While I was walking on my treadmill this morning I started thinking about Laura Ingalls Wilder, and her mother. I'm sure her mother had it worse in many ways, living out on the prairie with no people nearby. But she had kids and I guess her husband kept her company when he wasn't working and trying to build a homestead. How DID those pioneer women do it! Many came from eastern cities and probably didn't have the slightest idea what they had signed on to. So here I am, isolated although there are people on all sides, people who wave and maybe call out a "hello", but there is no real social contact at all. At least if you are following the rules and guidelines, which I do my best to follow. I don't know about you, but I'm almost ready to cave in and hope I die quickly and be done with it.
The worst of all this is that if I actually live through this phase, the next one, and the one after that, might possibly be worse. I sure didn't expect my "golden years" to be like this.
This would be a good day to do some work in my garden since it is cloudy and not too hot, but so far I've avoided doing much except take Rocky for a walk and do my treadmill. Thank goodness for that treadmill! It's so boring I don't walk more than a mile a day on it, but I'm quite proud of myself for doing that.
Since everyone is trying to stay safe most businesses, such as hairdressers, are closed. So after years of wearing my hair short it is getting close to being long! I cut my bangs every other week and with my vision problems I can only guess if they are straight. Lord only knows what I look like when I step out the door. Hopefully, the people who might be walking on the other side of the street wont notice!
I hope some of you leave comments about what you are doing to get through this. I know many of you are creative and knit, crochet, paint, etc. Are you still at it, or have you become so bored you have stopped or switch to something else.
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The full time RV world (not the recreational campers) has surprised me at how well behaved they have been. There is still lots of lawn chair circles for visiting. The change on that is the circles spread out a lot bigger (6-7- feet apart) than in the past. Masks are a prime feature if we get closer together for some reason.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear it, Barney. Full timers have a lot at stake in staying safe on the road.
DeleteI too have felt like giving up. Last week was really tough but this week is better. We are going to brave the world and get our hair cut on Saturday. It's a two person salon with masks for everyone. But I'm scared. I really dont do much in isolation. I dont have hobbies so I read and watch game shows. We are still planning on heading to Montana next month so Jim has been busy working on the little trailer. We haven't used it in almost two years. We will isolate in Montana - me in the trailer and Jim on the water.
ReplyDeleteMontana sound like a good place to isolate. I don't even know if hairdressers around here have kept their shops open.
DeleteI have had a lot of great adventures in Montana since my first time there in Dec.70.
DeleteI drove across Montana several years ago on a cross-country trip. I've been in all 50 states, and some of the memories fade.
DeleteIf the treadmill is movable turn it towards your television set. With the distraction you will be able to increase your distance.
ReplyDeleteWe spend most of our time on the Computers with me exercising every few days. I wear a Mask and Gloves to do the grocery shopping while Kathy insist on staying in the apartment.
Be Safe and Enjoy!
It's about time.
I spend WAAAAY too much time on the computer, so I've ordered a tv set (to be delivered today or maybe tomorrow, just for something different. I've never been a TV watcher and don't know how I'll feel about it when it arrives.
DeleteI get antsie every once in awhile and think I'm going to go shopping, then I think no not a good idea and find something else to do. I stay pretty busy. I thought about buying a TV to watch while I ride my bike but I seem to do OK reading my Kindle. I would have to buy a smart tv to be able to watch YouTube and I don't think it is worth spending the money just to watch YouTube. Id rather save the money for a treadmill.
ReplyDeleteWell, what do you know. I just ordered a tv from Costco and hope it will be delivered tomorrow. I had one of the same kind before (I gave it to Donald because I don't really like TV), but may be I'm ready to watch something other than this computer. It gets enough programs that I won't need to pay for access to the regular channels.
DeleteI had a Nook (from Barnes & Noble) that I loved but it finally gave out and I bought a Kindle. I didn't have anyone to set it up for me so I did my best, but I wish I had bought another Nook. By the way, my 40" TV is from Costco and cost under $300 including tax. I hope it's just like the one I gave to Donald. He likes gaming in his spare time, and the big tv works very well for him. I'd never ask him to give it back so I just ordered another one.
I forgot to say that the treadmill has been the best thing I have purchased for myself in years. My treadmill was not as expensive as many of them are - between 600 and 700. It is specifically designed for seniors so it has a nice easy to read display that isn't full of numbers that I don't care about. I see calories burned (not of interest to me), speed,and distance walked. It also has handlebars that run the entire length of the treadmill, which is a plus for an older person. I did a google search for "treadmills for seniors" (or something like that) and was very happy with my choices, and with my final selection.
DeleteI am so glad you are getting a TV! I think it will help you cope with the isolation a lot! I'm sure you will be telling us about it during coming days.
ReplyDeleteWhen we stopped traveling in the RV and needing satellite tv, I bought a regular antenna to go on the roof. Got it from Amazon. With that we have way more channels than we need. And, of course, if you did get a smart TV, you can make use of your wifi. That opens lots of doors. Good luck with it.
Thanks. I've never been much for watching TV so I probably will never use it to the best and fullest extent possible. I just want something for a change. I don't even know if there is an antenna on this house, so I may have to get someone to get the TV working if it doesn't do so right away.
DeleteI too live by myself and unfortunately do not have a Rocky to keep me company. So, once a week I go to the post office to pick up the mail (no home delivery in my area) and every second week pick up groceries.
ReplyDeleteThe way I keep my sanity is with my quilting. I belong to a quilting group (though no meetings since the first of February) and we make quilts for foster kids in our local vicinity and quilts for new residents at our local hospital's assisted living facility. Right now I have three I am finishing up. Today I finished a quilt that I am gifting to my daughter and son-in-law as a surprise. I noted on the label on the backside of the quilt that it was made during the 2020 COVID 19 Pandemic as a remembrance of this time. I also do embroidery work and knit. Keeps me busy and sure helps pass the time.
Don't despair times will get better again. My faith is strong.
I'm sure things will get better in the long run, although it looks like this thing could hang on for quite a while. I don't want the "golden" years of my life to be isolated and insulated by a virus!
DeleteI'm guessing you may never get to see the joy your quilts bring the foster children. In my job as a school counselor I saw children picked up by Social Services and taken away with nothing but what they happened to have in their backpacks that day. I know a quilt would have given a child in that situation a lot of comfort. You've done good in this world.
ReplyDeleteOver the last few years I have probably made 25 or more quilts for the foster children. Our group was told by the Social Services person in charge of our area that sometimes when the child is given the quilt it is the first time they ever received something new that was all their own. I have not forgotten that and it has inspired me to keep on quilting for the "kids" as I call them. Just finished another one yesterday and will continue to make them as long as I am able. Making these quilts is an act of kindness that repays me one hundred fold.
ReplyDeleteOur group used to refer to the quilts as charity quilts, but a couple of years ago changed that to comfort quilts which I feel is so much more fitting.