Kingfisher Cove

Oh, Life

Always ups and downs, right? The “ups” right now include gobsmackingly gorgeous weather (we’ve been into the 80s here in the South Sound); preparing to have Helen come and visit this Monday and Tuesday (and looking forward to acquiring some deck pot flowers!); and my new ring!

I ordered it from Etsy a few weeks ago and it was hand made by Pasha Coba, a jewelry artist in Indonesia. It arrived this week and I am in LOVE! (As I hoped I would be!) It’s an Australian Opal (and sterling silver setting) — I have always admired Australian Opals for their vibrant colors. They make me think of the aurora borealis, of nebulas, of earth itself. It is a small ring, which is fine (kept it affordable) and I am over the moon! (heh)

In preparation for ordering the ring, I got me a cheap ring measuring thingy (because I had no idea what size I needed), and it worked perfectly! The ring is truly the perfect size. Woohoo! (I’ve since filed that ragged finger nail—it’s pretty amazing that I even have nails! I’ve always been a biter, but just haven’t been this past year for some reason. Pandemic?)

So, those are the “ups.” The “downs” involve John’s mom, who is currently back in the hospital after being released a couple of days ago (and we both feel that she shouldn’t have been). Poor John has been driving between here and Olympia numerous times, and yesterday he found a rehab/nursing facility that she can be released to from the hospital. It’s in Shelton, so it’ll be much closer than Olympia. She just can’t be on her own. Not now, anyway. We are holding our breath that all goes well.

We had returned Chibi when John’s mom came home from the hospital the first time, and she is now being cared for by a neighbor. Here she was earlier this week:

She’s actually a good dog, except she’s not really “house trained.” Plus, the cats were not having it and they stayed far, far away while she was here. (When in actuality, the cats are bigger than she is!)

OK, I’ve procrastinated long enough. Time to attack my kitchen! (Ugh!)

You Would Think We Were Harboring A Pit Bull

We are babysitting John’s mom’s dog, Chibi, who is considered a “toy dachshund” but I think is likely a mix of dachshund and chihuahua back at some point in her ancestry. She does look very much like a tiny lil’ dachshund, except she doesn’t have the typical long hound dog ears. She is quite sweet, but you would think that the CATS THINK that a PIT BULL was visiting us. Sigh. Nikki has been hiding out in the glass studio and absolutely refuses to come out, so we’ve moved her food/water and litter box in there. Wylie has been outside this whole time, so we moved her food/water out on the deck. (Wouldn’t surprise me to see raccoons on the deck as a result of that…) Unlike our dogs for the last few years that we had them, Chibi can hear! And so when Wylie tries to sneak in through the pet door in the middle of the night, Chibi knows and barks! Frightening Wylie to turn tail back out through the pet door. Sigh.

So, John’s mom is in the hospital. She has fallen several times recently, and she has some major ongoing (serious) pulmonary + heart issues that have caused her legs and feet to significantly swell, which has likely contributed to her imbalance. Her feet are especially bad (and she has been hiding that fact from John, who has been visiting her every week). There is even discussion that she may lose some toes. Sigh. We haven’t heard much of anything today while they were waiting for test results, but we suspect that she’ll be in there at least a few days and depending on what happens, then a rehab center for a while. She’s talked to John about being ready for Assisted Living, so he’s been looking into that. But until we know more, we’re not sure what level of care she will need, and all of those facilities vary in what care they provide. And communication with the hospital and doctors absolutely SUCKS. (And John can’t visit her because of Covid).

---

I do have next week to look forward to: Helen is coming to visit next Monday and Tuesday. And on Tuesday we are planning to visit our favorite (Olympia) nursery and pick up some flowers for our various needs (for me, my deck pots!) Woohoo! Last year, John picked up some plants at Fred Meyer (I think) and we simply dealt with very basic and non-fancy flowers that were absolutely just fine, thank-you-very-much. But this year, being fully vaccinated now and feeling more adventurous, a few fancier things will be fun, and I’m looking forward to finding varieties of thrillers, fillers, and spillers! Woohoo! This house is a PIT (including cobwebs!) and I have a mission to do some major cleaning this week. Yeah, I’ve been too lazy, too long. Now I pay. I wish we’d hear about our neighborhood plan to have that wonderful window-washer come and attack our windows! The sun has been out lately it shows just how horribly bad they are! Ugh.

---

I got my hair cut last week and THE JURY IS OUT. Hmm. For the price I have to pay for a “curly cut & style,” I am so far not feeling the value.

The back is much shorter and blunter (which is a good thing), so from the front it looks longer. It’s sort of an “inverted bob,” but due to my fine low-density hair, I feel it’s not rockin’ it. Or else I haven’t figured out yet how to f-ing deal with it. Sigh. Honestly, it’s just a matter of having to deal with the cards I’m dealt. (It will never ever be what I hope for, or imagine in my dreams. You know, like back when I “dreamed” of Farrah Fawcett hair).

And yes. Since I’m on the cusp of turning 65 (and flailing to figure out Medicare…), and seeing friends and family facing frightening diagnoses (or unexpectedly dying), I realize that me and my friends and cousins (let alone aunts and uncles) are entering the realm of Russian Roulette.

Meaning, every single day is a gift. Right?

Sigh.

Daddy’s at WORK! On a SHIP!

Oh, I love this little boy! We got to see him yesterday for the first time in several months (seems like forever) and although I understand that he won’t remember much later on about his life up to now, he certainly does remember US every time he sees us, no matter how much time has passed. (That was even the case when he was a wee thing!)

As Quinn says, “I’m a big boy now.”

John (mistakenly) got me up at 5am yesterday (Easter) morning. The plan was 6am, but he set his alarm wrong and so…5am. Holy crap. But it was probably for the best because it gave us some coffee time before getting ready to head out and catch the ferry. It rained most of the trip, which was disappointing, especially after having a couple of days of nice springy weather. We were well down the road when I said, “Oh, crap. We forgot Quinn’s Easter basket.” It was an outing to gather together all of its components, and we left it on the counter! I was so mad at myself. CRAP.

So, we hunted for a grocery store in Everett and found a Wal-Mart that ended up being FAR WORSE than the one in Shelton! (Unbelievable!) Blech! It was dirty, it was messy, it was godawful! (Makes me realize that, in spite of the often strange patronage, the Shelton Wal-Mart is actually quite nice and CLEAN). And, of course, no more pre-made Easter baskets nor even Easter candy/little toys to gather, plus no plain baskets to do so. Then we hunted for a Safeway (because we also needed to get a pie and ice cream) and was only able to find some candy and a gift bag. Also scored on the pie and ice cream. (We also brought along a nice ham—at least we remembered that). 

What a great meal it was. The ham was so flavorful, and Sandra made gobsmacking sides—I didn’t realize what a fantastic cook she is. A vegetable dish with tiny round potatoes sliced in half, roasted in olive oil, then tossed with small-cut asparagus and sautéed garlic and herbs and cheese. And a salad with baby spinach, thinly sliced cucumbers and apples and strawberries tossed in (I think) a balsamic dressing with toasted nuts and feta. Oh my. And then a little later, a small slice of marion berry pie and a couple dollops of ice cream. Everything was delicious! We also watched a Disney movie (“Raya and the Last Dragon”) and it was so good! (Streaming tears? Who, me?) It was a good day, with Quinn giving John a “tour” of the back yard (after slipping on his boots) — “That’s my dirt. That’s my rocks. That’s my ball and bat. That’s my fence. That’s my squirrel.” I’d worried that he might be missing his daddy (I believe this is the first lengthy “away” Nate has done since Quinn was born), but he seemed quite pragmatic about it. “Daddy’s at WORK. He’s on a SHIP.” They’ve been able to talk to Nate on the phone a few times per week, and I’m sure that has helped a lot! Apparently he’ll be porting in San Diego sometime this week, but they won’t be able to leave the base. He’s due back home mid-month or so.

Papa was a jungle gym!

Just Had To Share

When Nate was about the age that Quinn is now, whenever I went through the car wash I would have to extend my arm back to his car seat so he could grasp my hand or fingers. He hated the car wash, and it scared him, but he would endure it (with some distressed squeaks) as long as he could hold on to my fingers. 

And now, there is THIS! (Oh, the expression!) At the end Quinn says, "I'm not scared. I'm happy." But if you pay attention to his face and all of the thoughts and emotions flitting across it, I think he was a bit scared and was working at convincing himself that he wasn't. 

This just tugs my heart, and brings back those occasions with Nate, grasping my fingers, as we rolled through the car wash. Poor little guy.

 

The Thrills Are Small, But They’re Still Thrills

Today, for the first time in well over a year, John and I drove into town and ate lunch INSIDE our favorite diner. (Yes, I had my coveted chicken salad sandwich on a toasted croissant. Mmmmmm!) I don’t get out much, and when I do, have to actually THINK at times about wearing my mask. (Which feels kind of annoying since we’re vaccinated). But this outing really felt so normal! Yes, the diner had changed since we were there last, and there were far fewer tables. But the menu was the same! (Man, I sure do love that chicken salad sandwich on a toasted croissant!) And best of all? I DIDN’T HAVE TO COOK/PREPARE IT MYSELF. I am so sick and tired of cooking! Ugh.

We also went to Walmart! Oh, weeeee! Heh. And actually, it was rather enjoyable. Just being somewhere to see STUFF that isn’t on my computer screen was kind of refreshing. We replaced the master bathroom rugs that Nikki destroyed and they look quite good. (Already, I’ve caught Nikki lounging on one of them, with it all scrunched up around her. It’s a matter of time before they are shredded, I’m sure). We also picked up stuff to make an Easter basket for Quinn, plus a nice little ham. We are heading up to spend Easter Day with Sandra and Quinn this Sunday and have a simple ham dinner. I’m really looking forward to it! Oh my, I’m so happy that we’ll get to see Quinn. I have MISSED THAT BUGGER. It will seem strange to be there without Nate. (In fact, it’ll make me sad). I’m not accustomed to him being ship-active after several years of shore duty, and it’s taking me a major reality check to accept that things are very different now. And will continue to be. Sigh. (I really enjoy his company. It’s such a joy to really like your kid).

Now that we’re fully vaccinated, I now have an appointment in Olympia to get my hair cut on April 9th. FINALLY. It’s at the curly-hair specialty place I’ve been to once before (that is extremely expensive which pisses me off but at this point I feel it’s necessary). Not only do I need some major stylin’, I also need to address my constantly godawful itchy scalp. I suspect it’s hair products, but because I’m kind of a hair product junkie, I have no idea what it is. It’s always something. (And we won’t even get into my ongoing digestive issues).

My cutie grandboy with another tie-dye shirt and (I think) a glass doo dad. Squeee, so excited to see him!

Into Spring

Quinn is very much into making tie dye shirts and this is his latest masterpiece. As you can see, he is very proud of it! (Cracks me up). He first learned about tie dye in daycare and the shirt he’d made then he demanded to wear 24/7. He eventually grew out of it (or else it majorly shrunk) so his mom said she’d get him a new one, and so he pestered her day after day after day. Finally she said, “Fine! We’ll make one!” And here we are! Happy boy!

I would like to find a plain white cotton night shirt (about mid calf) and try it myself. I love night shirts. They’re getting harder to find (and I’ve never seen a tie dye one).

I MISS this kiddo! I haven’t seen him since…jeeze, when was it? Was it Christmas? That was a long time ago. Nate is underway until probably the end of April or so, but I’m thinking that once John and I are beyond the 2 weeks/10 days since our 2nd vaccine jab, we’ll probably head up for a Saturday or something and spend the day with Sandra and Quinn. Maybe even Easter? We don’t actually celebrate, but it’s always been a good excuse to get together with family for a good meal.

I’ve made an appointment for a hair cut! First time in well over a year. And it’s with the specialized curly salon in Olympia. (It’s very expensive, which kind of pisses me off, but I do know that the people there UNDERSTAND curly hair. And I need some major stylin’). It’s not until April 9th, but I know I’ll be well beyond fully vaccinated and can feel relaxed about it all. I deserve it. Next up? Likely a pedicure! First one in TWO years!

I’m also looking forward to having Helen come and visit (she’ll be fully vaccinated soon, too) and we can go to our favorite nursery and load up on deck flowers/etc. I am SO READY to perk up the deck and get rid of all the dead crap in my pots! I need color in my life! And also? Have some normalcy. It’s been way too long. It’s definitely on the horizon. AND, I have Christmas and birthday presents for Helen! I’ve really hated this past year. What a nightmare it’s been.

I do have to mention that I did have some icky side-effects after my last jab. The following day I had a headache (something I don’t get often) and I had chills. I was also really tired and low-energy, but thankfully it only lasted a day and I’ve been fine since then. This time, John only had some arm soreness. (I actually didn’t have that!)

So, I have a question. What happens when “those who want a vaccine get one?” It sounds like that will be pretty soon—they’ll be opening it up to everyone come May 1st. But I keep hearing that there are a lot of trumpsters who are refusing to get one. So…if the rest of us DO get vaccinated, does that mean that the virus will ricochet just among all the trumpsters? The death rates will all be trumpsters? While the rest of us are happily going on with our lives?

Hmm.

Vaccinated, Baby! And Also Really Pissed. (But not about that)

Today was Vaccination #2 and it was kind of déjà vu with yet again the pouring rain. However, the actual “event” differed because it was at a new location and it wasn’t quite as swift-quick-fast as the first time. Instead of lining up like waiting for a ferry, it was a continuous snaking line of cars (kind of like the lines at Disneyland, except with vehicles) and all of the stop-and-crawl, stop-and-crawl reminded me too much of Seattle commuter traffic. It took a while longer than last time, and yet, it was fine. And everyone was so nice. I loved it when we drove into the vaccination tent (two rows of three vehicles) and all of the vaccinators were DANCING! It was awesome! I absolutely felt nothing when I was given my shot—I worried that it had even happened. It was hardly noticeable the first time, but this time it felt like NOTHING. And, hours later, neither of us are feeling any effects. I’ve been wondering about that, since both Nate and Sandra had some nasty side effects for a day. So far so good!

And oh man. Does it ever feel good to be fully vaccinated. Yeah, I know we have 10 days before we can bang our pots and pans, but I’m stoked.

---

In light of the massacre of six Asian women in Atlanta, Georgia a couple of nights ago, and today’s congressional hearing on anti-Asian discrimination, it brought this disgusting incident to the forefront of my mind and it just feels like the right time to finally talk about it. Plus, I’m pissed off.

A year ago, when trump and his acolytes began their crusade to sneer the terms “Chinese Virus” or “Kungflu,” and it was obvious to anybody with a brain that it was intended to vilify people of Chinese—or any Asian descent, frankly—somebody that I know well (like, my entire life...) posted this on Facebook:

“Off to go camping to get away from the Chinese Flu!”

I’d already heard that Asian people were being assaulted and harassed as a result of trump’s insistence of repeating those snide abuses, and it was very early in the pandemic. Seeing that post made me sick. Typical cruel, mean-spirited Trumpism. I replied:

“Seriously?”

That’s all. Just that. And then I went on with my life. Until a few hours later when this missile landed in my email inbox from the spouse of this person I know well:

“Quit acting like an ignorant racist fool.” 

I remember blinking a few times and kind of snorting a chuckle. So, replying an exasperated “Seriously?” to an obviously racist Facebook comment made me an “ignorant racist fool”? (Seriously?) I replied:

“Gaslighting much?”

Because that was the classic definition of gaslighting. Psychology 101. But wait! There’s more! The spouse lit a match and converted those gaslights into full-fledged Molotov cocktails and flung them:

“You vomit hate day after day.  [Name] sends one status and you think you can talk shit to […]? No. Sincerely you are THE most bigoted person I have ever met. You talk shit to [name] and we have a problem.”

Honestly, all I could do was laugh. It was the most loony tunes, batshit crazy diatribe I’d ever seen, ever. And so I replied:

“LOL!”

I was really confused (and shocked, to be honest). And then it occurred to me that it must be that their perception of MY “racism” was because I didn’t support the White race enough. Talk about a blow to the gut. That is truly the only explanation I can come up with.

Needless to say, the person I know well (throughout my entire life) promptly unfriended me on Facebook and we haven’t spoken in a year.

I have to wonder if said known person ever saw exactly what Spouse emailed me. (I copied and pasted it verbatim from the emails).

So, if you didn’t know, now you know.

---

I love this video, taken the end of February. Nate is now on his underway and my gut knows that he’s far away, out to sea. I miss him! Sandra posted this via Messenger and it’s very cool!

 

Ups and Downs

I truly AM feeling much more hopeful about things. Week by week, the quantity of people being vaccinated is starting to greatly increase, and President Biden said that it should open up to ALL people (adults) by May 1st. I suspect it will be sooner than that. I think that the downslide of the numbers (cases, hospitalizations, deaths) illustrates that the effects of the vaccines are already dynamite! We’re still six days out from our 2nd dose, and then about ten days after that, I will bang some pots and pans on the deck to celebrate! (And arrange for Helen to come to visit!)

Nate left today on his underway, for six weeks. Sniff. I have no idea WHERE they’re going; likely out to sea a ways to conduct some exercises and test the ship’s systems. I dare say that Nate was somewhat excited to be sailing again after all this time, but jeeze, what an emotional pull. It’ll be a trying time for Sandra and Quinn, I’m sure. I’m so thankful that their daycare has hung in there and been solidly reliable for them throughout all of this Covid crap.

We finally had our book club this week, once again via FaceTime (which seems to work better for us than Zoom). One of the participants (of us three) spaced and forgot about it, and I wasn’t able to reach her to remind her. It worked out fine with two of us, and it was great to catch up and just chat—we needed that! We could very possibly get together IN PERSON next time (we’ll all be fully vaccinated), but we’re not sure yet about traveling schedules, so we’ll see. But it would be wonderful to be able to get together IN REAL LIFE AGAIN! Heh, except for having to clean house and come up with viddles. (Gotten pretty lazy).

I’m going a bit nuts with my herbs. I have used a good amount of basil and dill in cooking, but I’m beyond being able to stay on top of it all! I have to trim them every day because I swear they grow at least 2” every day! Holy moly. I love the scents on my fingers when I prune them.

Like many people, I’ve been thinking about where we were a year ago. It was when we were taking care of Quinn in Everett when he was sick, and then I caught it (and I was sick for a solid two weeks, with the cough lasting even longer). It would have been scary then, wondering if it was Covid, except that Quinn was diagnosed with Influenza-A, and so it was clear that’s what I was dealing with (since John didn’t come down with it, and he’d had a flu shot while I hadn’t). While the news of the coronavirus was circulating around us, I don’t think we realized how serious it was—until baseball shut down and schools closed. Then it was: GULP. I would have NEVER thought it would last beyond the summer! I honestly thought (as probably many of us did) that it was very temporary. And the thing is, it may well have been if trump hadn’t been such a dipshit. God, what a disaster he was! What a nightmare he was.

Like I said, I’m hopeful now. I tear up often when I hear good news! I’m looking forward to going to our favorite diner relatively soon (if it’s still open…). I am really tired of cooking.

Progress!

I am SO HAPPY to see friends and family now finally getting their vaccines! Nate just had his 2nd Moderna last Thursday (he had really nasty side effects for a day, including shooting pains, nausea, and fever). His wife had her 2nd shot some time ago (she’s in health care, and has been working l-o-n-g days vaccinating all the personnel from several Navy ships, as well as reservists and naval retirees). My friend Helen and her husband get their first jabs this week! Woohoo! And Margaret (as a teacher/sub) got her first shot, too! This whole thing with prioritizing teachers and school employees has done my heart good. My god, if you are going to DEMAND that schools open, then effing vaccinate the employees! Why was that ever NOT considered a priority? Things are definitely looking up! Our 2nd shot happens on March 18th.

There are a few downs, too. Nate leaves this Friday for a 6-week “underway” on his ship. It’s the first time he’ll be gone for anything close to that amount of time since well before Quinn was born (he was on shore duty for a few years down in San Diego, and his year so far in Everett has been delayed as far as those underways and deployments due to Covid). It’ll be the first time that Quinn (and Sandra!) will have to deal with him being gone for a significant period of time. I anticipate that this will be tough on all of them. Wow. How could it not be? I’m hoping we’ll have a chance to see Sandra and Quinn during that time—maybe head up for a day and go out for a meal, since we’ll be vaccinated! (Or at least order in, make it fun). We have next year to dread when Nate will be deployed for at least nine months.

How will verbal little Quinn deal with this? It breaks my heart to think about it because he probably won’t understand. And he will sorely miss his daddy.

CDC guidelines now advise that vaccinated people can get together, and also vaccinated people with non-vaccinated people can get together in small groups (like grandparents with their adult children/grandchildren). Pretty much what we’ve been doing here and there with Nate and his family, plus my friend Helen. I’m also excited to think that us Book Club ladies will be able to meet IN PERSON next time because we are all vaccinated. Drips and drabs of normalcy. (And much more to come. Quickly, I think).

And then there are idiot states led by idiot republican governors who are ending mask mandates and opening up everything 100%, even though those particular states are having upticks in cases and also have numerous “variants” of COVID that are especially transmissible. Why are republicans so godamned STUPID?

Somebody on Twitter posted: Governors ending mask mandates is like designating a portion of the swimming pool to be the pee area.” Right? A pandemic knows no boundaries.

What else? Been a reading fiend, as usual. Read a book, finish it, start a new book. I’m having a hard time getting out of that routine, not that it’s a BAD thing. But I really do need to get back in the glass studio (it’s been nearly a year since I’ve done anything in there). And the idea of weeding outside has been on my mind, too. Soon. The weather hasn’t quite been conducive yet. (Plus access is a bitch).

A Poem: “The Ledge”

Did you visualize the precipice, the sheer and deadly edge, the vast and killing drop?

It has always been there, that abyss, waiting. Less dusty than we expected, more real than we ever suspected.

And for those who care, it has been the target of our middle-distance stare, as some were pulled by the lies, some were pushed by the lies, and over time, in the wail of our cries, we all converged at that lethal ledge.

Were you there to right the wrongs? Or to push them over?

Were you there to scream with glee to end our democracy, to kill and vilify and lie the way to autocracy?

We came so close to losing it all.

The scrabble of hands, shredded nails grasping the sheer wall, the view of hell below, the desperate clasp of the ledge as they stomped on our fingers, smashing them, cheating, gleeful with rage, with hate, and why?

A fact does not have two sides.

We are facing the mainstreaming of madness. The choice of democracy or autocracy. The voracious beast of unreason. The red haze of hatred.

We are at the precipice.