April 30, 2020

As I awoke this morning before 7 AM I realized there was no Robbie cleaning sounds.  Where has he hidden now?  Pushed the smart clean button on the cell phone and there they were in plain sight.  Next to my lounge chair and footstool.  No impediment to movement nor hung up wheels or brushes.  Just sitting there by my chair.  Twice lately Robbie, the male robot with a female voice, has stopped under the bed just below me.  Does Robbie think they are a dog and wants to be near me?  Say what?  Now we did have a couple of games of hide and seek again, one utility closed door, on trapped under the hutch.  I do not mind so long as my floors stay clean.

Besides the birthday virtual party for Sis #2, I have spent some time straightening up our little patio.  Had to clean out the worm farm.  That yielded enough soil for two pots.  Trimmed a bit on the trumpet vines that tend to tickle my head while sitting on the loveseat.  Replenished the bird feeders and birdbath.  Swept the floor and cleaned tables.  Inside for a cuppa and my camera to bring back outside.  Promptly sat down on my behind to enjoy the cool breeze and bird activities.  Here are a few of the snaps.

There were more than just the bluejay.  White wing doves sat at the fountain cooing as I was sipping my coffee.  House finches and different sparrows visit feeders, bath and fountain.  Even though the road sounds were picking up I found the time to be very peaceful. 

Peaceful is a good feeling to have.  Just to relax in the love seat with my feet up and absorb nature.  Nature at once relaxes me and energizes me.  Even living in a very urban setting just the little patio and surrounding area is enough to reconnect with Mother Earth.

Today I will continue to enjoy life from inside.  I have my walk in for the day.  Have dinner planned and chicken thawing for the main course.  Twenty one days till surgery, fingers crossed, so life is good.  Now ya'll all be safe out there in the rest of the world.  Know this is part of what I will be seeing from my chair.

April 29, 2020

Made this outfit.  Son is 6 mos. in photo.

Our Son was head of HR for a firm named Retail Me Not.  That has changed.  Cause little corporations become absorbed into larger corporations.  Then executives of the absorbed company are merged, rearranged, somehow or other put together.  Some are released to find new opportunities.  Son has different responsibilities now as HR has been moved to the corporate level.

5 year old Son.  Made the 3 piece suit.

Note the cut of bangs.  Yep he self cut 1 day
 before picture day.  This is the photo he requested.

Anyway, during the shut down Son has been working from home.  In order to keep his team inspired each week there is a challenge.  A couple of weeks ago he requested I send his first grade photo or any from when he was just a 'kid'.  I sent one that was not the first grade photo.  He said that would work which is Son talk for not really what I want but will make it work.

I was able to dig through the many folders of scanned photos and find several photos.  I cleaned up a few in Photoshop and forwarded them to him. Yes, one was the photo from first grade.  With his self cut bangs.  Everyone needs one of these type of photos. 

Back to the spirit challenges.  This past week's challenge was to reenact a photo from childhood.  Son chose one of the photos I had sent.  It was one of my Mom's photos she had taken during a visit.  Please, note, he has overalls over his footed pajamas.  Ha. 

This is the reenactment of the above photo.  Only overalls available were Granddaughter's Senior Overalls.  Good thing they were stretchy and Son has kept himself in fit shape.  Some boss, right?

Yesterday was #2 sister's 80th birthday.  We four sisters usually attempt to do something very special for decade or 5 year birthdays.  Covid-19 put a halt to our plans before we could get them together.  So Sis #4 suggested to surprise her with a video.  Sis #1 recounted so many memories from their years together.  Sis #4 wrote a poem and performed it to the tune of Suzy-Q by Buddy Holly.  Suzy-Q was Mom's nick name for Sis #2.  Me?  I dug through the thousands of digital photos and came up with 80 photos for 80 years.  Using Photoshop I put together a slide show.  Each of us recorded a toast using apple juice and two of us used pickle juice.  Sis #2 loves pickle juice.  Yes, we are those kind of weird folks.  Sis #2's daughter, Niece #2, put all the videos together.

Tuesday morning after weeks of no makeup, no bra and lockdown, #1, #4 and I, #3, dressed up for a birthday Zoom call at 11 AM.  Niece #2 was at Sis #2's home and had played the video for Sis.  Niece #2 said Sis #2 laughed and cried as she watched the video.  Once us senior citizens were able to connect two phones, one I-pad and one computer we had about a 30 minute visit with Sis #2 online.  Later in the day the florist delivered a bouquet from us three sisters.  A no touch delivery. 

Sis #2 reported this morning to us that she could hardly get to sleep thinking of all that had happened yesterday.  Nieces and nephews had sent Polos on the Marco Polo app.  Each shared special memories.  Two great grandchildren had Facetime with their Grammy.  She had a constant stream of calls and had received many cards to help celebrate.  To top it all off her son and daughter took her out for dinner using proper social distancing.  Face masks were worn while ordering.  Sister #2 will have plenty of memories of her 80th in spite of a pandemic almost spoiled it.

Life in this day and time is so very different than even 20 years ago.  Video conferencing required all sorts of special equipment.  Now a 65, 73, 83 and an 80 year old with the help on her daughter video conferenced in real time.  I was even able to use a digital photo for my background.  And this photo was taken at the graveside of my great grandfather in December 2018.  That was the quality of photos 102 years ago.  Timed exposure, special developing and waiting for days or weeks to receive the photo.  Just wonder what the next 20 to 100 years will bring. 

In the mean time hope everyone hangs in there with jobs.  Doing something that challenges yourself to keep up your spirits and those of others.  I'll continue donning my mask, grabbing the camera and heading out looking for a photo opportunity.  Hope these three shots will bring a bit of sunshine into your life.

Peace and love,
Janice

April 21,2020

First the Robbie update.  Saturday they closed themselves in our closet.  Sunday they were trapped under a different edge of the hutch.  Yesterday a bush or wheel was caught in a doorway cord cover.  Other than that Robbie has behaved really good.  It is pleasant to step on the fluffy carpet each day.  Living area is a dark stained concrete that shows dust.  Nice for that to look clean each day, also.  Just really am enjoying the cleaner surroundings.

Slowly but surely the additional masks are getting put together.  I messed up and sewed at the normal 5/8 inch seam line and the second one I made was too tight for Hubby.  I had decided to do assembly line, sewing tops together, then liners, next seam 3 sides, etc.  Since I sewed the seam incorrectly, I have spent time today correcting my error.  I hate wasting time by always having to redo something.  To complicate matters, my hands began cramping up as I worked.  I finally just gave up and went back to reading a book.

Alex Jones at Austin protest to remove restrictions on business. 
Source:  Newsweek

Our governor is allowing many places to reopen.  It seems common sense would dictate folks not go crazy being elbow to elbow.  I'll do what I think is the very best to support the front line health care workers.  Our President lies when saying there are plenty of tests.  Our state which is reopening this weekend has tested only .006% or our population.  Governors hare having to purchase tests from South Korea as none are available for purchase here.  Hmmm.  Wonder where the US companies are that could be making these same tests?  Seems that is something a Federal government could take care of some of this.  Guess we will just see how this all works out for our state, nation and the world.

source:  NBC news

Last evening Son and DIL set up a Zoom call with us.  It was pleasant to sit and visit with them.  Just able to catch up on the little things as well as big things was wonderful.  We live 9 miles apart and other than the three times Son brought some supplies, no visual contact.  Sure there were texts but that is not the same as seeing those face confirming they are good.  Son noted that getting us online with Zoom was much easier than expected. Neither Hubby nor I had the application installed.  Downloading, installing and then the final connection was far easier that the 'olden days'.  The time back in the early 1990's downloading data for circuit boards over phone lines!

Well, that is about all going on here in Round Rock, TX.  I'll leave you with this bright photo from 2015.


Stay safe, be happy, do not worry.  Think about what will be one of the first things you do once you feel safe to move around.

April 17, 2020

Friday which feels like every other day this week.  It is not the same as the sky is overcast with rain predicted to fall in the afternoon.  As I am writing this paragraph a shower is falling.  The wind is picking up causing the shower to come down at more of an angle.  Hubby is listening to his amateur radio buddies saying how hard it is raining at their homes.  Hubby meets part of his socialization needs with the radio contacts.

Just this week our county has asked that masks be worn outside our homes till further notice.  Masks are not to be reused until washed.  The two masks our son had brought worked on my face but were too small for Hubby.  For that reason I realized we needed more masks.  Research showed the best homemade masks were made from denim.  As luck would have it Hubby had a pair of jeans that had ripped in a way that could not be repaired.  I was able to cut up the pants in a way to get 11 one sided denim masks.  The in house fabric supply included 100% cotton t-shirt material.  The t-shirt material was used as the liner. 


Hubby had a doctor appointment this morning.  Before I even had a cuppa I made him a new face mask.  Used stretch head bands cut in half and attached at the top and bottom edges.  That configuration had him a snug fit without flipping his ears out like Ross Perot. Of course, I, also, sewed pipe cleaners along the nose bridge area to tighten that area closed.  BTW the pattern I used was a size large. I had added 6 mm (.25") along the top and bottom edges and 13 mm (.5") to the back edges.  Hubby put it on and declared it a perfect fit.  And really comfortable for what a face mask.

After a bit of coffee, folding a load of clothing and getting dressed I decided to clean a bit on the patio.  Hummingbird feeder cleaned and filled with sugar water.  Bird bath scrubbed, some mulch added to the planter and just a bit of straightening, cleaning and tossing of junk/trash.  Sink, cabinets and hands sanitized one ore time.  And I was ready to just check on my blogger buds.

Oh, but wait.  The birdies started showing up for the food.  Here are a few captures through the patio glass of two or three of the visitors.  Andy antenna seems to serve as a perch for the visitors awaiting their turn.  I notice the birds are not practicing social distancing.

Passer sparrow

Peek a boo with a house finch

That green stem was a volunteer potato plant.  Something has eaten all the leaves.

Hubby's doctor appointment is now awaiting a decision to see if he can have a MRI.  Seems the venacava Greenfield filter may be a problem.  NCIB says there is low risk of migration.  Dr. Valestro is the ortho doctor that replaced my knee, repaired Hubby's leg after falling off his bike and cared for bonus grandson's torn acl.  Hubby is being checked to assure the rotator cuff is not torn before giving a shot to treat the excessive inflammation.  If torn, then surgery.  Ugh.

The rain has temporarily stopped, the dove is cooing, sparrows and house finches are back at the feeder.  A bluejay is trying to be a bully.  For the most part life seems just like a normal spring day. 

Take care, be safe and visit later!

Janice

April 15, 2020

This morning my usual wake up call came around 7:30 AM.  While in the loo I noticed no sound from Robbie the Robot.  Hmmm.  This was the scheduled time for the cleaning of floors.  Well, where is he stuck this time.  Thought I had all areas blocked where he liked to hide.  You know kids, they can find new places or manage to sneak someplace where they are not supposed to be.  Robbie is the same way.

Layout of our apartment but with lots more furniture in ours.

My app on the phone usually has a map of where Robbie has worked.  The app shows the location of Robbie with a flashing green circle.  The app was locked up as it had tried to download an update.  No help from yet  another electronic device with a mind of its own.

Armed with a flashlight I looked under the sofa.  Couldn't see all the way so I had to get on my side to look all the way to the back.  No Robbie.  After finally getting myself off the floor I went to the bedroom.  Same thing.  Down on the floor with the flashlight.  No Robbie.  Check the hutch in the dining area.  The area where Robbie usually gets stuck is obvious.  No Robbie.  Around the corner to the kitchen area cause once Robbie was hung up on a thick pad.  No Robbie.  What the heck?  This  apartment is only 880 sq. ft. or 83.5 sq. meters.

I knew the robot was not in the bath cause I had already visited there.  Doors to the closet were closed.  Once more around the place checking under my chair where once Robbie encountered wires the stopped him.  Nope.  There was only one place left to look.  The small utility room.  I had left that door closed before going to bed.  And the door was still almost closed.  Robbie has no arms so how could he have gotten into that area?  I opened the door and sure enough, there was Robbie, "hibernating".  A word to describe using energy but not doing anything.

All I can figure out is Robbie went into bully mode and pushed the not latched door open enough to get through.  The machine always circles to the left so Robbie actually went behind the door he just opened.  Then the silly bully closed the door and was trapped in the little room just going back and forth.  At some point Robbie gave up when his deaf owner did not hear the alert that he needed help.  Yes, Robbie will say stuff like wheel stuck, move to an open area and battery low.

Once located, I did not scold the machine.  Rather another note to self, make sure the door is latched to the utility room or have it wide open so he can get out of the room!  I then pushed the little button on top and Robbie said smart vacuuming started.  I just realized Robbie has a female voice.  Is this vacuum transgender?  Does not matter.  Floors vacuumed for another day. 

Yesterday as the vacuum was running I had the front door open.  Had to grab Robbie as they (pronoun for transgender) were attempting to go into the public hallway.  That stinker may run away yet.  Until then you can just look forward to more adventures with Robbie.

Stay safe and healthy, ya'll,

Janice.

PS.  I found almost 300 of this same photo on my phone.  There were some where obviously my lights were on and some where maybe the sun was still shining.  Even a few that were black except for a reflection from the ceiling fan. Ceiling photos taken with my side?  Is there any hope for me with all these gadgets?!?

April 14, 2020

A Tuesday In April

Sitting with our lives on hold

Living a story to someday be told

Open stores with empty shelves

No one to visit but ourselves.

Will I find that this new friend

will keep me entertained to my end?

Will the skies remain so blue

Or return to the ugly, grey stew?

Answers?  No, I have none.

Just living in hope of one day more of fun.

Joys of things just simple and true

That's what my friend I wish for you.

© petra domina

That's what it is all about right now.  Learning to live in a time of limited contact. Learning to live without some favorite food or treat.  Living with the solitude of pioneers.  Maybe that is what we are supposed to be doing.  Learning to live with less.  Relearning the truths of the past.  Living with our own thoughts and memories.  Dreaming of ways to reconnect with humanity.  Not demanding we all see things the same way.

We can never see things the same way.  You cannot stand where I am nor I where you stand.  Even if I move and you place your feet in as nearly the same place as mine occupied.  You will see from a slightly different angle.  You will see with the eyes of your life, not mine.  The best we can do is appreciate that special part of the puzzle of life we each hold.  

Maybe you can listen to a bit of this while you are sitting alone.  I found it relaxing.

Love and peace,

Janice

April 12, 2020

Four years ago we were in The Netherlands for Easter which was March 27 that year.  Then a week later it was Easter again for Greek Orthodox.  That trip was such great fun and so interesting.  Challenging at times as I had the left knee replaced just 8 weeks prior to the trip.  Lots of walking on that trip so the leg would swell.  I would ice my leg while lying in bed with my leg elevated on one of our suitcases.  Of course one time the zip lock bag just had to leak.  That'll wake you up for sure!

Four years later most of European nations and the USA along with countless other nations are in a stay home, stay safe condition.  Covid 19 has families keeping social distancing with our own children.  Many religious organizations are broadcasting services to avoid close contacts.  In early March a family in Louisiana, USA, mourned to loss of a loved one at a funeral.  Following that funeral over 100 people tested positive for Covid 19.  Thus responsible groups are doing virtual meetings and gatherings.

April 12 four years ago we were visiting Belgrade, Serbia.  We had already been on the pre-cruise and cruise for about 20 days.  Rather than dwell on this day in 2020, I choose to revisit a few joys from that trip.

At the beginning of the cruise we were in The Netherlands.  Here are a few captures that just say spring had arrived.  And maybe a bunny in the mix.

 

May joy fill your soul this day.  May you feel a renewal of your spirit on this day of rejoicing!

Love and Peace,
Janice