Jackie, I am glad you were able to get a delivery slot and I think you're wise to take what is available even if it isn't your choice.  Some is usually better than none.

Jeanne, you can be assured I am not overdoing it.  I sit in this chair most of the time and don't do any type of work, hardly any pickup.  Right now I am trying to cough up some phlegm and I'll be OK for a while. 

I don't know if any of our stores are having Senior Hours or not.  It makes me realize I have not looked at the news on the computer today.  I don't read much news, but I do find out what is going on.  I read the local TV and Detroit Free Press news.  The Free Press does not like it that I used an ad blocker and want me to disable it - I don't.       

I just got rid of a lot of phlegm.  Sorry to be so clinical, but I am free of it for a while.  I can tell I will have to put up my leg soon.

Jean, I am happy to read your cheerful posts with your good weather.  We don't have bad weather, just not good.  I am going to go to the news now to see about any Senior Hours. 

Annie just came in with some food that I think is liquid and that always goes down good.

Mary Ann

Good Afternoon Everyone...
I am not sure if I mentioned it or
not but my store where I can pick
up my order, is no longer having this
service.   

So now I have to depend on my daughter
Kelly to get it for me.  Next week
I have to go get my blood drawn,  so
perhaps I can talk kelly into
letting me go in with her,  and I  will
stay behind my cart  and cover up my face.

Yikes,  what  a Mess !!!!

So I woke up this morning and decided
to re arrange my apartment...  this
included moving my bed and other
furniture.

Now my apartment is totally cluttered
up and it is going to take me
days to get thing to where I know
what I have and to clean out and throw
away stuff that I am not using. 

In the meantime,  I still have not
eaten today (it is 2:30 PM)..
so I need to go make myself
something  and have a cuppa coffee.

My back is starting to hurt now as
I had to move my double bed...  YIKES!!!

I feel like I am living in a different place!

We have 52 cases of the Virus here in
Maine....  the number of cases  is rising
fast.

I am off to eat

Sandy

Annie's food was a ham and cheese burrito which is going down OK but I probably will not get it all down and a banana, strawberry, something else concoction that is going down very well.  I don't know where she got them.  In a half hour I am to have a therapist and I hope I can convince her to not stay.  Annie is always so cheerful she "makes your day".  She is working when she comes here and is working with her dad.  Both love the time they have together.

Now I'll look at local news.

Mary Ann

Its just dawned on me i have had to pay for delivery on this order, as this delivery falls on a Saturday, as I have paid upfront for a delivery pass for so many months but, but the delivery pass i have only covers me for free delivery Tuesdays Wednesdays and Thursdays with a delivery charge if i want my order on a different day....not much i can do but to pay the extra if that slot was the first and only available next slot....

As promised last night, I am here! (Not sure if anyone saw my post.) We had a beautiful day, warm and sunny. I got out for awhile and walked around the yard.

I joke that I've been "under house arrest" for more than a week. Chape is adamant that I don't go to any public places. He's worried because with the lung disease I have I'm at high risk. I ordered some groceries online from Publix and they were delivered today. First time I've tried that. It worked out fairly well so I'll probably do it again.

We sold Chape's huge corner desk with a hutch and bought a new one. Just as big but without the hutch. The old one covered half the window. Right now the new one is in the spare bedroom, still disassembled. He's laying a new floor. It's vinyl plank that looks like wood and can be installed over the other floor. I can't begin to tell you how much stuff this man has from when he was writing programs for the livestock market!  He also has shelves in the closet that are full. He says he's going to get rid of some of it. We will see! 

My daughter and granddaughters are still in Thailand. They've been having a great time but Brynn fell on the street and badly sprained her ankle. She had to go to the hospital ER. They were impressed by the medical treatment and kindness they were shown by the Thai people. She can't walk on it so they bought a wheelchair. Some of their plans had to change so they found other things to do. They will be coming home on the 21st. I'm a little concerned as the State Dept. has ordered international travelers to return immediately or they might not be able to get home!

Jackie - I'm glad you've found a way to get deliveries.

Mary Ann - Having someone like Annie stop by is a real "pick-me-up". Cheerful people are nice to have around.

Jeanne - I have an appointment for a perm in April but it looks like I won't be getting a hair cut or perm anytime soon. I wouldn't dare cut my own hair. I tried cutting my bangs once. 

Joy - Sounds as if you are making progress!

Sandy - Last I heard Vermont had 10 cases.

Marilyn - The stores around here are having early morning hours for senior shoppers.  6 a.m. is too early for me, but that's when it's cleanest and the shelves are stocked.

FlaJean - We enjoy spending time at home, also. I do like to see friends, though, so this self-imposed confinement could get boring. Time to get creative and do some of the things we used to do before computers! Like Scrabble.......

Jenny - I saw your first day of Spring photo on Facebook. Looks like a winter wonderland!

Callie - Are the redbud trees blooming yet? What I liked about Spring in Oklahoma were the flowering trees. We had a redbud tree, a Southern magnolia and a Japanese magnolia (with the pink blossoms) in the yard.

Hello to MarsGal and Patricia. Hope I didn't forget anyone.

Good evening.....many of you might already be in bed! 

BEVERLY, it is a winter wonderland here right now....BUT today is the first day of spring!  Is this a joke, or just typical "spring time in the Rockies"?  I know you have to be a bit worried about your family travelers🙀. The State Department is asking all Americans to get home!  I am sorry to read about Brynn's fall.  It sounds like they are doing just fine in spite of a bit of bad luck.  I can certainly understand Chape not wanting you to go out with your lung issues 😘 Glad your order from Publix was a good experience....did they give you everything you ordered? 

JACKIE, what a fiasco, you trying to get a grocery delivery order done.  That seems ridiculous to have to wait that long and then to have to pay for it because it is on the weekend😩

MARILYNE, you had me chuckling as I read about you and AJ "sneaking" out to do a little bit of shopping!  Sad that even that early in the morning some of the necessities were still not available, and yet they assure us there is no shortages of these items!  Not sure I believe it! Now I read that flour and yeast are non existent!  Can't buy bread and I guess you are not going to be able to make it either.   

SANDY, I do hope Kelly will be able to take you for your blood work and to the store to get some groceries in.  I used to love to move my furniture around and did it every week when I cleaned.  I hope you did not hurt yourself and good luck getting it all in it's rightful place.

JEAN, I sure hope the governor is successful in getting those beaches cleared out and the bars closed.  One thing I heard is that it will be done by NEXT TUESDAY! REALLY? REALLY?  NO, close them NOW! 

MARY ANN, I am happy Annie stopped by to see you and bring you food.  I know it had to raise your spirits to see her🥰

. New avatar is Jonah loving his kitty! 

Pleasant dreams to all.

Jenny

( UK live daily updates. )

" Your NHS needs you!
Tens of thousands of retired NHS doctors and nurses are being urged to return to work to help combat the coronavirus epidemic in the UK.

Letters have been posted to more than 65,000 retirees with officials admitting they are desperately needed to help bolster those on the ground as the death toll continues to rise.."
**********************************************************************************
Portakabin morgues being built deal with spike in coronavirus deaths
A network of temporary Portakabin mortuaries will be set up across the UK to deal with the spike in deaths caused by coronavirus, it has been reported.

The Cabinet Office is putting contingency plans in place to deal with "the reasonable worst-case scenario" if existing morgues are overwhelmed.

The makeshift structures will be set up in discrete locations and away from homes, according to Ian Hudspeth, the chairman of the Local Government Association board.
*********************************************************************************
Mourners banned from kissing and hugging at funerals over coronavirus fears
One of the country's biggest operators of private crematoriums has banned mourners from kissing and hugging because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Westerleigh Group has introduced new strict social distancing measures for all future funerals as fears over COVID-19 intensify.

A spokesman for the company said: "We are not restricting the number of mourners, but we are asking everyone to observe a sensible space between each other when they attend a service.

"We will ask mourners to avoid hand-shaking and hugging, which we understand is difficult at such a time, and we will also be encouraging hand-washing at the facilities we have made available."
*************************************************************************************
THOUSANDS of engineers across the UK have stepped up for the country, after Health Secretary Matt Hancock revealed the "unbelievable" response to their call-out of urgent ventilators manufacturing

I must say a " hats off " " bravo " to those thousands of UK engineers who have stepped up for their country...

Well, its morning. foggy and drizzly, kind of the way I feel right now.

I woke up to the news that our Governor is banning just about everything now because he wasn't satisfied with the response, or lack there of, of businesses not voluntarily shutting down. All non-essential businesses are to close, with the exception of a few like gas stations and vehicle repair shops and hotels. Here is the list for PA. if you are interested.https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/6815335/20200319-Life-Sustaining-Business.pdf Camp Hill, just up the road a few miles has closed all playgrounds.

George, as of yesterday afternoon, is still planning to go up to his other house. I will enjoy driving without all the traffic, but am not happy he isn't staying home to take care of his cats. That, of course, may change as of this morning. I don't think he is awake to see the new restrictions which, I believe, didn't get released until earlier this morning.

On the agenda today will be laundry, vacuuming, maybe hunting down more stuff to get rid of, and more reading.

Jackie, I am glad you have a slot for food delivery. Too bad it is such a long wait. The rest of my monthly delivery from Amazon (cat food and litter) has been postponed now until Saturday. I sincerely hope that doesn't change. Cats, as far as I am concerned, are essential. I saw this morning that Italy's death toll has surpassed that of China.

I actually got to see three ships traversing the St. Clair River yesterday: Algosea, AlgoCanada, Karen Andre. While it looks like some of the Sarnia refinery operations are shut down, there are still some essential products that need to stay in production. There were at least 20 fishing skiffs out on the river yesterday. I hear they are after some early Walleye, Steelhead trout, and I forget the other fish mentioned.

MarsGal...
... yes i see that too, i am wondering what we can learn from China, they are - have been, obviously doing something right, if indeed they now have this under their control...
On another positive note, BBC news a few minutes ago states 84,000 worldwide have recovered from this C virus..so maybe light at the end of this tunnel..

MarsGal, all these services that will soon be closing - stopping if our governments have their way will have taught us a valuable lesson, of not ever taking them for granted...
....I hope your cat food delivery goes to plan...

For anyone with children, Audible just announced, here in the US at least, that they have a fair sized list of free books for children 0-18 available during the virus crisis and school shutdowns

One of our major stores, formerly open 24 hours a day, is now closing at 10 pm to open at 8 am the next morning.  I understand they have 6 am to 8 am open for seniors - that would be while they are restocking.  It isn't the store we go to but the way we order and get our groceries would not matter.  Tom has gone after our groceries now.  He will meet with a friend for some business discussion around noon.  Jan should be here this morning to help with my shower.  Next week an OT will be here twice to help for as long as I need help.  I think if my leg worked better I might not need help but I'm not going to fight City Hall. 

I feel my breathing has finally settled down, not needing to "blow out candles" as often, in fact, I may be too optimistic but I feel my breathing is better. 

Jan just called and will be here about 1 pm.  Tom may be gone at that time, meeting with a friend for who he is working on a computer project.  I'll be here for whatever comes up, nothing that I can handle anyway!

Mary Ann

 

Good morning, Mary Ann.  You sound upbeat this morning and I'm glad that you are feeling better. It must be a relief to be able to come home.  Keep your chin up!  You are making good progress!

Sue

Another nice day here in Northwest Florida, a little overcast now and then.

Nice to see a message from you, Beverly.  Very wise to stay away from people with your lung problem.  Actually, wise for all of us to keep our distance from others until this terrible virus is controlled.  I hope the girls have no problems returning to the US.

Mary Ann, I hope you continue to improve.  Glad you seem to be breathing better.  Just be careful and don't take chances with doing things by yourself.

It is good to hear from everyone.  Our dwarf azaleas and rhododendrons are blooming and the white candytuft is looking so pretty.  Spring has sprung along with our allergies, but we do love this nice weather.  Hopefully, we will see a little rain this weekend.

To everyone - when I say I don't do anything, I really do not.  I sit in this chair most  of the time.  If Tom is near and I need something, I ask him if he'll get it - my breakfast, for instance.  The main reason is my weepy leg but I get out of the chair to go to the bathroom and bed, maybe to the kitchen or living area.  Sitting in the chair is most of the time, moving around is almost never.  So don't worry about my overdoing anything at present.

Mary Ann

Where is Marilyne today?  She is such a regular poster I worry when she doesn't post.  Hope everything is going all right, Marilyne.

Annie was here earlier today and brought a delicious smoothie of pineapple and mango.  She gets them at a place near here.  She brought me something else but I can't describe it - it looks much like a pizza but was filled instead of topped. 

Jan came later and we discussed my health.  I feel good, not enough to run races, but in general.  I know from Jim's sister than it is going to take at least six months and I am only at the two month mark.  I feel more optimistic than I did but I will take things a day at a time.  I took a shower with Jan in attendance and got through that OK.  I had Jan wash my back but I could take care of everything else.  She insists on clean nightwear so I have to have my winter robe in the wash because of some chocolate on it.  She's right, but if I have Tom wash things, it takes a week; he has his schedule too and my wash doesn't always fit in. 

Tom bought me a new computer today and he is busy transferring files etc.  He thinks this computer is slow and maybe it is, but I am used to the speed and I have a ton of files. 

Mary Ann

Jean -
Thanks for noticing that I hadn't posted yet today.  Just so much going on that I haven't had time to post a message in S&F.   Both AJ and I are fine, but both daughters and granddaughter Claire, are sick. We've been emailing back and forth all morning, and up until now - (2:30).  I don't think any of them them have the early symptoms of Coronavirus.  Of course I'm no doctor, and wish they could see one, and get tested, but that's out of the question.  Tests are still only available to those who have come in contact with a known case of CV.  You will not even be seen by anyone, unless you have a fever of over 100 degrees.

Everyone is starting to panic here in Santa Clara County.   Highest number of cases in the state, except for Los Angeles County.  Yesterday there were none in Merced County, which is where Shelley and Claire live.  Today, there are 29!  That's how quickly things can change. (It's a small county, with only one major city - Merced.)

Doesn't matter how early, or how late you get to the stores here - there is never any TP, Kleenex or cleaning supplies. The shelves are empty. We don't plan on leaving the house anymore at all - even for the Senior Hours.  Jackie came today and brought us another chicken casserole that she made, plus some cooked artichokes, and salad greens.  She is such a wonderful daughter-in-law, and I appreciate everything she does for us and for her parents.  Brad's birthday is today, but no celebrating going on this year.  He is 59.

Mary Ann - You sound better today.  I'm glad Annie came again, and brought you some food.  A pineapple and mango smoothy sounds delicious!  Wish I had one!

I hope everyone who posts here in B&T, is feeling safe and doing well during this crisis?
I know it gets boring, reading this lament - day after day, so I will cut it short and hope for happier things to write about next time. 

I had a nice long nap this afternoon, much longer than I intended - 3 1/2 hours.  Or almost because it probably took me 15 minutes to go to sleep. 

Watching Washington Week tonight, their reporters were elsewhere except one who was in the  studio with Robert Costa.  Of course, the virus was the talk and various phases of the disease and plans surrounding it. 

I am using the new computer and getting along OK considering I don't know where anything is or how to get there.  I don't think it is as convenient as my other one but like everything  else, I've got to get used to it.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann - I agree....that pineapple and mango smoothie sounds good. Your lunch sounds like a calzone. They're kind of like a stuffed pizza. I like them.

Jean - I have allergies when the palm pollen hits. Plus, it covers everything with that yellow dust. I try to keep my lanai windows closed. We are having the nicest weather, aren't we!

Jackie - I try to concentrate on the numbers of people who've recovered....Gives more hope to the others. Stay well during this crazy time.

Marilyne - I'm sorry your daughters and granddaughter are sick. Maybe just the regular flu? Today I heard California is basically shutting down. Your son and mine are about the same age. Michael will be 59 in August.

Jenny - Most of the stuff I ordered was delivered, some with substitutions I had approved. The only problem was the Nioxin shampoo I ordered. They substituted conditioner! The shopper/delivery person was a bald man so maybe he doesn't know the difference.  It's over $20 so I'll be returning it. Would love to see that picture of Jonah larger.

Lauri and the girls returned to Bangkok yesterday in the hopes they could get an earlier flight. They couldn't. They've been vacationing in Chiang Mai. They leave as scheduled tomorrow night. I'll be glad when they get home!

Marilyne...
...worrying times indeed when a close member of family become sick and we are left wondering if it is connected to this C Virus, i hope and pray your daughter and granddaughter recover soon from their sicknesses...
We can all only pray for some warmer weather as they keep mentioning this C Virus may or may not slow its spread...
Yes panic shopping is rife here in our UK too...
Take care Marilyne,  that's all we can do...

Beverley...
....well it is a blessing to know that it is possible to recover, seems more recoveries than deaths...Just how long can people keep themselves in isolation that is the question...but we do what we do to survive...
Beverly, you made me smile re, shampoo, your delivery " bald man " not knowing the difference...

Worldometers....Link...


https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

Not much to report. Sisters and BIL's are okay, but one of the nieces is ill (not sure of what). Today I must go check on George's cats; I haven't heard from him to the contrary, so he must have gone upstate again. I am not happy that the guy just can't stay put. With everything pretty much closed down, I don't think there is real reason to go up.

The cats' favorite bird channel is on. Lots of birds coming back to the feeders and it is snowing today. Lucy now has her face almost into the screen. The other cam at the same site has a duck pond with some new ducks arriving, but the geese, the swans, egrets and storks seem to have disappeared. I also have not seen the deer in a while. There are two that show up semi-regularly. The ducks and pheasants are now in mate seeking mode with lots of territorial chases to watch.

MarsGal...
...you sound like me when it comes to our home surroundings, all manner of wildlife...i have pheasant often walking around, inside and outside the garden and into the back field...I had seen a young fox in the garden, and often deer in the far distance hills..

Oh this is horrible, we are told if we have a temperature or cough whether it be a sudden cough or not...not to go to our local GP nor to go to a hospital but to phone our 111, for advice only, or go online for those who are online, and of course warning that if we phone the lines maybe busy..we are told to stay in our home so basically we could be in our home ill, all by our-self, and no one would know nor even care if we have died inside our home...This is our UK advise as it stands...I am assuming America - Canada is told the same thing...Well there are only a couple of superstores who will even come - deliver to our way down in the valleys parkhome site on normal times and there are simply no time slots nor foods available, i did secure one recently but not even my weekly organic vegi box has stock, again i managed to secure one which will be delivered Monday but nothing thereafter as it stands..It will not allow me to make a regular order on an every week basis...We are all facing a very long and tough period filled with isolation in our homes, and possible starvation...when i think back to the times i would throw out the end crusts of breads for the birds, or check the " use by "or " sell by "dates, well not any more...

Jackie, that sucks. Some states here have a stay at home order, but not PA - yet. If the Governor decides to do that, and George is still up in Mansfield, I will either not be able to go check on them and feed them, or have to get an okay to go bring them over to my place. I dread the thought of having seven cats in the house, and I would worry that his cats would pick up the herpes simplex thing my cats carry. It is contagious and leaves cats with runny noses and eyes. No cure, just anti-virals to keep it in check.

Nuts, I just reminded myself to go check on his cats. Forgot he left yesterday.

Jackie - I'm trying to stay calm, but this morning when I checked my email, there was a message from daughter Shelley, that both she and Claire were running fevers, and coughing, and were going to go to the ER.  This was sent at 2:30 in the morning.  Nothing since.  I'm so worried.

MarsGal - I hope George is home again, and will stay home, so that you won't have the responsibility of his cats.  PA will probably have the "shelter at home" thing happening sooner, rather than later.  Seems like once this virus arrives, it multiplies quickly! 

I am not 100% certain this is enforced, considering being enforced or just advising to self - isolate but talk of the over 70's staying inside their homes...i will turn on the tv to get our live updates and to get my facts correct..but if not enforced i am sure it will only be a matter of time before they are..

Marilyne...
..you are a parent, you are - we are bound to be concerned...we here in UK are told not to even go to our Doctor surgeries, nor our hospitals..

To think there was a time a cough would not even worry nor concern us...I hope they contact you soon if only to put your mind out of worry over them..

MarsGal...
...I believe ones animals - pets are safe..this seems to only be affecting us humans... .

Jackie, it would be nice if you could sell your place so you could return to your old area where you would have friends who would keep tabs on you. 

MarsGal, I know that Kendrick will be indoors most of his life.  He's heading toward seven years in July.  Annie/Cate said when she is here during the summer, she's going to get a tent for him so she can take him outside.  His outdoor activity so far has been on the deck when I let him out or if I go out to sit out there. 

It is a lovely day outside however I don't know the temperature.  I do know the temp has been climbing.  Tom is still downstairs so I have not had an "in person" weather report!

Today is more of the same - both for feeling and activities.  At times my leg bothers me so much it hurts, then I might walk and the leg feels OK.  I feel there is very little moisture on the leg which, if so, is a good thing.  I am able to raise the leg up to get it on the hassock, just a little bit, but I'll take it.

Jackie, keep your chin up and things will improve but don't ask me when!!!

Marilyn, I don't blame you for being worried; I hope the girls don't have the virus, or even anything else. 

Mary Ann

MaryAnn...
...For these past few days, weeks i am, have been tending to nothing but business, in trying to make this move happen..

Yes keep your leg raised as high as you can so the blood can flow around your body, up to your heart....

Yes our weather looks nice outside too, dry, pleasantly warm inside the home, and the sun is shining through..

Seems our latest..the C Virus has sent the UK into Lockdown...well I shan't be going anywhere even tomorrow on my birthday..link..

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/03/21/uk-lockdown-coronavirus-government-advice-school-closures/