Life in progress

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AtoZ/What Day is it Anyway? Wednesday, April 15th, 2020 – Mother

 

My day today so far–7:35pm: 

Again, not much going on except working on my manuscript. I’ll be happy to have my book finished so I have time to go out for long walks again.

However, I’m not going to manage much of anything like that tomorrow–neither editing nor walking–because I have to go clean out my mother’s room at the retirement home. I have until the end of the month. I received an email from the administrator, someone we’ve known for how long? Five, six years? To say any time you want to come by and get her stuff, you can come alone. We’ll have someone help you get the large items out. That was it. No, “We’ll miss your mom,” or “Thanks for all the memories.” No. Get your stuff. They’re reducing her rent by the cost of the extra services like dispensing her pills and doing her laundry, but we’re still paying for all the food she won’t eat for the entire month of April.

So yeah, I have that to do.

She has a placement in a nursing home, so she’ll be leaving the hospital on Friday morning. Which is good since they have Covid-19 patients just down the hall. I just hope they treat her well at this new place. I doubt she’ll be happy, however. She’ll have to be isolated for 14 days. And she won’t understand what’s going on.

Yesterday:

There was no yesterday, but here’s a picture I took last October of the sun setting on over the lake.

Why I’m writing this post:

Because if you’re like me and stuck at home already, or if you’re going to be like me soon, the days of the week are going to be hell to keep track of. We have a wonderful community here on WordPress and all over the Internet as well, and I’m sure many people are feeling nervous and/or isolated. I want to make sure every one of us has somewhere to congregate and someone to talk to.

I want everyone to know that you can start discussions with each other in the comments, and if you’d like to write your own “What Day is it Anyway?” post, you can link to this one. Hashtag #WDIIA.

Let’s keep in touch!


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What Day is it Anyway? Sunday, April 12th, 2020

My day today so far–3:52pm: 

*sigh* Not much going on today. I’m still in my pajamas, working in my bedroom while Alex sits in the living room watching movies. I’ll try to get him out the door for a walk this afternoon, since we’re supposed to have an absolutely horrid day tomorrow, weather-wise. I’ve been thinking about having dinner delivered, and was going to do it tomorrow, but with driving rain, thunder storms, and 100km/h winds, I ain’t doing that to some poor delivery person.

Yesterday A few days ago:

When Alex and I were out walking, I came across this sign in a window. It was a refreshing change from the usual “We’re closed indefinitely because of Covid-19.”

Photo: A handwritten sign that reads: Notice. We are presently not open because we are closed.

Happy Easter, everyone!

Why I’m writing this post:

Because if you’re like me and stuck at home already, or if you’re going to be like me soon, the days of the week are going to be hell to keep track of. We have a wonderful community here on WordPress and all over the Internet as well, and I’m sure many people are feeling nervous and/or isolated. I want to make sure every one of us has somewhere to congregate and someone to talk to.

I want everyone to know that you can start discussions with each other in the comments, and if you’d like to write your own “What Day is it Anyway?” post, you can link to this one. Hashtag #WDIIA.

Let’s keep in touch!


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AtoZ/What Day is it Anyway? Friday, April 10th, 2020 – Indeed

 

My day today so far–10:49pm: 

Indeed, I probably use the word “indeed” far too much.

I am, indeed very late posting my #AtoZ/#WDIIA post. For that, I apologize to anyone who’s been waiting for it all day.

But I did get a lot of work done on my book today, so that’s a plus. It was too cold to go out in the car, so Alex decided to cooperate and let me work in my room. We were both proud of him for being mature. 🙂

Winston helped matters greatly by keeping him company.

Yesterday:

It seems I’ll have to write down what I did after my daily posts … I can’t remember again what I did yesterday.

Par for the course. Indeed.

(Note to self: you didn’t do anything but go to sleep after today’s post, so don’t worry about it tomorrow.)

(There. Fixed.)

Why I’m writing this post:

Because if you’re like me and stuck at home already, or if you’re going to be like me soon, the days of the week are going to be hell to keep track of. We have a wonderful community here on WordPress and all over the Internet as well, and I’m sure many people are feeling nervous and/or isolated. I want to make sure every one of us has somewhere to congregate and someone to talk to.

I want everyone to know that you can start discussions with each other in the comments, and if you’d like to write your own “What Day is it Anyway?” post, you can link to this one. Hashtag #WDIIA.

Let’s keep in touch!


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AtoZ/What Day is it Anyway? Thursday, April 9th, 2020 – Home

 

My day today so far–1:48pm: 

Home is not just where the heart is, it’s where most of us are. Alex and I have already been for our walk today. He didn’t have much fun because of the wind. I’m not sure if he’s afraid of being blown away, but he doesn’t like it. It snowed this morning; the sudden change from warmish to cold is the reason for the strong breeze.

But the buds of the leaves are beginning to show. I took this photo when I was down by the water the other day. A young willow, getting ready to sprout its leaves.

Yesterday:

Aside from yet another walk and yet another couple of hours in the car editing my novel, I don’t remember much of yesterday.

I took this:

Oh, and I drank half a bottle of wine last night.

That explains a lot.

Why I’m writing this post:

Because if you’re like me and stuck at home already, or if you’re going to be like me soon, the days of the week are going to be hell to keep track of. We have a wonderful community here on WordPress and all over the Internet as well, and I’m sure many people are feeling nervous and/or isolated. I want to make sure every one of us has somewhere to congregate and someone to talk to.

I want everyone to know that you can start discussions with each other in the comments, and if you’d like to write your own “What Day is it Anyway?” post, you can link to this one. Hashtag #WDIIA.

Let’s keep in touch!


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AtoZ/What Day is it Anyway? Wednesday, April 8th, 2020 – Gratitude

 

My day today so far–11:22am: 

I haven’t done much today except get caught up on emails and peruse social media. Alex is still doing his school work through Google Classroom, but he’s not quite as enthusiastic as he was. It’s becoming routine, much like school but without the friends. They’ve set up a weekly get-together for the kids on Zoom, though. It’s an hour long and it’s lovely and quiet, since they all use sign language. For this I am grateful.

The parade of sirens the day before yesterday turned out to be in support of front-line workers at the hospital. According to my neighbour whose daughter is a nurse there, it was an amazing display of gratitude.

And again, I must express my gratitude to the front-line workers in grocery stores, pharmacies, and other places the government has deemed essential. I’m also grateful on their behalf that some of the people who looked down on them are finally seeing them as an important–essential!–part of all our lives.

Yesterday:

I was grateful to my eldest son for looking after Alex while I got out to do some work on my book. Before I went home, I went for a little walk.

Why I’m writing this post:

Because if you’re like me and stuck at home already, or if you’re going to be like me soon, the days of the week are going to be hell to keep track of. We have a wonderful community here on WordPress and all over the Internet as well, and I’m sure many people are feeling nervous and/or isolated. I want to make sure every one of us has somewhere to congregate and someone to talk to.

I want everyone to know that you can start discussions with each other in the comments, and if you’d like to write your own “What Day is it Anyway?” post, you can link to this one. Hashtag #WDIIA.

Let’s keep in touch!


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AtoZ/What Day is it Anyway? Tuesday, April 7th, 2020 – Found!

 

My day today so far–2:25pm: 

On our walk today I found a rare gem, but I didn’t pick it up.

The temptation to take it home was there, I’ll admit it. There was still 3/4 of an inch on the roll.

Things are pretty quiet around here. Not much going on. As I’m sure you can imagine.

Yesterday:

I was sitting down by the lake in my car, working in the back seat, as I do, when I heard a bunch of sirens. The hospital isn’t far away–I could see the back of it from where I was parked. I was surprised to see a long line of emergency vehicles parading around the hospital with their sirens going. Police, ambulances, and fire trucks. It looked like every emergency vehicle in town.

So I drove past there to see what was going on. By the time I got there, there were two inspector’s trucks from the fire department sitting in the parking lot and all the other vehicles were driving away. Maybe they were just saying hi …?

Weird.

Why I’m writing this post:

Because if you’re like me and stuck at home already, or if you’re going to be like me soon, the days of the week are going to be hell to keep track of. We have a wonderful community here on WordPress and all over the Internet as well, and I’m sure many people are feeling nervous and/or isolated. I want to make sure every one of us has somewhere to congregate and someone to talk to.

I want everyone to know that you can start discussions with each other in the comments, and if you’d like to write your own “What Day is it Anyway?” post, you can link to this one. Hashtag #WDIIA.

Let’s keep in touch!


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AtoZ/What Day is it Anyway? MONday, April 6th, 2020 – Endurance

 

My day today so far–12:25pm: 

Endurance. I think it should be the word of the year, not just the day.

I got to the store this morning–found out I can, in fact, go in during the senior’s hour because of Alex’s condition, so I’ll do that next week. It took me a bit more time there this morning since they’ve got arrows on the floor now making the aisles one-way. I’ll be sure to have a list ready next week, so I don’t have to double back. Today, I needed items on two lanes that were the wrong way from where I was standing at the opposite end from where the cashiers were. Uncaffeinated as I was, I got a bit lost. 😛

I did find TP, but I dropped it on the floor in the grocery store. So the package will sit in the trunk of my car until Friday when any traces of the virus should have died.

As I packed my grocery bags, I asked the cashier how she’s holding up. She said she gets a ball of fear in her chest every day she has to go to work. This despite the plexi-glass, the gloves, the disinfecting of every surface.

Endurance.

It’s something we’ll deal with for a while to come.

Yesterday:

Alex decided to be lazy, even though it was nice out. I got some work done in my car again. I talked to my mum on the phone. It was one of her more confused days. She asked if I was both Lindas. Oh, how I wish I was more than one Linda sometimes.

Why I’m writing this post:

Because if you’re like me and stuck at home already, or if you’re going to be like me soon, the days of the week are going to be hell to keep track of. We have a wonderful community here on WordPress and all over the Internet as well, and I’m sure many people are feeling nervous and/or isolated. I want to make sure every one of us has somewhere to congregate and someone to talk to.

I want everyone to know that you can start discussions with each other in the comments, and if you’d like to write your own “What Day is it Anyway?” post, you can link to this one. Hashtag #WDIIA.

Let’s keep in touch!


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What Day is it Anyway? Sunday, April 5th, 2020

My day today so far–4:13pm: 

Another failed attempt to get out of bed in time to go to the grocery store. But we’re not desperate for anything yet, so it’s really no big deal. I’m serious about keeping my visits down to once a week–the less time I spend around people in an enclosed space, the better.

Apart from that, I’ve been out to work on my book in the car for a couple of hours, and while I’ve been home, I’ve been fighting with Alex. He wants me to look for an old Wii game of The Price is Right. We’ve never been able to win it, so I refuse to look for it. As I write this, I’m sitting on the floor in my bedroom with my back against the door while he pushes on it.

My life is so exciting.

Yesterday:

I had a shower! Yay! When I was finished, I opened the shower curtain and saw Alex’s pants where he’d left them on the floor. In the creases is the eye and one ear of a cat, with a giant paw on its head.

Do you see it?

Here, I outlined it for you.

Did I mention my life is exciting?

Why I’m writing this post:

Because if you’re like me and stuck at home already, or if you’re going to be like me soon, the days of the week are going to be hell to keep track of. We have a wonderful community here on WordPress and all over the Internet as well, and I’m sure many people are feeling nervous and/or isolated. I want to make sure every one of us has somewhere to congregate and someone to talk to.

I want everyone to know that you can start discussions with each other in the comments, and if you’d like to write your own “What Day is it Anyway?” post, you can link to this one. Hashtag #WDIIA.

Let’s keep in touch!


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AtoZ/What Day is it Anyway? Friday, April 3rd, 2020 – Challenges

 

My day today so far–4:33pm: 

Challenges abound.

I started off the day early with Alex insisting on going outside to get the blue boxes since the recycling truck had been. I argued with him that it wasn’t safe for him to touch them, but he wasn’t gonna wait.

I’m sure if my neighbours didn’t think me crazy before, the sight of me, in PJs, my winter boots, and coat, out in the middle of the road at 7:15, picking up the pieces of paper that had flown out of my recycling bins in the night has likely cemented their opinion.

We didn’t manage to go out for a walk today because of the rain, but I did sit in the car down by the water to work on my book, so there’s that.

Then I came home and dealt with the hospital.

And therein lies the long story that I mentioned yesterday.

On Sunday, March 22nd, my mother collapsed at the home. They put her in an ambulance and sent her to the hospital–her heart was stopping for 10 seconds every once in a while. The doctor called me and asked if I wanted her to have a pacemaker. I said yes.

A few days later they transported her to Kingston, she had the operation and was back in town the same day. All well and good. On Wednesday, the 1st, she was ready to come out of the hospital. Yay!

Except …

The home won’t have her back. Because there are cases of Covid-19 in the hospital, she’d have to stay in isolation in her room for 14 days. Only my mother wouldn’t remember that for 14 minutes. So I had a choice–pay a security guard out of my own pocket to stand by her door 24/7 for 14 days, or find an alternative. I can’t have her here at home because of Alex’s cardiac issues (if she does have the virus … let’s just say it wouldn’t go well for him), so I’ve been on the phone a lot.

Mostly to discover there are no spots available in nursing homes.

So the hospital will keep her until there is one.

And I’m not allowed to visit. I haven’t seen her since the middle of March, and probably won’t until this virus mess is over. I’m guessing July if we’re lucky.

So I’m just burying myself in my work and my kids, and trying not to think about it all too much. Because what can I do but worry?

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Yesterday:

More of the same.

Why I’m writing this post:

Because if you’re like me and stuck at home already, or if you’re going to be like me soon, the days of the week are going to be hell to keep track of. We have a wonderful community here on WordPress and all over the Internet as well, and I’m sure many people are feeling nervous and/or isolated. I want to make sure every one of us has somewhere to congregate and someone to talk to.

I want everyone to know that you can start discussions with each other in the comments, and if you’d like to write your own “What Day is it Anyway?” post, you can link to this one. Hashtag #WDIIA.

Let’s keep in touch!


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AtoZ/What Day is it Anyway? Thursday, April 2nd, 2020 – Bother

My day today so far–2:22pm: 

My AtoZ word of the day–bother–doesn’t nearly express my day so far (yesterday, too), but it was the closest synonym for pain (in the ass and other places) I could come up with.

Holy shamoly, where do I start?

Let’s skip the “Yesterday” section since it all melds into today.

Yesterday, I somehow twisted my foot while sitting down and ended up with a cramp that lasted hours. While dealing with that, I twisted my opposite knee going down the stairs, which is something I do on a regular basis anyway, so I was stuck putting most of my weight on the sore foot to keep from collapsing in agony because of the knee.

This morning the foot was better, so we did end up going for a walk. The knee’s okay as long as I don’t bend it on the stairs, so I look like a toddler going up and down leading with only one foot. It’s actually pretty funny.

I got a photo today that shows the amazing neighbourhood I live in. I need to get closer to get a good picture of that fence. It looks original. The church is 202 years old.

Click to enlarge.

Photo: The back of a very large church and what was probably the original housing for the minister. An ornate, knee-high, wrought-iron fence runs between.

In other news:

I’ve had a few telephone conversations over the past 24 hours that tell me there are a lot of people out there with no understanding of this virus, judging by the surprise from the callers who were amazed that I understood. I’m going to leave you hanging on the meaning of that sentence until tomorrow.

Why I’m writing this post:

Because if you’re like me and stuck at home already, or if you’re going to be like me soon, the days of the week are going to be hell to keep track of. We have a wonderful community here on WordPress and all over the Internet as well, and I’m sure many people are feeling nervous and/or isolated. I want to make sure every one of us has somewhere to congregate and someone to talk to.

I want everyone to know that you can start discussions with each other in the comments, and if you’d like to write your own “What Day is it Anyway?” post, you can link to this one. Hashtag #WDIIA.

Let’s keep in touch!