Saturday, April 4, 2020

Day 21

This writing every day objective is hard when you are actually very busy in the work from home mode.  The CARES Act was approved on the 27th and this week has been spent figuring out what is in the Act, how to interpret it and how to implement it.  I have enjoyed the challenge.  I am a little nervous about everyone's rush to get the provisions out there.  I hope the general public don't make poor short term decisions... which they probably will.

I continue to be amazed at how many people are out and about.  Really just out there doing all sorts of things.  Now I understand there is a message to get outside.  To get fresh air.  Do not spend all the time inside.  Get some sunlight.  Get some vitamin D.  BUT I don't think that equates to getting in your car and driving all over the place.

Now, I havent been far.  I went for a 2 mile run on Monday and Wednesday.  I was thinking it would be a quiet run from my neighborhood.  Just long enough to get away from my desk and clear my head.  But wow... so many cars out and about.  I don't know what they are doing.  Where are they going.  And social media seems to support it as well.

And there continue to be people out around the neighborhood.  I have some new empathy for those folks.  I like in a 2 bedroom 2 1/2 bath townhouse by myself with my small dog.  We have enough space.  As long as he is right next to me he feels there is plenty of space.  And he understands a good part of the work day means he sleeps in his bed.  So I started thinking about the people all around the neighborhood.  There are some small single family homes in the neighborhood.  Not all of them have ample yards.  And there are people with children in the townhomes.  So, yes, as much as I cannot handle the playing outside because I fear they aren't social distancing.. I understand that they all need to run.  I am trying to stick to the quieter hours outside.

And the pollen is still hell.  And I keep putting myself out in it.  Both days I went running I feared for about 24 hours as I coughed and throat tickled.  The goop in my eyes pretty much confirmed how much pollen you take in when you are out there.

Today I pruned the oleander.  It did really well last year.  And then the lawn people just came through and hacked it back.  So I let it die over the winter as it typically does.  Today I pruned it back further to where you could see new growth.  I am excited to see how it does this year.  I have had the oleander since 1996 or '97.  I moved with me when I moved in 1998 so maybe it was just '97.  It lived in a pot and then a larger part when I lived in the various apartments.  I would bring it in each winter and then lug it out on the porch in the spring.  It went through a couple of pots and eventually I didnt have it in me to replant all the time.  Luckily by then I was living in the townhouse.  I eventually decided well it has been with me all these years... I will just put it in the ground and see what we get.  Yes, it dies back every year.  BUT it comes back every year as well.  I suspect it has a strong root system at this time.  The biggest thing is when it will flower.  Some winters are long and hard and it doesn't have much time to bloom. Other years it is wonderful.  Beautiful pink flowers with the faint sweet scent.  So I took care of that today.

I rode my bike on the trainer.  Did a Zwift ride through Central Park.  Not as motivating as one would like.  But I did it all the same and will do it again.  I should probably do that right now but let me brain dump some more.

I have successfully eaten through all the fresh food in my house aside from 1 head of cauliflower.  I did a grocery pick up for my mom yesterday.  Not sure she is really liking the idea.  I will need to touch base with her again on it.  See what she needs for the next go around.  I get a large load of groceries for myself tomorrow.  Mostly fresh fruit and vegetables.  We shall see how it goes.  At this point I have a good amount of frozen meat in the freezer.  That is what i will work to eat this week.  I will make another shop ahead list tomorrow as well with the hopes of grabbing the following Monday.  I think that will be the routine.. at least for me.

I did a wine pick up as well.  It is a local store doing curbside delivery.  I figured that would be a good way to support some local business. Others are doing curbside prepared meals.  Not sure how I feel about that at the moment.

Mentally I feel OK.  Been getting enough sleep.  getting enough hydration.  exercise. some social interaction.

have heard some sad stories.  trying not to obsess on them.
have tried to do my part.
taking it one day at a time


No comments: