I’ve been dodging walkers, runners, bicyclists and even a snake while taking my daily walk. The snake was just crossing the sidewalk and wasn’t threatening, but he was big. I mentioned the snake to Dale, and he asked what kind of snake it was.
Dude, you know I’m bad at nature identification. All I know is snake, snaky?
Six feet of social distancing didn’t seem like enough what with all the huffing and puffing going on, so I doubled that. Sometimes that meant going out in the street, which is dangerous in its own right.
Today I decided to try wearing a homemade mask on my 5-mile loop. This one is a no-sew made from a cut up t-shirt and rubber bands over the ears. Guess what? I love it!
My glasses did fog slightly on the inhale, but they cleared completely on the exhale. Yes, it was a little sweaty in there, but it didn’t bother me at all. The sweat that might have dripped down my face got absorbed by the mask. And there’s yet another bonus …
Normally my nose runs constantly. Even with all the warnings about not touching your face, I had to keep a stash of tissues in my pocket and blow quietly when no one was around. While wearing the mask, my nose did not run! I couldn’t believe it.
I also liked the psychological aspects of wearing a mask. Not that I believe it will save me under the wrong conditions, but it feels more assertive. As in, I’m not just a scared victim. I’m paying attention and doing whatever it takes to avoid getting this virus.
It reminds me of when I had cancer and chose not to wear a wig when all my hair fell out from chemo. I thought, this is what cancer looks like. This virus is our reality, just as cancer was mine, and I believe there are some behaviors that scream, “I want to survive!”
In other positive news, for 30 years or more we’ve been mixing an imported brand of pre-ground coffee with what local beans we can find. We used up the imported coffee and can’t get anymore, so we made a pot with just the beans.
The coffee is delicious! We’re ruined and can’t go back to the other stuff … just another unexpected perk when you’re living the COVID-19 lifestyle.
The only problem is we’re a little loopy after more than a month in lockdown. This morning I turned on the the pot, went back to get a cup and realized we hadn’t put the water in. I put the water in and sat back down.
Then I went back to get a cup, and there was a pot of hot water sitting there. I guess we forgot to put the coffee in. Third time was the charm. I’m not sure who was in charge of setting up the pot, but I still wondered if Dale was annoyed.
I asked, “Are you mad at me?”
He said, “No, not at all! I haven’t been mad at you in … well … days.”
We both thought that was hilarious. But we’re in the giddy phase of grief now, so pretty much everything is funny.
I love your mask. My sister made a homemade one for me, complete with a slot at the bottom to insert additional coverage, such as a coffee filter. But I have been itching to cut up an old t-shirt and make one, because I think they’re the best. Soon. I have that same hat, but in turquoise. No need for it yet in my climate (daily rain right now), but any minute now we will be having warmer days. I loved your coffee story – I have been doing things like that all week. I do think the effect the confinement is having on me is beginning to show.
We definitely feel like we are losing it, but we’re laughing a lot! I love that hat. Very nice protection from the sun, although the sun doesn’t even seem threatening anymore.
We see no snakes on our morning walk. We did see a deer, which surprised us, but we know they are around in Devon. It is lambing time so lots of sheep, including some coming down the lane, being moved from one paddock to another. The bleating is continuous. I do not count the birds (literally). There are thousands of those and the birdsong is a crescendo at the moment. No masks for us, Katherine refuses to donate her posh scarves for such a purpose. She has about 50, including several original Hermes. There seems to be a new form of lunacy abroad in the world that we find hard to pin down but feels lie it should be avoided! We do not need it, we have our own kind of potty! Alan
Your walks sound perfectly lovely. And I’m with Katharine — no Hermes masks!
The fact that your nose behaved itself with the mask on is incredible. Maybe we should start a new trend of wearing masks.
It is odd, isn’t it? Must be related to allergies. I’m prepared to wear a mask forever if that’s what it takes.