The Dackel Princess

I am a Hermit

More craziness is entering our world. My little town of 5000+ now has 4 cases of Covid-19, also know as The Corona Virus. We’d managed to escape for a long time, but with cases all around us, we knew it was just a matter of time.

We also jumped State-wide to an overall number of cases at 621. The number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 is now set at 9.

My State is not a highly populated State and these numbers, which rise exponentially each day, scare us all.

I had a video call with Amanda and the kids yesterday and that was so nice! I miss them a great deal but realize that we all must make sacrifices to come out of this thing alive.

Yesterday I decided to watch some Amazon Prime TV. I watched a Biography of Singer/Actress/comedian, Rose Marie.

Most people will know her from “The Dick Van Dyke Show”. I had no idea that she actually started her career at the age of 4 in Vaudeville Show Theaters!

She was an amazing woman and met and fell in love with a soldier who played with big bands after his discharge from the military.

They had a great love that lasted until his death. She never remarried and at the age of 93 still mourned his passing. So many things I never knew about her. It really was a good biography.

Next, I watched a show about the United Airlines Plane accident. United Airlines Flight 811 was a regularly scheduled airline flight from Los Angeles to Sydney, with intermediate stops at Honolulu and Auckland. On February 24, 1989, the Boeing 747–122 serving the flight experienced a cargo door failure in flight shortly after leaving Honolulu. The resulting explosive decompression blew out several rows of seats, resulting in the deaths of nine passengers. The aircraft returned to Honolulu, where it landed safely.

The investigation was really going nowhere when the parents of one of the Victims, Kevin and Susan Campbell investigated the cause using documents obtained from the NTSB. Mr. Campbell is a mechanical engineer who explored the causes of the cargo door problem. The Campbells’ investigation led them to conclude that the cause of the accident was not human error but rather the combination of an electrical problem and an inadequate design of the aircraft’s cargo door latching mechanism. They later presented their theory to the safety board.

The Boeing 747 was designed with an outward-hinging door, unlike a plug door that opens inward and jams against its frame as the pressure drops outside, making it impossible to accidentally open at high altitude. The outward-swinging door increases the cargo capacity, but it requires a strong locking mechanism to keep it closed. Deficiencies in the design of wide-body aircraft cargo doors were known since the early 1970s from flaws in the DC-10 cargo door. These problems were not fully addressed by the aircraft industry or the NTSB, despite the warnings and deaths from the DC-10 accidents and attempts by Boeing to solve the problems in the 1970s.

So, that ate up an hour and really was fascinating. There are about 20 more episodes that I can watch.

So that was my Saturday and now I start on Sunday. Let’s see what mischief I can get into today. Probably not too much.

Days Slipping By

It’s Saturday, right? I admit to being slightly off as far as the days of the week go. Since I no longer watch any Soap Operas (sadly All My Children went by-by a few years ago) my whole Monday through Friday thing is gone. So what do I use?

Well, the dogs are no help at all with this. They act the same seven days a week. TV is consumed with nearly 24 hours a day coverage of the Corona Virus, and since I am doing my best to block it all out, it leaves me a bit lost at times. I could use those days of the week underwear that I had as a kid. That certainly would help.

On Friday I made a big pot of Soup. I’d planned fish for Friday but will cook that tonight. Friday we had the hot, yummy soup, that warmed our chilled bones. It rained most of Friday and never got warmer than about 40 degrees.

I think I may clean my closet. It needs it again, and since I am a house captive, it’s a good time to get it done.

How are things going where you are? Here in New Hampshire as of 6 PM on Friday, we had an overall number of cases of 540. The number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 (The Corona Virus) is at 7.

I do not think this will be over soon. I think we will be in this for a while and it really makes me feel sad. I miss my family. I miss being with my grandkids. Ugh. We will get through this.

The Friday Five

Well, well, well. Here we are on the first Friday in April. If we are lucky, this will be the real start of Spring and we can wave goodbye to Winter. As I sit here ~~not really~~ listening to the TV, here are the things I have thought about this week.

I’ve noticed the last week or so when I have gotten up in the morning, that I am being serenaded by the newly returned birds. I had rather a deep conversation with one of them. I’m just not sure which bird. I will be delving into that in the future.
I am waiting for my shipment of dog foods from Chewy. They wrote a nice email explaining that it may take a week to ten days, due to the emergency we are experiencing right now. It is exactly the reason I ordered it early. I expect others have as well.
I have been enjoying cooking meals for Jack and me. We have been fortunate that our local shops have had beautiful produce. I have allowed myself one morning a week to suit up, with hats, gloves, and mask and head to the grocery store and buy fresh produce. God bless the truck drivers of our country!
Lili’s ear is already so much better. Her right ear is infected, and I had to bring her into the Vet. I waited in the car and they took Lili in, examined and cleaned her ear, brought her out and the Vet talked to me all the while standing at a distance.
The ride home from the Vet was beautiful. Giving me lovely views of the mountains around me.

Then I used my cell phone to call them with payment and then the Technician brought out her medication. Easiest Vet visit ever!
Since discovering my flourless zero-point banana pancake, I realized I needed a stash of bananas.
I eat berries and yogurt (hidden under the berries) and my banana pancake almost every day. So good and it is only 4 Points for breakfast including my coffee.

So I bought a bunch of bananas the other day and as they ripen to perfection, I mash the banana up, and place it in a Ziploc freezer bag and freeze. Then I can take out the banana the night before, thaw and the fridge and presto! I have my morning delight!

Stay safe, and healthy Gentle Readers and remember, stay home and the life you save may be your own or someone you love.

Maribeth

Memories of my Youth

I was thinking back to the days of my youth. I grew up in Falmouth, Massachusetts, before the rapid growth and over-building. Back when it was a small town and a great place to live and grow up.
The first house I lived in was on Clipper Lane. It was a nice house and I had my own room.

What my childhood home looks like today.

But more often than not I would find myself sleeping in my sister’s bed in the morning. Nightmares and sleepwalking.
I had a brother and a sister. My brother and I weren’t very close. My sister and I were and still are.

My brother was much older then I and I think he just sort of resented this cute little kid running around the house trying to be a part of everything.
My room was over the kitchen and the back door. I could see everyone come in or go out and I could also listen to the voices of my parents talking at the table there. Sometimes good talk, sometimes bad. But I could always know what was happening.
The great thing about my room was the storm windows. They were the old fashioned kind that was fit on for the winter and then taken off and a screen would be put on for the summer.

In the winter I could put up the window and sit with my feet on the radiator and keep them warm while I played with my Barbie dolls. The window sill area was their “loft apartment” with tissue boxes for beds or sofas and thimbles for stools or lamps.

Janet and me!

My cousin Janet and my sister played with me too. We would play for hours and hours. Back in the ’60s when Janet and I played, my dolls would be Paul and Linda McCartney and hers would be Mick and Bianca Jagger. For hours and hours, we escaped into this wonderful world.
We made clothes for the dolls too. Out of scrap material from my mother’s sewing supplies. I remember seeing my Barbie’s looking like a real glamour Queen, even though I am sure the outfits were terribly designed and badly sewn.

But to Janet and me it didn’t matter.

The Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Has spring sprung in your part of the world? How can you tell? Did March come in like a lion where you live? Going out like a lamb or something more ferocious?

March has been a terrible month. We have had everything from Snowstorms to Thunder, lightning, and hail.

2. The last thing that caused you to spring to your feet?

It has to be something with the dogs. The Squirrels are out and Lili goes bananas!

She loves to chase them. She has never caught one, but the exercise is good for her!

3. Do you have a spring clean to-do list? What’s one chore on the list you’ve already managed to accomplish? What spring clean chore do you most dread?

I have cleaned off shelves and sterilized them. I also cleaned out cabinets in my kitchen.

4. Tell us something you’ve learned about yourself or the wider world as a result of social distancing/the virus crisis.

How truly the human race is a social being. I look around and find how really lonely people are. People love being out. They love happy times spent with friends. I think right now their concern about this virus also keeps them away from those they love.

5. Something you love that’s the color pink?

My Tervis Tumbler Mug. It’s not just pretty, but keeps my tea and coffee nicely warm!

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Today marks my three month anniversary with WW. I am now 30 pounds lighter!

Getting Out

Monday was a good day. Due to Jack’s medication arriving at the Post Office, I found myself suiting up, hat, mask, gloves, etc, and going out. I figured that I shouldn’t waste the trip so I made a list for groceries and went and got those as well.

I didn’t see one person I knew, which was a bit of a bummer, still, it felt nice to be outside and driving around.

Through all of this craziness, I have had one constant, one little lover-man by my side.

My Arnie. Jack teased that I am being stalked, as Arnie follows me all over the house. I think he somehow senses my feelings and has become my emotional support dog! He is an amazing little dog.

I’ve been cooking quite a bit and enjoying that. And today I spent about 4 hours reprogramming my computer. Here is what happened.

I downloaded a program to help me with font size and it came with a little bonus. After finding the Virus, I tried to just make it all work and well, it was simply easier to reset the machine.

The new machine, a Dell is nice in so many ways. But it is taking me time to set it up just right. I am nearly there. I have one more program to install and then I am done.

Tell te what you are doing to pass the extra time you have at home? Cleaning closets, working on projects? Cooking? Or watching TV?

Have a great Tuesday Everyone!.

Hanging In There

I have watched the news and the briefings from the CDC and the two Scientists working on the Corona Virus. It made me nervous when I listened to and also read at the rapid rate it was hitting Europe and now us here in the USA. This is not good.

I have tried to remain cheerful, and not allow this to get to me, but today it did get to me and I found myself in tears.

I miss my grandchildren and my daughter. I miss going to WW and seeing my friends. I miss running down to the grocery store on a whim, with no real list of things to get, just to look around.

I miss smiling at people. I miss joking around with people. I miss my life.

They announced tonight that we will be in quarantine at least until the end of April. But that was also presented as a time when they hope we can get back to our lives. It may not be…

We have to reach the peak of all of this before we can even think about getting back to living.

There is nothing any of us can do except to take care of ourselves and wait it out. But yes, I am sad, and yes I am finding it difficult to not be depressed.

My Appendectomy

Oh, Good Morning! You know, it is somewhat difficult to write my blog right now. Many of my stories are observations on life. However, right now, there is not a whole lot going on here at “Casa Dackel Princess”, which leaves me without much to write about.

I could complain about being cooped up and the lack of being able to go here and there, and see the people I love and care about. But quite honestly, I’m sort of afraid to be out for any length of time.

All that being said I thought I would scan in a couple of recently found, old pictures.

I got a rather large box of pictures from my Mom when she passed. I was so surprised by a few of them. I hadn’t seen them in years, and some I’d never seen at all. So, here is one, and the story behind it.

Here I am at the age of almost four years old. About six weeks before my fourth birthday. I remember the day before not being very hungry and not feeling well. I recall waking in the night with such pain that I couldn’t stand up straight. I walked to my parent’s room and woke them.

They thought I must have eaten too much junk but then Mom touched me and realized I had a fever. She jumped out of bed and tried to lay me down where she had been.

Dad woke, and he tried to get me to lie flat and when he did my knees came up and hit him in the face.

I guess they must have called the doctor and soon I was in the car with both of them racing towards Falmouth Hospital. And a very funny thing happened. Dad was so upset he turned to go to Highfield Theater instead of the turn to go to the Hospital! I recall my Mom chastizing him for the mistake.

Now it gets fuzzy for me after that. I recall the way the Ether Stunk. I recall trying to push the mask away and then nothing.

My memories of that time include feeling very sick after. They kept offering me things to drink, and I refused. They called my Mom and she said to offer me a cup of tea. They did and I said, “Yes please”.

I recall watching Captain Kangaroo through the bars of my cot. I also recall my sister sneaking in to visit me. She and I are so close and she was frantic. I love that she snuck in to see me!

I also recall my Mom giving me most of my birthday gifts early. Especially the one toy I had wanted, “Digger the Dog”.

As you can see, I am truly, THAT OLD, when a toy like that only cost $4.99!

I also recall that my Mom was worried I would be scarred for life, and when she pulled back the sheets to see the bandage, there was simply a band-aid on the site!

I also remember that when I got home I slipped going up the stairs and fell down probably three steps and cut my finger just a little. Imagine my poor mother when I yelled to her, “I’m bleeding” after she heard me fall.

So that is the story of my appendectomy. Just a wee thing I was. And all these years later, I’m not sure I can even locate the scar.

Covid-19 Pandemic

This morning Mr. Arnie woke me at 5 AM! Since he never asks to get up that early I figured I should pay attention and go and take him out. Naturally, Lili and Anneliese felt that they should keep him company, so up I got.

Now I sleep under a nice fluffy comforter, and so I never wear too much when I am in bed for the night. Consequently, as I stood in the kitchen waiting for the dogs, I was freezing.

As soon as they were all in, I gave them their breakfasts and turned on the coffee. I all but ran into the bedroom and pulled on my weekend comfy clothes.

I haven’t been sleeping well, and this early wake up isn’t going to help. I think perhaps what I need to do is take a short nap during the day.

My sister and I have been talking on Messenger Video. I can’t “Facetime” with her because I have an Android phone, but the Messenger app does a pretty good job. At least we can see each other.

My Chamomile Tea arrived yesterday in the mail, (I buy in bulk) and now I am set to stay in for a while.

Here is a great story about how people can be so nice.

I’d been told that the truck with eggs would be arriving at 11 o’clock yesterday. We needed eggs. I arrived shortly after eleven and still, no eggs. But I was told the truck would be there soon. I got the last of my groceries (The shelves had finally been restocked) and I went back to check on the eggs. Still no eggs. I kind of lurked around that area and a clerk came over and asked if I was looking for something? Yes, I told him, eggs. What kind? he asked. Well, I love the jumbo, but I will take anything. He went off and came back a few minutes later and had brought me a dozen jumbo eggs, very low key. He handed them to me and said, to hide them. They had not unloaded the truck yet and he didn’t want to start panic shopping.

I hid them under a package of turkey cutlets and headed for the door. I quickly checked out and came home! That young man will never know how much I appreciated his kindness.

We have 187 confirmed Covid-19 cases here in my little State of New Hampshire and we have had two deaths. Jack is very high risk due to his Agent Orange medical issues. He is also almost 82. I’m 61 and have had several medical problems so I know it’s a fine line for me.

We talked about it yesterday and since we have the things we need we will not be going out now until we run out of food. We both feel that it would be too risky.

I plan to order some dog food later today for the pooches and then it’s back to cleaning, crocheting and watching movies.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and as my step-son wrote to me, “Wash your hands”.

The Friday Five

Another week has passed, only right now the time seems to be dragging along. Not going fast, but at a snail’s pace. Things are a bit overwhelming, but we go on. Here are this week’s Friday Five.

As I watch the news and listen to the number climb of cases of Covid-19 around the world, I feel unease seeping into my soul. I only go out when I have to. This week I will go out on Saturday. I will need bread, eggs, and bananas. As well as some cold-cuts for Jack. Perhaps some eggplant? We shall see.
I’ve been attending online meetings for my WW Class. I’ve enjoyed seeing people I know and hearing that it just isn’t me trying to do the WW Program when they are under stress.
After the surprise snowstorm, most of the 6+ inches of snow has melted. The sun is shining and suddenly I notice that my sliding glass door windows are a mess! I’m thinking today when our temperatures rise, I will be out there cleaning them.
I’ve been making really incredible meals. Healthy, low point meals. I have had no complaints from Jack.
I think I will break out my crocheting. It will give me something to be doing with my hands while I am watching TV.

What are all of you doing to pass the time? Any new projects? Are you cooking fun meals?

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!