Author: boomingbanter

Many of you might have had plans for the holiday. Some may have been heading to the beach or taking a flight to warmer climes. Instead you are staying home. Many are enjoying that prospect just as much as me.

The Easter egg hunts will be in our own homes or gardens instead of parks. Big celebrations in restaurants will be replaced with dinner in our little nuclear families and for sure for those who can afford it there will be even more focus on feasting.

Yesterday Yale University’s Professor of Happiness was on TODAY giving tips on how to stay cool when things might get a little tricky or sad. 

Someone snuggled up on my lap follows these rules to the tee.

We have so much to learn about thankfulness and simplicity. Will we forget this time when it’s over or will it drive a change for good?

The surgeon general Admiral Adams just reported that the high rate of COVID19 infection among African American is « alarming ».

On this day when we remember the crucifixion of Jesus let us pray that this Good Friday will be a historic turning point and the beginning of the end for hunger, poverty and discrimination.

Blessing # 662 – Sacrifice

Scooby is earning a reputation as a star step instructor. He has had three appointments already today and is definitely a little hero willing to walk at six feet distance with his human clients at anytime. Essential service!!!

Of course he needs to recover from all these work out sessions so snoozing is essential. Today I got a little video of him and you can see he’s trying so hard to keep his eyes open but just can’t stop nodding off! He is certainly not alone.

A few days ago we got an invitation to join a Facebook group of families who had adopted from the Canine Collective. Of course we joined and discovered so many other tiny trainers.

They all share one thing in common they will do anything to keep their humans fit! Tireless and tired out!

One very special little puppy we reconnected with was Scooby’s kennel mate from Texas. He was called Oreo when he bunked with Scooby and they were besties maybe even related who knows.

Regardless when all this home based workout is over we plan a big reunion and lots of partying.

In the meantime we are enjoying our togetherness!

Blessing # 661 – Weighted Blankets

This morning wearing a fetching little bandana it was time to make a run to Aldi for some fresh foods.

The staff at Aldi are doing such a great job. Someone was standing outside the store cleaning all the shopping cart handles.

At the checkout careful markings showed where to line up and the cashiers were distanced from shoppers by plexiglass.

Just in front of me was a lady in her late sixties or early seventies. A young store assistant who was stacking shelves asked her very politely to move to another check out point. He explained he’d be right there to open up to help her.

She began to make her move when out of nowhere a man, most likely her husband, arrived from behind. He starting yelling at her asking why she was moving, was she stupid and to get back in line.

Well she gave him as good as she got and quite honestly it looked there might be a real fight with fisticuffs. Too much time together?

Eventually he moved out of the way and sat huffing at the packing deck. She checked out but once she’d paid the whole battle began again when they were packing things up. A symptom perhaps of current circumstances let’s hope it for better back home!

Most admirable in the whole  incident was how calmly the young man on the check our handled all this. He just carried on like it happened every day.

The funniest thing though was how those of us observing all this reacted. Each masked we had to resort to eyes and eyebrows to let each other know that this was absolutely the last thing anyone might have expected from this little Darby and Joan who needless to say were unmasked!

Blessing # 660 – Shopping Alone

Today Krishna, Scooby and I had a little jaunt into the countryside.

Nestle Pensions had sent from Switzerland their annual request to provide evidence we are still breathing. The proof we’re alive has to be validated by a notary.

Usually it’s easy. You run round the corner to your local bank and get this done but many of the banks have closed their lobbies already.

Fortunately the bank where we have our account is one of those still open for notarizing documents but only until Thursday. It’s half an hour’s drive from where we live so a good excuse for an outing! Off we went.

Driving cross country with fields all around we saw lots of signs of new growth with our first crops of winter wheat advancing well. The farmers have been busy ploughing too and soon the soy and corn will be planted to fill the huge silos of these thousand acre ranches.

Since there weren’t many cars on the road we were able to stop and take a few pics including one of a flock of local vultures having lunch on a squashed squirrel!

They are impressive but nothing to fear if you’re accompanied by  fearless warriors

Felt like the good olde Wild West!

Blessing # 659 – Scooby & a Bandit

It’s very refreshing in this beautiful weather to see so much play going on. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll never say a bad word about the internet and social media again but it’s hard to beat the outdoors.

Today Scooby and I came across a lot of little kids running around in their family groups and a lot of evidence of fun underway in driveways too.

Aaron is trying his best to keep active too. He’s just in from a good ten mile bike ride and is doing some weight lifting. Scooby is such a versatile trainer!

Yesterday he put up his tent in the back years and would love to light a campfire too. That was scuppered so he took to the stove instead.

Some decent soda bread was made for lunch with fried eggs and then breaded chicken tenders for dinner were made from scratch.

You gotta hope that when the stay at home is over kids will have learned so many old tricks they’ll stick with them as new forever fun

Blessing # 658 – Back to Basics

 

 

 

 

Each day as well as checking the Coronavirus news from the UK a check on Krishna’s homeland India is called for.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems such a fine man. He is caring and courageous. Recently he has had to take some radical steps to limit the spread of COVID including a 21 Day lock down of this huge country of 1.3 Billion.

His government has pledged to feed the many millions of migrant workers hired by the day or hour. Many multinational Indian companies like the Tata’s have made huge contributions to support him.

The migrants are frighten though and many have tried to get home to their villages some walking for days to find their Social Security.

This morning I came across an article from the BBC. Take the time to read it and watch the videos. It seems balanced and thoughtful.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-52086274

Some of the pictures especially those of the old people are heartbreaking.

How can any of us complain? 

It’s normal that we are all concerned about this virus and its potential impact on those we love and on our own community.

As we enter Holy Week perhaps it’s a good time though to reflect once more on « Who Is My Neighbor? »

From afar what can we do? Truthfully I do not know!

If a virus can spread so fast then why can’t support for men like Modi who may make a difference for many many millions more!

Blessing # 657– Moving India

Don’t you think all the leaders worldwide must be feeling very tired? The pressure they are under must be tremendous yet the media often seems to relish picking holes in everything they say.

It can’t be easy to handle something that we’ve never experienced before in our lifetime. You gotta feel sorry for them. Many are no spring chickens. Just can’t believe their stamina!

The story of the face mask is a case in point. It’s true there has been a change in CDC recommendations but what is better implement change and admit we’re learning or doing nothing at all?

The thing that many of us value most in a leader is honesty. It instills trust. We don’t mind if a leader says they have changed their position or even that they have made a mistake provided they don’t lie to us.

It’s sad and oppressive to see that even at this time of crisis there still seems to be so much finger pointing going at the highest levels. We need to see leaders working together. To build confidence they, like our Scooby have to show they have our safety at heart and have ever door and window covered for us!

Blessing # 656 – Loving Leaders 

Psychologist say that structuring the day is helpful if opportunities for diversions are limited.

Our day revolves around baby Scooby as the big lad has turned his circadian rhythm completely upside down and only emerges from his man cave in the basement around midday.

Scooby gets me up early, we have our brekkie, watch TODAY, have a quick spruce up and then have a major choice to make.

Do we start with the one mile, two mile or three mile circuit and most importantly do we go clockwise or counterclockwise!

When we return Dad is up and we do a bit of cleaning. We’ve discovered a great new crud buster. As Lysol wipes were out of stock we had to resort to a spray. It promises to kill 99.9% of all critters and it smells so so so good!

When scary stuff has been removed from key surfaces it’s time for the second round of food.

The lunchtime sandwich has been replaced with something requiring chopping. Helps the nerves and gets a few more antioxidants into the system. With the six foot rule we’ve no problem these days with bunging in even more garlic and onions than usual and have discovered a new trick for ginger that works real good.

Peel the whole ginger root as soon as you bring it home and then cut it into cubes. Freeze the cubes and then when you need some just whip out one cube. It shaves just like soft ice. Magic! Bet you’ll eat more if you do this too!

Food done, it’s time for round two of walking maybe with a friend, then back to watch the Governor.

The rest of the afternoon is hardly hectic! Perhaps some siesta time or snuggles on the sofa followed by checking up on status of nears and dears. Yesterday we pushed the boat out though and took a little spin in the car. We drove a whole forty minutes to Newark the Ohio State campus where Aaron will go to college this fall. It felt like we were on vacation especially as the town was so empty it looked like a movie set!

Scooby has his dinner around 4:30 and then we head out for round three of sniffing the mailboxes.

When we return we prep dinner, have drinkies with dishy Lester Holt, eat some more and watch any TV other than CNN. 

Boring? So far not so! We’re feeling fresh as daisies in our own little pack!

Blessing # 655 – Dogs Life

What a beautiful spring day we had here in Ohio. The blossoms started to peep out on the trees and the contrast with the lush green grass and blue sky is perfect.

Scooby and I had a good walk with my girlfriend Lori. It’s so refreshing to chat with a chum.

Lori gave me a lovely pink hyacinth that has a terrific sent and is now safely settling at home beside the poinsettia she’d given us at Christmas.

She is one of those people who is full of fun. She has boundless energy and can make you laugh with a joke about even the most serious things.

Everywhere we went kids had been busy on driveways or on doors and windows making colorful signs of hope. One summed up our morning and my friend so well!

Just a few minutes later by the pond look what we found!

Think we know her name!

Blessing # 655 – Jokes and Joy

My Christmas cactus is refusing to give up its season but Spring is in full bloom in Northern Ireland. Carol sent me some beautiful pics yesterday of flowers in her garden.

There are primula and daisies and a magnificent camellia too. The colors are fabulous and so bright.

We’re a few weeks behind here in Ohio but the daffodils are out and the hyacinths too. Even the herbs have decided to say “we’re back”

This year one variety of daffodil we have looks a bit like an orchid. It’s colors remind me of primroses.

When we were young girls Carol’s Mum and Dad had a car mine didn’t. During the Easter holidays they’d take us from the heart of the city where we lived into the country. We’d be let loose to run around and often went hunting for primroses in the hedgerows.

We’d make little posies of these pretty flowers and put them into a button hole or if we found enough brought home as tiny bouquets that we put in a milk bottle.

In recent years with so many options for amusement I’m not sure if kids still do such things maybe this year they will!

Blessing # 654 – Primary Colors