Monday, March 30, 2020

E-Learning = Frustration

I wanted to do my e-learning videos outside- failed in that attempt.  So here is what I rigged up in my living room. Don't breathe hard it will all fall over.
I sit in the wing back navy chair in this left corner and that covered piece of plywood Handy Man just cut is my desk, or whatever. I move that lamp around when it looks too dark.

So this morning I logged on to our school server and sent all my chub winging through the ether  to my students.  What I mean is, I click on homeroom, it opens a message, I cut and paste the links.
Some of them could open it, some couldn't, some didn't get all three, some did.  So I've stayed busy all day answering questions and resending.

Today I worked on a few more.  Surely not my favorite way to teach.
Before we went our separate ways, I sent the kids a packet to make a pocket book about Ireland, as well as to write a letter to their future child- Dear Child of Mine, to chronicle what is happening during this siege with Covid-19.  Some of their work is coming back to me via e-mail and it makes me smile.


In between answering e-mails and resending video links, I work outside. Today was work in Mom's garden and trimming Kaye's rose.  Suddenly this song came back to me. I don't recall how very long it has been since it even crossed my mind, but she liked it because of the part that said, "and if it be thy will Lord, to go across the sea," as Pete was a far off in the war.
lyrics jesus use me don't refuse me

Our Chief Medical officer at the local hospital has sent his first missal out still asking for compliance with social distancing.  That is Handy Man's doc, well one of them. I really like that guy.  It is so nerve wracking though to hear when Uncle Jimi's appointments go right on.  He has three tomorrow.
I wish he could have had that "stay at home, nighttime dialysis."  Lord give us strength.


Smile on Smile













Sunday, March 29, 2020

Busting Out

I've been checking on my Virginia Bluebells every couple of days.  I am pretty crazy about all flowers. I love me some dandelions, but this plant really ranks up there with me.


I see those tightly closed buds.  Another day of warm sunshine and what will we see?
 A bit more open, come on, almost there.
Beauty



I was digging through all my stuff to see if I had any seeds I'd stuck anywhere. I found these cool gardening tools from Gwen that I forgot I had.  Love it.



But, alas, no dirt.  Well, the dirt place has a drive through, so Handy Man went and got me some more, along with some grass seed. 


 We'll see what comes of these old seeds.  I just love watching things grow.   This bed got the lettuce, kale and chard.


 This got the rest. Pink flowering barley grass?  Okay.  Look at the difference in the color of the dirt.  Wow. Well, all of this will be topped with bunny poops.  That will help I hope.

I decided I better take pictures of which daffodils are where so I can share them with anyone that will take them. I do not have a green thumb, except in the case of daffodils.  I gave piles of them away in the fall and it looks like I never dug a one.  


I added a couple of new little jewels, compliments of Gardner E. to my wildflowers.
Thank you Lord for these pretty days and help all those sick folks please. 


Thursday, March 26, 2020

The Illusive

Today, my hunt at GFS, Kroger and Target yielded these finds.

I must be out of the loop because why would you only package and sell one roll of toilet paper?  I never thought about it because I've never considered buying just one roll of toilet paper.  And look at that dainty little package of tiny toilet paper rolls. Who knew? I picture little sweet old ladies buying little sweet packs of toilet paper. 
As seems to be my wont, this led me down a thoughtful trail of my childhood.  I don't ever remember my Mom buying a ton of toilet paper, ever.  There were nine people in my family.  Perhaps the fact that there was only one bathroom somewhat limited occupying that space frequently, but why would we have needed less than we seem to need now?
I tried to consider what might be different.  For one, kids would leave in the morning and not come home till  lunch, then back out till supper, then back out till evening. Who knows where restrooming was  taking place.
For two, people did not drink like they do now.  I can't even recall when there was such a thing as water bottles.  When we went to Corbin, my mom cleaned out bleach bottles to carry our drinking water in. Which garnered a few looks, let me tell you  In school, you got a drink at the water fountain after recess. 
Lastly, I think in softening the feel on our tushies  they sort of blew up toilet paper to take up a lot more room, so we don't get near as much.
Until I graduated, one of my best friends still used an outhouse.  They had indoor plumbing, but when we were outside, we used the privy.  My grandpa also had an outhouse we used while we were playing outside, which we did a lot of, as my granny wasn't the sort you cared to be cooped up with.  In said outhouse there was in fact a Sears and Roebuck catalog and we used it.
Any other thoughts as to the why of things?
Pile on the smiles-





Then there is Auntie G-Lou.














Wednesday, March 25, 2020

I See Red

I had thawed some burger that I needed to use. As I've said, I am genetically indisposed to cooking for two people, and the receivers of the extra don't usually mind all. So today I turned my thoughts to marinara. Though homegrown tomatoes are my summer delight, I've never not had a ton of all varieties of canned tomatoes in my pantry.  Well, go figure. Not today.

Since St. Patrick's Day and Dr. Seuss' birthday have passed, I'm not sure how green spaghetti sauce would go over. 
Then I remembered a precious friend who just recently dropped off some of her summer sweetness and hard work to me.


Thank you Andrea!  You saved the tank of sauce!!

Who is that masked bandit?  I took him to the cardiologist, who was very pleased with how he's improving. He very much wants him in cardiac rehab, but that is off the table for now. 


Ceece provided the mask out of  a bandana I had, since most of us have hardly ever seen him without one.  Usually it is on his head, but desperate times, right?

Yesterday, when I was waiting for him to come out of dialysis, I cried.  My heart just broke for those already so vulnerable to not have a choice of social distancing.  
And all around me, awful and sad  and hard things continue.  We didn't get a complete "Get Out Of Regular Life" altogether did we?
As I am writing, Selah is singing, "I Bless Your Name."  A song about Paul and Silas singing in the midst of pain and chains.

Merciful Lord, in anyway they can, a kind word, a song, a delivery, whatever, let people be Your hands and feet to others, Amen.