Launching a Trip Now, During COVID

“Remember, remember, this is now, and now, and now. 

Live it, feel it, cling to it. 

I want to become acutely aware of all I’ve taken for granted.”   Sylvia Plath

The last time I posted I was feeling anxious and not very up-beat.  I apologize if I passed on those feelings to you. 

I am better now.  I hope you are ok too.

There are several things that turned it around for me.

I realized I wasn't focusing on the good in my life.  I have learned before that making a little effort to change my outlook makes a difference in how I view the world and my happiness level.  I made a list of things I am grateful for.    I was amazed when in no time at all I had filled three pages in my journal.  I could have gone on and on and on.   Wow!

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the changes and things in the news, I suggest you try that exercise.

I blocked a few people on Facebook.  Not that I don't like them as people, it is just that we were not getting any closer to common ground and it was starting to stress me out even when I wasn't on Facebook. 

I watched some artsy videos on Youtube instead of the news.  I was so impressed with the Alvin Aily Dance School fund raiser that I sent in a donation the next day.  Here is a link to a dance performance about Greenwold or this short one that is more uplifting.

I had the air conditioner installed in my Weeroll at the Weeroll manufacturer.  They reimbursed me for the cost of getting someone in to replace the grease cap on the wheel of my camper on my first camping trip/shake down trip. So I didn't have to write a check and I got money put in my Paypal account!  Yay!

On the way home from Weeroll I was listening to the radio and you know how sometimes they have those inspirational breaks.  Some minister will come on with a story or words of hope.  Well, one of those came on and it was a great reminder to me that so much more good is in the world than bad.  

He reminded me that when we see or hear on the news about someone doing something bad we need to remember that for every bad act, there is hundreds if not thousands of people doing good.  As I write this people are picking up litter, calling on the sick, sewing and sending out face masks, educating and caring for children, donating food and supplies, complimenting and thanking others.   For every act of looting there are thousands demonstrating peacefully.  For every shooting there are hundreds de-escalating situations, comforting others, kneeling or dancing with others, giving and sharing, smiling and laughing together.

 I brought the camper home and plugged it in and the air conditioner worked.  While I was at it my neighbor Ken came and asked if I needed help drilling anything.  I wanted a couple more tie-down rings.  So yes!  He installed two more for me.  Thank you, Ken!

Another thing that happened was my sister started sharing her peaceful moments in pictures.  Lovely pictures of quiet waters reflecting rocks and trees or pictures of lovely mushrooms or spring flowers.  

Our Wisconsin friend Mark has been sending out emails every day with lovely pictures from his walks or his yard where he has had a variety of birds visiting his bird feeder and pond this spring.  It is a lovely way to brighten our days during COVID physical distancing.  Thank you, Mark.  Thank you, Mary.

Then, of course, there is biking.  

And though I am still the odd gal out (most of my bike buddies are couples),  I have had wonderful rides side by side with Margaret and then Mari.  One day Holly. who lost her husband recently, rode by my side for a while.  I love that!  I don't mind riding by myself, but I tell you, I just am so thrilled when the conversation is flowing at the same time we are rolling on the trail.  I feel worthy of company and I value that feeling so much!  Especially now that hosting parties and gatherings are on hold.

The Tall Guy

This morning I walked down to Wallace Brooks Park where they have what I call a playground for adults.  I was doing pushups and trying to do pull ups and other exercises.  A tall slim guy with pinkish round glasses stopped.

I had seen him before and he had kept looking at me as he walked around the sidewalk that goes in a circle around the park.  I remember thinking about him as I left that day, wondering if he had an interest in me.  It could be that I looked like someone he knew or he was watching for what exercises I did.  But I let my mind wander over to maybe he was interested in meeting me.

Well this morning he stopped and said, "How is your exercises coming?"  

I said good as I walked over to do my pushups on the low bar. 

He complimented me on my shirt.  I thanked him and couldn't think of anything else to say so I started doing pushups.  He paused and then kept walking.

I looked for him after my set was done.  He was gone, I think I saw him in the parking lot getting into a car.

As I thought about the interaction, I realized I should have talked more, asked questions.  Found out why he was stopping to talk.  Was he a creep?  Was he a nice guy that was interested?  Was he one of the advocates for the adult fitness equipment and was pleased to see someone using it?   I then realized he had been wearing long pants and a dress shirt, like he was going to work after his walk.  I bet he was instrumental in the design of Wallace Brooks Park.

Maybe I will try to get down to the park at the same time in the next few days and get another chance to talk with him and learn what's what.   Why is this interaction causing my synopsis to fire?

But, hey, I am leaving town in a few days.  So even if there is a possibility that he was interested in getting to know me, it's not good timing.  

Getting Ready to Go TRIPPIN'!

I am set to go.  I have neighbors and others to watch over my place closely.  

I am getting very excited.  

My first stop on this adventure is a gathering of other women campers.  Sisters on the Fly will be gathering for physical distance socializing and fun at a campground on the Suwanee River.  Instead of potlucks we will gather with our own personal meal and set our chairs six feet apart outside.   

 That was another thing I heard on the radio the other day.  Someone said, "I hate the term social distancing."  They went on to say that we are social animals.  We need to connect with each other.  Covid shouldn't prevent us from doing that.  And we can do that while remaining physically distant.  

Yes!  Like six feet and outside, or inside if everyone wears a mask.  See it is the concentration of the droplets that is creating infection.  So if you are in a well ventilated area like outside and apart from each other or you are all wearing masks, the amount of droplets is dissipated (or absorbed by the masks) and that reduces the chance of infection.    Yay!  It is nice to hear I am doing it right for a change.

Come along with me on this trip to Wisconsin.

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Book News

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PS

I would like to say, Happy Juneteenth!  Over two years after the slaves were freed by the emancipation proclamation, the news was announced in Texas.   I learned that the Wiki page on Juneteenth has an increased viewing of 850% over last year at this time.  

Open our eyes, open our minds, open our hearts.