Leroy’s test negative

Hello,

Leroy got the call this morning that his covid test results were good. I had planned to wait to go to the grocery store until he got the negative results, thinking it might be one more day. I was happy to go as we were out of a few things.

Yesterday at work I learned that my co worker’s husband is also getting the covid test, but I do not know what day. She also thinks he is fine, but that he is just worried about it.

Hopefully we will soon find out why Leroy has had such a long time with a low grade headache.

We are still taking many walks to the close park. I am grateful for the big tall trees and the grass. I soak in relaxation when I am there. On our early morning walk we went a ways up our street. I find that I miss seeing the neighborhood. I used to go on these streets once a month as I delivered the neighborhood newsletter. The newsletter has been suspended along with the neighborhood meetings. I also miss our walk to church and seeing the changes on those streets. You know, the cycle of seasons. Much of the time we do not see many other people. It is amazing to think that we have gone through an entire season without going to church in the building. We are quite adjusted to the online service, but miss the interaction with people.

There are three taverns on our walk to the park; if people are out and about we cross the street. I am pleased to notice that one of the places has gone back to only serving people outside. They also serve food so the menu is posted outside. Our state has not mandated that rule again but they are being caring about their employees and customers. They now have outdoor seating which they have placed a distance apart. Along with lights they have put up a small misting sprinkling system to keep people cool.

Paula

Mouse Caught

Hello,

Last night, Leroy and I were watching a movie when we heard a light crashing sound that seemed to be in the house. I wondered had something fallen? Leroy did not know what it was. There were no other noises so we just finished the movie. When I went in the kitchen I saw that the trap had sprung and a small mouse was caught in the middle of its body. I realized as I picked up the trap that I did not want to finish killing it but did not want to release it. Leroy saw my look as I gingerly held the trap by the string that we had attached to the trap. That string was so we could anchor the trap and not have the detainee run off with it. Leroy said, “Give it to me and I will take care of it.”

I handed it over with great relief, but did not follow Leroy to learn what he did with it. After a while I just had to know, “What did you do with that mouse?”

“I put it in the back yard,” he said.

“Running free?” I wondered.

“I think it was about dead,” he replied, “If not it soon will be dead.”

I remember catching mice in the grain bins. We always called a lot of cats to come help with that task. It was quite the circus. Kids, cats, and mice running around in random patterns.

Now it is question are there more mice in the house? And how did that mouse get in here? We have not had them on the second floor before. The trap is still set, but no discernible activity around it.

Paula

Mouse in the House?

Hello,

We had noticed some small dark things in our small frying pan. I thought something might have flaked from the oven since it is stored in the drawer below the oven. Today in a discussion of what this might be and where it was coming from, Leroy or I wondered about mouse droppings. “Oh yuck!”

We are both a bit grossed out about that idea. We cleaned out the entire drawer and only found one similar item. Leroy went up to the attic and brought down a mouse trap. I set it since he does not like to do that. I put our expensive organic, peanuts only, peanut butter on it. Hope that will appeal to any mouse that might be in the territory.

I am not really afraid of mice although they have the power to startle me. I am disgusted by the thought of them climbing around on any pans that I might eat out of. I do not know whether to hope we catch one or not. If we do catch one, then it is always a question of how many more might be here even though we have not seen any other evidence of them. If we don’t catch one it is a question of is it just too smart? And is it still here among us?

Leroy needs to self isolate for three or four days waiting for the corona test results. I am planning to work tomorrow since they did not say anything about people he lives with. I also only see one person at work and I saw her Friday so there is already that contact.

Paula

Hot Out There

Hello,

Leroy and I have spent much of the day inside the house where it is cooler. I have thought about some of my neighbors because I noticed they have windows open which means no air conditioning. I do not know these neighbors so I am not comfortable inviting them in. I am happy to have the comfort, but feel a little guilty.

I was out earlier this morning getting the ash tree seeds off the sidewalk. I thought maybe they were about done, but Leroy told me he could see more seeds up there. It is quite a bit of work, but satisfying as I look over the cleared sidewalk. It is so helpful to have them gone so we do not track them into the flat.

Leroy has had a persistent headache for three months. Yesterday he went to the dr. again. This morning he had a covid test although neither of us thinks that could be it, but at least it will be checked now. He had been feeling quite tired and sometimes weak so he is going to see someone about his heart as well as a neurologist. He will have an MRI in addition. Leroy said, “I wish I had just continued to take the pain pills on my own and not gone to the dr.”

I just try to be supportive, but that is not an easy role for me to fill. As I want to give advice and prod him to do this or that, which he does not want to do. He would like that magic pill that cures all, but it has not yet arrived.

Paula

Home Phone

Hello,

We purchased our home phones in 2010. We know that because we remember where we were living at the time. A set that had four handsets was on a very good sale. Even though some people thought this was an unreliable brand and it might only last a year, we went ahead. At that time we lived in a large house so it was great to have that many handsets. Now we do not need them as much, but we still accept that luxury. About a year ago one of the batteries quit so we eliminated that unit. So now it was where to put three. We settled on kitchen, living room, and office. The one in the bedroom was seldom used as no one calls us at night. Now another handset has failed. The big question is where are the best places for the remaining two units? Even though we walk a lot we do not really want to walk to pick up the phone. It Why is that? Especially since there was a time when all phones had to be answered by a walk with only one phone in the house.

We have looked a little bit at replacing the phones, but there is the question should we just have cell phones?

We like having the home phone because we can both talk and not need to be together. I often walk when I am on a long phone call. It is amazing how many steps accumulate just during that chat.

We have given that home number to a several concerns who might like to call us, such as doctors. If we eliminated it that would require letting people know.

I suspect we have a few more months before we have to decide on the next steps.

Paula

In the Neighborhood

Hello,

This afternoon I had time to take a nice long walk. Because it was so sunny and a bit hot I stayed in the park which has beautiful tall old trees. On the way home I walked along the side walk, but danced from side to side depending on the amount of shade. As I was going along, I realized that a car was driving across a lawn, reached the sidewalk, turned a bit and came rather easily onto the street. Their speed was fine so I suspect they have done this maneuver before. As the woman made a sharp right turn she waved and called out hello as she went past me. Perhaps she could see astonishment on my face and the greeting was to reassure me that everything was fine.

About five minutes later I saw the same car. She stopped at a stop sign I was approaching to cross the street. Then she quite pleasantly told me, “I have lost my husband. He is riding a red lawn mower. The only one I have seen is that green one.” That statement was accomplished with a point at the one that was close to us.

I assured her I had not seen a red lawn mower either. Then I felt compelled to tell her, “I was walking back and forth across the street so I could use all the shade I could find.”

There is something about being out and available for people to visit with. I must look quite approachable in my long sleeved shirt and sun hat that do not particularly match or look very uptown.

Paula

Sunday Work?

Hello,

I have strong feelings about not working on Sunday. There are times when it is harder to hold to ones principles. I washed and hung out clothes today. My excuse? It was a nice day. Yesterday I had wanted to wash and hang two loads, but the predicted storms convinced me to only do one load. That did work well and all clothes got dry outside before the rains moved in. We needed some clean clothes that were in the second load so I did them, wishing that no one could see that I was working.

This afternoon I picked black raspberries, probably for the last time this season. We only pick every other day and today is the designated day. The weather was also very nice with highs in the 80’s and not 90’s as it frequently has been. The bottom of my bucket was covered plus a little more when I was finished. There are not many berries left on the plants so I am not going to get geared up for that walk in the wild for just a handful.

Does reading count as work? Not usually, but for some it might be more work than pleasure. I did read a very good article about the children’s author, Sandy Boynton, as well as one about cows having best friends. Months ago I read one about trees helping each other.  Also if a tree is stressed and endangered it produces many more seeds. I believe the seed comment when seeing the amount of seeds the close by ash tree is producing this year. I keep sweeping up the sidewalk so we do not track so many in the house. But no sweeping today because, it is Sunday.

Paula