Well, are you bored yet? Cabin fever setting in? How many times have you rearranged the items in your pantry? I got an email from a friend yesterday who told me that he’s doing just fine, but his poor wife has run out of yarn and doesn’t know what to do with herself anymore. I suggested he teach you how to clean his guns, but he responded that after so much “togetherness,” he didn’t want her touching a firearm any place that was within range of him. I responded, telling him that in the right (or maybe wrong) hands, a knitting needle can be downright lethal. Sleep well, tonight, Carl.
We are just doing just fine. I spent all day yesterday reviewing and making corrections to my new book, as well as answering quite a few emails from people. It is amazing to me how many folks are freaking out because they can’t get back to their normal routines. One woman asked if I knew what it was like not to go to the beauty shop in six weeks. No, darling, I don’t. Bald guys don’t spend a lot of time hanging around beauty shops. What would I do there? Get my nose hair braided? Someone else told me that he is using the time productively, and in the last month he has completely disassembled a 1966 Pontiac GTO that has been sitting in his garage for five years waiting to be restored. I asked him what he was going to do if they lift the stay-at-home orders and life gets back to normal. He said he would probably stare at a garage full of car parts for another five years.
As I’ve said before, this is really no change for Terry and myself. We’re not exactly social butterflies anyway. We seldom get to bed before 2 AM, and we get up around 10 or 11 AM. Then we have brunch while checking the news on our phones. After that, I go to my office and start working, and Terry goes to her office/loom room to do her thing. I usually knock off sometime around 6 or 7 PM, whenever Terry has dinner ready. Then we settle into our recliners and watched TV until about 11:30. I go back to my office to write the blog so Terry can proof it, then I upload it. By then it’s time to take our showers and get ready for bed. I know, boring, right? But that’s okay, old farts have earned the right to be boring.
Since there is not a lot worth watching on network TV right now, we have been binge-watching some series on Netflix. The first was Call The Midwife, and now that we have all of the earlier seasons under our belt, we are watching new episodes every Sunday night on PBS. We also watched Self Made, the story of Madam C. J. Walker, the first female African-American self-made millionaire.
And now that that one is finished, we are binge-watching Bloodline on Netflix. We just finished the first season last night and have two more seasons to go. It’s a dark drama about a family in the Florida Keys starring one of my favorite actresses, Sissy Spacek. It’s got everything from romance and intrigue to family secrets and revenge. And that’s before the drug dealers and human traffickers get into the story! If you get a chance, check it out.
We still have to get back to the new season of Ozark, which came out a while back on Netflix, and we are eagerly awaiting the return of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Amazon Prime Video. What, there’s a world outside our front door? Are you sure?
What about you? What are you doing to keep herself busy? Did you discover a new TV series? Are you reading a lot? Maybe doing some long overdue projects around the house? Please post a comment below and let me know. It may help us or somebody else find a way to fill the hours while we are all in self-isolation
Thought For The Day – The person who deserves most pity is a lonesome one on a rainy day who doesn’t know how to read. – Benjamin Franklin
Nick Russell
World-Famous, New York Times Best Selling Author, and All-Around Nice Guy!
Dave is helping model railroaders computerize their signal systems all done from the comfort of his recliner by phone and internet. I’m mostly reading, working jigsaw puzzles, and participating in online discussions. We are also working our way through our list of programs and movies to watch. We just finished What/IF which was very weird, a Spenser movie, and the latest Star Wars. We are quite content.
My routine hasn’t changed all that much other than driving less.
And who misses shopping ? Not me.
A routine is just something you call what you do .
It changes over time as you add and subtract things you do.
Here’s a wild idea.
Change your routine if you can’t go with the old one anymore..you will eventually do it anyway….
Nick and Terry are a shining example of that , hung up the keys , sold the rig around which their entire life was based and “routined” themselves into a wonderful new life .
I’m doing the usual reading and knitting. But having fun trying out new recipes, many from Terry’s cookbook. I enjoy calling folks from church and writing group emails to members of a few clubs and hearing everyone’s response. Sun City has closed all the recreation centers so all the 130+ clubs are also closed, although the golf courses are still open. We’re getting golfers from all over…which brings its own problems. Binge watching is definitely in the mix and finding new series. We are also just going to stay at home for a few more weeks till testing and tracking is figured out. Stay strong…
Hubby watched Band of Brothers and I finished up Grey’s Anatomy. Then he watched Hell on Wheels about transcontinental railroad. Now we are watching Longmire together. I am also watching The Last Dance about Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. Too much chair time but weather has still been a roller coaster here in Kentucky. Looking forward to warmer weather and more outside time.
Loved Call the Midwife. If you enjoy detective stories, try BOSCH on Amazon Prime.
What have I been doing!
I check with my doctor December 10, 2019 at the weight of 204 pounds, so I thought I would lose a few pounds.
I started counting my calories and started losing some pounds, then I started to walking.
I’m up to 5 miles each morning but also down to 179 pounds.
Not to bad for an 82 year old guy who has had a couple of heart attacks.
Joe
I put “Bloodlines” on the list, thanks!
I’m with you, Nick, in that we are not social butterflies, but we live in a very social neighborhood. Some of our neighbors are really struggling, not practicing social distancing from their families and having a hard time staying at home. It really bothered me for awhile, but I got a grip on the fact that I cannot control that. We do miss our grandchildren and children terribly. None live near us, but we rarely have gone more than 3 months not visiting them or having them come to us.
I appreciate that you get that this virus is a serious thing, and we need to be as smart as we can be in protecting ourselves and our families. I am older than you so staying out of stores and away from contact is important for our health. Yes, there are many inconveniences, but in essence, we are at war, and need to recognize that life has changed in many ways, and possibly forever. I was impressed by former President Bush’s video message the other day.
Stay well.
Our zip code has 10 total cases of CoVid-19 (SARS CoV-2). Our county (Brevard in Florida) has had 8 deaths and 310 total hospitalizations with a population of 600,000. On May 1, 10 people were in the hospital with 8 of the 10 in ICU and 4 on ventilators. Most businesses have been open with lines on floor to separate people or takeout for restaurants. So really our lives have been little changed as we are not large crowd people.
And it’s really sad to see the way masks are being incorrectly worn or used. If you misuse a mask, your are MORE likely to get something than not wearing a mask. The really important thing to do is wash hands often and DO NOT TOUCH YOUR FACE WITH YOUR HANDS. Please read about correct use and disposal of masks and gloves and how to properly wash your hands. Stay safe because those dying are mostly 65 and older with at least one comorbidity.
I am watching some shows on PBS that I didn’t have time for before and discovering that I enjoy listening to audio books while doing dishes and cooking. I am so glad that our local library has Hoopla and Overdrive/Libby so I can get those without going out.
Since I am one of the high-risk people, I don’t go out in public. Not being able to do my own grocery shopping or go to pulmonary rehab and the dentist (both have been closed for over a month and it is unknown when they will reopen) has started to wear on me. It is good to be home and safe, but also difficult to not do the preventive appointments that also help my health. My biggest concern this week is that our freezer has died and the fridge side is on its way out. I am trying to figure out how to shop for and install a new one while minimizing my exposure.
By the way, I have watched Call the Midwife since the beginning and love it. I also read the books and the first few seasons of the show stick close to the books.
We’ve all heard of Florida Man. Now there’s Maine Woman which starts tonight on truTv. Centrum channel 55 in St Pete environs. Seems this lady collects and dries moose turds, then makes and sells jewelry and whatever else. Name of program is Tirdy Works. We surely need a good laugh-this might be it!
Tile is down in my garage and it is organized. We have started a big remodel of our house, I have down a lot of work on my hobby, which is 1/8” scale trains. I haven’t been bored. The new puppy doesn’t give me time to be bored. ?. Netflix or prime at night. In bed about 11:00, up at 5:30 and start over. Oh, and reading Nicks new book.