Life in the Age of Corona

A Daily Diary

Saturday, April 25th, 2020

Fire

Forecast for the day had been rain, so no surprise when I took my 7:30 call this morning that it was overcast and a bit dreary. Turned out to be a perfectly lovely day with the clouds breaking open around noon affording myself and EM a day lounging in the garden. Of course prior I did my hair (yes, more purple!) and scanned the news. Nothing very interesting happening out in the big wide world today; except of course world leaders joining a VC to pledge joint action on Coronavirus vaccine, unsurprisingly sans USA. What is encouraging about this pledge, is the agreement of the world to not only work together, but share broadly with all nations if anyone of those participating finds a viable vaccine rather than converting any advances into a cash cow. 

This coincides with the former president of the World Bank Jim Kim making a reappearance calling to the public and world leaders to step up the fight against the virus. Wondering what he is up to these days…..

The world sees 2.76 million known cases of Corona today and worldwide more than 200.000 people have died.

Beyond that not much seems to be happening out there. Unless of course you care deeply about North Korean whose leader seems to either be dying or dead following heart surgery.

So looking more at the home front. A perfectly relaxed Saturday, though both EM and I miss our exercise routine, we had a pleasant day. The cover for my outdoor furniture I had ordered finally arrived, sadly they shipped the wrong item. Instead of a chaise lounge cover I had ordered, I received a pool lounge cover which is much to small. So a trip to FedEx to return the thing. And really, after waiting for it to arrive for over four weeks I do not want a replacement. Rather in an outing to Target today, EM acquired one, while I enjoyed my book “Jean Luc Bannalec’s Commissaire Dupin’s 8th case) on said outdoor furniture in the garden. Working on the tan!

Almost done, next up is “Invisible Cities”, which is my choice for our next book club. Would it not be nice, if we could meet in person maintaining appropriate social distance? Hoping the weather will be nice so we can disperse for a discussion in the garden.

Speaking of, I will need to spend tomorrow (weather permitting) cutting the dead wood of the Hydrangeas. Sadly, the plants I had ordered still have not arrived – next weekend maybe.

Generally, my garden is a great joy to me. The roses are showing signs of early buds as is the Rhododendron. The Lilacs are in full bloom and their fragrance is just lovely. Sadly, the Azaleas are coming to an end, especially the white ones in front of the house are turning into a nasty brown. However, the big oak in the back is beginning to sprout leaves, which means no more early mornign sun inout back. Still waiting for that dead branch to fall, which will probably decapitate my dogwood as it lives right under the oak. Also, happy to note the transplanted Iris’ are taking well to their new habitat as are our rescues.

Once it got to chilly to be outside, we turned our attention to food. Today was sushi day. We made cucumber as well as avocado maki, tuna and tamago sashimi. We could hav emade a little more rice, or used less for the maki, as there was not enough for the tamago sashimi.

Nonetheless, very pleased with the outcome, though eating same had to wait until EM had done her daily bike ride, picking up a check from one of the lovely elderly couples we shop for, and me finishing a chat with a friend. It was well worth the wait, the outcome of our efforts was quite delicious. Now settling in for an evening with a movie and ignoring the world and its unpleasantness outside. Am contemplating making a fire.