less than $1,000 in savings and 34% of those have no savings at all.  
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I spent most of my working life in minimum wage jobs with no sick days, no health insurance, living hand-to-mouth...so I think of all the clerks, waitresses, busboys, fast food employees, maids, farm workers, ticket takers, etc, etc.  All the peons, as my dad called them.  Yes, I was a peon.  A menial worker.  The least important, easiest replaced, lowest paid person in a company.  Peons keep the world running smoothly.  They do the jobs most people don't want to do.  And they have no backup if they lose their jobs.  
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I've been thinking a lot about all those wonderful people. 
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Prayers for everyone...for good health and finances, too.
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Okay, had to take a breather.
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Meanwhile...on a lighter note.  ;)
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   This is the beginners calligraphy class I finished.   
Now I have FIVE different styles of pointed pen calligraphy classes to pick from to work on next.  I actually would like some feedback.  Which one do you think I should try next?
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Amy Style?
Beth Style?
Janet Style? 
Kaitlin Style? 
or Flourish Formal Style? 
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I also have two brush pen calligraphy classes, but I thought I'd wait and do these after the pointed pen ones.  I have Kaitlin Style in the brush pen...
...and Janet Style. 
Now you know how many online classes I have purchased over the past two years--LOL!  About time I got to them, right?  Be a nice way to pass some of the time while I am more isolated than normal--hehe!
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I know the self-quarantining will be a harder thing for most people.  I am lucky that I am basically pretty used to it after fifteen years of being housebound.  I have a distinct advantage.  Well, we all have one huge advantage--the internet!!  I can do face time online with my grandsons.  I have been blogging for 13 years and have the most wonderful people I visit and they visit me, too.  I can find out what is happening in the world...and escape the world.  I do so love the internet.  :)
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I also write letters...so I hope this isn't going to effect the mail service...but I realize that it might.  That would be upsetting to me to lose snail mail!
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Meanwhile, as I mentioned, the partridges have spring fever.  They were just wild with the chasing.  A partridge banged into the patio door almost as hard as the jackrabbit again...but I no sooner got out my phone and they settled down.  Isn't that always the case.  I'll let you see what I did video, anyways.
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Last night we had a dusting of snow.
Spring is definitely not here yet.  
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Anyways, I hope you are all staying safe and doing what you can to not get sick or to spread the virus.  Hopefully things will be different in a while.  Could be longer than we think, but we'll adjust.  Humans always do.  Stay in contact with your loved ones...touch base with any seniors or those who are vulnerable that you know...donate if you can...just be kind and patient.  :) :)  
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This too shall pass.
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Best to each of you...to all of us.  
I am blessed to have you all in my life.
Love and virtual hugs!  :) :)
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"Hope is like peace.  It is not a gift from God.  It is a gift only we can give to one another"
Elie Wiesel

15 comments:

Rita said...

My comment to get yours! :) :)

Far Side of Fifty said...

I do like Flourish! You are the same boat as we are...kinda used to being by ourselves. We are okay. Boy is it chilly outside but I try to get out everyday anyways. Yes we had some new snow this morning. Where oh where is spring? Take good care of you! and Annie!

Anvilcloud said...

You have had remarkable encounters with crows. There used to be one, or maybe more, at the cottage that would sound something like something pooping. I think it was mimicking what was once a road construction crew.

Deb J. in Utah said...

Virtual hugs to you as well, Rita. Good thing you are self-isolating. Having the internet is wonderful and does help us stay connected. So nice you can talk and read to your grandsons online. As for the calligraphy, I vote for the Amy style. Have a good week and stay well.

Lady Fi said...

Good to know you are keeping safe and well.

DJan said...

I am also a fan of the Amy style. I am NOT used to being housebound with nowhere to go and no people to see, no coffee shop to visit, no gym, no yoga classes, no nothing really. Good thing I like to read! You sure have an interesting relationship with crows! I like them, too. :-)

froebelsternchen said...

Great to hear all is good at your end of the world ...
take good care furthermore Rita!
Isn't it super to chat via internet with the grandchildren?!
All is good...
take good care!
Your calligraphy is amazing!!! SUPER!!!
I love craws as well, they are so extremly clever birds!

Big hugs, Susi

froebelsternchen said...

Forgot to mention : I vote for the Kaitlin Style!

Joyce F said...

I guess if snail mail is affected we will just have to write longer e-mails! I'd sure miss it too.

I like the Flourish style.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

The hardest thing for many people, especially the younger ones, is the self-isolation. But, like yourself, Rita, it's not anything that bothers me or my husband. perhaps, it's because my mother always told me I was a loner. My husband is an only child so he never had to worry about siblings. That said, we do keep in contact with friends and family, but don't necessary see them often as they all live in different states from 2 to 6 hour drives from us. It's good that you and others can connect via Face time, Skype and other online means. And there's also messages, emails and snail-mail. I enjoy all 3, especially the last one.
It was interesting to read about your fondness for crows, never knew a group was called a murder. The Amy style was my favorite calligraphy style too.

Bonnie said...

I enjoyed hearing about your experiences with crows. I've always been interested in crows too. They are very smart birds. The next time you are on You Tube look up "smart crows" and you will see some very interesting videos. I bet Annie will enjoy them too!

Jon said...

It's amazing how animals and birds can tell when food is bad. My cats have done this on several occasions - noticing things that I didn't see.

I agree that crows are very special. There's something magical and mysterious about them - intelligent and extremely perceptive.

Take care and stay safe!

Divers and Sundry said...

I've been spending more time tracking local response to this plague on Twitter lately than on my blog lol I'm grateful for all the social media options :)

I like crows, too, but though I sometimes hear them I never see them on our patio. I do put out suet and whole peanuts, so I have hope :)

I hope you get good results from your bone scan and look forward to hearing. I tend to be a homebody, so not that much change here either. I'm getting out for weekly grocery shopping, but that's about it. So many writing styles! I didn't realize!

Dee said...

Dear Rita, once again, your quote from Wiesel, who knew the violence and segregation of the concentration camp, is exactly what we need to read and embrace. Like you, I'm concerned about so many who have nothing--financially--to fall back on.

As to the calligraphy, I like Amy's! Take care. Peace.

Harvest Moon by Hand said...

We are self-isolating too, like you. We have gone out, though, and taken walks down the block and at parks. However, more people are out now so we try to find the less-traveled trails and places to walk.

Sorry to hear about the break on visits from your grandsons. Thankfully, the internet is there to help with seeing one another's faces virtually. Still, it is time that you don't get to see each other face-to-face.

You asked what style of calligraphy people liked. I liked the first one - the Amy style. I thought it was the easiest to read. The Flourish Formal would be a fun one too with all the decorative elements to the letters.