Below are some stone sculptures made by setting stones upon stones, near my house and the ocean. The stones look like lonely Japanese warriors to me, looking out to sea.
The plum below is my Santa Rose plum planted 2 years ago, and the flowers hint of potential plums to come. I was pleased to harvest two dozen delicious plums last year that we ate; some other plums were lost to the birds who pecked at them, and some fell to the ground and were mushy.
My church has many flowering plum trees with pink blossoms, maybe 25 trees.
The plum tree below with its white blossoms looks like a cloud has gently landed on it. No one planted it, it is growing in the alley along my fence. I think a bird planted it. This photo was taken while I was standing on my patio near my kitchen door.
Coronavirus.
What to say? The surgeon general recently tweeted that there is no need for the public to buy face masks, and that health workers need them. This is a bit contradictory. I understand the face masks help because they prevent us from touching our face, so I ordered some online. I am wondering if they are sold out and whether they will actually arrive. The virus can enter through the nose, mouth and eyes, and of course the masks don't cover the eyes.
I read that the virus remains infectious on surfaces for several days, so you don't need to be in contact with an infected person to become infected.
I bought extra Tylenol, Lysol kitchen wipes and cough syrup, just in case. Hand washing is key to prevention and I have hand sanitizer in my purse. Hand sanitizers are sold out in the city in California where I live. A virus expert said the sanitizer needs to be above 60 per cent alcohol, and he recommends taking zinc lozenges at the first sign of flu or cold symptoms. I don't know the scientist's name, sorry. He also says no to hand shaking, instead use fist bumps or a small bow. I am around a lot of people at church and in the retirement/memory care home where I volunteer.
For me, staying home would be difficult, not to mention boring. I am a senior citizen so I am in one of the groups health officials are concerned about. You youngsters may be less at risk. Are you doing anything to prepare? Just in case. Any good ideas?
39 comments:
I suspect it is not as bad as the say. Our news freaks out for ratings.
Those are beautiful plum trees all around. We don't have anything budding out yet up here but we are having warmer than usual weather for March. Lot's of 40's during the day and I'm enjoying it.
As per a message from my cardiologist, I am staying home more. Dennis still has to go to work daily but we ARE over 60 so are taking precautions. The retirement home that I go to knit group at is only letting family visit now, so no more knitting there for me for awhile. We are also choosing to stay home from church for now as my doctor says no more than 10 people in a group.
We have chorox wipes, pain reliever, kleenex, toilet paper, etc. on hand. I always stock up because I detest shopping, so I didn't have to join the crazy rush to buy things. Last month was stock up time, so we should be good for several months. The same with food.
I don't think this is going to go away anytime soon and I do fear it's much worse than the usual cold/flu thing.
Take care and I'm looking forward to seeing your new mirror when it's finished.
Blessings,
Betsy
Eating more oranges than usual hoping the vitamin C helps my immunity
Hi Terra - love the mirror ... it'll be really 'enlightening' - and great image you took. The coastline looks interesting with those sculptures ... invasive plants are a challenge. Take care - coronavirus will do its thing - stay safe - cheers Hilary
Flowering trees are something I wish remain from spring to winter.
I take calcium, magnesium and zinc all winter and very other day during the warm months. I saw on television some people are tapping the tip of their shoes instead of shaking hands. On The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon the other night, he suggests we cross our fists over our hearts as a greeting. I like that method best, but with one hand over my heart.
Well I am 87 so in an at risk group i suppose. My store cupboard is well stocked, as is my greezer. I have plenty of good ordinary soap. Other than that I have done nothing so far. I am out to lunch a lot as always but will probably cut this out if the virus spreads (today there is only one case registered in our whole county)
I have not changed my daily routines or social habits but we were asked at church not to join hands as has been a tradition for the final hymn. If I get sick I will not go out though. In the meantime I wash my hands a lot.
Over here we are told that face masks should only be used by medical staff, because if worn by people not knowing how to use them (like how to take them off and dispose of them properly), they can even contribute to spreading the virus. Nevertheless, they seem to be sold out already at the pharmacies... (I heard on the news) I try to think ahead and keep a fair supply of everyday stuff and food at home - but not really all that much more than usual for winter/flu season. We're recommended to primarily wash our hands with soap and water but use sanitizer gel when that is not available. So I do keep a small bottle of such gel in my backpack or purse when I go out somewhere.
We try to do all the things recommended, hand washing, no travel, try not to touch our face, stay away from crowds, etc. But let's face it, occasionally we have to grocery shop. We use sanitizer when handling doors or surfaces - but it's impossible to cover everything (what about your food items from the stores handled previously by workers and shoppers? what about money that changes hands constantly? gas pump handles, mail, etc.) You simply do the best you can and hope its enough. We're in the 'compromised' group, but I refuse to worry about it.
By the way, I like those stone sculptures by the water...
Wow! Look at all the signs of spring in your area! I am ready for that to happen here.
We are flying to California in another two weeks, so I guess you can say that we are not panicking about CV. Yes, I will bring my wipes and wipe everything down on that plane, but they say that you are more at risk at the airport. So, I guess I will just use extra caution and lots of soap and disinfectant on everything. I am trying to balance caution with completely freaking out. The CDC says it is still safe to travel within the states, so I guess we will still go. I will admit to being a tad nervous though.
Yes, that mirror is stunning. That's a great idea, having one made to suit yourself!
Hope and pray I won't regret it, but: Aside from washing my hands more often, I'm not overly concerned about the virus. As a matter of fact, at church this morning everyone was continuing to hug one another. One of my favorite authors had an interesting take on hugging in this morning's column: https://seandietrich.com/a-hug-per-day-keeps-the-doctor-away/
The flowering trees are so pretty. When we lived up North, we were surrounded by Almond orchards. The white blooms looked like clouds and snow. Not good for allegories, but beautiful to look at.
Because my dearest is elderly (82) and has serious health issues, we wash hand all the time, take sanitizer with us, and don't do big crowds. He isn't able to travel far, so we don't worry about airports, or concerts, etc. We are basically homebodies.
Looks like most of the deaths are above 60 years old and already have compromised health. Well, I'm a prime target, I guess. But I haven't gotten any of the previous worse flus that have gone around the last 20 years so I am not overly worried.
You have just beautiful spring blossoms already! I'm looking out at snowbanks still--LOL!
Stay safe. Enjoy the beautiful weather! :)
Those plum trees are so pretty. I used to have a pear tree in the back yard. I hated the tree except for in the spring when it was filled with blossoms.
I am not doing anything different than usual. I've also read that many doctors are unhappy about the media covereage of the coronavirus and they think they are only causing a panic.
Beautiful flowers! I love seeing signs of Spring.
I like the mirror shot too.
I'm not too concerned about the virus. I feel the media way overdoes so many things.
I am the infectious disease nurse at my place, so am getting all kinds of info. It seems that common sense and hand washing are our best tools.
Washing hands more especially every time I return to our apartment. If it comes to this high-rise retirement community its likely we'll all get it and some will die for sure. 3 cases so far in MD. It seems to be spread easily so it not an if but a when.
We live in a senior community where many are quite frail and sick. The virus is a danger for them esp.
Oh your trees are so lovely!
We are seniors as well and have not been eating out 3-4x a week as we have in the past. We did go to the movies but, I chose seats not near anyone else and had wipes with me as well. As far as not touching our faces -- impossible -- we both have itchy eyes constantly but trying to wash more often. Definitely more of a homebody these days.
Love the photo you took of the mirror, and of you in the background! Very interesting and pretty composition! I can't wait to see the new mirror you have commissioned for your home. It sounds wonderful. Great that they will install it for you properly. Mirrors are very heavy and you want to be sure it is hung correctly. Love all of the beautiful flowering plum trees there. The only ones I've seen here are the wild variety, but they have also been beautiful this year. I am not overly concerned about the coronavirus. We just try to use common sense and wash hands often. Of course, we are not travelers nor do we go where there are large crowds. Our church is very small, but we are huggers. My feeling is if one has a compromised immune system or is quite elderly or is feeling unwell, please stay home where you are safe. But I cannot stop living because of fear. Psalm 91 is what I pray and believe.
We have an ornamental pear that is covered in blooms. I'm hoping that with the warmer weather, Covid 19 will lessen like colds and flu.
Your new mirror will be huge! I'm looking forward to seeing it in your dining room.
The flowering plum trees are lovely. It will be a while before we see any trees in bloom.
No panic here as yet re: coronavirus. We're washing our hands even more than we were before so hopefully that will help us avoid any problems.
Those flowering trees are beautiful and what I was able to glimpse of your backyard looks lovely too! I think I spied a cymbidium orchid near your patio table?
The stone sculptures look lovely, too.
As for the virus, I am taking the usual precautions, such as washing my hands with soap and water. I generally keep a small stock of food and water, etc. in case of earthquakes and emergencies, so I feel I can manage if I need to stay home. Might need to get more kitty litter, however, as I am a bit low on that! All we can do is hope for the best and be prepared to the extent possible, I suppose.
I love the plum trees - so pretty! Your new mirror sounds lovely - will you show us a picture when it gets installed? Your description of the stacked stones as lonely Japanese warriors is so perfect.
The coronavirus has just barely hit Missouri so we have not done anything special yet. We try to always keep a basic supply of food and paper products. I did buy some hand sanitizer mainly to use when we go out which is not very often. If it gets bad in our area we will stay home much more and stop eating out and going to the movies which is usually our only occasional treat.
You live in a very picturesque neighbourhood. I hope that you will write more about the stone sculptures which are intriguing.
Ramana, if I find out more about the stone art I will post here. The sculptures are simple stone piled upon stones, and they appear most years, done by an unknown artist. A nice gift to everyone who sees them. About five years ago I saw a man creating them and gave him some dollars for his efforts.
Bless, yes, that is a large cymbidium orchid on my patio that you spied. The flowers get brown spots on them, I want to figure out why so I can prevent that.
Wish we had some plum trees here but the Bradford Pears are all over the place in full bloom.
Not a bad idea to cut out the hand holding in church. My doctor said even for the plain ole flu that Church was the easiest place to catch it. He also said elbow bumps were not such a good idea since we all tend to cough and sneeze into our elbows. Sure will be glad when this is over. Stay safe.
I love those stone sculptures! :)
Gorgeous photos and I love your mirror! I'm preparing like crazy. I'm one of those people who could be in my house for weeks and if I had adequate food and supplies, never leave. There are crafty things to do, computer to link me, books to read (tons of them), movies and Brit shows to watch, quite possibly a garden to work in (or at least clean up, if the weather permitted), things to purge for downsizing... I love being home as long as I feel good enough to do all those things! I'm loaded with over the counter things, hand sanitizer (which I take everywhere), soap, Kleenex, plenty of food except the fresh which I'm replenishing as I go along, kitty litter and food. I'm set. Now, all this joy about the possibility of staying in my own space vanishes if I'm sick as a dog, but I'm one of those people who if they get sick will probably be in the hospital. I'll bring books. Right now I'm avoiding big crowds, if going out for lunch going at off hours after restaurants have quieted down, bringing clorox-type handwipes for the tables and menu, sanitizing and washing my hands regularly, trying to maintain a distance of at least three feet from most people (not always easy). It's not hard, really. And everyone "gets it."
Lovely views you have! I’ve pretty much just expanded a bit my earthquake emergency kit preparations. This kit already included a few N95 masks I purchased several years ago in case I needed protection from dust, other invasive germs should that need arise. I had received professional instruction on their use in my work. Masks do have expiration dates I’ve recently learned as we were not told that, but expect the various medical settings monitored what they distributed to us when we needed them. I simply follow recommended basic guidelines including the social distancing, hand washing technique employed also when I still worked. I think it’s the better part of wisdom to avoid large crowds and will prefer even minimizing visits to my local grocery since I’m also in a high risk group and do not have family nearby. Friends died or moved or both long ago so I’m pretty much responsible for myself should I become ill. Committed as I am to the concept of ‘living in place’ by remaining in my home I’ve had some occasions previously on how to cope should I become ill, so this is just one more grand experiment should I need to become more confined for any reason. So far, so good, but it’s early in the progression of this virus in the U.S. for which so much unknown is still being learned. I’m appalled at how this Administration has addressed the issue and failed to have better preparation to ensure citizens well-being.
The grocery store near us has finally fully experienced the empty shelves. Where do people put all of the extra toilet paper they have purchased? God is in control. I know you know that.
Dear Terra, I'm homebound mostly because of not driving, but I hope to get out one day soon and to look for 70% alcohol + some aloe vera. The mixture (PBS gave this info) is 2 to 1: 2 parts alcohol to 1 part aloe. Also I hope to buy a few groceries. The thing I need to watch is paying with cash, which is what I always do. I understand that cash bill + cash change is bad to be handling. Peace.
Thanks so much for visiting my blog!
My suggestions for surviving this crisis are pretty simple.
I do the necessary tasks for the day and then read the books I'm in the middle of, followed by knitting while listening to audiobooks. I'll do anything nowadays to get that really relaxed feeling. Then I cook dinner, watch just a wee bit of tv, and read just a bit before falling asleep. Keeping stress levels at a tolerable level, I guess, is what works for me.
And I would LOVE to know why people are hoarding toilet paper!
I know why it's necessary, but I hate to see all the library closures and museum closings. It's sad, but we'll get through it.
Your flowering trees are lovely. And the stone sculptures so interesting. I hope you can continue your work with those who need you; many facilities seem to be limiting interaction for awhile.
lizzy gone to the beach...lizzzz.d@gmail.com
I love all the photos. Made me smile. Staying close to home. My hubby has asthma too but he has to be at work. Only his department is required to be there. THe other about 200 people are working from their homes. But you can not take 1 million dollar scanners home with you to do your work so he is there being as safe as he can. His bus is usually overflowing to the point often he has to wait for a second bus. Not now, he was one of 6 passengers with a lone driver this past few days We still take Elderberry Syrup daily and some vitamins. I pray and read my bible. But sending cards to some of the local nursing homes in my neighborhood. I don't think people realize how many have no one and that is often the case in nursing homes. If they do have loved ones, these lock downs are preventing visits. So I hope I can brighten someone's day.
THose stone sculptures are interesting. They look very lonely.
THank you for sharing and thank you for visiting. Hugs and Love and Health
Your mirror sounds wonderful and I enjoyed your photos. Thanks for visiting. I popped by earlier but couldn't leave a message then because I was on my iPad and for some reason I can't leave comments on all blogs. I wait until I can get on my laptop and so here I am. As for this very strange time we are living in, we are following all the advice and are self-isolated as the news tells us of more and more outbreaks in our area every day. We are in the more vulnerable bracket. We have all our basics as we are Costco shoppers and got what we needed before all the bad news so are fine for a while. Very few things left in the stores, empty shelves everywhere and we are exploring options like the delivery to the door when we get desperate. Take good care of yourself, and everyone else out there :)
WE have been very unlucky with our plum trees. We have two but we are lucky to get one plum from them. Husband has threatened to chop them down.
I love those stone sculptures and often attempt them myself.
And that mirror is so beautiful, but that's a huge one you're having made!
Social Distancing Spirit Weeks is a Facebook page my friend and I started to keep us engaged and energized. We are both middle school people so it is fun to see us seniors alongside youngsters posting fun pictures of themselves. Today is mismatch day. Feel free to join and invite whoever you would like to invite. Thanks Terra for being such a joy and finding the beauty in life.
So sad about how Corona virus is affecting the entire world. Initially, I thought only me and my surrounding Asian countries will be affected and implementing quarantine / lockdown. I think the world is experiencing the same. Everything was forced to stop, except for hospitals and other key services. Our hospitals and medical workers are all exhausted. Some hospitals here are already reaching full capacity. I'm worried for my senior citizen parents, they are the most fragile to the virus. Our local and international flights are already suspended. Schools and universities are closed till further notice.
Yes, you need 70% alcohol. But more than alcohol, proper hand-washing and avoiding touching our face is the key. You can also buy additional vitamins to boost your immune system. Please keep safe and healthy.
PS Your Cath Kidston bag is ❤️
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