Quick daily posts

[richardandtracy]

Lunch with tea then stitching I think. But first a bath and change of clothes.

Regards,

Richard.

[Angel]

We use hand sanitiser all the time for various reasons and I'm constantly loosing and re-buying it. I now have 8 bottles I know the location of and I read an email about royal mail struggling to get any in. So I've spent my morning waiting for our postman so I could leave some out on my designated post wall for him. I use the post so much, gotta take care of my postie and it felt so good to be able to do something for someone else other than just staying at home.

Not hoarding it, just I always buy in bulk and then put it down and forget. I'll literally buy three bottles at a time because when I get home and put them down I'll only ever be able to find one and I'll loose it at least twice before it's used up.

[rcperryls]

@ Richard, Glad you are back and safely home. Sounds like it would have been quite an experience without all the concern about maintaining social distances. Hope your procedure was successful.

Because I have pretty much stayed in my house and not gone out anywhere, I haven't seen any congregating and when people are walking their dog or taking a baby/toddler for a walk around the neighborhood seem to be alone, or are clearly a family (mom, dad, baby). In California, where my sister lives (Los Angeles), groceries are limiting shoppers to more than 50 at one time and maintaining a 6 foot distance between those waiting to get in and for those checking out. Our grocery stores are encouraging more online shopping with pick up (no fees for seniors) or delivery. I haven't tried it yet, but will when I need to replenish. My activities are pretty much the same, though I've been catching up on chores (like laundry) and swear I will clear out my closets too.

Carole

[works4me]

I just started a new project. Not that I don't have a LOT of projects already on the go, but nothing appeals to me right now so I decided something new was in order. New season, new crafty project.

We just moved to a condo from a house - I know, great timing, huh - and we walk to the small mall right next door. I feel so sorry for the stores as the mall is quite new and they were already struggling. Most have closed temporarily, including the banks, but a few of the restaurants are offering take-out so we are trying to support them by getting take-out once a week which is a lot more than the once a month we were doing. Grocery store is struggling to get in stock of tinned goods, pasta, rice, and paper products. I hope the government assistance is enough for these small business.

Stay safe everyone.

[RosemaryD]

Whether to allow people out to exercise is a difficult question, I live in a village in the countryside so even now see very few if any people out on the footpaths where I run, I always go alone and I also live alone so I'd feel a bit hard-done-by if they banned it (although would comply), but I can understand your concern, Angel. This whole thing shows how much of a social species humans are and it will be interesting to see how people cope if it goes on for a long time. Even before this it wasn't unusual for me to happily go several days without seeing or talking to anyone (no, not normal, I am aware) so although obviously I don't want the world in this situation at all it is probably the first time that my solitary personality is making my life easier!

Finally got some sensible communication from work today so looks like we're on extended leave until at least the end of May with the possibility of very limited repatriation/domestic flights which they have asked people to volunteer for so those who don't want to risk bringing it home to family members don't have to. Signed up for that, also for the NHS volunteer scheme so hopefully won't be totally useless for 2 months.

[Squirrel]

Well I was going to post that once finished on here I am off to the balcony to stitch. However 2 men have arrived to remove the old worn out guttering paint the facia boards and tomorrow put the new guttering in. They are currently on the roof above my head - crazy.
Not quite sure if its safe to go out to the balcony I will ask if I get to actually see one of them.

.

[fccs]

My county issued a stay at home order this afternoon, followed closely by the state doing the same (although the state’s stay at home order is through April 11 and the county’s is through April 17). I kept saying that if a stay at home order was issued, I would stop working and take a leave of absence, so I’ve already done what I have to do to let them know I won’t be at work tomorrow. After tomorrow, I’m already scheduled for about 1 1/2 weeks of time off, so I won’t start the LOA until the end of that time off.

We are allowed to go out to get groceries, meds, pet supplies and other items for daily life. We can also go out to pick up meals (all restaurants are closed to dining in), and we can go out to run, walk, hike, etc. And of course we can go out in our yards (or in my case, my patio). With my gym being closed (they all are), my goal is to walk as often as possible, and my gym is doing online workouts each day.

[Serinde]

Finally got some sensible communication from work today so looks like we're on extended leave until at least the end of May with the possibility of very limited repatriation/domestic flights which they have asked people to volunteer for so those who don't want to risk bringing it home to family members don't have to. Signed up for that, also for the NHS volunteer scheme so hopefully won't be totally useless for 2 months.

Well done, you! The repatriation flights, should you fly them, are going to make such a huge difference to British people stuck inadvertently in far -flung corners. The NHS volunteer scheme brings out the best in people who want to be able to do something.

[poppy]

I am planting seeds at the moment. A novice at gardening, we will see what happens...

Well done Rosemary for signing up to the NHS volunteering scheme

[wendywombat]

Yes Indeed! Well done for volunteering, Rosemary...do stay safe though!

I'm still wreaking vengeance on the bamboo...and it does look as if it's suffering!
I planted some Gladioli and Dahlias a couple of weeks ago and I can see shoots coming up.
Today I ordered some bread for Saturday and we will see if the local Open Air fruit and veg market is allowed to open. I am avoiding our local supermarket as they do not seem to be operating a 'safe' shopping environment

[Serinde]

I am planting seeds at the moment. A novice at gardening, we will see what happens...

The key is to remember that seeds want to be plants and that plants want to grow. Look after them, especially at the beginning, and you will be rewarded. One note: don't plant a dozen runner beans unless everyone on your street has a stake in them. (Guess how I know...)

[poppy]

The key is to remember that seeds want to be plants and that plants want to grow. Look after them, especially at the beginning, and you will be rewarded. One note: don't plant a dozen runner beans unless everyone on your street has a stake in them. (Guess how I know...)

Thank you, Serinde. I ran out of little pots, so googled "DIY" seed tray and dived ( in my dressing gown!!!) into my recycle bins to get yogurt pots out, egg crates, milk bottles, ice cream tubs etc.... DH has got the drill out to pierce holes in the tougher plastic. So far, I planted tomato, bell peppers, salad leaves seeds . Today I shall learn about carrots and beetroots + beans ( Thank you for the advice about the beans )
Over the fence, my neighbour and I swapped seeds, so we have a variety each.

[wendywombat]

Just popped out to post a package. Found that a local shop had a facility to take parcels that had already been authorised online by LaPoste.
It was in the next village 10Kms away...a bit further than we were allowed to drive.

I bought some Essential supplies in the shop and on the way home we were stopped by the Gendarme..luckily between our local supermarket (4Kms away) and home. Loaf of bread visible on back seat of car!!

They looked at our paperwork and accepted them despite the fact that there are now New Updated Forms which have to have time of leaving home on them. We are now only allowed away from home for 1 hour each day and I think they took a photo of our car registration No.

[Mabel Figworthy]

Well done Rosemary - but then I have cause to know that you are a star!

I've been using my trusty Dutch granny bike to go shopping, raising several smiles and some appreiative comments along the way

[richardandtracy]

Both Tracy & I are working from home via the net. We discovered fairly quickly that Microsoft ' Teams' takes a lot of bandwidth and if either of us have it on, everything else slows catastrophically. Trying to modify some drawings on our work server, big ones. One took 33 minutes to open, even after closing teams. Trying to get used to it all..

Had to stop working at 2pm as both daughters have online university lectures at the same time. Good excuse to do some gardening.

Regards,

Richard.

[wendywombat]

I remember seeing bikes like yours everywhere when we visited Holland a few years back! They were fast and quiet and we had to watch our step carefully when crossing the road!!

[Serinde]

I have a bike like that... but I have a basket! (But no cat checking it back in.)

[Mabel Figworthy]

Hope the gardening has gone well and proved relaxing, Richard!

Serinde, it is my ambition to get a basket for this bike, but as you can see we'll have to move the light first. Dutch bikes come with the light on the upright steering column or by the wheel, and baskets only work with the wheel-mounted ones.
Perhaps I could try panniers

[richardandtracy]

The gardening was quite nice, digging up stinging nettle roots from our veg bed. We allowed it to get rather overgrown last year.

Regards

Richard

[Podolyanka]

I am a 100% dog person,but for some unknown reason have fallen in love with this cat. She is all charm and elegance.