Remember the Ravenous Camellia Monster? Well, it's back, gnawing up my neighbor's pink camellia blossoms. I've been finding shredded petals near the garden fence, and yesterday I caught it in the act. I can't be sure it's the same Camellia Monster, of course.
The handymen finished their work yesterday on our new garden gate area. There's some fresh cement over there that we have to avoid for the next few days, but that's fine -- we rarely use our side alley anyway. Now we have a gate that locks and newly rebuilt (and much safer) steps.
I did some minor trimming in the front garden to neaten up their work. (They left a lot of scraps lying around.) I also planted three of our foxgloves there -- we had some growing wild in the center of the garden a couple of years ago, but they disappeared when the bushes got too overgrown. Now that the jungle has been tamed, maybe the foxgloves can prosper once again?
I planted the rest of our foxgloves -- nine of them -- in the back garden. It's SO GREAT to have them all in the ground. They looked like they were suffering a little bit in their pots, with their lower leaves yellowing, as you can see. They've come a long way since I planted them as seeds last July.
We haven't heard yet whether we'll be back at school on Monday. Coincidentally, I've been having a respiratory issue unrelated to COVID, and I was supposed to see a doctor that day. But now my doctors have essentially closed the office to walk-in appointments and all previously scheduled appointments will be done by telephone. They're understandably concerned about COVID exposure, probably both to themselves and their other patients. So we'll see how that goes.
Meanwhile, I walked to work both ways last week in order to stay off the Tube, and yesterday I was home all day. (I didn't shake the handymen's hands, and they politely declined our offer of tea!) I worry about all the small businesses and restaurants that rely on foot traffic -- Dave and I talked last night about what we could do to safely continue participating in the local economy. I understand the concept of "flattening the curve" -- delaying infections so we all take on this virus more gradually, without overwhelming the medical establishment. But shouldn't those of us without significant risk factors somewhat balance the self-isolation? We have to sustain our communities, too. (Then again, Dave does have risk factors -- being on immune-suppressing drugs for his Crohn's -- so I have to behave cautiously on his behalf.)
This is such a weird time to be alive.
I decided, not to self-isolate like a modern day monk, but to self-censor like a Presbyterian prude instead. Hence:-
ReplyDeleteWhy was that red *** *** on your lawn? Perhaps it belongs to Mrs Kravitz.
We’re having the same conversations. The restaurants and cafes around town are already struggling, and today we didn’t go out for our daily coffee. A friend has a fever, probably flu or cold, but she’s holed up just in case per doctor, so we thought we should do the same until she knows for sure. Fortunately we’ve got the sea right in front of us. Easy to roam without coming into contact with anyone.
ReplyDeleteOh, that red rubber thing on the lawn is an Olga toy, isn’t it? At first I though it was a something else!
it's like that Chinese curse...may you live in interesting times. in our town of less than 9,000 people the grocery store sent out a blurb that they would be staying open and were restocking the shelves as fast as they can and schools are closing next week. it's been spring break this week. I wonder about that as as far as I know there is very little COVID-19 in Texas and none at all here so I wonder what good it will do id the virus isn't even here yet.
ReplyDeleteI think the idea is to self-isolate because we are all potential vectors of this virus. We can unknowingly infect as we can be contagious before symptoms appear. The less interaction between us, the better.
ReplyDeleteI would trim the yellow leaves of that foxglove. That way the plant isn't wasting its energy on them but can concentrate on new growth.
A great idea I read to help local businesses is to spend your normal amount of money at them, but on gift cards...preferably purchases online or over the phone. Then, when the crisis is over, go use them. That gives them cash right now to get them over the hump until things go back to normal.
ReplyDeleteYour last sentence is key. We have to do our bit to prevent the spread of the virus.
ReplyDeleteThings are beginning to get a bit scary now. I feel bad for David. All we can do is the best we can and wait it out. Hopefully, it will run itself out soon. Your foxglove is looking nice. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.
ReplyDeleteWe went to the co-op yesterday and did a little panic shopping. When we got to the cashier and told her we were panicked, she replied, "You call what's in your cart panic? You should see what people have been buying all day. A friend told me that Costco has put a limit on the amount of rice people can buy... 80 pounds!" There we were with our measly one pound. Maybe we're not taking this seriously enough yet. But seriously, this is a very challenging time. I hope everyone stays safe and healthy. Including that little squirrel!
ReplyDeleteI can't grow foxglove to save my life and I generally have a green thumb.
ReplyDeleteYou should be extra cautious if your partner is on immunosuppressants.
Stay healthy.
Pretty sure that travel plans are on hold. Mr. Man is vulnerable , has existing health issues that would succumb to the virus, yet, there is denial..Still going to work, ten hours a day, doing dentistry! No reasoning. I have cleaned house , beached counter tops, washed clothing and sheets in hottest water. Not going out and about- yet the odds are against us. Weird times to be sure!
ReplyDeleteNice that you are getting the "grounds" sorted! It is still too cold here to think about gardening.
I was in a local grocery store yesterday that was packed with people buying huge quantities of "stuff". All the ramen was gone and most of the pasta. I didn't check the rice. We generally keep a well-stocked larder and it's a bit better stocked right now. But we're not panicking.
ReplyDeleteI was out and about yesterday and even had a meal at a very busy restaurant. So, things seem quite normal here with the possible exception of bottles of Purell everywhere I go. And, the emails are getting crazy. I get 10 to 12 emails a day from the museums where I have memberships and stores I shop at and the airlines I frequent all letting me know how they are handling virus protection. I haven't gone to a grocery store yet. That will be my next adventure.
ReplyDeleteDang it! We're out of mustard. We certainly won't go to a store this weekend, but all trips anywhere are now a source of anxiety. It's in Pima country, where we live; but without drive through (or any) testing there is no way to know what the true numbers are. Our community center has closed, no pool, no tennis courts, no nothing. The truly terrible part is the ability to transmit the virus before showing symptoms.
ReplyDeleteWell it is official that tRump has the virus. He kissed Nancy Pelosi on both cheeks. Strange days, indeed.
ReplyDeleteFour cases noted here in Montana yesterday for the first time. I calculate that to about 400 cases at the very least.
Please listen to Dr. John Campbell for authentic information. Stay safe and give Olga a hug for me.
That Ravenous Camellia Monster is pretty dang cute :)
ReplyDeleteThis virus is going to have wide-ranging effects, that's for sure. Little businesses will be the hardest hit, I think. I like Jennifer's idea of buying gift cards online or over the phone and using them later. That covers a lot of important bases.
I love this photo...Why weren't you ever a professional photographer? Hoping that you and Dave will be fine.
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