By request, here's another picture of our sunflower. I didn't have my glasses on when I was out in the garden yesterday afternoon and saw this green bug on the blossom -- so I couldn't really tell what it was but I photographed it anyway. (Thank goodness for auto-focus!) When I downloaded the pictures I realized it's just an aphid. I think so -- I still can't really tell.
In the latest chapter of our book-quarantine saga, we've decided not to quarantine. If this all sounds like a crazy see-saw, that's because it is. Such is life in the time of Covid, I guess. I think it's the right decision. All indications are that the virus isn't spread that way.
Also, last year, I had these huge plexiglass screens around my desk -- I felt like a bank teller. They were precariously placed (fell more than once) and hard to keep clean. This year I asked my boss if I really needed to keep them, and she was noncommittal, so I checked with our facilities manager, and he said government regulations no longer require them. I've also read that plastic screens might actually cause more harm than good by reducing air flow. So I took them down. What a relief! It's so nice to have my old desk back! I'm still pretty much socially distanced from the kids because the desktop is so wide.
I spent yesterday labeling shelves and moving furniture. I think we've got the space pretty much the way we want it. I've got a lot more shelf labeling to do today, plus more training. Woo hoo! (That was a sarcastic "woo hoo," just to be clear.)
I thought the "Woo hoo!" was a dyslexic owl.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm...that might be "ooh ooh"!
DeleteOh, I caught the sarcasm in the woo hoo. And that sure looks to be an aphid to me. Great photo and sunflower.
ReplyDeleteThanks. It's not often an aphid turns out to be photogenic!
DeleteI meant to confess yesterday that I assumed your boss was a man. I really should know better than to make such assumptions. I wonder if in supermarkets and the like, will screens be permanent.
ReplyDeleteEspecially in the world of libraries and education. My immediate boss is a woman and the head of school is a woman.
Deletegreat shot of the sunflower.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI told Mike that you'd inspired me to plant sunflowers next year, but he's skeptical because I rarely follow through. But this time I'm doing it. I swear!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're not quarantining books - it doesn't make sense too since the virus isn't spread that way. HOWEVER, I wonder if flu can be spread that way? Hmmm....
Yeah, I don't know how efficient books would be as a disease vector. I've never seen any studies on it!
DeleteWe are still very much learning our way through this thing, aren't we?
ReplyDeleteLovely photo. Sunflowers are such glories.
We really are, especially in the absence of specific government advice.
DeleteAnytime someone talks about 'work' training, I automatically think a sarcastic woo hoo.
ReplyDeleteGlad you have a bit more free air space around your desk. Imagine that plexiglass made it feel more than a little claustrophobic...even if you could (mostly) see through it.
Ha! I guess no one looks forward to work training, do they? I definitely feel better having those screens gone.
DeleteSunflowers make me smile, even with a wee bug.
ReplyDeleteI fear, as I watch certain states, that the US is heading back in time to last year and that's not a good spot.
We're having outbreaks here in the UK too -- associated with large gatherings of young people. I shudder to think what the school year might bring.
DeleteI love seeing sunflowers. I need to remember to plant some seeds here in the spring. Would you remind me, Steve!
ReplyDeleteI think as long as you are masked up at work you should be fine. I'm glad the glass is gone.
I wish I'd planted ours earlier, actually. We have two sunflowers that are not yet blooming and I hope they get to the flowering stage before cold weather comes.
DeleteI haven't heard much lately about how the virus is spread.
ReplyDeleteI think there just haven't been many revelations lately on that front. It's almost entirely airborne, from my understanding.
DeleteIt seems like everything about this pandemic is a constant see-saw. Two weeks ago we heard that people might need a booster shot after six months. Then we heard no we shouldn't do that and now we are hearing that yes we should. My six months come up in October. I guess I'll wait and see what the word is then.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I heard eight months originally. The timing keeps changing!
DeleteTerrific picture of the sunflower. Glad you are getting all set up for a new school year. Hope you have a happy (and healthy) school year!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ellen!
DeleteYour sunflower is beautiful. I'll bet it feels good to be back at work. I wouldn't want that plastic shield up around me either. You have a super day, hugs, Edna B.
ReplyDeleteIt DOES feel good to have a routine again.
DeleteThank you for the sunflower encore. It totally made my day!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad! :)
DeleteSunflowers are just pure cheerfulness. Who doesn't love a sunflower?
ReplyDeleteI sure hope your year gets off to a good and safe start, Steve.
Thanks, J!
DeleteA sarcastic woo-hoo as opposed to an enthusiastic woo-hoo, I gather. That sunflower is stunning. And the green aphid (I think that's what it is, too) counterbalances it nicely.
ReplyDeleteI'm enthusiastic in my sarcasm.
Delete