Day 42, May 5, 2020 - Cinco De Mayo

Yes, I skipped a day for those of you who are keeping track.  There is just nothing to say about yesterday.  Oh wait a minute, what did I do yesterday??? 

Monday morning so we had a zoom HIIT class with Michelle.  There are 24 people in her class and I am happy to see some other faces 3 days a week.  Besides eating, the only other thing I did was ride my bike out the road with my dog Ceilidh trotting behind me. 

The weather here in Loyalton is nice -- not too warm and a bit breezy.  Russ is helping Chuck get his stuff put back into his kitchen.  Since most of his kitchen stuff has been sitting in the 2nd bedroom for about a month now, they found a loaf of bread with a tunnel gnawed through it -- apparently mice have re-discovered Chuck's house. 

Finished a book -- Little Fires Everywhere -- Celeste Ng and yes, I would recommend it.  It definitely got my attention and drew me in right away which is a necessary attribute for me to call a book "good." 

Today Cirila came up from Reno and we took a 6 mile walk.  The walk was supposed to include Ceilidh (my dog) but when we went to take off she was no where to be found -- little turd.  Apparently she had better things to do.  She didn't show up back at home for an hour after we left.

I really wanted to take Cirila on the little bike path that leads from the Smithneck Park trailhead out to Pat's Meadow.  I somehow was under the impression that we could walk to that trailhead in a reasonable length of time -- like 15 minutes.  Well by the time we got to the trailhead, we had walked 3 miles on the road.  So we turned around and walked back. All totaled our hike was 6.2 miles.  Next time we will drive to the trailhead.  Here is a picture of Smithneck Creek which is flowing swiftly right now

This morning on my facebook feed I received a post from a running friend in Uganda asking for children's books, crayons, pencils, etc.  It looks like they are also in lockdown.  I looked into what it would cost to ship some books to them in Uganda and I think it is about $25 for 4lbs.  I thought I might make sure with my local postoffice when I get back to Reno but if anyone is interested in joining in with me on this -- let me know.   It takes a village.

Tonight a Zoom meeting with my San Felipe girlfriends at 7 pm so we can toast our new planned dates in October and celebrate Cinco de Mayo!

Tomorrow we will do a little social distancing visiting with some friends who live out here in the valley and then head back to Reno.  It has been nice but I am ready for my back porch!

Day 40, May 3, 2020 - Camping!! Yes, at Chuck's house

First thing this morning I did my exercise routine and then made time to attend the streamed mass from my parish -- Our Lady of Snows in Reno.  It's weird but oddly comforting to be able to carry on the practice of Sunday Mass.  The pastor informed us that there would be no drive-in service -- pretty sure there is not enough room in the parking lot.  I just can't imagine it anyways.  The Catholic Church doing something like that when they can't even ordain women?  And they need priests  so much.  What's up with that?  I really don't think that Jesus told anyone that women couldn't be priests.  I wonder where that came from....

If you can't go to the campgrounds you find someone who lives in what seems like a campground.  Chuck's house is located in Loyalton on the edge of a subdivision.  It faces BLM and land owned by California Fish and Game.  The dirt road outside his door is county and goes for miles.  Soon as we got here we pulled the bikes off the truck and took a little ride.  Ceilidh loved being off the leash.  There is something about this place that I just love.  I don't think I could live here permanently but it sure is an oasis to get away to.

Look at these views!! and the clouds.   Only an hour from downtown Reno.  Am I lucky or what!!

Tonight we will be hosting a cocktail party on Zoom.  I know it is not the same but it sure is nice to keep in touch in real time. 

We will be here camping until Wednesday afternoon.  Hopefully by then my pickleball set will have arrived and I can go over to the tennis courts and practice hitting the ball against the wall.  Maybe I can get Carila to practice with me . . . .

By the way the way, here's a question for you.  Does anyone else find that when using an electric toothbrush you need to pee?  Sorry but I have been wondering about that for awhile and finally remembered to ask.

Day 39, May 2, 2020 Pickleball anyone?

Workout, breakfast and a shower were the highlights of today.  Can't remember when I last had a shower.  Pretty scary huh?  Not really, I think it was 2 days ago.  Wow, the days of going somewhere that required a shower seem so long ago.  I wonder if they will ever come back.  This situation has really refined and reduced my requirements to live.  It is almost as spartan as my Camino journey last year -- almost as long too . . .

Here is one of our live-in guests.  Don't know wether I mentioned this before (probably have) but Chuck from Loyalton and Omar his dog are living with us through this pandemic.  The reason is because Chuck's kitchen is being remodeled and he has no sink or refrigerator.  He goes back up there regularly to check on the place but the only person he sees is his contractor Rudy who apparently has not been infected with the virus.

Here is Chuck's dog Omar in one of his usual poses.

Omar

Okay, today I ordered some pickleball paddles and balls on Amazon.  The reason I did so was because yesterday while I was walking my dog, some ladies were playing pickleball on the court (Gov Sisolak opened up this and golf on Thursday).  I noticed that they only had 3 players so I took the opportunity to ask if they would be amenable to having me, a novice, play with them sometime.  They said yes and of course, would I like to play now?  They had an extra paddle so I was able to join in. 

Pickleball is a sport I brushed elbows with when I was back in Detroit visiting my father.  It is kind of like a cross between ping pong and tennis.  It is played on a smaller court than tennis but the court markings have been designed to accommodate both sports.  As I said, I am definitely novice material but these ladies were so nice.   I left there last evening after 40 minutes of play with their phone numbers and the hope that they weren't bull-shitting me.  Keep you posted.

This afternoon I took the dog for a walk around the lake and noticed that there were not too many folks there.  However, I must say that only about 10% of the folks that were there were wearing masks.  Not judging, just making a note.

I guess the other big news is that we have decided that tomorrow we will take the trailer up to Loyalton and park it outside of Chuck's house. Don't shame me though.  Chuck lives on the edge of the forest and the end of his road.  I am looking forward to riding my bike and not seeing anyone and being able to have Ceilidh off the leash.  I am kinda looking forward to a change of venue -- if only for 3 days and an hour away.

Sharing here pictures of my back deck.  So happy to have it right now. 

PEACE OUT!

Day 38, May 1, 2020 - Happy MayDay! Updated workout program for May too

Happy May Day!  I understand that in France, the tradition is to present Lily's of The Valley.  Well I don't have any here but I do have these!!

Yes and they do smell good!

Yesterday was kinda full.  The first thing I did was get out for a 3 mile run.  It was the first day that I ran on the road instead of going around Virginia Lake.  Even though I am getting out at 7:30 am, because the weather is so nice I feel crowded at the lake while trying to run and I cannot run with a face mask on.  Running on the road hurts my knees more but it keeps me away from people.  It's all good.  Got my sweat on!!

Russ and I went to Lowes to find some materials so he could make me a fountain for the back deck.  The place was rather crowded and most people, guests and employees, were wearing face masks.  This social distancing thing is really something we have to get used to.  Working it out in a crowded store -- mostly because of the aisles of merchandise -- is difficult.  After we checked out, and we were walking out the door, a woman who had apparently been watching us made sure to inform us that the person behind us had NOT been standing at the correct (in her opinion) distance.  Well, what was I supposed to do with that information at that point?  Can't guess.

Anyways, this is what the finished product (project) looks like!!

Good Job Russ and thanks so much!!  While we were at Lowes we saw a few fountains but none of them struck my fancy and they were all over $100.  This one ended up costing under $50.  Since we have been stuck at home I am trying to make the back deck much more comfortable.  It is now like a second living room for us.  Since there are 3 of us in the house (plus 2 dogs) we are able to get away and do our own thing.

Today, Friday, we got our wine/alcohol shipments.  So we should be set for a few days.  Total Wine and More is now doing delivery only.  You have to have a minimum of $100 to qualify but with the cost of Russ's Rum that is not a problem.  I understand that the weed dispensaries are also doing this but also with a minimum of $100.  

Yesterday our Governor Steve Sisolak announced that he was extending the stay at home order until May 15, 2020.  I must admit I am kind of relieved.  I am glad that Nevada is not going to be the canary in the cage as it appears Georgia will be.  I know that the economy is suffering here, especially in Las Vegas but I don't see anyway the casinos can safely open soon.  It will be interesting to see what kind of a plan the gaming commission will come up with.  I am sure that they are under a lot of pressure to get it right.  

Quiet day today.  Did one of Michelle's workouts.  I love being able to workout to her youtube channel. I really don't know what I would do without her.  HIIT Solutions  Tomorrow, Saturday, we will workout live and I will get to see my workout buddies!! Yay.

Also, for those of you who saw my post earlier about the 30 day challenge that I also do, here is the schedule for May:

I went to the CVS to buy some Mother's Day Cards.  The spot to look at the cards was so small I had to wait about 10 minutes before I could approach the rack since another person was choosing her's.  Like I said, this distancing is going to get interesting  . . . . 

Day 36, April 29, 2020 -- Is it Sunday Yet?

Sorry I missed a few days of posting.  Easy to let this slide as nothing seems to change day to day. 

On a good note, my Nespresso order arrived in 24 hours!! On a bad note, still waiting for my wine✌

Yesterday Russ, Chuck, Omar and Ceilidh took me to Little Washoe Lake to put the kayak in for an hour.  I was able to paddle around until the wind picked up and made me have to work my shoulders off to get back to shore.

While I was there I was treated to the sights of wildlife.  I saw pelicans and loons. The biggest show however was that put on by the herd of wild horses cavorting at the lake.  There must have been between 20-25 horses of all sizes and colors.  I saw at least 4 foals one of which was a pinto.  The horses galloped about, played with each other and ran down to the water where some of them rolled around as if taking a bath.  Lots of splashing.  I couldn't get too close because I didn't want to chase them away or at me so this is these are the best pictures

Lucky Me, Huh?

We spent the rest of the afternoon reading, puzzle working and watching TV (anybody seen that Netflix documentary on the Baghwan? ).  I never personally knew who anyone who got sucked up into that cult drama in Oregon.  Did you?  

My book arrived from amazon -- Little Fires Everywhere.  Digging into it now.  I had to buy a real book this time because for some reason I wasn't able to purchase it on the kindle -- it is available but it just can't be bought.  Sometimes I have to scratch my head (not my face) at technology . . .  

Dinner last night was a porterhouse steak split 3 ways.  I got the filet and Russ cooked it perfectly!

Here are some pictures of what spring is doing to my garden!

Day 33, April 25, 2020 -- The Big Score!

For the first time since February (maybe even before that), we have a new package of toilet paper in the house!  Thanks to Chuck who ventured out to Target and while getting other stuff he crept up on the toilet paper aisle and low and behold, there were a few packages left!!  Thank you Chuck for helping preserve my peace of mind.  

Spring still creeping into Reno.  I have never noticed how it changes day to day until this year when we all have to just slow the hell down.  My backyard is beginning to rebirth itself and from the looks of it, we will have many apples this fall.  The blossoms are abundant and beautiful!  

We had a zoom meeting with the west coast family tonight -- spent 1.5 hours talking to each other.  SF, Reno and LA.  We all agreed that the national news doesn't really care about anyone else but NY.  

One of the things that scares me about this entire period of time is the fact that the day goes by so fast.  One would imagine that if you get up at 6:30am and go to bed at 9:00pm there would be a lot of free time in your day while you are sequestered in your own home.  This has not been the case however.  It seems that the few things that we do all day such as exercise, walk the dogs, eat, read, do crafty things, puzzles, talk on the phone and do other communications are beginning to take up the entire day.  The statement that lots of retirees make: "I don't know how I ever had time to work," is becoming my mantra now for sure.  I really don't know how people who work from home and school their children from home (like my daughter Montana) do it.  But they do!  Must be youth.

BTW has anyone else's taste gone to this vintage yet . . . . .

Day 32, April 24, 2020 The Big Hike & still no Toilet Paper

Ceilidh and I walked about 6 miles today with my friend Cirila.  We started out at the 5190 foot level and climbed

for about 1.5 hours until we reached Ophir creek at 6060 ft

The water was flowing and a bit deep so we decided not to cross it and turned back.  There were quite a few folks on the trail but no one seemed to get in each other's way and we were all sorta happy to see other humans and dogs. 

Saw this on the way down the hill which reminded me greatly of my camino journey last year.  

When walking the camino, I was directly constantly by arrows of all kinds to show the way.  

As a side note, I am so glad that I did my camino last year.  This year it would have been impossible with the coronavirus.  Spain was hard hit like the rest of this planet.  Next year (2021) is supposed to be the anniversary year (based on St. James' Birthday) and the way would have been packed already.  Now with the backlog of the folks that were supposed to go this year (2020) it will be a totally different walk.  I'm beginning to realize that it was a once in a lifetime experience and I did it at exactly the right time.  

I stopped on the way home at a grocery store (2 in fact) and, still no toilet paper.  We aren't critical yet but . . . . just thinking about it pisses me off 😖.  What are all those people doing with all of that toilet paper?  Why does it disappear so quickly?  I never saw this phenomena before.  Why now?