Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Random

Since I don't have any one particular topic to write about today, I thought I'd do a blogpost of some random stuff that's on my mind today.

  • It's been a good couple of days for wildlife sightings in the neighborhood. Yesterday morning while out walking the dog we saw an owl being chased and harassed by several tiny songbirds. After moving from one pine tree to another, he (or she) finally gave up and flew away into the woods to escape the little tormentors. Then last night when we went out for our after-dinner walk, there were 4 deer standing in the yard across the street, calmly watching us walk past. They never run away as long as we stay quiet and move on after looking at them for a minute. George doesn't even bark at them these days! Then this morning we saw a pair of Cooper's hawks flying from tree to tree and calling to each other. None of these animals seem particularly afraid of us--obviously they see us twice a day, every day, and know that we mean them no harm.
  • Around lunchtime at work today both sides of my stomach started to itch. I went to the bathroom and had a look, and small red bumps had broken out on both sides. The shirt I was wearing had some scratchy stitching on the inside, which was just irritating it even more. I went to the nurse, who raised the possibility that it could be a vaccine side effect. I hadn't considered that! She said she's heard of some mild rashes developing (in a very small number of people) several days after a shot, but that it's not considered too serious and isn't a reason to pass on the second shot. She said that if it gets worse to see the doctor, but in the meantime she gave me some cortisone cream to rub on it, a Benadryl to take, a soft school tee shirt to change into. All that made it feel much better, but the Benadryl made me terribly sleepy for the rest of the afternoon! It seems better now, though, so maybe it was just the scratchy shirt and not the vaccine at all. Who knows? And unless something dramatic happens I'll be getting my second shot bright and early on March 12.
  • Speaking of the vaccine, I found out yesterday that a friend's dad had died of Covid last week. His mother is still in the hospital (she got sick too) but is expected to recover. He wrote a moving post about his dad for Facebook and added this to the end of it: And to everyone, I know we hear this all the time, but please wear a mask. My Dad took so many precautions and this terrible disease still touched our lives. If we all pitch in, some family out there can avoid going through the same pain ours is in right now. Thank you guys, and love to all our family and friends. I'm so sad for this guy. We used to work together, and he's among one of the best men I know. Seeing so many people out and about in our town without masks feels like a slap in the face after getting this news about a friend's family. I have nothing but contempt for them.
  • And on a lighter note...let me tell you the latest about my buddy Little P. Yesterday when he arrived at the school I asked him what he wants for his birthday. If you remember, we share a birthday and it's coming up in March. Well, he immediately told me that he got a Nintendo Switch for Christmas but he only has one game for it and he wants the Mario Kart (??) game. Since I don't know the first thing about video games (and feel slightly opposed to buying them for kids on principle) I said, "What else would you like?" but he wouldn't name anything else he wants. So I said, "Well, we'll see." Fast forward to this morning, and Little P.'s mom said that all he talked about last night was "Mrs. Barlow is going to get me a birthday present and it's going to be Mario Kart!!" Ummmm.....that is certainly NOT what I said! Haha. So when I saw him this afternoon (like the sucker I am) I asked him to tell me more about these games he wants. Sigh. And then that spoiled little boy had the nerve to ask me, "Mrs. Barlow, can I have my birthday present early? Can you get it for me tonight and give it to me tomorrow?" Of course I told him "NO WAY! You'll have to wait!" and refused to budge. I know I indulge him too much, but I do have some limits. Some.

31 comments:

  1. I love your friendship with Little P. You two go back and forth in a cute way. He seems sure you will buy him that game! You have a nice selection of wildlife living in your neighborhood. You know I had my second shot and I still wear a mask, we are still supposed to.

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    1. Little P. and I have fun. He's been a bright spot in my life this year.

      I know that we have to wear masks in public for some months to come while the vaccines are rolling out, but it's going to be so nice to socialize normally with other vaccinated people!

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  2. I enjoyed reading your post and the random things going on in your life. I am scheduled to get my second shot next week, and I've heard that a lot of people get quick ill for a day or two after the second shot. Hopefully I won't, but I'll take a day of not feeling well over getting Covid.

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    1. I've heard that about the second shot, too, but you're right. It's a small price to pay.

      I hope you're doing well!

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  3. Wow, thanks for the bit about the rash because about a week after I had my shot, I got a small rash across the top of my belly. It was gone the next day. Mine wasn't itchy.

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  4. that lil P is a quick kid!

    unless COVID happens to them personally, the maskhole deplorables won't do what's right.

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    1. He's definitely a quick kid! He's going to be a charmer, too.

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  5. Just don't show Little P a picture of a kid-sized real-life front end loader. I say this from experience with Levon.
    Kids are persistent, aren't they?

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  6. Little P is savvy!!!


    I saw a woman in town whom I've known for a few years but haven't seen in many months. I learned she'd had COVID and was quarantined at home for months, in the hospital for a short stay, and now she's better, and getting the vaccine.
    It was a lovely surprise in and among the sadness of it all!

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    1. I'm glad the woman is okay! There are far too many sad endings these days.

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  7. I know what you mean about buying video games for children. Personally I wouldn't, but I also know that if I bought a book instead it would probably go un-read.

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    1. He likes to read, but he'd be disappointed if he got books instead of games. Sigh.

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  8. After all that, you can hardly NOT get the game for Little P, if it's OK with his mother. But you are right not to give him his birthday present early!

    Here, it is still mandatory to wear masks when using public transport, in the few shops that are open and at school. It has become second nature to make sure I have a mask with me even when I'm just out walking and most likely won't need one, but you never know; an accident or other circumstances might require to call a taxi, and the driver would not allow me aboard his or her car without a mask.

    Another blogging friend of mine who lives in the US had 24 hours of flu-like symptoms after her second shot, but she, too, says it was a small price to pay.

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    1. That wily boy railroaded me into that! As I told Neil, I may give him a game store gift card for half the price of the game. I hate the thought of spending so much on a video game...maybe I'll do a gift card and a book.

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  9. Mario Kart™ 8 Deluxe is only sixty bucks! I just checked on line. Oh dear Mrs Barlow what a silly billy you are! You have walked into Little P's trap like a raccoon! Don't tell Gregg or he will blow his top.

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    1. I may end up getting him a gift card for half the price of the game, as I'm sure he'll get birthday money and can make up the difference. I'll talk to his mom about it! We'll see.

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    2. Excellent idea. Little P should think of a Guinness ad we used to have on British TV - "Good things come to those who wait..."

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  10. Next year I suggest asking his Mum what to get little P for his birthday !
    Here in UK we have to wear masks in shops and on public transport or anywhere public indoors. I once saw a person in a field, on their own, wearing a mask, and thought ..Why ? But better safe than sorry I guess!
    I have my exciting day today...weekly visit to the supermarket. I shall wear my mask and sanitise my hands on the way in and out! Very few people in the shop these days as everyone is getting home deliveries. I like to choose my own food and have a bit of a browse too.

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    1. Yes, next year I won't be so easily caught in his snare! Haha.

      Enjoy your supermarket visit!

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  11. These people who refuse to wear face masks just don't get it, do they? There's a virus circulating that could kill you but they refuse to take an absolutely basic and easy precaution.

    I probably know even less about video games than you do. Mario Kart? It sounds like a mobile fruit and veg stall!

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  12. While I waited at the pharmacy with four other people for my second shot, a man came up to the area wearing a useless thin gaiter under his nose. He seemed upset. He walked over to where I sat and asked if we were waiting for prescriptions. I was nervous and angry but then thought how fortunate I was to be there to get my vaccine and I didn’t know his situation.

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  13. You have a good idea to give him the gift card towards the Mario Kart purchase. It is an expensive item!

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  14. Oh, yikes. It sounds like you're being roped into Mario Kart! LOL!

    I had a weird rash this past week too. In my case it came from sun exposure -- it wasn't sunburn but an itchy reaction to UV rays, which apparently happens in the spring to some people. Were you out in the sun, by any chance?

    That owl sighting sounds awesome. I love owls.

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  15. So sad about your friend's father. I've started to see more people wearing masks during the last couple of months, but I still see some who won't do it. Getting the gift card for half the price of the game and a book is a great idea.

    Love,
    Janie

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  16. So many have been touched by this virus. How people can still claim it is a hoax is beyond me.

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  17. PS It is good that you have limits, otherwise Little P would take advantage of your good nature. :)

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  18. Another sad story of another death.
    I am glad you have Love surrounding you here.

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