sad and angry is not me

Sigh.
"I cry every day, and have been doing so for over a week.
Sometimes the crying jags go on for 20 minutes.
I keep waiting for people to do as they should.
I miss seeing everyone, getting hugs.
This lack of touch is killing me.
I feel like a flower, starving for water.
Damn."

I had posted that on a friend's fb page, in the not-so-wee hours of Monday morning, when I had been trawling in those shallow waters for more than three hours.
I had finally forced myself to go to bed at 5 AM.
Damn.

But, yesterday turned out to be better than Sunday had been.
I heard from Bonnie and the boys, and they are doing well in Alabama.
I watched Cirque du Soleil's gift to the world, one hour that featured lengthy bits of three shows: "Kurios", "O", and "Luzia".
I heard from the running bear and texted honestly with him about how angry and sad I have been.
When he suggested I might need a pet, I had told him a boa constrictor would be best, as it would give me "plenty of intense hugs that would leave me breathless".
A few moments later, he sent this image...
and made a 15-minute "appointment" with me to talk...
on what should have been a Tina Tuesday...
for a time when we would have been dining together.
Then, I found the free Showtime was back, so I treated myself to an oldie -
the 1986 "Peggy Sue Got Married", that I'd seen with Mama in the cinema.
I cried, of course, as I always do with this one, but the tears weren't angry.
That was good.

Today has been even better.
No doubt that was because I had a gripe session planned with the bfrb panda for 6:30 PM.
But, before that, I had an unexpected, very nice, 20-minute visit from Michael.
He stood in the yard as I worked on piling more branches by the curb, both of us doing our part to maintain social distancing.
Well, until time for him to take his leave and return to his girls.


We both normally would have had a long hug then...
we both wanted a hug and moved in as if to get one...
but we had a "back bumping" instead, neither breathing in the other's air, neither facing the other, but both achieving comfort from the touch of our backs together.
Amazing how satisfying that was...
especially to this touch-deprived, delicate hot-house flower.
i thank You, God.

Part of the reason he left was because the sky was crying.
That was good timing.
It gave me a couple of hours to get ready to "see" the psychologist.
Believe it or not, he suggested we use Zoom to have a bit of facetime.
He also suggested that we might meet for dinner at his place, carry on with our Tuesdays, though more low-key, which was funny because he was playing with his guitar.
(Nice little joke there!)
(smile)
Our 15-minutes became more than sixty by the end.
Probably a quarter of that time was a one-sided conversation, with me crying and cursing the world and complaining about all the things I have no control over...
and him, with his patient "listening ears", allowing me to rant and get it out of my system, not interrupting or trying to give advice...
It was perfect.
He did exactly as I had requested of him yesterday.
I know me.
When I'm sad and angry, I'm not looking for advice.
I'm looking to be heard, for my pain to be loosed back to the wild, out of my head.
It was perfect.
i thank You, God.

When we signed off, he was making dinner.
Time for me to do the same!
And what did I choose for today's meal?
The can of pepper peas Michael had left behind when he and the girls moved out.
Combined with frozen mustard greens, canned diced tomatoes, and brown rice, topped with cheese, it was comfort food.
i thank You, God.

thankful for voice of reason

My first introduction to Anthony Fauci was through a link posted on fb to a pundit's page.
When I shared the video interview done with the man of science, I went to youtube, to not confuse issues with the pundit's political rhetoric.
I do, however, laud Trevor Noah for asking intelligent questions.



I even more laud Anthony Fauci for his calm, thoughtful, responses.
That information was not anything new to me, as I follow the news of the world.
To date, worldwide, there are 528,000 active cases and there have been 34,000 deaths.
There's some good news, too: 152,000 people have had SARS-CoV-2 and are still alive and breathing, having made full recoveries.
While not outstanding, it is hopeful.
Hopeful is what I felt when I watched this video.
Hopeful.
Now, I have even more hope.
This gentle man, with decades of research on respiratory failure and virus activity going back to the beginnings of the AIDS epidemic, has managed to do something others have not: he has caused our President to see reason.
I heard the news last night and felt a weight lifted.
I heard the President say that Easter was off the table, that the American public was to officially continue to shelter in place until April 30, that we might possibly be able to return to regular operation on June 1.
Now, I've read those words on the one news source I trust.
i thank You, God.

I have several in my family who blindly follow the President.
My concern for them has been monumental for the past few weeks, as the spread of the virus has grown, both away and here in this country.
I have not been the only one concerned.
People all over the world have been following the actions and words of our President, watching helplessly as he turned a deaf ear and blind eye to the truth.
Anthony Fauci has dealt with ignorant Presidents before.
The Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, caused by the Human Immunodeficiency virus infection, started during Ronald Reagan's first term in the White House.
So, there's that.
Almost forty years later, the 79-year-old Fauci is again trying to preach science to politicians.
However, the man has learned how to deal with irascible people.
No doubt, he has had much experience as the director of the NIH's Allergy and Infectious Diseases division for the past 36 years.
He was only 44 years old when he attained that title.
The fact that he still has it speaks volumes about his research... and about his ability to communicate about that research.
The clinical research physician has even received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest award that the United States offers to civilians.
However, none of that impressed the President.
What truly got his attention was the media sensation that the man has become.
The above video has been viewed by more than eight million people since it was posted a mere four days ago.
Moreover, Dr. Fauci has been interviewed many times this year, by print media, by national talk radio hosts, and by television journalists.
That made the man "a major television star" in our President's mind.
Add the fact that Fauci has a completely nonthreatening demeanor and soft-spoken tone of speech and that is what made his advice palatable to the man in the White House.
i thank You, God.

Now, maybe, we can keep the death toll in this country below 100,000.
That's ever so much better than two million, which had been Fauci's earlier forecast.
Given that the majority of those would have been in the over-50 crowd, and given that I know far too many in that demographic, I am grateful for the downsized number.
i thank You, God.

trimming shrubbery

This was how I left things at a quarter past 6 PM on Wednesday,
as I called a halt to the yard work
I've been doing since Monday.
Hey, the purple Planet is closed,
so I'm trying to stay active, right?
Plus, this task has been waiting a long time...
So, Monday was pulling drunken irises and RAWRing dandelions from the front yard and part of
the back.
That was all in two bags.
Tuesday, with sore hamstrings,

I opted to de-moss the flowering pear and the magnolia.
Wednesday morn, two bags and a pile of branches were hauled away.
By Thursday eve, I'd filled two more bags and made these four piles of azalea and lantana.
More azalea and lantana joined those on Friday.
Then I took a break.
My right thigh was so very sore!
Ice and rest - and free movies on Showtime yesterday - have me ready to work again... drats?

Nah, it's all good!
I needed to get out in the sun today, and the first place that needed my hedge clippers was no farther than my front porch, literally.
That's my white azalea on the left, entangled with stray sprouted oaks.
The lantana, on the right, sported blackberry brambles and thorn vine.
And let's not overlook the poison oak vining up onto the brick and shutters by that wild lantana!

Goodness, gracious, ack!
So, I did as I had on Thursday:
I concentrated on cutting all the dead and straggly limbs and tossing them to the side!
I can put them into piles tomorrow.
The focus of my two hours this afternoon was to clear out the untamed growth in those two areas.
And look how nice they look now!
So, naturally, I needed to share that with someone... and who better than someone promoting physical activity?
Who, indeed.
(smile)
Let the jokes and puns fly!

bfrb: Goodness you murdered a shrubbery!

me: Two of them.

bfrb: The forest spirits may seek vengeance.

me: Bring it on.

bfrb: Wood they seek blood? I'm rooting for the trees.

me: Rooting? Lol.

bfrb: Branching out my pun game

me: Be sure not to go too far out on that limb.

bfrb: I saw that one coming

me: Smacked you square on the face as soon as it swung loose, eh?

bfrb: Leaf me alone! I'm such a sap!

me: :-)

bfrb: Gonna Stick to it.

me: You would, of course.

bfrb: Chlorophyll in the blanks?

me: Nice of you to go green with that one.

bfrb: This has come in for several photo-sentences.

me: Groan. (sound of twigs breaking)

bfrb: Done for the nest of the night?

me: Don't want to get a stick in the eye.

bfrb: Bah!

Mission accomplished.
(smile)

salutando l'Italia

I'm sure the question must be on people's minds.
Why do I have this romance with Italy?
Well, truthfully, it's deliberate on my part.
That country is always top of mind for me, as this is my view every time I walk out of my kitchen.
Those photos were placed there to honor the good times shared in 2012 with the nursing students, to remind me of how close we were for those few days that May

.
Let's zoom in for a close-up!
Pompeii is in the upper left, and we're walking.
The couple holding hands are Nate and Amber; the first Brattebo baby is due in two months.
That's them in the photo below it, along with Shayla and Victoria, Kate and me, and Cheryl, on the ferry from Salerno to Positano for a day on the Amalfi coast.
Back at the top, we're huddled together in Rome, soon to be tromping around in the Forum.
(smile)
The last one was on our first night in country, staying in Salerno.
That's me, back to the camera, as we're walking to a new archeological site.
It was an ancient public bath, found below a bakery being renovated.
Absolutely amazing case of right time, right place!!!
And how wonderful that someone snapped this photo, to make it real for me.
i thank You, God.

The top left, of Michelle and Kat at Saturno pizzeria outside Siena, was one taken by me.
The lower left, in Pompeii with a view of Mount Vesuvius, was not.
That's me, up front of the photo - just look for those neon green sunglasses, baby!
They really let me stand out in a crowd - see me in the bottom right?
That one was taken during a tour of Siena on our first day there.
All total, we had four days in that city, with two days learning cucina in stile Mediterraneo.
That upper right was after our last class at Arte e Cucina, making fresh pasta and tiramisu!
The apron hanging off the side is a memento of that cooking adventure.
I even use it sometimes!
(smile)

Not that those are the only reminders of Italy.
Going from the dining room to the kitchen, I see this every time, sparking memories of that first trip to Italy in 2002.
To commemorate that, I'd stitched the artwork that features the map of Italy behind a brilliant sun.
The sunny trivet matches it nicely, non è vero?
And the beach scene?
That was purchased at a fundraiser auction that the Rogue invited me to on April 13, 2013.
Later that day, I had met with the physicist and shown it off to him.
He'd said, "Oh, that's pretty! All it needs is you and me and," as he pointed to the right of the birds, "one of the Treasures."
Such a fine memory with both of these dear friends and others on that spring day!
i thank You, God.

biochemistry lesson from Rome

One of the nurses I went to Italy with posted this on fb.
I share it here because it is important.
The following is what she posted.

"I received this from a friend in Rome, who through a chain of emails, got it from a professor of infectious diseases at Johns Hopkins.
I found it interesting and helpful.
In our community chat, here, they sent this excellent summary to avoid contagion.
I share it with you because it is very clear.

* The virus is not a living organism, but a protein molecule (RNA) covered by a protective layer of lipid (fat), which, when absorbed by the cells of the ocular, nasal or buccal mucosa, changes their genetic code (mutation) and converts them into aggressor and multiplier cells.
* Since the virus is not a living organism but a protein molecule, it is not killed, but decays on its own. The disintegration time depends on the temperature, humidity, and type of material where it lies.
* The virus is very fragile; the only thing that protects it is a thin outer layer of fat. That is why any soap or detergent is the best remedy, because the foam CUTS the FAT (that is why you have to rub so much, for 20 seconds or more, to make a lot of foam). By dissolving the fat layer, the protein molecule disperses and breaks down on its own.
* HEAT melts fat; this is why it is so good to use water above 25 degrees Celsius for washing hands, clothes and everything. In addition, hot water makes more foam and that makes it even more useful.
* Alcohol or any mixture with alcohol over 65% DISSOLVES ANY FAT, especially the external lipid layer of the virus.
* Any mix with 1 part bleach and 5 parts water directly dissolves (denatures) the protein, breaks it down from the inside.
* Oxygenated water helps long after soap, alcohol and chlorine, because peroxide dissolves the virus protein, but you have to use it pure and it hurts your skin.
* NO BACTERICIDE SERVES. The virus is not a living organism like bacteria; they cannot kill what is not alive with antibiotics, but quickly disintegrate its structure with everything said.
* NEVER shake used or unused clothing, sheets or cloth. While it is glued to a porous surface, it is very inert and disintegrates within 3 hours (fabric and porous), 4 hours (copper, because it is naturally antiseptic) and wood (because it removes all the moisture and does not let it peel off and so it disintegrates), 24 hours (cardboard), 42 hours (metal) and 72 hours (plastic). But if you shake it or use a feather duster, the virus molecules float in the air for up to 3 hours, and can lodge in your nose.
* The virus molecules remain very stable in external cold, or artificial cold, as air conditioners in houses and cars. They also need moisture to stay stable, and especially darkness. Therefore, dehumidified, dry, warm and bright environments will degrade it faster.
* UV LIGHT on any object that may contain it breaks down the virus protein. For example, to disinfect and reuse a mask is perfect. Be careful, it also breaks down collagen (which is protein) in the skin, eventually causing wrinkles and skin cancer.
* The virus CANNOT go through healthy skin.
* Vinegar is NOT useful because it does not break down the protective layer of fat.
* NO SPIRITS, NOR VODKA, serve. The strongest vodka is 40% alcohol, and you need 65%.
* LISTERINE IF IT SERVES! It is 65% alcohol.
* The more confined the space, the more concentration of the virus there can be. The more open or naturally ventilated, the less.
* This is super said, but you have to wash your hands before and after touching mucosa, food, locks, knobs, switches, remote control, cell phone, watches, computers, desks, TV, etc. And when using the bathroom.
* You have to HUMIDIFY HANDS DRY from so much washing them, because the molecules can hide in the micro cracks. The thicker the moisturizer, the better.
* Also keep your NAILS SHORT so that the virus does not hide there.

doing the math: 232,000 by Easter

Savannah is officially under orders to shelter in place until midnight of April 8th.
The emergency state was put into effect as of midnight on Tuesday, March 24th.
Thank you, Mayor Van Johnson.
Unfortunately, that order may not have occurred in time, nor be long enough.
I've been watching the numbers, for Italy in particular.
It's been staggering to watch the number of cases and number of deaths increase daily.
I needed something that could crystallize the information for me.
So, as I do for a hurricane watch, I decided to do for this pandemic.

I decided a series of photos might tell the tale
of the way the coronavirus has overwhelmed that
country's healthcare system, as a forewarning of
what to expect here.
As shown here for the February 18 data, Italy
doesn't even show up as having any cases.

This data was collected for March 4th.
That's just over two weeks later.
By that time, Italy had jumped to having
more than 3700 infected people.

A mere eight days later, that number had
more than quadrupled, as Italy posted over
16,000 cases.
Let that sink in a moment.
In just over three weeks,
Italy had gone from ZERO cases
to 16,000 cases.

By March 20, i.e., another week later,
those numbers of infected people had
effectively doubled.
Italy had more than 34,000 people
confirmed as having the virus.
This was after Italy had imposed
a "shelter in place" for its populace.

Where does the USA fit in this evolution?
Well, I decided to look again at the data
for March 4, as that is when the States first
made its appearance on this graph.
The numbers were so slight as to be almost
of no consequence, standing at less than
200 cases for the entire country.

Again, looking at a time span two weeks later,
as done for Italy, the number of confirmed cases
in the USA stood at more than 24,000.
At first glance, that seemed an abnormal increase,
compared to the data seen for Italy.
However, when put into perspective, that number
was to be expected.
After all, the population of the USA is roughly
5.5 times greater than that of Italy -
that is, 328 million to 60 million.
So, if Italy had an increase of 3700 from zero,
then the increase from 200 to 24,500 for the USA
is in accordance, corrected for population.
That means the United States has a huge increase coming.

This chart bears that out.
Remember, after the next week -
the third week after cases first
appeared in Italy - their number
of infected had quadrupled.
If the US is following suit, then this week's end should reflect a quadrupling of the number of confirmed cases seen on March 20.
That means the value would be expected to be around 98,000.
This was yesterday's data.

Today's data indicates some validity to my hypothesis of the relationship of population and time elapsed to number of COV-19 cases.
At the time of this press release, the US had more than 91,000 confirmed cases and will no doubt hit, or exceed, 98,000 by day's end.
As the news stated, the USA now has the dubious honor of leading the rest of the world, including China, in number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus.
If the pattern seen for Italy again holds true for us, the States will continue to outpace all other countries
By April 4, Palm Sunday, the number of cases here, in my country, should double.
That means there will be roughly 116,000 cases in the USA in one more week.
By Easter Sunday, that should double again, to 232,00 or more.
Honestly, I believe the values will be higher.
I hope I'm not right.
I'd rather be wrong on this matter.
I'd prefer to be wrong.
I guess time will tell.

saluting Italy

On Monday, for about three hours, I pulled up those wild
non-irises and some definite dandelions, clearing all of the
front and side yards as well as part of the back yard.
Collectively, they filled two yard debris bags to the top.
Yesterday, for about three hours, I pulled moss out of my
non-fruitful Bradford pear tree and my groundhog-daring
Japanese magnolia tree.
After that, I set about trimming some lantana bushes.
I put some of the branches by the curb to keep the two bags
company until the city collects them.
I gave my sore muscles a break today, dressing up before
venturing forth to run errands.

Upon my return, I updated fb.
"Got more Claritin from CVS,
picked up pizza done my way
from Papa Murphy's
to cook in my own oven.
Time to change into yard work
clothes and get more bags of
nature's debris to the curb!
ps The top was bought in Italy
on my trip in May 2012 with
the Armstrong nursing students."

Yeah, I saw that my bra strap was showing on my right shoulder.
That was not deliberate.
I wonder who else will pick up on it?
In any case, I thought it was a lovely photo, with the sun dappling my face, so I let it be.
(smile)
i thank You, God, for such a beautiful day...
and for such beautiful memories of happy times with friends
in that oh-so-enchanting country.

hallelujah for hail!

I'm getting a new roof!
I had been concerned about having the work done in this time of the threat of COVID-19, but I won't be letting anyone in the house, so I will be safe.
Tinker Covington, my liaison with the roofing company, has proved today that she can, and will, practice safe social distancing with me.
She had first knocked on my door on Saturday, February 22.
She had seen hail damage on my roof and stopped by to offer a free assessment.
I know, it sounds questionable, but for one thing: that's the same type of work my sister-in-law's son, Cole, does down in Florida.
So, I let her whip out her ladder and check it out.
Next thing I knew, we were on the phone to my homeowner's insurance company to make the claim and await an adjuster.
That took quite a bit of time, as it turned out.
It seems the adjuster only came to Savannah on Wednesdays.
February 26 was rainy, so no assessment possible; same for March 4.
The third week's Wednesday dawned sunny and warm -
That made March 11 good to go!

Fortunately, Meg Hagan was running late that morning, so I had my coffee before she got here.
She was not only the insurance adjuster, but also would be my claims agent.
She's the brunette up on the roof, and that's Tinker behind her, helping her put chalk marks on the hail damaged shingles.
There were quite a few up there!
A drone took photos of all of it and they were both gone within an hour.
Meg would put together a report and be in contact with me about the claim.
Then, of course, came the SARS-CoV-2 across the oceans to our shores, starting with the call from Paul in Oakland, California, which was about to go into shelter in place mode.
When I had not heard anything from the insurance folks after a week, I thought maybe the claim had been put on hold.
Nope, not so.
I received the assessment by email late on Friday, March 20.
I had responded, by email, to both meg and Tinker that I would read it over the weekend.
Meg called on Monday, March 23, and we discussed it, then I talked with Tinker about it.
Tuesday, March 24, I spoke to Meg again and she clarified the assessment.
Yes, the insurance company was covering the total cost, including the depreciation value for my 18+ years old roof, as well as the new improvements to bring the roof up to housing code.
I was only responsible for paying my deductible.
Wow!
Such good news!!!

After all these years, my house would have a new roof!!!
Tinker came by that very afternoon, with samples of the six colors of the GAF Royal Sovereign 3-tab shingles.
I had already looked online and narrowed it down to Weathered Gray or Golden Cedar.
The latter was my favorite, by far!
That's it on the right, practically glowing, with bits of dark red that look great with the brick on the front of my house, while the gold goes quite nicely with the tile siding on the rest of the house.
I signed the contract with Armor Exteriors, gave Tinker the partial payment from Travelers Insurance, and now await a date for the work to begin.
Royal Sovereign Golden Cedar...
yes, indeed, I love the name of that color!
Who knows?
With it being such a lighter color, my house may actually be cooler this summer.
I'll certainly hope for that!
Meanwhile...
Royal Sovereign Golden Cedar...
looking like wet beach sand shining in the sun...
oh, yeah!
i thank You, God!

Zítra vstanu

Earlier yesterday, I'd told Kevin I was "going" to "Jim Reed's movie on fb tonight. He told me he thought I'd like it. Must be a European time travel romance!"
I had no idea I was right!
Then, as I was watching it, Christina texted to check in on me.
So, I told my first niece that I was watching "a favorite foreign film. It's a European time travel romance!"
I sent her the link, too...
than finished watching the movie.
(smile!)

And, just now, I've watched it again!
No doubt I'll watch it for a third time tomorrow - seriously!
So, what is this movie I love so?
It's a Czech piece of science fiction from 1977, set in a futuristic 1996.
It features twin brothers, Karel and Jan, one a playboy cad, the other a sweet nerd.
"Tomorrow I'll Wake Up And Scald Myself With Tea" is the title and all of the action takes place - repeatedly - on June 1st.


I first saw this film ten years ago at a PFS film festival.
I've been wanting to see it again ever since.
Periodically, I would mention to Jim, while at a PFS screening at the 'Bean, how much I had enjoyed it and wanted to see it again.
I have to believe that was in the back of his mind.
I have to believe that the reason he chose this particular movie for his inaugural "Online Viewing Party" last night was because he knew I would enjoy it so.
Well, that, and he had others who had seen it on that long-ago occasion and wanted to see it again, too.
Plus, there were more who had heard of it and wanted to see it.
And so we did and I did and it was wonderful!
And I realized as I watched it yet again this evening that it reminded me of something else.
It reminded me of "Groundhog Day".
But of course it did!

Jan kept trying to fix things that Karel had screwed up, and the only way to do that was to keep repeating that summer day until things got straightened out.
Lucky for Jan, he only had to repeat the day twice.
Hey, I mentioned he was a sweet nerd, right?
Well, he was, and quite a smart, engineering-type, nerd at that.
So he knew how to tinker with the controls to get the date he needed.

Once he caught on to the scam his brother had been in on, he had just a little snafu on the first repeat.
Karel, a gambler with poor luck, had tied in with some ne'er-do-wells to give an atom bomb to Hitler.
Jan, posing as Karel, finds out the scam planned by Aberd (former Nazi general), Bauer (his engineer), and Kraus (thug).
Aberd tells Jan and the two American tourists to stay aboard, as it is 1944 war-time Germany.

Then the fascist trio go off on their mission to change history!
Only, they grabbed the wrong satchel (with Shirley's night garments, not the bomb)...
and they'd misjudged the time adjustments required (arriving in 1941, not 1944)...
and the tourist couple, Jan, and the copilot Helena are captured...
resulting in Aberd's death, while the couple (Shirley and Patrick) and Helena remain captured.

However, Jan, Bauer, and Kraus manage to escape, regain the rocket, and return to 1996...
to morning of June 1st, specifically.
Time for a do-over!
But, what to do with the Jan, Bauer, and Kraus of this "new" day?
Well - no, no, those curious can click the link and find out.
Heaven forbid I should ruin the fun!
The music, the ease with which Jan copies the bad traits of his brother, the comedic touches - all quite delightful!

As for why I want to see it again tomorrow, well, I've been thinkin' 'bout that.
I have to believe the severe change to my nights is the reason.
With the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic now up close and personal, I'd love a do-over.
I wouldn't need to go too far back, just two weeks.
In the movie, they traveled back 55 years on that first trip, then 52 years on the next.
I'm not that greedy.
Ideally, I'd want to go back to August of 2000, when Mama was still alive, as well as Daddy, Uncle Jimmy, Uncle Bob, Sam Johnson, Jean Marie, Mother Pat, stepdad Frank, stepbrother George, fsilm Bev ...
but I'd settle for just two weeks ago.
Impossible things.
Tomorrow, I'll watch this film again and dream of impossible things...
perhaps even send some love to loved ones via the mail...
and hope for the best.

taking my cue from a teenager

"To put things
in perspective
for those of us feeling
a bit stir crazy already -
Anne Frank
and 7 other people
hid in a 450 sq.ft. attic
for 761 days,
quietly trying
to remain undiscovered
to stay alive.
We can all
do our part
to keep everyone safe
and spend a few weeks
at home.
www.traveltalesandtips.com"

Yesterday afternoon, I posted the above photo as my cover page on fb, adding the following.
"My family has a bit of personal history with Anne Frank.
She wrote in her diary about the American plane that crashed
into a - thankfully - empty school nearby.
My stepdad, Frank Barry, was part of the crew on that plane.
(They all survived.)"

I hope all of those I love will survive this coronavirus pandemic.
Amazing that such a pretty thing has such ugly poison inside.
How diabolical that it hitches a ride into our cells aboard the
angiotensin-converting enzyme,
a molecules used to control our blood pressure?
No wonder those over 50 years old are especially at risk.
Social distancing, folks, social distancing,
in this time of self-isolation.

flowers sing happy first day of spring!

I had walked outside
for a breath of fresh air
and saw the amaryllis had bloomed.
How gorgeous!
Next thing I knew,
I had a surfeit
of photos of flowers to share!

The amaryllis went to Joe Guy,
and to Sandy, too.
These classic azaleas, though,
on the left corner of the house,
were sent to Carolyn
(who is ill at home)
and to Jeff the ex,
who still has winter in Michigan.

These lovely white azaleas,
by the front porch,
are a bit bedraggled,
but still pretty,
so off to my first niece
on this first day of spring!

This first cluster of
the wild lantana all over
my front and back yards
stayed with me...
until now!

Not the case for these
peachy salmon azaleas!
The buds, blooms, and wilts
are just the type of thing
the physicist likes -
reality, not happy endings!
LOL!

This giant bouquet was found on a bush with little sunlight, caught in the shade of the Japanese magnolia.
Bursting with life, I knew it
was just what the running bear
would find adorable!
(smile)

I was thrilled to find this
dark pink camellia,
with buds promising more to come,
on the bush by my driveway.
Barbara was thrilled
to receive the photo, too!
Yeah!

Speaking of promises,
in my back yard, near the shed,
are lots of these flowers!
Blackberries this summer,
if the birds don't get them first!
I sent this one to Smitty.
(smile)

See the tiny purple flowers,
on their tall thin spires,
there in my shadow?
They are all over the yards!
I sent it to Penny in Tall'ee
for her hubby to identify,
but it's some unknown weed.

This is also a weed,
but the petals are such
a delicate shade of blue!
It may well be kin to
the drunken wild iris
that staggers all over!

The dollar weed is easy to identify,
thanks to its namesake-sized,
glossy, round leaves.
These are curbside
in the front yard,
though they're also in
the liriope bed in the back.

This is a monster dandelion,
standing almost three feet tall
as it marches across the back -
RAWR!!! RAWR!!! RAWR!!!
What a fierce strewer of
wish puffs it is!
LOL!

But the one which has garnered
the most "likes" on fb is this:
the branches of white flowers
on my non-fruitful pear tree,
reaching for the clouds -
daring to strive for that impossible dream.
Yeah, I get that.
(smile)

happy 1st day of spring, dear trees!

"March 20, 2020 11:48 AM
Dear Faustina,
Time.
It’s what many of us seem to have to use differently these days as our country is asked to pause.
And even though that time cannot be spent as we may have expected,
it gives us a moment to take a
deep breath.
To appreciate the beauty in the little things.
And to contemplate what is important.
It may come as no surprise that trees have been among my most thoughtful contemplations this week.
Their steadfast presence is a comfort to me.
While our world is changing at this time, one thing that hasn’t changed is that the world needs trees.
We’re grateful for members like you who help us plant trees across the country and around the globe every day.
That work continues.
Thank you.
Right outside your window, trees are (quite literally) budding with expectation and hope — ready to unfurl their leaves and bloom once more after a winter of quiet.
Let us find strength in this idea.
Let it bring us all together in a time that we must maintain physical distance.
We hope you are safe and well.
If you can, take some time to connect with nature and allow it to inspire you.
Sincerely,
Matt Harris
Chief Executive
Arbor Day Foundation"

I was rather touched by this letter in my email.
I have to admit it may have partially inspired my picnic yesterday.
In any case, it was so lovely that I wanted to share it here.
I've peppered it with links to the posts about my Japanese magnolia, so be sure to stray off the path periodically and take in those.
(smile)

The photograph, though, is not of that tree I love so much, that tree which has existed in the front yard of this house since I was a girl who lived seven house away.
No, the tree above is of a tiny cherry tree downtown.
I first made its acquaintance last month.
It lives around the corner from the pretty little green fountain in Columbia Square.
I snapped the picture almost two weeks ago, after a musical at the Lucas, during a pause from eating ice cream.
(smile)

These cherry blossoms adorn a corner in my dining room.
With a little help from my friends - fellow sailors Beau Cherry and Art Koenig - I had obtained them during a spring festival in Okinawa.
Ever-blooming, they remind me of that happy time in my early 20's, running down the street with the branches in our hands, laughing, a crystallized memory tucked away.
i thank You, God.

picnic with Mama on a sunshiny day

As I told folks on fb,
the day was too beautiful
to spend inside!
I was going to have a
picnic 'with' Mama!
See?
It's sandal weather!

Plus, there was a fabulous
breeze gently whipping the
flags about!
There were even two new
flags fluttering in the
other direction!

Oops!
My finger slipped before
I could pose...
no, really, it did!
But I knew I was smiling big
right after this shot and
that is what counts!
(smile!)

What's that, my little Saturn?
There are special things inside
that I shouldn't forget?
Like what, pray tell?
Oh, I remember!

I brought beaded necklaces
a-plenty to add a festive
note here!
Mama had always so enjoyed
the St. Patrick's Day parade,
so she received three from
my stash.
Quite lovely!

No beads for my stepdad, though.
Even though he was real Irish,
he wasn't fond of the Mardi Gras
beads and gewgaws.
I did give him a rock.
(smile)

My stepbrother George seemed
to be doing fine without extra
adornment, so I just tidied
up a bit.
No rocks for him!
Mama had three, though, for
each of my brothers, plus
a shell for me.

Then, time for the picnic!
I had a lovely cloth to spread out, plus
two slices of my veggie-loaded Papa Murphy's
pizza from Wednesday.
For dessert, some Nutter Butter cookies
from donating blood last week!
And plenty of water to stay hydrated!

Such a leisurely lunch I had 'with'
family for nearly an hour -
it's always pleasant at Greenwich.
I made sure to include Jean Marie,
too, over in the Morgan family plot.
Such a sweet smile she had!
Now, off to the purple Planet I go!
(smile!)