New Years Eve

 Only a week ago we were waiting for Santa and a few toys, and now we wait for a whole new year.  A new year without all the heartache, hate, upheaval, and even an election result that won't go away.

But come tomorrow morning, we have a new year to decorate with all the things that make living in America special.  All we have to do is apply them. 

But first, we have to overcome a virus threat like none other.  And we can't defeat it without everyone's cooperation.  

By now we've all lost someone we at least know by name, and some we know in person and some who are family.  Those are the people who probably encountered someone who transmitted the virus because they were not wearing a mask.  And it grows from there.

So with the help of approved vaccines and the cooperation of all of us, we may be able to stim the tide of death that threatens us all.

Meanwhile, we can look forward to a new President and Vice President who will be taking over at the most challenging time in American history since the Civil War.  

Since we are all in this 'America Thing' together, we should help the new President's Administration fix everything that needs fixing, including our belief and support of our democratic ideals.  To do less is to contribute to the problems we must overcome before we become great again..

Right now, the best we can hope for is that 2021 will be a good year for each of us and for America.  Let's do our part to make it so.

Happy New Year.

Christmas Eve 2020

 WOW!  Christmas already!!!  

After a horrendous year, even a muted Christmas will be a blessing.  

Although the holiday is not a cure for the world's problems, most of which revolve around something we can't even see - the COVID-19 Virus, it gives us a moment to pause and try to make it a happy day the best way we can.

Even so, we can't hide from the effects resulting from the pandemic.   Each of which affects all our lives in so many ways whether we contracted the virus or not,  Death and suffering, closed businesses, an unstable economy, monumental failure of government intervention, and most of all, the loss of loved ones we could not even say goodbye to.

And it is far from over.

But today Judy and I will join her sister and husband for a very suppressed lunch, gift exchange, and brief time together.  Then we will return home.  It's definitely not what we have done in years past.  And this could be the 'new normal.'

Yes, and I will be wearing my funny Christmas Hat.  Some things never change.

Merry Christmas to all.

Judy and Leroy

COVID Update

Like everyone else in the world, we're ready for our Anti-COVID vaccinations.   And since we're in the high-risk (old age) group, we hope to be in the first wave of those receiving word to 'come get it.'

Meanwhile, Sweetie and I have been trying hard to stay away from crowds (larger than 1 or 2 people), wearing our masks when away from our house, washing our hands frequently, and just being mindful of our surroundings no matter where we are.  It has worked so far but LOTS of people are dying every day, some of whom were doing the same thing as us before they contracted COVID.  

Scary....

Even so, there was one large-gathering event that we just didn't want to miss - the annual Terra Mariae Christmas Luncheon at Keith Young's Steak House.   

A lot of thought went into planning it and, so far, that planning seems to have paid off.  We had a good crowd, yet small enough that we could have some extra breathing room if we felt the least bit uncomfortable.  

The result was a delightful gathering and delicious meal with our neighbors and friends, something we all needed.

I made a video if you would like to see what I'm talking about.  

Then we all returned to our routines of self-preservation, mostly through isolation, caution, and bewilderment that we wait patiently for it to end.

So far, so good.

Another Storm Headed Our Way - 4th Time

Just when things were calming down, Tropical Storm Zeta appeared out of nowhere and was determined to visit Covington, Louisiana, passing through New Orleans on the way.  It is projected to reach minimum hurricane status for a while but will make landfall as a tropical storm dumping lots of water.  And, of course, wind.

The last three also had us in their sights but two went west and one went east.  Zeta appears to be more determined to visit us.

So we went into hurricane mode and put away everything outside that could fly, fall, tumble, roll, get too wet, bend, break, explode.  It didn't take long.  We had three practice sessions already this season.

Tomorrow should be an exciting day.

Looks Like We Dodged Another Hurricane

 Once again the early forecasts said Hurricane Delta was headed straight to the New Orleans area.  And could possibly grow to a Category 5.  So once again, the New Orleans area started preparing for another disaster, possibly as bad as Hurricane Katrina.

                                                We are just outside the orange into the yellow

But once again (for the third time this season) the projected path changed.  This time moving more toward the Southwest Louisiana coast.  Yes, the same area that was hit by Hurricane Laura six weeks ago.

We consider ourselves fortunate, of course, but our joy is stained with tears for those who will suffer again.

Even so, we're expecting lots of rain and some pretty strong wind gusts.  We'll know more tomorrow just how much, if any, damage there is.  I'm sure it will be minor compared to thousands of others in Delta's path.

A Wonderful Popcorn Story

On February 26, 2018, I ordered a Popcorn Machine for the Coop, which wasn’t even built yet.  I thought, rightfully so, that it would help introduce us to the new community we were now a part of.  It helped and now we have multiple neighbors claiming that we make the best popcorn anywhere, although some said they can’t have the salt, and some said they have to suck the kernels instead of chewing them.  Old people will find a way if they want popcorn LOL…

We kept the machine in the garage for a while as we grew accustomed to making popcorn for ourselves and neighbors who happened by.  This is the one we chose, mostly because it would fit into the Coop Cabinet I had planned to store it in.

We use it frequently, always making a full batch of popcorn.   We often bag the leftovers (usually a gallon bag full) to put in the mailbox for the mailman.  He loves it. 

 For the past year, I’ve had to deal with the cooker’s ceiling getting rusty.  It got to the point where I have to turn the machine upside down so I can scrub the rusty sheet metal with a stainless steel scrubber and wipe it very clean before I can cook popcorn.  Then, after the popcorn is cooked and the machine is cooled down I have to turn it upside down again and scrub the panel, wipe it clean, and apply a coat of cooking oil.  Other than that, the machine works flawlessly.

 Obviously, the cooking oil does nothing to stop the rust because within a few days there will be more rust particles all over the kettle top and the floor of the cooker.  Of course it would all have to be cleaned of rust again before I could cook another batch. 

As you can imagine, it was getting to the point of annoying the hell out of me.  I figured the warranty had long run out.  So I went on the manufacturer’s website to see if they had any idea on how to remedy the rust problem.  They wrote back asking for photos of the rust, the model #, a copy of the receipt, etc.  So I went to work taking photos of the rusty area first.  But this time I forgot to remove the door before I flipped the machine.  You guessed it – millions of pieces of tempered glass all over the floor of the Coop.  But, undeterred, and determined to get the photos and model # information, I continued with my picture taking.

Then I went looking for the receipt.  I had all of the purchase information in a file folder along with the manual and even a $10 gift card.  Imagine my surprise to find two receipts - one for the purchase price of the machine through Amazon.com and the other for a 4 year extended warranty policy for only $8.  I had completely forgotten about the extended warranty policy.  

So I eagerly read through it hoping for a miracle.  But the more I read the more I was convinced that they would not honor a claim for normal cosmetic rust, and definitely not for clumsy fingers.’  Having no realistic claim I instead wrote my letter to the manufacturer and explained that I’m almost 80 years old, live in an over 55 community where friends and neighbors enjoy my popcorn.  I was much too old to even attempt to disassemble the machine in order to replace the rusty panel.  All I was seeking was advice as to what I could do about the rust.  Surely someone else had experienced the same problem and there may be an easy solution.

I also added a PS to my email explaining that during my efforts to get a photo of the rust I dropped the glass door.  And I would need a price for purchasing a new door.

Well, shortly after I sent the requested information, they wrote back saying a new machine was being shipped to me.  Yes… I don’t even have to pay the shipping or return this one.  In a few days, I will have two popcorn machines, albeit one is now without a door and leaks rust from the ceiling.

Judy suggested that if the replacement door is too expensive, I could just go to Home Depot and have them to cut a piece of acrylic to replace the broken glass.  The glass never actually gets past ‘warm’ during the two or three minutes the popcorn is cooking, so acrylic will work just fine. 

Now I’m trying to figure out what is causing just that particular metal to rust.  I’ve come to the conclusion that the moisture is from condensation.  If I can clean the metal down to bare metal again, it may be possible for me to paint it with a high-temperature paint or coating that would stop the rust.  And if it worked on the old one, I could do the same on the new one before the rust even gets started.  Pro-active popcorn rust preventive maintenance, if you will. 

I’m just thrilled that they provide way more customer service than I expected.  Once my new machine is in place and working, I will write a glowing comment on Amazon and on their own web site. 

Before they told us we would be getting a new machine, we actually wrote on the Zip-Lok bag of popcorn we left in the mailbox for the mailman, “Last Bag of Popcorn – Machine broke.”  He will be thrilled when he learns that we are back in business.  So will we.  

I just thought it was a really great story that needed sharing. 

 

Hurricane Sally - Missed Us By This Much

The first time we heard about what would become Hurricane Sally, was early on when it was pretty much just a little rain that we should keep an eye on.  

It wasn't long before it was growing and starting to create a path in our general direction.  Then it had its cross-hairs directly on top of us.  And it was still growing.

Like everyone else along the Louisiana coast, we started to worry.  After all, just a few weeks before, Hurricane Laura was dead-set on hitting us, but took a westerly turn at the last minute and destroyed a large area of SW Louisiana.  Now Sally was apparently going to take out Southeast Louisiana, including New Orleans.

Then while our preparations were still being made, Sally decided to turn east away from us.  By the time she came ashore in Alabama, she was no longer a threat at all to us.  But she damaged and destroyed a lot of communities along her new route.  

On the map, she missed us only by an inch.  And once again, we were spared by what can only be attributed to our good luck.

Double Whammy Not So Bad (For us)

Talk about the luck of the Irish, once again we avoided being struck head-on by a powerful storm, Marco.  It moved to the west of us before landfall.  

And this morning it is becoming increasingly likely that Hurricane Laura will land well to the west of us.  

I'm sure we will get some really wet rain for a day or two, but that's about it.  

So what to do during a 'no-show-hurricane' after we took all the necessary 'securing and shoring-up' steps?  Build something is one option.  The other option is to pressure wash the driveway.  Or just sit back and wait for the official 'all clear' signal.  I'll need more rum for that.

Even though we lucked out on this scare, there's always another one trying to form up and deliver its message that we didn't do enough.

But for now, no more worrying about Marco and Laura (but keep a good eye on Laura).

Double Whammy

The next time someone asks me when was the last time two hurricanes were in the Gulf of Mexico at the same time, I can tell them it was in August of 2020.  And I was there.

Their names: Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Marco.  Both are just tropical storms now but expected to become Category 1 Hurricanes before landfall.

 The last time there were two at the same time was in the 1930's.  Yes, it's a rare event.

Even as I write, both storms are headed toward the Louisiana coastline with the projected landfall somewhere between New Orleans and Morgan City starting tomorrow  

We live just north of New Orleans across Lake Pontchartrain and a few miles inland.   We are on high ground and do not plan to evacuate.  Even so, we'll be keeping an eye and an ear on the news.

Sciatica Nerve

The Sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. It begins from nerve roots in the spinal cord in the low back and extends through the buttock area to send nerve endings down the lower limb.

Symptoms: Pain

That being said, if you've ever experienced it, you know you in for a painful few days.

Well, it snuck up on me once again.  It happened when I either reached, turned, bent over, twisted around, lifted something, set something down, belched, farted, or even sang the National Anthem.  When?  I don't know!  I seemed to have forgotten what I was doing to that point when I couldn't do anything but look for something to brace myself while I figured out what to do next.  The pain was excruciating.  And familiar.  I felt like cussing.

I finally collected myself enough to sit down and try to relax every muscle that suddenly went into "Cringe Mode."  Even when I tried to consciously make every muscle relax, some didn't want to.  They seemed to be fearful of what might happen to them if they relaxed, at least for the time being.  

Gradually, over a period of several minutes, I was resigning myself to the annoying fact that I had just strained my sciatic nerve once again and the best thing to do right then was nothing.  

As I sat in my recliner, in severe pain, I began to think of what I did to strain myself, and my sciatic nerve. My memory was blank.  It's funny how your mind simply won't answer your questions about what you were doing minutes ago.  No matter, it's done and no amount of recollection is going to fix it.  The focus now was to get through it as quickly and painlessly as possible.

So I took a hot shower and let the hot water hit the spots that hurt most.  It seemed to help if only for a moment or two.  

Two Tylenol tablets this time instead of just one.  Oh yeah - and apply some of that CBD salve I've been saving for situations like this.  Then to bed and eventually, glorious sleep.  

Three hours later, the pain was back.  Go vertical, slowly, gently, and apply more CBD salve.  Sit up a few minutes while the CBD takes effect.

Repeat.  

And so on until today - three days later.  I feel a lot better.  The pain is still there but doesn't dominate my mind.  I can actually think and do things, as long as they don't involve bending, turning, or lifting.  Tonight I should sleep soundly with the help of my two Tylenol tablets and my CBD salve.  (Note to file: buy more CBD Salve).

Don't plan tomorrow until tomorrow.  

History Repeats Itself Again And Again

This is an interesting article that confirms the need for and emphasis on science when addressing medical challenges, especially at the pandemic level.

You may not have heard of some of these historic epidemic events but you can understand why listening to and following the advice offered by Dr. Fauchi and other medical science experts will give you a much better chance of surviving a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Science and Pandemics

And So It Continues

I just saw where there's a possible third new coronavirus coming on fast in China.  I'm not surprised, but I'm not fully convinced that it's the truth either.  With all that's going on in China, I'm not sure they can handle another crisis.

But neither can the United States where COVID-19 is still uncontrolled in most states.  

And this was also announced today: "The US on Thursday surpassed 4 million officially recorded Covid-19 cases -- and a quarter of that count came in just the last 15 days."  

At that rate, there will be another million recorded cases two weeks from now.  Or more...

We are just two individuals among the millions of Americans who are trying our best to stay as far away from people, places, and things that might expose us to the virus.  Or, that we unknowingly expose to others.  

My doctor visit today was just routine check-up but I very much appreciated the fact that every staff member was wearing their masks and repeatedly washing/cleaning their hands or equipment.  Yet they found a way to be professional and attentive to me, the patient.  

Even the waiting patients were wearing their masks and maintaining their distance.  There was no complaining at all.  That's an indication that we've accepted the fact that we all have to do what's right if we plan to survive this pandemic. 

So Far, So Good...

Yes.... So far, so good...

We are still among the untested for COVID-19, and we are not experiencing any of the more popular symptoms that would give us reason to worry or visit our doctor.  We will assume we are not victims of it - yet.

We try to keep abreast of the latest news, alerts, and protective steps regarding COVID-19 while being wary of the source or intent or even the truthfulness of the information.  Even the latest news and advice is questionable these days.  It's the least we can do while the virus is still out of control.

Also, given there are confusing data coming from you know where, and no real plan to even slow down the daily records of new cases,  our plan of keeping ourselves as far away as possible from people, places and things that could be a threat to us seems to be working.

We realize that our ages and health place us squarely in the high-risk category for not only getting the virus but also dying from it.

Meanwhile, we read where many other countries are also suffering from major problems with the virus.  But at the same time, some countries, including a few third-world countries, have at least slowed it down to a more manageable level.  That's wonderful for them but disheartening for us to hear when we in the United States of America are being told by our leaders that it's under control and that we are 'light years' ahead of everyone else with our medical capability and response

And therein lies the reason we stay away from any and all threats.

I just wanted to go on record as to why you don't see us in public as often as we use to be.

Cardiologist Report

First, the bad news - "You (meaning me) could lose some weight." 

"And knock a few points off your (meaning me) cholesterol."

"And wear your compression stockings."  (Mine are full of runs and holes at the moment)

Next, his reply to my response to the question about my exercise program - "I would rather see you (meaning me) doing regular exercises instead of digging holes for planting huge trees."

On the other hand, "You (meaning me) are doing well.  No fluid problems in the legs and the heart is strong,"

But, "I (meaning my doctor) would like to run a couple of ultrasound tests just to make sure."

And just like that, it was over and we headed for home via a lunch stop at Saltgrass Steak House.  We both ordered salads.

Guess what's for dinner tonight... Nothing. 

The Plot Thickens

We humans are accustomed to dealing with threats of all kinds, including many that we create ourselves. 

Most of the time we get some sort of break between them, but not always. 

Such is the case now.  And I say "now" because things are seemingly happening faster than usual.

It was only a few months ago that we heard that some very large areas of Earth were being 'plagued' once again with locusts after their17 years of hibernation.  Entire crops in some countries were wiped out in a single day. 

At about the same time, the Chinese introduced us to a new coronavirus that was later dubbed, COVID-19.  Within a few short weeks, the entire world was irreversibly changed as people began to distance themselves from each other for fear of contracting the virus.  It still continues to decimate the economy, infect millions, and kill thousands of people with no end in sight.

Earthquakes and fires, political instability, and riots seemed to take advantage of the chaos.  And now we have a growing danger of a tropical disturbance in Central America turning into a major storm that could grow into a hurricane.  We will know more in a couple of days.

Meanwhile, on a smaller, more personal scale, we discovered a poisonous water moccasin right where Judy was trimming shrubs.  It's the first actual snake 'threat' we've had since moving here almost three years ago. 

About the only thing left to add more challenges to us is for some idiot to start a war.

Coronavirus Update

As of yesterday, May 15, 2020

According to the Louisiana Department of Health, 33,837 coronavirus cases have been reported in the state. There have also been 2,382 COVID-19 deaths recorded.

Neither Judy nor I were among them.  Today is starting off well.

Meanwhile, the Governor has lifted some of the precautions.

Louisiana moved to Phase One under the White House COVID-19 guidance yesterday, Friday, May 15, which removes the Stay at Home order for Louisianans and allows additional businesses to open under strict occupancy, protection, and social distancing guidelines, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Monday. High-risk individuals should continue to stay at home, except for essential activities, like getting food or medical care.

Given that Judy and I are considered 'high-risk individuals' due to our age, we plan to stay at home as much as possible.  We both feel 'worn down' from the continuing threat from the virus and from the political games being played at our expense, including the White House's constant issuing of false or premature information about treatment and prevention.

To keep us busy, Judy has her stained glass and I have a couple of woodworking projects in the works.  I just wish I had more energy to do them.

I checked my temperature yesterday using one of the digital under-the-tongue thermometers and it showed me to be 96.1°.  Four subsequent checks showed me to be 96.5°, 96.7°, and 97.1°, all within about ten minutes' time.  I knew something was wrong, so I read the booklet that came with the thermometer to see if there was a way to calibrate the thermometer.  All it said was to "calibrate every two years.'  But it gave no instructions as to how I should do it.

So I checked the warranty and discovered it has a lifetime warranty.  That was a surprise, so I called the 800 number and a nice lady asked a few questions and determined that it was defective.  Another one will be in the mail free of charge.  Another plus for a seemingly, mostly negative period in our lives.

And my blood pressure was 122/45 this morning. 

I think it's going to be a really good day.

Made it!!! Yes... Another Year Older

In spite of the threat of catching the popular COVID-19 coronavirus and dying before my time is up, here I am alive and well two days after my 79th birthday.  Yes, I've started working on being 80.

That being said, the DNA in me that regulates 'patience' is becoming a bit frayed from having to defend myself from COVIDE-19 exposure at every level, including in my own home.

Meanwhile, the government is compounding the issue with politically and stupidally (to coin a phrase) bad and confusing leadership.  But I've learned to ignore them in favor of common sense - avoid being around people or things, and washing my hands many times a day.

But, May 8th was a long-scheduled birthday party for my sister-in-law and me (we both celebrate the same birthday together for over 45 years).  Only this time it would have to be very low key and brief.



So we decided to have a Birthday Lunch at our house for just the four of us - her Sweetie and my Sweetie.  No other family, friends, or neighbors.

We kept our distance as best we could and had a great time.

I actually made a brief video of it.

Joyce and Leroy's Birthday

Leading Causes of Death in America According to the CDC

With the Coronavirus running amuck amongst us the topic of death and dying certainly raises its ugly head.  So when I saw this article about what the leading causes of death are in America, it got my attention.  I'm sharing my thoughts and the links to the data below.  It's interesting reading.

Sad News About a Friend - Blair T. Hill

We just learned that a long-time friend and fellow Egghead died in a fire at his home in Fort Myers, Florida on 4-27-20. He was unable to get out and perished in the fire. A neighbor heard him call for help but the fire was too hot to get inside to help him.

Blair "Gator Bait" Hill was quite a character long before we met him through the Egghead Forum. Years later we finally got to meet him in person at one of the Florida Mini Eggfests held in Melbourne.

He was always cheerful and upbeat in spite of many life-long medical problems, the latest being the loss of his leg. Even so, he was determined to get back on his recumbent bike and kayak. Both were custom-built to his specifications. But the loss of the leg made that dream impossible. Even so, he kept the dream alive.

He was also an excellent photographer and enjoyed taking photos of the many species of birds in the area and on Sanibel Island. I even assembled a YouTube slide presentation of the photos he shared on the Egghead Forum. He was thrilled that others could then enjoy the birds as much as he did.

But it was the Big Green Egg that brought us together. He was obviously a great cook and frequently shared recipes with other Eggheads via the Egghead Forum. And even though his strict diet prevented him from eating the foods I cook, he enjoyed me telling him about them.

Needless to say, his death will leave a hole in our hearts.

Goodbye Blair... It has been a pleasure knowing you.

TV News: Man Dies in Fire

New Table Saw = New Woodworking Project

I've only owned two table saws during my 50 years of woodworking.  The first of the two was the cheapest Sears Craftsman tablesaw offered back in the early 1990s.  As cheap as it was it more than paid for itself time and time again as I made increasingly complex wooden projects.

The only reason I sold it in 2015 was to make room in my garage for both our vehicles, one of which was so large that I only had one-inch clearance between the rear bumper and the garage door. 

I immediately regretted the decision to sell it and started to look for another one that could fold up to fit in the only place it could go.  And it turned out the be the cheapest one I could find - a Ryobi from Home Depot.  It too served me well from 2015 until April 1, 2020.  Then it would never serve anyone again, except as landfill fodder.

That put me in the difficult position of purchasing another tablesaw, but hopefully, with features and quality, I had only dreamed of.  And yet, it still had to fit neatly into space I allocated for it in the garage.  That meant a folding frame for sure, and definitely cost more than I wanted to spend.

So I read the specs and reviews on every model I could, including watching woodworkers using their tablesaws in action.  The one that everyone rated highest was a $600 DeWalt that was specifically designed as a high-end job-site saw for professional carpenters.  I certainly was not a 'professional carpenter' but it sure would be nice to have a quality saw. 

I was ready to order another cheap tablesaw similar to the last two saws I had when I suddenly received notice that my Coronavirus stimulus money from Washington was on its way.  Ah ha... perfect timing.  I  promptly went to Lowes and bought the DeWalt tablesaw I wanted - Model # dwe7491rs

It didn't take me long to start assembling the folding frame.  I got totally lost in the instructions and finally switched to my instinct.  It took less than an hour and the saw was ready for use.

A few days later my first actual project was to build a ramp for a neighbor's little dog to use when she wanted on or off the sofa.  A few measurements and some lumber, along with some leftover carpet was all it took to make.

After a 'trail of treats' was laid out, Bella eagerly made her way to the top and back down.  She must have decided that this 'thing' was useful. 

Bella's owners sure did.

And I got to use my new tablesaw for a successful project.

Life is good, even when wearing masks and distancing ourselves from other humans.

Coronavirus / Pandemic / COVID-19

Coronavirus / Pandemic / COVID-19

Everyone on Earth now knows what it is and what it can do to their lives.

As of today, few places on Earth are COVED-19 free. People who do not yet have it are taking extreme measures to keep from getting it. Social Distancing and outright isolation are about the only effective methods of avoiding it. The number of people who have it, whether diagnosed or un-diagnosed, is in the millions. Deaths from it are 200,000 and are expected to continue, possibly into millions unless the stay-at-home and no-close-contact programs work.  It would help to have a vaccine to cure it and prevent people from getting it.  Scientists world over are working on it.

So, when did it start? "It's hard to say exactly," but the Center for Disease Control (CDC) states in their Situation Summary that:

On March 11, the COVID-19 outbreak was characterized as a pandemic by the WHO

Today's date is April 22nd - only 42 days after the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic, we are, to coin a phrase, treating it like 'The Plague.'

Remember that from your history lessons:

The Black Death, also known as the Pestilence and the Plague, was the most fatal pandemic recorded in human history, resulting in the deaths of up to 75–200 million people in Eurasia and North Africa, peaking in Europe from 1347 to 1351.

As we huddle in our homes, distance ourselves from others, even relatives in their final moments, we all know and accept the fact that we are not safe from this menace.

Even as I write this yet another bit of bad news associated with COVID-19. It has been reported in the Washington Post that

"A mysterious blood-clotting complication is killing coronavirus patients"

And even when it is finally controlled, the world we return to will be very different from the one we made for ourselves before the power of nature reminded us that we humans cannot control everything.

Social Distancing - An Odd Combination of Words

Until a few weeks ago, Social Connecting via a smorgasbord of recently introduced 'electronic communications' made interacting with others a phenomenon unlike anything else in human history.

Suddenly, we pretty much rely on that electronic communication to be our life-line to the rest of humanity.  The reason - Social Distancing.  As odd as that sounds in today's world, here we all are trying our best to keep a safe distance from everyone else, even our friends and family.

But what caused it?

Well, actually 'panic' started it, but only after word got out that a new killer virus had suddenly materialized in China.  People started dying at an alarming rate and others were being infected by this strange new threat - a Coronavirus.  It was eventually dubbed COVID-19.

Projections of multi-millions of people would get it, and thousands, even hundreds of thousands would die from it, we were told.

How to protect yourself???  Washing hands thoroughly was quickly advised and encouraged, but the numbers of people getting the disease continued to rise at an alarming rate. 

What other protection do we have???  Social Distancing - make people stay home and away from each other.  And even when people are together, limit the size of the group and the distance they should remain from each other...

Whoa!!!  Is that even possible?

Well yes.  And in fact it may be the only option.  Early reports indicate that the number of people getting the virus and dying from it seems to be ebbing slightly.  And with that little bit of encouragement, our president is pushing for dropping our guard and going back to work and to normal activities.

Idiot!!!

Coronavirus

WOW!

I started this post in my blog on March 30, 2020.  It was just going to be the map of the US showing the concentration of reported cases.  But, things are moving so rapidly that I've since edited the post a few times in order to mention some of what else is happening in the three days since I started writing. 

As of today March 30, 2020

What can a person say that hasn't already been said many times around the world in hundreds of languages and dialects?

As of today, 4-3-20

Looking at the timeline below it didn't take long before it was clearly a worldwide problem.

When did the coronavirus start?  These are excerpts from a New York Times article by Derrick Bryson Taylor explaining the coronavirus timeline.  The entire article is worth a read.https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-timeline.html  


DEC. 31

Chinese authorities treated dozens of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause.

JAN. 11

China reported its first death.

JAN. 20

Other countries, including the United States, confirmed cases.

JAN. 30

The W.H.O. declared a global health emergency.

JAN. 31

The Trump administration restricted travel from China

FEB. 7

A Chinese doctor who tried to raise the alarm died.

FEB. 11

The disease the virus causes got a new name.

FEB. 14

France announces the first coronavirus death in Europe.

FEB. 23

Italy sees major surge in coronavirus cases and officials lock down towns.

FEB. 24

The Trump administration asks Congress for $1.25 billion for coronavirus response.

       At this point the United States, where Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials warned of an                 almost certain outbreak, had 35 confirmed cases and no deaths.

FEB. 28

The number of infections in Europe spikes.

FEB. 29

The United States records its first coronavirus death and announces travel restrictions.

MARCH 3

U.S. officials approve widespread coronavirus testing.

       By this point, the coronavirus had infected more than 90,000 around the globe and killed about                                  3,000, according to the W.H.O.

MARCH 13

President Trump declares a national emergency.

MARCH 26

The United States leads the world in confirmed coronavirus cases.

       The United States officially became the country hardest hit by the pandemic, with at least 81,321 confirmed            infections and more than 1,000 deaths. This was more reported cases than in China, Italy or any other                      country.

MARCH 30

More states issue stay-at-home directives.

And it continues...

The first time the American public heard about it was weeks after it was first reported in China.  Then one person in America had it.  Then more.  Alerts began to trickle in.  By then it was too little, too late to stop it.

Anger set in as it was learned that the President ignored advice and warnings from our own intelligence agencies months before what was soon to become the biggest challenge ever to not only Americans but all humans worldwide.

Within days, the news was quickly spreading, often with incorrect (sometimes deliberate and sometimes unintentional) and confusing data.  It was so confusing, in fact, that it was difficult to even comprehend by the masses, much less responded to the threat on a personal level.

Things continued to get worse.

It wasn't long before everyone came to the realization that this was a bad thing.  Even then, there was still no cohesive plan on how to deal with it.  The President was telling everyone that it was under control.  Scientists were saying that was not true.  More untruths quickly followed, often mixed with unfounded exaggerations and finger-pointing as to blame.

Out of the confusion came the first clear instruction: everyone should wash their hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, especially after touching pretty much anything or anyone.  And to use alcohol-based sanitary-wipes if hand-washing was not available. (if you could find them)

Then we were told to "cover our mouth when we cough" became the 'suggestive message' that pretty much any kind of mask, even homemade, would offer protection from someone else coughing.  And there were not enough masks anyway.  They sold out quickly, and homemade masks were considered unsafe unless made to specific standards.

By then, fear and pandamonium were starting to set in.  We as a nation and as individuals were obviously not prepared for this threat.

To make matters worse, the stock markets world over began to sink further and further into recession.

All of this, so far, had occurred in less than ten days from when most Americans even heard about it.

While some people resorted to science for facts and solutions, others found comfort in religion and prayers.  Some resorted to downplaying the threat while others exacerbated it wildly with misleading and untruthful claims. 

The resulting confusion led to chaos and anarchy.  Warnings were ignored.  Preparation and testing were delayed,   Exposure, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment were all issues within themselves, each with their own seemingly insurmountable problems.  No one in authority had any idea what to do to contain it, let alone getting the supplies, equipment, and training to help front-line personnel respond without becoming infected themselves.

Panic began to set in, due mostly to the White House's ever-changing and frequently exaggerated statements.  The best and brightest experts were being ignored.

Frustrated state Governors began to take their own initiatives, often in direct conflict with official White House statements and assurances.

The public did not wait.  Within a single day, many store shelves were emptied of anything that could be important, with toilet paper being the highest priority. Bleach was also sold out, although it would have served no real purpose as scientists concluded that the virus was not a living organism that could be killed like bacteria.

Meanwhile, people were dying.  At first a few each day.  But within just a few days the numbers began to jump wildly and quickly reaching hundreds, then thousands of deaths.

Predictions of 'millions of deaths' were becoming common for the United States alone.

Businesses closed or changed their business to 'drive-through' or 'home delivery' only.

Millions of workers were laid off or told to work from home.  Everyone was told to stay home unless it was absolutely necessary to go anywhere.

"No Contact" and "Stay at least 6 feet, then 10 feet from others" were simple orders that were meant for everyone.  No hugging, kissing or shaking hands.  Families had to say goodbye to their dying relatives through windows, if at all.

Crowds were not only discouraged but they were also made illegal.  That meant churches, schools, sporting events, and even parties could no longer be held.  Large expensive weddings suddenly became small, family-only affairs, or postponed until later.

Within days schools closed.  Churches stopped having indoor services.  Other places where large numbers of people gathered were simply stopped.  Some managed to set up in-home classes for students, or on-line or TV religious services.

The stock markets world over started to tank, frequently dropping by hundreds of points in a single day.  Thousands of points on some days.  Trillions of dollars were instantly wiped from people's net worth, retirement funds, and investments.

Millions of workers had no income at all coming in.  Record numbers of unemployment claims were filed into a system that was overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problem.

Congress passed a huge stimulus bill that promised checks to every American, as well as to support businesses that were critical to both the economy and the welfare of the population.

Some towns and cities imposed curfews because they simply did not have the manpower to deal with a catastrophe of this size.  By then few people needed to be told to stay home and read or watch TV or sleep.  Just don't go out.

Even if you did need to go somewhere, perhaps far away from home, how would you get there?  Airlines canceled hundreds, then thousands of flights.  Airports were virtually empty.  Many gasoline stations were open but you couldn't be sure if they would be open elsewhere if you had to make a long trip.  Restaurants were closing outright, or for drive-through only.  Clearly, it was best to just stay home.

"How long will this thing last?" suddenly became the paramount question.  Weeks?  Months?  Yes and Yes.  Maybe even more than a year.  Then what?

All we know at this point is that life will never be the same.

Fredericksburg, Texas - A Gathering of Old Eggheads

Don't let the title fool you.  There were also some youngsters (mostly over 40) there and some almost twice that age with the energy and enthusiasm of the youngsters.  But some alternate names for it are: "Rest Fest"  "Elder Fest"  "Ol' Timers Fest"  "Geriatric Fest"  "Old Geezers Fest"  and probably one or two other aptly called monikers.

Here's the group photo:

First row left to right:
Pete Benac, Celtic Wolf; Evan's Tabor, Chubby; Ann Tabor, Chubby's Chick; Johanna Sanchez, William's SIL; Colleen Cremer, Mrs Lake Conroe Egger; Charlotte Harris, Mrs. Kolbdriver; Richard Harris, Kolbdriver; Frank Cremer, Lake Conroe Egger; Kim Price, Dessert Filly; Randy Price, AZRP; John Hall, Egret; Joan Hall, Lady Egret; Karen Chamberlain; Bill Wise, Wise One (above Karen); Sharon Schweitzer, Mrs Lawn Ranger; Mike Schweitzer. Lawn Ranger; Kelley Underwood, Egg Obsessed; Jay Taylor, SSN686; Bruce Underwood, No Joke Smoke; Kathy Taylor, Mad Hatter; Judy McMillin, Spring Hen; Monica O'Deskey, Molly Shark; Iris Broyles;
Leroy McMillin, Spring Chicken

Top Row:
Ella Sanchez, Egger Too; Lei Sanchez, William's brother; William Sanchez. Sancho65; Hotch Van Blarcum, Hotch; Clay Roberts, ClayQ; Diane Robert's; Ann Pospicil, Mrs. Popsicle; Zefrin Pospicil, Popsicle; Tom Chamberlain, Rusty Rooster; Lora Hofer, Crafty Pez Head; Darian Hofer, Photo Egg

Not Shown:
Shelly Van Blarcum; Rita Benac

The gathering was something Mike "Lawn Ranger" Schweitzer, a long-time Egghead and friend to all, dreamed up to re-group some of the Eggheads of Old.  Yes, the ones who set the tone and tempo for promoting and sharing their Big Green Egg EGGsperiences.

There's really no way to tell how many Big Green Eggs were sold around the world as a direct result of Early Egghead's enthusiasm.  But with very little spent on advertising, the Big Green Egg company kept growing by the tens of thousands of new customers year after year, even during times of an economic downturn in the economy.  Even they admit that 'word of mouth' was (and probably still is) their best advertising tool.

The important point is that most Eggeads first knew of each other only by way of an online forum.  Thanks to that forum we could share our EGGsperiances and recipes, ask questions, and learn from others.  Although we were hundreds of miles apart it didn't take long before true friendships started to develop between folks who may never meet in person.

Then "Eggfests" started popping up all over the country.  By definition, an Eggfest is a gathering of volunteer Eggheads who were willing to pay our own way just to cook and serve every imaginable type of food to total strangers who want to see what the Big Green Egg was all about.  It was literally a 'demonstration' of the Big Green Egg's versatility and usefulness presented by devoted Eggheads who just wanted to help people understand not only how it cooks food but how much better the food tastes when cooked on the Egg. 

With so many eggfests it became easier for us to meet Eggheads and potential Eggheads.  More important, it gave us Eggheads a chance to meet the very people we had only known through the online forum chat room.  In every instance, each introduction was a magic moment where lifetime friendships grew even stronger, no matter our lot in life.

Fredericksburg was a 'gathering' instead of a 'ceramic smoker/grill cooking demonstration.'  We spent our time with each other instead of with curious strangers.  It could not have been a better idea.  The time was right for it.

Literally, millions of Eggheads around the world owe a lot to the early pioneers of ceramic cooking.  But there are so many Big Green Egg owners these days, the close relationships we developed when we were few in number simply isn't possible.  Most Big Green Egg owners will never know the friendships and kinships we had in the early days.

After the event was over, Judy and I spent two wonderful days with Egghead Friends, Kelley, and Bruce Underwood, at their home on Lake Buchannan, a few Texas Miles east of Fredericksburg.

Then we drove home to Covington.  It was almost 600 miles.  We made it home in just under 12 hours in spite of the rain and heavy traffic.  And as tired as we were (and still are) we believe it was one of the best adventures of our 21 year EGGsperience as Eggheads.

A video/slide show is in the works and will be posted here.  I'm editing photos and video segments now so I can include them in the video.  Stay tuned.