Hello,
Today, in spite of not wanting to go
anywhere, we went to the office of our tax preparer, signed papers, and wrote
checks. He called yesterday to tell us that the prep work was done. We are
getting money from the state and owe much more to the federal government. We also
wrote a check to pay for his work. We did not wear masks because there was only
one person in the office. We did bring our own pen and hand sanitizer. Ahead of
time we talked about who would open the door. Leroy volunteered. He opened the
two doors and I held the hand sanitizer over his hands when he was done with
that. We did that on the way in and the way out. We did touch papers in order
to sign them; otherwise we touched nothing else in the office. I dreaded going
and spent some time awake last night feeling like this was something we should
not do. After discussion with Leroy, who did not feel the same, although he was
willing to wait until much later with the extended payment schedule, we went. Things
looked better to me in the light of day. Our state is one of only six that does
not have shelter in place restrictions yet. I am ready for that next step and
wonder if we are waiting too long to be of maximum help.
Leroy also talked about stopping at a
grocery store since we would be close, but the lot that we went past had many
cars parked. Not my idea of safety. Another day when supplies are lower would
be better. At that time we might even have things delivered. All these new ways
of being!
In the car on the way to the office, we
listened to an NPR report about the situation in India. We are rich beyond
compare. Most of those people have no way to shelter in place or separate from
others. Praying for miracles for them!
Paula
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Monday, March 30, 2020
Touching My Face Or Not
Hello,
I have stated that I was careful not to touch my face while at the store. Since I have read that the two most important things we can do, along with many other suggestions, are wash our hands and don’t touch your face. I was not in the grocery store any longer than it took me to get my things so it was not so very hard.
As practice when I walk, I try not to touch my face. The walks last at least 45 minutes usually and sometimes longer. It seems it is not long and there is a tickle on my cheek then my nose itches. Once I caught my hand reflectively rising to scratch, but I was able to stop it before it connected. Since I am not touching anything while out and about on these walks, it would probably not be a problem if I did touch my face. To get control of the situation, I have been practicing an almost mindful meditation type thing where I notice, but do not respond. It works sometimes, but not others when the itch or whatever becomes stronger and stronger. Sometimes then I reach up and push up the inside of my coat to tend to it.
The other night when Leroy and I were doing our nightly crossword puzzle he tried not to touch his face. He did a lot of breathing and groaning as he strongly wanted to rest his chin on his hand. How many reflective moves do we have in our supply that involve hands on faces? I also find that I put my hands on my face while seated. Sometimes doing that resting thing as Leroy was wont to do.
Paula
I have stated that I was careful not to touch my face while at the store. Since I have read that the two most important things we can do, along with many other suggestions, are wash our hands and don’t touch your face. I was not in the grocery store any longer than it took me to get my things so it was not so very hard.
As practice when I walk, I try not to touch my face. The walks last at least 45 minutes usually and sometimes longer. It seems it is not long and there is a tickle on my cheek then my nose itches. Once I caught my hand reflectively rising to scratch, but I was able to stop it before it connected. Since I am not touching anything while out and about on these walks, it would probably not be a problem if I did touch my face. To get control of the situation, I have been practicing an almost mindful meditation type thing where I notice, but do not respond. It works sometimes, but not others when the itch or whatever becomes stronger and stronger. Sometimes then I reach up and push up the inside of my coat to tend to it.
The other night when Leroy and I were doing our nightly crossword puzzle he tried not to touch his face. He did a lot of breathing and groaning as he strongly wanted to rest his chin on his hand. How many reflective moves do we have in our supply that involve hands on faces? I also find that I put my hands on my face while seated. Sometimes doing that resting thing as Leroy was wont to do.
Paula
Sunday, March 29, 2020
Grains in My Life
Hello,
I saw a list of foods recommended that we all have to get us through a time of no grocery store trips. One group was whole grains. I felt I had that area covered even before this different way of life got started.
A few months ago the local grocery store had, in it’s marked down cart, a number of pound packages of grains. I finally bought all of them. There was green bamboo rice which we have eaten. It was really white rice that somehow had bamboo with it. There were several packages of black barley we like. We still have a pound and a half left. I had never heard of the Greenwheat Freekeh. I like it, however it is not my favorite. Leroy often wants to eat bread and I see no reason to duplicate the wheat in our diet. We still have five pounds of that. When people have talked about hoarding things I have thought of those packages, but I do not feel I am stopping anyone else from buying it.
We have steel cut oats as well as quick cooking regular oatmeal. I have three boxes of the steel cut, but we use one a week. The regular is in a larger box and I have two of those, but I mostly use it for granola. Probably use about half a box a week is the usage for that. So I feel it does not quite fit in the hoarding category.
The rest of the grains are smaller amounts from about two pounds down to a few ounces. They are millet, regular barley, white rice, brown rice and quinoa. I just looked and quinoa is a seed so should not be on this list. I had planned on stocking up a bit more, but the store was a bit low on brown rice so I did not do that.
Now you know some of my secrets of eating just food rather than processed items.
Paula
I saw a list of foods recommended that we all have to get us through a time of no grocery store trips. One group was whole grains. I felt I had that area covered even before this different way of life got started.
A few months ago the local grocery store had, in it’s marked down cart, a number of pound packages of grains. I finally bought all of them. There was green bamboo rice which we have eaten. It was really white rice that somehow had bamboo with it. There were several packages of black barley we like. We still have a pound and a half left. I had never heard of the Greenwheat Freekeh. I like it, however it is not my favorite. Leroy often wants to eat bread and I see no reason to duplicate the wheat in our diet. We still have five pounds of that. When people have talked about hoarding things I have thought of those packages, but I do not feel I am stopping anyone else from buying it.
We have steel cut oats as well as quick cooking regular oatmeal. I have three boxes of the steel cut, but we use one a week. The regular is in a larger box and I have two of those, but I mostly use it for granola. Probably use about half a box a week is the usage for that. So I feel it does not quite fit in the hoarding category.
The rest of the grains are smaller amounts from about two pounds down to a few ounces. They are millet, regular barley, white rice, brown rice and quinoa. I just looked and quinoa is a seed so should not be on this list. I had planned on stocking up a bit more, but the store was a bit low on brown rice so I did not do that.
Now you know some of my secrets of eating just food rather than processed items.
Paula
Saturday, March 28, 2020
People and Worms
Hello,
This morning when I walked I saw people and worms on the path. Not so many people, but I wanted to tell you how I meet them. The bike trail is about 6 feet wide, at least I know that a vehicle can use it, but they are not supposed to. If there is only one person I move to the extreme edge of my side. My side is usually the same as traffic patterns for this country. If there are two people and one is still in the middle, I step off the path and give them a wider berth. I met one lone runner who was using the middle so again I moved well off the trail. Most people are moving over much the same way that I do and walk on the opposite edge. Generally we smile, wave, or greet each other.
If I meet someone on the sidewalk which I need to use to get to the trail, I often step into the street. Or if I see them in advance and can cross the street, I do that. I still do not see so many in the morning but later traffic picks up. Leroy went for a bike ride in the afternoon and he reported a number of dog walkers and walkers were out.
It had rained last night so there were a number of worms on the trail. We humans disturb all kinds of life forms with our intrusions. I wanted to stop and move all of them to the side, but that would stretch my walk much too long. The trail is wide enough that I wonder if they will manage to survive. Worms are so good for the earth, what a shame that they die on the pavement.
I forgot to attach my violet picture. I get a lot of joy from going in the room and seeing this in all its glory.
Paula
This morning when I walked I saw people and worms on the path. Not so many people, but I wanted to tell you how I meet them. The bike trail is about 6 feet wide, at least I know that a vehicle can use it, but they are not supposed to. If there is only one person I move to the extreme edge of my side. My side is usually the same as traffic patterns for this country. If there are two people and one is still in the middle, I step off the path and give them a wider berth. I met one lone runner who was using the middle so again I moved well off the trail. Most people are moving over much the same way that I do and walk on the opposite edge. Generally we smile, wave, or greet each other.
If I meet someone on the sidewalk which I need to use to get to the trail, I often step into the street. Or if I see them in advance and can cross the street, I do that. I still do not see so many in the morning but later traffic picks up. Leroy went for a bike ride in the afternoon and he reported a number of dog walkers and walkers were out.
It had rained last night so there were a number of worms on the trail. We humans disturb all kinds of life forms with our intrusions. I wanted to stop and move all of them to the side, but that would stretch my walk much too long. The trail is wide enough that I wonder if they will manage to survive. Worms are so good for the earth, what a shame that they die on the pavement.
I forgot to attach my violet picture. I get a lot of joy from going in the room and seeing this in all its glory.
Paula
Friday, March 27, 2020
Walks
Hello,
I crave the outdoors so I am still taking walks to get my 10,000 steps. I have decided to go early rather than late because I see fewer people, not that anyone comes close. We mostly keep to our side of the path and nod or smile as we meet.
I do notice a few spring flowers as well as more and more birds talking away. Generally those birds are up in the trees which have no leaves, but I still have a hard time finding them. I am grateful for their presence and apparent cheer.
Leroy is working diligently, but without much joy on his list of 100 people to call for the museum. He is a bit upset because he did not realize the deadline, to be finished, was so soon. He thought he had an additional week to get the job done.
I am glad I do not have to make those calls, however I have decided to call my extended family as well as old friends just to check in. Since I have that power available all the time, why not just call on a whim? Why wait for these unusual circumstances? Am I still locked into the idea that a phone call is an expensive deal?
Unfortunately it is so easy to slip back into common routines. Guess I wonder if there will be a change or not.
Paula
I crave the outdoors so I am still taking walks to get my 10,000 steps. I have decided to go early rather than late because I see fewer people, not that anyone comes close. We mostly keep to our side of the path and nod or smile as we meet.
I do notice a few spring flowers as well as more and more birds talking away. Generally those birds are up in the trees which have no leaves, but I still have a hard time finding them. I am grateful for their presence and apparent cheer.
Leroy is working diligently, but without much joy on his list of 100 people to call for the museum. He is a bit upset because he did not realize the deadline, to be finished, was so soon. He thought he had an additional week to get the job done.
I am glad I do not have to make those calls, however I have decided to call my extended family as well as old friends just to check in. Since I have that power available all the time, why not just call on a whim? Why wait for these unusual circumstances? Am I still locked into the idea that a phone call is an expensive deal?
Unfortunately it is so easy to slip back into common routines. Guess I wonder if there will be a change or not.
Paula
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Questions and Comments
Hello,
Every day, now that we are home, I need to think about the day of the week and the date as it is not connected so much to the external flow of the week. Leroy and I sometimes note it when we do our devotions, a portion of which I write down with the date attached. I also use the date for these letters which is a great help.
Is a laundry mat considered an essential business? I am grateful for the washer and dryer in our apartment. I seldom use the dryer, but when I want to, it is there. Many of my neighbors need to use the laundry mat. I guess Laundry Mats are still open. I do not know as I do not go there. I have luxury at my finger tips as long as the electricity holds.
Does using so much sanitizer, almost indiscriminately, harm the environment? When home I mostly use soap and water and sanitizer occasionally.
How do semi truck drivers learn to back so accurately? On my walk this morning, I watched a trucker back up to and attach the back end. There was no jockeying for position just a smooth back up to the right spot. I frequently back into parking spaces so I can pull out forward. Seldom, if ever, do I just slide right in. Am I backing up challenged?
This business where the truck was backing is about a block and a half from our house. They are running full tilt with vehicles in the lot 24 hours a day. They deal in the food industry some way, but I am not sure how.
Paula
Every day, now that we are home, I need to think about the day of the week and the date as it is not connected so much to the external flow of the week. Leroy and I sometimes note it when we do our devotions, a portion of which I write down with the date attached. I also use the date for these letters which is a great help.
Is a laundry mat considered an essential business? I am grateful for the washer and dryer in our apartment. I seldom use the dryer, but when I want to, it is there. Many of my neighbors need to use the laundry mat. I guess Laundry Mats are still open. I do not know as I do not go there. I have luxury at my finger tips as long as the electricity holds.
Does using so much sanitizer, almost indiscriminately, harm the environment? When home I mostly use soap and water and sanitizer occasionally.
How do semi truck drivers learn to back so accurately? On my walk this morning, I watched a trucker back up to and attach the back end. There was no jockeying for position just a smooth back up to the right spot. I frequently back into parking spaces so I can pull out forward. Seldom, if ever, do I just slide right in. Am I backing up challenged?
This business where the truck was backing is about a block and a half from our house. They are running full tilt with vehicles in the lot 24 hours a day. They deal in the food industry some way, but I am not sure how.
Paula
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Shopping Again
Hello,
I did not intend to go out again until after next week, but Leroy’s work told him that they expect the worst virus surge in Iowa to happen in the middle to the end of April. We did not have enough food supplies to last that long. So then it becomes a question of should we go now or later when it might be worse. Such a choice! Leroy especially thought it would be better to go now rather than to wait until later. I felt a little freaked out, but I went as they are recommending only one person from a household should go. And Leroy had work to do. I tried to be prepared by having sanitary wipes in a plastic bag along with hand sanitizer. Would you believe, after I was in the store I realized I forgot the face mask Leroy has from carpenter projects.
I certainly tried to stay away from people, but it is not always so easy. Luckily I found everything on my list, perhaps because I do not always buy so many mainstream items.
Not touching my face takes a lot of vigilance. I remember from when I had the pre cancer skin treatment it hurt to touch my face and I became aware of how often I do touch without thinking about it.
When checking out, I chatted a bit with the checker as we have in the past. I apologized for being out, but I needed more things. She replied, “It is ok. You at least are buying (and she waved her hand in the general direction of my selections.) Some people are coming in everyday and just buying a few things. One man comes in and buys one thing every day and we know he does not need it.”
Because I use my own shopping bags I bagged the groceries by the car and washed all bags along with my jacket, jeans, and other clothing. Hopefully I did not catch anything or give anything away while out and about. I expect to be home for three weeks now. We are covered.
Paula
I did not intend to go out again until after next week, but Leroy’s work told him that they expect the worst virus surge in Iowa to happen in the middle to the end of April. We did not have enough food supplies to last that long. So then it becomes a question of should we go now or later when it might be worse. Such a choice! Leroy especially thought it would be better to go now rather than to wait until later. I felt a little freaked out, but I went as they are recommending only one person from a household should go. And Leroy had work to do. I tried to be prepared by having sanitary wipes in a plastic bag along with hand sanitizer. Would you believe, after I was in the store I realized I forgot the face mask Leroy has from carpenter projects.
I certainly tried to stay away from people, but it is not always so easy. Luckily I found everything on my list, perhaps because I do not always buy so many mainstream items.
Not touching my face takes a lot of vigilance. I remember from when I had the pre cancer skin treatment it hurt to touch my face and I became aware of how often I do touch without thinking about it.
When checking out, I chatted a bit with the checker as we have in the past. I apologized for being out, but I needed more things. She replied, “It is ok. You at least are buying (and she waved her hand in the general direction of my selections.) Some people are coming in everyday and just buying a few things. One man comes in and buys one thing every day and we know he does not need it.”
Because I use my own shopping bags I bagged the groceries by the car and washed all bags along with my jacket, jeans, and other clothing. Hopefully I did not catch anything or give anything away while out and about. I expect to be home for three weeks now. We are covered.
Paula
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