I had the idea of making a pizza from scratch. The dough required yeast and I needed cornmeal to put on the greased pan when I placed the dough on it. I did not have yeast or cornmeal. Nor do the stores during the pandemic, I discovered. My daughter said she had yeast and she gave it to me. I eventually found the cornmeal.

Guess what Erik, Isaac, and Ari are having for lunch in my backyard tomorrow?

During the pandemic, I learned from my children that things had changed when their cats needed to see the veterinarian. They would schedule an appointment, drive up to the office, and someone would collect the cat from the car. The human was not allowed in the office. I had scheduled my annual visit with my doctor. I was called and told they had made a mistake and my only option was to have a virtual appointment. I arranged to do so.

Why can’t someone drive me to my doctor’s office, have one of the workers come to the car and get me, and my driver not come inside? What’s good for the cat…..

I took a risk and added a fourth route to my morning walk. For four months I went out every morning and walked one of three different routes. When I realized the pandemic was going to be a lot longer, I decided to enhance my trek. And so, I am now seen on one of my paths every four days now instead of three. Since I begin by 7 AM, I am not certain how many people even notice me.

The gym is missed far less.

When I went to the supermarket this morning, the beginning of week 13 of shelter-in-place, I thanked the check out clerk for her work. I asked her if it has gotten easier, and she said it would likely surprise me to learn that work had gotten harder. I asked her in what way. She said people are more often cranky, mean, and angry and she believes it is because they are fed up with the lifestyle.

Many don’t acclimate to change.

I saw a picture on FB that showed two pictures next to each other. In the first, it showed the police officer with his knee on George Floyd. The citation said, “I can’t breathe.” The second showed a white medical worker wearing a mask. The citation said, “I can’t breathe.” I replied, “There are blacks in the second group also.”

We need to be more aware.

During the pandemic when we were compelled to remain sheltered, there was much more time to think. I was not around people, I was not driving much, and I was walking each day since the gym was closed. It was a time away from many distractions or things that needed to be focused on. Sometimes I was waiting in a line to get into a store. I can’t say exactly what I thought about.

Maybe this is why many reported feeling more mellow.

I had my appointment set up for a cleaning six months ago. With the pandemic, I presumed it would be delayed. I called the office and left a message. When I got a callback, I was told the hygienists were not working, but beginning the day I was scheduled, the dentists were doing cleanings. I went in, was asked questions regarding the virus, had my temp taken, and washed my hands. I also had to gargle with hydrogen peroxide. When the dentist came in, I asked her how long ago she had cleaned teeth.

Seems like a logical question.

Another hair story. Keep in mind, I am sheltered-in-place and it gives me little new information to focus on. I was talking to Marjie and she said, “Maybe they will ask to interview us.” I don’t know what the subject was, but my response was, “Not until I get a haircut.”

Once we are liberated, the lines at the hair salons that do not take appointments will outdo Costco during the pandemic.

Because of the virus, I have not had my hair cut for 11 weeks. I have not had highlights done. I was talking to my kids about it yesterday and each one had the same response. They heard me say I had highlights but never noticed them. Ellen said, “I see you as a blonde.” I asked her if she sees roots, and, if so, are they gray? She assured me I am a blonde still.

Time for lighter highlights.

My CD player broke.  I have lots of CDs.  I chose not to digress to address how I still choose to listen to music.  I priced buying a new one, but it did not feel like a priority.  I was talking to Carrie and she asked me why I don’t use my DVD player.  I failed to see the relationship of my television to my music until she explained it to me.  I tried it, and, voila, I had my music back.  I told Erik about it and he said he did not know about that technique.

I knew something technological ahead of my son!