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Text & Image
Does this time of the year feel different than it normally does, or different than it should? If so, give some examples of what feels different.
This is my sweet, goofy, very smart standard poodle. They are noble dogs initially bred to be water retrievers People who don't know standard poodles think of them as froo-froo dogs, weirdly styled and high strung. That's not true. Well, the show dogs are weirdly styled, but the origins of that come from what they were initially bred to do. The long hair on their torso protect their internal organs from cold water. The shaved lets, back, belly and tail keep them from sinking. The poms on the hips, knees, and ankles protect their joints from the cold. And the pom on the end of the tail makes it easier for a hunter to spot them in the reeds. They are loyal, loving, and intelligent. This one keeps me active and helps smooth over election worries, Covid fears, and unintended hospital stays. Her companionship has become very special throughout this awful year. I am the only human in my house. I think I would have experienced deeper depression had it not been for this wonderful dog. Poodles are very athletic so we go to a very large dog park every day so she can run. Lucy is very confident and socializes well with other dogs. When I watch her invite another dog to play, when she runs and gets chased, when she wrestles, or when she tries to climb a tree to get at a pesky squirrel, I marvel at how beautiful her spirit is. And, she loves playing in the snow. She gives me hope and lightens the emotional hold that Covid has had on me, even when she steals a stick of butter from the counter top and sneaks it into the living room where she smears it on the rug.
May 22, 2021
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Many of us have experienced restrictions on movement and social contact during the pandemic. Talk about any restrictions that have especially affected you.
In pandemic we did online grocery. Sometime we assumed that we are ordering a small squash. But we got a whole squash. We did not know how to cut it. My husband challenged himself to cut the vegetable. But the knife slipped and he cut his finger. It was a big mess. He suffered for 2 weeks. That night his bleeding scared us. We went to urgent care to get Tetanus injection. He got good tight bandage. That time people were scared to go to hospital. It was really scary situation, But we learned a lot and became stronger every day. In one year we know how cut whole chicken, whole pumpkin and watermelon. We learned lot of kitchen skills.
May 22, 2021
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Talk about about something that has changed in your life in the last few months.
Change in my life? Two “believing mirrors” died One a colleague artist The second like a brother Suddenly heart attacks March ‘20 October ‘20 Change for my life? I could no longer paint. However, May 20,2021 I picked up my brushes And birthed a watercolor. May the drought of creative spirit Pass - changing me once again Into my self before mirrored self. Reflecting my love For friends passed.
May 24, 2021
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.93 positivity rate Here in Connecticut My rhododendrons Seem to know! Blossoms celebrate This new day!!!
May 25, 2021
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
The coronavirus pandemic has not negatively affected my life this past week. It seems like life is getting back to normal with fewer cases being reported and mask mandates being lifted. it is good to feel safer than I did a year ago and get on with things that were postponed due to COVID-19. I listed my childhood home with a realtor today and am looking forward to lots of interest in it since the housing market is booming, many people want to live in that town. and there are very few houses currently for sale. it seems to be a blessing that Mom didn't want us to rent or sell her house until after she died because the timing is right for a home sale. The pandemic fear is lessening so people are ready to get on with their lives. Spring refreshes outlooks and renews hope. Hopefully, the property will sell quickly so there is one less item on the "to do list". Isn't it strange how things seem to work out?
May 25, 2021
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I continue to work with KPT Texture Explorer in Mac OS9. This piece is called "Multi Masks" and describes our eyes peeping up above our masks making real connections.
May 26, 2021
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
All I have thought about this past week are the changes that are occurring much to fast, in my opinion. No masks outside, no masks necessary inside...it makes no sense to me as we are nowhere near herd immunity as a country. Personally, my family will continue to wear masks in stores and when outside around a lot of people. That's just how we are going to handle it, especially since we have an 11 year old daughter who will not be able to get the vaccine for a number of months. This is a picture from a hike I took with my daughter. The water looks like soap suds in some areas and I found it a perfect representation of what is still needed regarding COVID. We still need to clean up this pandemic mess and make smart decisions.
May 27, 2021
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
The pandemic has pushed me into full retirement. Hence now is the time for me to discard files that I will have no use for. A version of my “Marie Kondo”. Going through my files of papers is a trip down memory lane - some difficult, with some happy memories. I’ve had the above article for many years, and I’ve often shared its message with patients. I feel that the article is too precious to discard without first sharing it. Hope it helps someone.
May 30, 2021
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
This is the Half Dome in Yosemite Park. On the right, you can see the Vernal and Nevada waterfalls. There are some things we do that remain "highlights" of our lives. The first night with your wife, the birth of your child, the events that make us who we are now In past years, I have walked up onto the top of that rock. First in 1965 when I was 15, and twice more over the years. Many folks do it, you actually need a permit now to keep the congestion under control. But by any standard, it's one hell of a eight mile walk just to the cables. Then the last bit, with steel cables for safety, because it's so steep you can barely stand. Scary, I will admit it. That walk takes strength and courage both. Each time, It was a major accomplishment of my life. So now I can go to my rest (not this year, thank you) knowing that at least three times I got to climb Half Dome, AND I survived the "Plague" or Pandemic of 2020. Not everyone can say both of those. Virginia Woolf said someplace (and quoting an old Roman) : I joined a vast fleet Sailing on the Ocean of Time When my ship sank The others sailed on My ship is loaded with these victories. And others, but these two will always be special for me. Thank you for giving us this place to write our stories.
May 31, 2021
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
My garden has been exploding this spring. These are just a few of our roses in the garden right now. When the pandemic started, I would "visit" our garden every morning and take photos of the new buds and really try to enjoy them ... literally, stopping to smell the roses. Anyway, I am happy to report that a year later, I am still "visiting" my garden every morning, something that I didn't really make time to do before the pandemic.
June 1, 2021
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Chalked on our usual walking/biking route through the neighborhood.
June 1, 2021
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
Since I lost my job, this has been my near-daily sight. The only way I can keep income is by doing "gig work," like DoorDash and Instacart. There's no job security with any "gig work" either. The rating systems and ways to get deactivated due to customer actions are copious. It has been getting hotter outside, so I've been stuck waiting in parking lots in 90-100+ degree weather waiting for orders to pop up so that I can complete them and make money. I can't let my car run for the A/C because it'll put more wear on my car and waste gas. I'm overdue on an oil change, overdue on an alignment, overdue on new front tires. I can't even afford to pay all of my bills, so I don't know how I'm going to afford basic maintenance on my car (now my main source of income). I've been applying to jobs in numerous places, but haven't gotten any calls back or responses. I can't afford the commute if it's outside of my main city, unless they're willing to pay more. I just got my Bachelor's degree and I haven't even been able to use it because the only jobs at this level that have been posted are the same crisis work/work that is currently too overwhelming for me, mentally, or work that doesn't pay enough to survive. I shouldn't have to sacrifice my mental health to survive. I wish we had better social services for our country. It's such a shame that it's considered "lazy" or "unpatriotic" for this country to help its own people.
June 2, 2021
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
The 17 year cicadas are overrunning my area. Their empty nymph casings are all over the place. The grown cicadas are clogging the airspace and trees. They are so noisy its hard to believe. I read one cicada is as noisy as a lawn mower. Having thousands of them buzzing at once is like listening to dozens of leaf blowers at the same time. I found this just hatched adult cicada in my home this morning. I know it just left its casing because the wings are still partly folded up, not fully formed and straight. I managed to catch it safely, without damaging it, and put it on the outside edge of my balcony in the sunlight. I checked and its gone so hopefully its flying around buzzing and trying to find a mate. For me this cicada is a metaphor for how I and others in my community feel about life right now. The strict mask and social distancing requirements are gradually being relaxed. So I see people out walking in the spring sunlight. For me its strange to see their whole face, instead of mostly covered by a mask. They’re like the cicada, being reborn to life as it was before the pandemic. Free to walk around while still practicing social distancing. I see everyone carrying a mask with them out of habit, and just in case. It’s wonderful to see a group of bare faced walkers, conversing and laughing as they walk together.
June 3, 2021
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Has the pandemic changed the way you think or feel about "home"? If so, how? Consider uploading a photograph to help show what you mean.
I grew up in ... MI and then moved to Vermont when I married in 1968. After a divorce and retirement about 5 years ago, a voice in my head said “go home”. I now live a block from the house I was born in. I feel like a homing pigeon. I wonder if I had a premonition as I feel like this is where I feel safest during a pandemic ..near family and home ground,
June 5, 2021
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
This sign outside a small convenience store in western Massachusetts loudly proclaims that “Masks (covering both mouth and nose) are Still Required in our Store.” This sentiment is unusual now though here in this state with its very high vaccination rate (55% fully vaccinated; 67% one dose). We arrived here in the Berkshires a few days for our first real vacation since Covid struck. It is beautiful and wonderful to be somewhere different! But I was so surprised on our first day here to go into the large local chain grocery store and see that many of the employees were not wearing masks. Oddly enough, most of the customers were. I’ve chosen to believe that these employees are fully vaccinated, and our following the advice of the science and medical professionals who keep telling us that fully vaxxed folks can skip the masks! In the past few days, we’ve gone into many smaller shops that cater to the tourists and there also, most of the staff aren’t masked and many of the customers aren’t either. At the restaurants, staff are masked, but diners aren’t. And outside, most people aren’t wearing masks, but some are, especially pre-teens. It is a real hodge-lodge of rules and behaviors. We went into the public library and there a sign was posted that said masks were still required in government buildings. As we walked through the neighborhood of our rental home, we passed many people - no masks at all. Mostly, though, people seem happy and are glad to see others. The store owners are thrilled to have people coming into their stores again. “Help Wanted” signs compete with all the new signage about masks! In just a few days of being in this new environment, I feel myself loosening up with regards to my own behavior. We’re all fully vaccinated and I’ve started to follow the lead of the store owners, if they aren’t wearing a mask, I often take my off, too. They’ll often request that we use hand sanitizer that they have put near the door. Of course, we comply. I just hope that more people continue to take the shot, and that these changes are lasting! I feel that a huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders, now that we can visit with family and friends, hug each other, eat together, and just be together, again.
June 6, 2021
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I dunno what I'd do without this girl right here. She's my best friend.
June 8, 2021
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Let's talk about COVID-19 vaccination. Have you and/or others close to you been vaccinated -- or had difficulty getting vaccinated? If so, talk about that experience.
My family and I have been fully vaccinated since April. Well, my immediate family. My family in Scandinavia don't have any clue when they'll be able to get vaccinated, I'm not sure what the status of vaccinations are there, but they're not anti-vaccers. My family in the Southern part of the US is not vaccinated. I think maybe one cousin and one uncle, maybe. But that's it. And the two of them are only vaccinated because they're nurses and had to. I think it's partially that they don't really support vaccinations and partially they don't think they're necessary. It's scary because I'll be seeing them later this month, and while I'll be fine...I dunno it just makes me nervous. Here in CT, it was easy breezy to get vaccinated. I went to a drive-through site twice, which was staffed by the state national guard (idk the proper terminology). It took a while, but it was convenient. I was able to join in over the phone on a work call. And the shot itself was totally fine. I read things like Kate Middleton just got her first dose a few days ago and it's bonkers to me. Like, I've been fully vaccinated for over a month! It's funny because I feel like America is always eons behind other countries, but somehow we're leading the world right now in vaccinations.
June 9, 2021
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
This is a pop-up Covid testing place in Berlin, complete with charming tent and potted plant. June 9. Masks worn outdoors seem to be a thing of the past here. Walking to buy vegetables yesterday, I was the only person I saw masked. Even in the outdoor Turkish market, where they are still formally required, i saw more mouths than I did a month ago. (It’s interesting that the mouths of strangers have become a source of alarm.) I invited a senior colleague I like very much who is quarantining in Berlin to socially distant tea in a park. (She hasn’t replied, and I worry I was too forward.) Her quarantine is required because she flew in from the UK. The Delta variant is proving to be a serious contender there, despite their high vaccination rates. So Germany and France have put in travel bans. She herself is a German citizen, here to see her sibling’s newborn, so she was allowed in. She said it was heartbreaking seeing people turned away at the gate. The decision to shove Brexit through during the pandemic—« hard to understand » is the most restrained thing I can say about it. Germany trying to keep the Delta variant from getting up a head of steam here is understandable, though. They have half the vaccinated pop that the UK has, even if they are using Pfizer more than the less effective AstraZeneca. Berlin Cafes have opened outdoor seating, and no longer require you to present a negative COVID test to sit down. There are still pop -up Covid testing places everywhere—if you aren’t vaccinated, which is still most people, a negative test lets you dine indoors, or go to the gym, or even (!) go to the opera. Out walking I’ve seen a pop-up testing center in a lovely tent, out of the back of a car, at a stand that looked like a water ice stand in the park, and in several storefronts. Rapid tests have been available from Gorillas,, the grocery delivery company, for some time. I think it’s terrific. A few months ago it was impossible to get a test without potentially exposing yourself to COVID-19 in the process– you could only get them done at a doctor’s office or in testing centers with very long lines. So you didn’t get tested unless for some reason you absolutely had to. I have a PCR test I ordered from Amazon when they were briefly available for something like 80 euro before they sold out, which I hung on to anxiously all winter in case I had to fly back. It was priceless then. Now, I hope, it’s nearly valueless, and can gather dust in the bathtub with the rest of my emergency stores. ...
June 10, 2021
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How is the coronavirus pandemic affecting your life right now? Tell us about your experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
I am seeing an increase in the number of masks polluting my surroundings. New York State has banned plastic bags so now the throw away mask has taken over as the number one annoying trash in lawns, on trees and in the street. I can't stand it!!! Birds and small animals can choke on the cords. It is unsanitary and ugly. I keep being reminded that the corona virus is still with us and the masks are ubiquitous proof of it.
June 10, 2021
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Talk about the last time something made you cry.
I cried reading a book called Braiding Sweetgrass. The chapter on Witch Hazel reminded me of my [I.] grandmother and us going out in the fields looking for wild food, like blackberries, asparagus and sassafras. As a child I was happiest on the [W.] farm and it’s values seeped into my consciousness, even though I live in a city, where I grow veggies and flowers in a community garden and have potted herbs on my deck. It was sadness for a past that is no more in so many ways. And for the people in my life who are gone that I want to tell how much they made me the woman I am today.
June 12, 2021