Live in the present moment

Today I will not stress over things I cannot control 

Really getting behind

It's Saturday and I just looked at my blog and realized that I hadn't posted since last Monday. I used to be so faithful about writing and taking photos every day but since Corona I have really slacked off. For one thing I am staying home all the time so there is not a lot that I want to record. I am not doing anything fabulous. I spend most of my days reading or watching tv, figuring out what I am going to cook for dinner, walking with my friend, and meeting my coffee friends in the morning. Once a week I venture out to the grocery store. We are being so careful not to be around a lot of people even though our community doesn't have any cases yet. In fact, we are invited to a graduation party in Erie in August but we are declining. I don't think that I am ready to jeopardize my life just yet. I feel protected in the bubble of my home and don't want to take any chances if we are going to survive this horrible crisis. It has been four months that I have been confined at home. I find things to do but really miss going to movies and out to dinner. 

  I hope that wherever you are that you are staying safe.

Here is a picture of us from quite a few years ago. 

Dan

It’s been a while since I posted a picture of my grandson Dan. I took this one from his wife Gretchen’s blog..Gretchen Runs where she chronicles all her exercise training. She is a runner and is very fit so she devotes her blog mostly to that. Dan joins her on some of her runs and other exercise. Her blog also catalogs their trips and vacations that they take with wonderful pictures. Here Dan is joining her on the water. 

The Fourth of July 2020

I think I need to write a little about the way this Corona Virus (Covid 19) has changed my life. It began for me in March when the virus which I had been reading about and seeing on television finally reached the United States. Pennsylvania began its “lockdown” on March 16th. That meant that we should stay at home as much as possible. Almost all the stores closed except for essential stores like pharmacies and grocery stores. When we went out we were encouraged to wear a mask to protect ourselves and others. I took this very seriously because the virus was especially damaging to older folks. With Don’s COPD I knew that if he got it he would be unable to survive so I only went out once a week to get groceries. 

    The weeks went by and our county was lucky enough to only have a few cases and none in our town. The virus was know to spread quickly in communities and New York City was reporting record cases and deaths. As the months went by more cities were reporting cases. But for some reason (mainly political since our president Trump told everyone that it would just soon disappear) a lot of people didn’t take it seriously, didn’t wear masks, and didn’t mind being in large crowds. And so the virus didn’t get under control. Meanwhile I restricted by time outside the house. 

     Now it is July and the news is not good in the United STates. While other countries have “flattened the curve” and maintain control of this virus the United States population (encouraged by the president who continues to hold large crowd rallies and tout that mask wearing is just an option) continues not to take it seriously. Now we are paying the price for that as cases rise and deaths happen. 

     I do not know what is in the future for our country but I am ashamed of how we are reacting. Our political divide is so great and full of animosity, the inequality of races has come to the forefront, our leadership has faltered, and we have failed to contain a deadly virus. Other countries who have looked to us as the gold standard for democracy are now pitying us. We are seeing our country falter. I only pray that we can hold on to the things that have always made me proud of our country. 

       Sorry for the political rant. I hope that I have not offended anyone. These are my beliefs. Happy Fourth of July. I feel like this is a turning point in history for the US.

Chris and Wendy came up for the weekend. They sold their house in Port Allegany that Wendy had lived in before their marriage and were up to gather the few things that were still left in the house. Last night we played Five Crowns out side until dark.

Looking back

I love the pop ups that FAcebook gives you so you can look back on the years. This picture popped up yesterday. I remember that day so well. Chris and the boys were visiting and we took the boat out. We always went over to the Allegheny Reservoir. We pulled the tube behind the boat as the boys took turns riding. And of course Sadie went with us. She was more human than she was a dog and never wanted to miss out on an adventure. She absolutely loved the water and when Dan went into the tube she jumped right in too. We always had a life jacket for her. Not because she couldn’t swim but because she would swim so long we were afraid she would tire out and drown.  Looking back on this picture reminds me of how much fun we used to have. And how I miss my dog.

After the rain

Gilbert Reservior

My friend Sandy and I had a little adventure every day we walk around the Marilla Reservior first thing in the morning.  Nearby is a road which leads to a larger resevior named Gilbert. Even though I have lived in Bradford all my life I have never been there. 

It is at least three times bigger than Marilla. We walked down to the dam and crossed it. 

In the center of the dam was a building with a plaque which stated that it had been built in 1913. 

It was such a lovely day and a great discovery. 

Ay home in the evening

How pleasant our evenings have been. The warm days fade in to warm nights and the courtyard turns into a fairyland. 

I couldn’t get very good night pictures but these may give you the idea.