Author: boomingbanter

It’s official. Spring has sprung. The calendar, whatever type it may be, has turned the page!

Miraculously my first daffodil gave me joy by choosing today to bloom.

Other events take place in spring including trips to shed the winter mane. Poor Aaron didn’t luck out they closed the barbers before he got there. So with the prospect that they may not open for weeks he let his Ma get out the scissors.

A lot was chopped and it’s far from perfect but at least when he has his work cap on it’s all covered.

Not to be outdone fluffy had his first ever trip to the groomers just incase they too shut up shop soon.

This morning he looked ready to rock and roll, This afternoon he looks like a totally different puppy.

He looks more like a newsreader than a head banger and must have lost pounds! Certainly he is a fine lean and muscular specimen with all that fleece gone perhaps a bit of Greyhound lie in his genes!

He doesn’t even seem to be the same color anymore. His little eyes and nose are still the same though and he smells so very sweet. Definitely he won this round.

Look out Aaron I’ll get the shears out next time!

Blessing 642 – Lighter and Lighter

Our Scooby is living the dream. His old Ma can’t sleep much longer than the usual alarm time so she’s up before six.

By eight she has had that much coffee she’s all fired up but has no Zumba because the gym is closed.

Result? The new normal is now Mega walks. There’s no end to Scooby stamina. He’ll trot for ever.

Seems like every dog in the neighborhood is feeling the same. Cats may not be so happy!

There are so many more puppies out there emerging from who knows where. Means lots of overtime for sniffing sensors!

There’s also a chance to play a bit and try to catch the guys in front so Ma also gets a bit of interval speed walking training.

The outcome of all this? Muck! So the call has been made spring haircut tomorrow a first for fluffy!

Blessing # 641 – Lightening a Load

This epidemic is advancing so fast it’s hard not to be afraid. All day I’ve been feeling guilty about going out to buy those flowers and beer yesterday. After all they were hardly what you’d class essentials.

Last week seems light years away. Just one statistic to reinforce the point: in Ohio at the beginning of the month there were 6500 applications for unemployment benefits today the number is 78000 that’s a ten fold increase.

Our friends Paul and Winnie who live in Hong Kong have been giving us hope though that if we act fast with radical measures this virus can be contained.

Where they live things are slowly getting back to normal. They even had some Saint Patrick’s Day festivities. Hong Kong, scared by SARS in 2001, acted super fast. They closed schools, implemented strict quarantine and most importantly the population complied with hygiene and distancing recommendations.

Such message are so encouraging. Knowing that tough measures pay off is something the media should cover more. Maybe a pipe dream but it could gives us all a boost.

Its helps too to see how public figures like Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have been touched by the virus and about their recovery.

When well known people walk the talk on social distancing and isolation it helps everyone.

On the NBC Today show several anchors had come into contact with a person who has tested positive. They are all now working from home. This includes the  famous weatherman Al Roker, that most people who have visited the USA will know. For the past two days he broadcast from his kitchen

This morning things had further developed. Savannah Guthrie the lead anchor was also at home because she had a sore throat and sniffles. From her basement she  interviewed the surgeon general of the USA Dr Jerome Adams who was quick to commend her for her wisdom in staying home.

Many in the food industry were congratulated today for all they are doing for us in producing, distributing, stocking the shelves and making sure we all have we need to enjoy our meals at home.

Aaron is still working too he just left for his shift. While restaurants and bars are closed Panera is still open because they offer takeaway. Maybe in days to come takeaway too will be considered a luxury and pulled but for now it’s something I can imagine those on the front line appreciate when they do get off their grueling work!

Blessing # 640 – Fast Food Fixers

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! Hope you all are having a bit of fun! A certain Irish Wheaten Terrier cross certainly is.

He has been helping his leprechaun, working from home and delighting in the chance to walk longer and cuddle more.

We’re also giving ourselves some extra love. We took a hike to Trader Joe’s and picked up some beautiful spring flowers and then hit Hills Country Market for some bottles of the best black beer!

Dinner? What else but spuds and cabbage and HAM dear friends none of that Corned Beef nonsense.

The hams in the oven. Must say it has a very unique look. Is it Hannibal or ET you decide!

Blessing # 639 – Irishness 

The primary elections are a very big deal in the USA. Ohio’s was scheduled for tomorrow. Just a few minutes ago our Governor announced this is postponed.

Concerns for the well being of all means there will be no in person voting tomorrow, voting by mail will be offered and the Election Day will end June 2.

This is just the last example of the brave and wise decisions this Governor has taken. Yesterday across the media he was recognized nationally for his swift actions.

On the surface he looks like a quiet Grandfatherly guy. Small of stature and gently spoken who knew that under the surface lies was a man of steel.

With time on my hands I got to cleaning and pricing some items for the store. One of these was a piece of porcelain. It looked a bit dirty and was a dull beige color.

A good rub with detergent on a toothbrush soon revealed that this little darling had been through the wars. It must have lived for years in a home full of smoke but within a short time it was glorious.

You never do know what you’ll find under pressure. As my Mother often said « never judge a book by its cover »

Blessing # 638 – What Lies Beneath

Such a strange yet special Sunday.

Our bishop in Central Ohio recommended a few days ago that for a few weeks our services be online rather than in person. 

Back home in Northern Ireland the Bishop had also suggested that services be streamed for those who were concerned about attending Church in person.

So it was that before even washing my face but with a coffee and croissant in hand and my little Scooby beside me we watched Rev Mervyn Jamison live from Ballylesson Co Down.

It was a joy to see that familiar Church and hear the congregation and to feel so close to those I love. The closing hymn was my Dads favorite Be Though My Vision which brought a little tear to my eye as he and my Mum are resting in that very Church yard.

After « Church » I had to make a run to the homeless shelter. Aaron had come back from work at Panera last night with a huge amount of goodies. It almost covered our kitchen island. I’m so glad we have a home for it and that Panera are kind enough to give it to a good cause.

For the past two Saturdays there were were no leftovers so when the big burly guy on the desk at the shelter saw me today his comment was « y’all back then ». I took it that it was his way of saying he’d missed us!

Hope y’all will be back to normal soon in the meantime prayers for all especially those leading us on this strange and scary journey.

Blessing # 637 – Good Shepherds

Today we had our Kairos advisory council meeting. We were a smaller group than usual just ten in a large room.

We took all recommended precautions: practiced safe distancing, hand washing, no touching and cleaning the surfaces with Lysol. It was an important meeting. We had to decide how to handle the next weekend in the prison that for obvious reasons has had to be postponed.

Kairos means Gods Time so we approached our challenge with this in mind.

When we left the meeting before noon it had started to snow. The sort of snow you hope for on Christmas Eve. Big fat flakes that stick beautifully to the trees but not the road. It’s still going strong.

We might have wished for this earlier in the year but now that it’s here we know that so too is spring. It won’t stick around for long.

Made me think of that beautiful Vanessa Williams song Saved The Best for Last.

Just like the virus many of the most important things in life can’t be seen until we are ready to seek and to find them!

Blessing # 636 – Perfect Timing

This afternoon we had more updates on the coronavirus from Ohio. There are now thirteen confirmed cases in a population of eleven and a half million.

The fact that the Governor is holding these daily briefings is so reassuring. It is particularly good that he does this with the state medical officer Dr Amy Acton.

Dr Acton is so clear in her communication helping us all understand the situation. Today she was outstanding explaining how epidemiologists can predict how the disease will evolve. Based on today’s numbers they think the peak will come mid April to early May for us. It really reinforces the need to treat this as something unlike anything we have seen before and to act now.

She used an analogy of the Swiss Cheese to explain how placing multiple hurdles in place can help mitigate the spread and impact of the disease. Each step is significant. So each of us must listen and do what is asked. If we put enough hurdles in place we will minimize the risk of the virus making its way through the holes.

A little later in the afternoon President Trump and Vice President Pence held a briefing to declare a National Emergency. With a large contingent of leaders from government and industry this broad spectrum of collaboration with groups like Roche, CVS, Labcore and Quest all standing and working together is again very reassuring.

This is not the time to point fingers. Rather it’s a time for even the strongest competitors to pull together and focus on the common good.

This image my friend Lorraine posted today speak volumes. Each of us has a role to play!

Blessing # 635 – Transparency

All of us are worried by the spread of the coronavirus. It’s like a really bad dream we’re hoping will be over soon.

In the space of just two hours this morning we got emails from a spectrum of contacts sharing details of postions, policies and actions. We appreciate them all.

Today I had to go to CVS pharmacy to pick up Krishna’s prescription and I can tell you I was hoping there wouldn’t be a line of people waiting with me. There wasn’t. The store was almost empty.

What a coward, how trivial compared to all on the front line who are facing this head on every day all day.

Those working in hospitals and nursing homes, those who go into the homes of the elderly each day as carers and of course the emergency response teams are all so brave and selfless.

Most of us will have family or friends in these professions. The list is long when you reflect on who is caring for us. There are nurses, doctors, radiographers, dentists, pharmacists, home helps, nursing aids, ambulance drivers, cleaners, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, social workers, police and clergy. No doubt I’ve forgotten many others.

If you are like us you can put at least one face that you love to each of these professions.

What on earth must it be like for them each day and for their very nears and dears.

What can we do for them? LISTEN! Respect and do what they recommend!

Blessing # 634 – Health Heroes

With the stock market tanking and the virus spreading to the point that it’s now officially a pandemic it’s hard not to be concerned.

There are lots of jokes out there but as the disease spreads it’s increasingly hard to get a good giggle. Still it does happen now and again. Thanks John! If you couldn’t laugh you’d cry by now!

We hadn’t done any special shopping until today when a trip to the Nestle company store was planned. As retirees we have the privilege to shop there and go once ever six weeks or so to stock up on dog food for my baby boy. Usually the big boys get some treats too like, cookie dough, coffee, coffee creamer, chocolate drinks and Maggi sauce and seasoning. Today I pushed the boat out a bit further getting two giant bags of dog food and two big bags of Scooby snacks.

Since the NESQUIK chocolate milk is aseptically packed it can be kept for weeks without refrigeration. The lad will love it too because it’s the new extra high protein variety. Great for post work out!!

Just in case we might have to stay home for a while some good coffee, industrial scale chili and half a dozen cans each of good old fashioned evaporated and sweetened condensed milk made their way home too.

All hail to the security of a panty popping with processed products!

You, make that I, can only imagine the delights that canned milk will be transformed into if they aren’t needed for emergency ration!

They’ll be a few flans and chocolate caramel squares and fudge and toffees a cooking. Of course that can’t happen till we pass the panic. Oh and of course till I’m back on the sweeties and treaties!

Blessing # 633 – Shelf Stable Foods