APRIL 2020

We were in lockdown the entire month with no clear end date. The intent of the lockdown was to flatten the curve and enable the hospitals to handle the load. We clearly reached both goals weeks ago but the lockdown continues and the goal post has changed. We are now trying to prevent deaths. Lofty goal, but not sure it is realistic. Our local hospitals are laying off nurses because they are not busy, an emergency facility set up to handle the overload has remained empty since it opened and our death rate in this area remains below 10. There are sections of the country that are truly feeling the brunt of the virus, but I think we are starving the patient to treat a sprained wrist. Even in CA, where 50% of the cases are in LA, and other counties have had zero deaths, everyone is treated the same. Clear data is lacking; at the onset, we were told that this virus was fatal with an 80% fatality rate. That has changed and is now almost less than 1%. How long the virus lasts on surfaces and how quickly it can spread...conflicting data. I don’t need the government to tell me what businesses are essential and which ones are safe enough to open. Give us the guidelines and if we can meet them, let people continue working. Those who are old and compromised should stay home and take all precautions. And they don’t care who is out and about...because they aren’t out there!! The government is spending all sorts of money to assist folks...when in actuality, they are trying to implement all the programs they have been fighting to implement for years. Do they even consider whose money they are giving away and what the long term effect will be? Needless to say, I have had enough of being treated like an idiot who can’t think for herself and needs the government to take care of her.

So….we spent the month working on the deck project. We had the wood delivered by Meeks and Rog started in. We found an outdoor set at Costco that we found pretty comfortable. I was going to order it online but found that it was $300 cheaper if you bought it at the warehouse. So Ryan came over with his truck and helped Rog get it here. By the end of the month, Rog had almost all of the joists and ledgers in place. We should be able to wrap it up in May.

I tackled the yellow-jacket nest a few more times. Finally, I called for help. I hired a local Rocklin pest company. She showed up with her N95 mask on and a backpack sprayer of a pesticide that killed on contact. No gloves, no face netting. Brave gal. She kept the sprayer in front of her and killed them as they came at her. She finally could poke a pole into the nest and dig it out. I haven’t seen a yellow-jacket since. Hallelujah!!

With the yellow-jackets gone, we could finally finish trimming the eucalyptus tree/shrubs on the hill and I sprayed them with RoundUp so they won’t need trimming next year. The yards are trimmed and everything is growing nicely. I started 6 containers of berries for the patio and they are growing like weeds.

The Easter Hunt/Breakfast was cancelled but Ryan organized a Zoom conference call so we all got to chat together. They didn’t give me any warning so our computers were not set up. Rog’s computer has a disabled webcam and mine had no external microphone so we ended up using both computers; one for video and one for audio. Ah technology.

One good thing that has come out of the lockdown is an easier way to shop. I needed embroidery thread for my dragon project so I sat at home, picking out what I needed and sending the order in to our local store. The next day, Rog went by and called them from the front curb. They came out, set the bag in front of his motorcycle. No contact, no fuss, no waiting in line. Then I found out that I could do the same with WalMart. You sign up for an open appt time, place your order and then when you leave your house, you use your cell phone app to let them know that you are on your way. Your order is ready when you arrive. You put the space number you are parked in on the app and they come out, place the groceries in your trunk and you get the receipt in your email. I now have an appt for Friday morning and I am going to try ice cream and see how they get it to me. You can add to your order up to a few hours before your time slot. Couldn’t be easier. We have had to go to Costco and Home Depot...the most dangerous trips I make. Both are limiting the number of people they let in at one time and everyone wears masks and maintains safe distancing. Just a new way of life.

The grandkids continue online school and they do online art classes every day. Amazing what they are producing. Michelle is doing it with them and feels a little intimidated. Max has been working on merit badges for scouts as well. We continue to take our early morning walks in the adjacent park, and the kids walk by and we visit every Friday morning. So life goes on.