how about drinking?

MinusTwo

Jazzy - lovely. Thanks for sharing.

JCSLibrarian

DH and I were able to find a part of our Palmetto Trail where we could take a short hike. It was a nice coolish day here today and the hike was an easy one. It made use of several old train trestles that crossed a local river. We even saw a river otter playing in the water! It was so nice to be out in nature and breath for a while. Tomorrow I will get back to yard work.

ChiSandy

JCS, you are lucky your trails are still open. Here in Chicago, only the streets & sidewalks are.

Jazzygirl

Same here Chi. People are congregating on our bigger trails so they are telling people to stop or they will be closing soon. I have a trail right near my house by one of the major roads and that is still open. That is where I walk, but not very busy. The big trail down by our river is where everyone is hanging out.

NativeMainer

Good evening, Loungettes! I'm pooping on this evening Because I plan to get up early and go in and spend some time with the night shift 1st thing tomorrow morning.It's sad to think it took a pandemic to move my nursing home into the 21st century, but today I finally got the new iPhone's up and running ,And that's gonna make life a lot easier for the nurses.But, it requires a fair amount of hand holding and education As many of the nurses are not big fans of modern technology.And there are still lots of questions Going around, And it helps to have face to face discussions about some of the stuff.

Goldie--I think carbon filters can be washed.At any rate, I'd be willing to try it. Well, that animation is down right frightening.

Team--first crocuses are wonderful! So pretty.

Jazzy, very appropriate song!

Librarian-- those are great pics! Must have been a wonderful walk.

ChiSandy

If PontiacPeggy is lurking on this thread, she should be pleased to learn that tonight's DOTD (with cedar-planked Alaskan salmon) was 2012 Sandhill Crane Winery Pinot Noir--from that Jackson, MI winery where we had our March 2016 BCO gathering!

camillegal

camillegal

Mornin ladies,

Lori I so agree about Bob and Kim, being right in the thick of this. Thank you. How is ur son doing??? This has to be hard for him, especially with everything going on. Well I'm glad at least this ddin't impact ur business sooo many are fighting to just stay afloat. Basically all of Dan's business is emergency which is needed, but they're pretty big jobs. Now these people don't have a choice, so I don't know where anything is going. Lori I can't even look at that chart.

Teka thanks for that, stay well.

JC it's nice u take us on ur walk. That looks so calm, u wouldn't think of all the chaos that is going on. No wonder u like to go on walks. I like to look at the scenery, just don't want to take the effort on myself. Seems like ur doing OK.

Jazzy ur truly have a Song in your heart. Anyone remember that movie or song??? See that can keep u sane especially now.

Jeez Kim it does take a pandemic to catch u up on techy stuff. What a shame. U are pushing urself and u know it Kim, I say no more. But give Sadie extra belly rubs for this.

Has anyone who goes on other threads seen Illi, it's been a while.

Sandy I enjoy reading what u eat, always sounds so yummy, An u have an adventurous palette. I really give u credit for being on a diet when everything u describe always sounds so good it''s hard to just allow urself just so much, <well at least for me> Can u tell I woke up hungry this morning.

Joey and I spent some time together yesterday, nothing else to do. But it was fun. For him, well maybe not so much.

Everyone stay safe.

LUBS U ALL

NativeMainer

Good morning Loungettes! The early ahem start went well, got a lot of questions answered and some misinformation corrected. And found a continuation of a notable problem from yesterday. Some people are so stupid!!!!! Have a good day everyone’s

goldie0827

JCS, what a beautiful trail to walk. For some reason, I really like the picture of the bridge. Funny little story...when I was little, my parents took me to the zoo. We happened to be at the otters, and I was yelling "otter, otter". Everyone thought I was so smart, but I was really saying "water"!

NM, I've only worn the mask one time, so it's just sitting there, It will be 1 week tomorrow. I can find anything that tells how long the virus can last on fabric. Ha ha, I think you are being scolded by someone!

Cami, that poor kitty. Statick and styrofoam! I've only talked to my son 1 time and he just got out Tuesday.

Went down to my neighbors yesterday to get some eggs and they so graciously gave me some quail too! I've never had it, so need to find a good recipe. Also some apples, so I'll make apple crisp with that. Our spring winds are here, gonna be windy for the next 10 days. Heard on the news yesterday that here in AZ, if things continue to get worse over the next 2 weeks, we may go on lock down. WTH, why not just do it now, why would you wait for things to get worse! Grrrrrr!

DOTD: Salted Caramel Apple Cocktail

• 1/2 oz maple syrup
• 1 1/2 oz spiced rum
• 3 1/2 oz spiced apple cider
• 1 granny smith apple
• Caramel sauce
• Sea salt
• Ice cubes

Instructions

1. Smear the rim of a rocks glass with a little caramel sauce.
2. Pour about a tablespoon of coarse sea salt onto the saucer, and dip the rim of the glass in the sea salt until coated.
3. Mix maple syrup, spiced rum, spiced apple cider, and three ice cubes in a cocktail shaker.
4. Secure the lid on the cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 30 seconds.
5. Fill the prepared glass with ice cubes and strain the cocktail into the glass.
6. Garnish with thin granny smith apple slices drizzled with caramel sauce.

karen1956

JCS - gorgeous photos. Not sure about any hiking trails here, but we are walking in the neighborhood. Not getting in the car to drive anywhere to walk - but that is not new for us during the week. We are getting nice walks in during the day. DH even got to 10K steps yesterday, just 3 weeks post op!!!!

Stay safe and stay healthy everyone

Jazzygirl

Hi folks- just popping in to say hi and it sounds like everyone is mostly doing okay. I am keeping my days simple right now and been focused on doing a deep dive clean out of some closets that really have needed it. I have things for both my donation place and consignment store from this week's efforts. Going to finish up today, and then work on some paperwork stuff next. There are some things getting attention that perhaps have not had my full attention since I moved in to this house in 2004. It's also giving me some ideas of future home projects I want to do (can you say California Closets?)

Weather here has been nice, and got my patio pretty much set up and the back yard clean up has come along nicely. After my dumpster of cuttings gets emptied in the morning from the trash pick up, I plan to do more pruning to finish up the things that need a trim. Some of the indoor plants in the dining area (jade plants and other things that cannot be outside in winter) are going out today. I am thankful for a nice space to hang out in during this time of stay at home directives from our state governor.

As part of my own self therapy around this, I am trying to journal more. I have been doing journaling my whole life and have a stack of them since my 20s and with the idea I may write a book some day. I also "blog with myself" and write short essays about what is going on in the world or in general. I have found it hard to write about this pandemic thing, sometimes because it came on so fast and the impacts are so enormous and leave us all wondering about the future. But the words are finally coming and I am writing away now. I love to write short stories and think one will come from this time that has been like no other.

I am getting out for walks in the hood every evening, unless the winds are up. We have a lot of bike trails here and one near my house, but it is never crowded. The ones in other areas, especially by the river, are having problems with crowding. Plus there was a fire down by the river yesterday. They tend to close some of the high fire areas in the spring to keep the wild fire risk down, but expect the gov may shut down some of the trails that are too full. I enjoy walking around my hood and seeing the things blooming and can easily avoid people if I need to. We have about 350 cases here now and we are not yet seeing a flattening of the curve.

Sending much love and prayers for all the medical workers including NM and Chi's husband Bob. Many other here have those working in healthcare, may they all remain safe and well during this time.

Okay, I will wrap this up with something fun for you from Horse with No Name. Stay well friends.....

janky

Happy Thirsty Thursday (maybe it is two for Thursday too )DH and I got a phone call just before 10 pm last night saying we are both negative for covid-19, phew! In retrospect it would have been nice if 1 of us had been positive just for the follow up from which knowledge may have been gleaned, oh well. We remain self isolated and will continue till told otherwise, sure am missing socializing, but that's fine! I facetime with the family and just had a lovely visit with my 90 year old dad who lives in a senior's complex in Georgia; he is managing fine, able to go for a bike ride daily on his 3 wheeler, and having his meals delivered from their kitchen - so far no illness there, praying it remains that way.

I am not sure what I am doing with myself, but am not staying on top of my favorites 'drinking' buddies, or anything else right now, so to all of you, stay healthy, well, safe and laugh lots if you can! Cheers! Janice

Jazzygirl

Today's listening

MinusTwo

Loved this song with Jack Jones.

illimae

I’m here! Just haven’t been reading as much the last few days. I did get brain MRI results a few days ago, good improvement and nothing new. I did manage to eat most of a turkey pot pie the other day but still having trouble and now getting really sick of the few things I’ve been eating for two months. Also, the vomiting is back, seems to be caused by sudden stomach muscle contractions, not sure how we’re going to address this, my MO is aware but she thinks it’s related to the swallowing issues and I agree. Gonna keep on keeping on 🙂

camillegal

That's like a high five cuddle for Illi. Glad u pooped in but sorry ur still having trouble.

camillegal

I'm not saying a word Kim, but make sure u and Sadie rest well.

Lori WATER LOL, that's so cute. OK what's Lockdown, OMG to much for my brain. Quail??? I'm sure u have to look it up for a recipe, I've never had it either. Good Luck.

Karen that's great for ur DH, good to hear.

Jazzy this is the time for u to write. U've got the time an once u start I'm sure it will pour out. U r a true wordsmith it probably will be easier than u think. Go for it Jazzy.

I talked to my sister and we really don't have anything new to talk about so we talk about food. She still cooks a little, when she feels up to it, but sits on a chair with wheels and glides around Over an hr. on the phone and food is all we could come up with. Tomorrow will talk about clean up.

Janky Great News for u and DH. BTW it's 3 for Thursday, well it should be. OMG this sentence was closer to the top before. How'd I do that. I missed something. Why did u get tested..

OK I'll see u all later.

LUBS

ChiSandy

Cami, it's pretty easy to stay low-carb and be imaginative with it--just ditch the grains (except for my ultra-low-carb hi-fiber bread in the a.m.), spuds & sugars.

Lori, quail are great on the grill. Marinate them, flatten them, cook till they hit 165 (they're not very meaty, so they'll cook fairly quickly. No need to skin them. One of our favorite Persian restaurants (there are two within 1.5 miles of us, and a third a couple miles west of that) cooks quail in a sauce called "fessenjan," out of pomegranate & spices. Yummy, but alas, a bit high in sugar (and likely thickened with starch) for me right now. They also use the sauce for fried chickpea dumplings that are very much like falafel.

DOTD (with roast chicken) was some more of that MI pinot noir. Just me tonight--Bob's overnighting in the Oak Lawn Hilton, ordering out from an Italian restaurant (all the stuff I can't eat so he doesn't bring it home) and watching in-room movies. So frustrating for him not to be able to use the pool; normally, his Exec. Fl. room includes a Happy Hour full bar with hot hors d'oeuvres and a full hot breakfast buffet (and I don't mean motel DIY waffles). Now, in pre-plague times a night alone at home meant either leftovers or cooking for one. But Cellars--our fave neighborhood restaurant/wine bar--just added Thursdays to its takeout/delivery nights (weekend dinners now are as successful as brunch used to be), so I ordered half a roast chicken with peas and grilled sweet potatoes (which I can have instead of the mashed spuds it comes with). Got a starter of a Caesar salad (no croutons) so I could make the $20 delivery minimum. Tomorrow night we'll order again from them--Bob's gonna want their fish & chips, chowder and crab cakes--I'll have my leftovers from tonight, plus sneak a crab cake. Their fish & chips is better than any I had in London, but batter-frying and fries are "glatt no-nos" now.

It was nice enough today to go out on the deck (though a good 15 degrees colder than out in Cami's neck of the woods). I even enjoyed gathering up the trash & recycling and hauling it out to our bins in the alley. Simple pleasures. Then I went on Facebook and saw my singing partner up in Madison had recorded a short ditty to a preexisting tune. Hmmmmm...maybe I could give it a try--so I wrote, recorded it and put it on Facebook. It's all about how to deal with house arrest and fend off the demons--how to "knock wood" in Yiddish & Italian. Here's the link to it on Facebook (this site's software can't let me post a video file): "Kinahurra" video

And here it is from YouTube:

NativeMainer

Good Morning, Loungettes!Happy TGIF day! Pardon me for ranting and raving for just a bit--feel free to skip over if you want to stay focused on the positive right now, I understand. I am so glad I went in to work early yesterday. I did the education stuff I needed to do with the night shift people, then I took over the early ayem screening for them. This means I was at the main entrance to the building, stopping each person as they come in, asking questions, taking temperature, recording names. Anyone with symptoms or fever is not allowed in. Anyone who refuses screening is not allowed in. Anyone creating a problem gets 911'd. We are currently in lock down, meaning NO visitors. Only exceptions are set up by one of 3 management people. New rule in effect as of yesterday ayem, no one that is not a nurse or nurses aid can walk through the residential hallways to get to their work station, they have to go around outside the building to an entrance near their area. Applies primarily to kitchen and maintenance staff. One of the people working in the kitchen has been sent to Maine by his company after being in several other states in the last 14 days, and has been instructed to wear a mask at all times and was supposed to be gone as of April 1. He hasn't been wearing a mask, and hasn't been using gloves properly and has been spoken too multiple times. He come walking up through the residential hallway to the front door to get screened ONE HOUR AFTER HE STARTED WORK. No mask. I take him to task for (1) not wearing a mask, (2) walking through the residential hallway, (3) not getting screened before entering the building.His response?He was told the kitchen staff doesn't need to be screened, they only need to use the back door. He isn't talking to residents, so he doesn't need a mask. He gives me attitude and begins to argue when I tell him he cannot walk back through the residential hallway. I give him an ultimatum, go back to the kitchen by walking around outside the building despite the pouring rain, or I call 911.I hand him a mask. He goes outside, throws the mask on the ground. I e-mail the administrator, this guy has now been thrown out of the building. The other staff (he is a manager and was supposed to be teaching staff safe food handling and infection control), that are pulling the same line are getting miffed when we enforce the rules.WHAT THE F@CK IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE???????I swear the next person who makes me out to be the bad person when I enforce the rules because it is inconvenient or somehow doesn't apply to that person is going to get a physical response. LOOK at these people we are trying to protect from getting sick and DYING.

OK, Rant over. Thanks for listening.I feel better.

Now I've got to get ready for work.Ketchup over the weekend!

goldie0827

Karen, sounds like your husband is doing amazingly well with his recovery! He will be back to his old self in no time.

Jazzy, you are always such a busy little bee! And you are having fires already? Scary with all this wind. Looks like my song is "The Twist" by Chubby Checker!

Janky, so glad you are negative for the virus, that had to be scary.

BabyGirl, thank you for checking in and glad you are doing as good as you are. It all still sucks tho, and taking so long to resolve. But good news on the scans....woot woot!

Cami, a lockdown is when you can't go out, anywhere. And if you do, you could get a fine.

Sandy, I saw a recipe online with the pomagranite, however, not a food I have on hand and not driving an hour one way to get one!

NM, we all rant and it is a good way to get things off your chest. Glad he was thrown out, I hope it's permanantly!

The quail was ok. I marinated it in olive oil with some spices and roasted it. You pretty much have to pick it up and eat it with your fingers, biting around to find the meat. Being where and how we live, things are pretty much the same as always except for going out shopping. We only have 19 cases in our county with a population of about 75,000.

Found the poyfect cocktail for our DOTD, and I didn't make it up!

Isolation

4 oz. bourbon

2 oz. sweet vermouth

1 oz. pure maple syrup

½ oz. Campari

Luxardo Maraschino cherries

JCSLibrarian

Great song, Sandy! NM, I hear you. Seems like people deliberately misunderstand even though the rules are clear. There are so many ways to communicate and too many people are saying different things. People are being left to make a decision without the clear guidelines you have at your workplace.

I worked in the yard yesterday digging out new bed lines on the azalea beds. I was able to get about halfway around one bed. Very sore this morning, but will soldier on! I live on a busy local road and there was traffic all day. Where are these people going? Lots of people walking even in groups of three or more! Our governor still refuses to issue a shelter-in-place. Much confusion about what to do or not to do.

Started watching Ozark on Netflix. That show will certainly take your mind off what is happening. Very dark show, but very interesting and entertaining.

Take care

camillegal

Teka

JCS,

April 1st started spring outdoor clean-up.

Goldie,

Yummy, but not much on the bone.

NM,

Sadie getting spring fever?

Cami,

Joey getting cabin fever?

illimae,

Wonderful that you received good results from the brain MRI. I hope the vomiting stops and you feel better soon.

Sandy,

I'll now get on with my day, but 1st play your video.

camillegal

Mornin ladies,

Sandy that was a really a cute and I know we all understood it video. Thanks for sharing. Poor Bob and all the workers in this crises, I have to say Sandy u have a lot of resources to keep u busy.

Oh Kim I read every word of this. All this pressure and u had to go thru this too. Wow what a terrible thing to go thru with a worker who should know better by now. I'm sorry u had this job to do, u of all people cuz ur such a gentle soul and don't like to have things like this going on around you. Chaos isn't ur thing at all. I know u'll stand strong and u know if u don't, it's all right Kim. U constantly give 120% of urself u can't do anymore. How he disrespected you and everyone in this is not acceptable, except to think he's probably at the end of his rope like so many are. And I'm not defending him.

JC maybe I should stream Ozark, I heard it was good tho even dark like u said.

Lori OK I get it now Lockdown. I tell u, we're almost there here, I think. There is no end in sight is what is scary Well I get to get my Xanax today.

Wishing everyone a safe and healthy day.

LUBS U ALL

goldie0827

karen1956

Sandy - great song! The hamsa is a favorite - I have a couple wall hangings and a couple necklaces with the hamsa. Also love the pomegranate.

mistyeyes

NM – Some people don't seem to be thinking about others and the rules are in place to protect them and others.Sorry you have to even deal with this stuff, where you work it would be common sense to do what you are doing.

Goldie – My bil used to shoot quail and they would eat it, I never had any. Glad you are away from everyone where you live.

Jazz- Sounds like you are staying busy, and always love the music you share.I looked up my song, but I forgot it already, wasn't one I recognized.

Teka – I love the way you write.It was simple and kind of like a poem.

JC – I watched Ozark, but haven't started season 3 yet.I think I might have to watch a little of season 2 to remind me of what is going on.I love the pictures of your walks.

Chi-Loved what I heard of the song, I am at work so did not get to listen to all of it, but plan to hear it all when I get home.

We are considered essential employees so we are still working, they are trying to set up some people to work from home. So far the ones that have been chosen are people that have other health problems and people with young kids at home. So I will have to see if it really happens I think I will probably end up staying here at the office. A lot of our work really can't be done from home, so it might just be part time at home and part time at work. I just go day by day. My daughter is out of work, I asked her if she needed money and she said that she has some savings and that she would be ok. My 2 sons are still working.

Everyone take care!

ChiSandy

My birthday #1 song---you're not gonna believe this, but...."I Tawt I Taw a Puddy Tat," by Mel Blanc. (Other sites I consulted earlier said it was Patti Page's "Tennessee Waltz"). That was back in the days of B&W TV, with the weekly show "Your Hit Parade," with the songs not necessarily performed by the artists who had the hit recordings, but rather the show's regulars. (Airplay & record sales were not as important yet in determining chart position as sheet music sales and radio listener requests). Except for novelty songs, the songs--not the records--were the thing (at least in pop music--country was actually a bit ahead of its time).

Bob is getting home earlier & earlier now. He got to Christ Hospital this morning only to find there were almost no echocardiograms to read, because doctors are closing their offices and not having them performed. He's next scheduled to stay over in Oak Lawn on the 30th, but thinks he'll cancel the reservation (and save a couple hundred bucks) and just drive down early in the morning on May 1.

Dinner tonight was the champagne Cellars' chef brought over last Sun. night, with appetizers; with dinner (my leftover chicken and Bob's fish & chips--which turned out to be sweet potato fries because they thought I was ordering tonight for the both of us and I always sub sweet potato fries for the regular one), more of that Sandhill Crane MI pinot--third night, and it's really blossoming.

Tomorrow, laundry and perhaps finally record & post the song I wrote in Dec. for the Acoustic Guitar Project, but couldn't perform at the showcase because I still had pertussis. (Gotta be careful where I post it, lest my sis see it--the lyrics are a spoiler alert as to what I plan to give her for her birthday, but it's not gonna get here in time for me to surprise her ON her birthday).

camillegal

Hi Ladies,

Lori it's funny but true.

Misty I didn't realize you are still working now. I wish u could from home. Now was ur DD laid off just for now or what. I met Teka almost from the time I started here and fell for her right off. We'd all be in conversations and she'd come on and in 1 sentence say it all, every time. Ya gotta luv someone like that.

What is everyone doing in order to keep everything going normally at ur home??? I mean groceries, paper products etc. Like for instance Marty works so he's the one that really goes to the store on the weekend. But he did say it's gotten much more organized for people with cooperation from the people. But still during the week we always seem to need something. IDK u gals all seem so together about everything. If it was up to me I would order everything, but Leslie has her theories about not really seeing the people handling our food and now since they are so far behind in deliveries she figures are they really wearing gloves and whatever.

I miss my guys too.

LUBS