Coronavirus

I made these Easter bunnies for Hans and Peder in 1975

Well, the Coronavirus is now sweeping the USA. My intention here is not to be a news reporter, but to reflect on how the virus is affecting me.

On March 17 all public rooms where I live were closed with an orange sign on the door which read "Do not enter. Room is closed until further notice." This includes the Library, the Exercise Room, the Eden Room (small party room down the hall from my apartment), the Valley View Room (the large party room), and the lobby. All activities on the calendar for the remainder of the month were canceled. We were instructed to not congregate in the hallways or at the mailboxes. We are to use the hallways to get to our destination and to use the shortest route. We are to limit our visitors. No vendors would be permitted to work in our building. We are to call for maintenance only in an emergency.

On the Thursday after my doctor cleared me of pneumonia, I went to church to rehearse in the Tour Choir (for our trip to Germany and Austria on June 1), and to rehearse with our church choir. The choir had the weekend off, so I decided to go to church for the Saturday night service. I hadn't been in church for many weeks and it felt so good to be there. I was especially happy that communion was observed. I coughed a bit during the beginning of the sermon and considered leaving after sucking on two cough drops didn't seem to be taking care of the cough. Finally, my chest settled down and I was able to sit quietly for the remainder of the service. It was sometime during the next week, March 20 I believe, that we got the notice we would not be having choir rehearsal and that the entire service for the weekend would be online only. Wow! This had never happened before. We thought it might be for one weekend only, but now we are about to experience our third weekend. This week we got the notice our choir trip to Germany and Austria has been canceled.

And starting at midnight tonight, our Governor Walz has ordered a "Stay at Home" to last for the next two weeks. Only those with essential jobs will be permitted to work. We can go out for groceries or drugs, walks or runs, keeping the "social distance of 6 feet from one another." Schools are closed until at least May 4. Students in many cases are taking classes online. My heart goes out to the children. This is so different for them. They miss their friends and teachers. Many seniors will not experience prom or graduation.

Heidi called me yesterday and told me starting next week the Air Traffic Controllers are going to be working five days on and 10 days off to keep the numbers of controllers in the towers down. Her five days will start Monday and she will work the same shift all five days which is new for her. Hans told me the Pentagon made a similar move to keep the population down two weeks ago. He works every other day each week—he worked Monday, Wednesday, Friday last week and he worked Tuesday and Thursday this week. Rachel's job has slowed down due to customers not wanting vendors in their homes at this time. She Facetimed with me Wednesday.

All in all, this is so different and weird. One highlight was a notice I found on Monday morning that had been pushed under my door. It was from our Valley View president who suggested we who live on the parking lot side of the building go out on our balconies at 3 pm with noisemakers, pom poms, or other means to be able to see our neighbors. She said she would be out in the parking lot to video us and perhaps send it to a news station or two to air, showing others how we are trying to safely connect. Someone suggested we do it every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It was decided to do it every Monday and Friday. So I am looking forward to 3 pm today. I have put out my American flag and will continue to put it out each day when it is not raining. In the meantime, each days seems like the day before.

Pneumonia

On Friday, February 21, I worked as a volunteer in the office where I live. During that morning shift, I started coughing and coughing. I was so thankful that there were only a few people who stopped by to either ask our office manager something or to visit with me. I was so relieved when 12:00 noon came and I could lock up and go home. I spent the weekend at home, coughing and blowing my nose nearly every minute.

It didn't get any better as the days rolled by. Tuesday afternoon I drove my next door neighbor, who is also a dear friend, to the airport. On the way I experience a big coughing jag and told Nancy after dropping her off I was going to head to a minute clinic which is near our home.

I checked into the minute clinic at 3:50 pm, then donned a mask and sat in the waiting area (coughing most of the time) until I was finally seen at 6::30. The PA who was on duty listened to my lungs and said she was positive I had pneumonia. Since the minute clinic doesn't have an x-ray machine, she advised me to head to an urgent care clinic. She kindly checked online to see which one(s) was/were open yet. There was one not far away and the "wait time" was 7 minutes. I high-tailed it there and was ushered to a room immediately. After the nurse checked my vitals a PA came in, listened to my lungs, and sent me to the x-ray room. Back in my examining room the PA returned and told me my right lung was full of pneumonia. She wrote two prescriptions for me and I headed to a near by drug store.

That was Tuesday. By Thursday I wasn't any better. Coughing and spitting up gunk, and blowing gunk from my nose (disgusting, right?!), and unable to get any good sleep, I called my clinic for help. I was able to talk to my primary doctor's nurse who was relaying messages from my doctor. He sent a new Rx for an antibiotic to Costco. My dear friend drove to Costco to get the prescription for me. She returned telling me the pharmacy couldn't fill the entire order but sent a three day supply. I was to go back for the remainder the next day. My doctor also instructed me to see a different doctor on Friday at a clinic closer to my home.

Friday came and I went to my appointment to see Dr. Ditty. She was very nice, listened to my lungs and sent me to x-ray. Results showed I still had a lot of pneumonia in my right lung. I told her I wished I could get some good sleep which I knew would help me improve. She prescribed Robitussin with codeine. I had taken this before and was confident this would definitely help me sleep better.

I headed to Costo to get the remainder of the Rx that the pharmacy couldn't fill the day before. I picked up a few things in the drugs portion of Costco and proceeded to check out. I couldn't believe the crowds of people I saw with their carts brimming with bottled water, toilet paper, paper towels etc. There were twelve carts in my line, which snaked back quite far into the store. Each line, and there were many, were the same. When it was my turn to get to the checkout, I asked the cashier what was going on. I had never seen this at Costco—even at Christmas time. She said it was the media frenzy over the Coronavirus that was beginning to sweep the world! I paid for my items and left the store. It wasn't until I was half way home that I realized I hadn't gotten my new Rx for the Robitussin. Argh! I waited until around 6:30 pm to return to Costco to get it. At that time, there were very few customers compared to when I had been there earlier. Friday night I got an excellent night of sleep and for the next seven days I stayed home and took care of myself. On the 15th day from when the coughing started, I saw a PA at my clinic and she told my lungs were now clear. Hallelujah!

It's 2020 now!

My goodness, how time has flown. It is already 2020! I remember well when we were concerned about Y2K and wondering if our bank accounts and other things would work come January 1, 2000. I brought in a few logs for my fireplace, in the event my electricity failed, and some bottled water. Now that is two decades ago!

This month I have managed to do some entertaining, in spite of having a virus of a cough. Also, I dealt with plantar fasciitis in my left foot, but had a cortisone shot in my left heel and it has really improved. Also, I have been to my dentist where I had a patch on the lower part of two crowns where the gum has receded just a titch. My dentist says it should last for a long time and keep me from having to get new crowns. Another issue I took care of: I had a cortisone shot injected into each of my hips due to bursitis.  That was given to me just yesterday and I slept all through the night last night for the first time in weeks. I'm walking better, too.

January 10th I hosted a birthday dinner for two gals in our church choir birthday club. There were 9 of us around my table and we all had a really fun time.

L to R: Jane, Louise, Bonnie, Joanne, Barb, Nancy, and Laurey

L to R: Louise, Nancy, Jane and Barb

Bonnie and Laurey

January 22 I co-hosted a dinner party with friends Pat and Nancy for two gals in my building. We invited each of the birthday gals and told them they could each bring two guests. At 6 pm they arrived at Pat's home where Pat had set a beautiful table. She served a very nice salad, bread sticks and some sparkling juice. We sat around visiting and enjoying each other when I piped up and said, "Is this all we're having to eat? I'm still hungry. Let's go down to my apartment." So Pat and Nancy stood and said, "Yes, let's go!" Well the guests sat there dumb founded. They didn't really know what to do but then joined us down the hallway where they entered my apartment and saw a fully set table and could smell the lasagne. I had them sit and served them a sparkling drink, lasagne and garlic toast. They thought this idea was really fun.

After eating and enjoying visiting, Nancy announced we should go next door to her apartment so we could continue celebrating. Nancy had her dining room all decked out with birthday party decor. She had us sit at her table and then served a delicious ice cream dessert. The two party gals, Sheila and Donna, were so happy and loved the attention paid to them.

L to R: Pat, Laurey, Nancy, Marcia, Donna, Sheila, Myra, and Shirley

My friend and next door neighbor, Nancy

Birthday gals: Donna and Sheila 

Time Got Away From Me

Life has gotten busy and I have neglected keeping up on this blog, but I want to update it on what I have been doing for the past six months.

I have done more entertaining. Here's a recap:

In early April my sister-in-law came up to the cities to spend the weekend with me. Over the weekend she attended church and Sunday school with me; ate at The Original Pancake House, saw the flower show at the Galleria, and attended a concert with Sandi Patty as one of the featured artists.

Yours truly and Donna at the Galleria Spring Flower Show

* * *

I entertained some of my co-workers from Bethany House over lunch in early April. Those who came over were Natasha, Ellen, Paul (my former boss), Eric and Randy. Sadly, I didn't think to take a photo of them.

A couple of weeks later two other dear friends from my Bethany days, sisters Jeanne and Joanie, came for tea, orange juice and muffins. These dear women and I were once in a Red Hat group that was a lot of fun. Again—no photos.

* * *

The end of May, Hans, Rachel, Josiah, Annika and William came to spend a weekend here where I live. We rented the guest room for a couple of nights and it worked out very well. It was the first time all of them, except Hans, had been to my new home. They told me they liked it very much. On Sunday they left and made a road trip out west. They went as far as the Grand Tetons in Wyoming. Then on their return, they spent a couple of nights in my guest room again.

Annika and Rachel

Josiah and yours truly

Hans and Peder took the opportunity to get together to play board games during this visit.

Peder and Hans

While Hans's family was here, I hosted a potluck lunch with my family. Cousin Linda was here from Chicago, and her brother, Cousin John, came, along with his son Doug and Doug's fiance, Caitlin. Cousin Pat and her husband, Pudge came, along with their daughter Kari and her husband, Charlie. Jerry and Janet were here, as well and Peder, Sarah, Aurelia, Felix and Leo. We met in the party room that is just down the hall from me. What a great time we had visiting and eating together. Pat brought along her bells so we had a blast singing and ringing the bells. Sadly, I was so busy I didn't get any photos of our music. Here are the few I took:

Cousins John and Linda (brother and sister)

Cousins John and Pat (Janet in the background)

Janet, yours truly, and Jerry

* * *

June 8 I drove to Austin for the burial of my brother-in-law, David. It was a wonderful time reminiscing his life. Cousins Kenneth and Dale were also in attendance.

Donna, Tim, Amy and Andrea

Kenneth, Jr. and Dale (Steve's cousins)

* * *

July 31 my dear friend, Nancy, came over to have lunch with my on my balcony. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed food and conversation in this fun setting.

My friend, Nancy

Yours truly

* * *

Again I had a new friend, Tena, over for a little lunch with me. The date was August 26. Tena is very active at Valley View, serving as leader of our weekly Bible study. She also attends the Strong Bones exercise classes.

* * *

August 3 I turned another year older. My next door neighbor, Nancy, and down the hall neighbor, Pat, gave me a birthday party, which was really nice.

Pat playfully reversed the order of the candles on the cake she made for me.

L to R: Nancy, Donna, June, yours truly, Laurey, Pat, Anne, and Sheila

* * *

Early August Marshall and Corinne flew to the midwest to spend some time with their grandparents. They spent a few days in Hudson at their paternal grandparents and then were brought to my home to spend five days with me. We had a very good time together, spending part of one day with Peder and Sarah and their kids at a park and then at the National Night Out at my place where they got to climb into a fire truck and attend an ice cream social. I loved having them with me.

Marshall and Corinne in garden where I live

L to R: (seated) Corinne, (standing) Marshall, Rellie, Felix and Leo

Corinne and Marshall outside fire truck on National Night Out

* * *

Steve Oates has been a good friend of mine for many, many years. He is one of the vice presidents where I used to work and when he traveled I would tend his many cyclamen plants in his office. He has helped me around my home with many projects including putting together furniture I have purchased from IKEA. Steve actually loves putting their pieces together because they are always cut perfectly and have all the hardware necessary. 

This past spring Steve suffered a major heart attack and had to have a valve replaced. It took him some time to recover. Thankfully he is young enough and was in good shape so he is now feeling really good. August 29 I had him and his wife Nancy over for dinner.

Steve and Nancy standing next to one of the sunflowers in the gardens where I live

* * *

Wednesday, September 4, I had a little brunch with friends Jo and LaVonne. I used to work with both of them. LaVonne got married a couple of years ago to a widower who has nine kids. Some of them are in their late teens and one is in her early twenties. LaVonne is really happy. It was really nice to be with these gals again. 

Jo, yours truly and LaVonne

* * *

Sunday, October 20 I hosted a birthday party for my friend and neighbor, Laurey. Many neighbors came to join in the celebration. My friend, Pat, made a delicious cake.

Laurey and yours truly

L to R: Betsy, Pat A, and Doris

L to R: Doris, Pat C and Anne

 

L to R: Sharon, Marcia and Laurey

Little Cousins Meet for the First Time

Yesterday I took my 7 year old grandson, Leo, to Rochester with me to be with my brother, Jerry, and my sister, Janet. Janet's great grandson, Levi, was to come over later in the day to meet and play with Leo.

Once there, Leo got to take out the hundreds of toys that are Levi's but are stored at Jerry and Janet's. He set up the Matchbox cars in rows and rows as though they were at an outdoor theater. He said they had to pay $1,000 admission, except those who were in the rear on the high platform. They paid $.02 each. I thought that was funny.

Leo arranged these car as at an outdoor theater

After a nice lunch prepared by Janet, Levi and Lynn arrived. It didn't take long for the boys to begin playing together. I thought it was really interesting and amazing, that Levi never had the attitude of selfishness with what are are his toys stored at his Grandma Jan's. He never seemed to be concerned to see his cars out of their container and on the floor. He is a real sweetheart.

Levi and Leo

The boys turned their play into a game of hide and seek and played well together. When it was time for Levi to leave, the boys said they wanted to get to play together again. I loved that.

Except for driving in continual rain both down to Rochester and back, it was a really nice time.

More Entertaining

In March I hosted two dinner parties. The first one was on the 15th. I had the Linnihans and the Forces over. After eating, the men adjourned to the living room and enjoyed talking about their jobs—they are both in the field of investments. We women stayed at the dining room table and talked about our church choir. Each of us is in the soprano section.

L to R: Dick, John, Barb, and Debra

A week later I hosted our pastor and his wife, Dale and Marcia, Del and Louise Gorham, and my dear friend, Nancy Carlson. We had a nice time of visiting and getting to know the pastor and his wife better. They all seemed to have a good time. For both parties I had fresh tulips on the table. I had such a good time and forgot to take any pictures of my guests.  I did take these photos before they came.

I made these bunnies for Hans and Peder in 1975

April 3 some of my former colleagues came over for lunch. They included Natasha, Ellen, Eric, Randy and my former boss, Paul. It was fun for me to show them where I now live, but the time went by too fast, however.

This morning two dear friends, Joanie Brooks and Jeanne Mikelson—they are sisters— came for a little tea party. Joanie had been here before. Jeanne is having trouble walking, is using a cane. Things are a bit difficult for her now. I really enjoyed catching up with them.

A Trip to Arizona

Early in the morning on February 28 I flew to Arizona. This time I flew with Sun Country. The experience was interesting in that the gate agent upgraded me to sit in row one, seat one. I had thought this would be a cushy, first class seat with a meal being served, but I was wrong. Sun Country has downgraded their service and one has to pay a fee for each seat they chose. The only "privilege" for sitting in row one was being offered an alcoholic beverage (I gave mine to the man sitting in the aisle seat) and a Dutch cookie: Stroopwafel.

I left Minnesota in minus 5 degree weather and landed in Phoenix where it was already 56 degrees—above zero. Later in the day it would warm up to the mid 70's and even low 80's. Walking through Pat and Pudge's golf condo to their back yard, I witnessed my first green grass of the season—the 7th fairway of their golf course.

I took the opportunity to walk down past other condos and witnessed blooming flowers. There were geraniums, petunias, hibiscus and others. What a treat for the eyes.

In the afternoon their association sponsored a classic car show. We had fun riding in Pat and Pudge's golf cart to witness the beautiful, restored cars. This 1972 Super Volkswagen Beetle was my favorite. Steve and I had one in 1972 in this exact color. It was fun for me to see the inside.

Restored 1972 Super Beetle

A couple of restored vehicles

Friday night I went out with some former class mates of mine from Austin. The live in the same association. Dick and I started kindergarten together. I treated them to dinner at a steak house (They treated me the last time I was in Arizona.)

Dick, his wife, Kaaren, and yours truly

Saturday was the big day for Pat and her dancing troupe, the Sunsationals. Janet and I attended the matinee and also the evening performance. Sadly, I didn't get any pictures of her or the other dancers during the shows. I did get a couple of her fixing the fruit on her hat prior to the dance in which she is playing Carmen Miranda and then a photo of her next to Elvis.

Our friend, Sonja, was planning on going to the shows with us, but wasn't feeling well. She complained of having a tummy ache. We also heard that a couple of our other friends—friends from our childhood who either live in Arizona or winter there—were dealing with shingles and prepping for prostrate cancer surgery on Monday. Therefore our planned meeting to attend church on Sunday and then to be followed by brunch, got canceled. They felt bad about it, but it was definitely out of their control. Sunday night we got a message from Sonja letting us know she could not take us to Sedona on Monday because she was on the way to the hospital to have her appendix removed. Wow! Thankfully this whole thing happened before we had gone to Sedona. What if we had driven up there and she had gotten really sick Where would we have taken her? God took care of this for us. Monday we went to the hospital to see her.

In bed: Sonja; L to R: yours truly, Pat, Janet, Esther

* * * * *

While there we went to the grocery store a couple of times. Walking down one of the aisles I noticed unusual glass pop bottles. They had hobnails, and one of the flavors was in a cobalt blue bottle. I decided to buy one of the blue ones and give it a try. I also bought a bottle of California Raspberry Coca-Cola and Georgia Peach Coca-Cola.

The blue bottle was very pretty, and I considered keeping the empty to use as a vase, but then changed my mind and recycled it. The flavor was Guarana, which I found rather tasteless. Google says this about itl: Guarana. ... As a dietary supplement or herb, guarana seed is an effective stimulant: it contains about twice the concentration of caffeine found in coffee seeds (about 2–4.5% caffeine in guarana seeds, compared to 1–2% for coffee seeds). The additive has gained notoriety for being used in energy drinks. The  Georgia Peach Coca-Cola to me tasted like regular Coca-Cola, but the California Raspberry ticked all the boxes for me. [Today I bought a four pack in my local grocery store.]

Sunday was a nice day for a drive. Pudge drove us out to the desert to see if we could find any wild horses. We had no luck seeing any, but loved the drive where we saw many interesting sights, including the Mexican poppies.

Sunday night Pat and I went over to the community center and played many rounds of Bingo. Neither one of us won anything, but I thought it was a lot of fun. We met some nice ladies, too.

We enjoyed beautiful weather, gorgeous sunsets, and joyous times sitting around the table eating and visiting. The time went by so fast, and soon it was time to go home. This next photo is what welcomed me home.