My, my, my corona
I worry about all things big and small. When I first retired, I feared the showdown with North Korea would ruin my retirement. Damn it, I thought, I just want to sleep late for a few years.
Now the coronavirus is keeping me up at night. My neighbor told me it was going to get bad out there, disease-wise, and my retirement funds were at risk in the stock market. I didn’t comment on the virus but said our finances are conservatively invested. We don’t make as much as other people, but we don’t lose as much, either. That quieted things down.
While I’m trying not to overreact, it’s scary just the same. I’m careful – washing my hands and trying not to touch my face – but Dale isn’t as obsessive as I am, and I fear he’ll catch it and gift it to me.
He said I was probably glad older men are at higher risk, and I did not disagree. I guess I didn’t handle that well. Then I stepped it in again when Dale bought new hearing aids outright rather than pay a monthly fee because they wanted an automatic bank draft.
I pay several bills with automatic drafts and have never had a problem. I said not doing the draft officially makes him an old guy, and he did not take kindly to the feedback.
Cannabis journaling
My new seedling has emerged, and it looks great! It came up in four days. This time around I’m using the LED light for the entire growth cycle, I’m using a bigger pot – 5 gallons – and I should benefit from warmer weather overall.
I have this bound booklet that was a giveaway from some corporate event I attended before I retired. I was supposed to use it for taking notes.
Oops. I forgot.
Now it gives me great pleasure to re-purpose this fine motivational swag as my growing journal. The theme is “Elevating our Impact.”
Books & TV
I ran out of Outlander episodes on Netflix. Season 5 was just released, but it’s only available through STARZ. I signed up for a three-month trial so I could start watching Season 5. Then I discovered STARZ doesn’t drop them all at once like most streaming services. Subscribers get one episode a week.
Although I was annoyed at first, I’ve changed my mind. Binge-watching has its merits, but there’s something to be said for the feeling of anticipation as a new episode approaches. The slower pace seems to fit my retirement lifestyle. It turns out we don’t need everything instantly.
Vera is a show on BritBox, and since I don’t subscribe to BritBox, I thought I’d read the first book in the series about Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope. “The Crow Trap” by Ann Cleeves. I like it so far, but I’m about one-third of the way through, and Vera has not appeared. I’m eager to meet her, and God knows, these characters need her help. Two dead already and no clues to be found.
I enjoyed “Burn the Place” by Iliana Regan. She is a Michelin-starred chef, and part of the story is about food and foraging, part of it is about substance abuse and the rest is a lesbian coming-out story. The memoir was long-listed for the National Book Award. I don’t think it came anything close to that level, but I enjoyed it very much.
Old guy humor
After my gaffe about Dale being old, I’m abandoning lame old guy humor, which might be good for all of us to think about, considering the slate of U.S. presidential candidates. Old is OK!
I’m also going to try standard compliments. While I thought calling Dale “The Human Dictionary” was a sexy and unique nod to his brilliance, perhaps simpler is better. Something that appeals to the vanity within all of us.
You look great! Have you been working out?
He’ll be suspicious, so I’ll have to tread carefully.
You really made me smile with the old guy stuff. I’ll be interested to know what compliment you come up with.
We’re scheduled to leave for France in six weeks. That’s causing a lot of stress. Not worried for myself, but my husband has asthma. He got pneumonia at the end of our England trip last year.
The Vera character on the TV show is so different from the description of Vera in the books. I liked the books and the way she melds the characters.
Oh, I hope your travels work out. That’s a scary scenario.
Interesting about the differences in Vera. One of the things I like about the Bosch series is that they follow the book pretty closely. Outlander, too, for that matter. But I guess they can do what they want as long as we enjoy it.
Dear Donna, is it the old guy that is lame, or the humour?? As an ‘old guy’ who is somewhat lame I do laugh at these things. We had some of our ‘crop’ with a chilli con carne, pretty good. Katherine, my lame old wife, promptly went to sleep afterwards (unusual). I do worry about you worrying, about things. Take it from me (VERY experienced!) WORRY is one of two totally useless human emotions. The other is GUILT. Neither achieve anything on their own. Whatever it is that is worrying you, either do something about it or just take the Yorkshire approach – FOOK IT! I enjoy our ‘conversations’. A real one would be better. Our favourite nephew lives in Santa Monica and one son works for Facebook, so who knows, maybe one day. Alan
I think my humor is lame! Although you can read it either way.
Good advice! I don’t struggle with guilt, so I have that going for me. As for worry, you are so right. I’ve got to get better at letting it go.
I’m definitely concerned as my husband is still on immunosuppressants and probably the covid -9 would do him in. And me for that matter too. I’m not any chemo drugs at the moment but with my history I’d would be at risk.
I subscribe to Brit box. Vera Season 8 is on and it wasn’t so great. They are using ‘formula ‘writing. Still, it was ok. But Shetland is really good and worth watching. There’s a lot on Brit box and it’s only 5.99 a month. I’ll keep it for a month then cancel.
I’ve been thinking about both of you and the risk you face with this disease. Sounds like you’re protecting yourselves as best you can.