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Hello!
It is the last evening of my almost week long vacation. Staycation, really, as we did not go anywhere far from home. Yay.
But we did venture out!
On the first day, we went to pick up our annual order of chicken from Well Fed Farms and it was an excellent NO-CONTACT experience. Our ten birds were waiting for us in this freezer. We left our check for the balance, grabbed the birds, and were on our way! We even got to take the flowers.
It was a beautiful day for a drive and we enjoyed getting out for a bit in the Challenger.
On Tuesday and Wednesday we stayed home, and I was productive - I mended my favorite pair of old jeans!
I’d been wanting to do this for a while and am so glad I did. Ready for a few more years of wear! This method was MUCH quicker than what I did on the other pair, and I managed to finish them in a day or so.
Thursday we went out again to stock up at Silvana Meats. This was sadly an experience very unlike picking up the chicken. I had seen on their website that they were only allowing two people into the shop at a time, so that was promising. We arrived, and had to wait outside for our turn.
“Mask’s are optional”
Hmmm… RED FLAG
Nearly every employee inside was WITHOUT a mask. You can read details of the experience here. Suffice it to say, we WILL NOT be returning to Silvana Meats. I was horrified that a food processing/retail establishment was defying the statewide mandate to wear masks.
Yet… not surprised.
The stupidity around this pandemic is mind-boggling. I try not to dwell on it, but I must say that not being able to go camping as planned has been a big disappointment.
What’s that?
It’s safe to go outside, as long as you stay away from people?
Have you ever paid close attention to a campground bathroom?
Have you seen the grubby children running in and out, not washing their hands? Groups of teenage girls hanging out applying makeup and drying their hair? Moms with tantrum toddlers trying to get them to JUST GO POO and get it over with?
Thanks, but no thanks this year.
Rowland enjoyed staying home. There were plenty of long walks, treats, and ladle lickings to be had.
The weather finally cleared up for the 4th and I was so glad to spend some time in the yard. I tried doing a “sit spot” for my nature journaling class, which was sitting quietly and observing everything happening around me. I had been waiting patiently for good weather to match with a day off to do this, and was excited to finally have a chance. Our yard is not the best place to do this, but I went in with a good attitude.
Right away some movement caught my eye, and I saw this pretty fellow on a leaf or the snowball bush. I searched online and determined it’s an Emerald moth, and am hoping somebody on iNaturalist will be able to narrow it down a bit.
The rest of my observation time was interrupted by fireworks, the neighbor lady, and a general lack of quiet.
Oh well.
It was still nice to sit outside.
I pulled out my watercolors for an afternoon of painting, and Michael took a sneaky picture of me!
The firework situation was pretty bad last night. Despite the fact they’re illegal here in Everett, plenty of people around us were lighting them off for hours. Really unpleasant - I hope we’re able to get back to camping next year! Rowland was not happy and did a lot of barking. I don’t blame him.
Amazingly, our neighbors DID NOT have any visitors! The girls did throw poppers at the ground all day though.
And here we are today, the last day of my time off. It went by way too fast, and I’m sad to go back to work tomorrow. Even though we didn’t get away much, it has been a relaxing few days and I’m sad it’s coming to an end. Sitting inside at a computer all day when the sun is shining is a bummer.
Nolan called today. He and Mia are doing well in eastern Idaho, though NO SURPRISE hardly anyone is wearing masks. He sent me two pictures from their recent backpacking trip near the Tetons.
So pretty. I wish I was there, or some similar place away from people.
I do try to stay upbeat but sometimes it’s hard. I’m sure you all have a similar experience - good days, okay days, and really freaking awful days. I’m so disheartened when I see stories about mass crowds gathering for holiday festivities of any sort - and the anti-mask sentiment that some people hold is downright foolish. One thing that does help me in my dark moments is dark humor, like this series of pub coasters from Scarfolk Council. England allowed pubs to open this week, despite all indications that opening any sort of social establishment causes the virus to surge back.
Dear humans - you cannot outsmart this virus. Your arrogance with be the death of you.
Tidbits
How Fauci, 5 other health specialists deal with covid-19 risks in their everyday lives - we’re doing pretty good… are you?
COVID-19 Can Last for Several Months - I’m reading a lot about folks who have chronic COVID, and it’s frightening
I ordered a couple more masks from Vala Cloth Works
Recently eaten: Hobnobs
Reading: Neuromancer by William Gibson, finally
Videos of the Week
Every time I hear this song it nearly brings me to tears. I’m not sure why… maybe because it makes me happy?
One of the new songs from Fontaines D.C. This video is genius.
Question of the Week
If you feel like answering the question, hit reply to this email. Answers will be shared in next week’s newsletter - anonymously. Don’t be shy! General public commenting is available too at the end of this post.
How are you keeping sane in this mad, mad, mad, mad world? Music? Comics? Art? Books? Movies?
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Last week I asked about childhood music memories…
Music that reminds me of my childhood is country music. It's all my parents ever played while we were trapped in the car. Many years I hated it because I started really liking alternative music in the 90s. But with our kids when they were young we went on road trips and there was just *always* a country station no matter where we drove. And both my husband and I know a lot of the words to old country songs, so it was something we did on road trips, mostly laughing at the worst lyrics. Our kids, now teens, love country music and I have to be honest, it's been a difficult pill to swallow. To think I inadvertently got them interested in the music I loathed as a teen - ugh. I'm still not a fan of the old stuff but my kids keep playing new stuff, and frankly some of it is pretty good. I've really been impressed with some Black country singers. Who knew Darius Rucker from Hootie and the Blowfish has a successful solo country music career? And female country artists are amazing - one of my favorites is Yola. Check out this enlightening article from Rolling Stone with lots of good recommendations, and info about country music's true origins. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/country-music-racist-history-1010052/
Music has always been a big part of my life, maybe because it was important in my parents’ life. We moved house every two years and road trips meant music. In our home, music was important enough that there was a good stereo around (my dad bought an 8-track player before most people knew the format). One of our favorite activities as kids was to put on some Henry Mancini and pretend we were Ernest Flat dancers (of Carol Burnett fame). Side Note: Our little brother, being the smallest, was the easiest one to dip. My crocheted poncho made a great skirt and Mom’s frosted wig looked great on him. He claims he needed therapy.
It would be difficult to choose a single song that reminds me of my childhood. When my dad was packing up his flight bag, Silver Wings by Merle Haggard and Leaving on a Jet Plane by Peter, Paul and Mary got a lot of play. We heard songs like One Toke Over the Line and Joy to the World on the road trips I remember. The whole family would sing along and everyone would choose their parts. You should have heard my dad’s beautiful baritone voice singing the harmonies like he was born to it. Mom couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket, but she lent her voice with gusto. Utter joy.
I have great memories of riding in the back of our Ford Grand Torino statin wagon and listening to KJR radio station - the “rubber band song” was a favorite. That would be the song “Frankenstein” by the Edgar Winter Group. I also have great memories of going to Peaches Records and Tapes with my dad and seeing the Roxy Music posters all over. It wasn't until years later that I actually heard any of their songs (and I love them).
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I read your Zine, lots of books. Podcasts and music. Garden, mountain hikes and building my tiny house. Honestly I was not well suited for Pre CVD19 life really. So far I'm doing what I would of been doing anyways, and its hard not to feel somewhat guilty. "Make art not friends."- Sturgill Simpson
that makes me so sad about silvana meats. :( it was one place we could get "fancy" meat, and they have these smoked cornish game hens i'm in love with. this virus is doing a good job letting me know where spending my money is problematic at best, dangerous at worst. boooooo.