PANDEMIC NOTES

Item 1 – Pandemic Hairstyles

“Don’t you like your mother’s hair?” Mike asked son Clint.

“Um, no,” Clint answered. “She could use a trim. And she’s got this bedhead thing going on.”

I was not the least put off by Clint’s honest assessment. My hair DOES need to be shaped, and I DO have bedhead. I’m just not going to worry about it right now. Hopefully, my salon will re-open soon, and I may still put it off for a while.

Item 2 – Shopping Walmart

Mike and I were at Walmart before 8:00 this morning. He tied on his bandana; I wore my mask. Whether mask or bandana, face coverings make it difficult to breathe. Just as I predicted, the concept of the mask continues to evolve and “improve.” They now suggest a filter layer. A coffee filter is one possibility. To further thwart the effort of the virus to bring you down, you can also tie a nylon stocking around the mask. Of course, you will die of asphyxiation. 

I estimate that less than half of employees and shoppers at Walmart were wearing masks. A store employee met us at the door and explained that the carts were already sanitized.

We chose to shop Walmart because that’s where we buy dog food. We bought other items on our grocery list, but certain others remain. We just can’t find all our wishes in one place.

Item 3 – Trips to Pullman

Mike installed electronic shifters on one of his bikes, but he needed a bike tech to tweak them. Last Saturday (May 16), we carried the bike to Pullman and left it at the shop. Leaving it was easy. However, it was a different story on Monday when we went to pick it up. Only one customer at a time was allowed in the shop, so Mike had to wait outside while a young couple completed their purchase of a tandem bike. While we understand the necessity, it was still trying, especially when our transaction would take less than five minutes.

 

We geocached in Pullman both days, finding nine. The caches took us to some scenic spots. Spring is such a lovely time of year on the Palouse – or most anywhere in this region. On the way home Monday, we saw a funnel cloud – actually more spectacular than these pictures show.

Item 4 – Bess to the vet

It was time for Bess’ annual check-up and rattlesnake vaccination. Humans are not allowed in the vet’s lobby, so Mike called from the parking lot, and they came out to get Bess. After her check-up, the vet returned her to the car with a clean bill of health. Her weight is just right – 51 pounds. KW

A WORKDAY AT THE FARM

Raining to the south

The cooler wet weather enticed us to stay in town last week, but knowing that the lawn would need mowing, we took a chance that Friday would be a break in the rain cycle and headed to the farm. To ensure that the trip wouldn’t be a total loss, we carried our considerable amount of recyclables to the transfer station. We also took our accumulated groceries and provisions.

We arrived at the farmhouse about 11:00. It was obvious there had been a storm – perhaps more than one – but it wasn’t so wet that Mike couldn’t mow. He started immediately.

I checked the raised beds. The strawberries, looking strong and healthy, are blooming. The peas and spinach are sprouting, but there’s no sign of the summer squash.

I have not seen the bunnies that live under the barn this year, but Mike found a baby bunny while mowing. In fact, he got fairly close to it before it ran. This may not be good news for my vegetable gardens. He found just a little gopher activity. I found the hole(s) and took care of it.

Rhubarb & lilacs -- so "spring!"

We have always had red-winged blackbirds at the pond, and this year is no exception. I always took them for granted, thinking they were quite common, but I read recently that nationwide, their numbers are down because of vanishing habitat. They put up quite a fuss when I tour the area, and they don’t like Bess, especially when they have young in the nest. The ducks, the geese, and the American Coot appear to have moved on, and I'm concerned about the hummingbirds because I didn't see any. I find that if I don’t feed them, they don’t stay.

Some of the apple trees and the black hawthorn are in bloom. One old apple tree near the pond showed me her beautiful blooms. The early lilacs are in bloom. They delight my heart.

Apple & hawthorn trees in bloom

While Mike mowed and trimmed, I put our provisions away. I treated myself to a new clothespin bag and some metal clothes pins. If I don’t use them to hang clothes, I figure they would work well for affixing the dog food bags to the fencing on the raised beds. Wooden clothespins left in the weather deteriorate rapidly. I also baked a batch of cookies.

Before we left, we planted five spruce trees near the pond. That leaves five more to plant. Frankly, we aren’t hopeful that they will thrive, but the Arbor Day Foundation provides them when you donate. Well, it’s better than a calendar.

We were back at the town house in time for supper, and I was grateful for that left-over spinach lasagna. KW

DAISY DRESS, SHRUG AND BAG -- MY REWARD

Last week, a special reader commented that I should have a reward for assisting Mike with the firewood. I was totally onboard with the idea, ordered my prize, and here it is: the “Daisy Dress, Shrug and Bag” from “Tea Time Fabric Panels,” an Etsy store (here).

 

I have looked longingly at this website from time to time but haven’t ordered. If I may be frank, for what these panels cost, I could make a bunch of doll outfits of a similar style. I even know the pattern I would use to replicate this design. The panel is what it is and is not an opportunity for creativity. What the panel offers is convenience – just cut and sew – and a print scaled to the size of the doll. This company provides a detailed instruction booklet and notions needed to complete the outfit (except thread), and the price includes postage and handling. 

Shirley Anne, Molly, and especially Maryellen look forward to wearing this outfit. I wish I could sit down and stitch it right up, but I’m in the midst of organizing my sewing room, which means it’s even messier than when I started. Well, I’ll sew again – someday. KW