2021: Think Positively for a Better Year!
Replies
-
Our mother's oldest sister was a reporter for a paper in York PA. This photo was my sister Judy and I visiting her at her office. It sat on my desk here at home until I cleared everything off for pandemic supplies I just scanned it for my BIL.
0 -
So far, no cicadas on my part of Cape Cod. I remember on infestation years ago outside the library. 11 years ago, they dug up the library lot to build a new library on the same location. They probably destroyed the cicada colony underground because I never saw/heard them again. It was probably more than ten years from their emergence to when they demolished the old library. So they were probably part of the 17 year brood.
I've been trying to puzzle out the evolutionary path that led to 17 year locusts. Who live in the soil for 17 years, emerge briefly, just to propagate and die. The only thing I've come up with is they aerate the soil? But only every 17 years.0 -
Today's word of the day (from the calendar) - sententious
First definition?
"abounding in aphoristic expression"
ummm, okay.........???????0 -
I love the picture of you and your sister, especially the cute matching outfits! Since my sister is 3 1/2 years older than me, my mom didn’t have much success in getting us to wear matching outfits very often. I do recall a few Easter dresses that matched, but that’s about it.0
-
Did you see the story about cicadas delaying the flight of the press Corp flying to cover G7? They gummed up the engine so a new plane had to be brought from NY to DC. The report said the swarms there are so big they’re being picked up on weather radar.0
-
The photo is a nice momentous to have of your sister. I’m sure BIL will be happy to have it.0
-
Did you see the story about cicadas delaying the flight of the press Corp flying to cover G7? They gummed up the engine so a new plane had to be brought from NY to DC. The report said the swarms there are so big they’re being picked up on weather radar.
That's so funny! I fed the colonies this morning and those suckers are everywhere. At one point I glanced at the low hanging branches of a tree and there was one on every leaf!0 -
I love the picture of you and your sister, especially the cute matching outfits! Since my sister is 3 1/2 years older than me, my mom didn’t have much success in getting us to wear matching outfits very often. I do recall a few Easter dresses that matched, but that’s about it.
We are two years different in age but I think the matching outfits were rare. I don't recall even any other photos.0 -
I got together with 2 friends for the first time. We met in a park across from the library. Hugs were exchanged and I felt perfectly safe with them. It felt like a first step back towards normal.0
-
I keep thinking of things I should try to do this summer (since I'm not at all convinced we won't be right back in it in the fall).0
-
We attended a 60th birthday party last night for one of our neighbors of 27 years. His sister hosted although the original plan was for it to be at his home. He’s a luxury home builder and is currently in the middle of a big renovation of their home, so the party had to be moved. It was a pretty large gathering, with friends, family, and neighbors. There were several who had flown in from out of town to be there, which I know he was very touched by. Many of the friends in attendance had known him since elementary school days, which always amazes me as I am not in touch with anyone from my school days (except for 3 from grad school). There was live music, plenty of food and drink, and conversations, although it was often hard to hear. And lots of babies, lol! The birthday boy had all 4 of his grandchildren there, ranging in age from 2 1/2 to 8 months, and another neighbor’s granddaughter who is about 6 months old. I think there was 1 more that I didn’t figure out who it was related to, lol. The only downside to the party was that for the most part we were outside and it was very warm and humid. By 9:00 I was ready to leave and get cooled off and DH was in agreement, so we ducked out at that point.
Today I am going to see “In The Heights” with some friends. It will be my first time in a movie theater in about 2 years, I think.0 -
I’m considering seeing the Heights at a theater too. It’s getting rave reviews. I may wait a bit. I think it will be around a while. If I wait, it may be less crowded.0
-
The movie was great! The theater wasn’t crowded, either. They claim that all the surfaces in the theater are disinfected and cleaned between showings and the bathrooms cleaned and disinfected every half hour. I bought our tickets online and they had a touch less procedure for entry, so I wasn’t worried about infection. This theater was recently renovated with very wide aisles between rows and large leather recliner seats, so you aren’t that close to other movie goers.
Visually, the movie was beautiful. Sadly, my college Spanish wasn’t up to the task of translating the parts that were in that language but I still got the gist of the storyline. It’s a fun, entertaining story. I’d love to see it on Broadway the next time they do it.0 -
I saw In The Heights on Great Performances on TV. I'll probably wait to see the movie until it shows up on streaming (hopefully Disney + where Hamilton streams).0
-
I think you’d miss a lot seeing it on a small screen versus the big screen it was intended and formatted for, especially in the dance numbers which make up about half of the movie. There is one filmed in a pool that was just amazing, with nods to the choreography of Busby Berkeley. However, I’d see it again in any format because I enjoyed it that much.0
-
I haven't been in a movie theater in decades.
My brother who moved to Arizona typed up something strange that I think he thinks will take the place of a will and a living will. I emailed him links to form documents he could use to make them legal without paying an attorney and got a "I know you mean well" in response (he has friends from his coffee group in PA who dispense legal ideas apparently). Normally I'd laugh about it with my sister and she'd talk to him but now I guess I'm on my own. I miss Judy!!!!!0 -
I guess he could have it witnessed and notarized. Perhaps then it would be legal if he won’t do a real will.0
-
DH and I have been working sporadically for about 2 years or more on creating our wills. I would have preferred to go to an attorney to get it done, but DH wanted to try a DIY approach using a purchased will kit that he downloaded. His argument is that since we don’t have kids or any debt, our wills are basically pretty simple. However, as we have worked through the program it doesn’t seem as simple. I suspect his engineer’s brain is making things more complex than they need to be. For example, he wants to designate specific bequests of so many things we own to various family members even though we have no idea if they would even want these things. We definitely need to get it completed, and I think we are close, but every time he works on it he comes up with new questions to ponder. The program prompts you through most of it, but the decisions have to be made by us. It also includes medical power of attorney and living will documents and we definitely need those completed. Neither of us enjoys working on this type of stuff, so it’s easy to keep putting it on the back burner.0
-
We need a new will as well. DH’s brother agreed to be executor decades ago. He’s not in good health and has said he needs to decline. We visited him on our trip home and we can see that it would be too much for him. Our mothers were part of our heirs and both have died. As Pam said, it’s an unpleasant task so it’s easy to put off. But it has to be done.0
-
I am really glad we talked Dad into having a bank as executor. If it had been my sister, what a disaster that would have been. If me, no time.
0 -
Lin-Manuel explains why he removed the Cheeto reference from In the Heights for the movie:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lin-manuel-miranda-in-the-heights-trump-lyrics_n_6075b8e9e4b063a4194a1f160 -
It's a weird time right now. Everyone thinks we're out of the woods but people are still dying. Yesterday my cardiologist told me she lost two patients just last week to COVID.
The grocery stores here have taken up their one way arrows from the aisles. They all have signs up requiring masks if not vaccinated but aren't checking. If I wear my mask, do I get dirty looks as an anti-vax nut? I guess I don't care.
The new small hairdresser I'm going to is also not requiring masks for vaccinated folks. Since they know I'm vaccinated, I sort of felt a little pressure to take off my mask. Dumb no? At least the hairdresser could see the smile she was putting on my face.
Doctors offices, OTOH, are still requiring masks.
I'm taking a friend out for her birthday this week. She chose a place but expressed concerns about crowds. I assured her that if she's uncomfortable we'll do a quick switch. There are numerous restaurants we're familiar with in the Baltimore suburb we'll be in.
I'm still loving my new hybrid shopping. Keeping one delivery service for the boring stuff and only going to the supermarket for stuff the shoppers always mess up like produce.0 -
Another COVID vaccine coming out of Baltimore. Novavax. No freezing required. This one is made in a "More traditional" manner.
www.baltimoresun.com/coronavirus/bs-prem-hs-novavax-vaccine-faq-20210615-62pwu27upba57htn6uty5diwfe-story.html
www.barrons.com/articles/novavax-stock-covid-vaccine-moderna-pfizer-51623768747
Interesting side note on additional studies in the one article:
The center also is conducting a mix-and-match trial where people are given boosters with a vaccine different from the one they originally received. This study involves vaccines already authorized for use but could be amended later to include the Novavax vaccine.0 -
Maryanne, in my neck of the woods, it’s almost back to pre-pandemic normal. Most of the stores have signs up saying masks are recommended for those who are unvaccinated, but there is no enforcement at all. I’m seeing fewer customers wearing masks but most employees continue to wear them in the stores and restaurants I’ve been to. I’m feeling pretty comfortable going about my routine without a mask since I’m fully vaccinated and don’t really give it much of a thought while I’m out and about. I try to remember not to touch surfaces as much as possible, use my hand sanitizer and/or wash my hands, but that’s about the only thing I’m so continuing to practice.0
-
I was in Whole Foods yesterday. They had a mask sign up so we put ours on. The library and Town Hall are requiring masks. We’ll wear them when asked or if crowds are to big. We had lunch with a friend yesterday and opted for outdoor seating. Her doctor advised her not to get vaccinated because of preexisting conditions. And she’s reacted badly to vaccines before. She was okay with none of us wearing masks but she’s cautious where she goes and who she sees. Plus she avoids crowds and masks up when out and about.0
-
I'm chuckling a little. The governor is lifting the state wide mandate but saying businesses and cities/counties can have their own rules. I'd say no one cares. Every business is doing what they want already.
I'm thinking we're going to zoom along nicely until fall and then we'll see what happens. It could get nasty again especially since I'm thinking it's going to be really hard to close everything down again if necessary.
Meanwhile I think I've got the summer doldrums. After 16 months or so of absolutely frantic activity the IRS, DOL and Congress aren't issuing much guidance/legislation that requires attention. Maybe we'll get our typical summer lull this year (we didn't last year). I could really use it. I've got quite the "to do list' backlog built up. I haven't even looked at those lists. Maybe it's time to pick a couple top priorities. Tomorrow I'm taking my best friend out for her birthday.0 -
We’re meeting a friend for lunch Saturday. We were very good friends with her mom who died three years ago. Her daughter lives in Boston but still comes to the Cape for hair appointments. Starting to see friends again feels like edging back into normal. We’ll see what happens after Fourth of July celebrations. Will vaccinations make a difference or will there be another surge. MA is at 70% for at least one vax. The governor is starting a million dollar lottery and $300 K scholarship for youth vaxes. Maybe that will spur some of the hold outs to reconsider their choices.0
-
1 -
The Cape is officially out of the Covid risk zone. There were 2 confirmed cases in the county. There were no ICU patients and zero deaths. My town had zero new cases. MA has one of the highest vaccinations rates in the country. The governor’s cautious approach to a pandemic paid off.0
-
Pam, how are you holding up in the heat.0
