COVID-19 Extensions

So, I know it's been a while.  Between coronavirus(COVID-19) and any number of other things - faucets not working, bank account getting closed, being furloughed, etc. - I've been exceedingly busy.  The problem, however, that I've noticed is the issue of people in general complaining and protesting about the Stay-at-Home orders.

So what is the Stay-at-Home order and what is it preventing you from doing?  The Stay-at-Home Order is meant for the general public's safety.  Yes, it does infringe a bit on our right to assembly as described in the Bill of Rights, however, we have various ways of meeting up with each other and it doesn't state that you must stay at home.  In fact, just glimpsing over and highlighting the order isn't going to do it justice.  There are a lot of things that one can argue infringes on our way of life, but is our way of life so important we cannot take a step back to say "Maybe it would be better for everyone if I only go out for the necessary things?"

I mentioned that I was furloughed.  This was a choice I made after discussing with both my husband (who was put to working from home) and my supervisor the drawbacks and benefits, and after having had to work one day with a mask on.  For my safety, and that of those who would be working near me, I felt the benefits of being furloughed would be better than having to keep going to work and possibly having to hunt down new things for me to do.  There is only so much one can do in a practically empty building that everyone knows won't be back at full capacity for at least 2 months and has been empty for the last month and a half.  Is it weird? Yes, but overall this is better.

Times have changed and we look like we all belong in gangs so long as everyone is following the rules of wearing masks.  We don't keep to just one person to go shopping at a time, but that doesn't mean we're going shopping daily either.  In fact, we try to keep to only one shopper at a time, but I can't ever seem to find anything to buy when I'm hungry and I can't be sure that what I do end up buying, whether hungry or not, will be eaten.  Because our income is less do to everything that is going on, I can't be sure that we'll have the money for bills.  It's a possibility that we won't and that worries me constantly.  Because of this, yes, I want to get out more, especially on the nice days.  I hate that we have to worry about getting sick because people don't take common-sense measures such as washing your hands regularly, staying home when sick, etc, and that people who are healthy or at least feel healthy, are being penalized.

I live in a county of Illinois that hasn't had a large number of positive cases. In fact, less than 10% of tests have turned out positive, but that doesn't mean I don't understand some of the issues that revolve in not staying at home.  First, there are tourists.  We're coming up on the summer months which for the midwest means two things.  One, the high chance of going elsewhere (this also occurs in the winter, as in just before and during the first stirrings of COVID-19 making the news as a major issue.)  Two, and this is really the more important for most of the midwest, this tourist season is usually relied on to bring in outside money to help the economy.  We have festivals and fairs that bring family and friends from around the country.  You can see on the news and hear on the radio about the graduating classes not getting to celebrate, but for several craftsmen who rely on fairs and festivals to make money and spread the word of their wares, this will cause issues.  The restaurants and small eateries who have not been able to adapt to the changes being forced through will lose even more revenue as they lose those extra sales from tourists and travelers.

There are so many other things that are seriously affected in the midwest that other areas aren't aware of unless they've lived in the midwest that it'd be funny if it weren't for the fact that it's a matter of life or death for a number of people.  Am I happy about being unable to go watch a movie in theaters or realizing that the pool won't be opened for the summer?  No.  This doesn't mean, however, that I won't find ways around the cabin fever that is determined to set in.  There are numerous other ways to keep busy without having to go out other than my yard or a walk around the area - both of which are allowed even in the Stay-at-Home orders.  In fact, the only thing that Stay-at-Home orders are telling people to not do are gather in groups over a certain number (which could be argued violates our first amendment right to assembly,) to work in jobs that are not considered essential  (but this does allow for the exception of working at home,) and going out when unnecessary to stores and various other places that would allow for large groups to gather.  The things people are not realizing: THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS!!!

In fact, one of the largest of the exceptions is to perform social distancing which means to keep at least six feet away from each other when out in public. There are suggestions made to keep to only one person in the household to go shopping.  It is people not using common sense that keeps causing issues.  I stay home as much as possible since I've been furloughed, but I have to go to the laundromat since we don't have a washer or dryer, though I likely could just hang dry the washed clothes when I get them home; there are other reasons to get out and about, including ways to prevent cabin fever.  Don't worry.  When I'm out, I double-check the signs the stores have placed around and I wear my mask to keep others safe, not that I have the symptoms of COVID-19.  I keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in my car, but we've done that for years.  My husband did once work at a gas station so he has those stories of knowing drivers who used the restroom, didn't wash their hands, and then filled their tanks.  For our own safety, we keep it to use there and at the laundromat if absolutely needed because our laundromat does not regularly provide hand soap in their restroom.

Why have I ranted about this?  Because politicians and stores have given in in some places to popular demand about not wearing masks, in part thanks to threats of violence.  Remember, a place of commerce has the right to refuse service so long as they do so for a reason that is not illegal - basically, certain discriminations.  This means they have the right to refuse service because you chose to endanger their employees by not wearing a mask.  Just as many have signs that say "NO SHIRT, NO SHOES, NO SERVICE," I have seen signs that require masks on customers that intend to enter the store.  This is a perfectly reasonable addition and most stores have on those same signs that this requirement will eventually be lifted.

Hibernation to Deal

So if you haven't heard, then you must have been hibernating.  Covid-19.  Coronavirus.  Pandemic.  It's sad, but we have a global crisis that is affecting people right now instead of trying to prevent the long-range effects of other global problems.  In a year when we look back at this, we'll likely be surprised at just how little we were prepared and how many cases there were before people realized that just a little common sense could have prevented some of them.  Not all of them, but those who are healthy to begin with and with all the issues with salmonella and the Ebola virus, you'd think people would have gotten the hint to take better personal hygiene measures.  I know there are people who likely think it wastes their time to wash their hands after using the restroom before returning to work or that because their pet is an indoor pet they don't need to wash their hands before eating, but guess what.  The circumstances DON'T MATTER!  It's just common sense to wash your hands after working in the garden, taking out the trash, using the restroom, or playing with your pets.  If you regularly deal with folks who are more susceptible to illness, you should be even more conscientious about it. 

But that's not what I wanted to talk about in this post.  We've learned more about the virus, though not as much as we maybe think we should have learned.  No, what I wanted to talk about was ways to stave off boredom if you have to stay at home 24/7.  I'm sure you can think of some, but you'll likely get on the family's nerves if you're someone who needs social interaction.  To that, all I can say is that the internet is your friend.  It may not be skin to skin or in the type of interaction you feel you need, but as little as 20 years ago, this wouldn't have been possible.  In fact, I know that the introverts would be beyond ready to strangle the extrovert by the end of the first day - try being grounded with your more extroverted siblings.  Trust me if I wasn't wearing myself out trying to fit in with the extroverts, I was trying not to physically attack them, partly because I knew I'd lose!  For many introverts, this is a dream come true.  Forced isolation with limited outside interaction.  For some, it's a way to recharge the social batteries without stepping on anyone's feelings of rejection.

So, catch up on shows that you've been putting off.  Read books or fanfiction that interests you.  Write those stories or poems or songs that keep running through your head.  Get back to the gaming that you were forced to stop because you had to work.  Stop putting off those DIY projects that you keep putting off because you're too tired.  Clean up your garden.  I could probably keep listing things off.  If you have Mistplay, Coin Pop, or another app that earns you money by playing other games, take advantage of them while you might be stuck at home.  Put together some new music videos or parodies.  You'll get some views just because it's something different.  Use up the items you've been freezing but forgetting to thaw. 

But as I mentioned, I'm sure you're already finding these things out for yourself.  Dusting off the board games and pulling out cards to play some Solitaire, Crazy Eights, Monopoly, etc.  I hope you aren't forgetting to keep an eye out for others who might need some encouragement through these times.  I'm not really talking to those who were hardcore gamers before this happened since most of them were likely aware of how to keep themselves occupied even if they happen to be extroverts; the same is true of the bookworms and authors out there.  So remember in these times there are plenty of ways to reach out if you need to.  Also, try to keep yourself safe and healthy!

Memorial Getaway

After a number of paragraphs explaining why I had missed posts in Memorial Day, I spoke about a Memorial Day getaway with my husband.  We stayed within approximately an hour's drive, but it was still a wonderful weekend.

For most, the weekend likely began Friday evening.  My husband's began on Thursday night since he managed to get Friday off.  Mine, however, did not begin until late Friday night.  So while my lucky bastard of a husband (though, really, I do love the guy!) had the day off, he decided to get the car mostly ready for our trip.  We woke up and left later than we wished, but it was still kind of early for a trip up the Mississippi River.

 So, after loading the car with a freshly packed cooler and some fruit for the trip, we pulled up Google Maps on my phone and headed off for Grafton, IL.  On the way we stopped at an Edwardsville located Starbucks.  While my husband ordered their S'mores Frappuccino® Blended Coffee and Sausage & Cheddar Breakfast Sandwich, I had a Very Berry Hibiscus Starbucks Refreshers™ Beverage and a Cheese Danish.  Thankfully, they are known for their beverages and not their food because the food was, for us at least, just above average to average.  Typically I can't stand items with coffee in them.  Coffee flavored candy? Give it away.  Tiramisu? Spit it out the first time I tried it, could have killed my husband the second - when he tricked me into it.  So while I'm willing to try them, usually the bitter aftertaste of coffee is so bad I just can't bring myself to do more.  My husband was lucky I can restrain myself so well around coffees...I could have drank his.  The refresher was half gone when he finally got to try it as well.  So after enjoying a quick bite to eat we continued on to Grafton.

On the way, we followed the river and happened to see a statue on the other side.  Using Google Maps, we managed to determine that it was in Portage des Sioux, a small town rich with history.  Deciding that if we had time we would go to see it, we continued the north drive to reach Grafton and it's flea market.  Once parked, we walked to the building that housed the vendors.  Once we started looking, we enjoyed walking through the crowded building finding Christmas gifts and personal likes (he found a great deal on a fishing pole!)  After making our second trip to the car, we decided to have a small picnic, though the heat meant we ate in the car instead of in chairs beside it.  Well, more the intense sun than the heat.  I felt it was more of a gorgeous day, but he has always preferred a cooler clime than I.

After enjoying a couple of sandwiches, we decided to try to find our way to Portage des Sioux.  We managed to and the way to the statue was very pleasant.  Once there, we learned various tidbits of history regarding the statue which was Our Lady of the Rivers.  While there, I managed to take a few pictures of the statue.

So, it may have been more than a few, but there are a few great pictures of it.  As we walked up we noticed the information on the posts.  Little tidbits of history, such as that the location had once been the first port of white settlers in the west and that it had been the site of the signing of a Native American treaty.  Within those tidbits included was that of a church.

We were lucky enough to be allowed inside to see the beauty within the church.  While inside we learned more about the church as well.

Besides the gorgeous stained glass windows, murals resided in the front of the church, as pictured above.  Below are some statues that were painted and hard to believe were wooden.

One of the things we learned was in regards to the church's history.  There were these plaques that had been painted over with white paint.  In the flooding of the Mississippi that occurred in 1993, some of the color bled through, revealing the German heritage of the town even in the church.

Even more amazing is the church's organ.  Built in 1905,it is most likely an imported organ.  It is a gorgeous instrument no matter the origin.

Disappointingly, we could not stay long since we had a cruise we wished to make.  In fact on the cruise, we managed to see several marvels, including more pictures of Our Lady of the Rivers.  I won't put more of them up here, but it was magical, no matter how trite that may seem.

Hopefully, I'll manage to type up a Father's Day post, but if not, for all the father's who may read this, I hope you have a Happy Father's Day...now to get my husband something...this is gonna be hard!

Zoo in the Summer

So, I love going to the zoo.  As a kid, my grandparents used to take us every summer to the St. Louis Zoo and it was totally AWESOME!  Even if we didn't see all the exhibits we at least walked over the entire zoo before eating lunch at Forest Park and then going to Carlyle Lake where we would eat dinner or returning to the zoo before going home.

Last year, in an attempt to get some animal pictures for My Project Noah(which I have yet to post!) my other half and I tried to spend the morning in the zoo.  I say try because while we got there just as they opened, it was mid-July and we had gone on a Friday morning.  It was a stop on our way to Chicago for our first ever trip to Medieval Times.  We had a pretty decent parking spot, within sight of the entrance.

I had forgotten about how busy and loud it can be, though!  Not only that but I'm no longer a child more intrigued by what's going on around me than annoyed so when children are blocking my view of the perfect picture of a random reptile or fish I would get aggravated.  That's nothing though when combined with the screams of babies, parents calling for their kids, and the most annoying: children making demands of not only their friends, siblings or cousins, but their parents.

Now don't get me wrong, I love kids, most of the time.  I have approximately ten nieces and nephews and don't get to see them nearly often enough.  I also know that the zoo is a great cheap if not completely free (you have to find a way to get there when you don't live within walking distance.) all day activity for kids.  I loved learning about wildlife of all kinds growing up though I am horrible at knowing what is what specifically.  I even rewrote informational texts from encyclopedias and had those wildlife cards (though I do believe I stole most of them from my older sister's collection.  She only kept the ones she didn't already have a copy of or that she liked.) when I was young.  Wish I still had those wildlife cards!



Anyway, I found that even though they've done some awesome things, like the underground section(which reminded both of us of Willy Wonka) on the train and the Sea Lion Sound Cove, it's a horrible idea to go there during the summer because the crowds are enormous, the noise level is as bad as any concert and trying to see the exhibits?  Well, let's leave that to the children!