Black dog.
White dog.
Black and white dog.
Or even brown and white dog. It doesn’t matter. They are all equally beautiful, each in his or her own way. And they can all sit down side by side, and get along.
Why is this concept so hard for some of the supposedly superior humans? We could learn a few things from our furry friends.
Dahlia
Mandevilla
These are the yellow flowers currently blooming in our garden. I am not generally a big fan of the color yellow but I must admit, these flowers are spectacular.
I spent several hours working on various things and then the rest of the afternoon relaxing on the patio. Everyone needs a place of refuge to recharge. Even if it’s sitting on your bed with a good book or listening to music.
All the more so in these trying times. It’s important to take time for yourself. Be kind to yourself, regain your calm and inner peace. This will help you be kind to others. And the world needs all the kindness it can get.
We have three types of lilacs. All have that wonderful lilac scent. The benefit of having multiple types is that they bloom at different times, so lilac season lasts about a month for us. This is indeed a wonderful thing.
Certain scents can make your mind retrieve memories from long ago. When I smell lilacs, it reminds me of a perfume my mother had that she purchased from a local drug store many years ago. It smelled like lilacs, not like some perfumey replica. I remember picking it up from my mother’s vanity.
The scent of lilacs can make me feel like a carefree little girl. Some scents can unlock the magic.
This is the face of a happy girl who got to see her family for the first time in three months!
There was no touching or hugging and everyone sat far apart. But still, it was awesome!
Yesterday, I saw my brother, his wife, and my two nieces. It was a balm to the soul. The girls were so well behaved and kept their distance. Not being able to see them for so long is the only thing that has made me cry during these times.
Today I saw my daughter, her boyfriend, and mother in law. We split the gatherings because it’s easier to social distance and sanitize with less people.
We practiced giving air hugs from six feet away. Not nearly as satisfying, but better than nothing.
These times seem unique to me, but really, it’s happened before. The pox epidemic of the 1600’s. The influenza outbreaks of the late 1800’s and, of course, of 1918. Pandemics resulting in mask wearing and extreme measures. Likely, it will happen again.
Let’s not again take for granted the time spent with family and friends though. Let us remember to cherish each other’s company. It is a gift that will not soon lose its value.
This is what happens when you get old. You get age spots. So, you start using skin cream to lighten the spot/s. And then you use sunscreen and wear a hat when you go outside in the sun.
Be smart. Wear the sunscreen when you’re still young and spot free.
We bought flowers for the gardens today. It is the first time we have been inside a store of any kind in over two months. We, of course, wore masks.
Most folks were wearing masks and polite, keeping their social distance. Some were not wearing masks, but kept their social distance. I saw a few wearing masks beneath their noses, but covering their mouths. I guess even if they weren’t protecting themselves, at least they were protecting others and making an effort.
And then, there were those few who wore no mask and did not keep their distance. One lady was shopping while yapping on her phone. She seemed intent on following us up and down the aisles and looking at flowers where we were standing. We did not seem to be able to get away from her. We finally went to another area of the garden section.
During checkout, there were not enough markers 6 feet apart for the amount of customers. A man without a mask apparently did not have a concept of 6 feet. He kept inching closer and closer.
I am not an “in your face” person, but I was just shy of telling these shoppers to back off. This is not a game to us. Our family has high risk concerns. Please consider how your behavior affects others. If you are not going to wear a mask, at the least, give others space.
Once we returned home, it was time for planting! We got just a handful of flowers tucked in before it started to rain. So, we know what tomorrow holds. More planting! The beautiful blooms made me feel like I had trays of jewels awaiting me. I guess I do.
How do you deal with the Stay At Home Order issued because of the coronavirus?
I am handling it pretty well. It was less of a change for me than some people. I am fortunate that I retired at the end of last year and can stay home. I have not been inside any store or public place since the first week of March. We get groceries by curbside pickup. Most other things are delivered by Amazon or Chewy. I am ok with this.
There are things that I miss that are just out of the question for the time being. So I decided that I would keep a notebook of these things. Every time I want to do something and realize that I can’t, I jot it down on a page of my little pocket size notebook. Someday, when restrictions have eased and it is safe to socialize again and/or go out, I will do the items that I jotted down.
Most of the entries involve other people. Here are a few:
By keeping the notebook it reinforces in my mind that this time will come to an end and activities will resume at some point. It gives me a list of things to look forward to. And by having them in writing, I am guaranteed not to forget anything.
I hope you have all found your own coping mechanisms. Peace, my friends.
I’m a little late in publishing my list for March, but here it is. And don’t worry, I’m still reading lots and will have a list ready for next month.
1. Hero Dogs-Wilma Melville (Audio Book)
Story told by the founder of the Search Dog Rescue group. Tells of working various tragedies with the dogs. Also, the story of finding the dogs for the program, as well as the story behind the dogs.
2. Wrapped Up In You-Jill Shalvis
A romance, as only Jill Shalvis can tell it. Ivy overcomes her rough childhood to establish her own business, overcoming her past and finding someone to share her new life with.
3. The Art of Racing In the Rain-Garth Stein
This is a good book, especially if you like a tearjerker with a happy ending. I found the book to be rather painful, as it deals with brain cancer and a custody fight. Definitely well written. It tells things from the dog’s point of view.
4. No Judgments-Meg Cabot
Bree escaped to a Florida island to escape a past relationship. She ends up taking care of the animals that people left behind after a Category 5 hurricane and finds a new relationship along the way. It was actually a light-hearted read.
5. The Girl Who Lived Twice-David Lagercrantz
This is a book in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo series. You must pay attention to the details. It is another intriguing story with lots of action. Definitely not a light-hearted read.
6. The Dog I Loved-Susan Wilson
Rosie trains service dogs while in prison. She and the person for her first service dog become friends. Rosie is released and we follow the two on the journey through a part of their lives.
7. The Book of Gutsy Women-Hillary & Chelsea Clinton (Non-fiction)
Kind of like a history book about brave women who have the world a better place for women, as well as the rest of humanity.
Magazines:
Yankee-January/February 2020
Yankee-March/April 2020
It’s hard for me to pick a favorite from this list. They all offer something different. If I went with my gut, I would recommend #6. It covers subject matter close to my heart- the power of dogs to change our world for the better.
Not getting much done even though you have more time available with the self isolation and shelter in place that is going on across our country and much of the world?
It’s ok, just chill!
I have read that this is a natural reaction to the stress and trauma that is creeping across the world along with the coronavirus. It’s a common reaction.
I didn’t think it was affecting me much until I dropped a jar of yeast, breaking a tile in our marble kitchen floor, forgot something major, and locked us out of the house with my keys still inside. All within a few hours.
This is highly unusual behavior for me. I tend to be very precise in thought and behavior. Probably due to all those years of thinking like a scientist. Or maybe I’m just anal.
We all need to take it easy on ourselves right now. Life is hard and stressful enough. Cut yourself some slack.
Time to replenish, so today I made oatmeal raisin cookies with coconut, and also granola.
Also, my mother-in-law has been isolated for two weeks as have I, so we had a short visit, from a distance of 6 feet, with her yesterday. (There was a brief foray out for some necessities, but a mask and sanitizer was used.)
The best part of the visit, aside from seeing her, was we traded some library books! The libraries here are closed because of the coronavirus. I was getting antsy because I only had two library books left to read. Now I have an additional three!
So, life is, well, life. Which is good.
Sanctuary Acres 