I think for most of us, we had two good weeks where things were looking up. Numbers were down and there was hope on the horizon. Those were a glorious two weeks.
If you look at the numbers now, they paint a picture of doom and gloom. It’s not surprising. I came to the conclusion earlier in the week that I am just going to continue doing what we’re doing and not to take any chances with our luck.
We all need to cross our fingers, (and pray) that we do not suffer another round of closures. This would be devastating for many reasons. I feel like we still have time to get a handle on it. Yes. California bars are now closed again and our beaches were closed for the holiday weekend. Our restaurants are now closed for dining in, again. But please, no more closures! Just do what you need to do.
Right Now:
I am looking up recipes for pasta salad. My youth group has an upcoming picnic and although I am bringing sandwiches I may also bring pasta salad. It will be outside, at a park with distancing in place. I fear that parks will be closed again soon so hopefully we can actually do this.
This Week:
Guys, hold your hats but my daughter is taking her senior pics this week. They can’t do the cap and gown pic because they are loaned clothing items and COVID rules won’t allow it so she will have to go back for that shot in the spring.
I cleaned up my patio area and now it’s a glorious spot to sit in the morning with my Bible study or current read.
Reading:
I finished The Last Flight and the review posts this Tuesday. I also finished Emma in the Night. That review should post this week as well. Both, enjoyable, quick reads.
I think I will read Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine next which is a title on my Summer Reading List.
Watching:
I think everyone and their brother watched Hamilton on Disney +. this weekend. SO enjoyable. That is the one good thing about this pandemic, all the theatre that has been streaming for free. I’ve seen some great theatre.
New Things I’ve Tried:
I started this Bible reading plan for July. Some friends are reading it with me.
Grateful for:
- Kettle corn (perfect snack)
- Long weekends
- Perfectly cooked corn on the cob
- Breezy, sunny days
Hang in there, my friends! It’s about to get difficult again but we will be okay.
Book Chatter 
Tina, I’m with you on not pressing our luck. Our family will continue to wear masks, social distance, and wash our hands.
I have a pasta salad I made for an office potluck, pre-Covid, I’ll see if I can find it.
I know how you feel about senior photos, Sydney’s are next Saturday; it’s crazy that our youngest are seniors.
Hope you’re having a nice weekend.
Are they doing the cap and gown pic at the same time? We can’t because it’s a loaned item and with COVID they can’t use it. We would use Evan’s old one but they changed the colors so they told us after tomorrow’s session we will have to book another appointment in Spring.
As always, I love your weekly blog posts! And I agree with you 100% on being careful so we can hopefully move forward safely in the midst of the fight against COVID.
I was considering reading the Eleanor Oliphant book as well but couldn’t find a copy at the library or Overdrive so will wait it out. I’m so bummed by the rising cases but that was bound to happen. The virus didn’t go away when we were sheltering in place earlier so why would anyone think that now that places are open, we can all go hang out without taking precautions? I hope no more closures happen but all places are going to have to be more firm about how many people are inside a building/store and also find ways to enforce social distancing. A little inconvenience today and maybe no virus in a few months – wouldn’t that be nice?
Exactly. They are asking for another three weeks but what is three weeks when you are looking at an entire year of misery?
Too bad about Eleanor. It is a doozy of a book. Not at all what I was picturing.
We’ve come to the same conclusion… it’s just not worth taking chances, so we’re staying home. Things are looking pretty bleak here in FL, but what’s really sad is that so many people aren’t paying any attention to it. We’re going to head north at the end of the month… probably a good thing. I really liked Eleanor Oliphant on audio. Just love the view from your patio!!
If herd immunity was possible, I could see people wanting to expose themselves if otherwise healthy. But Fauci said that the antibodies are only lasting two months at most so then you can get it more than once. If there is no immunity, how will a vaccine even work? People pretending it’s not a thing are pretty lucky if they haven’t contracted it already.
I’m bummed, we didn’t have access to Hamilton. I’m sure it was super good! Your patio view looks lovely and relaxing; we’ve been enjoying our outdoor spaces tremendously.
I’m so glad people have been able to see Hamilton by streaming. I was so lucky to get to see it in our theater with my daughter this past winter before everything went dark. Loved it.
We are also experiencing high numbers here in SW Florida. It is depressing. If only everyone would do the right thing. We are continuing to wear our masks each time we go out and we wash our hands all the time and of course we are social distancing. And praying.
I keep praying too. It’s all very depressing. I worry about the long term effects of everything. Reading has really saved me these past few weeks. It was hard to focus at first but if I have the right book then I am good. I just need to keep reading one book after another or I get sidetracked but the news headlines. We are definitely sliding backward in California. People are just sick of it and don’t care if they get it.
I’m so with you — there’s no point taking unnecessary risks, so my family’s sticking to our strict quarantine. It sucks, and I feel really discouraged and angry. So many people have worked hard to buy the government time to do a response, and the feds just gave up. I hate it.
What type of pasta salad are you looking for? I made a Caesar pasta salad with chicken that I like. An Italian/antipasto pasta salad is really easy to throw together. I saw a deviled egg pasta salad recipe just this morning that sounds intriguing. I adore pasta salads, so let me know if any of these sound interesting!
It was interesting being in Pittsburgh for the past week to see how another city is handling the pandemic. We saw many more people wearing masks while outside walking. We don’t see that in Wisconsin. Then, while we were there, the county instituted mandatory mask-wearing and closed all the restaurants to dining in AND all the bars. People are pissed about the bars and were protesting it when we left. Thankfully, our numbers in Wisconsin remain low compared to Madison and Milwaukee, or the rest of the country, but we are still seeing a spike. I bought new masks just to have more than one since I have a feeling this is going to be an issue for a long time to come.
I was wondering what you thought of Hamilton! And senior photos! Time flies, girl. Time flies.
Oh, I need a vegetarian pasta salad. I have a few but I am tired of them.
Hamilton was amazing. I figured it would be good. I didn’t realize how good. I really loved all the angles and close-ups. We were supposed to see it this August and it was cancelled of course. We rescheduled for 1/2 but now it’s looking like that won’t happen. Can’t win.
Senior photos are tomorrow but it’s a pain to have to come back later for the cap and gown pic. We have my son’s old cap and gown but they changed the colors since he graduated so we can’t use it. Gotta wait for them to clear the loaners for COVID use. It probably won’t happen.
You could easily put together a Greek pasta salad with Kalamata olives, feta, red onion, pasta, and Greek dressing. Add some pepperoncini as well. You could make your own dressing with lemon juice and olive oil. Or do an Italian one without the meat. Or even a Caesar one without chicken. Just lettuce, pasta, dressing. Simple but delicious!
I thought the OG cast was AMAZING! I can’t tell you how many times I was moved to tears or had goosebumps while watching. The fact that they could do that after having listened to the soundtrack too many times to count AND having seen the Chicago cast tells me just how good they were. They had a chemistry that the Chicago cast didn’t have and that you don’t get through just the soundtrack.
Our town doesn’t do the cap and gown pictures, so it wouldn’t be such a big deal for me. I like the informal ones Connor got best anyway.
I hope the photo session goes well. I can’t believe she’s going to be a senior already. We really enjoyed Hamilton as well and I’m sure will be watching it again and again. I hope you enjoy your reading and have a great week, Ti. Stay safe and well.
I hope the photo session goes well…seems like your reading is trucking along well!
We had a small bbq with masks and social distance so my daughter could have some social time with her best friend. It was nice to see them all and we had a good time with s’mores and some bonus fireworks from the neighbors. But i really wish people would listen to science and not politics.
Hmm. I don’t get Disney + but want to see Hamilton! Perhaps we can get it for a month. Things seem crazy in the States. But it seems I might be flying to Calif. in the next 2 or 3 weeks, gulp. I need to see my folks but plan to quarantine first after arrival. It’s complicated! darn.
I could be wrong but I think you have to quarantine when you arrive. I think that is what my friend just had to do. Well, they told her to.
Disney + even for the month would be worth it. There is a lot on Disney + that you would not think about. All the Marvel movies. All the old classics like Herbie and The Apple Dumpling Gang. I got a kick out of those movies. Lots of Pixar shorts nominated for awards.