Covid19 Update 5-30-20

I made my regularly scheduled trip to Kroger's yesterday morning.  The store shelves were almost fully stocked - there were plenty of canned vegetables, Raman noodles, Spam, bread, and yes, even toilet paper.  In agreement with other reports around the city and country, meat prices have skyrocketed.  But either you pay it because you want it, or you do without.  Bud I digress. Yesterday, I would say that the mask-to-no-mask ratio was back to 50/50.  

On a quasi-related note, stores, restaurants and bars were complaining bigtime last night, and will probably complain again tonight, because the Mayor placed a dusk-to-dawn curfew due to the violent riots.  I heard that our local Kroger's and WalMart closed at 7:00 last night, and will do so again today.  I realize that the restaurants and bars just opened back up a couple of days ago and it sucks, but it could keep them from getting looted and destroyed, so I would just suck it up for a few more days.  They've already sucked it up for over two months - what's a few more days?

Non-Covid19 Update 5-29-20

We interrupt our usual daily Covid19 Update to bring you another newsworthy update. 

Last night and today, the 'Ville was mentioned in the network news reports because of the riots in downtown Louisville last night.  It started out as a peaceful protest; the protesters asking for peace and justice for the Breanna Taylor shooting in March.  In case you've been out of touch for a couple of months, in March the Louisville Metro Police Department did no knock search warrant at Breanna's apartment, and they shot and killed her during the mess.  Yesterday, they released the 911 call from her boyfriend, and that got people all stirred up again.  

There was live coverage on all of the local TV channels from about 9:00 till after 1:00.  It was crazy - that's all I can tell.  I watched it till almost 1:00, and it reminded me of watching the OJ Simpson car chase on the freeway.  The protesters somehow tore off the arm of the King Louis statue that has stood in front of our city hall for decades.  They tore off the back door of a police paddy wagon, and attempted to rock the wagon and tried to turn it over.  Then shots were fired.  As of this morning, seven people were shot.  They threw bottles and rocks at the police, and at about 12:30, the police started using the tear gas.  That combined with rain caused the mobs to leave.  

They are expecting more of the same tonight. 

Covid19 Update 5-28-20

Today, instead of going to the office at 6:00 in the morning for a few hours to get schedules together, I started the transition period and will be at the office on Thursdays and Fridays for the next few weeks.  

After a half hour of trying (key word) to get my monitor fixed, the day wasn't bad at all.  I will say it was eerily quiet, though.  And it took me a while to get used to seeing everyone wearing a mask when I passed them in the hallways or in the lunchroom.  We were "encouraged" to wear the masks at all times, even when working at our desks.  I'm not going to lie - it was annoying at first, but after the first hour, I got used to it and didn't even think that I had a mask on.  

Covid19 Update 5-27-20

During the day's work-from-home lunchbreak,  I ran up to Walgreens to get a graduation card for a friend's daughter.  When I got back in the car after getting the card, I was replying to a text when I noticed two women going into the store.  They weren't wearing masks, and there is a huge sign on the front of the store that says masks are allowed.  A half a minute later, the two women were coming back out of the store, and got in their car and left.  I'm assuming the clerks in the store told them they had to wear a mask.  Good for the Walgreens for taking a stand. 

Covid19 Update 5-26-20

I ran up to the Walgreens a mile from The Compound this afternoon to get some cash from their ATM to pay our grass cutter, and while there, I witnessed something new - a clerk told someone they had to wear a mask before they could come in.  There was a huge sign on the door saying the same thing, so you had to not be able to read.  I wanted to high-five the clerk.  

Covid19 Update 5-25-20

With our Governor lifting the travel restrictions and saying it's OK to meet in groups of no more than 10, I'm sure everyone had a great Memorial Day long weekend.  I'm guessing the lakes were packed, as were restaurants, to an extent; they can have up to 33% capacity inside, and unlimited capacity outside while following the six-feet social distancing guidelines.  Though I'm not sure how the lake fun and eating outside turned out at about 4:30 when we had a monsoon here in the Ville.  On a side note, our new rain gauge showed we got 1.6 inches of rain this afternoon here at The Compound.  But I digress. 

We are still practicing social distancing here at The Compound.  When I delivered a dozen eggs to our awesome neighbors, I left them on their porch steps and we all stayed 6 feet apart.  They're huggers, too, and it was hard for us to refrain from giving/getting a hug, but we did. And will continue to do so until we feel safe.  

Covid19 Update 5-24-20

Our church met in person today for the first time in over two months.  The Old Man and I weren't there, and won't be for a while.  I told him we would go back when he felt comfortable and safe.  Reports said 65 were there.  That included a team of about 20 in charge of taking temperatures, making sure everyone was wearing a mask, guiding, monitoring, cleaning and sanitizing. 

We made a great quarantine dessert this afternoon - Tennessee Peach Pudding.  It was awesome - just what the doctor ordered.  

It was almost 90 today and very humid, but as of 7:40 this evening, we haven't had any rain here today!  Maybe I should have gotten that rain gauge a few months ago - since we put it up earlier this week, we haven't had any rain. 

Covid19 Update 5-23-20

The first half of the day was spent clearing and cleaning out the living room aka the Music Room.  I stopped at about 3:00 and would say it's about 90% done.  I'll finish it on Monday.

I made my weekly trip to Krogers.  I'd say today's mask to no mask ratio was 50/50.  

As I type this, I hear a lot of thunder so I'm guessing we'll get our usual daily rain.  Needless to say, I'm over it. 

I had a phone conversation with our dear friend from church who lost her husband last week to Covid19.  She said she was doing OK, but two of her sons were having a hard time with the grief.  All we can do is pray for them. 

Covid19 Update 5-22-20

Today's lunchtime project was finishing up the weed eating on the grass that had grown in the cracks and spacers in the driveway.  The Old Man did the weed eating today, and I did the sweeping.  That's a much better system.  

I ran up to the big Kroger's to get some cod fillets, which the Old Man said were (and I quote) out of this world.  He said it was better than the baked fish we get at Captain D's and I couldn't agree more.  The thanks goes to our awesome Power Air Fryer.  But I digress.  I only got two things at Kroger's so I was only in there maybe five minutes, but during that five minutes I made my regular mask assessment.  At this Kroger's, the mask to no mask ratio was lower - I'd say 40/60.  

I know friends are probably out at restaurants or malls right now, and some friends will be travelling out of state over the long holiday weekend.  I'm fine with that, as long as they don't bag on me for wearing a mask.

Covid19 Update 5-21-20

Starting next week, I will be going to the office two days a week for a couple of weeks.  The entire office is expected to be working back in the office the week of 6-15.  I got to pick the days I go in, so I told my boss I'd go in on Thursdays and Fridays.  That way I won't have to get up at 5:00 in the morning on Thursdays and go into work for two hours to get my schedules together and delivered.  

I told my boss, and asked her to tell her boss, that I was very thankful for the company letting me work from home almost two months.  And I sincerely meant that.

Covid19 Update 5-20-20

I guess the Old Man and I are in the minority now: the ones that still think the virus is out there.  I talked to some friends today who are going on an out-of-state trip for the long weekend, and when I walked to the mailbox earlier, I saw a half dozen cars are a house across the street where they were having a cookout.  

I'm not going to bag on anyone that doesn't want to wear a mask when they go out in public, nor will I bag on them for getting together with a bunch of people.  At the same time, I ask that they not bag on me and the Old Man for wearing our masks and still practicing social distancing.  

Covid19 Update 5-19-20

Today's lunch break project was the Old Man teaching me how to properly use the weedeater.  I trimmed around my Sweet Mother's Stone Henge in the back yard, and around the bird feeder, and on the grass growing up between sections of the driveway.  We also placed our new rain gauge out in the yard.  We are for sure it will get lots of use in the days ahead.

I ran up to Wal-Mart to get some more allergy medicine, and I would say today's mask-to-no-mask ratio was about 60/40 - up a bit from Saturday's trip to Kroger.  

Covid 19 Update 5-18-20

 With as much rain as we've had in the past couple of months, and especially in the past two weeks, I would have thought that all of the rain would have washed out the Covid19 virus from the air. 

Covid19 Update 5-17-20

Once again, the Old Man and I watched the live streaming service from church this morning.  Next Sunday, they will open the church and have an actual service.  But the restrictions and guidelines were four pages long.  It seems there will be more people monitoring, guiding, directing, and sanitizing than there will probably be in the congregation.  We've decided to still watch the service from home for a while.  As I've said before, my main priority is keeping the Old Man safe, and we will go back when he and both feel it is safe.  

Non Covid19 related: we tip our hats to our neighbor Nicky Boy.  After we had our Sunday lunch and were dozing, I heard thuds coming from the roof of the house, and realized it was Nicky Boy walking around the roof cleaning out our gutters.  How awesome of a neighbor is that?  Between him doing jobs like that and Shauny Boy mowing the back field for us, we are truly blessed with awesome, caring neighbors. 

Covid19 Update 5-16-20

I made my weekly trip to Krogers, and today's mask to no mask ratio was lower --- 50/50./  I would have thought it would have been more masks, given the state's guideline of people wearing a mask when they go in public.  Anyhoo, I'll continue wearing my mask.  

And the store was the busiest that I've seen it since this mess started in mid-March.  It didn't seem like a lot more people there in the store - it just took longer to check out. 

But I'm back safe at home, and the Old Man and I had a sandwich and Doritos and we're ready to watch TV and take a nice nap.  

Covid19 Update 5-15-20

Friday was a very busy day working from home.  I had my normal Friday work, plus a project to complete.

At lunch, I took my break and went to Walgreens.  The mask to no mask ratio was about 50/50, even with a huge sign on the door saying "you must wear a mask to come in", and I paraphrased.

It was also another very rainy day.  I'm over the rain.  But it's in the forecast for the next week.

I did find out that our dear friend and her three sons drove down to the hills of Eastern Kentucky and buried their loved one on Thursday.  She said it was just her, their three sons, and a preacher from the funeral home at the grave side service.  She said that it was a bittersweet drive down there and back, but the drive was therapeutic.

Covid19 Update 5-14-20

On Monday, one of our dear friends from church died.  He had the virus.  He had other problems, but the virus was the main cause of death.  It hit home on Tuesday when we were watching the news and they gave the statistics from Monday - knowing that our friend was one of the ones in the "new deaths" column on the chart.  

That's about all I have to say today. 

Covid19 Update 5-13-20

I ran up to Krogers during my lunch break to get some milk, and today's mask-to-no-mask ratio was approximately 80/20.  Even with our Governor's guidelines, I was surprised to see the 20% not wearing a mask.  

It was another cold, rainy day here in the Ohio Valley.  When I went to the grocery at 1:00, it was 49 degrees.  Tomorrow's high is supposed to be 85.  Only in the Ohio Valley. 

Covid19 Update 5-12-20

The drugstore called today with another prescription for the Old Man ready for pick-up.  When I went up there this afternoon, I was happy to see in the distance 4 teenage boys riding their bikes while wearing masks.  My faith is restored a little.

Covid19 Update 5-11-20

Today was the day when the state "urged" everyone to wear a mask when they went out in public.

I had to make a trip to the drugstore to pick up a prescription for the Old Man, and event though I was in the drive-thru lane, I still had on my mask. 

We're still very leery of the "opening up" thing.  And as I've said before, I will do what it takes to keep the Old Man safe from any virus germs. 

Covid19 Update 5-10-20

I am interrupting the daily Covid19 update to give a recap of our Mother's Day.

I knew it was going to be hard, but I didn't imagine it would be as hard as it was.  I had a rough week, and it culminated yesterday.  

The thing that made it so hard was this -- my Sweet Mother saved every Mother's Day card that I ever gave her.  And with some of her favorites, she framed them and hung them up.  There is one in each of the bathrooms, and one hanging down in the basement by the laundry area.  So each time I went to those places, I would see the card, and of course would cry like a baby.  But that's OK.  It just reminded me of how much she loved those cards that I gave her. 

Covid19 Update 5-9-20

On my weekly trip to Krogers, I would say that today the mask-to-no-mask ratio was 75/25.  I'm sure this is in preparation for when the Governor's guidelines for everyone to wear a mask in public goes into effect.  

The store shelves were almost fully stocked.  They had plenty of meat, if you wanted to buy it in huge packages.  The smallest pack of ground beef was three pounds.  But they had enough.  And they are limiting meats, cheeses, and milk; something they should have done two months ago.  But I digress. 

Covid19 Update 5-8-20

Just yesterday, the Old Man and I, along with a friend that I had texted, all three said something about the state fair this summer.  Lo and behold, this morning when I was watching the morning news before "going to work" the reporter said that our Governor Andy had mentioned the strong possibility of cancelling the state fair this year.  They went on to say that other governors are cancelling their state fairs as well.  

It's just as well.  I doubt that I would have gone, even wearing a mask and gloves.  And this also has me thinking that later in September, they might cancel spectators at the Kentucky Derby; that is, if they still have the Derby.  

This also has me and the Old Man thinking about the next few weeks when they will open hair salons.  We might just wait it out a few more weeks and not risk going there as soon as they are accepting appointments and risk catching the 'Rona.  

On a related note, I trimmed the Old Man's sideburns and hair today.  It looks pretty good.  And since he has a steady hand, I just might have him trim my hair this weekend.  

Stay tuned. 

Covid19 Update 5-7-20

This is Thursday, so that meant another early, early trip into the office to get schedules off of the printer before the few people got into the office.  Believe me when I tell you getting up at 5:30 was the last thing on my mind this morning.  Last night's chili gave me and the Old Man some "issues", if you know what I mean.  Let me just say I'm glad we have two bathrooms in the house.  He and I were up from about 1:30 until almost 4:00.  Needless to say I'm tired and would like a nap right now. 

This morning when I got to the office, I had to track down someone from HR and get my temperature checked.  Another coworker walked in to the office the same time as me, and if he and I did have the virus, we would have spread it all over the office before we were able to find the HR guy to get our temperatures checked.  But I digress.  The few people that I saw this morning were wearing their masks, which was good to see.  And you don't even have to ask - of course, I had on mine. 

During today's lunch break, I had to run to Tractor Supply to get a bag of feed for The Girls, and I would say masks vs no masks were about 30/70 in the store.  

Covid19 Update 5-6-20

Those of us here in Kentucky are nerved up about Indiana easing their restrictions.  All we can do is what we've been doing - practicing social distancing, wearing our masks when we have to go out, and most of all, not going out unless it is absolutely necessary.  

I stepped out of my comfort zone and did a little quarantine cooking today.  I made a pot of chili.  And it tasted pretty darned good.  

Covid19 Update 5-5-20

We took a break from the news about Covid19 on Tuesday and celebrated Cinco de Mayo.  I got carryout from our favorite Mexican place, along with some awesome frozen Margaritas.  So it was almost like being in a restaurant full of people, except it was just me and the Old Man at the kitchen table.  But we still had a Bueno Fiesta.  

It was also another cloudy and cold day - the temperature barely got above 50.

Covid19 Update 5-4-20

I meant to give this update on Saturday, but forgot.

When I made my weekly trip to the grocery store and to Wal-Mart, I would say that mask ratio was 50/50.  I'm wondering if starting next Monday the ratio will be more than less, with the new wear-a-face-mask-in-public urging goes into effect.  It's kind of sad - that for a week there will be a ton of people not wearing a mask because the 5-11 timeframe hasn't begun yet.  

Another Covid19 observation: homicides have greatly increased in the past six weeks. There were 3 in less than 24 hours today.  And I'm afraid the murders will only increase.

Stay tuned.

Covid19 Update 5-3-20

I will say one thing - there have been more cloudy and rainy days than there have been sunny days since the 'Rona quarantine started.  Today was about half and half - it started out pretty and sunny, but after lunchtime, it clouded up and we had a couple of showers.  I just came in from checking on the Girls, and it was starting to sprinkle. 

Once again, we watched church from the iPad, as did many, many others.  I've gotten used to "going to church" in my pajamas.  I'm guessing that by the end of the month, churches will be open again.   Stay tuned. 

Covid19 Update 5-2-20

Since this mess started, we've done our part by getting carry-out food; a lot more than we would normally have - just to give the places business.  But I have to say this - in the past six weeks, our carryout orders have been way more incorrect than before the 'Rona started.  I don't know if the restaurants are trying too hard or what.  And part of it is on me - when I get my carryout order, I should take a couple of minutes and look through the bags to make sure everything I ordered and more importantly paid for is in there. 

You can bet I will be more cognizant of this in the weeks ahead.  

Covid19 Update 5-1-20

Today was a better day on the network.  I only got kicked off 4 times today.  And that makes for a good work-from-home-day.

We got the official word this afternoon from our company president that those of us working from home will do so for at least until the end of May.  

I made a necessary change in my home office today.  I ran up to Wal-Mart (wearing my PPE, of course) and got a cheap desk lamp to put on the kitchen table for some more light.  It's been a tad bit too dark at my office end of the dining room table.  This will take care of it. 

The previous changes that had been in place for the factory have changed, and all factory employees are expected (key word) to report on Monday morning.  Previously, if they didn't show up and the absence wasn't already approved, they would not have gotten it counted against them.  But that jig is up now.  Stay tuned.  I'm sure Monday will be interesting. 

As restrictions ease, I'm still leery.  I will probably wear my mask for the next six months when I go out in public.  

Covid19 Update 4-30-20

Thursday was another crappy day working from home.  Once again, I got kicked off of the network at least once an hour all day long.  I can't tell you how many times I had to go to the back bedroom, unplug the router and plug it back in.  It made for a very frustrating work-from-home day.  Add to that, it was cold and rainy all day long.  I wished I could have taken a vacation day and just napped all day long.