Here We Go !

Getting My Crafty On !

So how's the self quarantine going?  Eating more?  Drinking?  Getting too high perhaps?  Face Time?  Learning about this thing called Zoom?

I am considered an "essential worker".  Duh...I'm a nurse.  Our COVID cases are rising in my county, and surrounding counties as well.  We've already had our first death related to the Corona virus.  I expect more to come.  Some say that we are two weeks behind NYC.  We have yet to peak.  I know that to be true.  Sigh...it's frightening for sure.

In my short time off from working the weekend, I have made one trip to the grocery store.  I was lucky to find what I needed.  And then what I didn't need aka ice cream.  haha...Might as well, right? 

So far I've been lucky I guess.  My patients have been healthy so far.  Visitors have been restricted.  With very few exceptions.  Rumor has it that we will now be screened for a fever before walking into the building.  That should have happened two weeks ago.  And that we are now required to wear masks.  And that should have happened two weeks ago as well.  And nope...no N95s.  There's just not enough to go around. 

Today hasn't been too bad.  I did some crafty things, posted some pictures, made a nice dinner and knocked out some laundry since I return to work tomorrow.  I must say today has been a lot better than my previous time away from work.  Way too much time to think about all that's going on and allowing my fears to plant roots in my head.  Not today Satan.  I just can't continue to live that way. 

So in the meantime, look for the little things.  Limit your news time.  Limit the social media paranoia.  Limit your distance.  Play some music, do some writing, start something creative.  Sit outside, maybe a nice drive in the country.  Break away from the walls of our stressful minds.  It's been an overload lately and I've had my fill.  This is far from over but I am learning ways to cope in more distracting ways that are more beneficial than the alternative.  Except the wine...can you blame me?  Keep the Faith guys.  And as always, be safe.  Until next time...elizinashe. 

Take Time for Yourself !

Sitting in Silence

Embrace the Quiet

Good Morning-at least it's morning to me.

It's a different kind of Sunday.  Quiet, cool, calm...the birds are chirping, the neighborhood is holed up.  The Air BnB's have cleared out.  It all seems pretty peaceful but there is a sadness in the air too. 

Our mountain town is surviving.  Our local restaurants are closed to the public.  Take out only if they are able to offer that.  Hotels empty.  People have cancelled.  And smartly so.  Our service industry people are hurting.  Our healthcare workers are worried.  Not enough supplies to go around.  There's a shortage everywhere, nation wide.  And we have our first confirmed case in our own county as of yesterday.  Two other neighboring counties have confirmed cases as of last week.  And more on the way.  Rumor has it that two of our hospital floors are filled with presumptive Corona patients.  Where are they going to put the rest? 

Never in my life would I have expected to see such a demise.  I thought the 2016 campaign was a nightmare.  I thought the last four years was unbelievable.  Now...I have no words.  I have much anger and fear.  I must have hope.  I must have faith.  I must have patience.  I must...

Even without the pandemic, I had no real plans today.  My local hangout is closed, doing take out.  So no bar fly camaraderie for me.  No local beer to sip while we share stories and bitch about whatever is on our minds.  I worry about my local watering hole.  It's been an anchor of support for me and I hope the business survives this mess.  I hope all of our local business's survive this mess as we have many wonderful eateries.  It's going to be a difficult journey.  I wonder how other countries survive their pandemics.  How did they make it? 

I hope your Sunday is peaceful.  I hope you take some time to sit in Silence and absorb the sights and surroundings around you.  There is comfort to find in all of this.  I have to believe in that.  The Sun will still shine, the flowers will pop out and the trees will still house the creatures around us.  Look for the little things.  It's the only thing we can bank on.  Until next time...elizinashe

More of This Please

Are You Ready ?

It Won't Come to This

So this Covid thing...

The media coverage is getting a bit much.  BUT, as a nurse I think it's important to be very aware and take precautions.  Do we need to panic?  No, not really.  BUT, as our scientists are madly working to figure this thing out it's important to listen.  I expect it to continue to wreak havoc in our country like we have seen in China, Italy and all across the globe.  It's even made it's way to "down under" in Australia as evidenced by Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson.

Remember, viruses are birthed, grow, replicate and become stronger and stronger over time.  That's how Mother Nature works.  Survival of the Fittest.  Science is real.  And this particular strain has now figured out how to form a second strain.  It's a lot of DNA and RNA replication stuff that's too difficult to explain here but those of you who are the nerdy type will know what I'm talking about.  Yes...it's a mess. 

What's more frustrating for me is that our President Elect eliminated researchers, scientists and programs within the CDC who were well knowledged in such matters and even had warned him of a possible pandemic like we are seeing now is highly possible and we, as a country need to form a plan and protocol to keep in place.  He fired them and cut funding.  That was two years ago.  Now we have wide spread chaos.  Have you seen the pictures and videos from the Chicago O'Hare airport with the international passengers coming back home waiting to be "screened" ?  It's quite horrific.  I can't even imagine the pandemonium.  Not to mention we first got word about this Corona back in January.  Right around the time I flew up to Baltimore.  Large airport, masses of people.  It was on my mind then.  But our jackass of a leader waits two months to actually do something.  And now we are playing catch up.  Which rarely is successful. 

It all makes me so angry.  We could have done better.  We could have been prepared.  But our elected leaders fucked us up.  And I expect billions of dollars to be lost.  And our deficit to hit rock bottom because all those who have lost money will want some sort of federal bailout.  All from a virus. 

In the meantime, don't freak.  Take care of yourself.  Why do we need reminders to wash your hands?  When did we stop?  Spring is on the way.  Sunshine and happier days ahead!  This too shall pass.  Until next time...elizinashe

More of This Please !

Tomorrow Is Another Day

Question Is...When Do I Begin ?

Ah...Procrastination....I know who you are.  All too well.

How much do you procrastinate?  Or do you knock out your "to do" list every week?  Every day?  Always?  Or are you the last minute crunch kind of guy, running on adrenaline?  Like the rush do you?

I know I've written about this before.  Perhaps quite a few times.  It's a thing that haunts me.  Along with other things.  But alas...I procrastinate.  And then when I need to get things done it stresses me out because I waited too long.  I wish I were better at planning ahead.  Have no fear folks, I'm not in a complete bind.  Just fallen behind on the responsible duties which never ends.  But still...I'm a bit stressed. 

I read some time ago that the reason we procrastinate is because the task at hand is not a pleasant one.  A task or responsibilities that don't bring us satisfaction.  Or pleasure.  We procrastinate because it's associated with something negative, perhaps painful.  Or stressful.  PTSD maybe?  I'm not sure...but I know in my case I procrastinate because...well...for many reasons.  I guess it depends on the task.  Like cleaning.  Especially the bathroom.  Yuk.  Kitchen table?  It's a mess.  Car repairs?  I need a ride.  And if I have to leave my car for a day or two for the said repairs....then I'm screwed.  I need my wheels.  Work always returns.  That box I've been meaning to ship for the last three months?  Sigh...at least it's not time sensitive. 

So do you procrastinate?  How often?  And what do you procrastinate about?  What's your excuse?  Curious minds want to know...until next time...elizinashe.

Yep.