Covid-19, Day 40

Sunday, April 19, 2020

It was a lazy Sunday but with some productivity. I did laundry and fixed the washing machine. Ed fiddled with his bees. The boys stayed on screens, though Gill did have a violin lesson and a brief in person visit with Dylan who rode by the house on  his bicycle with his dad. We had a backyard / driveway fire pit evening with the Johnsons, complete with smores.

Ed made bread. We all took a turn at Beat Saber on the VR system. I've been reading Ann Patchet's The Dutch House and am engrossed.

In the news:

• 2,297,712 cases worldwide, 158,202 deaths
• 764,177 cases in the U.S., 40,591 deaths
• 5,667 cases in Missouri, 171 deaths, 55,837 people tested

Covid-19, Day 36: Tax Day (not)

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

We did not file taxes today. There was an extension because of the pandemic. 

Ed's homemade bread with mom's homemade figs. 

Karla's Drunkard's Path quilt with clean to-be-folded clothes

In the news:

• President Trump halted U.S funding for the World Health Organization because he apparently believes that it mis-managed the corona virus. 
• The Florida governor declared professional wrestling as an essential business which allows contact.
• Barack Obama endorsed Joe Biden for president. 
• The University of Missouri System (4 universities, including the one I work for) must cut $180M in the next 60-90 days. Furloughs and layoffs are coming. 

Covid-19, Day 28: 3-hr WebEx Meetings

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

I'm sitting at my desk on a 3-hour interactive presentation (i.e. I have to pay attention) on data analytics. And my view from my desk is the street. And the weather is gorgeous, sunny and 80. And I keep watching people walking their dogs, riding bikes with their kids, and strolling with their spouse. It's miserable. But I did eventually get outside to take a look at these pretty gals.

More photos of my free, surprise tulips

And I had a great lunch break.

Leftover chicken and sausage gumbo with potato salad

When I finally broke free of work for the day, Ed and I went for a walk. As we typically do, we hunted pokemon.

An Apom photobombed my Raquaza

As we walked through the neighborhood, I noticed, with pleasure, the quiet. Few cars, no loud music, no sirens. All of the houses were lit from inside. As we headed back home, we stopped to look at the moon. A couple were outside their home, also looking. They were friendly, and chatted with us. I find that people are more aware of each other these days. 

Full Pink Moon - brightest supermoon of the year

In the news:

• 3,307 cases in Missouri, 53 deaths, 31,654 tested
• 219 in Kansas City, 1,203 in St. Louis
•  900 cases in Kansas, 27 deaths, 223 hospitalized
• 422 in Kansas side of the KC metro
• 16,284 cases in Louisiana, 582 deaths, 1,996 hospitalized

Covid-19, Day 27: Just another manic Monday

Monday, April 6, 2020

Worked until 6:30 (7 for Ed) then pulled the Easter decorations down from the attic. We have a ton of plastic eggs, and I spent about 2 hours placing fine wires through the holes at the top so that we can decorate the trees outside.

Eggs in a basket, ready to be hung in the trees

I also bedazzled our front door with some paper hearts that I cut out from a red folder. The flowers and birds nest are holdovers from last year. We have two real bird nests on the drain pipes on the north and west side of our house. I can see the mother bird sitting in the north-facing nest. Years ago when I was pregnant with Jonas, they nested in the same place. We can see them from our bathroom window. It was affirming to see new life at that personally significant moment. 

Front door is all flowers and hearts - do boys live here?

The boys attended online classes in the morning. They generally stay at their computers when they're done, so all 3 (Ed, Gill, and Jonas) are on the side-porch office for most of the day. It's a bright, cheery room with plenty of desk space to spread out. They each have their own chair and their own mess. As much as I fight against it, they bring food in there. I'm trying to teach them to sit at the table or bar when eating, away from screens. I want them to eat mindfully, and not get in the habit of stuffing food in their mouths, barely noticing what and how much they are eating. Also, we have ants in that room.

Apparently, another problem with bringing food in that room pertains to how loud the food might be. Hence the Dorito problem referenced in Ed's tweet below.

In the news:

• 1,347,892 cases worldwide, 74,808 deaths, 284,802 recovered
• 368,196 in the US, 136,675 in Spain (2nd)
• 16,523 in Italy, 13,341 in Spain (2nd)
• 2,722 cases in Missouri, 39 deaths, 31,654 tested
• 845 cases in Kansas, 25 deaths, 198 hospitalized
• 14,867 cases in Louisiana, 512 deaths, 1809 hospitalized
• 70% of those who died are African American; they make up 32% of the population
• Dow Jones closed at 22,656

Covid-19, Day 25:

Saturday, April 4, 2020

Today was house-cleaning day. Our target...bathrooms. We have four, so Ed + Gill took two and Jonas + me took the other two. Gill said it was much easier than emptying the dish washer, which is shocking. I disagree as I despise cleaning bathrooms.

After cleaning, I made a gumbo, from scratch.

Homemade roux

It was chilly outside, but we sat down on the patio to play Throw Throw Burrito which is a strange combination of card game + hot potato. It was hilarious and fun. Everyone but Ed achieved the Fear Me badge status. And yes, Jonas was wearing his onesie pajamas. He has 4 pair, and rotates one per day. He is not the least bit concerned about being outside in such attire.

Jonas was the 1st to win the Fear Me badge

I was the 2nd to win the Fear Me badge

Gill was the 3rd to win the Fear Me badge

We ate dinner (gumbo) together. Gill likes the rice and gumbo juice, but no meat. Jonas only likes the rice. He sometimes puts cheese on the rice. We had potato salad, which the boys declined to try, and french bread, of which they eat their weight on regular occasions.

Today, I continued to enjoy the flowers in our front yard. This one makes me think of my dad as he loved the color yellow.

Yellow tulip at sunset

In the news:

• 1,203,099 cases worldwide, 64,774 deaths, 246,893 recovered
• In first place: 312,146 cases in the U.S., 15,362 deaths in Italy
• 2,291 cases in Missouri, 24 deaths, 27,193 tested
• 698 cases in Kansas, 21 deaths, 172 hospitalized
• 12,496 cases in Louisiana, 409 deaths, 1726 hospitalized

Covid-19, Day 29: BBQ & Bagpipes

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Not much happened today. Work for the adults, school and video games for the kids. We did have a break at 5:30 when John Toddle came by to play the bagpipes. We rustled up an audience of about 40 people, and he asked for a whiskey so I obliged. I am my father's daughter after all. (Kids - your grandfather like his whiskey with a little ice, and had his own still). 

I usually put Easter stuff in this basket; instead,
it is full of provisions, right next to the front door.

Desi made Ed a mask with nuts and bolts.

Gill likes his LSU mask from Aunt Desi

It fits me too!

Covid-19, Day 26: No hike Sunday

Sunday, April 5, 2020

Ed went for a walk this morning, and the boys slept in so the house was uncharacteristically quiet. I slept until 10:20, awakened by Ed's loud voice; he was greeting the boys. I cannot remember when that last happened, and it was GLORIOUS.

I had grand ambitions to go on a hike with the family today. But we could not convince Gill to leave the house. So none of us went anywhere. It was very frustrating. At least Gill moved around a bit while playing VR.

Gill playing Beat Saber, a VR game we all love

Ed spent much of the day working on a concept he has for storing energy. He is quite excited about it. It would be a gamechanger in the energy industry. 

There is no news today because I didn't check it.

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