SUNDAY~FUNDAY #9 ~ 7-1/2 HR Loop Daytrip

First thing Sunday morning, my phone newsfeed said that there were 30+strains of the coronavirus -(https://futurism.com/neoscope/coronavirus-already-mutated-30-strains) ... and followed that bit of scientific information saying that young and infected people getting coronavirus are having major strokes – not mild – m.a.j.o.r. These are people in their 50’s-40’s-30’s … normally too young to be having major strokes -(https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-stroke-young-people-20200424.html). Add to these 2 new “information’s” to the suspicion that this virus originated in a petri dish in a chinese lab and was knowingly released into the world to cause mayhem and catastrophic death tolls … and the WHO is NOT investigating china???

I decided then and there to turn a deaf ear to “scientists” and “doctors” and go my own way in life to live MY life the way ((((I)))) see fit to live my life.

As I said before: this virus is not behaving how scientists and doctors think it should. Scientists and doctors do not know what they are dealing with; and I am NOT going to give them room to dictate to me.

I am going to enjoy this – MY LIFE – before it’s gone.

Science is NOT {fact}. Science, is, at best guesswork. And at worse … just plain wrong. So far, concerning coronavirus, science has been CONSISTENTLY WRONG. And inslee has said he will ignore The People and only give ear to – and carry out – what science says.

I won’t.

I don’t scamper after misinformation … and I, for sure … do NOT blindly base my decisions on wrong information just because everyone else does! I gather information from all sides – then make a decision based on ALL the assessments. So far, what I KNOW is that science has made clueless guinea pigs out of gullible people who have stopped thinking for themselves and are incapable of making decisions for themselves. These weak-minded people have become willing political pawns.

I am fed up with the egomaniac games being played on all fronts with this unstoppable virus.

I got dressed, washed my hair: went for a ride. I’m sure there were people angry with me – they’d be angry with me anyway, no matter what I do.

Yesterday I made a 7-1/2 hour-loop-drive Remembrance Daytrip. I only got out of my car twice; both times brief and necessary.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScFBqyAN8Bw&feature=emb_title

Getting out of Dodge … leaving the chaotic 4 lanes to find the 1 lane that will ease my mind and soothe my soul.

A swooping buzzard tried to punch my Heavenly Ticket early!

This is the 1st time I've stopped here since this store was closed/bought/remodeled/opened back up. There isn't much inside; but the environment is friendly. This was an annual pit-stop when Bob and I traveled this way.

Restroom door of the remodeled interior has an elk-horn handle: cute ;-)

I bought a Vanilla Coke here and stayed the required distance from the cashier. I liked seeing her wipe the counter and card scanner down: I was in a safe environment. I felt good supporting that small business in my small way.

About a stone's throw from the store, was where Bob's parent's and grandparent's lived in Rosburg when we married in 1974. I love visiting his grandparent's cabin.

Bob’s parents sold and moved to Longview shortly after we married. His grandparent’s lived in their cabin until the late 1980’s – then that was sold too. I really loved that cabin and wanted to buy it, but Bob said “No.” He did not want to live in that area again (it is isolated, and the area does flood: Bob had valid objections). Bob liked city life. I didn’t. We loved each other, so we compromised on living environments all our married life: half of our 44 years were spent living in the country … the last half was spent living in Longview. I’m still living in Longview (can you hear the sarcastic joy in my tone, Babe?)

Naselle. Always a pit-stop when we came this way. I bought a corn dog and a coke here – as usual throughout the years; the required distancing guideline was employed.

The driftwood flanking the road edges is evidence of the treacherous high waters. I had a dyslexia moment when I said 'turn left'. RIGHT is the right way to go ;-)

The day was perfect for a drive: I had the moon roof wide open ... and the music wide open too :-D

That drive was what I was needing; the last time I’d traveled this loop drive was about 2-1/2 years ago. With Bob. I had a hankering then to revisit Nemah & Bay Center; and Bob was agreeable. There isn’t much to see/do there, but I enjoyed the time spent there when my mother and John were married. Nemah was where John grew up, and we spent afternoons there just about every other week, visiting his mother and brothers. I liked Ed … didn’t much care for his uppity racist wife, Ellie. John’s grandmother (his mother’s mom) lived in Bay Center; I liked visiting that place too. Bay Center is a small fishing community on the Bay.

Just a hop-skip-& a jump up the road from Bay Center turn-off, I came upon a bend in the road and saw a stretch of road that I had actually seen in a dream a couple nights ago! My memories were telling my mind I needed to make this drive – I’m glad I was doing it today :-D

And, I was glad there were no high winds blowing: it can get very dangerous here, very quickly. I remember clearly the afternoon I was driving our Caravan Van along this stretch of highway, and the high winds literally lifted the van and physically moved it across the lane: thankfully there were no other vehicles on the road, but it did freak me out. Bob talked me through the experience … but I never want to go through that kind of thing again.

I always liked going through South Bend … and walking through it when we lived in Raymond and did our laundry at the laundromat in South Bend. Today I didn’t see a single sea gull. Darn it.

Seeing the veterinary clinic  about a mile up the road, made me burst out laughing, so I pulled over:

I was laughing so hard with that memory, I had to stop and pullover. LOL

Tyson & Alyna. They loved each other - you could always find them together.

We had a little Pomeranian that we had bought for Stacey on her 18^th birthday … and she promptly gave him back to us: she wanted a Great Dane. So, she didn’t get a dog; we did. But, he was such a character that he stole our hearts and was a wonderful companion. Until we ended up with Tyson, dogs terrified me. But Tyson was so darned cute, and he was very instrumental in Bob’s recovery process. And he really didn’t have a dog odor, so I didn’t have any asthmatic issues at all with him.

When I started working and being gone from home most of the day, Tyson and Bob became very close; and Tyson started getting territorial – one night I came home from work and he wouldn’t let me into bed: he actually tried to bite me every time I made a move towards the bed … so, I became Alpha Female, and he got neutered.

He didn’t like being left overnight at the veterinary clinic. He barked nonstop, growled, bit the doctor, and terrorized the staff. When we went to collect him, they called him ‘the dog from hell: and said, “You may want to take a chair in there with you to stand behind – he bites.” Bob and I burst out laughing, and said, “Are you sure you’re talking about Tyson Hargand?” They said, yes – same dog. Bob couldn’t stop laughing, and said, “He’ll be okay with me.” The doctor and staff were very surprised when Bob walked into the holding room and Tyson started whining for Bob to pick him up; and started licking his hand and became very docile, looking up at Bob’s face with his adorable brown adoring eyes and licking his chin. The doctor said, “Well, I’ll be damned.” We paid the surgical bill and took him home. And the little furry punk pulled every single stitch out with his teeth! So, back to the clinic we had to take him. This time, Bob went into the operating room with Tyson and there was no incident.

But Bob said the doctor’s hand did shake while he re-stitched the incision. To this day, I still laugh when I think about that time in our lives … including Tyson’s life, and that staff here at this clinic ;-)

A little bit down the road, I saw the restaurant Bob & I used to eat at:

I remember when that restaurant was built and opened - Bob and I were among the first customers.

When I got past the veterinary clinic and the ‘Barge’ Restaurant, I didn’t see the familiar landmark that normally indicated the road I needed to turn onto: instead there was a stupid round-about in the middle of the road, with cars going every direction. I was momentarily confused for a few seconds, but blindly turned right and stayed right: praying there wouldn’t be any more startling surprises awaiting me further on.

It had been 2-1/2 years since I’d been in that region – and a lot can happen in 2-1/2 years: and had with that stupid concrete circle in the center of the road.

At the top of the hill, I thought maybe I’d nip onto Romany road that would take me to Willipa Harbor Christian Fellowship, where we’d been hosted for about 12 months,1993 thru 1994; and where Bob helped teach the kids in the school there. EVERYTHING HAD CHANGED. Houses had been torn down/new houses had been rebuilt. Houses had been remodeled/exteriors drastically altered. I knew I had turned left onto the right road … but nothing was familiar. So, because I am not shy, I saw this man and his adult son remodeling a house and cutting boards outside the garage – so I pulled into the driveway and told them what I was looking for; and they pointed me the way: we were careful to stay the required distance apart.

When I found the building, it appeared abandoned. The paint is peeling. The sign has been removed. It was, when we were there, just a small 1-room building: now it is quite a bit larger (it had been added onto over the years) – and sad looking.

So I left; and won’t be revisiting that place anymore.

As soon as Bob got word in October of 1995, that there was work for him back in Longview … he went back there and hunkered down with some friends we had then, on Eufaula Heights; and as soon as Alyna was born, we all moved back to Longview with him. I quit my job in Raymond, and the kids with the baby left Aberdeen to find work in Longview so I could babysit our granddaughter. Alyna was born November 4^th … and we were all back in Longview, living with Bob on Eufaula Heights: with me cooking Thanksgiving Supper, November 24^th. The kids didn’t stay in Longview long – they moved back to Portland, OR when Alyna was a few months old: Greg was from Portland, OR; and Stacey was never happy living anywhere but Portland.

But Longview was always where Bob wanted to be. He was a happy camper when we ended up in Longview for good: I was just happy Bob was happy. Now he resides in Heaven – and I am trying to be happy in Longview. Friends make it tolerable; Elohim makes it possible.

I remember the first time I did solo driving from Raymond to Longview over the backroads (Menlo-Pe Ell-Boisfort-Wildwood-Vader-West Side Highway). We had moved from Cathlamet in the Fall of 1993; put our home there up for sale, and was starting a new chapter in of our life in Raymond, after the kids graduated and left home. Some Longview friends of ours back then wanted me to come visit on my day off work while Bob was helping with the Willipa Harbor Christian Fellowship school – but I didn’t want to drive the freeway, I wanted to drive the backroads: I knew it was possible because Bob did it all the time. So, Bob told me how to do that, and I wrote the directions down. Bob said a prayer-cut me loose-and let me fledge: I was excited, and scared at the same time. This was a HUGE moment for the both of us. Bob always laughed when he told people I could get lost crossing Longview … but there was a lot of truth in that statement! I kissed Bob, hopped into my truck, and hit the road. I don’t think Bob breathed an easy breath for hours until I reached my destination and called him to let him know I had arrived safely ;-)

We left the Willipa Hills region 24 years ago, and revisited it off and on over the years. But, I am a person who has to do a thing consistently, or it is easily forgotten: out of sight/out of mind. I haven’t made this drive in quite a while. Things have changed; landmarks have changed - or been forgotten with the passing of time. The drive is different without Bob – I miss Bob's comforting presence along for the ride, and that changes how the drive progresses. It was an enjoyable drive, but things have changed.

I had the moon roof open until I reached Pe Ell; Pe Ell is a rural farming community, and the reason I closed the moon roof there was because one day while Bob and I were driving around country backroads, I spotted an eagle flying in the sky with a snake dangling from it’s talons. That concerned me … I mean, the way the snake was thrashing around, it could have wriggled out of the eagle’s claws and possibly fallen through the open moon roof. I closed the moon roof quick! And I keep the moon roof closed when in rural farm country. Why risk it? I’d rather have the moon roof open – but snakes raining from the sky and falling into the car would not be something I’d want to experience!

Turning towards Wildwood & Vader, I caught sight of 4 horses running along the barbed wire fence on the passenger side of the car, and thought they were a beautiful sight. I love horses, and I miss riding horses. When I was 13 living in Skamokawa, I rode Henry (the neighbor’s horse) just about every day after school. I walked him, fed him, curried his beautiful chestnut coat and pitch-black mane and tail: I rode him like I owned him. I always wanted a horse of my own. But Bob always said, “No”. He didn’t want a horse. He’d grown up with horses and he’d ridden horses – he sat a horse real fine … but he refused to own a horse and wouldn’t consider buying one for me. I understood his reasoning; but I missed riding a horse. I missed having a horse of my own.

Watching those 4 horses race along the fenceline this afternoon, with their manes and tails flying straight out behind their muscular forms … I couldn’t help thinking they were beautiful creatures. It made my heart happy to watch them running so carefree and having fun together; looking wonderful in the field, enjoying the good weather. They were pretty young and feeling their oats. None of them could have been more than a yearling.

Driving through the farm country, it was sad seeing the fields going to grass. One farmer did till his fields; but the rest of the fields don’t look like they’ll be turned over at all. It’s like the farmers have decided to cut their losses during this coronavirus uncertainty, and just call it a year. That’s sad.

I only burned a quarter tank of gas for my roadtrip Sunday afternoon. And I was surprised to see that when the hours on the road were tallied, I’d driven for 7-1/2 hours straight!

I also had an eye-opening and heartfelt appreciation for my husband’s unconditional love for me. I had no idea the drive was that long. I almost cried thinking of the loving sacrifice Bob gave me when he willingly gave up this significant wedge of time to satisfy my gypsy bone and see me smile.

When I reached Longview, I topped the tank off (Bob always parked our vehicles with a full tank of gas. Always), washed the bugs off the windows, and … received a phone call inviting me to Supper: I went/enjoyed good company/talked about the 'good old days'/and ate a good meal :-D

When I actually made home (2 hours after reaching Longview), my SIL Bonnie texted me some photos – some I had requested, and 1 I had never seen before. That 1 was taken on our Wedding Night. I was SO THANKFUL to get that one!

We were so happy … and the happiness never disappeared – it may have wavered now and then, as in most marriages when disagreements arose; but the happiness we gave each other never disappeared.

I love you, Babe.

Always ~ OX

SUNDAY~FUNDAY POSTS (2020): #8 -  https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2020/03/sundayfunday-8-willow-grove-trail-walk.html

#7 - https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2020/03/sundayfunday-7-love-lies-here.html

#6 - https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2020/01/sunday-funday-6.html

#5 (1^st of the New Year w-links to the previous 4 from 2019) - https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2020/01/sundayfunday-5.html

THANKFUL SHABBAT

Every Shabbat I try to find something different to be thankful for.

This week – and always, actually – I am thankful Elohim put Bob & I in each other’s lives :-D

Bob had “presence”.

And lucky for me, he didn’t understand that ;-)

Bob was a good-looking guy … i.n.e.v.e.r.y.w.a.y. He had a very handsome face, and a physical physique that could rival any one of the ancient gods sculpted.

Bob was put together very well.

And women, and girls, noticed that about him.

He didn’t notice them noticing – but I noticed them noticing: I was the one getting the evil eye from those females eyeing him up and down and wondering why he was choosing to date me exclusively.

Bob never understood that he was a very sexy man. It surprised him when I told him that he was a sexy man, and very desirable by jealous females shooting daggers at me with their eyes when we passed by. Those girls and women watching us walk by knew he was a sexy man, and I felt very privileged to be the center of his attention.

He could have had his choice of anybody … and he chose me.

And I’m thankful he chose me.

I’m thankful that when Elohim finally put our lives together, He closed Bob’s eyes to his personal appeal from another female’s point of view ;-)

Bob didn’t have an ego, thank Elohim.

And he didn’t flaunt himself, like his brother ralph did. ralph always believed himself to be the cock of the walk. Bob didn’t have that outlook of himself – Bob was a humble man – he didn’t consider himself below another man … but neither did he think himself above other men, as ralph did. Bob was comfortable in his own skin: there wasn’t a competitiveness in him to ‘prove’ he was all man; and that comfortableness put other men at ease around him.

Bob’s complete ignorance that he had stuff to flaunt was lucky for me. And I’m glad his eyes were closed to the other girls and women drooling over him.

I always felt truly blessed that Bob was part of my life for the 44 years we were blessed to enjoy together.

So, tonight I am blessing Elohim for Who He IS; and thanking Him for favoring me as His daughter & for the way He honored me by blessing me with a man that loved me unconditionally and was 100% faithful to me in thought, action, and choice.

All my life I have been covered with Elohim’s Shabbat Shalom.

When Elohim spared Bob’s life in 1981, saved his soul, and returned him to me … one of the messianic musicians Bob listened to (other than Israel’s Hope) was Jonathan Settel. This song was one of Bob’s favorites :-D

Listening to it tonight, I can see in my mind’s eye: Bob putting the music in the player and dancing through the house – snapping his fingers and grabbing pieces of Challah from the loaves fresh out of the oven. And wiggling his eyebrows at me when I laughingly made to slap at his hands in feigned frustration of him not letting the loaves cool ;-)

For a big man, Bob was surprisingly light on his feet.

The last time Bob pinched hot Challah was 5 days before our lives started unraveling in 2018. 3-1/2 months later, I would be a widow.

(http://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2018/08/enthusiastic-day.html)

Man! I MISS my man.

I love You, Yeshua.

I love you, Babe.

Always ~ OX

POCKETED BABY SWEATER JACKET PATTERN ~ 6 MO

Materials: Bernat Baby Sport (10.5 oz. skein); 1 pair US #3 knitting needles; 1 pair + a spare US #6 knitting needles; 2 stitch holders; 6 buttons.

This pattern is not my own - it comes from a Baby Pattern Book.

Terms used:

Co = cast on

K = knit.

P = purl

St st = stockinette sticth

Inc = increase

Dec = decrease

Sl = slip 1 st purlwise

Psso = pass 1 st over slip st

Rpt = repeat

Back: With #3 needles, co 65 sts.

1^st Row (Right Side): K1, *P1, K1. Rpt from * to end of row.

2^nd Row: P1, *K1, P1. Rpt from * to end of row.

Rpt these two rows (K1, P1) ribbing twice more. 6 rows in all.

Change to #6 needles and proceed in st st until work from beginning measures 6-1/2 inches – ending with right side facing for next row.

To shape raglans: Cast off 2 sts beginning of next 2 rows. Work 2 rows even.

1^st Row: K1, sl 1, K1, psso – k to last 3 sts – k2tog, K1.

2^nd Row: P

Rpt last two rows until 23 sts remain on needle, ending with right side facing. Cast off remaining sts.

Jacket Back done.

**I worked the pockets into the front pieces at the ribbed hemline before starting the body of the sweater fronts – for me, it was simpler**. But if you are new to knitting … stick with the pattern as printed until you gain confidence enough to try more advanced workmanship.

Pocket Linings (make 2): With # 6 needles, co 21 sts and work 24 rows st st; ending with right side facing for next row. Using # 3 needles, k across 21 sts.

K 4 rows. Cast off knitways (wrong side). Leave long tail of yarn for sewing pocket in place. Leave these sts on a spare needle.

I always work my front pieces together – for me, it helps keep the sizing accurate. But if you are new to knitting … stick with the pattern as printed until you gain confidence enough to try more advanced workmanship.

Worked both Front pieces at same time for exact lengthwise measurements.

Left Front: **With #3 needles, co 31 sts. Work 6 rows in (K1, P1) ribbing as given for Back & inc 1 st at center of last row: 32 sts on needle.

Change to #6 needles, and proceed in st st for 24 rows – ending with right side facing for next row.**

To place pocket: Next Row: K4. Sl next 21 sts onto a st holder. K21 sts from pocket lining. K to end of row.

Continue even in st st until work from beginning measures same length as Back to beginning of raglan shaping, ending with right side facing for next row.

To shape raglan: Cast off 2 sts beginning of next row. Work 3 rows even.

1^st Row: K1, sl 1, K1, passo. K to end of row.

2^nd Row: Purl.

Rpt last two rows until there are 15 sts left on needle; end with wrong side facing for next row.

To shape Neck: Next Row: Cast off 6 sts (neck edge). Purl to end of row.

Dec 1 st at neck edge on next and following 2 alternate rows, at same time, continue dec’ing at raglan edge as before until there are 2 sts left on needle. Work 1 row even.

Next Row: Work 2tog. Fasten off.

Right Front: Work ** to ** as written for Left front.

To place pocket: Next Row: K7. Sl next 21 sts onto a st holder. K21 sts from pocket lining. K to end of row.

Continue even in st st until work from beginning measures same length as Back to beginning of raglan shaping, ending with wrong side facing for next row.

To shape raglan: Cast off 2 sts beginning next row. Work 2 rows even.

1^st Row: K to last 3 sts. K2tog, K1.

2^nd Row: Purl.

Rpt these last 2 rows until 15 sts remain on needle, ending with right side facing for next row.

To shape Neck: Next Row: Cast off 6 sts (neck edge). K to last 3 sts. K2tog, K1.

Purl 1 row.

Dec 1 st at neck edge on next and following 2 alternate rows, at same time, continue dec’ing at raglan edge as before to 2 sts on needle. Work 1 row even.

Next Row: Work 2tog. Fasten off.

Front pieces done.

**I always work my sleeve pieces together – for me, it helps keep the sizing accurate**. But if you are new to knitting … stick with the pattern as printed until you gain confidence enough to try more advanced workmanship.

Sleeves: With #3 needles, co 33 sts. Work 1-1/2-inches in (K1, P1) ribbing as written for Back, ending on a 2^nd row and inc’ing 12 sts evenly across last row: 45 sts on needle.

Change to #6 needles and proceed in st st, inc’ing 1 st at each end of needle on 5^th and following 4^th rows until there are 61 sts on needle.

Continue even until work from beginning measures 6”, ending with right side facing for next row.

To shape raglans: Cast off 2 sts beginning of next 2 rows.

1^st Row: K1, sl 1, K1, psso. K to last 3 sts, k2tog, K1.

2^nd Row: P1, P2tog. Purl to last 3 sts, P2tog, P1.

3^rd Row: As 1^st row.

4^th Row: Purl.

Rpt last 4 rows four times more, ending with right side facing for next row: 27 sts on needle.

1^st Row: K1, sl 1, K1, psso. Knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1.

2^nd Row: Purl.

Rpt last two rows until there are 7 sts on needle, ending with right side facing for next row. Cast off.

Sleeves finished.

**I always ‘hem’ my ribbed hems as I work my hood – for me this is easier and saves time**. But if you are new to knitting … stick with the pattern as printed until you gain confidence enough to try more advanced workmanship.

Ribbed face hem of Hood piece knitted together to form drawstring casing.

Working st st hood piece above ribbed drawstring casing.

Hood: With #3 needles co 97 sts. Work 4 rows (K1, P1) ribbing as written for Back.

Next Row: Purl (fold line). Work 5 more rows ribbing.

Change to #6 needles and proceed in st st until work from fold line measures 5-1/2 inches, ending with right side facing for next row.

1^st Row: K1, *K2tog, K10. Rpt from * to end of row.

2^nd Row: Purl:

3^rd Row: K1. *K2tog, K9. Rpt from * to end of row.

4^th Row: Purl.

Continue in this manner, dec’ing 8 sts evenly across next and alternating rows until there are 9 sts on needle. Break yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing. Draw end of yarn through remaining sts and fasten off securely.

Hood piece.

**I always work my buttonhole/button bands at the same time – for me this is easier, saves, and ensures the lengths match**. But if you are new to knitting … stick with the pattern as printed until you gain confidence enough to try more advanced workmanship.

Buttonhole Band: With #3 needles, co 9 sts.

1^st Row (Right side): K2 (P1. K1) three times. K1.

2^nd Row: (K1, P1) four times. K1.

Girl’s version: 3^rd Row: Rib 3, cast off 2 sts, rib 4.

4^th Row: Rib, co 2 sts over cast off sts.

Boy’s version: 3^rd Row: Rib 4, cast off 2 sts, rib 3.

4^th Row: Rib, co 2 sts over cast off sts.

Both versions: Work 14 rows more of ribbing.

Rpt last 16 rows four times more; then 3^rd and 4^th rows once; 6 buttonholes made. Work 2 rows ribbing. Cast off in ribbing.

Buttonhole & Button Bands

Button Band: Work to correspond to buttonhole band – omitting buttonholes.

Pocket Borders: With right side of work facing, use #3 needles and knit across 21 sts from pocket st holder. Knit 4 rows. Cast of knitways (wrong side).

To Make Up: Sew raglan sleeves to Back piece.

Sew side and sleeve seams.

Sew buttonhole band to right side for Girl’s version … or to the left, for Boy’s version. Sew button band in position.

Sew center back seam of hood from point to beginning of hood decreases. Fold casing at front of hood to inside along fold-line – and sew in position, leaving openings at end to insert twisted cord. Sew hood to neck edge. Insert twisted cord through hood casing. Sew pompom to point of hood. Sew buttons to correspond to buttonholes. Sew pocket lining in position on wrong side … and pocket borders in position on right side. Do not press.

Baby Sweater jacket finished. 6 MO

To Make Twisted Cord: Cut 2 strands of yarn 96-inches long. With both strands together, hold one end – and have someone else hold the other end. Twist strands to the right until they begin to curl. Fold the 2 ends together and knot so they will not unravel. The strands will now twist themselves together to form a cord. Adjust length if desired.

To Make Pompom: Wind yarn around 3 fingers approximately 75 times. Remove from fingers and tie tightly in the center. Cut through each side of loops. Trim to a smooth round shape.

THIS WEEK

This week I’ve been a good girl – I’ve hunkered down at home; doing things around the castle and castle grounds, but I’m thinking I may jump the threshold Sunday and go for a drive ;-).

Florida has opened up, and Pasco, WA has followed suit today. Hopefully, inslee will stop being a fascist dictator and lift the restrictions he illegally slapped down on Washingtonians. People are ready to go back to work, and the rest of us need to get on with our lives too: quarantine does not work, and the government hog-tying us and trapping us in our homes for years “to protect” us is insane. America was founded to get away from heavy-handed government power trips. It’s is waaay past time for The People to insist our States be opened up.

That said … here’s some of what I’ve been doing for the past 10 days:

Reading down the paper shown, and checking off things, I have showered – but will not be posting pics to that effect: NO ONE wants to see that!

I don’t do meds … but I do Vitamins – and had to laugh when an episode of ‘I Love Lucy’ popped into my thoughts. My vitamins don’t taste quite as icky, but some can be a test of tolerance:

I've added taking my temperature when I go out in public to my daily vitamin regime.

I have been keeping hydrated – I don’t want to end up in ER for any reason.

I’ve done SO much house cleaning during this stupid lockdown (I’m so fricking b.o.r.e.d.), that I am beginning to hate the smell of house cleaners – and the combined odors is not good for my asthma either …

Some of the seedlings I planted a few weeks ago have sprouted their secondary leaves, so I planted them outside in the garden boxes Bob built for me the 18 months he was living here, in the castle, with me:

Rutabaga; 12 ct

Dragon Radish; 3 ct

Cauliflower - left, 4 ct;  Choi’s - Center, 4 ct EA; Broccoli - Right, 4 ct

Clean regrowth & healthy blossoms. 2020

Diseased limbs cut off last Summer; severe pruning. 2019

I am always mindfully present; especially when it comes to music. Today was Steve Miller music day …

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gkg3Ck37k0

And when working with my hands; knitting and crochet work is my ‘sensory’ therapy ;-)

Baby Sweater Jacket Fronts completed; 6 MO. Pattern will be posted when the Sweater Jacket is sewn together later this week.

I see birds outside my livingroom window lighting down on the Bird Feeder, and stuffing the Bird House with tiny twigs and dried grass bits for nest building:

Bird feeder Bob designed and built for me.

And my ‘spiritual practice’ is reading Bob’s Bible from cover to cover this year. It was to go to Azariah, but Stacey forbids him receiving it. She hates Christianity: she hates me because I am a Christian, and will not allow our grandson to have his grandfather’s Bible as a keepsake. That is sad. And I find people who claim to be tolerable of differences, to be very intolerable when it comes to Christianity.

I have my own Bible (several actually, though I prefer my KJV), but I will read Bob’s because it comforts me that it is his. And it is meant to be used …

I read it every morning before I get up out of bed. Sometimes I read it at night with the headlamp.

I reach out to other humans – I enjoy the new neighbors at the back end of our Lot, when we are outside at the same time: we practice ‘safe distancing’. They are quite a bit older than me, so I am careful to keep a comfortable distance between us when we chat over the fence.

I get my heart rate up by exercising … and dancing to the music I play throughout the days:

 

The 1 thing I am glad I do, is to call or text my granddaughters and friends every week during this lockdown to ask how they are doing – and to let them know I am thinking of them. That is important. Being trapped in the house can get depressing and people start feeling like no one cares about them. The onset of depression is another reason the governors need to open the states up and get people back to living a life of quality: for however long they have their lives. What good is it to “save” people’s lives if you destroy their minds?

The 1 thing I did this week, “just because”, was to paint the plant stand I bought when I was in Adna last week. It is a nice stand, but it was rusty and needed repainted.

So, I did that this afternoon …

Painted plant stand will be finished with a sealer.

I blended these two colors (whole bottles) ‘Mountain Blue’ & ‘Arbor Green’ to get the desired color tint I wanted.

And I get in several laughs a day watching old black-n-white movies on Youtube in between house cleaning, exercising, crafting, and gardening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZGoCo9afSw

This is how I spend my time; my week days are pretty full days despite being trapped indoors.

But I am missing people – no so much interacting with people, as just having people in my day in some capacity.

My busy week days and lack of companionship in my immediate space are why I will be going for a loooong drive come Sunday ;-)