Kingfisher Cove

Thinking About Things

We have some neighbors ready to head out to travel, near and far-ish (making it difficult to plan our next Book Club). They’ve been vaccinated, they’re DONE with this crap, and they’re outa here. Leaving the gray, wet, dreary Pacific Northwest to…places. I can’t blame them!

Where would we go if we had that choice? I’m not sure! To see the kids, for sure, even though that’s not actual “travel.” That will always be the priority. Makes my heart clench that Nate will be leaving on his ship in mid-March for a 4-6 week “underway.” I believe it will be the first time that Sandra and Quinn will have to deal with him being gone for a stretch of time (since Quinn was born). Throughout their time in San Diego, they were both on Shore Duty and had a relatively “normal” life that Quinn was born into the midst of. I think that in typical circumstances, since Nate is now back to ship-active after moving to Everett, he would have been doing “underways” fairly regularly, but because of Covid, that has been stunted. Until now. We knew this was coming. But. Ugh. And yes, eventually a major 9+month deployment will happen. I’m pretty much in denial about that. Because. Ugh.

But back to traveling—when/if the time comes that we’re back to NORMAL, I could see us taking a road trip. Down the coast? We couldn’t be gone too long because of the cats (4-5 days max), which would be conducive to a coastal trip. Swing over and visit Helen in Oregon. It’s something to look forward to, because we do need things to look forward to. However, mostly I look forward to people being able (and feeling comfortable) to visiting US, because it really is pretty damned cool here.

Sigh.

I did a little investigating with the counties here in Washington to see what their “wording” was about the “Phase 1b Multi-generational” thing for getting Covid vaccinations. I only picked a few counties to check, but it looks like only OUR county specified the wording as it was: “All people 65 years or older and those 50-64 in a multigenerational household (meaning someone 50-64 years lives with a person 65 or over).” I did not see that wording anywhere else. (The intent in other counties was people in middle-age having an elderly parent living with them and under their care).  John said, “We should have Margaret come and spend a few days with us so she can claim she’s living in a multigenerational household!” I almost dropped to my knees laughing. (The thing is, you do have to actually LIVE in the county). But jeeze. I do think we’re on the cusp of time when the restrictions of those “eligible” to be vaccinated will become wide-open, especially since the J&J vaccine is now becoming available. I’ve been feeling optimistic about things, seeing the numbers of cases/hospitalizations/deaths significantly dropping. Watching it all carefully, I’ve been so hopeful that the vaccinations were already making a big difference, that we were on the downslide of this nightmare. And then, whoa. Looks like the ferociousness of the decline is suddenly braking. (Please no!) I do think that people are feeling they don’t need to wear masks, social-distance, et al and that may be contributing to this. But also…the variants. Stronger versions of the virus are taking hold. (Please no). I’m not sure what exactly to think, except there are a lot of people in states, and parts of states, that are being assholes and not helping. (Have I mentioned lately how disgusted I am with humankind?)

Holy cow, it was 20 years ago since our huge Nisqually Earthquake! I remember exactly where I was when it hit, working at an engineering firm on the waterfront in Tacoma. (I was on the toilet. Yep.)  Because there was a very active train track nearby, I thought at first that’s what I was hearing/feeling. And then I suddenly realized it was much more than that. Power went out. Pitch dark. Finding my way out of that bathroom was weird, and when I entered the hallway I could see the “EXIT” signs still swinging. I don’t recall much after that, except worrying about getting home. And home was a mess (but thankfully not a wreck). 6.8 it was, and books, and CDs were EVERYWHERE. My china cabinet was wide open and several very special pieces of crystal and china were dangling halfway out…but that’s it. I felt SO LUCKY. Pictures were wildly askew but hadn’t fallen from the walls. There was a lot of damage everywhere and I can’t believe how we escaped all of that. The worst thing that was destroyed in our house (in my view) was a large stained glass project I’d done of a kingfisher, that actually turned out quite well and was a HELLUVA lot of work to make. It was painful. It still is, 20 years later.

Feels like very long ago and just yesterday.

Wednesday Into Thursday

I’m starting this Wednesday night (it has felt like THURSDAY all day long), and will likely finish it tomorrow (the “actual” Thursday). That’s how things go sometimes. I jump on the moment that I feel like blogging, which is often late at night (pushing midnight), realizing that it’ll likely be short-lived. That’s how things have been lately. That’s why I haven’t been in my glass studio for almost a year. (I keep waiting for the gumption). It is what it is.

This was Valentine’s Day:

We don’t celebrate in a big way. But I did make a special dinner that night. (Although, it was a bit disappointing; the steaks (drizzled with Béarnaise sauce) were on the tough side. Which irritated me because 1) they were Butcher Box New York steaks [which are rather pricey], and 2) I sous vide them which should have tenderized them. I mean, it all tasted good, but not quite what I was aiming for. Sigh. Whatever.

And…just like I figured, it is now Thursday night!

We got jabbed today! We first drove to the Fred Meyer grocery store and got ourselves a latte/mocha at the Starbucks inside (my first latte in AGES). It was so gooooood! We then headed up to the vaccination site at a car racing track on the Shelton outskirts and lined our cars up in rows like we were waiting for a ferry. We arrived quite early, but there were a LOT of cars ahead of us. I was extremely impressed with how professionally they handled everything. Lots of volunteers running among the parked cars checking (in the drenching rain, but with sunny attitudes) to ensure we had our paperwork handy. And then, in short order, we were driving into the vaccination tent. They had six stations set up on either side, allowing two rows of three cars in at a time, and it went QUICK. I was on the passenger side so I had my shot in my right arm (which I never do) and it was fine. In fact, there was absolutely ZERO pain. They were using those really skinny needles that I love because, well, NO PAIN. At all. The young lady who jabbed me was humming the whole time she was working. Even though it was such a drenching, wet, gray day, it was uplifting in every regard. We then had to park for 15 minutes to make sure we didn’t have any reactions from the vaccine. (We didn’t). We go back a month from today for the 2nd shot. Again, I was really impressed with how they handled it. I saw that several people posted on the Harstine Community Facebook page that they had been there and were impressed, too. But it really surprised me how many anti-vaxers climbed on and berated everyone. (On Harstine Island!?) There are so many looney tunes every-damned-where.

Snowmageddon Apocalypse

The first day of the snow, we eventually got a little over an inch. Tops. It was pretty to look at, but rather wimpy. But we knew that Part 2 was due the following day, and I was aware it was snowing went I went to bed, although coming down in really small flakes.

Those small flakes must have been fast and furious (and constant) throughout the night because when I got up Saturday morning, we had a good foot of snow and it was still snowing!

It was pretty incredible! (Also: Pretty!) We’re down here at sea level and it’s super unusual (except two years ago) for us to get much more than a dusting, even when others throughout the region get much more. John had previously parked his truck at the top of the driveway in case there was an emergency and he/we had to get out. But there wasn’t and we just hung out stresslessly taking it all in as the snow continued to fall. He did walk up to the top of the driveway (at our private road) and he reported that it was MUCH deeper even at that elevation. I can just imagine how much there was at our mailbox (which hasn’t been checked for several days).

Finally the temperature started to climb a bit and we had to peer side-eye at the giant chunks of snow starting to slowly slide off the roof, shaking the whole house when they fell to the deck. John hurriedly placed some 2x4s over our Lace Leaf Maple (that got crushed in our last snow storm), and it was a good thing he did! Not long afterward, that hanging giant ledge of snow fell, and it all bounced off the boards. Lace Leaf spared!

Today, we’ve just dealt with melting and lots of avalanches sliding off the roof. The cats have definitely been homebodies, but all the bird activity on the deck has certainly captured their attention. “Cat TV!” (I’d set out a large metal pan of bird seed and they [and a squirrel] had a ball. I was so happy to see a Flicker partake!)

Disgusted with the outcome of the impeachment trial, even though it was the most bi-partisan vote against a *president ever (57-43). I heard something today that “impeachment” was created in the constitution in the later 1700s when there was no such thing as political parties. I thought that was interesting. There was no foresight into how ridiculously partisan and ineffectual Impeachment would end up being in the future, requiring that 2/3 of the Senate vote for removal. That all said, the Impeachment Managers from the House were spectacular. Their case was a slam dunk and air tight. And as I mentioned on Facebook, I fell a little in love with Jamie Raskin who was the Lead Impeachment Manager. (God, he was exceptional. The entire team was, but Jamie was honestly stellar). He reminds me of my grandpa Lyle Cummings (Mom’s dad), who died at the age of 60 when I was 10 years old. I remember him quite well).

Here’s Grandpa:

            Here’s Jamie:

Snow! Maybe!

We’ve been hearing for several days now that snow is possible tomorrow. Forecasting snow in these parts is tough—the terrain differs between hills and valleys and taller hills and deeper valleys. Then, we have the Cascade mountains dividing the state that dynamically affects the weather, winds, temperatures, etc. AND THEN add into the mix the Pacific Ocean which pretty much affects everything and is the direction most storms come from. So, often when snow is forecasted, nothing happens. Or, it does in the northern part of the state but nowhere else (except maybe east of the mountains, which might as well be another state for many reasons). For us, here at sea level, it’s kind of a rarity. (Except two years ago when we were DUMPED on when it even accumulated on the saltwater!)

BUT. It actually sounds fairly certain (ahem) that it just may snow tomorrow. Certain enough that the Health Department sent out an email this morning that our vaccinations have been postponed until next Thursday. That’s fine. John was kind of sweating it. It’s a fair drive from our place (with lots of hills) and it’s just as well to not have to stress about it. Plus, it’s going to involve a lot of older folks who shouldn’t be out driving in the snow anyway.

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I’ve been riveted with the trump impeachment trial. Riveted. The impeachment managers today made an exceptional case that trump laid the groundwork beginning months ago [actually years ago] with his Big Lie that the election would be rigged if he lost, and then when he did lose, that it was illegitimate. His cult followers swallowed that lie. His cult followers, loaded with violence, therefore exploded with violence. And it’s all digitally recorded. Couldn’t be more obvious than the Nixon tapes.

Any trump supporters out there? How in the hell do you defend this? I suspect the “defense” will have something to do with trying to equate the BLM protests with this, which is ludicrous, and typically racist. Those protests were mostly peaceful, with outlier anarchists, and the main point of BLM was a valid protest against police injustice. The insurrection was about attacking our capitol and taking down democracy via our free and fair election and trump attempting to cling to power to become a dictator. That’s it.

I don’t see any equivalency.

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Holy moly. I literally have to prune the dill plant twice a day. It literally grows 2-3 inches every day! Or maybe more! This is after the latest prune. (Including the basil and thyme). Pant pant.

Still nothing with the mint or parsley, so I think I will replace them with the lettuce pods I just received. Uhm, maybe. I’m feeling like this could get out of control soon!

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Should I Feel Guilty or Lucky?

Our County has now opened up vaccinations for the 1B Tier, and they specifically word it on their Covid-19 website as this:

“This includes all people 65 years or older and all people 50-64 years living in a multigenerational household, meaning someone 50-64 years of age living with someone that is 65 years of age or older.”

I had never seen or heard of that description before, worded that way, and when John read it to me I said, “That can’t be right! It’s for when grandkids live with their grandparents, or people have an elderly mother-in-law living with them or something.”

He said, “But read it. Read what it says.” So I pulled it up on my computer and read it and my jaw dropped. Because: I am “someone 50-64 years of age” (64) “living with someone that is 65 years of age or older,” which is John, who is 67.

Is this description distinctly for our County, or is this the wording for other counties entering 1B Tier vaccinations as well? (I do not know). Perhaps our County’s health department has chosen to define 1B this way? 

We knew that appointments for a “mass” vaccination clinic were opening this morning at 9:30 so John climbed on the website to hit refresh over and over again to try to get one, and then I did, too. Within a few tries, we were both in! Shocking! It asked a few questions, INCLUDING the multigenerational question with these words: “Are you 50-64 years old living with somebody who is 65 years old or older?” I said yes. (Because it’s true).

Why do I feel like I should maybe take a shower, though?

We both have an appointment for this Thursday at a drive-through “mass” clinic up near the car race track (never been there), and we are two of 500 Mason Co. people who were able to get an appointment—that booked up in eight minutes.

I’m a bit in shock.

It could also be interesting because snow is forecast that day. (I’m thankful we have 4WD).

Also? I’m requiring that John now refer to me as his “child wife.”

Extremely Happy (And a Little Jealous)

I was thrilled to learn that Nate got his Covid vaccination! AND…Sandra was the one who administered it! (Is that adorable or what?) As a health care worker, she got hers a while ago. What a relief to know that your beloveds are vaccinated!

(I love that you can tell they are big-time smiling behind their masks).

John is eligible for the vaccination in the “1B” group, but our county is still doing “1A” and very FEW vaccines are allotted to our county, so it’s going to be MONTHS before he’ll be able to get one. (For me, it’ll be at least June, when I turn 65. Gulp. And the rate things are going right now, it’ll actually be YEARS). The county has a population of around 63,000, and we’ve only been allotted about 1,000 vaccines per MONTH. I’m really hoping that now that Pres. Biden is in charge, we will soon see a major ramping up of the quantity of vaccines. I know he’s invoking the Defense Production Act, which trump refused to do. Pres. Biden came into this learning on the fly (because of the trump administration’s refusal to cooperate with the transition) and NOTHING HAD BEEN DONE to implement the vaccine into arms. It’s a horror show and it’s all on trump, and have I mentioned lately HOW MUCH I HATE HIS GUTS?

OK. calm down, right?

I’d forgotten to mention that last Saturday, several of us high school ladies had a Zoom get-together! Normally, we meet once a year at a restaurant and have a great time catching up, but, well. But this was fun, too! I was especially proud that nobody resorted to the typical “can you see me now?” slapstick stuff, where you see a nostril or something. I think we’ve all pretty much LEARNED ZOOM. Pretty much had to.

I really enjoyed the connection with everyone. My gosh, what lives we’ve lived. And continue to do so, hopefully with an upside.

Probably the BEST part of this was that Helen and I opted to re-connect via Zoom immediately after the “Glam Rams” get-together and basically talk on the future-promised “video phone” for over an hour! It was SO FUN. Especially in retrospect, because while we were doing it, it just felt natural. Like those ol’ phone calls used to feel like back in the day.

So where are the flying cars we were promised?

Daily Living

I love that I’m sleeping better. I love that I don’t wake up feeling debilitating dread about what the insane *president has done now. I LOVE not hearing his voice on a regular basis (and when I do—from previous insurrection videos—my body convulses from the godawful jolt of that voice). I especially love seeing a normal, kind, compassionate, intelligent president presiding over our country.

That said, I’m disgusted with the republicans and their Q-idiocy and the likely fact that they will not convict trump in his impeachment trial after inciting insurrection and coming within a hair’s breadth of taking down our democracy. (Which included the murder of a Capitol Police officer). January 6th was another day of infamy. We will never forget.

It’s been hard to feel motivated (to clean, to hang out in my glass studio and being productive) and I think it’s a combination of still recovering from all that shit but also the cold, wet, gray weather that has gone on forever. Hibernating weather. Our house is dark in winter. Sometimes I worry that our deck will collapse from the staggering amount of constant rain. (Or rot).

My AeroGarden herbs continue to grow and it’s delightful! There are two pods that haven’t budged, one of which may still (says 21 days, which it isn’t quite yet, but I’m doubtful). Those two are mint and parsley, which I’m not all that jazzed about anyway. But the dill is especially going to town and I’ve had to prune it a number of times to try to keep the height of it from too close to the lights and keep it closer to the height of the other plants (two types of basil and thyme) before I lift the lights. Pruning is a big thing according to the directions and I do have to go a bit against the grain about that. (Which is clear if you look at our outside landscaping…)

I miss the kids. I’ve received some videos and photos from them, and I’m so grateful, but I MISS THEM. I want hugs and I want to scruff Quinn’s head and listen to him tell me his stories. (His voice, his words, just send me over the edge. What an adorable view into his 3-year-old brain!) Here’s an example. Sandra got this for Nate for Valentine’s Day (they can never wait until the actual holiday), and Quinn said, “We’re all on the MOON!”

Twice now I’ve made that chili recipe that I’d lost years ago and Nate finally found! And it really is GOOD. It is supposedly authentic Texas Chili because it does not have beans, which is why I remember liking it so much from all those years ago (I do NOT like beans! Well, except green beans). This is true MEAT chili. You might even call it STEAK chili! It is awesome! We had it tonight for dinner. Yum.