It seems to help to pay attention to things. This weekend I took note of signs in business windows. Some were hand-lettered, some printed on the on-site computer, some had obviously been designed by a pro and downloaded from Corporate. Sandwich boards, too, on the sidewalk — that was a thing. The longer ones explained they were closed for the duration, and seemed to take a lot of words to say so, about how much they valued their customers, but the governor has determined, etc. The shorter ones got right to the point: OPEN FOR CARRYOUT. We are OPEN. Call ahead for CURBSIDE PICKUP.
One restaurant put a sign in every window, written in Sharpie Magnum: OPEN OPEN OPEN OPEN. Only for carryout, of course. But it’s the only lifeline most restaurants have. It’s worth making a display of.
My pet store has it totally dialed in. Not only is this place incredibly clean (even the animals that exist primarily to be sold as food for others, like the white mice, look happy) and super cheerful, they have conquered online commerce, and they’re a very small business. Either someone has a kid who does this work free, or they have a surprisingly large budget. Within just a few days of starting walk-up service only, they posted a new website offering most of the inventory online. You shop and pay, get an order number and a time when it’ll be ready, and then show up. They’ve rigged a doorbell on the sidewalk and a bench, where they drop your order for no-contact pickup. The employee wears a mask, but smiles beneath it, and you can feel it. Instacart, but for a little pet store. It’s great.
We pause for this word from Alan, who was driving to Belle Isle for some R&R and fly-casting:
Only in the Pointes, I always say.
Meanwhile, I dug up my mom’s sewing machine and made a proper mask out of this:
I folded and stitched it into an oblong and added a hair band as an elastic strap. Rudely Elegant was an empty movie theater in Columbus. A gay artist bought it and turned into a nightclub that was only open one night a month. The monthly party went all night long — not sure how he swung it with the liquor license, maybe by making it a private club or something — and had a theme, usually a color. I attended the White party, and the Red party, but not the Black party. That’s because Black = Leather and it was a very wild scene; I’d be surprised if women were even allowed in the door. Note the rooster. Nineteen eighty-one, in the Chinese calendar, was the Year of the Cock. I might still have the handbill announcement/invitation somewhere. There was a nude young man — I’m told he was an OSU athlete of some sort, very deeply closeted — wearing a mask, with a live black rooster blocking his privates.
All I got was the party favor, the handkerchief.
That year was also the first that AIDS appeared in the U.S. The party was in March, I think, and no doubt many of the people having party sex that night were positive. Anyway, pretty much every gay man I knew then is dead now, so it seems appropriate to finally pull out that hanky and make it my mask for the new plague.
And we head into week? Four, I believe. More ahead, but I guess we’ll muddle through somehow.
Stay safe, stay sane, see ya soon.
Ann said on April 5, 2020 at 9:04 pm
For many years our local high school prom was held at the same time in the same downtown hotel as Mr. Leather weekend in Chicago. It was a good education for those suburban kids–seeing all the guys pierced and tied up in various interesting ways in the elevators.
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alex said on April 5, 2020 at 11:29 pm
Mr. International Leather, it was.
They used to book the Palmer House, I think. Am I right?
I got an earful about it one time when I interviewed Chuck Renslow for a Reader story. He owned a bath house on North Clark. We met in a basement swimming pool area. It smelled like butt.
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Deborah said on April 5, 2020 at 11:44 pm
Good post Nancy.
Suzanne, I took you up on your recommendation from the previous thread, Babylon Berlin is indeed captivating. I’m hooked after watching 4 episodes.
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jcburns said on April 5, 2020 at 11:47 pm
I’ve now reached the unfortunate stage of bickering with JeffTMMO on Twitter. And please feel free to join me in my daily journal expressions of frustration, life these days, and, uh, frustration, entirely comment-free, at http://positivelyatlantaga.com.
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Dexter Friend said on April 6, 2020 at 2:11 am
Dr. David Ho, AIDS researcher extraordinaire in years gone past, is on the sidelines while fucking nimrod Jared Kushner is in the driver’s seat running the Covid 19 nightmare.Hey, do not watch Sky-TV London’s Covid 19 documentary, the one MSNBC ran at 10:00 PM last night, which focussed on the pandemic panic and horrible sorriness of the Milan area. Footage of intubated patients struggling to stay alive was more shocking than the worst horror show. For an instant I felt like I did as a young high schooler seeing injured and dead people in Vietnam,blown away in that war. I know I won’t be able to tune last night’s images away for a long time. My masks have been quarantining long enough…later when I go outside the mask goes on. It is accepted that Italy will never be the same, for any living person. Here in the USA, it seems few know what we are in store for, soon.
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Deborah said on April 6, 2020 at 7:32 am
I might be wrong about this, but as I understand it, masks don’t keep you from possibly getting the virus but they do keep you from spreading the virus that you don’t know you have to others. Is that right?
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Dorothy said on April 6, 2020 at 7:49 am
Deborah – from the CDC website:
CDC continues to study the spread and effects of the novel coronavirus across the United States. We now know from recent studies that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms (“asymptomatic”) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms (“pre-symptomatic”) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms. This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity—for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing—even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms. In light of this new evidence, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
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Jeff (the mild-mannered one) said on April 6, 2020 at 9:19 am
I didn’t take it as bickering! Just your redirection of my momentary irritation expressed poorly. Something about Schumer brings out the worst in me, but as I said on Twitter, he’s still leagues and fathoms above the Orange Menace, whom I wearily listen to just to try to anticipate how his pot stirring will roil the kettle bottom in my neck of the woods.
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Heather said on April 6, 2020 at 10:26 am
My friends and I watch TV in sync on Sunday nights and use Google Hangouts to chat. Last night we watched Unorthdox, a short series about a young woman who leaves a Satmar Orthodox community in Brooklyn. It’s really good!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unorthodox_(miniseries)
Still freaking out about my rash/allergy situation. Not sure if it’s because I haven’t been getting my regular shots (office is closed) or because my body is on high alert all the time, but I have been having some scary reactions. The other night I ate a peanut butter cookie, which I had been doing for weeks, and my throat started to swell. I could breathe fine but it was super scary, especially since I do not want to go to the ER right now. I’m afraid to eat almost anything now and feel so helpless. Calling my allergist today and am going to also try to get a prescription for Xanax or something, either from her or my primary.
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Sherri said on April 6, 2020 at 10:34 am
Look away from Trump. Do you really need to watch him to know he’s going to roil people up? Do the specifics really matter? It’s whack-a-mole, the specifics will change tomorrow, because that’s the point.
https://pressrun.media/p/networks-will-air-trump-10-hours
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Jenine said on April 6, 2020 at 10:59 am
@jcburns/jtmmo: whew, glad it’s not a real fight
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jcburns said on April 6, 2020 at 11:01 am
Using my morning coffee to recalibrate and remind myself that “talking sense into people” really isn’t a thing, and is even less of a thing on the Internet.
But hey, it’s the…17th anniversary of one of my favorite nn.c posts, Small-craft warning. Features a driftboat and my friend from college Deb talking about disbursing Ohio license plates from the front of her family general store. Boy, I wish she’d write for public consumption more these days.
By the way, for the record, Grandview Heights plates started with a G and Upper Arlington started with an A and there was always a competition to get your plate to be G-plus-your-house-number. G-955.
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Jeff (the mild-mannered one) said on April 6, 2020 at 11:19 am
You underestimate yourself, J.C.
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Jakash said on April 6, 2020 at 1:04 pm
This is pretty funny. The “Black Knight” scene from “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” captioned as a face-off between Biden and Bernie. (2 min., 20 sec.)
https://twitter.com/tbogg/status/1246922840185532416
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Deborah said on April 6, 2020 at 1:55 pm
JC, I’ve enjoyed going back through your archives. I read your Twitter feed from time to time too. Good stuff.
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Jeff Borden said on April 6, 2020 at 3:50 pm
After polishing off the third season of “Ozark,” we watched the first episode of “Tiger King.” I believe it will be our last. It’s too much like the “reality TV” programs we’ve avoided, i.e., “Toddlers and Tiaras” and “Honey Boo Boo.” Lord, how I loathe that genre.
News reports are that Boris Johnson, the British PM, is now in the ICU after his coronavirus took a turn for the worse. It’s really a struggle not to wish our Orange King would be similarly afflicted. He’s certainly deserving.
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Dorothy said on April 6, 2020 at 4:05 pm
Jeff Borden – when I have said that a couple of times (wishing Herr Hitrump was sick) my husband gets mad at me. He can’t stand him either, but he acts like the Secret Service have a wire up in here and they’re going to come and arrest me for wishing that arsehole would suffer.
Little Bird & Deborah will get a kick out of this. I guess this toilet paper gifting thing must be genetic. On Saturday my daughter was at Target in Alexandria and saw they had t.p. She did not need any but picked up an18 pack thinking a co-worker might need some. In D.C. lots of her co-workers don’t have cars and it can be difficult to find it in smaller stores near their apartments. So on Slack, she posted a notice that she was offering t.p if anyone needed some. A co-worker knew of a female report for the NYTimes who lives in D.C. and desperately needed some. So my daughter got this reporter’s address from her, and drove it to her home and left it in a box on her porch. She gave her 6 rolls. The other 12 went to a colleague who works with an org that delivers care packages to senior citizens. So it was all disbursed to people who really appreciated it.
I watched one ep of Babylon Berlin and I’m not sure I’ll get back to it. Maybe after the pandemic subsides – right now i just really want to see lighter, more uplifting stories.
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Suzanne said on April 6, 2020 at 4:32 pm
Babylon Berlin is compelling but for sure neither light not uplifting.
Rand Paul has COVID-19 but his condition seems to be a great secret.
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Deborah said on April 6, 2020 at 4:40 pm
Dorothy, you were raised right and your kids obviously were too. There’s a new book out that I want to get called, I think, “Why We Act” and it’s about why some people are compelled to do good and others are all about revenge, resentment and basically evil. Our president fits the latter category, obviously.
I’m out in Abiquiu again for the next 3 days. It feels so safe here, in the midst of 100 acres. We had to go to Whole Foods this morning, got there at 7:30am, still no TP or tissues. But other things were available. My husband had to go to Walgreens this morning, no TP or tissues there either. This is getting ridiculous.
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David C said on April 6, 2020 at 4:46 pm
We were informed at work our pay will be cut 5% for the rest of the year. Considering so many are losing everything, I can handle that. We live pretty frugally anyway.
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Sherri said on April 6, 2020 at 4:47 pm
The toilet paper supply does eventually stabilize. In the last few days here, it has returned to shelves and not been immediately snapped up. Costco even can keep it in stock now.
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Dorothy said on April 6, 2020 at 5:10 pm
I found out on Friday that salary and benefits are in place through 4/30 but after that, layoffs are going to be announced. They’re also saying we can’t count on enrollment being what was expected in the fall semester, so that was a big GULP to hear.
Did I read a few days ago that there was a tractor trailer fire somewhere and the contents of the truck were all t.p.? I’m confident it’s going to be back on shelves everywhere soon, but it is very strange. My Facebook neighborhood group seems to post something every couple of days to alert people where some was just put on the shelves. Kroger, WalMart, etc.
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JodiP said on April 6, 2020 at 5:22 pm
I have a funny TP story. I’ve been a friend and mentor to a young man who is finishing up his senior year at college. Last week he told me the online shift has been hard because he doesn’t have a laptop. I put a call out and a friend had a MacBook they weren’t using any longer! She delivered it to me yesterday, I let my friend know, offering to deliver it tonight because I was busy yesterday.
Well, he called up yesterday asking if there was any way I could deliver it soon and bring him to Target. I asked what he needed at Target: TP and coffee. Turns out he buys Starbuck coffee drinks in cans at Target because he has no way to make coffee. I let him know I can’t bring him to Target because of social distancing, but would bring TP, a French press and coffee. I raced off, dropped it all off, regretted not being able to give him a big hug, and got back in time for my pre-arranged Zoom with friends.
If you want to hear his story, his college has a podcast featuring remarkable students: https://www.augsburg.edu/podcast/episode/season-3-episode-3-miracle-adebanjo-the-gift-of-giving/ It’s really moving, and I’m proud to have played a small part in his life.
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Deborah said on April 6, 2020 at 5:57 pm
I’ve been thinking about this a lot since I started watching Babylon Berlin, why I find it compelling: First of all it’s a time period I know little about, between WW1 and WW2 in Germany and then there’s the depiction of the brazen licentiousness of corrupt politicians, the desperate poverty of the masses involved in unsuccessful attempts of resistance to the most evil individuals in power and exploitative criminal activities juxtaposed with amazing music and raucous dancing it’s weirdly captivating as Suzanne described. Hard to pin down exactly why. Plus there are direct comparisons to life in these United States right now with our corrupt, amoral powers that be, IMHO.
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Suzanne said on April 6, 2020 at 7:06 pm
Yes to all of that, Deborah. It does shed so much light on what is happening today. Which is terrifying.
I also just discovered the series is based on a series of books which I will now add to my ever growing list.
https://us.macmillan.com/series/gereonrathmysteryseries/
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annie said on April 6, 2020 at 7:17 pm
I don’t want Trump to die or to get sick (can you imagine the “he gave his life/health for his country” comments that would come pouring in.) I want him to be alive and alert for when he’s defeated soundly in the election and then when Melania files for divorce and then his businesses go under.
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LAMary said on April 6, 2020 at 8:08 pm
I took one for the team and watched the trump dump today. He’s sounding a little less together in the shit department every day. He lost it several times in the course of the appearance. I don’t want to call it a press conference or an informational speech. It’s just a trumpy train wreck. He attacked a couple of reporters, an IG appointed by his administration, calling her an Obama appointee, and didn’t let any of the doctors other than the Surgeon General, speak very much. My favorite moment was when he was still reading from his script early in the presentation, saying that the hospital ship Comfort would be used to treat covid 19 patients and he went off script to tell us “it’s very very big ship, a very big ship.”
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Colleen said on April 6, 2020 at 8:17 pm
The hospital is looking at reassigning people whose workloads have diminished and furloughing others. Our dept head said today she is going to lobby for not laying off any of the Cancer Registry. Our workload hasn’t changed, and we have some tight deadlines to meet. Fingers crossed. If they can’t reassign someone, they will get 70 percent of their pay after using all their ATO. Could be much worse, so I am grateful.
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Deborah said on April 6, 2020 at 9:25 pm
This photo of a coyote running down an empty Michigan Ave in Chicago is crazy. If it took a left at the light and went 2 blocks toward the lake it would be at our building https://www.reddit.com/r/interestingasfuck/comments/fv3xjb/coyote_running_down_an_empty_michigan_avenue_in We have lots of coyotes on our land in Abiquiu, I love hearing them howl at night.
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Dexter Friend said on April 7, 2020 at 2:19 am
Celebrating the life of the great Tiger, Al Kaline, dead at 85. Then knocked over by a punch in the gut as a favorite comedian, Vic Henley, suddenly died of an embolism. I ain’t gonna preach, but Vic was a pretty damn heavy cigarette smoker. Just sayin’. I can’t find how old he was but he was a lot younger than me. And I was lucky as anything when I was not careful enough and stepped off a curb, miscalculating, and fell over like a felled fat tree, landing on soft grass on my shoulder. No harm, and I propped myself right back up with my cane, lucky that no one saw me tumble, or someone would have called an ambulance for me, probably. I mean, gee…no ice, no rain, a sunny day…and my foot slides off a curb. I have never fallen before without a legit excuse.
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Connie said on April 7, 2020 at 5:40 am
Sad to see about Al Kaline’s death. We always hoped he was playing when we went to Tiger Stadium all those childhood summers. He was our number one player.
We did our pickup at kroger yesterday, it was uneventful. No yeast, no cheetos. It really filled up my car, my pantry, my fridge. I started a new order early this a.m. and got a pickup date for next Tuesday. I will add to the list as the date gets closer.
A high end restaurant sort of in my neighborhood has added paper products and groceries to their take out menu, so there is your tp. I am going to order yeast and a box of latex gloves. They have bread, eggs, flour, and have added quart sizes of their soups and sauces, and half pans of their pasta dishes and sides.
Near us an industrial supply company that usually serves schools, offices, etc is selling toilet paper by the case from pallets in its parking lot four mornings a week, plus cleaning products. So Beb, if you need to look for tp again you could take a scenic drive to Highland. Oh and they have just added boxes of mixed vegetable and fruit from an Eastern Market supplier.
So what kind of creative marketing is going on in your neighborhood?
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David C said on April 7, 2020 at 6:20 am
I have to do in person voting today because Wisconsin and the Republican Party are a bunch of fucking douchecanoes. We applied for absentee ballots on the 26th and the web site said they were mailed the same day. We never got them. They say there’s like a half million mail in absentee ballots that haven’t been returned. There’s some really ratfuckery going on here. Mary’s already decided she’s not going to risk voting. That’s what they want. I’m going to put on my ugly mask and risk my life and the life of the people who have to run this election. If I get sick, I’m going to cough on every one of those motherfuckers on the Supreme Court.
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alex said on April 7, 2020 at 6:39 am
I’ve been following the Wisconsin ratfuckery and it’s beyond belief. And the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to overrule the governor’s order to postpone the election. The “sowing chaos and confusion” argument is bullshit. I’m sure people are confused whether they can vote today at all. And Milwaukee has reduced the number of polling places from 180 to 5. Fucking insanity.
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David C said on April 7, 2020 at 7:27 am
The really delicious part of this shit sandwich is that the Wisconsin Supreme Court decided the election should go on by conference call… …because of the virus. You can’t make this shit up.
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Mark P said on April 7, 2020 at 8:49 am
The mayor of a beach town outside Savannah closed the beaches a while ago. When it finally sunk into the lump of dog shit that substitutes for a brain in the head of our “governor” Jr Trump Kemp that coronavirus can spread, and he ordered stateside stay at home, he also ordered the beaches back open for the public. I think it’s time for civil disobedience. If I were mayor, I would close the beaches anyway and dare the moron to sue. I think if I were the governor of Wisconsin I would also have ignored the Supreme Court. Functioning government relies on everyone playing by the rules, but when part of the government does its best to subvert government it’s time to rebel.
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jcburns said on April 7, 2020 at 9:13 am
I think what the mayor of Tybee Island did at last check is close the parking lots and the wooden deck crossovers that provide access to the beaches. She said “Tybee City Council and I are devastated by the sudden directives and do not support his decisions. The health of our residents, staff and visitors are being put at risk and we will pursue legal avenues to overturn his reckless mandate.”
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Peter said on April 7, 2020 at 9:48 am
Deborah, there are at least a few coyotes that hang around Swedish Covenant Hospital, and when you’re there late at night (as I was last fall when my father was there) and they start howling, it’s something.
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ROGirl said on April 7, 2020 at 10:03 am
Nancy, you look like a bad ass in that scarf.
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Julie Robinson said on April 7, 2020 at 10:14 am
Connie, did they give you a specific time for pickup? Ours is tonight from 6pm to 7 pm, are we just supposed to go there at 6 and wait? That was the first time available when we put in the order, and now I’m second guessing myself as to getting it so late in the day; maybe I should have changed it to tomorrow morning. But I’m definitely stealing your idea of starting a new order right away.
This is what my life has come to now; worrying about finding groceries. Good grief.
David, wonder if that absentee ballot will come tomorrow? FWIW, I’m reading a lot of outrage nationally.
I’m going to try sewing masks today. The aforementioned relative dropped off fabric, and since I was going to make masks for complete strangers, I guess I can make some for them. After my own family, of course.
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Connie said on April 7, 2020 at 11:02 am
Julie, any time in that time period. Go read the faq on the web page for kroger pickup.
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David C said on April 7, 2020 at 12:01 pm
We just got back from voting. They were doing it drive up which worked really well. I asked one of the poll workers if they had all their polling places open and we do. I hope their asshatery bites them in the ass.
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basset said on April 7, 2020 at 12:06 pm
Are there any more Zoom meetups planned? Hadn’t been paying attention to em because I was leery about using Zoom, just had to for work though so now that my privacy has been compromised from yet another direction I may as well do it again.
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Jeff Borden said on April 7, 2020 at 12:06 pm
Peter,
One of my neighbors is on staff at Swedish Covenant. She says the wolves howl in response to the EMT sirens. We have a pack hanging out in our park, Winnemac, and they seem to be enjoying quite a feast of fat little bunnies and squirrels. Occasionally, we see a raptor or two over the park, too. Large portions of the park are fenced off as “wilderness” to accommodate migrating birds, so there is a lot of prey around.
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nancy said on April 7, 2020 at 1:30 pm
Coyotes, not wolves. Not that I wish to coyotesplain.
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4dbirds said on April 7, 2020 at 12:09 pm
Someone mentioned Unorthodox on Netflix. If you enjoyed it, may I also suggest Shtisel, also on Netflix. It follows a Hasidim family in Israel and all the characters are interesting.
Oh I forgot to mention, the young woman in Unorthodox, plays the oldest daughter in one Shtisel family. I find her mesmerizing.
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LAMary said on April 7, 2020 at 12:39 pm
I build a new order as soon as I get one delivered. Right now I’m a little overstocked on milk because my son slowed down his consumption of midnight peanut butter and jelly sandwiches washed down with a giant glass of milk. Otherwise I’m pretty good at predicting what I’m going to need in five or six days.
On another note: I find that in times of stress I am moved to tears by music. Normally no. Stuck in the house for weeks and wondering if I’m sick everytime I cough, yes. This video was created as a tribute to the NHS in UK. Living with an in house Brit has ruined me for this sort of thing. I’m old and pathetic. What can I say.
https://tinyurl.com/szgqmpn
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Sherri said on April 7, 2020 at 12:39 pm
I can host another Zoom meetup. I had too many other online meetings last weekend to want to add another, but this weekend isn’t bad. How does Saturday at 4 PDT sound?
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Julie Robinson said on April 7, 2020 at 12:55 pm
Okay, I figured out the Kroger thing–go there at 6, call the number on the sign and wait. We’re going to make an outing of it with Mom; go through a drive-up and eat our food while we wait. And then tomorrow I’ll start a new list.
Mary, music is always an emotional tool for me and I have several different pieces I need to listen to depending on my mood. The group videos are wonderful. So far I’ve listened to that one, another from Les Mes with Do You Hear the People Sing, You’ve Got a Friend from the Carole King musical Beautiful, and of course the Hamilton one on Some Good News. Bring Him Home featured the Valjean we saw in Toronto, Ramin Karimloo, another musician I follow.
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Deboraj said on April 7, 2020 at 12:55 pm
David C, so glad to hear that they’re doing drive by voting, that’s brilliant. That will be harder to do in Milwaukee.
Give me liberty or give me death, has new meaning now for voters in large cities in states that are being assholes about mail-in ballots. Those 5 members of SCOTUS will have blood on their hands.
This was the first morning at the cabin since November that we didn’t need the woodburning stove. I got to set up the summer kitchen which gives us a lot more room inside.
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jcburns said on April 7, 2020 at 12:58 pm
Just glanced at the front page of the Detroit News, and wondered, “gee, why is Joe Biden on the front page in a Tigers uniform?”
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Deborah said on April 7, 2020 at 12:58 pm
I spelled my name wrong, so my last comment is in moderation.
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alex said on April 7, 2020 at 1:34 pm
Nature is so distracting today. Right now there’s a squirrel contorting itself and hanging upside down in a honeysuckle bush and nibbling blossoms off the other branches. And bluebirds keep landing close but darting off before I can snap a picture on my phone.
What a lovely time to be working from home. Hate to say it but I’ll be sorry when it ends.
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Jakash said on April 7, 2020 at 1:43 pm
Jeff B.,
I love Winnemac Park and occasionally go out of my way to head over by there when I’m in the vicinity. Wish they kept the bathrooms in that stadium open for more hours, though. (During regular, non-plague times, that is.) I thought it was cool that they had a cinder running track there, but I see they changed that with the renovation.
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alex said on April 7, 2020 at 2:20 pm
Check this out.
You may have noticed Trump putting on a big show of ordering GM around and castigating the company for allegedly being recalcitrant.
Here’s the real story:
https://imgur.com/gallery/nDIX81z?fbclid=IwAR0kEEzGdWTDTmHt8NYSMxC-EQ9WgRzNTZEM7nFoZe81KgaiOKOENrXJqMM
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Jakash said on April 7, 2020 at 4:10 pm
“Wisconsin will hold its election
Despite overwhelming objection.
The GOP sadly
Wants power so badly
It’s partnering with the infection.”
https://twitter.com/Limericking/status/1247320896135671810
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Susan said on April 7, 2020 at 4:13 pm
LAMary @45— Did you see Queen Liz’s address to GB? Here.
Liz is 93 years old. I realize she has had the best health-care and ease of living, but still, she is so in-the-moment, with intelligent, human eyes. Maybe she didn’t write that address, but she certainly presented it sincerely and firmly:
I love that she included people of no faith and good humour and meditation.
Wish we had someone with empathy and intelligence at the helm. Angela Merkel gave a similar talk to her nation. We are so ƒü¢ked.
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Julie Robinson said on April 7, 2020 at 4:41 pm
New Zealand has had one death from Covid 19. One. The entire country is on strict lockdown for four weeks, and almost without exception they are following the regulations. It’s really not that hard.
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LAMary said on April 7, 2020 at 5:16 pm
I have indeed watched the Queen’s speech and it was very moving and inspiring. As the NYT put it, she’s part of the arc of history.
So let’s review. What do Germany, New Zealand and UK have in common? Women leaders. Certainly a man could make a speech just as inspiring but for now I’m sticking with those three inspiring, compassionate women. Who do we have in the White House? Melania? Kellyanne Conway? Ivanka?
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Jim said on April 7, 2020 at 5:52 pm
LAMary: does Stephanie Grisham count? Can she even speak?
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LAMary said on April 7, 2020 at 6:10 pm
Stephanie stepped down today. She’s going to be Melania’s press person. If Melania ever does something other than silently walk among strange Christmas trees or wear a coat with something stupid written on the back she’s got Stephanie to deal with the press.
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David C said on April 7, 2020 at 6:12 pm
This is Wisconsin State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos telling everyone how incredibly safe it is to get out and vote.
https://twitter.com/ShaneGoldmacher/status/1247620487527743491/photo/1
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LAMary said on April 7, 2020 at 6:16 pm
This is the new press secretary.
https://tinyurl.com/wgpjkyd
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Jim said on April 7, 2020 at 6:30 pm
Oh, I know about the new press secretary. I didn’t think it was possible to downgrade, but alas, proven wrong yet again.
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Suzanne said on April 7, 2020 at 7:12 pm
I figure Stephanie and Melanie will spend their time day drinking.
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LAMary said on April 7, 2020 at 7:25 pm
I think you’re right, Suzanne. We know Steph enjoys a few adult beverages. Not sure about Melania but I would understand completely if she did.
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nancy said on April 7, 2020 at 8:37 pm
I think the new press sec has also tweeted in the past about Obama’s Kenyan family, D’Souza-style.
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LAMary said on April 7, 2020 at 8:52 pm
She’s blond, reasonably attractive, she goes on Fox and spouts lies AND she tweets about Obama’s Kenyan family? She’s perfect! I bet she has her photo on her resume.
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Deborah said on April 7, 2020 at 9:16 pm
I think the new press sec may be the blond I read about months ago, she’s married to a professional athlete, she had a preventative double mastectomy a few years ago because she had the same breast cancer gene her mother had. She had reconstructive surgery. But maybe I’m thinking of another blond?
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Sherri said on April 7, 2020 at 9:23 pm
John Prine has died.
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Heather said on April 7, 2020 at 10:00 pm
Oh no, I am really sad to hear about John Prine. I wasn’t a major fan but I always enjoyed hearing his songs on the radio.
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Deborah said on April 7, 2020 at 11:04 pm
Stephen Colbert needs a haircut https://mobile.twitter.com/StephenAtHome/status/1247605461605593093/photo/1 and so do I.
My lips are super chapped now because I haven’t been going much of anywhere, I forget to put on lipstick. Plus when I’m wearing a mask I don’t wear lipstick because it gets all over it. I’m saving money on cosmetics. They say you shouldn’t use a tube of mascara more than 4 months. I wonder if that counts if you’re barely using it during that time?
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LAMary said on April 7, 2020 at 11:42 pm
Deborah, Babylips. It’s non greasy lip balm that looks good too.
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Dexter Friend said on April 8, 2020 at 2:45 am
“Coffee and Kareem” on Netflix is a romp around Detroit, a film part homage to Tarantino, part goofs like the old “Airplane” movies, and with unbelievable violence , but still is a funny-as-hell movie which made me laugh. This kid , Terrence Little Gardenhigh, is already a veteran actor at 12 years old. The kid has chops alright. Ed Helms plays Officer Coffee, in love with Kareem’s mom, played by Taraji P. Henson. It’s only like 93 minutes, hide the kids, as the kid has a very foul mouth, and I mean filthy.
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ROGirl said on April 8, 2020 at 5:38 am
I had read that John Prine was out of intensive care, so it’s sad to hear about his death. He went through a lot of illness over the years, so it’s not surprising that this took him.
I have a few tubes of Carmex, which I love. Vaseline is great for chapped lips, too.
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Julie Robinson said on April 8, 2020 at 9:39 am
Who doesn’t need a haircut? And a color? I needed them both when I got home almost a month ago but went into quarantine right away. Who knows, maybe I’ll grow the gray out this time.
The Kroger pickup went pretty well; they were out of a few items as I figured, but we got enough to keep going. A follow up email said we have two more free pickups, but after that we’ll order with Mother’s account so we can get six before we have to pay. Frozen stuff was frozen, produce was good, I really can’t complain.
Yesterday I entered the world of the mask sewers, a new subset of the sewing and quilting community. After looking over patterns, I tried one and failed spectacularly, ending up with the ties on the inside. Second attempt was better, but I wasn’t happy with the fit, so I posted a picture on Facebook and was inundated with good suggestions. I’ve also ordered some HEPA vacuum bags to use as filters. Apparently a lot of them have some bad fibers in them but this brand doesn’t.
That said, it’s going to be warm and sunny for the last time in several days, and hubby’s boss just gave everyone the afternoon off, so I doubt I’ll sew today.
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basset said on April 8, 2020 at 9:40 am
Saturday could work, let’s plan on that. Had my first Zoom meeting yesterday, related to some occasional work I’m doing in retirement… had ten connected and it worked fine.
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Peter said on April 8, 2020 at 10:32 am
Jeff B #43 – you live by Winnemac Park? and Jakash #52 – you like visiting the park? Small world – although I spent some of my youth living in Uptown and Andersonville, at one point we moved to a house a block away from Winnemac Park. I’m so old I remember the mobile trailers and classrooms for the junior college that was next to the high school (before Harry Truman College was built), and you used to get some $$ in the summer by shoveling out the ash pit from the high school boiler and spreading it on the cinder track.
Thanks to that park I got to the buzzer first in the old college bowl tournament – Who was the first man to reach the South Pole? Thank you Roald Amundsen High School!
And Nancy, I think Jeff is right – the animals around Winnemac Park and Swedish Covenant are wolves, not coyotes. MANY years ago a wolf pack gathered at Rosehill Cemetery, and they’ve branched out from there – Swedish and Winnemac are in walking distance of the cemetery. I live farther west, and the coyotes are hanging out in the forest preserves by my house.
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Sherri said on April 8, 2020 at 11:27 am
Okay, the info for the meeting is here: https://1drv.ms/w/s!Atkosto9G5MXgYk-IzzoT50k_AgeGg
That’s Saturday, 4 pm PDT, 5 MDT, 6 CDT, 7 EDT.
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basset said on April 8, 2020 at 12:13 pm
I’m in.
and Bernie’s out… how many of the Bros are gonna settle for Biden?
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Jeff Borden said on April 8, 2020 at 12:21 pm
Peter and Jakash,
As I understand it, the sons of a teacher and coach from Amundsen High named Jordnt –his photo and particulars are on a bronze plaque on the wall of the stadium– donated more than $1 million to renovate the facilities at the stadium that bears his name. They replaced the cinders/gravel track and installed that fancy kind of fake grass being used in so many facilities these days. It’s all locked up tight because of the virus, though a couple of days ago, I saw two impossibly thin runners slipping between the chained gates after a workout.
We moved to Lincoln Square in February 1993, when there were terrible gang and drug dealing issues at Amundsen. Lots of gang tags, etc. etc. etc. Several years ago, CPS installed a turnaround team and now AHS is an international baccalaureate school with greatly improved graduation rates.
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St Bitch said on April 8, 2020 at 2:42 pm
As a newly-minted 70-year-old, like the rest of you, I’m moving gingerly through this new world order.
My most recent shopping day was on March 26, when I spent almost $300, on salmon filets from the Faroe Islands at the local fishmongers; many frozen items and whatever bulk fresh vegetables would keep or could be roasted, (Alex, you would be so jealous of the large bag of giant sweet yellow onions) from Costco; and specialty health-brand items from Fresh Thyme (a Midwest chain version of Whole Foods). I wore a long, tightly woven cotton scarf around my neck, ready to pull up over my face when need be, and leather gloves – a questionable prevention, as I pulled them off and put them back on so many times. By the end of March, the Corona wave was barely lapping at our state shores, so I figured it was best to get while the getting was good. (Ironically, on my once-a-month Costco spree in February, I discovered they had my favorite, not-to-be-found locally, individually-wrapped, 1000 sheet, better-for-100-year-old-plumbing single-ply Scott tissues…in a 36 roll package. At that point, it was a matter of biting the bullet, lugging it all up the stairs to my 2nd-floor ‘flat’, and rearranging a utility closet, as well as under the bathroom sink, to store it all. Now I feel like Gollum, sitting on my precious hoard, in order to maintain my status as one of the most pampered asses on the planet.)
I haven’t gone anywhere in my car since that day, but I did make one more stop at my BFF’s mailbox…to pick up an envelope with 2 gummies in the shape of a ganja leaf, made by her daughter with ingredients for which she has a prescription. (She lives across the river in Illinois where it’s legal.)
So I’ve been cruising while micro-dosing on my 2nd bout of self-quarantine…1/6 gummy1 for 6 days…1 day pause…1/4 gummy2 for 4 days…1 day still slightly buzzed for the Full Pink Moon…easing into quarantine day 13 today.
I probably can go 2 more weeks before needing to re-provision; love my view of the Mississippi as I sit at my desk typing this; can hear a train whistle as it passes along the river; enjoy my forays around this historic, riverfront neighborhood as the weather turns mild and daffodils are quietly busting out; relieved I can stay connected to my scattered family, and can continue to play international email chess with opponents in far-flung places who keep me tuned-in globally; appreciate my food selection and the dishes I’ve been rustling up; realize I’m being characteristically selfish but am ridiculously grateful and thrilled to be alive!
So Bernie is finally dropping out of the race…overdue and too late for it to be a graceful exit. On the contrary, his unwarranted delay has diminished his common-cause cred, and tarnished his movement. Alex, ‘vanity campaign’ looks a bit more accurate now.
I really, really liked Onorthodox as well. When I lived on Miami Beach, our apartment building was across the street from the Freedom House, a Jewish subsidized middle-eastern-looking complex; and the Hassidic posse was out on the boardwalk in force…bewigged mothers pushing baby strollers…bearded men with earlocks and tall black hats…a daily source of mystery and fascination. Thanks for the Shtisel recommendation 4dbirds @41.
The main character in Babylon Berlin, breaking out into that wild, joyous, spastic dance in the first episode, is enough to keep me coming back for more.
As for Tiger King, I managed 3 episodes, even though it definitely harshed my mellow. That delusional BigCatRescue Cruella is the worst of the bunch. Who cares if she killed her husband? All of those magnificent creatures ending their lives in tiny cages while she swans around her blind devotees and counts her grift money!
Many thanks, LAMary @45, for the Barricade Boys.
My latest discovery is Gentefied on Netflix. ‘Gente’ – Spanish for ‘people’. Latinx in LA!
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Deborah said on April 8, 2020 at 3:30 pm
I can’t bring myself to read it but my husband read an op ed in the NYT by Nikki Haley, he was disgusted and furious after reading it. The gist of it is that the governors are in charge and it’s their problems not the Fed. She also said inexplicably that the first thing the guvs should do is call FEMA?? Wait isn’t that part of the Fed? My husband thinks it’s part of the R plan to ditch Pence and get Haley to be the VP to get the white suburban woman vote back.
There’s an article in the Post or NYT about the TP situation, for a variety of reasons it might take more time to work out. So my husband and I have come up with complex plan B and and an even more complex plan C, if it gets really dire.
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susan said on April 8, 2020 at 4:02 pm
Speaking of which…Here’s an interesting history of “bathroom tissue”, from my favorite podcast, 99%Invisible.
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Jeff Borden said on April 8, 2020 at 4:27 pm
St. Bitch,
I am using a similar coping method, but still using an old-fashioned pipe. And I make for the exits when my wife watches the nightly news because I cannot stand to watch that ignorant bastard preen and lie before the cameras. It’s absolutely stupid to air these things live when he spreads lies about cures and death rates and tosses red meat to his drooling base by trashing those trying to ask questions.
If I were a betting man –and aside from low stakes poker games now on indefinite hold I am not– I’d put a considerable sum on the odious Nikki Haley bumping Mike Dense from the ticket. She received pretty good notices in South Carolina on some issues, but terrible reviews on others. But she is a woman –a woman of color, no less– and tRumpy has lost the suburban white woman vote for the moment. As veep, she would not be any kind of an influence on tRumpy because no one ever is, but the woman has sky high ambitions and sees herself as presidential material. Dense would be packed off with Mother. His unbridled love and loyalty scorned by the man with three wives, multiple mistresses and six bankruptcies and the stain of impeachment forever attached to his name. The shame, the shame.
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Jeff (the mild-mannered one) said on April 8, 2020 at 4:59 pm
Sears, Roebuck catalogue was good enough for grandma, it’s good enough for me. Soon as it arrives, I’ll be all set. Say, where is the . . .
Got through two episodes of “Tiger Meth,” I mean . . . whatever. That’s just a sad, sad show about a bunch of meth addicts. The tigers are collateral damage that people can somehow stomach better than if they were small children, but Joe Exotic and crew are a bunch of meth addicts who deal with their “big cats” the way lots of meth-ed up extended families manage their child rearing responsibilities. I just couldn’t watch it anymore.
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St Bitch said on April 8, 2020 at 5:27 pm
So true, susan @82 – In Jamaica, issues of The Daily Star (tabloid sistren to The Enquirer), and the more dignified Daily Gleaner could always be found stuck in the crevices between the boards of our outhouse…serving double duty: reading material if one is going to be hanging out for awhile; or surprisingly soft wipes once they’ve been torn and crumpled to within an inch of their recycled life.
Jeff @83. Talk about harshing your mellow…that’s the ultimate!
After treating myself to a vaporizer when I turned 60 (while still living in Nashville, and only occasionally indulging when my guy sent a few primo buds from Miami); I quit getting high altogether a year later. The aromatherapy fixture on the vape has been a welcome diffuser of sage, eucalyptus and such, especially in Mom’s bedroom when I had her on Hospice care…but I’ve been clear-eyed strait for 9 years…until…the same BFF’s daughter dropped one of her homemade gummies on me when I was celebrating with the family last Thanksgiving. She was ready to give me another one a few hours later, and even send a few home with me…but I declined. My system was too pure and just one totally wiped me out. It didn’t prevent me from having a good time, though, (apparently any bizarre behavior wasn’t out of the ordinary enough to be noticeable), and served as an excellent trial run. Better then than now! Micro-dosing during this demanding chapter of keeping calm while staying alert has been just right.
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alex said on April 8, 2020 at 5:30 pm
St. Bitch, we’re fans of Fresh Thyme too. It’s not conveniently located so we don’t go there as often as other stores but we love the pizza sauce we buy there. In fact we made mini pizzas the other night and I’m kinda jonesing for them again.
We use Flatouts as our crusts. These are intended for wraps but if you toast them in the oven for a few minutes they make a great thin-and-crispy pizza crust. Then you just brush them with olive oil, schmear them with pizza sauce and add your toppings. I had pepperoni and jalapenos the other night and want to do that again.
It was another gorgeous day so it was hard to focus on work work. I spent a few hours on outdoor work. And it’s so lovely I’m gonna go spend some more. Cold front coming in tomorrow.
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Deborah said on April 8, 2020 at 5:31 pm
LB and I made it through the first episode of Tiger King, but couldn’t do anymore, super depressing. The main characters were depressing freaks but the saddest part to me, were the adoring fan audiences of their shows. Marginally coherent people with simple/complex needs.
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Suzanne said on April 8, 2020 at 6:32 pm
Well, well, well…
https://twitter.com/acyn/status/1248013551609843712?s=21
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Suzanne said on April 8, 2020 at 7:48 pm
This is the thing about The Tiger King. In rural America, these people aren’t all that unusual. The daughter of a hard working, stable home life, decent Middle class woman I know has a daughter who wanted to be a horse trainer (no experience with horses, but I digress). So one day, they are driving on the interstate near Indy and see a horse farm in the distance. They figure out how to get there, stop in, talk to the owner, and sure, he’d hire their 18 year old daughter! So they packed up her things and dropped her off a few weeks later. They didn’t know this guy from Adam, but it seemed like an answer to prayer!
As you can guess, things went downhill from there and fortunately, the daughter was soon home, upset that she was treated badly. She was also, I don’t doubt, very lucky it wasn’t worse.
So when the show interviewed the young woman who had been dropped off by her dad at the big cat place and at some point realized it was kind of a cult and got out, it hit home. I think a lot of people would watch and think it’s made up, but no.
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Jeff (the mild-mannered one) said on April 8, 2020 at 8:00 pm
Suzanne, Deborah, YES. Exactly.
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beb said on April 8, 2020 at 10:10 pm
With the introduction of sewers in cities toilet paper was so of necessary. After all you can’t flush down a corn cob and pages from a sears catalog doesn’t disassociate in water so they then to plug up, too. We scored a 4-pack of TP this week from, of all places, the RV/camping section at Meijers. The package says it is specially formulated for RV and marine use because it dissolves quickly and doesn’t harm sewers. OK. fine. I just thought all TP was designed to do that.
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Sherri said on April 9, 2020 at 2:01 am
Had my first virtual Planning Commission meeting. We’re still working out all the kinks, but it wasn’t too bad. We’re using Teams, which may be more secure than Zoom but is also clunkier than Zoom. Our next meeting is in 2 weeks and includes a public hearing; it will be interesting to see what kind of participation we get in the hearing.
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Dexter Friend said on April 9, 2020 at 2:57 am
Linda Tripp is dead. I read that and moved on…no room for dredging up all that crap again.
I stumbled upon a show on Prime , I think anyway, starring Billy Bob Thornton as a lawyer . I watched 3 episodes and will finish it. So much viewing, I am watching programming I don’t even note the titles. So, I realize the need to take a break. After I watched the J.D. Salinger doc from 2010 a few nights ago, I took my copy of “Catcher in the Rye” down from the bookcase. It’s been over 20 years since I read it, so here goes.
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basset said on April 9, 2020 at 8:47 am
We’ve used Netflix once since the virus hit, watched a documentary on ZZ Top that wasn’t all that good. Been meaning to cancel for awhile but keep thinking that something interesting has to show up.
Don’t care about that big cat show at all, those just don’t look like people we want to spend any time with.
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Julie Robinson said on April 9, 2020 at 10:50 am
basset, I’m not gonna watch the tiger show either, for the same reasons.
Hubby’s office uses Teams as an instant chat room and Zoom for their meetings. I was wary of it, but it’s a business account and he didn’t have to download anything. He uses it on his phone anyway because we didn’t get a webcam on our new computer.
Over Christmas we started talking about replacing our Windows 7 computer since Microsoft wasn’t going to support the platform anymore. Our son did all the legwork for a new one, had it built, and we got it up and running about a month ago.
Turns out hubby couldn’t have remoted in on to office with Windows 7 so we would have had to rush around to find something pronto.
Probably the first time in our lives we’ve had such perfect timing!
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Jakash said on April 9, 2020 at 12:13 pm
The other day Il Douche, when being called on some of his lies about the virus, said “I’m a cheerleader for this country.” A cheerleader who auditioned for the pep squad by talking about how the country was so pathetic that “only he could fix it” and that it needed to be made great again, but I digress.
There may be times one needs a cheerleader, but much more of the time one needs an *actual* leader. This is quite clearly the latter. Plus, effective presidents can be both. What we really, really don’t need is somebody who’s so stupid and craven that he doesn’t understand the difference.
Jeff B., I tried for a second to think of the name of Jorndt Field, but wasn’t gonna get it. Interesting that the sons of the namesake guy have a million dollars available to burnish their dad’s legacy.
Peter, I gotta say — after making a random reference to the cinder track, to then read your recollection of “shoveling out the ash pit from the high school boiler” to maintain said track was pretty, pretty good…
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alex said on April 9, 2020 at 12:53 pm
Remembering Linda Tripp…
I’ve got room for dredging it up. Best SNL cold open ever:
https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/lewinsky-tripp-phone-chat-cold-opening/n11166
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Scout said on April 9, 2020 at 1:44 pm
As the biggest sucker for animals, cats in particular, I knew I would not be able to handle Tiger Exploiter or whatever it’s called. What we are watching is a compelling series on Apple called The Morning Show. It stars Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carrell. It’s about the cast and crew of a Good Morning America type show in the #metoo era. I wish it was on a less limited platform so more people could see it. If you do have access, I highly recommend.
Bernie’s exit was more gracious than I expected from him. His cult, however, is having a HARD TIME with it, to say the least, and its behavior on the socials lived up to the spoiler reputation it created in 2016. On Twitter there is an army of bots mixed in with the fervent anarchist die hards vowing to write him in or not vote at all. Twitter is so trollbot skewed I’m never sure how seriously to take the reaction, but on FB, several people I know personally are reacting badly and when others try to reason with them, they are lashing out saying things like, ‘because you are not allowing my tantrum, I just may sit this election out, and then it will be all your fault because you are mean’. One thing Bernie has been totally successful at is dividing the Democrats. What an accomplishment.
That Bernie plans to continue to collect delegates so he can have an outsized influence on the party platform is setting us up for another contentious convention, I fear. These same anarchists who wanted Trump to win because Bernie couldn’t, still think that ‘blowing it all up’ is the answer. Yeah, that worked really well the past three+ years.
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LAMary said on April 9, 2020 at 1:51 pm
Listening to a local call in radio show yesterday I heard some Bernie die hards saying they could not in good conscience vote for Biden. One of them was actually crying. Not one acknowledged that getting Trump out was a priority.
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Scout said on April 9, 2020 at 2:22 pm
@ LAMary – Not voting for Biden and helping the orange thug to another 4 years is not a decision made ‘in good conscience’, imho. I really don’t get them, other than the realization they are so privileged as to be blind to what is happening to those who do not enjoy the same.
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Sherri said on April 9, 2020 at 2:27 pm
I’m just tired of being told I don’t understand, they’re doing something new!!! by Bernie supporters, when I point out that they’re *bad at politics*. I don’t care how great your ideas are, if you’re bad at politics, you’re not going to get anywhere with those wonderful ideas.
AOC is much better at politics than Bernie (or Ilhan Omar), so she’s someone to keep an eye on for the future.
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Sherri said on April 9, 2020 at 2:52 pm
I’ve invited former NN regular Jolene to our Zoom gathering on Saturday, and she said she’s looking forward to it!
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David C said on April 9, 2020 at 2:52 pm
If you’re given the choice between a haircut and a beheading, take the haircut.
I’m not sure the I won’t vote for him(her) because it offends my tender sensibilities people ever show up to vote anyway.
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Deborah said on April 9, 2020 at 3:37 pm
Glory hallelujah! We got TP today. We just happened to be at the right place at the right time. What a relief. Especially for LB. We’re back in Santa Fe after our 3 days at the cabin routine and went to the grocery store at the perfect time apparently.
They closed liquor stores a couple of days ago in N.M. not considered essential anymore, so I expected the grocery stores to be depleted by now. We have a daily ritual of having a jigger of bourbon around cocktail hour to sip at the cabin and we were out. I was able to get the last 2 bottles of Bulliet at our grocery today, that’ll last awhile. Beer was plentiful, which LB drinks. I heard that the evangelicals were asking why the churches were closed but not the liquor stores and that’s why.
I’ll be back in Abiquiu on Saturday so probably won’t be able to join the Zoom meet up. LB said she’d try from Santa Fe. I’m so sorry to miss chatting with Jolene and the rest of you who will be joining in.
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Dorothy said on April 9, 2020 at 4:27 pm
I was going to skip this next Zoom meeting because I’d been to the first two, but if Jolene is going to be there…. well I might have to rethink my plans!
Our dryer died the other day and after having it fixed twice in the last 6 years, we’re following the repairman’s suggestion and not getting it fixed again. So after researching Lowes and Costco prices/offers, and carefully reading the reviews WRT delivery, installation, etc., we opted to shop locally at a small appliance store. I called them at lunch time, they said we have to book an appointment to come in since their storefront is technically closed, so at 3 PM we met the salesman at the door and he was not hard sell at all. I said we didn’t need a rocket ship (so much Smart technology these days – I just want clean and dry clothes!!) and he led us to an Amana set that will get the job done. We need a gas dryer and that will take a few days longer he told us, but within a week or 9 days we should have the new appliances here.
I asked him how business has been and he said “surprisingly steady.” The first 3-4 days of the pandemic he said they sold a little over 30 chest freezers. All from people who overbought frozen food. He said industry wide now you can’t get a freezer until at least June.
Something really weird happened while we were out today. Across the street from the appliance place we saw these two young guys who looked to be maybe 20. They came hurriedly toward us as we got out of our truck. They crossed the four lane road warily, barely looking at cars coming toward them. Both were sweaty, shirtless and in shorts, and the first guy was pleading with the second guy not to hit him anymore. They were shouting and exchanging insults and it made me feel really nervous, like they were suddenly going to turn on us and grab my purse or something. I was so glad the salesman came immediately to let us in. Another employee at the store went out in 5 minutes and shooed those idiots from their parking lot.
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Dexter Friend said on April 9, 2020 at 4:30 pm
I just do not understand Tiger mania. And I never will. With so much great comedy and drama and crime shows, we must edit our choices, but Jeezuss Kreist, how does that fucking Tiger show draw a person in?
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beb said on April 9, 2020 at 5:03 pm
Slate reports that the Republican legislature of Kansas has voted to overturn the Governor’s stay-at-home orders when it comes to religious gatherings. Geez, church services, like sports arenas are a major vector in disease transmission. They have to be closed for the duration But more than that, what kind of religion can’t survive a month without public meetings? Are preachers afraid that if parishioners don’t show up weekly they won;t be able to afford their own private jet plane? Or are they afraid that if people have to think for themselves for a month they will decide that don’t need a god-botherer to tell what to think? Republicanism has become a suicide pact
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David C said on April 9, 2020 at 5:08 pm
I suspect it isn’t the churches with pastors who actually know their people by name who are behind this. It’s the go see the megachurches with vice sub pastor in charge of keeping those dirty proles our of my hair who are behind this. You generally don’t try that hard to kill people you know.
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Deborah said on April 9, 2020 at 6:42 pm
Just realized since we’re back in Santa Fe for the night that we get to watch some more episodes of Babylon Berlin. Yippee!
I saw some statistic recently online about the richest TV and mega church ministers and it was abominable how many millions those creeps rake in (totals in the billions!). My husband’s younger daughter was exploited by one of them and now she’s a total mess and my husband’s granddaughter is bereft because of it.
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Julie Robinson said on April 9, 2020 at 8:18 pm
Of course it’s all about the money. I’ve been counting offerings for some 25 years and was the church financial secretary for another five. Number of seats in the pews equals amount of money in the plate. We have all kinds of options for people to give online, have auto debits, mail in checks, but most don’t give if they aren’t there.
And so many churches are struggling. The bills are the same, utilities maybe a little lower, but salaries are the largest expense. Our daughter already makes a pittance of a pittance and lost her second gig running music programs for dementia patients in nursing homes.
But responsible church leaders, who trust that God gave us science, are doing online services only. Sarah reminds people that Jesus himself proclaimed love your neighbor as yourself as the second greatest commandment.
The ones having in-person services? Charlatans.
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St Bitch said on April 9, 2020 at 8:26 pm
Alex @86 – I’m about ready to go make dinner, so food is on my mind.
Your mini pizzas sound delicious! What is the name of the sauce? I’ll check it out on my next shopping spree.
I’m an annoying gluten-free/mostly-dairy-free-except-cheese consumer, and am fussy about those products. Fresh Thyme sells (relatively) fresh (not dried) GF fettuccine and tortellini, as well as the fresh basil for pesto. Also…Stoney Hill Goat Yogurt (mostly for smoothies); Amy’s Roasted Poblano Enchiladas (yum!); Canyon Bakehouse GF Bagels and Focaccia; Uncle Matt’s Orange Juice; Oat Milk: Silk Non-Dairy Creamer (not too sweet); and such.
Costco has some surprising items at unbelievably reduced prices: 2-pack GF Cauliflower Crust Pizzas (to which I add my roasted vegetables, sausage, and your pizza sauce next time); a box of 20 frozen bite-size egg-white frittatas, to be microwaved for 45 seconds inside their individual packages; another box of 20 tasty frozen mini GF quinoa muffins, ready for zapping like the frittatas; Parmesan Folios, excellent as breadless sandwich wraps (and maybe pizza crusts?); pine nuts and pecans, still expensive but less so.
One thing I invested in, while taking care of Mom, was a small upright freezer from Sears to put out on the deck of her condo. It was quite a haul up to the attic where I live now…but damn…who woulda thunk it would become a lockdown must-have?
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LAMary said on April 9, 2020 at 9:01 pm
The mayor of LA does a daily update and after all the stats and information about programs that are available he announced that Rihanna and the guy who owns Twitter gave the city enough money to provide shelter to anyone who is stuck at home with an abusive/domestic violence situation.
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