Last night I could see the stars again! We had a cool wind blow through from the east and the smoke has cleared. So wonderful to see the stars at night and our deep blue sky all day. We have just this short break then the smoke is supposed to get to dangerous levels by the weekend.
In my last post - sorry for the dark mood - I failed to mention some nice things that have happened this summer. I keep hearing how disappointed people are about all the summer festivals and events being cancelled. But here in NV we have had some things opened back up for a while. With strict guidelines restaurants (not bars) and most other businesses are open. You can't try on clothes or sit at a bar and masks are required everywhere. The good thing is that people here, for the most part, are following the rules.
There are those stupid, selfish people out there pulling their mask down once inside - my DIL has had confrontations with them. She is an oncology nurse and has already been exposed twice and had to quarantine and be tested.
My sister who calls herself walking co-morbidity was threatened by a man with a gun in the Spokane Washington Costco when she asked him not to stand so close since he wasn't wearing his mask. She has barely gone out at all in 6 months and that is why.
Anyway - for those of us being vary careful but wanting some bits and pieces of normal life - Reno is doing okay. Week to week I stick to the same 3 or 4 shopping and walking locations and resist spreading my outings into too many uncharted spaces. I did go to a craft store when I completed a needlepoint and wanted to finish it as a pillow. I also went to Home Depot and a local nursery a number of times.
But when the "Women of a Certain Age" social group I had joined right before the shut down resumed some activities, I jumped right in. We keep outings to 6 people and stick to the same places that have hosted us for years. We are known and therefore well looked after. This group has had a lot to do with saving my sanity the last couple of months. I made sure to exchange phone numbers with a couple of the people I felt might become friends and have gone on walks and even to a museum!
The biggest, risk I have taken this summer was two trips to Idaho. The first time I drove to visit my elderly parents. They were going stir crazy in their tiny apartment in a seniors community and wanted a brief getaway. They had reservations at a condo in a small resort town so I took them there for 3 days. They don't get around very easily, so we mostly ate in and drove around looking at the sights from the car. People there were great about mask wearing so our 2 ventures to eat out felt safe. We all quarantined before and after the trip - and made it through safely.
Then my sister up in northern Idaho invited me to visit - mountains, lake view,
I wore goggles and wiped everything in reach, wore my best mask, kept my distance from others, stayed in well ventilated areas and didn't purchase food during my layovers. I kept the overhead fan on and took a window seat - all per recommendations from medical experts. It went fine - had a really nice visit, took walks, went out on the boat one day, hung around the house learning mah jong, started a mosaic tabletop, and talked and talked. I know there are a lot of people being very judgy about others taking "unessential" trips. Part of me agrees - on the other hand, we still have to live our lives and make the best decisions for our mental and physical health.
Next year I hope to be invited back, make a real road trip if the drive, bring my bike and be able to treat my hosts to a nice dinner out. Here's to a great summer of 2021!
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