May 2, 2020

The State of Washington is in a Stay at Home condition at this time. We have been since sometime in March. We are living through a worldwide pandemic dealing with a virus called the Corona Virus, or Covid -19 as they are calling it. It began in China and in a matter of weeks it spread through out the world. In order to slow the spread of the virus, we have to stay away from people. They know that people could not be showing any signs of the virus but they could pass it on to someone. The older folks and those with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk. Wally fits both of those categories. 

We have been home for weeks and weeks. I'd have to look at the calendar to see just how many weeks it's been. We were fortunate for our food storage in our pantry when it all started. Since then we have had groceries delivered, I've picked groceries up curb side after ordering online and I've gone inside Safeway twice and Costco once. This week I was able to go to Federal Way and donate blood.

We have discovered Door Dash to support the local restaurants and give me a break from cooking! We visit with the neighbors across the street but remain at a distance from each other. Fortunately we were already retired so our fixed income didn't change. Our adult children all are still employed. It did interrupt our grand daughter's first year of college and our other grand daughter's school year.

I stay busy. We've been fortunate that this has happened in the springtime when it's so pretty here in Washington State. There is plenty of yard work. I started the random seed packets I had in the storage shed and they are doing well. I have traded sourdough starter for tomato starts.

It's been a time of self reflection, a time of discovery, a time of connecting with each other in different ways. It's been Sunday School class and church leadership meetings over a video call on the computer. 

It's been video calls with family in other states. I get outside and walk as much as the weather permits. We do WW meetings via Zoom. 

Just recently the governor extended the Stay at Home order until the end of May. They are going to work on a 4 phase approach of reopening things. But keeping everyone safe. The worst that could happen is we reopen to soon and the positive numbers with the virus rise.

There have been so many deaths in our state. Health Care Workers are over extended and living some of the most stressful times in their lives.

I'm full of gratitude for what we have. We live in a modern society with so many conveniences. We will get through this. Never in my life did I imagine I would live through something like this. It shows us that we're not really in control. But we are in control of our actions and how we respond.

Carry on people, be safe. 

2020

It's a new year! It's been a long wet winter here in Kent. The last couple of days we've had some sunshine but still in the 40's. I walked the backyard the other day and spied my hyacinth bulbs peeking through.

I'm getting close to hitting my three year retirement mark. It's hard to believe three years have flown by. It's been great. I'm very happy I retired when I did.

To give you an idea of how I spend my days, yesterday on Monday, my friend and I went indoor walking at our Showare events center for 45 minutes, then we went to the senior activity center for a healthy eating class on eating to control inflammation. It was very educational and right now I have raw walnuts soaking in water. They will then be drained and rinsed and dried in a low oven. I never even knew that was a thing. 

Here is information on why you might want to soak raw nuts before eating them:
https://wholelifestylenutrition.com/recipes/appetizers-snacks/is-soaking-nuts-necessary-how-to-properly-soak-your-organic-raw-nuts/

I've been wanting a food dehydrator for a few years now. If I like these soaked, dehydrated nuts I just might invest in one. For tonight they'll be in a low, slow oven overnight. I know it's going to freak out Wally and it will be hard to explain why I'm leaving the oven on all night! Maybe he won't notice.

Also, yesterday I watched my friend's 9 year old son in the afternoon. Which means we watched Sponge-bob Square Pants, while eating warm brownies which were sent home with him.

After dinner I drove to downtown Seattle, to Benaroya Hall for the National Geographic Live event. My friend, Chris and I have been going to this speaker series for quite a few years now. It gives us a chance to see each other and catch up on things and enjoy beautiful photography and learn more about conserving the earth. 

Last night's scientist was a woman who actually was an ice skater through college. She almost made it to the Olympics! It was about the animals that live in the middle depth of the ocean. Quite fascinating. 

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/kakani-katija-bioengineer-and-research-diver/

And also about how science and inventions learn from nature. Did you know that Velcro was patterned after a plant called burdock burrs? 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_de_Mestral

Today was a more chilled day. My friend and I went to our weekly Tai Chi class. It's a modified simple version which begins with stretches and ends with meditation. It's been a great class. After that I ran a few errands, then relaxed at home watching last night's episode of Manifest and a couple of episodes of Locke and Key on Netflix.

Tonight after dinner, I have two church meetings back to back. That's how my days go. Always on the go, but I do know how to relax.

Here are a couple of pictures I took on my Sunday afternoon walk.