Friday, 27 March 2020
I continued to read The Body: A Guide for Occupants, every page of which was fascinating.
Some interesting news about food:
…..and later….
Further information that has a bearing on our current times:
The inequities of life expectancy….
…and medical care both bad…
….and good.
It’s a worthy read in every way, including touches of Bill Bryson’s wry humor. And I did manage to stay away from the news long enough to finish it today.
Meanwhile, Allan was productive in the kitchen, processing frozen bananas for our pandemic supplies, now that we are not shopping.
I find myself deeply uncomfortable having people shop for us because we are “high risk” (over 60). I don’t like suddenly being seen as old. It makes me feel looked down on and less valuable, which is odd, because I was always more comfortable with old folks than with the young. I can’t bear the thought of a friend of a friend shopping for us, and it has to be someone we can do something for in return. For example, when we are out of yogurt, I could fairly comfortably get more from Roxanne of the Basket Case Greenhouse, as we did before, because we could buy from her several bags of potting soil to give a boost to her business income at the same time.
I’m used to being the one doing favors, not taking them. My ongoing social discomfort that underlies all social activities to some degree (and I do mean all) is exacerbated by being beholden. I’d better get used to it, as we will run out of yogurt and milk now and again.
Today all state recreational properties, including trailheads and boat launches, were closed until further notice.
And this meme spoke to me.
Some may be annoyed that staying home for weeks on end seems easy to me. It’s not easy now. I have not been gloating about the gift of introversion in any way. I know that the social distancing and stay at home orders are hellish for many people, especially those separated from beloved family members, so here’s a reminder that I saw in a Facebook meme:
Introverts, check in on your extrovert friends. They are not okay. They have no idea how this works.
Now is not a time that even such as I can truly enjoy being a recluse; with every moment I am aware of the suffering going on, not just in some parts of the world, but everywhere. And yet, an article in the Wall Street Journal about boosting your immune system “recommends engaging in activities that people find relaxing, such as meditation.” If I can relax while reading or gardening and not get sick, that could be one less hospital bed used, so maybe it is ok to find some moments of happiness at home.
Tonight we had the joy of watching the new episode of Gardeners’s World on BritBox. I learned that dahlias from cuttings retain vibrant colour better than dahlias from tubers (which depends on having some dahlias from which to get cuttings).
I burst into tears when Monty said that they would do their best to keep bringing us the show. Please, please, please, even if it is interspersed with old segments. Even if it is Sarah filming Monty in the garden on her iPhone.
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News from the Pacific Northwest
Stop reading now if Covid news is more than you can bear right now.
Here goes.
The Skagit Valley Choir story has gotten even more tragic with two deaths. Some think that Choir singers might project more, well, breath into the air. I’m so glad Mr Tootlepedal’s choir stopped practicing because I don’t think could get by without his blog right now. The especially pertinent warning from the article: “Experts said the choir outbreak is consistent with a growing body of evidence that the virus can be transmitted through aerosols — particles smaller than 5 micrometers that can float in the air for minutes or longer.”
And an interesting article about grocery stores across the river from us. If we were to go shopping over there, I’d choose the Astoria Co-op over all others.
What a post! So much to comment on. I, too, am in introvert and a senior. A young friend has offered to pick up food for us, but so far we haven’t had to take her up on her offer. I was particularly taken with “Now is not a time that even such as I can truly enjoy being a recluse; with every moment I am aware of the suffering going on, not just in some parts of the world, but everywhere.”
Hear, hear!
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Thank you, Laurie.
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I, too, am an introvert, and having a much easier time being quarantined than my husband. My husband made the trek over the bridge to Costco for staples, then to the Co-op Market in Astoria. Both places, as early as he shopped, were practically empty, but he returned home, telling me about his journey and how totally impressed he was with the procedures in place at the Co-op!
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Excellent news! The part about the coop, not the part about your husband having a harder time. I know Allan wishes he could be out kayaking.
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Yes, I agree that the co-op would be my choice.
Stay safe, stay well Skylar. Your blog is a bright and interesting part of the day.
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Thank you.
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I have been so pleased about the Astoria co-op’s rigorous methods for keeping both themselves and we shoppers safe. We placed an order online, paid for it via phone call with an employee, then picked it up curbside. It’s a wonderful and reassuring service and I love that they are so proactive!
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I enjoyed your meme but I hope that you can cope with the pressures of the situation. It is miserable, I agree, and with no early end in sight.
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Thanks, Mr T. Trying to follow your example and enjoy the small things.
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You’ve no idea the fight you started…Completely by accident. Yesterday, I emailed my daughter & friend with a link to your blog post. I said, “Read the excerpts from the book pages.” My friend immediately wrote back to say she had “The Body” on her nightstand and was reading it.–She sent a photo of it. Today, you posted from the book again. I said to myself, “Self, you need THAT book.” Thus, I went to ebay and found it. The book description said it was “previously used.” Turns out it was an e-book, but that’s NOT what the description said. When I learned it was an e-book, I asked the seller immediately for a refund, but the seller, in Morocco, refuses to refund my payment, and we’ve been fighting and exchanging insults ALL DAY. I told him I’d fly to Morocco personally and find him because of his deceit. Thus, I never got to comment on this post, which by the way, is excellent. Stay well!
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May you win the battle!! It would be interesting to read the insults…I think. I hope yours were the most creative. I bet they were!
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Our provincial health authority told us today to expect restrictions to remain in place for another three months, and hopefully some lifting by July. Then to prepare for the second wave by the fall. An effective vaccine will dictate when some semblance of normality returns.
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That’s about what I’m expecting. Might be forced into partial retirement two years early. Wouldn’t be the worst thing although in the long run spending our retirement savings now could mean things like a leaky roof and food stamps in old age. 😦
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I am one of the fortunate ones who can work from home. I do still go grocery shopping – our stores here have been very good about making as safe an environment as they can. Still I get in and out as fast as possible .
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Regarding the choir tragedy, the theory of projecting voices (and droplets,) entirely believable after reading this somewhat deflating piece in USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/03/30/coronavirus-social-distancing-mit-researcher-lydia-bourouiba-27-feet/5091526002/ The question: “Is 6 feet enough for social distancing? MIT researcher says droplets carrying coronavirus can travel up to 27 feet.”
Of course, we have to be flexible but it’s a bit depressing, the conflicting info. Now there’s a 180 on not wearing a mask unless you’re actively ill, saying everyone should wear a paper mask or bandana. I, for one, had always questioned the ‘don’t wear’ instruction; it didn’t make sense to me when the next sentence would state some virus carriers have no symptoms.
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27 feet could easily reach from one back garden to another. I believe it, though. Six feet seemed terribly optimistic. I am skeptical about cloth masks but it looks like scientific opinion may be tilting in their favor.
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I am similarly introverted and am also having a hard time. It’s no time for celebrating our introverted tendencies because it’s so hard for so many people. And I understand exactly what you mean about feeling beholden. I’ve never heard it put like that before, but I am the same way.
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Best wishes to you… thank you for getting it.
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Fred Meyer stores just started a free pickup service. You order and pay online (can reserve time slot ahead). You phone to let them know you are there, and they load them into the car. The Astoria co-op sounds promising!
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We don’t want to cross the bridge but Jack’s in Ocean Park is offering curbside maybe once a week. I’m kinda taking pride in having stocked up and not having to shop but I wish salads grew faster.
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