Not Easy...

[DDT (12)]

Amazing how fast that can creep-up on us! I wouldn’t have thought it likely to happen this rapidly, but now I’ve become living proof… I hadn’t been home more than a few days when I wrote this, and already I could feel the insidious beginnings of PMS bearing down and threatening to overtake me… Dang that virus anyhow!!!
 
It is dangerous being out there right now. Being a mainstream, middle-of-the-pack member of the ‘most vulnerable group’ puts this aging ‘child’ squarely in the crosshairs of calamity… Not just of becoming severely sick, but of being among the most likely to become one of the more dire statistics! I wouldn’t describe myself as ‘chicken’, but I likewise wouldn’t consider myself overly foolish either… Not risk-averse, but no daredevil at all… Again, perhaps, middle-of-the-pack…
 
I must content myself with dealing with reality… It won’t be easy… Our girl and I just made it safely home last week; however, it had been a bit concerning making our way back across the country. Would we be able to find food and fuel when needed? Would motels still be open? Would any of those countless places be unsafe for a stop?
 
Every person we saw and/or encountered at each stop along the way… could have been justifiably viewed as a potential threat! Every surface contacted… gas pump nozzles, door handles and openers, counter tops, cash exchanged, heck, even the food containers handled and handed to me! A paranoid person would surely expire due to an overdose of fear in such an environment! I suppose on the bright-side, I did learn that I’m likely not paranoid at least…
 
We can’t live in total isolation; indeed, we cannot sufficiently seclude ourselves to ever completely guarantee our safety. We must at some level learn to trust our fellows and have confidence that they will do a credible job of protecting themselves… and thereby the rest of us. No, there are no guarantees, and we are keenly aware there are indeed fools among us! Still, life itself is a risk, and living from today forward will forever more involve risks incomprehensible to us even a short time ago… Still, we must live on…
 
I intend to minimize those risks to the extent reasonably possible. I will try to stay at home, in and around the house, as much as possible. I will refrain from riding, driving around, shopping, anything beyond the end of our driveway… to the extent I possibly can. I have no idea how long I’ll be able to keep that up! Perhaps, I’ll in time come to rationalize and justify violating those sensible goals… and wander off… short distances at first, of course, but… you know how that goes…
 
I do love life! And, I do love my life! I do hate to see it interrupted, but I would hate even more to be forced to give it up all together! These are times for patience, self-discipline, and self-restraint… a time to hunker-down and grit-it-out… time to ‘just say NO’ to whim and frivolous, fanciful notions. Nearly all of this uncertainty about risk will pass in time, and then a return to some semblance of ‘normalcy’ will occur. In the meantime, we’re all going to have our mettle tested… I hope we can all measure up! Good luck to us all…
 
DDT

P.S. I wrote this a couple of days ago… I stand by what I’ve said, but now some of the harder lessons from all of this are beginning to take an unforeseen toll… I ate my last Krispy Kreme doughnut yesterday, and I’m truly beginning to understand the pain associated with withdrawals. Yep, each time I gaze over at the place where we keep them, a sad longing comes over me, and… Dang! This is going to be tougher than I’d ever imagined!!!

[Oss]

Yes
But here is the rub
A person may have absolutely no idea they were breathed on or caught a few molecules
of airborne liquid from another 2 days ago and they already are a walking bug bomb days before they themselves feel anything out of order.

Not wanting my favorite bug killer to be infected I would caution you to get some of those nice masks or if you do go to the store wear at least a bandana over your face.

I do still believe by end of this month we will be over the hump if everyone practices safe distancing

Also I do believe the FDA is releasing the restrictions on the drug cocktail (malaria+zpac and zinc) so that even this NYer can get some soon if needed.  When people of our country (and canada) sets its collective mind on something it can get done, whether it is bringing Ali back to you or developing tests and cures for for covid  it will happen.

Please also impress on your landlady the need to be protected.  Meanwhile I am not yet out of garlic and I think it is working.  No vampires have dropped by and the wife is keeping her distance lol

Oss

By the way you can take actual WALKS around the neighborhood and if necessary
make vroom noises whilst sitting on ALI,  Nobody will think ill of you should that happen.
Who knows we may all lose some weight without donuts for a while (Oss shivers writing that line)

[Beardo]

This is the first time I can say I’m glad that you’re safe at home and not out on the road, telling stories for the rest of us to enjoy.

I’m starting month #6 of PMSing and desperately need some road time. But it’s not just Covid19 keeping me indoors, but the dang winter that doesn’t want to quit. Was -20 C (-4F) yesterday.  Haven’t taken the cover off the bike yet.  

As depressing as that is, I have to acknowledge that there are many people who are in a much worse position than I am and not being able to ride seems like such a silly thing to get upset about. I’m blessed to be an “essential service” and still employed and paying my bills.

Stay safe Bruce. Glad you’re home.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I’m sure glad you made it safely back. Even if it means the recliner will get it’s hooks into you.


It’s been really hard on Brenda staying away from the grandkids. We have strayed a couple times.

Shaelyn was really excited about showing “Miog” her missing front teeth.

[Valkorado]

It'll shine when it shines, Bruce.

[t-man403]

P.S. I wrote this a couple of days ago… I stand by what I’ve said, but now some of the harder lessons from all of this are beginning to take an unforeseen toll… I ate my last Krispy Kreme doughnut yesterday, and I’m truly beginning to understand the pain associated with withdrawals. Yep, each time I gaze over at the place where we keep them, a sad longing comes over me, and… Dang! This is going to be tougher than I’d ever imagined!!!

I have only 1 can of American Coors left!!!

Okay, that one is now gone.....

[DDT (12)]

I am struggling to cope... I went to the garage to make sure I'd switched off the fuel petcock... and some of the advise given above came to me... I straddled our girl and made those recommended 'varoom-varoom' noises. I can't say it really helped, but it did bring a BOG to my face... and that does help, I guess... Thanks, Oss...

Yep, that danged ol' recliner is indeed getting quite a workout! All those TV program choices available, but so very few actually worth watching... I mean, really... 'Doctor Pimple Popper'? 'Say Yes To The Dress'? 'Jerry Springer'?

I've traveled extensively throughout our land, and I do know for a fact that there are idiots out there... However, I also know for a fact real life generally is nothing like any of the stupid stuff being offered as... Those programs wouldn't be on if nobody watched them, however, so I am indeed hugely saddened with the unspoken message being conveyed by their presence...

I appreciate all y'all sharing your own experiences with rationing, self-denial... all the hardships being borne. It doesn't mitigate my own situation, but it does remind me I'm not alone, and that it's tough all over. Did I mention I miss those Krispy Kremes? Well, that ain't all: The Spam supply is running low, too... Oh woe is us...

DDT

[h13man]

Well I was "retired" the 1st. of February thus I've spent a lot time with self distancing as I live on the open prairie with plenty of projects to do w/o running into town for essentials, hardware, etc. Hoping to get some Mary Lou donuts www.maryloudonuts.com today. Do miss able to support our local finer eateries but my wife and I are both "candidates" for this virus. Fortunately living on the prairie allow's plenty of country riding with a quick backdoor into Menard's w/o mingling with the city. All is good here in my area as far as people doing their part in stores etc. It just a shame that that our economy has been rearranged to point of despair right now. I myself have had Scarlet Fever, Mumps, Measles, and Chicken Pox w/o vaccines and survived TB era to be subjected to this CV19 BS? Yes I take this seriously but to what point does this become a overreaction or not. I guess we will find out in near future. We are resilient populace and we WILL get thru this.

[Valkorado]

Those programs wouldn't be on if nobody watched them, however, so I am indeed hugely saddened with the unspoken message being conveyed by their presence...

Is not called an idiot box for nothing.

[ridingron]

I'm glad I didn't cancel my cable TV programing. I think I have now seen every episode of Gunsmoke. I never knew it was a 30 minute program in the beginning. Miss Kitty didn't always run the Long Branch Saloon. She was pretty nice looking in the early shows, like really nice. Also, I've been keeping up with the Cartwrights. Those boys are always up to something. I've seen every episode of Law and Order to the point I'm pretty familiar with the lines of a couple of the characters.
I think I've seen about all the Southeast Conference college football games, again. Jag, Nash Bridges and Monk all have their day.  Lots of TV.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I am struggling to cope... All those TV program choices available, but so very few actually worth watching... I mean, really... 'Doctor Pimple Popper'? 'Say Yes To The Dress'? 'Jerry Springer'?

I've traveled extensively throughout our land, and I do know for a fact that there are idiots out there... However, I also know for a fact real life generally is nothing like any of the stupid stuff being offered as... Those programs wouldn't be on if nobody watched them, however, so I am indeed hugely saddened with the unspoken message being conveyed by their presence...



DDT

Bruce, I regret to inform you that Brenda does watch Dr. Pimple Popper, along with My 600 hundred lb. life, The Kardashians, along some others I can’t remember the names. 

[DDT (12)]

This is a struggle, for sure... I appreciate all my brothers & sisters sharing their experiences and... necessary adjustments... I, too, am watching way too much TV these days, and many of the shows I can actually tolerate are starting to repeat themselves!

I never intend to offend... I am being reminded once again, though, of the truth to 'my' old adage: One person's intellectual affront is another person's insight fodder... Rob, please let Brenda know I apologize for not considering... you know... Dang, I do hope she doesn't think too harshly of me... Who knew?

I can't say I'll be able to bring myself to watch any of that programing myself, and... Speaking solely for myself, I do not envision a day when I'll ever be able to stand more than about 23 seconds of Jerry Springer (my all-time record)! Still, I will do my best to refrain from implying anything untoward regarding those who do... I mean, there are all those 'People of WalMart', and... Does anyone know if there are any online sensitivity courses available?

On a much brighter note... My landlady ventured out to the store last evening... That gal sure knows how to please a man, too! She gleefully unpacked the shopping bags, and proudly shared her accomplishments. Yep, her big triumph included a couple of cans of Spam, and a dozen or so Hershey bars (with almonds)… She then apologized, because they didn't have the smaller size chocolate bars I usually buy... Nope, she had to buy the large size! I assured her it would be OK, though, and that I could handle this little departure from... normalcy... Even now, it is good to be me!!!

DDT

[..]

This is a struggle, for sure... I appreciate all my brothers & sisters sharing their experiences and... necessary adjustments... I, too, am watching way too much TV these days, and many of the shows I can actually tolerate are starting to repeat themselves!

I never intend to offend... I am being reminded once again, though, of the truth to 'my' old adage: One person's intellectual affront is another person's insight fodder... Rob, please let Brenda know I apologize for not considering... you know... Dang, I do hope she doesn't think too harshly of me... Who knew?

I can't say I'll be able to bring myself to watch any of that programing myself, and... Speaking solely for myself, I do not envision a day when I'll ever be able to stand more than about 23 seconds of Jerry Springer (my all-time record)! Still, I will do my best to refrain from implying anything untoward regarding those who do... I mean, there are all those 'People of WalMart', and... Does anyone know if there are any online sensitivity courses available?

On a much brighter note... My landlady ventured out to the store last evening... That gal sure knows how to please a man, too! She gleefully unpacked the shopping bags, and proudly shared her accomplishments. Yep, her big triumph included a couple of cans of Spam, and a dozen or so Hershey bars (with almonds)… She then apologized, because they didn't have the smaller size chocolate bars I usually buy... Nope, she had to buy the large size! I assured her it would be OK, though, and that I could handle this little departure from... normalcy... Even now, it is good to be me!!!

DDT

Was everything sanitized before putting up?

[The emperor has no clothes]

  Oh, she knows she watches some strange crap ! I would never say anything about your disdain for that “programming” anyway. We have instituted Clinton’s old “Don’t ask, Don’t tell” policy around here.   I have asked her numerous times in the past the why’s of such viewership. As far as I can tell, it’s a “it makes me feel better about myself” kind of thing. As us motorcycle guys are fond of saying, “different strokes for different folks”. Although lately she has been on a “Little House on the Prairie” kick.