October is here and it FEELS like fall in my slice of the world. Mid-morning with sunny skies and it’s barely above 50 degrees. We’re in that magic Indiana window where electric bills are low (rarely need A/C) and gas bills are also low (rarely need heat). I LOVE the change of seasons!
The RONA puts a damper on things though… no annual Oktoberfest in my city this year. 2020 would’ve been the 48th year for the Seymour Oktoberfest. So many organizations depend on the festival to raise funds and their community efforts will no doubt suffer. Oddly enough, one of the local bars still thinks it’s safe enough to offer the beer garden experience. 🙄Â
Adapt. Overcome. It’s fall in Indiana!
The RONA doesn’t change the fact that I can walk my dogs without sweating. It doesn’t mean I can’t go for a drive to see foliage as the leaves change to vibrant colors. And, it doesn’t mean I can’t take a photo of some random bird wondering what the Hell happened to summer.
They say Indiana has 12 seasons… Winter, Fool’s Spring, Second Winter, Spring of Deception, Third Winter, The Pollening, Actual Spring, Summer, Hell’s Front Porch, False Fall, Second Summer, and Actual Fall. Looking at the extended October forecast, I’m guessing we’re currently in False Fall.
TIL (Today I Learned): Freddie Mercury, of British rock group Queen, spent his last months recording as many vocals as he could for the band to finish after his death. You can read more here…
Daily new COVID-19 cases (7 day moving average): Indiana-13.8 (up); Jackson Co – 11.6 (up); Florida 11.1 (up); Nevada – 16.1 (up)
I can’t tell you how excited I am about getting a normal night’s sleep tonight. At least… that’s what I’m hoping for anyway. Night after night with less than 4 hours sleep gets more difficult the longer it goes on. I hate that Perry’s staycation is over… and I’ll miss the company… but don’t call me early in the morning. 🙂
Perry had a list of things he wanted to get done to his vehicle this week. He might be a procrastinator. I say this because he finished the brakes at 9:30 PM on the last day — all while wearing a shirt that says, “You have died of dysentery.”
Carl helped out while Mom and I played beauty shop. She had the COVID hair thing going on and felt brave, so I wielded a pair of scissors. I did the fancy cut outside without wetting her locks while the wind was blowing.
Luckily, the style turned out pretty darned good even though our clothes looked like we’d both butchered white bunnies when we were finished. And that’s why she’s wearing my cool Mickey and Minnie shirt.
Back to normal tomorrow. I’m already looking forward to the weekend. You?
TIL (Today I Learned): Cows are social animals that can actually recognize each other based on facial features — an ability attributed only to a low number of species. You can read more here…
Daily new COVID-19 cases (7 day moving average): Indiana-12.2 (down); Jackson Co – 7.1 (up); Florida 12.1 (down); Nevada – 12.3 (down)
Not one more 3-day meeting until October. Yippee! I celebrated on Friday late afternoon by NOT beating my dog when she ate a pillow. Pillow case and all destroyed at the paws of the one and only… meanest and most destructive… lovable doggie on the planet.
Similar to the way a serial killer collects mementos, the little turd took pillow remnants and hid under the bed with them.
After nearly losing her life (or at least her hearing from me screaming obscenities at the top of my lungs), she promptly settled on my lap for a nap. I don’t know how long this puppy shit lasts, but it needs to pass more quickly — or she needs to mature rapidly. It’s imperative for the health of both of us.
I started the “get this house ready for listing” project today. I painted the ceiling in the kitchen and have the walls prepped for paint. Not a huge fan of neutral colors myself, one would think I would have an easy time choosing between light gray or cream or taupe. But no! I’ve changed my mind a bajillion times. No matter the color direction, I should have before and after photos to show of room #1 before long.
Daily new COVID-19 cases (7 day moving average): Indiana-13.9 (up); Jackson Co – 14.2 (way up); Florida 31.1 (down); Nevada – 23.6 (down)
This afternoon, I thought I’d rest on the couch and surf Facebook on my laptop for a short bit. But someone doesn’t like it when my attention is directed toward anything other than her. I’m blaming all problems — including my doggie challenges — on the RONA.
Coco’s masks came in just in the nick of time. I’m betting on Stitch for day one of school starting Monday. I hope she — and all those around her — wear their masks exactly like they are instructed.
Daily new COVID-19 cases (7 day moving average): Indiana-12.2 (up); Jackson Co – 7.4 (up); Florida 32.6 (down); Nevada – 31.3 (down)
TIL (today I learned):Â In 2013, a California couple out walking their dog found $10M in gold coins in a bucket buried in their yard. Yes, their DOG (not cat or bird or fish). Read more about it here…
Dharma and Merida refuse to do any yard work other than fertilization. So today, when I was wielding a weed wacker as soon as the dew was gone, the girls expressed their disapproval in the air-conditioned house. Wish I could’ve gotten them to sweep and mop the floor during their protest.
Colette starts school on Monday — and yes, she’s going to wear a mask and be in class. Crothersville School opened their doors last Monday and rumor has it some administrators have already tested COVID-19 positive and others are ill and waiting on results. Scary… similar to the domino effect. I think kids need to be in school — but sure hate this situation.
To sell or not to sell…
We’ve been tossing around the idea of selling this house for quite a while now, and we’re leaning more toward doing just that the longer the RONA stays around. Interest rates are low so homes should bring a decent price — and downsizing would be the smart thing to do.
Sell or not… the RONA Rehab has started. Not so much inside yet, but I’ve got my list made of what I want to accomplish. First thing tomorrow, I figure I’ll sit and work on that list a little more. 😉
Daily new COVID-19 cases (7 day moving average): First, Florida is no longer the worst of the worst. Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama have pulled in the lead. Indiana-12.0 (up); Jackson Co – 7.1 (down); Florida 36.2 (down); Nevada – 32.6 (down)
TIL (today I learned):Â Ohio was officially accepted into the Union on August 7, 1953. Ohio was approved for induction into the USA by President Jefferson in 1803, but Congress forgot to vote on it until 1953. (Figures, right?) Read that and more about Ohio here…
