Hearing From Old Friends

 

This afternoon I received an email from my friend who recently had Covid.  She said that she was ready to talk on the phone, even though she is still on oxygen, and asked me when I was available.  I called her right away, and we chatted for quite a while. She filled me in on how her recovery is going.  It's going to be a long, slow process of healing.  She finds it  scary with her oxygen levels, (which she measures at home,) and said that her blood pressure is high.  There is so much that we don't know about this virus.  It is deadly, mysterious and unpredictable.  I was thrilled to hear her voice, though.

She told me that she had received my card and check, and she sounded so grateful.  Like so many people, she lost her job recently, and it will help her.  I feel for her.  She said that I can share her hospital horror story with you, so when I am feeling more energetic after a cup of coffee tomorrow, I'll write it out here.  Right now I'm just too wiped.  It's very shocking to read what she went through; she describes it in detail.  

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Bison Order Arrived

This afternoon my package of Nebraska Bison steaks arrived in the mail.  They were still frozen solid, and in perfect condition.    They are now lined up in the freezer, with one defrosting on the counter for dinner tonight.  I baked a couple of small russet potatoes in the toaster oven.  I'll make a salad to have with them.  Traditional meat and potatoes meals remind me of my childhood. My dad owned cattle, so we ate a lot of quality beef.

Have you ordered anything in bulk lately?  We may be in for a stricter lockdown rules in January, here in California.

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Making Donations

 I just received an email today from my friend that was in the hospital with Covid.  Her description of what it was like to have this virus in the hospital basement read like a horror movie.  I was sickened by the details.  It's really sad to hear how overworked the medical workers are now.  It sounded so frightening and lonely.  My heart goes out to her.  I sent her a Christmas card and a check for groceries.  Thankfully, she has neighbors and family that are helping to keep her stocked up with food.  Simple things like vacuuming and dusting are very hard for patients like her who are now home on oxygen.  She also worries about losing power.  My prayers are with her.

I made donations to a couple of charities, and wrote out checks to dancers that I thought probably could really use money to buy food.  I hope it helps.  Just making a delicious dinner can really lift your spirits.  

Yesterday I put together a homemade pizza; it was delicious!  I made the sauce the day before, so that all of the flavors and seasonings could blend together and  mature.  It was therapeutic to make the dough.  There is something about kneading flour, oil, yeast, and water that is very grounding.  I have enough dough, sauce, and cheese in the fridge to make three more pizzas.  Yum!  

After reading about my friend's harrowing experience, I am going to wear two masks, and have decided not converse with people who don't wear one, even outside.  I just don't want to take the risk.  Do you know anyone who has had Covid?

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In the Mood to Mop the Floors

This afternoon I felt the urge to clean, so I followed that energy.  I  vacuumed the carpets, and mopped the floors.  I used hot water with my homemade liquid soap for the first coat, then followed it with  hot water mixed with white vinegar for the rinse.  The house feels clean.  The air feels different; it reminds me of my mom's house.  She was an exceptional housekeeper.  I am no where near at her level, but she cleaned for hours every day.  She would approve.  She loved this place.  She found her big house a burden as she got older.     

I dusted the furniture, as well.  The past couple of days I've been catching up on the laundry, and will deep clean the bathroom and kitchen tomorrow.  It is much easier to take care of a small home as you age.  I'm so glad that I opted for older furniture and appliances.  They are extremely well made.  The newer stuff falls apart so quickly.  I love what I have; it's sturdy and trustworthy.  My Kenmore washer and dryer are fifty years old, and they are still going strong.  My stove/oven is seventy years old, and it works perfectly.  It's a relief not to need to have repairmen in the house right now.  I don't want to take the risk, with Covid.

I'm going to do some yoga before bed.  It helps to have healthy routines during these times.  Our habits create our future.  I am so thankful that I stayed on a disciplined budget for all of these years.  It has made the pandemic much easier for me than it would have been when I was younger.  How are you faring?  

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The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Do Not Need

Enjoying the Sunshine

 Today the sun is out, and I took Lula for a walk through our gorgeous neighborhood.  I returned a couple of DVD's to the library, (which we are so lucky is still open,) and checked out three more to watch at home.  I have been thoroughly enjoying getting lost in movies and Youtube videos again.  It's so relaxing to sit by the fire with sweet Lula at my feet. 

I found out that my friend was released from the hospital.  What a relief!  I've been watching tapes of people who have long term effects from Covid, and it is very educational.  The doctors say that when they perform autopsies, they are finding that the virus is very much like cancer.  It is fascinating.  I have always been interested in biology, dissection, and the body.  

Are you still able to get outside where you are?  I hope that you have friends and family that you can communicate with, and that you don't feel isolated.  I am so thankful for my close friends and co-workers.  I also greatly appreciate you, my blogging buddies and readers.  My phone calls my friends and neighbors are really comforting.  Do you have support?

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Grave News

 

 I just found out today that a close friend of mine and her husband are in the hospital with Covid-19.  She is too weak to talk.  I got tears in my eyes as I was reading the email about it.  She is young...in her fifties.  She was always healthy, strong, fit and beautiful.  

I spoke with her on the phone for a long time about a month ago.  She told me sadly that she had lost several friends and family members to this virus. At the time she hadn't contacted it.  Her show business pals and I are praying for her.  It's scary how hard and fast Covid hits people.  It reminds me of the 80's, when we lost so many close tribe members who were dancers to AIDS.  They were the last people you ever thought would get ill.  They   died so young.  There was so much that we didn't understand about its transmission at the time.  People would get horribly thin, and then they'd be gone.

I hope you are all safe and well.  Suze Orman had an excellent podcast on her website today.  It was very eye opening.  You can listen to it at https:suzeorman.com.  Just look for the most recent podcast with today's date.  She talks about all of the fast food that she ate, and how she wishes that she had made healthier dietary choices and had done yoga.  Those habits really do make a difference, and the effect is cumulative, like saving money. I hope you are all in good heath and high spirits.

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Antique Lamps

Today I fell in love with a stunning 1920's lamp at our local vintage shop here in Wrightwood.  I am going home to get some blankets to wrap it in, and will pick it up this afternoon.  I don't have space right now on my mini ipad  to take a photo. Once I delete some of the current ones, I will take a picture and post it here.  

Antique lamps add so much art and beauty to a home.  This one is hand painted with feminine pink flowers.  It's large, and looks brand new.  My mom used to have some gorgeous lamps like these in our home on Edinburgh Street.  I felt like she was whispering in my ear to go stop inside the shop  and see them.  They are rare and spectacular!

I also bought an antique  manual coffee grinder in case we lose power again, and replaced the smoke detector/carbon monoxide alarms.  It's important to keep all of those things up to date.  My old ones were chirping, and the batteries in storage didn't work when I replaced them.  These will last for ten years.  Fire safety is so critical.

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