Spring colors

Azaleas

Hens and Chicks

"Hello Darkness" iris

Hostas

Creeping Jenny

Something blue

Lilacs

Almost in spite of the constant deluge of bad news, we've had a lovely spring in the Northwest. Enough rain, enough sun, the flowers and foliage so bright it almost hurts the eyes.  The coming weekend promises perfect weather with temperatures in the 80's. That's the point where the natives start complaining about the "heat."

Most of the parks are open again and will be jammed with people all trying to avoid each other. What a strange and (I'm sorry) anti-social new way of living we're learning. There's just no nice word for it.  It's a courtesy now to cross the street when someone is coming your way, but do we have to avoid eye contact? Perhaps that's just a big city thing.

It's been over 8 weeks now since we've left home, except for short trips to the grocery store. Incredible. I haven't stayed put that long in once place since we were kids on the Pennsylvania farm, and seldom went farther than the A and P, church and our grandparent's farms. A once-a-year trip to Atlantic City was an incredibly long journey. 

I sometimes wish we had a vacation house because a change scene of would be welcome about now.  But as they say: Wherever you go, there you are. And the scene around here is pretty nice right now.

By far, the best part of the long day is sitting outside together with a glass of wine in late afternoon sun, watching our bunnies. We put treats out for them along the hedge. Yesterday, they scored a pile of carrot peels after we made another one of these beauties.  So life in social isolation has it's compensations.

National Nurses Day

June 2014

Nursing school graduation

Omak, WA

Nova "pins" her mom

Today is National Nurses Day, in honor of our daughter Amanda and so many others. In this time of crisis, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

We were so proud of her on that big graduation day. I remember the candle-lighting ceremony brought tears to many eyes in the dark auditorium. Each new RN lit her candle from a shared flame, and recited the traditional "Nightingale Pledge."

With full knowledge of the responsibilities I am undertaking, I pledge to care for my patients with all of the knowledge, skills and understanding that I possess, without regard to race, color, creed, politics or social status.

  

I will spare no effort to conserve meaningful life, to alleviate suffering and to promote health.  I will refrain from any action that might be harmful to the quality of life or health of those I care for.  

I will respect the dignity and religious beliefs of patients under my care, and hold in professional confidence all the personal information entrusted to me. 

I will endeavor to keep my professional knowledge and skills at the highest level and give my support to all members of the healthcare team. 

With full awareness of my qualifications and limitations, I will do my utmost to maximize the potential of the nursing profession and to uphold and to advance its standards.

Bravo!

Cinco de Mayo

Aren't they having fun? The Mexican restaurants and bars should be booming tonight.  Oh, well.  I'm making beef enchiladas for dinner, that's something at least.

Cinco de Mayo marks the Mexican victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla in 1863.  The holiday isn't really celebrated in Mexico outside the state of Puebla, but in America it's become a big celebration of Mexican culture, sort of like St. Patrick's Day.  A few decades ago, the Mexican beer advertisers started promoting the holiday and that helped things along tremendously.

The days have all blended together. Not bad, not good, just the same. I try and find a new chore each day, although I'm starting to scrape the bottom of the barrel.  Yesterday I cleaned the inside windows and dusted the binds, so the house looks noticeably brighter. I'll tackle the outside windows next with my Windex hose sprayer attachment, a great invention.  (This is not the time for climbing up ladders.)

We have a couple more days of random showers before a very warm spell arrives this weekend, with temperatures reaching 80 degrees.  Woo-hoo.

Good Monday morning

"The Great Realisation," a poem and bedtime story, written and performed by Tomos Roberts.

Hey, Siri

"Hey, Siri, what DAY is it, anyway?

"Today is Saturday."

"Hey, Siri, what's the Seattle weather today?"

"Steady rain in the morning, followed by afternoon showers."

Which calls for a weekend breakfast, and an onion-glazed pot roast for dinner. Bacon and beef. At least the house will smell good.

And today's rainy day project, organizing stacks of recipe clippings into a (hopefully) more useful binder.  John is soldiering ahead with weeding and organizing the CD collection. Then, I have those shoe boxes full of loose photographs going back 50+ years.  No lack of home projects, at least.

In other places, people are already out and about getting haircuts and such, but the Washington stay-at-home orders were just extended for at least another month.

It looks like people in our demographic are basically advised to "shelter in place" until there's a vaccine. Let's see. A couple of years? Is that even possible? Anyway, too much to think about at this point. One day at a time.

Have a good "weekend." 

May Day

Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May

John Waterhouse

The sun is bright, the air is clear,
  The darting swallows soar and sing.
And from the stately elms I hear
  The bluebird prophesying Spring.

So blue yon winding river flows,
  It seems an outlet from the sky,
Where waiting till the west-wind blows,
  The freighted clouds at anchor lie.

All things are new; the buds, the leaves,
  That gild the elm-tree's nodding crest,
And even the nest beneath the eaves;--
   There are no birds in last year's nest!

All things rejoice in youth and love,
   The fullness of their first delight!
And learn from the soft heavens above
   The melting tenderness of night.

Maiden, that read'st this simple rhyme,
   Enjoy thy youth, it will not stay;
Enjoy the fragrance of thy prime,
   For oh, it is not always May!

Enjoy the Spring of Love and Youth,
   To some good angel leave the rest;
For Time will teach thee soon the truth,
  There are no birds in last year's nest!


It is Not Always May
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow