COVID Diaries - April 30

Today was.... well, it was up and down. 

5am or so - I woke up, which is actually later than my usual 3am middle of the night wake up call.  I was all "the suns coming up anyways, go for a run" so I did.

7am or so - I went back to bed.  Ways I am turning into my mother: I was sooooo cold.  It's worse after a run, but usually taking a shower after the run helps (which I did). 

9am um, 9:15am, ok 9:30am, I got up for reals.  I went by McDonalds for the breakfast of champions (sausage and egg biscuit) before heading in to work.

10am (or so, let's be real) I showed up to sort donated masks.  Hand made, donated masks. Today, I got to hang with one of my most favorite PTs ever (I call her "the smiley giggly one").  I did this deployment one time before and it made my life.  As Mr. Rogers says, always look for the helpers. 
If you haven't seen or done this, you just cannot... There are no words.  I mean... There are thousands of hand made donated masks.  And this was the third time I know about we'd sorted that many masks.  Imagine the effort and time and materials people put into these masks.  This is what love looks like. 

And then... Around 1:30 or 2pm, things fell apart with a different work thing that I was trying to accomplish.  I might've (not on purpose) made someone cry. So, that was really the low point of the day. Low.
I had Chipotle for supper. Because apparently I am not cooking today?

Zumba was cancelled.

I talked to Mom and Dad and somehow upset Dad on the call.  Because I was all "this is what I heard you say, I'm sorry if I misunderstood".  And then, for some reason, Mom thought it would be a good idea to say oh, he was being sarcastic like he who shall not be named.  (Though, Mom did name him.  I don't type bad words here.)  Anyways, that's about where the phone call ended.  I was like "leave me out of this nonsense."

So, super positive day in some ways, but also a hard moment or two.

COVID Diaries - April 29

Well, Melissa Etheridge did a "live from my house" concert and now I need a cigarette or something.  Come To My Window is one of my most favorite songs in life, and one of the songs I played all the time when I was learning to play the guitar.

I worked today.  Day two being back.  I'm teaching my colleagues to do "vidyo" visits. It's a thing.

I tried to take a walk this morning, but it was so freaking windy and awful that I only went around the block and came back inside.

At the end of the work day (when I was not done charting), I went over to the Rookery to try out some new toys.

When I got back I went for a run.

I talked to Mom and Dad for a minute but was like "no, I have to go, Melissa Etheridge is doing a concert for me now" (so that's what kind of person I am today). 

After the concert I talked to My Pooky Bear (got an updated on Baby Pooky), and Qat Lady (got an update on the hens).

Now I'm watching Melissa Etheridge on youtube, because.

COVID Diaries - random shortages

One of the other "things we'll remember" about this time is all of these random shortages on... all of the things.

For health care, there's lots of concern about gloves, gowns, and masks.  Particularly procedure masks and N95 masks.

There's also "shortages" or ventilators that are less talked about.  The people addressing this shortage in particular, just shows how many real life MacGyvers there are in life.

Thermometers are in short supply. That's been going on for a minute.

Oximeters are now on back order until July.  (The thing that goes on your finger and tells your pulse and blood oxygen saturation.  Kind of important for a respiratory virus, right?)

Toilet paper was probably the most talked about.  With hand sanitizer and wipes coming in a close second, followed by bleach.

But there's all these other random things that people want.  For me personally, I can't find hand weights/dumbbells/kettle bells etc. They're all gone.

In addition to nursing homes, COVID has been rampant at food processing plants, so there may be shortages in pork, chicken, and beef.  No one has really talked about milk/yogurt/cheese.  I guess those places are still okay?

When I first went to the store, after the shit hit the fan, I noticed runs on the soup aisle as well as the pasta aisle.  That seems to have been short lived.

Another random item missing: elastic.  People are making masks like crazy.  Having sorted thousands of donated masks myself, I say "keep them coming".  What a boost!  But, so many people are making masks there's no elastic anymore.  Can you imagine?  JoAnns is out of elastic!

There is a straight up Toilet Paper Tracker for Costco.  There was only one day I went to Costco that I couldn't get eggs.  It was right after Easter. I haven't had an issue with fizzy water.  I also get my Dr Bronners at Costco, and that's always been in stock (so far).  I want Dr B's to stay in business, but be just obscure enough they don't wind up selling out in stores like Lysol and Bleach.

COVID Diaries - April 28

I am back at work.  I had a more successful work day because I kept an agenda, and created one for tomorrow. Successful right now is being measured in "do I think I worked hard enough?"

I'm trying to think of all the things that people will talk about, years from now, about how crazy this time is/was.  For example, it's April and I have a solid tan, and a legit watch tan.  In April.  Remember last year when I was trying to train for a marathon in the snow?

This relates to the significant amount of time I've spent out doors.  Running.  Walking.  Visiting with friends.  It's amazing. 

One of the other phenomena which I've kind of mentioned here is losing time and losing a routine.  Like, no one knows what day it is or where we are or anything.  It's wild. Having an agenda for myself for the previous ten days was clutch, and something I'm carrying on now as a coping mechanism.

Here's a different take on the situation. My M&Ms were gummy bears. 

I've now converted Mom and Dad to daily calls. They're getting more used to FaceTime, though I still look at a lot of light fixtures. Not sure if we'll keep up the daily calls once this is all done. 

I miss family so hard.  It's like, I know they're there, and I can't even go see them right now.  It's so sad.  The one I feel worst about is Grandma, who's in a nursing home with no visitors.  But I'm missing Dad pretty hard too.  He started a new medicine a while back and I think it's helped him a lot, but I can't see it face to face right now.  So that's rough.

I ran today, and thought I'd do Zumba on Zoom but Bernice canceled at the last minute.  I hope she's okay.

COVID Diaries - April 27

Furlough is complete.  I capped it off by actually calling in to safety huddle, but I have not yet checked my email.

Today was actually an awesome day.

I woke up and cooked myself an actual breakfast (minus coffee because of some other plans) and then lounged around for a bit.

I did the longest bike ride I've maybe ever done in life. With a friend from work.  It was super fun.  I tried some things I wouldn't have done without her.  She also helped me fix my bike when I popped the chain on a steep hill. Sites included Victory Memorial, Wirth Park, Cedar Lake, Sculpture Garden, Mississippi River, a coffee shop, the heron rookery, and Webber Parkway.  It was quite a ride!

I ran as soon as I racked my bike.  This just needs to get done right?.  It was hot out, and sunny.  But a nice day to be outside in the end.

Next up, obviously, was food.  I hit up Chipotle.  Apparently I've thrown social distancing caution to the wind here.  I even went in without a mask.  (I didn't realize there'd be other customers in there.)


I ended the evening with a social distance happy hour with Captain Smiley and Dungeon Master.  Captain Smiley put out his Blessed Ramadan sign.  Our neighbors across the street stopped and thanked him.  They said it means a lot.

Tomorrow it's going to rain and I'm surprisingly excited for not sunshine.  I told my co-worker, I've never had such a legitimate tan so early in the year.  She agreed.  But it's okay to take a break for a day, right?

COVID Diaries - Sunday April 26

We are on day 2,000 of the quarantine.  What?  No?  Year 2,000?  I dunno.  It's been a while.

I am calling it good on Furlough Week.  I technically don't have to work tomorrow but I do work this week so I'll call into the safety huddle in the morning like the team player that I am.

I woke up once and then actually for reals woke up after 11am. I went out for a run.  I wasn't quite done running when Captain Smiley needed some socially distanced logistical assistance with moving furniture.  So, I did the thing.

Then, I cleaned my house and myself.  I did laundry (sheets), reorganized the laundry closet, did dishes, and reorganized under my kitchen sink.  The reason for all this?  I told myself I could have tacos when I'm done.

I did get my tacos.  Turns out, I can order online, drive down to Los Ocampos, and my order is about ready as I walk in the door.  Mmmm.  It was so good.

I wrapped up the evening talking to Mom and Dad on Facetime.  Mom gave me gardening tips. 

COVID Diaries - April 25

So, I woke up around 8am, stayed in bed, and went back to sleep.

I woke up for reals around 11:30am.  After a bad dream about not making my mile.  Trying to run and trying to run, and literally, I couldn't go far enough.  There were walls and hedges and issues...

I am surprised to report that I wound up at Sherburne Wildlife Refuge today, after several days of me thinking I wouldn't go. I ultimately self-negotiated no trail running, but any walking, picture taking, and sketching that I wanted.   Honestly, it turned out to be a phenomenal day. 

Blue Hill Trail has an overflow parking lot. Y'all I did not even know there was another lot.  I've never seen more than two other cars besides me parked in the regular lot.  I decided to skip that walk in honor of social distancing.

I hiked the Oak Savannah... something.  There were a lot of Trumpeter Swans this time.  I also saw Loons, but they were so far away, I couldn't take a picture.  This is the site of "Dad thinks he'll be eaten by flies but really we just looked at Pelicans".  No pelicans today.  I guess that means I have to come back.  Right?

I also did the Wildlife Drive. It was fascinating to observe the wildlife.  I saw a Red Tail Hawk; nesting Bald Eagles, Blue Heron, Sand Hill Crane (I think only one?), some weird duck, Trumpeter Swans, and I basically don't even mention Canada Geese anymore, right? 

It was also fascinating to watch the humans/cars/bikes on the Wildlife Drive.  (I adore Wildlife Drive, and will sneak it in anyway I can.  Even on work days if I'm in the area.)  There were bikes, but they were actually finishing the loop as I was starting.  Some of the other cars went super fast, I just pulled over and let them go around.  A car or two was taking things as lazily as I was.  (Think 5-10mph for a 7 mile loop.) At least one car had humans wearing masks inside the car.


When I got home, I took a minute to gather myself.  Then I went out for my run.  I went a bit longer than 1 mile, and tried to enjoy the phenomenal weather we're having.

Next up was laundry.  Oh.  Y'all.  Sometimes I do not have enough drying racks.

I ended the evening with a Happy Hour Zoom call with my people.

COVID Diaries - April 24

Today was my day of distance socialization. 

I woke up around 5am, and was all "well, the sun is coming up, I can go run, I'm sure I'll nap later". I saw the sun rise over the river while I was out.  I also spent some time finding a new path to the river because of the effing train in my way.  When I got home I did "weights" which is a band workout right now.

I tried very hard to log onto a webinar.  It didn't work.  I thought it was because I was on a mac, which has been an issue in the past.  I got an email later it was an issue with their server.

Instead, I talked to Baby Pooky who can now wave, and sometimes say hi, but I think she needs to know me better to talk on FaceTime.

And then I napped.  Hard.

Afterwards I sent a retirement card to one friend, birthday cards to Baby Pooky and Captain Smiley.  The birthday card design is clutch I think.

Next up was actually eating food.  I got carry out at Peppers and Fries and took it to Olive's back yard.  I stayed outside and we ate at least six feet away from each other. And her dog.  We sat outside and talked half the afternoon.  We could hear baby eagles, saw woodpeckers, etc.  It was awesome.

Since I was already on that side of town, I went to Riverview Theater and got some To Go Popcorn.  I wound up with a bonus visit to a friend (more a friend of Qat Lady's) and her kids.  Her kids knew Fiona and had a book about her.

When I got home, Captain Smiley and I had a physical distance happy hour on my patio.

Now, I'm catching up on the news. Someone who I will not name suggested we inject ourselves with bleach or lysol to treat the virus.  Like, really?  Maybe we should put some people on that?  So now Lysol and all of the other places literally had to do PSAs saying "please, do not main line bleach". 

In news that I think is beautiful, Calls to Prayer are broadcast to the Cedar Riverside neighborhood during Ramadan so that everyone can safely honor the holiday.

COVID Diaries - Before and After

One of the unexpected side effects of quarantine is that I've started drawing.  A lot.  Apparently I am fascinated with the color of water, because that's what most of my drawings have involved.
The original photo here was taken in late 2014 in Buffalo MN.   Here's today's rendering. 

COVID Diaries - April 23

This was another "not the way I planned but ultimately productive" kinds of days.

I woke up, made myself banana pancakes with raspberries and chocolate chips, and coffee.

I finally finished a (free) 12.5 hour CEU.  That is a super big chunk of CEU hours that count towards the clinical credit, so that's amazing.

In the afternoon I ran/walked/ran 3 miles.  (I did a full mile without stopping.  Have you met me?)  I forgot to take my anti-crazy pills this morning, and my heart rate was much better in the afternoon, even after the coffee. Correlation much?

I ended the evening with Zumba on Zoom.  I had a bad attitude and sound problems to begin with.  But no one else noted the sound problems, so I assumed it was me.  Ultimately I found my iPad, logged in there, and improved my attitude significantly.

Sometimes I'm like "I'm going to come back and read these blog posts to remember what physical distance/quarantine/whatever was like".  And one of the things that's totally happening but I don't mention much is the freaking crazy dreams I am having.  At least I'm not alone, right?

My sleep is so completely screwed up.  Or, more accurately "the time I want to wake up is completely screwed up"  I'll have to address that by early next week.  Sigh.

Another thing that's been surprisingly clutch is the 3 month free trial of Amazon Music (expensive version).  I've spent some time going through old albums/songs/artists that I adore and I am loving having great music all the time.  I'm currently listening to Throwing Copper which was one of my absolute favorite albums in high school.  At one point I could play several of the songs on here. I may be sucked in on this one, since I have so many Alexa devices.  Sigh.

COVID Diaries - April 22

For a day that I did almost nothing I'd originally planned, this was a positive and productive day.

I started with breakfast and a walk with Captain Smiley.  I showed him the dome house and the ponds (we're calling them ponds now instead of marshes).  We saw a friend along the way walking her dog.

Second exercise was an 11 mile bike ride around Palmer Lake.  I was sad (but unsurprised) not to see Dungeon Master.

After second exercise I did chores: I swept out my garage (originally scheduled for Saturday), and then as a bonus cleaned/organized my car.

Third exercise was running my mile. Done.

After that, and possibly the best part of the day, was taking a shower and washing my hair.

I hit North Market (which may replace my Seward Co Op Furlough goal).  Shopping there is such a pleasure.

To wrap up the evening, Captain Smiley and I had a physically distant, socially present supper and it was amazing.  We had to go from Nona Rosa's. So so good. 

COVID Diaries - Tuesday April 21

Today was the day that everything fell apart, and then sort of put itself back together quite nicely.

I thought about heading up to Sherburne Wildlife Refuge, and was looking to see if Wildlife Drive is open for the season.  That's about when I learned that while yes, the drive is open, all the bathrooms are closed.  This had a significant impact on my trail running plans.. This led to me checking Elm Creek and Baker which are in similar predicaments. Sigh.

So, I lay on the couch, and dried the clothes I forgot to take out of the washer last night and considered all my options.

I wound up doing a 3-ish mile run.

Then I talked to some of my favorite people in Kentucky.  One is reading The Order of the Phoenix, the other is reading Enders Game.  Neither one will go back to school in person this year.

Obviously I had my afternoon nap.

While dealing with the "what the heck am I going to do now?" of it all, because I'd been looking forward to some further away parks, I decided to head back to the Heron Rookery. Did I mention while I was sulking, I found my binoculars.  So, I tried to take lots of pics through the bincolulars.  That was a learning process all it's own.

Next up was Zumba on Zoom.  They are finally working out the nitty gritty on this one.  Sounds is getting better and better.  Mom does the Zumba too.

Finally, Chipotle was delivery to my door.  At no extra charge.  So that's a nice way to wrap things up.

Bonus that is unexpected (and not in my post-its) is I did a very rough sketch of the rookery as well.

COVID Diaries - April 20

No.  I did not smoke pot today.  That's not my thing.

I did get up and go for a bike ride on the newer of my two bikes.  I like this one much better, except the tires seem more fragile for the winter/post-winter conditions. I went a lot faster on this bike.  No joke.

I also did my mile run after the bike ride.  I understand why triathletes call this a brick workout because trying to make my legs run and pop after a bike ride is not easy.

For a new adventure, I ordered online with the Chipotle app and picked it up.  I now (somewhat problematically) understand that I live five minutes from a Chipotle.  I could've done better without that discovery.

In the afternoon, I assembled a grow station in my living room.  It's the best thing I've ever done in this house.  Why did I not have all the plants living here from the beginning?  So, my transformation into my mother is almost complete.

I wrapped up the day with a virtual happy hour.  Qat Lady and My Pooky Bear are both doing well.  Baby Pooky is learning to walk.  She can also say hi.

So, day 3 of 10 Days of Furlough ends with me accomplishing everything on my agenda.  Originally a trip to a wildlife refuge was planned for today, but I opted out of that nonsense when I saw the 25mph winds with gusts up to 40mph.  Maybe tomorrow instead?

I still can't find my binoculars.  One of the enduring "where'd I put that?" items from moving that i haven't found yet.  Only, now I'm afraid I know where they are and it involves moving other boxes to get to them.  Sigh.

COVID Diaries - April 19

Today is furlough day 2 of 10.
Plans for Monday include a happy hour with Qat Lady and My Pooky Bear.
Plans for Tuesday include talking to some of my favorite people in Kentucky about the books they are reading.

Today was productive and then it fell off a cliff.  I'm cool with that.

Running: Done first thing.
Weights (goal was 15 mins).  I did a 10 minute warm up for running, of leg exercises.  When I got back I did the same 10 minutes of drills, but this time with a resistance band.
For "first meal" I had lox, capers, cream cheese on crackers, and then a "my Pooky Bear sandwich" (which is modeled of a prosciutto sandwich she had somewhere in England or Ireland and adored).

Heron Rookery: A suggestion from Olive was that I get myself to checkout the Rookery before the leaves are on the trees.  I'd looked at biking there, but it was just all too much, emotionally, right now so I drove.  Totally worth my time.  FYI, Blue Herons are my favorite bird.

Lowes: I got plants.  I tried to find something for Dungeon Master but they didn't have it.  I'm currently trying to teach her about Sugru.

Costco: They are out of eggs.  This just makes it certain I have to hit the co-op.  There was no line to get in, so I'm not really sure what I saw the other day in Coon Rapids.

And then, y'all, I hit the wall.  I came home, put my plants in the window with the sunshine and watered them, unpacked my groceries, and sat my butt down on the couch. I've just had second meal (eggs, bacon, toast), and not planning on moving much the rest of the day.

Originally I'd planned to hit Sherburne Wildlife Refuge tomorrow.  The forecast calls for sun, which is good, but 25mph winds which are not my thing. So, I think I will relocate that trip to another day.

COVID Diarires - April 18

Today is Furlough day 1 or 10.  I have a plan people.  I've made a list of things to do, people to contact, places to see, exercise/movement options, and chores.  And by "list" I mean post its.  And then I put the post its on different days of the furlough so I know what is planned for the day.

Today's goals were bike ride, clean the bathrooms, vacuum/sweep the floors.

Bike ride: Actually happened first.  I rode my old old bike, because the tires are better to deal with the post-winter street conditions.  Except, apparently I tried to break one of my tires.  Glad I didn't go for a longer ride.  I deflated and then reinflated the troubled tire and it seemed to stay on the rim better now, but I didn't take it back out to test it.
Agenda for later this week is to pull out the other bike and see how she handles the sand and gravel in the roads.

Run: I ran my mile, but I took my route backwards today.  Everything looks so different this way.

Then there was a significant amount of lounging, napping, etc.  Followed by

Floors: I swept the kitchen first, because the broom gets into a couple places better than the vaccum. Then, I started eying the bathrooms, so I switched to those.

Bathrooms: I have 2 full bathrooms and 1 half bath.  I really only use the tub/shower in my bathroom, so the second tub/shower doesn't get dirty, nor get a lot of cleaning attention. My strategy has been to do one chore in each bathroom, and then move on to the next chore.  It's more walking around, but fewer cleaning rags actually.  Current plan is all mirrors, all sink tops/surfaces, the tub/shower that's used the most, then the freaking toilets.  I hate cleaning toilets.  The floors were done as part of the other floor project.  There was a lot of hair on my bathroom floor.

Vacuum: I finished off the evening vacuuming all of the floors on both levels. I have a lot of hair.

Then I went to a Chinese restaurant for take out.  That's an experience.  I had to call and say I was here, and they brought the food outside, set it on a table, went back inside, and then I could grab it and go.

COVID Diaries - April 17

The Furlough begins.  For the next 10 days I don't have to work.  I actually moved my work computer out of my normal sight line.  (3 day weekend, 4 days off work, next 3 day weekend)

I am nervous that I'm going to turn into a day-drinking, non-running, all-of-the-issues human being while I'm not working.

I am making plans/goals for furlough week.  Accountability goal number 1 is that my bathrooms (and there's 3) are cleaned by Sunday at 5pm.

Bike riding, a "distance picnic" involving a hamburger and fries with Olive, and distance tacos with Dungeon Master are also on the agenda.

I'm going to be 100% honest here: My heart rate has been screwed up for quite some time. Today, I did a run solidly at MAF, so that felt nice.

I'm making a "list" (it's post-it notes) of what I want to do on my ten furlough/quarantine days.  I want a burger and fries y'all.  So hard you can't believe it. 

COVID Diarires - April 16

Today is the day I pressed Dad into computer technical service for the Minnesota health care system y'all.  He totally rose to the challenge.  By "rose to the challenge" I mean he did not use bad words or get mad at me/the computer/etc.

What actually happened: My company is rolling out a platform for "virtual visits".  (Think Skype or Facetime, or Zoom, but health care compliant.)  So I called Dad and said "I do not care if this works. I need you to try it and I need to know what happens." And then I did parts of how the virtual visit would go (sending an invitation, trying to log on, getting the platform on his computer). 
Dad had trouble downloading the app because his internet sucks.
Dad then had trouble installing the app because that's just not a thing he's ever known how to do?
I wound up using Jitsi with him, so he could share his screen with me.  We got the app installed and opened.  And then he was able to use the meeting invite to see me and have "virtual visit".  This was me saying "thank you so much for doing this" and not an actual health care assessment (for anyone who was worried about poor boundaries).

Tomorrow: Dad is going to try to put the app on his phone and have a virtual visit with me that way.  You cannot understand how much I'm looking forward to this.
Also tomorrow: If my timing works, I'm going to have Dungeon Master attempt to install this on her phone (because she has an android and will continue speaking to me if it doesn't work) and also have a pretend virtual visit with me. 

After me telling Dad "I need a 5 minute phone call to explain, and the other thing should take 10 minutes, 15 tops' (it was like an hour) Mom tells me this story:
(Background: Mom works in an academic setting and was asked to do a short video message to her seniors who basically don't get a graduation ceremony.)
"I drug Daddy upstairs..." So, they used her iPad to shoot this video, and she had her "social work poem" (I swear, I need a copy) taped to a broom stick so her gaze was at the right direction for the video.  She needed a few takes, just because of fumbling the words in the poem, etc.
Well, Mom can't actually send the video from her iPad because it's too big for Gmail. (She doesn't know how to upload it to YouTube, leave my mom alone.)
So, Mom starts problem solving on her computer (Mac Desktop).
Y'all.  Mom found Photobooth and recorded a video there.  On her own.  I am so proud.
Mom also reports she had to clean off the other desk in the background for this video.  (She was able to have a different angle/background with the iPad.)
Ok; but the Photobooth video is apparently still too big for Gmail to deal with. 
So, Mom edits her poem to make it shorter.  I need both versions now, right?  And then re-shoots it on Photobooth.  Which she learned to use on her own!  And that one was small enough to email.  I am so proud.

Other funny story for the day.  (Background: Generally when I say bye to Mom or Dad I say "love you".) I told a colleague about getting Dad on this virtual visit.  Then colleague and I needed to step off the call.  I almost told colleague I loved her because I'd been thinking of Dad.  Then I told my whole social work team about the virtual visit with Dad.  And almost told them how much I loved them as well.  Sigh.  Luckily these people are awesome and laughed instead of feeling uncomfortable.

COVID DIaries - Wednesday April 15

This video has me laughing so hard I'm crying.  Those walks are gonna be clutch! 

I ran today.  And I did a "weights" workout, meaning resistance bands which is in so many ways harder than weights.  This is a good workout and I will stick with it.  I'm making peaces with the bands.

I was "out in the world" today.  Costco is having people line up and wait to go inside.  I saw that and I was all it's too cold for this shit right now so I went to Hy Vee and got Sushi instead.  Pretty sure I'm going to Hy Vee for Sushi every day now.

I had a wonderful video chat with My Pooky Bear and Qat Lady. I didn't realize how much I needed it until I talked to them for an hour.

COVID Diaries - Tuesday April 14

How long have I been in lock down? I straight up do not know, but I think it's been a while.

Mom and I got to Zoom Zumba tonight. Thanks very much to Out in the Backyard.  It's fun to dance with Mom, even remotely.

I signed up for Uber on this wonderful trip.  I signed up after we landed at the CDMX airport (with presumably an IP address in Mexico).  To this day, Uber sends me emails in Spanish.  I do not know how to read Spanish and I do not know how to change this setting.  My app is in English.

HGTV seems to be premiering new seasons for a lot of their shows.  I predict Ben and Erin become the next "Chip and Jo" if you know what I mean.  They are adorable.

I continue to be happy with the leadership in Minnesota and terrified with the goon in the federal government.  Minnesota seems to be run by the nerds.  Y'all, I am with my people.  The federal government is currently led by a demagogue. 

I've barely run this week.  February came back for a visit.  In April.  I don't know why it's such a pain in the butt this year.  This is all I ran in last year.

COVID Diaries - April 13

You know the Facebook memories?  One year and two days ago, we had the last blizzard of 2019.  One year ago yesterday, I tried to buy my house.  And failed.  And then didn't eat for two days before I had to run my 20 miler for my marathon training.

I am "furloughed" next week. I am very fortunate.  For me, this means 'involuntary PTO'.  For one week.  I am thinking about how I'll spend my time.  I'm hoping for some version of "talking to plants", though apparently I'm late to the game on growing new plants from seed?   Whatever.  I'm new here.

For a "day off" work, I was oddly busy with work things.  Whatever.  It's gotta get done right now and we can't be fussy about schedules.

I made a workout of my own, based on this video. Counting is not my thing.  So, I set it up to be 1:00, then 1:30, then 2:00 of all the exercises. Since I only have 3lb dumbells at home, I also added resistance band to add to the challenge.

I did not understand, before all of this, how training with a resistance band would totally jack up my heart rate. These things are legit. Sometimes I do a banded good morning versus a banded dead lift. 

I did also run my mile. But not much more. Maybe tomorrow?

COVID Diaries - Happy Easter

Facebook reminded me this is the day, last year, that my first offer on my house was rejected.  It was not a good day.

It snowed today.  It also snowed last year.  Thanks Minnesota!

Apparently we had a big jump in cases today.  Somehow it relates to announcing cases on Easter Sunday instead of on Monday?  Shouldn't it be the other way around?

My sleep was ten kinds of screwed up today.  I was listening to a book last night that, instead of falling asleep, I kept listening to.  Then I got up early to run because of the snow... I took a nap.  I am so confused.

I am re-reading Speaker for the Dead.  I loved this book.

COVID Diaries - Saturday April 11

I'm on a Zoom call.  We're now talking about if COVID 19 was made in a lab in Maryland or somewhere in China.  And other conspiracy theories.

And we're talking about who does and does not wear masks. I am wearing them for shopping trips but not for running/walking.

For some reason tonight, I am able to sign in on my iPad but not on my computer.  It's very confusing. The Zoom website was not helpful.

I read an article today about maintaining hope that this will end, but focusing on a routine to get through day to day stuff right now. So, I'm thinking abuot more and more of a routine.

What I've learned on this Zoom call: maybe it's okay I'm single right now.  This place would be a lot smaller with a second person here.

It was 60* today.  So, of course it's going to snow tomorrow.  Two to five inches.  Excellent!

COVID Diaries - April 10

This has been a day that seems hard, but also seems like an opportunity to count my blessings.  Right?  So, I'm choosing to focus on that, even though the other thing creeps in from time to time.

Mom and Dad continue to be hilarious.

A few of my favorite people in Kentucky called me tonight.  One of them is reading the Harry Potter series and another is reading Ender's Game.  I was all call me, we can talk about these books! And then I went and found Speaker for the Dead so I could listen to it again.  Enders Game is, just, you need that backstory to make Speaker for the Dead so powerful.

COVID Diaries - Thursday April 9

It doesn't matter.  No one knows what day it is anyways.

Well, I put down my house key yesterday when I got done running.  And then today I couldn't find it.  So, now my whole house is clean.

We had snow flurries today. And 20mph winds.  So it was not a long run.

Dad's email is finally fixed.  Mom was about to be nominated for sainthood until she said his password now is ridiculous and he'll never remember it. 

I'm currently re-watching some of the Harry Potter movies, just to see if the scenes in the books are in any way similar to the movies.  I still don't like the one where they burn down the Weasley house.  WTF was that?

COVID Diaries - Wednesday April 8

Sundown marks the start of Passover.  I "celebrated" by going to a Zoom Passover with an old friend's family.  Captain Smiley also Zoomed in.

I worked today.

I mention the Passover Seder because a lot of wine is involved.  Which leads to me typing this out loud...

The thing about health care is, some parts of the system are SLAMMED and some are having super low census right now.  Which is leading to furloughs and redeployment.  I am, like, considering where would I go in this situation?  ED or ICU feels like the right fit.  PS - If I ever worked in an ICU, I would screw up the personal protective equipment and the sterile feel so bad it's not even funny.

COVID Diaries - Tuesday April 7

I have been "redeployed" which is actually kind of awesome because I get to work on a couple projects that I am excited for at work.

It's also, like, the nicest day in the world.  So I went out for a run/walk.  Then we had physical distance happy hour that involved multiple neighbors plus Dungeon Master.

Captain Smiley wound up with masks and N95 filters for reasons completely unrelated to COVID 19.  He shared a mask with me.  It's a really good one. I told him so. 

The Governor has not announced his changes/updates/etc to the current Stay at Home order.  But I expect them tomorrow.  PS - I now have Siri set an alarm for 2pm every day to hear the governor's updates.

In exercises related news - I have been working out more and more with the resistance bands. Holy crap.  Those things really raise my heart rate. I mean, really.

This continues to be one of my favorite weights videos. But I really have to adapt it. The weights i have are too light.  And the resistance bands I have are too much.  Sigh..

This is another video I'm really enjoying.  I tend to do the first round only and use it as a warm up for running.

COVID Diaries - Monday April 6

Technically the current stay at home order expires this weekend.  I assume it's going to be extended.  But I was dealing with a different emergency during that part of the Governor's briefing so I didn't hear for sure.

I did work a bit today.  No one knows what day it is. It's fine.  It was one of those things I normally would've given to coverage, but for now, like, where am I going?  I can just deal with it right?

I got out for a longer run.  My heart rate continues to be all kinds of screwed up.  Probably related to the not so awesome dietary decisions I've made lately.  Whatever.  It is what it is.

I talked to Mom for a while.  Dad continues to be locked out of his Gmail account on his computer but not on his phone.  It's an issue.

I am Loving my new exercise bands.  Amazon delivered them two days early.  I just pick them up and start doing exercises all the time.  Talking on the phone?  Waiting for water to boil?  Whatever.

COVID Diaries - Sunday April 5

First time wearing a "mask" at the grocery store.  My masks are just buffs that I got for running.  Maybe Qat Lady or My Pooky Bear will make me a real one?

I had a donut for breakfast. HyVee was out of the flavor I wanted, so I made due with a Boston Cream.

The state of the state address happened tonight.  Short and sweet. Basically, pretend our neighbors are stuck in the snow and we have to dig them out.  Except "dig them out" means stay home.

I feel like I am forever doing laundry.  Day Pajamas Sweat pants and sweat shirts are so bulky.

A note to my future self here this is not what Tiger King is about. I haven't watched Tiger King.  But it seems popular.

When I was running today, I straight up found a dome house in my neighborhood. Hows have I missed this thing for so long?  It's clear total hippies with kids live there. There's indoor plants in every window and chalk drawings outside.  Y'all are my people. 

This is not the dome house, but it is lovely.  It was a gorgeous day.

COVID Diaries - Saturday April 4

Today I learned there are two kinds of people in the world. Those who see a 144 piece clear acrylic puzzle as a challenge and those who don't.  My Pooky Bear and I are mainly on the good side of this debate.  I feel like one of my aunts could be made to see reason as well.

I am currently on a video chat with some of my old Zumba people.  It's hilarious for many reasons. It is making my life.

Now we're talking about if we should invest in Zoom.

My virtual background is upside down. What did I do wrong?

 I told Mom "basically I'm going to call into Zoom and say hello, and then just listen to the chaos".  I wound up being more a part of the conversation than I expected.  I'm sure the cider had something to do with that.

I did run today.

I tried to do a a resistance band workout before running my mile.  This thing nearly killed me. I stopped when they were all "we're going to do a resistance band push up".   Noped right out of there.

COVID Diaries - Friday April 3

Work was like... is it a full moon?  What was the deal? I worked hard today.

I tried to watch the Governor's daily address, but 2pm is about when the wheels really came off the wagon with work stuff, so I didn't see much.

I ran my mile today, and lifted weights a bit, but not a lot. For weights, I added a resistance band to some of the exercises. So, band plus little dumbells. It's better than nothing right?

We technically had snow today.  It really didn't stick here, and by the time I was out running, the sidewalks were dry.

I ordered resistance bands on Amazon.  They seem to be more in stock than weights. I also got pumpkin seeds because I miss them. Hard.

It's possible I got a bit snarky (I did get snarky) with a friend regarding new guidance to mask when we're out around people.  Friend was saying cloth face masks don't do anything.  I was explaining the guidance I'd been given by incident command and people who've been studying viruses longer than I've been alive.  (If Friend wears a mask, I am protected from Friend's germs, but Friend is not protected from my germs nearly as well).  Friend told me the guidance is was wrong viruses need true filtering from an N95.  I offered to connect Friend to the MDs and PhDs at incident command so they could be educated properly. (Snark.) 

Friend is not wrong, N95s would be ideal.  But currently the federal administration is in a pissing match with 3M over the distribution of N95s.  And apparently once the federal administration gets their hands on the N95s, they are for hoarding, not for distribution to the states. 

COVID DIaries - Thursday April 2

I am surprised to report I got up somewhat on time.

I am also pleasantly surprised to report I had a nice afternoon run.  My heart rate stayed low and I felt good.  One of my longer runs this week.

Actual monologue from my father (because I was told not to interrupt)

"Don't interrupt me and Don’t judge. All of us get this email.. (Legendary Run Golf Course) they have been approved by the county health commissioner to open their course...So Gary sends out this email... Michael is a little reluctant but he can't stand it much longer and if we're going to play

Dick said no... I originally said yes... about two hours later after Jan talked with me, I sent out an email saying I'm withdrawing my original approval.  And then Gary and Mike thought the same thing.  So we're going to sit out another week or two... The city courses aren't open... well no there's a city course in Covington Open and Legendary Run... not sure on Kenton Co"  

I asked Dad what changed his mind, and apparently it was just Mom saying "I wish you wouldn't""

Dad is mad that I can go out and run in the parks and he can't golf.  My thing is, no one has to go to work for me to enjoy the parks.  Dad's like "what about the people who mow the grass?" and I'm all "it's Minnesota, the grass is not growing here".  

So, the drama continues but I see progress in the right direction.

I'm listening to part of Gov Walz briefing.  11 of the 18 deaths in Minnesota have been in long term care facilities. 

Dad said "when we go 'back to normal', it's going to be something new."

Dungeon Master is going to make me a homemade mask.  After she figures out how to make one without a pattern or elastic. It's an issue.

COVID Diairies - Wednesday April 1

I was off work today for working on Monday.  (So worth it.  Sorting masks was the best thing ever.)

I woke up in time to call into safety huddle.  Apparently now that's a thing I do.  Even on my days off.  I remember when I hated these things so hard.  Everyone did.

I did a run walk later in the day. I just wanted to sleep.  That's pretty much how all of my days off go though, right?

In the evening, I took a physically distanced walk with Captain Smiley.  It was very good to get out, walk around, see the people, etc.

I talked to Dad.  He seemed bored and grumpy.  Or just "grumpy because bored" maybe.  I tried to call Mom but she did not answer.  Sigh.

This was kind of a rough day.  Not rough, but long.  I had a head ache.