Wearing a Mask

  We have now been told that everyone should wear a face mask when shopping, although you can take your daily walk without one and just keep your distance from other walkers. I rarely meet anyone on my walks.

   I made myself a mask and used it today when I went to the drug store. Even though I only wore it for the ten minutes I was in the store, it was a very unpleasant experience as I almost suffocated, so that is not going to happen again. I will just fasten a bandana over my mouth and nose next time I am in public.

   I have settled into a routine that is helping the days go by. Here's how my days go at the moment. Get up around 8:00 and read the newspaper. Do my one hour exercise class. Eat breakfast around 9:30 and clean up the kitchen. Do any chores/gardening until lunch (1:00). Nap until 2:30, sometimes I just read in bed. Go for my daily walk. Read or do my jigsaw puzzle until the sun is over the yardarm (5:00). Check my blogs, e-mail and Facebook while I have an aperitif, or get on the phone with friends until dinner time (7:00). Watch TV and bed. The highlight of my week is grocery shopping which I am doing early on Thursday mornings at the moment.

   It was lovely in the garden today so I picked these:

 I also made a loaf in the bread machine and it turned out well. Won't need to buy bread any time soon!

Out of Touch With the World

   An early blog post today as I was incommunicado yesterday as my phone, internet and cable were all out. Luckily it wasn't a fault in my house, the whole area was out. So, no need for a technician to visit. I am relieved that I will have TV tonight as it is "Outlander" night. Last night I had to resort to working on my crochet (I have just taught myself), doing a puzzle and watching a video.
  
   Just one picture to share today. I brought in these forsythia stems last week and they have obligingly flowered indoors. The bush outside will take another week or two.

Company

  Had visitors today! My daughter and grandaughter came by with lunch (sushi) which we shared and ate at arm's length on the back deck. We have been told to stay a "hockey stick apart" - this is an ice hockey stick which is much longer than the field hockey variety. 

   It was lovely to chat face-to-face with two of my favourite people and share a joke or two. My granddaughter is quite funny when away from her two brothers. I really appreciated her handling of this strange situation we are all in. They didn't come into the house although all surfaces were clean since I haven't had anyone here for at least two weeks. Just super cautious.

   I sent them home with a "care package" (4 jars of my homemade strawberry jam and two jigsaw puzzles for Elliot) which I am sure they will fumigate before they take into the house. Strange how these extra precautions are becoming second nature. I have become anxious about the mail delivery and the daily newspaper which I retrieve from my front porch each morning. How safe is that? I thought of popping it in a warm oven to kill any potential bugs but decided that was a bit paranoid. Also, a fire hazard!

   The last puzzle is finished and now I will have to resort to my hoard (I have at least a dozen). I still have several books to read and a supply of favourite titles on the bookshelves so I won't be bored.

   My morning routine starts with an hour of exercise - 20 minutes cardio, lower body conditioning, abdominals, upper body conditioning (this includes weights) and cool down and stretching. Here is where I work out along with a step video. I am always sweating well before it is finished!

   

Starting Week 3 of Isolation

Another uneventful day. It rained quite heavily this morning but, after working out for an hour and finishing the newspaper, I had a burst of energy (must have been the endorphins) and got several household chores completed. 

   The rain started to peter off around noon so I took the opportunity to walk down to the drug store although it was still spitting. I checked my P.O. Box. This is the one I use for the monthly lunch cheques - nothing in it because the April lunch has been cancelled but, you never know. 

   Before leaving the drug store I checked my blood pressure - systolic, high normal (I did a second check and it was down a bit), not surprising considering how stressful things are presently; diastolic, in the normal range.

   The rest of the day went as usual. Lunch followed by a nap, read a bit, worked on my puzzle, read some more, had a look to see if anything else has appeared in the garden (nope) but the rhubarb is showing some signs of life.

   Fixed dinner then checked my e-mails - and that's it for my day!

Dinner of fried fish and brussel sprouts. This was too much food so I saved some for another day.

Didn't spend so much time on my puzzle today but it is getting easier.