March 2021

 

What a difference one day, and a new month make!  Yesterday on the last day of February, we had snow on the ground, and on March 1st, we have Spring weather and the daffodil bulbs have sprouted up out of the ground.  The old saying, "March comes in like a lamb and goes out like a lion" held true this year.  The first half of the month was warm in the 60s and 70s, but no rain, and the last half was cool in the 50s, with light rains, and even a few skiffs of snow every couple of days.  We are still in a drought situation, and the governor has declared a "State of Emergency".  All residents are to cut back on their water consumption starting this month.  We also saw the start of the fire season on the 28th, earlier than previous months.  We have friends who live in Leeds, and they had to evacuate their home, as a fire came very close to their property.  Luckily, the firefighters were able to get it under control just outside of their property line.  We see on the news every night that fires are all over the state.

Dave got his vaccine shot this month.  I received my 2nd dose, and he will receive his 2nd dose on April 1st.  We both feel somewhat relaxed, knowing that 4 weeks after our 2nd dose we will be fully immunized against this horrible virus.  Our grandchild, (who lives with us), also got vaccinated on the same days as Dave, (to help protect us).

Once again we had another cruise vacation canceled.  This has become the norm for us.  We schedule and pay for a vacation and it is canceled due to the virus restrictions.

The first of the month, Dave and I started walking for 20 minutes around the neighborhood, 4 or 5 days every week.  We are hoping to get some fresh air, lose some weight, and feel a little better mentally and physically.

Our grandchild started working at Wallaby's Australian BBQ restaurant and loves it.  It's only part-time, prep cook and catering, but it's turned out to be a very good fit, and quite the morale booster, at a good wage.  It's a local Utah company with 3 locations.  Keeping our fingers crossed that this is the start of getting back on the path to recovery.

Dave and I are starting to venture out just a little bit, one day a week, (mostly to the grocery store or to pick up dinner from a local restaurant close by).  For the most part, we are still sheltering in place and wearing masks, (which we believe has helped us avoid the virus.).  We are worried about some of our friends who have decided not to be vaccinated for whatever their reason might be.  We hope they've made the right choice and stay healthy, and don't judge us for limiting our visits, and stay away from them.  We are hoping all our friends stay healthy and this virus dies out this coming year.  Stay well, friends and family.

February 2021

 Februrary was once again a rather warm and dry month.  We had a few days where we got just a light dusting of snow.  

Then on February 16th, we finally got some snow.  It wasn't much, but it was a start.  And for the first time in 2 years, Dave started up the snowblower, and cleared the sidewalk.  The rest of the month, we got a few more dustings.  This was finally our winter.  We are still lacking the much needed water for this summer. Hopefully, we'll have enough to water our yards and gardens.

For Valentine's Day, Dave got me a lovely arrangement of flowers.  The were huge, and really lightened up the house.  And the roses had a wonderful smell.  He never forgets a birthday or holiday.

 On the 25th, I my scheduled date arrived for my first COVID vaccine shot.  It was at the Mountain America Center in Sandy, Ut.  It was very organized and the flow pattern was excellent.

 My scheduled time was 11:45, so I masked up and arrived.  There was no wait time. My temp was taken - no fever.  I ws directed to the questionaire table.  I answered all the questions.  Given my ID card and directed to the nurse's table.

I sat down, was again asked a few questions. rolled up my sleeve.  Given my 1st shot.  It ws done so quickly, that it was over before I new the needle was in.  My ID card was stamped, and I was then dirrected to the waiting room for 15 minutes to make sure I didn't have any reactions.  While I was there, a date for my 2nd shot in 3 weeks was made.  I was then out the door.  

It was the easiest mass inocuation I probably would ever witness.  Maybe there is finally hope for beating this virus.

This month we also discovered that 3 more families directly across the street from us had the COVID virus in their families.  One family was a young couple with 4 childred, one family was a husband and wife about our age, and one family was young with young children and the grandparents also in the home.  The whole housholds were infected  - so sad.  Luckily, they all recovered, but are dealing with differet underlying symptoms.

Dave and I are still "Sheltering at home", and going out very little.  Dave will finally be eligible for his vaccine next month.

We were scheduled for a 3 week cruise the middle of this month.  But, due to the virus, the cruise industry is still not sailing out of the U.S. ports - so another vacation was cancelled.  We were given a refund on our money, and we are now looking to 2021 for a new cruise.  This is the 4th cruise cancelled, but better a canceled cruise, than catching the virus.

Our grandchild still has not found new employment, but hopefully that will change soon.

Here's hoping our frinds and family continue to stay safe and healthy this coming year.

January 2021

A New Year, and a new start.  January was still a dry and warm month.  We had just a couple of days where we got only a dusting of snow.  We are starting to get worried about the water situation for for 2021. 

Like most of the nation, we sat in horror, as we watched the nation's capital building being desecrated, and looted by the riots of January 7th.  And like most of the nation, we were grateful that the law enforcements were able to identify and charge the majority of those involved.  Such a horrible act to witness on one of our most precious national building.

Dave and I didn't do anything, but "shelter at home", and continue to follow the Covid guidelines.  According to our new governor's guidelines, we should be getting our vaccines next month.  Governor Cox is agressively rolling out the vaccines to Utahans.  We are hoping he will be a strong leader for our state and continue to help get us back on our feet.  He seems to be moving us in the right direction.  

One evening towards the end of the month, our friend, (Dave Argyle - the friend who invited us to the movie last month), came over for dinner.  The 3 of us had a great evening, laughing, sharing stories, and just relaxing around the table. 

Unfortunately, our grandchild lost the Denny's job, and is now looking for new employment.  Hopefully, it won't be long before a new job opens up.

Here's hoping you and your family are doing well, and staying healthy.  Happy and Healthy New Year.

December 2020

December was a rather warm and dry month, where we live.  We had a couple of small snow showers, but it was usually less than a couple inches of snow, and it was melted off by noon.

Dave and I are still "sheltering at home", but the covid is starting to hit closer to home for us.  Our neighbor across the street came down with the virus this month, and a dear friend of my for many years lost her husband the first part of the month.  We also discovered that Dave's son and my son also contracted the virus, but recovered.  I also discoverd that quite a few of my nieces and nephews also came down with the virus, but like most young people, recovered rather quickly, without problems.

A dear friend of mine, who lives around the corner, stopped by and left me with an Amaryliss bulb.  It quickly sprouted and produced 6 large red blooms, which lasted all month long.  It was quite a cheerful addtion to our house.

Our grandchild landed a job at Denny's and after one week as a trainee, was quickly waiting on tables and earning a good amount of tips, (and a boost to the confidence level as well).  Dave stopped by a couple of times for breakfast, while I was at work at Honey Baked Hams.

I put up our Christmas tree the first weekend in December.  Opal immediately thought that it was there for her enjoyment.  The lights were quite an attraction that she simply could not ignore.

For Hanukkah this year, I made a challuah bread and topped it with a homemade "Everything Bagel" topping.  It was quite a hit, and enjoyed by everyone who stopped by the house.  I made enough of the topping to use on other things, (i.e.:  noodles, toast, etc.).

The week of the 20th, Jared and Martin stopped by for a couple of days to visit.  They were traveling from San Diego, (where Martin had be working as a visiting ICU nurse) to their home in Minneapolis.  Dave and the two of them stoppey by Denny's to have breakfast, and see our grandchild, while I was at work at Honey Baked Ham.  They took up way too much time in the booth, talking and laughing, but rewarded with a handsome tip.

Dave is always happy when Jared can find the time to come visit.  But, they needed to get on the road to try to beat a snowstorm that was moving in on their route, and would be settling in by the time they hit home.

On News Year's Eve,  a friend invitied Dave and I to join him and his family to a movie theatre to see a showing of "Wonder Woman 1984", (he had received a gift from one of his daughters of a family pass for admittance of up to 20 people for the showing).  We went to a 6:30 PM showing and had a great time, (there were only about 50 people in the whole theatre, and we all enjoyed the show and got home by 9:00.

I finished up at Honey Baked at the end of December,  It was an experience!  I made an OK wage, got 2 hams and 1 turkey breast.  The manager said I was the best seasonal phone person they had ever hired, and they definately wanted me back for the Easter season.  I'll have to think about that.

Dave and I are doing our best to stay healthy, and are waiting for our turn to get the vaccine.  It looks like I would be eligible for mine in mid February.  Here's hoping all our family and friends can stay healthy and strong and can beat this beast.  Let's hope 2021 will be much better than 2020 was.

 

November 2020

November weather turned cold, as our area prepared for winter to set in.  We still have not received hardly any rain, and the whole state is in a drought state.  We are hoping the water reserves will receive enough snowfall to get us through next year, without a need to ration water.  We had temps in the 50's during the first week of November, then they steadly declined each week by 10 degrees.  A couple of days we had some small snow, but it was always less than an inch.  It was more of a reminder of what is to come.  

November is the month that Dave and I do most of our doctor and dentist visits, so we were quite busy coming and going.  Dave is still working from home.  

On the 14th, our youngest grandchild moved in with us.  So our basement is now once again occupied.  However this grandchild shows more respect for our home, (keeps the downstairs clean, doesn't burn the lights 24 hours a day, helps our upstairs - i.e.: carrying out trash, cleaning dishes after meals, etc.), and is very quiet.  It's a very long and sad story as to how this 22 year old person ended up with only a couple boxes of items for all the worldly possession one person could amass, no place to live, no means of support, and no where to turn.  Hopefully with time, and some guidance, this person will be a productive citizen and able to live out in the world someday.  Some of the stories from my grandchild, the first couple of days, broke my heart.

 On the 13th, I started a part-time seasonal job at Honey Baked Hams.  I only work 3 or 4 days a week for 4 to 6 hours.  I sit at this little cubicle, and I answer the phone - taking orders for Thanksgiving and Christmas hams and turkeys.  It's very easy work, I get to talk to some very interesting people, and I work with some interesting, (much younger) people.  When I work, I get a free lunch, (if I want). I get paid every 2 weeks - a very nice wage.  And for Thanksgiving and Christmas, I get a Honey Baked Ham, (or Turkey Breast, if I want), for FREE.  At Thanksgiving we got a 12 pound ham.  It was suggested to me by my friend, (Rosie), that I apply last year.  She worked here several years ago, and said she loved it.  I applied last year, and they called me this year to come in and fill out my paperwork.  If you have a store in your area and you're looking for some easy part time work - apply.

This year Dave and I had a vacation planned to Maui for the Thanksgiving holiday.  We were to leave the day before Thanksgiving and return the week after (Nov 25 - Dec 2).  We went and got our COVID test, (both come back negative), filled out all the health questionairs for the Hawaii Dept. of Health, had our bags all packed.  Had our days off approved by our employers.  Had a Thanksgiving meal from the Maui Safeway ordered, prepared, and ready for pickup.  Then Tuesday evening, we were watching the news about the airports and the crowds.  The CDC and NIH were suggesting that people not travel if they did not have to, and expecially the elderly.  We discussed it, and decided to cancel our plans.  We called the airlines, the resort, Safeway, and stayed home for Thanksgiving.  We had our Honey Baked Ham, I prepared sides from our panty, and the three of us had a nice dinner.  Dave and I just relaxed around the house for the week, did a few little things that needed to be done.  And enjoyed the week off.

Here's hoping your Thanksgiving was a relaxing and enjoyable as ours, even at home.  Take care, continue to wear your masks and wash your hands ofter.  Take care and stay healthy.

October 2020

October started out warm and sunny, which was a real blessing.  It allowed us to continue getting the yard and garden cleaned up and ready for winter.  But, the 2nd Sunday of the month the weather changed drastically.  

We woke up to bitter cold temps and rain, then on Monday the rain turned to snow. I spent most of the time working on putting my butternut squash in the freezer, and making soups.   It was a full week of cold weather before it finally warmed back up to Autumn like weather, (back up to the 70's).   

Once the temps finally got warm, Dave and I managed to make a trip down to the Green River area, and we stopped by one of our favorite melon stands to buy several melons, (the last of the season's).  We got a Crenshaw, a honeydew, a spaghetti squash, and a cantelope, (for a friend in our neighborhood).  The prices were marked down, but the flavor of each melon was still as wonderful as ever.  We wished we had brought more home to enjoy.  We always enjoyed Vetere's Melons.  They have the best in the state, and they are genuine Green River Melons.

Our local farmer's markets were winding down by the middle of the month, and everyone was getting ready to shift over to the "Winter Farmer's Market".  I so enjoy the sights, smells, and buying fresh items that I didn't plant, from the farmer's markets. Now it's all gone until next summer.

Our return of warm Autumn weather didn't last too long.  We got another snow storm the last week of the month, and more bitter cold temps, (in the 20's during the day and teens at night).  Dave did manage to the couple of windows that needed some caulking completed and touched up the paint around them.  And the concrete outside that needed to have some caulking, he got done just before the weather got cold.  We got the tall decorative grasses cut down and the patio furniture covered over.  So, I guess we're ready for winter.  The prediction is for a drier and warmer November.   

Dave is still working from home, and we are still practicing "Sheltering at Home".  We are still not going out much, and wearing masks everywhere we go.  

Here's hoping our friends and family all stay healthy, and things get better quickly.

September 2020

 As the end of summer rolls around, September was still a very hot, and dry month.  We saw just one day of a very light sprinkle of rain on the 8th of the month, and the rest of the month was bone dry.  There was also a cold front that moved in that day with hurricane force like winds.  It hit the Salt Lake and Northern parts of the state extremely hard, (uprooting large old trees and damaging property).  We were fortunate that the winds did no damage where we live.  After 3 days, the front moved out and the temps were once again back in the 90's.  Dave and I still practicing the sheltering at home, and doing our best to stay safe.  The Covid 19 virus saw large spikes in the state, as students started back to school, and businesses were opening back up, (as much as over 1000/per day).

I spent most of the month gathering the produce from the garden and getting ready to put the beds away for winter.

The tomatoes did really well.  We've been eating from the daily harvest everyday, I've given some away to friends, and I've canned several quart jars to replenish my pantry stock.  As of the end of the month, my plants are still loaded with tomatoes, so as long as the frost don't come to early we will be enjoying these beauties for another month.

The winter onions are all harvested, and in storage in the garage, (We got about 10 pounds).  I am trying my hand at garlic, so I planted a couple of rows this month for harvesting next year.

It was also a good year for the butternut squash.  I have already harvested 13 squash.  I gave away 5, (here are 8 sitting on the back porch with 3 of my pumpkins drying and getting ready for winter storage).  I still have another 6 in the garden, (they are still not quite ready, but another week or so and I'll be adding them to the box.  You will notice, as they dry the outer shell deepens from the light yellow to a more orange.  They are such nice size.  Dave is so ready for butternut soup.  There also one more small pumpkin on the vines just starting to ripen.  In the next week, I'll start processing the pumpkin pulp and getting it ready for cookies, pies, and such.

We got about 5 pounds of carrots out of the garden, I'm so glad I cut way down on the planting this year.  Hopefully, I won't have to buy too many this winter.  I'm thinking of freezing some of the carrots.

Our apple tree was very good to us this year.  Dave and I picked a large bushel of apples.  We had to pick them just as they were still slightly green, and just starting to turn yellow, (the birds were starting to eat them, and we needed to get them off the trees quickly).  I gave 1/2 of the bushel away to family, friends, and neighbors, then I started freezing some for this winter.  After spending a day coring, peeling and slicing - I had Dave take me to the local IFA store and I purchased an apple peeler.  It made a world of difference.  I am able to core, peel, and slice a tray full of apples in the time it used to take me to do a couple of apples.  Why didn't I buy one of these years ago??  After putting 6 bags of apples in the freezer, I then started making apple sauce.  I also made a delicious apple sauce bread.  I'm down to just about 1/4 of a bushel left, and I thinking about canning some apple pie filling.  This year the apples are so juicy and sweet.  Everytime Autumn comes over she eats a couple of apples down to their core.

When I saw this picture, it reminded me of how I work to get our garden produce ready for winter.  I remember spending time at my aunt's and uncle's houses in West Virginia and walking into their root cellars, (dug into the side of the hills).  The shelves would be lined with canned goods, the potato bins filled to the brim, and baskets of various other goods all ready and wating to be eaten during the long cold months.  As I grew up, I ofter wished I had one just like theirs.  But, I look at my storage pantry, and I'm happy.  It supplies Dave and I well.  During this pandemic we have made very few trips out to purchase food.  We've had most of what we need in our pantry and freezer.  And we're grateful for our garden.

One little bit of excitement - our neighbor's little rabbits have dug a hole under the fence, and at least once every week, they come over to our yard.  The boys have to chase them and try to catch them and get them back home.  They try plugging up the hole, and the rabbits re-dig the hole out.  The rabbits have discovered that we have a garden, and I've found a tomato with bite marks.  They also love our lush green grass.  Our cat, Opal, runs from window to window watching them.  She is so fascinated by the rabbits.

October is predicted to still be warm and dry.  So Dave and I will continue getting things ready for winter around the house.  Our lives have really slowed down, and we're OK with this new lifestyle.  We're hoping everyone is doing well and staying healthy.