Well, it's mid-June and, unintentionally, a month has passed since my last blog post. Rainy season, with almost daily late afternoon storms, is here, Covid19 shows no sign of leaving, and life goes on...
Life in the time of COVID//
The state of Florida was just opening around the time of my last post and now we're seeing record numbers of COVID19 cases daily. Hospitalizations are also rising, so this is not just a result of increased testing... a very disturbing trend.
On the island, most residents are wearing masks while most visitors/tourists are not. Off island, I'm seeing a slight increase in mask use, but the majority still do not wear them. Sigh.
As for our activities, we are still restricting contact with the outside world. We have, however, cautiously extended our "close circle" to include my 92-year-old FIL and sister-in-law. We are not allowed to visit their retirement community, so they come to see us. I continue to grocery shop weekly in the early morning. The store is very quiet then, the aisles are one-way, and it feels fairly safe.
After several weeks of curbside service, our library is open again. It was a treat to browse the stacks with Daughter #1 and my SIL. Everyone wore masks, patrons were extremely respectful of social distance, and there were "stand here" decals around the front desk for checkout. I probably won't do this again as curbside service is still available and I prefer reading on my kindle.
We've dined at a couple of our favorite restaurants. We ate outdoors, the tables were well-spaced, and all servers wore masks. Since they were following CDC recommendations (many establishments do not) we will continue to visit occasionally.
Hair salons opened a month ago and I finally made an appointment. Tomorrow I will go in with clean, wet hair, get a haircut, and leave with wet hair. I'm not ready to spend extra time indoors to get my hair colored yet. I'll continue to hold off on the nail salon, too.
We've hosted a couple of socially-distant patio happy hours. Just one other couple attends and they bring their own beverages... it's good to catch up with friends in person!
Our oldest daughter returned to NYC this week. Twin A will stay with us another week and a half. In many ways, these past three months have been a bonus - we never expected to spend this much time with our adult children again!
Finished this week//
The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo
I loved this book! It's the type of multi-generational family drama that ticks all the boxes for me - complex, well-developed characters, complicated relationships, and long-buried secrets. Best of all, the writing is excellent. I still can't believe it's a debut novel. A read/listen combination for me, the audio version narrated by Emily Rankin was very well done. This book will surely appear on my year-end list of favorites. I hope Claire Lombardo is already at work on her next novel!
Current reading//
You Think It, I'll Say It by Curtis Sittenfeld
I read the first story in this collection last night and can't wait to pick it up again. It's been too long since I last read short stories.
Listening to//
by T Kira Madden, narrated by the author
I recently picked this up as an audible daily deal and started listening a couple of days ago. I'll likely finish later today.
Later this week//
More of the same... kind of sad that my haircut will be the big event. My FIL and SIL will come over for dinner at some point, too. The news has become even more disturbing lately, so I will continue to limit my intake to morning newspapers and some evening television. My afternoon reading time is a welcome escape!
We are finally in the home stretch of the remodel. Appliances were delivered last week and installation is in progress. I'm hoping it's done by this time next month... fingers crossed.
How are you holding up? What have you been reading?
The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.
It's Monday... What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.
I'm glad you have given us a much-needed update on how things have been going with you. I am completely frustrated with people in my town and their cavalier attitude toward the virus. The Rotary Club meets across the street from us and last week there were so many people at the meeting that the cars overflowed out of the parking lot. Not a mask to be seen.
ReplyDeleteMy hairdresser isn't using masks or taking precautions, so I won't be visiting her any time soon. I will either let my hair grow out this summer or I will find a new, more careful hairdresser.
I'm glad there were some good parts of this pandemic for you; I'm glad you were able to spend time with your adult children.
And if you think The Most Fun will be on your best-of-the-year list, I'm adding it to my wish list.
Deb - It's really shocking that so many people have no concerns about the virus or think it's a hoax. The Rotary here stopped meeting months ago then transitioned to Zoom. Not sure when they'll go back to in person meeting. My hairdresser was wearing a mask today, but I will wait as long as possible before going back. Hope you get a chance to try The Most Fun We Ever Had... it was a long book, but never felt that way to me.
DeleteCan't wait until our library is open again. I NEED a library fix! Have fun at yours. Boo to people who won't wear masks. Ignorant people. My Sunday Salon post
ReplyDeleteAnne - Even though I prefer reading on my kindle, there is nothing like browsing the stacks and seeing what jumps out at you! The library was one of the few places everyone was wearing a mask... hooray for readers!
DeleteIt is hard to believe how many people are not being careful. Sounds like you are doing a good job of it.
ReplyDeleteWe have been on lockdown here for more than three months, have had no visitors, and are not able to leave. Now that we are using the dining room on alternate days, we are actually seeing some of the other residents. With space between us.
Enjoy your new normal...and I love the look of The Most Fun We Ever Had. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Laurel-Rain Snow - It must be a relief to at least see other residents on a regular basis again! Even though no visitors are allowed in, my FIL was always free to leave. They do temperature checks before they can get back in though. I think you would really like The Most Fun We Ever Had!
DeleteOooo I loved The Most Fun We Ever Had, too!!! So good!
ReplyDeleteOur libraries are open, too, but it's not clear if they're accepting book donations or not. I need to call them.
Jinjer - I forgot to ask whether our library was accepting donations. We've got another back to take over if they do. When people return library books, they get quarantined for 24 hours before the librarians touch them. Wouldn't be surprised if they've suspended donations for now.
DeleteI'm so glad to know you're doing OK and staying safe. Infuriatingly, most people I see in my neighborhood are wearing masks -- except young people. I'm annoyed on behalf of one of my nephews (who was being very careful); he just got through coronavirus (and was diagnosed the day after his non-graduation college graduation, to make it even worse!) Fortunately he's OK and got well fairly quickly. After several weeks of getting groceries delivered (even tho it's much easier to get delivery slots now, and to get what I want, except any kind of chicken) I am venturing back to the store and am finding it to be no problem at all. Our libraries are opening gradually; it's funny, one of the systems is opening tomorrow so people can return books curbside, but hasn't said yet when we might be able to GET books. I do appreciate all this caution, tho. I've been listening to a lot of audiobooks because they're coming in fast and furious on Overdrive - I;m currently listening to The Splendid and the Vile, a book about Winston Churchill and his family in the early days of World War II, and it's riveting! As for hair, I'm hoping for cut and color soon ... I need both, but am a little more desperate for the latter. :) Stay well and safe, OK?
ReplyDeleteAudrey - Glad to know you're enjoying The Splendid and The Vile... that's on my list, too. I got my hair cut this morning and feel SO much better. Talked to the stylist about going grey gracefully (!) and she suggested some foils or highlights next time. We'll see. I'm happy to hear your nephew recovered quickly. My sister was sick for a month, as was her husband, but their son only lost his taste and smell. Glad you are doing well... these dare trying times. Take care!
DeleteI’m glad you were able to spend some time with your family! I’m not brave enough to get a real haircut. I just got my mom to chop off 4 inches of my hair. Hopefully by the time it grows again, the virus will have died down. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Aj - I've been cutting my husband's hair, but sure don't want him to trim mine, lol! Hope you have a good week, too.
DeleteThat's great news about the remodel almost being done -- terrific! And good news about the Claire Lombardo book ... I think I'll get to the audio sometime. Glad you liked it. Too bad more aren't wearing masks indoors ... whenever I go into a public place indoors I wear one. I did have a haircut & color (finally) last week and everyone there had masks on and my haircutter was also wearing a face shield too ... so I felt quite safe with all the hand-sanitizer as well. You'll likely be happy to get a haircut. Are you still listening to audiobooks on your morning beach walk? You'll really like The Sea Wife .... with Cassandra Campbell. Have a great week. Glad you are posting again.
ReplyDeleteSusan - I've decided Sea Wife will be my next book. Will use an audible credit if I don't get a library hold in time. Thanks for your recommendation. I'm still walking in the morning, but the walks are getting shorter since it gets hot so quickly. Evening/sunset walks have been more comfortable lately.
DeleteAs I am sure you heard. Here in southern New York Covid -19 was bad. Our lockdowns were fairly strict. Luckily the situation has gotten a lot better. They will probably open up a lot more in the coming week. Hopefully that will no cause a spike.
ReplyDeleteStay safe and healthy.
Brian - Both of our daughters in Manhattan came here March 11, about the time they were locking down New Rochelle. One went back this week, the other will go next week. The number of cases and hospitalizations seem to be increasing here since reopening began. Hope it doesn't spike again in the city following the protests. Hope your reopening is smooth and safe.
DeleteSo glad to see the update! I've missed you!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry your COVID cases are rising, but I'm not surprised. Once we started re-opening, I was afraid this would happen (and I'm not the only one, of course). We had 15 cases in our county on June 1st. We now have over 200. I'm afraid it will only continue to get worse as more and more tourists arrive, so we'll stay put and try not to go shopping more than once every 3 or 4 weeks. No dining out for us since a couple of restaurants just posted that they have several cases with their kitchen staff (yikes!); we can wait to get haircuts and any other nonessential appointments like that, but I do have one doctor visit later this month (mammogram), but I'm confident the clinic will be much safer than our grocery store! Yep, we see the locals with masks, but not all of the tourists. {smh} We still get together with friends once a week for cocktails, but it's BYOB (and glassware) and we keep 6-8 feet apart. I think we'd go crazy without these little gatherings! Other than that, our lives aren't much different from normal retirement, although we sure are missing our road trips right now. We get out and walk every day and when it's not raining, I ride my bike around the 'hood. Finally spotted a whale today - I think they've been social distancing, too. :)
The Most Fun We Ever Had sounds great, so I just added it to my Libro.fm list. I keep getting this book mixed up with A Good Neighborhood. They have very similar covers. I'm listening to The Warmth of Other Suns and reading The Nickel Boys. I have 20 books on my shelf to read by Labor Day. We'll see how that goes!
Stay well and good luck with your remodeling. I hope you get to move in soon!
Les - We have more cases on the island, just since I posted this. Previously we'd gone a month without a new case. It's obviously related to reopening and people not wearing masks, so we're dialing back again. I did get my hair cut yesterday, but we're done with even outdoor dining now. I hope things don't get much worse in your area. This is the downside of living in a tourist town/island.
DeleteI can see why you would mix up the covers between those two books... hadn't noticed how similar they are! My mother recently enjoyed A Good Neighborhood and I'm hoping to borrow her copy when we get up there. It took me two tries to get into The Most Fun We Ever Had. The first time I wasn't paying close enough attention when there were quite a few characters introduced at the beginning, so I had to start over. I'm pretty sure it's my favorite book of the year so far. Nothing to See Here is my favorite audio.
The Nickel Boys packs quite a punch at the end... it took my breath away. The Warmth of Other Suns will likely be my next nonfiction.
Nothing seems to be happening at the house this week. I'm getting frustrated again. We plan to head north by mid-late July and really want to have things wrapped up by then. Fingers crossed. Take care and stay well!
Here wearing masks is compulsory. No taxi will take you, you cant get on the bus or train or go into a shop. Using sanitizer at entrance, taking temperature is also followed rigorously. Curfew lifted at last but hardly anyone goes out. I still do groceries online even fish and chicken! which for Asians is a huge choice!!! Fruits and veg come to the door via a vendor but life is going on at a slower pace. Reading is not so good strangely because I've got addicted to TV drama serials!
ReplyDeleteMystica - I wish we could adopt some national standards here. Something as simple as wearing a mask has, unfortunately, become a political statement. I'm glad you're able to get so much delivered and I'll bet the TV serials are a nice change of pace!
DeleteWell...at this end of Florida it's still hot and humid, most people wear masks in our county but there are many who do not comply in the grocery stores. Doug and I keep masks in the car and always use them shopping. We are also early morning shoppers when there are fewer people and try and restrict the number of trips.
ReplyDeleteI am so looking forward to getting my hair cut but I need to be sure masks are used by the hairdresser. Decided I don't want to color my hair and just let it grow in. Actually have done that for a while but now that it's too long, it looks even worse streaked with gray. Doug has a lovely white silver hair and all over. I have the iron gray streaks. When it's shorter it won't look as bad.
I have been reading Ann Patchet, Ann Cleeves and recently two cool birding books. So excited about a new Cormoron Strike mystery the end of the year and I preordered Jane Harper's newest bok from a London bookstore. It ships to me in January 2021.
I hope you and your family are well, it's nice youo can visit with your FIL and SIL and especially your daughters. What times are these!!
Tina - I'm very frustrated with the lack of masks and general nonchalance about the whole situation! There are two grocery stores on the island and we were thrilled when one of them required masks.
DeleteYou've been reading some great books lately. I enjoyed your post about the birding books... was browsing that section at the library last week. Haven't read Jane Harper yet, but she's on my list of authors to try.
It was a relief to get my hair cut yesterday. The employees wore masks (I checked on that beforehand) and I was the only one getting my hair done, so it felt relatively safe. Will continue to hold off on the color and see how the grey looks. My SIL has beautiful white/silver hair, but I don't think mine will ever look like that. We'll see how it goes. Take care and stay well!
JoAnn, I am thinkning after the Republican convention in Jacksonville in August we will see the cases increase so we will shop again with plans to stay in. Again. I'm too old for this crap! I just retired!
DeleteI wanted to tell you if you start on Jane Harper the first two feature investigator Aaron Falk and the third is a stand alone. Book two was my least favorite but still interesting. I liked that third book, The Lost Man, een though she didn't continue with the series cahracter.
Thanks, Tina. I was just telling my husband we need to dial back our grocery shopping again... maybe every 2 weeks or go back to delivery. The Jane Harper book I was looking at is They Dry and think it's the first one in the series. Thanks.
DeleteIt blows my mind that businesses are not following CDC orders. And shame on the tourists too. Scary! It sounds like you are doing all the right things for you guys though, and that helps. I think even if others are not, if we do, it is half the battle won. Unfortunately, though, it means more distancing. :( We are still doing most of our things pickup and online. My son needs a hair cut so badly lolol. He looks like a wild child right now, in his rainbow pjs and hair past his shoulders. :) I have to figure that out. Lol.
ReplyDeleteErin - I wish we had some sort of national policy or firm direction from the top, but obviously that's not going to happen. Seems like most tourists just want to get away and forget about covid for a while... sigh. Hope you all continue to stay safe and well.
DeleteYour comments around COVID could all apply to me as well. Things are opening up here, but I've been slow to change. I did finally get to see my local grandkids last week and will see them again next week. In about 10 days I'll drive to MT and spend a week with my son and his family. I'm a little nervous about it, though there have been no cases in the rural county where they live. However, it's a sort of summer tourist town, so I'll probably just stick around their house and play with my 2 grandkids there. It's so hard to know how much to do. And, I'm worried about school next year, too. What a time!
ReplyDeleteThe Most Fun We Ever Had was my favorite debut last year and I'm so glad you liked it, too. Let me know if you loved Long Live the Tribe...I'm looking for good audiobooks for my long drive. Have a great week!
Susie - I liked Long Live the Tribe very much, but didn't love it. It's read by the author and that always makes memoirs seems more authentic to me... she sure has an interesting story to tell. My favorite audio so far this year is Nothing to See Here, but I'm pretty sure you've already read it. BTW, I remember making a note that The Most Fun We Ever Had was one of your favorites last year, so thanks for that recommendation!
DeleteSo happy your new house is finally making progress; bet you will be happy to move in. I'm getting my first haircut since February next week - also like you wet head arrival an no blow dry. I'm curious what you thought of Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls; I loved the print edition. Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteDiane - I really liked Long Live the Tribe, but didn't quite love it. Listening to the author read her own story was a big plus for me. Her story was so raw and gritty, yet surprisingly tender as well. My strategy worked out well at the hair salon... as long as employees wear masks, you should be fine. There was one woman there having her nails done, but I'm not ready for that yet.
DeleteOur salons opened up today, the big news stories were about all the precautions and changes they implemented. I hope they are busy to help with the revenue lost and what they had to spend just to open. Our library is not open yet. They will begin curbside pick up soon. So looking forward to it as I just picked up the last book I borrowed so many weeks ago!!
ReplyDeleteNise' - I am impressed with safety measures I'm seeing on television, but the salon here did not go quite that far. I still felt safe with my strategy, but will wait a couple of months before returning. Curbside pickup was a big plus for me when it started, too. I will continue to use it as long as possible. Take care!
DeleteYour life sounds a lot like mine. I'm staying at home most of the time. I've decided to let my hair grow for a while but my brother is eager for his haircut (scheduled for the end of the month). Salons just opened again last Monday. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteKathy - I've been cutting my husband's hair (something I've never done before) and was surprised when he didn't want to make an appointment for a "real" cut. He's going to trust my skills for a bit longer, lol! Happy reading this week.
DeleteVicki - I got my hair cut this morning and feel like a new woman, lol!
ReplyDeleteI was just talking to my mom about haircuts; she's really been wanting one and the first appointment she could get was at the end of July! My library has started doing curbside pickup, but I hope they expand it soon. So far they're just doing holds that were on the shelves when the library closed.
ReplyDeleteAngela - I hope the salon put your mom on a cancellation list... I'm sorry she has to wait until July! The curbside pickup has been a huge hit here. I'll be using it as long as I can.
DeleteI imagine it helps the economy having tourists still visiting, but I wish they would at least be more respectful and cautious. I am sorry to hear they are not. We are pretty much staying home too, except when we can't. Like grocery shopping and me going into work on my designated office day. With the county opening up, I keep waiting to hear I'll have to go back to the office full-time, but so far they are still letting us work from home most of the time. I hope it continues.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you are at least able to see your dather-in-law and sister-in-law again. My grandmother had a recent hospital visit for a few days. The doctors were thinking she might need surgery, but fortunately that didn't turn out to be the case. I know it must have been hard for her (as it was for the family) not being able to be with her. As it is, she's in a convalescent type home and isn't allowed visitors--except through her bedroom window.
How did the salon visit go? I broke down and got my hair colored the weekend before last--by my husband. LOL He had fun with it, so that may become a new thing for us to save money. :-) My husband says he is willing to let me cut his hair, but he hasn't agreed to an actual date and time yet. Probably safer that way. Haha. I don't mind mine growing long, so I'm in no hurry there.
I am glad to read you loved The Most Fun We Ever Had. It does sound good.
I hope you have a great week!
Wendy - It's definitely a tourist-based economy here, but now that almost seems like a double edged sword. They come here and really just want to forget about the virus for a while, but then the residents deal with the consequences. No easy solution.
DeleteNot being with hospitalized relatives is so hard. I'm so glad your grandmother did not need to have surgery under those conditions.
The haircut was fine. I'm not brave enough to stay in the salon long enough for a color... not sure I could convince my husband to do it for me though. Yours is a keeper!
Florida is seeing an increase in cases, as is much of California. After Memorial Day, I predicted that we'd see a spike by 6/19 and we are seeing it. Over 1400 cases in LA County just yesterday and 35 deaths. That is just one day. We have been spiking all week. My city, within the county had 278 new cases yesterday. No one here is really following anything. I had my cut yesterday. I had discussed all the protocols with my stylist but what she told me and what actually happened were two different things. It was her first day back in the salon and many things were overlooked. I felt very unsafe and got out as soon as I could. One stylist was coughing! She kept saying it was allergies but I was like... hello, this is a problem. I pushed my next appt out to August. I can wait.
ReplyDeleteTi - The increased numbers are worrisome and I'm sure they're due to more than just increased testing. More and more tourists keep arriving, and residents are retreating back to their homes. Wish they would just wear masks! Sorry your salon visit didn't go as planned... don't blame you for changing your next appointment. Take care!
DeleteGood to hear from you and get your news. I am still at home as well, since LA County has not slowed measurably in numbers of cases. My husband is getting a hair cut today! I look forward to your review of Long Live the Tribe. I thought it was pretty amazing.
ReplyDeleteJudy - The more I think about Long Live the Tribe, the more remarkable it seems that she was able to overcome so many challenges. I'm glad audible offered it as a daily deal... might not have picked it up otherwise.
DeleteGlad to hear you're able to spend some time with your FIL. My grandmother's assisted living facility is still shut down to all visitors and they're not allowed to leave and come back. I know it's for the best as the cases in nursing homes have been devastating but she has dementia and this has been so difficult for her mental health which had made it hard. Hope you're having a good week!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I'm so sorry to hear you are not able to visit your grandmother, but know nursing homes are trying to do their best to keep residents safe. My FIL is in an independent living apartment, but I don't think residents in assisted living or nursing home are allowed to leave. It's a tough time for seniors and their relatives...
DeleteNice to see an update and always interesting to see how different parts of the world are approaching the virus at the moment. I think many places are slowly opening back up now and a large part of it is on the citizens to make sure they are doing all that they can do - I imagine it is very frustrating people visiting the island and not even taking proper precautions.
ReplyDeleteHere in Wales, we are still very much in lockdown with a relatively low case numbers (although they aren't even testing to capacity, so who knows how accurate that is). They have relaxed the measures in many ways, but still lockdown until July pretty much.
What great thoughts you've shared regarding The Most Fun We Ever Had - this book is on my wishlist.
I hope the haircut went well!
Jade - It's interesting to see how attitudes and actions vary from country to country. I am embarrassed by our lack of personal responsibility and of leadership at the federal level. I don't think life as we know it will return until well into 2021. I hope you get a chance to read The Most Fun We Ever Had... and that you enjoy it as much as I did.
DeleteI'm a bit late catching up on your update and unfortunately the numbers are just going up aren't they? Texas is not doing well either. I can't understand how people are so cavalier about mask wearing. It's a simple thing to do to keep everyone safe. Ugh. Glad to see you back blogging!
ReplyDeleteIliana - I'm really worried about where we'll be in a couple of weeks... people don't seem to be taking any precautions this holiday weekend. It's goof to be blogging and reading again!
Delete