Update From The Compound

 Yesterday was a very rough day for one of my Girls. I went out to give them some leftovers yesterday morning and noticed this hen, who I named Bitsy, had a big patch of feather torn out from her back and side, and was bleeding.  It didn't take long to figure out she had been attacked.  But not by a fox or racoon; the fencing and doors were very secure so nothing got in.  She had been attacked by her four sisters. As soon as I told my Favorite Cousin about this (she also raises chickens) she said that the others attacked her to establish the proverbial pecking order. I guess losing their other sister a couple of weeks ago got the hierarchy out of whack or something like that. 

There wasn't anything I could do for her - it's not like you would take a chicken to the vet.  So I just said a prayer for her not to be in pain or suffer.  She moved around some yesterday - I went out about every hour to check on her and each time she was in a different spot.  And the same thing this morning - she had moved and was sitting down underneath the coop, hopefully a safe spot for her. 

I gave the other four Girls a big earful yesterday, for all it was worth.

As always, stay tuned. 

Covid19 Update 8-29-20

 I made my weekly pilgrimage to Krogers today, and when I pulled into the parking lot, you would have sworn it was a snow-eve.  The parking lot was packed.  And also the store.  

I was able to get everything I wanted, but I did notice that once again, the Spam shelves were bare.  The was plenty of toilet paper, paper towels, and hand sanitizer but no Spam.  Go figure. 

Covid19 Update 8-28-20

 I checked on my two friends who got the 'Rona this week.  They both said they were doing OK - they said they were extremely tired and achy, and still running low fevers,  but their coughs weren't very bad (their exact words).  And no, neither one of these friends knew each other nor came in contact with each other.

Prayers are still going up for a speedy, pain-free recovery for them, and for no passing of the 'Rona to their immediate family members. 

Update From The Compound, Etc

 I had a phone call today, and I am proud of myself for handling it the way I did.  It was from a very nice, almost upscale, nursing home in the area.  They called to see if we still were looking for a place for my Sweet Mother.  A friend works there, and I had called them last October and they put us on the waiting list.  I took a deep breath, and told the lady that my mother had died in November and we didn't need a nursing home now.  She was silent for a few seconds and then gave her sympathies. 

I was proud of myself for saying those words "my mother had died" without losing it.  I'm getting there, but it sure is taking a long time. 

Covid19 Update 8-26-20

 We had to have the garage door people come to replace the garage door opener, and even though the repairman was working in a garage with the door closed when the heat index was over 100 degrees, he still wore his mask.  I was impressed.  

Covid19 Update 8-25-20

 Another friend tested positive yesterday for the 'Rona.  He said that he didn't feel this sick when he had pneumonia a few years ago.  He's quarantined at home and not in the hospital, thank goodness.  He said he's pretty sure he caught it when he was carelessly eating at a restaurant a week or so ago.  

I pray he has a speedy and full recovery. 

Covid19 Update 8-24-20

 I found out this afternoon that another friend has gotten the 'Rona.  I hadn't actually seen her in person since February, and she has been as cautious and careful as I have.  But she still caught it.  She had a fever that persisted for a couple of days, and then she was tested.  She said she didn't feel this sick when she had pneumonia a few years ago.

Prayers are going for my friend.  

Covid19 Update 8-23-20

 I was up early this morning and ran to the Donut Lady to get some awesome jelly filled donuts for our breakfast.  While everyone I encountered was wearing a mask, only me and the Donut Lady were wearing them properly with our noses covered up.  So much for that. 

Covid19 Update 8-22-20

 I was happy to see 100% mask participation today on my weekly trip to Krogers.  And I didn't see anyone with their masks below their noses, either.  That restored my faith in my fellow Kentuckians. 

Covid19 Update 8-21-20

 I called this a few months ago, faithful readers.  Churchill Downs announced today that the Kentucky Derby will still be held on the first Saturday in September, but without fans there at the track.  I called it. Let's pray that the horses, trainers, and workers will still be safe that week. 

Covid19 Update 8-20-20

 JCPS is starting their in-home schooling on Tuesday, but I've heard from quite a few people connected to JCPS that the kids won't actually be in school until after the first of the year.  My heart goes out to the parents having to make sure their kids are taken care of while they still have to work.  

COvid19 Update 8-19-20

 A friend dropped off a bottle of local homemade hand sanitizer to us this evening.  It's made with 90 proof alcohol, and they bought from a local distillery.  We're glad that they thought of us.  But the Old Man and I think we would have rather it in drinkable form.  Just saying. 

Covid19 Update 8-18-20

The shit got more real at work today.  At about 4:00 we all were notified that an office employee was confirmed positive.  As of the time I am typing this post, I haven't been notified that I had been around this coworker, and for that I am very thankful that I worked from home last week and was on vacation the week before.

Stay tuned. 

Covid19 Update 8-17-20

 You can't imagine how happy I was to hear that my coworker and his two kids all three tested negative today.  I'm not ashamed to say I didn't sleep at all last night for worrying about them and those of us in the department that came in contact with him. 

People can bag on me if they want to - I really don't give a rat's ass.  All I care about is keeping my 86 year old father with heart failure and kidney failure safe.  Nuff said. 

Covid19 Update 8-16-20

 I went to one of our favorite Mexican restaurants to get Sunday dinner, and was happy to find that the servers were wearing masks.  However, one of them that was rolling up silverware in napkins wasn't wearing gloves and had his mask down over his nose.  I'm glad I just got our food and no silverware and left. 

Covid19 Update 8-15-20

 At my weekly trip to Krogers this morning, I am very happy to report that I saw 100% proper wearing of masks.  At a stop at the Dollar Tree, not so much.  100% of the shoppers had masks, but only half of them were wearing them covering their mouths AND noses.  So much for that. 

Covid19 Update 8-14-20

 The shit got a little more real at work on Friday.  One coworker's live-in girlfriend and her son both tested positive for the virus.  He and his two kids will be tested Monday.  They sent him home yesterday at lunchtime, and called me back into the office on Monday. 

Stay tuned. 

Update From The Compound

 We  sure had an exciting afternoon.  We had a storm come up, and lightning struck the garage.  Luckily, it hit the sheet metal vent and not the roof, so we didn't see any fire.  After about a half an hour, we had everything reset and everything in the garage was working.  But it sure could have been a whole lot worse. 

Covid19 Update 8-12-20

 So, there will be no people in the infield on Derby, nor in any general admission seats.  Like I said before, I still think they will end up not letting anyone in.  I'll be surprised if they do.  

Stay tuned. 

Update From The Compound

 People might think I'm crazy for saying this, but to me and The Old Man, it makes sense. 

Yesterday, one of our Girls died.  And yesterday, we didn't see any of the colorful yellow finches around their feeder, and we didn't see any sparrows, wrens, or even the doves around the big feeder. 

Coincidence?  I don't think so.  I think all of the birds at The Compound knew what had happened. 

Sad News From The Compound

 I am very sad to report that we lost one of our Girls today.  

I noticed yesterday morning that she was either being extremely broody, or just was sick.  I picked her up last night and she didn't squawk, so I knew something was wrong.  But she came out of the coop when her five sisters were eating their favorite snack, mashed potatoes, so I thought there was hope.  

I checked on her this morning before work, and she was in one of the nesting boxes, and once again, didn't squawk when I picked her up and loved on her.  But tonight when I came home from work and checked on her, she was a goner. 

RIP, my Girl.  You would be hard pressed to find any other chicken that was loved on and cared for and spoiled like her and her five sisters. 

Crime Update 8-9-20

 It's only August 9, and we've had 8 homicides so far this month.  Last Tuesday night, there were 3.  

And also, police arrested 12 protesters last night; most of those arrested were threatening people in cars that didn't join their protests.  

I hope sometime soon I can find something happy to report.  

Covid19 Update 8-8-20

 After a trip to Lowes, Krogers, and Walgreens today, there was 100% mask wearing.  However, there was 25% (at least) people wearing the masks below their noses.  Why even bother????  

Covid19 Update 8-7-20

Yesterday afternoon, it was announced that basically the Kentucky State Fair is cancelled.  They will have the World Championship Horse Show and the livestock competitions, but only participants (meaning, the riders and handlers) will be allowed in.  

I'm going to call it now - the next big announcement will be something similar with the Derby.

Stay tuned. 

Covid19 Update 8-6-20

I made a quick trip to Krogers today for one thing I wanted, and while I was there, I took a stroll down the crucial isles.  It seems we're back to the toilet paper, paper towels, and disinfectant wipes shortages again. 

Covid19 Update 8-5-20

The Old Man and I ventured out today for haircuts.  As it was two months ago, things at the salon were as sanitary as they could be.  

Our stylist said that The Old Man could wait inside instead of sitting out in the car while I got my haircut, but he said he'd rather just stay in the van.  The temp was only upper 70's, so he said he was perfectly comfortable sitting there with the windows down reading.  

The stylists at this salon (and I'm guessing at all salons) disinfect the combs, brushes, and scissors after every person, and they spray down the chair, and today were using disposable capes.  The stylists wear masks, as of course, do the people getting hair cuts.  

On a quasi-related note, with the Indy 500 announcing that they are going to run the race without people in the stands, it has people here in Louisville wondering if Churchill Downs will change their plans and do the same with the Derby next month.  A couple of days ago they stopped selling tickets, so I'm wondering if that's what they have in mind.

Stay tuned. 

Covid19 Update 8-4-20

As I type this, some friends are waiting results from their Covid19 tests.  One friend and her boyfriend are anxiously waiting their results.  He was exposed last week; his coworker that he works very closely with, riding together in a truck all day tested positive. They both are very nerved up, and I can't blame them one bit. 

Another friend and her daughter are both waiting test results.  They were exposed while on vacation in Michigan.  A relative had tested positive a day after they were together.

Stay tuned. 

Covid19 Upate 8-3-20

I'm on vacation this week, and went to one of our favorite places for carryout for a late lunch/early supper.  While I was social distancing waiting at the bar for my food, I witness one of the workers denying someone entrance because they didn't have a mask on.  I told her that if things were "normal", I would have high-fived her. 

Covid19 Update 8-2-20

We interrupt today's regular Covid19 update to bring you more protest news.  

Sunday night starting at about 9:00, a caravan of over 100 cars of BLM protestors were in our hood.  They came up our road in front of The Compound, honking and yelling "Breonna Taylor."  They went up our road, and throughout other neighborhoods in our area.  But from what I heard, it was peaceful, other than the yelling and horn honking.  

This was the most excitement we had in our neighborhood since February when the big wreck happened and the SUV was upside down in our front yard. 

Covid19 Update 8-1-20

There was 100% mask wearing today at Krogers. And I went to a different Krogers, too.   At Tractor Supply - not so much.  Even though they had the signs saying masks are required, during the 10 minutes I was in the store it was 75/25.