Dreaming of a happier time

Don't get too excited, this is an old picture.  Old memories of happier times is what helps me cope with reality.  Today is a hard day, I'm feeling very depressed and lethargic.  I haven't felt like posting anything on my blog.  I need  to get out of my house, I need to see my family, I need to just go browsing a department store, I need to go to the beach, I need to see my friends again and I need to stop worrying about the unknown. 

Yesterday I was almost rude to a complete stranger on Facebook.  I related an experience I had at Shop-Rite in Lacey last week.  I said that a security guard took my temperature before I was allowed to enter the store.  A woman replied that all I have to do is use Insta-cart and get my groceries delivered.  Really? It's that simple?  I don't think so, in this area the delivery slots are booked for the next 3 weeks.  I actually don't mind going shopping, it's the highlight of my week, LOL!  And, I don't mind having my temperature taken.  I don't see how that makes any difference, because you can be a carrier of the virus without any symptoms.  But, I will keep doing my part and keep praying that this ends soon.  

On a more positive note, people are stepping up and helping their neighbors.  My neighbor Rita likes to sew.  She called me and asked if my Son and I would like her to make us cloth masks to wear.  I thought that was really nice of her and I thanked her for the offer.  She did an amazing job and delivered them to our paper tube.  Thanks again Rita!

There have been a lot of catch phrases circulating, but the best one in my opinion was "better to be 6 feet apart rather than 6 feet under"!  I can't agree more.  Stay safe and healthy. 😍💘

Good Friday prayers

As a child, I was raised as a Christian.  I attended Sunday school at the Presbyterian church in the small town of Newtown, Pa.   When I got a little older, I joined the Methodist church.  I sang in the Choir and had many wonderful experiences being a member.  When I became an Adult, I drifted away from attending Church.  In times of trouble I always relied on my faith to see me through.  And there were many times in my life when I called on God for guidance and help.  Now is no different, I need my faith to get me through this troubling time.  I admit to not knowing very much about other religions and their beliefs.  I only know what I believe.  Today I will spend my time quietly reflecting on those beliefs and asking God to protect my family and friends.  Many years ago, on Good Friday everything stopped in the afternoon at the time of Jesus' death.  Businesses closed, People attended Church services and as children we were told to remain quiet in the house.  It was a day of mourning, a time of darkness for every Christian.  This afternoon I will pray for all the souls we have lost to this Virus Worldwide.  I'll also look forward to Sunday when the light returns and Jesus is Risen.  I have to believe that this Crisis will end and there will be light in the world again.

Easter Week 2020

I don't know about you, but I need some happiness in my life this week.  Today's blog is going to focus on the positive.  When I started this blog it was supposed to be about our Keto journey to better health.  Just about a month ago our world was turned upside down.  We're still here and we're still trying our best to stay Keto.  I will admit that it has gotten a lot harder though.  Once last week we ate mac n cheese for the first time in over a year.  I've also made cookies more than once, and I don't mean Keto cookies.  😲  But I'm not beating myself up over my slip ups.  I know when this crisis is over, I will get back on track.  As we approach Easter, Passover and Ramadan, I'm going to be thankful for everything that's good in my life.  Tonight I'll go outside and look up at the Super Moon 🌕 and thank God.  I know that tomorrow the sun 🌞will rise on another day.  My family is healthy, I have a roof over my head, food to eat and love in my heart.  These are the important things for me.  Some of my family and friends have not been as fortunate and have suffered more than I have.  I pray for them all and hope things get better for everyone. 

    

It's not business as usual

Take a good long look at the graph above.  I am so appalled when I hear of instances of my fellow human beings that just don't understand this graph.  Over and over again I'm hearing of gatherings of people for selfish reasons.  Do you not understand that it's not just about you?  It affects all of us.  I know it's hard to stay home and not be with the people you care about.  "Stay home" is for your safety and mine.  The President's guidelines say no groups larger then 10.  I say no groups period.  How do you know if just one person in your group is a carrier?  Are you really willing to take a chance on becoming infected?  Those of you that think it's OK to get together with friends are in the dark blue curve, the rest of us who are staying home are in the striped curve.  Maybe you think you won't be that one out of ten that infects someone else.  How do you know for sure?  Are you willing to jeopardize your family and friends just so you can get out of the house?  How are you going to feel if because you were lonely and decided to visit Grandma, and you unknowingly are a carrier of the virus and now Grandma gets sick and dies?  Think about that, let it sink in, was it worth the visit?  Maybe you think getting together outside and staying 6 feet apart is OK, what if that's not true.  There is so much we don't know about how this Virus is transmitted.  The rules keep changing everyday.  I'm not being a Nervous Nellie, I've seen first hand how people who were healthy and relatively young have been fine one day and then suddenly got sick and within a week to 10 days died.  They're dead, they're not coming back.  Please at least consider what I've said, we are in a war and the only way to win is to fight with the tools that we have.  Mitigation   if you don't know what that means, look it up.

How are you coping?

Today is our last day of mandatory quarantine.  Tomorrow we can finally venture outside and attempt to do some food shopping.  It's been an experience we somehow managed to get through.  We've been in lock down since March 10th.  We had no opportunity to stock up because we were told to stay home, not asked...told by the Health Dept.  I want to take this opportunity to thank a few people for their concern and offers to shop for us.  First, my son Tom who did his best to fill our list of needed things.  Second, my niece Bonnie who offered to send me anything I needed.  She lives in Florida but knowing her, she would have done it.  Two of my neighbors here in NJ said "let me know if you need anything", Barbara and Agnes.  My friend Tina who also offered, even though she would be putting herself at risk to help us.  My daughter and Son-in-law who live an hour away also offered.  There's one person I barely know who also offered, thanks Ellen.  Thanks to my brother, Bob, My friend, Rho and my niece, Sherry for checking on us.  If I've learned one thing it's who your friends truly are.  I know who those people are and I love them for caring about us.  I don't hold any grudges for the friends that didn't step up, I'm sure they are scared, as we all are.  For those that bullied us, I'm sure you were terrified we would somehow infect you.  We never had any symptoms and we were transparent about our situation.  Maybe that was a mistake but I still believe it was the right thing to do.  I can't forget to thank my Son, Don who kept me laughing just by being himself.  This would have been much harder if I had been alone.  💖💖

I pray this crisis will end and be just a bad memory.🙏  I pray my family remains safe and well.🙏  I pray our leaders put aside their politics and do the right thing. 🙏  We're all in this together and now is not the time for bickering.

Personally, my immediate wish is to find most of what I need at the grocery store☕🍅🍗🍞 (no emoji for toilet paper). 

The first time in my life

I haven't posted in a while because I have more pressing things going on in my life right now.  I never saw this crisis coming.  It all happened so fast, and I wasn't prepared.  Aside from just figuring out how to survive, I am also deeply saddened by the selfish actions of others.  I mostly live pay check to pay check and rarely have any extra money put aside.  I buy just what I need and don't stock up on anything.  What I find to be ironic is that now, I have received my Social Security; but there's no food to buy.  Because people are binge buying and hoarding.....crazy.  As the title above says, this is the first time in my life that money is useless.  

My son and I have been quarantined since 3/10 and we have another week to go before we can leave the house.  I'm praying that by then the grocery situation has improved.  I'm trying very hard to stay positive because things could be much worse.  We could both be sick because we were exposed to the virus.  People my son knows have died. 

I'm old enough to remember what the world was like just after the second World War.  Things were still being rationed and people had to make do with what they had.  But with the passing of time, everything got back to normal and the Country thrived.  So just be patient and do whatever it takes to get through this trying time and most of all be kind and considerate of others.  

Random thoughts, not Keto related

I've had a lot of time on my hands lately and my mind has been in overdrive.  Like everyone else, I've been listening to the Talking Heads on TV, maybe a little too much.  I've spent more time then usual on Facebook as well.  The news media has been scaring me and Facebook is all about making jokes about Covid 19.  So who do we believe?  Is this all just a hoax perpetrated by politics?  I've seen it said that this is another attempt to influence the 2020 election.  If that's true, how do you explain Italy and what they are going through?  Everyone  is saying don't panic, but how can we not when we see what is happening in Italy.  For me, this all became more personal when I found out my Son has been exposed to someone that tested positive for Covid-19.  It started when he told me he knew the Man in NJ who was the first death from the Virus.  Ok, that's very sad news but he wasn't with him lately.  Nothing to worry about.  Later that day, he was informed that one of the people where he works had been in contact with the deceased.  He was tested and the results were positive.  My son was told that even though he is not showing any signs of the virus, he should voluntarily quarantine in place for the safety of others.  He was also told to take his temperature periodically.  If his temperature went up to 100.4, he should call his primary care Doctor and be tested.  This also means I am quarantined because we live in the same house.  Both of us are in the group of being at a higher risk.  Me because of my age and Don because he has pre-existing lung issues with Asthma.  For now we are fine, but that balance between panic and calm has swung toward panic.  ⚖😷

I'd also like to say that my blog is a way for me to express myself.  I like getting my thoughts and feelings out of my head and down on paper.  It's sort of a form of therapy for me.  That being said, If I have offended you in any way with something I've posted here, just let me know.  I would rather be informed then have anyone assume something I said was directed at them.  Case in point, my blog about Lent.  The whole point of that blog was Satire not literal.  When I said I liked the idea of giving up people and giving up being nice, it was directed at people I have had to deal with in my life who are rude and hurtful.  I would never "give up" on my friends.  Friends should care about each other unconditionally even if they don't agree with each other all the time.  That doesn't mean there won't be conflict but true friendship should be able to weather those storms.  I've told you all before, comments are encouraged and I look forward to them good or bad.  So, let me have it!  Just try to be kind to each other. 😍