Hello bookish friends! Did you know that it's June? Bet you did. Ah, summertime. So, I'd love to be sitting in one of those chairs on a balcony in coastal Oregon right now, but I'm not. We did have a trip to Oregon planned for July of this year, but we have postponed it. Not completely sure what this summer will include after all. However, I'm going to be reading (of course) and walking (naturally) and getting with friends and family a bit either virtually or actually in person (sensibly).
I have taken some 'new' steps in the last couple of weeks. I've gone back to the rec center to walk on the indoor track. It's quite warm outside and very, very muggy most days. The rec center has opened with lots of new rules and a reservation system. It's working well from what I can see. I went back to a local library to renew my card and spent a little time selecting a few books in print. I don't check out all that many actual print books (usually I do e-books), but I prefer them for graphic novels and sometimes this smaller library will have a popular book on the shelf when the Austin Public Library has a huge hold list for the e-book. The library had rules (of course), but was very quiet and hardly anyone was there. I enjoyed a few minutes to just wander and look at the shelves.
We've had one family birthday party in a backyard (it was hot, but OK) and we spent a few minutes yesterday with some old friends chatting. My husband was helping them with a ceiling fan issue and we enjoyed seeing them and their son and daughter-in-law. We're hoping to get to have a meal with our daughter and son-in-law in the next couple of weeks. She's feeling about ready to be with family for a bit, but has been very conservative with that because of her job at the hospital. She's said it was for our protection, for her protection, and for her patients.
Our virtual mystery group meeting this last Wednesday evening went well. We discussed Where The Crawdads Sing and it was good to see and hear everyone's thoughts on that book. Most liked it very much and I think everyone was glad they read it. As there is no indication when we might be able to meet in person again, we're planning on our July meeting being handled the same way.
I'm not sure how often I'll be posting in upcoming days. I'm not going to take an 'official' break, but I may be a bit (or more than a bit) sporadic in my posts. We'll see. I do enjoy getting around and reading what all of you have shared. Hope each of you has a good weekend and rest of June. As our country, our world, our society struggles with so many issues right now, I hope that we all are being kind, thoughtful, and treating others with love and respect. Take care...
Glad to hear things are going well for you. Sorry you had to cancel your trip to Oregon; I had to cancel my summer traveling plans this year as well. Sigh. Maybe next summer! Have a great weekend. :D
ReplyDeleteYes, we're planning on Oregon next summer. Already have part of the reservations made. :-)
DeleteYou got to go into a library and browse for books?? Lucky! Ours are still doing curbside check-out, but that's it. I miss being able to go inside the library to browse and just soak up the bookish atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you've been able to go back to the rec center. My husband and I did something this week we haven't done in months - we ate at a restaurant! It was weird, but good. The tables were far apart, which meant we had a quiet breakfast in a usually very noisy restaurant. The staff all had masks on, they gave us paper menus, etc.
Take care of yourself and enjoy your summer reading, walking, etc.
I understand how weird and also good it seems to go to these familiar places. We've only been inside one restaurant to eat. It was OK, but we're still picking up curbside or to-go otherwise.
DeleteGlad to hear your daughter is still doing well. I do hope you get to meet her in person soon. The precautions are necessary though, as you are well aware.
ReplyDeleteWhy not Oregon this summer? You can quarantine there just as you do here but the change of scenery would be so nice. We did that with our short weekend trip to Palm Springs and it perked all of us up even though most everything was still closed when we went.
No Oregon because it's just too far and we're not comfortable with flying yet. Not going to drive from Texas to Oregon, though we will take a few days in New Mexico later in the summer.
DeleteThat photo looks like a view from Salishan. :) I know you're disappointed about your trip here, but quite frankly, this is NOT the time to be in Oregon, particularly on the coast. Our numbers have spiked due to an outbreak in Newport. Our small county of 50,000 residents had 15 cases on the 1st of June. Yesterday we were at 170 cases. Many of those infected were tested after an outbreak at a seafood company and many were asymptomatic, so who knows how long they were out and about in our community. Many restaurants have closed (temporarily) after having been open to indoor eating (with social distancing in place). Now they are no longer open to even take-out. We are hunkering down and I don't have any plans to go to the grocery store for a few weeks in case some of those employees have been infected. Yes, it would be a nice change and much cooler than TX (we are in the 50s with rainy weather), but I fear it's much riskier than it was a month ago. Who knows what it will be like around the 4th. Anyhow... stepping off my soap box. :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy your visit with your daughter and SIL. I know it's been ages! I have no idea when we'll see ours and it's already been 9 months since our last visit.
Take good care, my friend. xo
Yes, it was at Salishan. And we'll look forward to being there next year. I understand about your area and the increase in cases. We're going to make a trip to NM after a bit, but we can get there in a long day's drive and will be practicing the same sensible habits there as here.
DeleteSo sorry to hear you had to cancel your trip. It does look lovely! We weren't planning on doing much traveling this summer but had several trips in talks for the fall but now I think we will probably end up pushing those off for a little while. We did go out to eat today which was fun. Our library is opening Monday (with restrictions) and I'm so excited! We've been doing curbside for a month and it's been great but it's not the same!
ReplyDeleteI bet you'll enjoy just stepping into your library and taking a look around. I did like that, but I haven't been back yet. LOL
DeleteHi Kay, Canceling your plans for July was probably a good idea. I'm very sick of hunkering down but, it is warmer out so at least we can go out for a short walk or an ice cream or drive to see the kids from a distance. Enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteYes, glad you guys can get out and do a bit of walking or see family some. We'll do our summering mostly here except for a short trip to NM.
DeleteSo envious that you got inside a library! (Wow, that something I never imagined I would ever have to say!) Ours are not open yet. So pleased to hear that everything's good with you, Kay. Take care.
ReplyDeleteYes, all is well with us. I understand about the library envy. And, yes, that is pretty funny. Who knew?
DeleteSounds like you're making the best of things! That's great that your library is open - mine is still closed, but starting to work on holds that have been on the shelves for 3 months!
ReplyDeleteI imagine most libraries are at least figuring out the next steps. Each has to do what's best for their patrons. The Austin Library is probably not going to open for inside customers for quite some time. Some of these smaller local libraries serve a population not nearly as dense and much fewer cases.
DeleteI'm so sorry you won't be making it to Oregon but sounds like you already are enjoying summer. That's great that you were able to visit the library! We're still pretty much in lockdown here at home. My husband and I have started dreaming about next year's vacation.
ReplyDeleteThat's a plan, Iliana. Dreaming of next year's vacations. I hope we all get to take them!
DeleteOregon sounds good about now ... sorry about all your trips ... ours too have all been canceled. It's tough to not travel, argh. Are you near Austin? Must be hot there. Glad your group had a good talk about The Crawdads ... it's a good story. Enjoy your week.
ReplyDeleteYes, we are north of Austin, but still in the area. And, yes, it's hot and very humid. Typical summer weather. We usually head out to some mountains for vacations in the summer. Ah well. Thank goodness for A/C.
DeleteMy husband and I were just talking about not being ready for travel yet and wondering when it would be comfortable to do so. Oregon would be a perfect break from the heat and humidity, but at least we have air conditioning and books.
ReplyDeleteYes, at least we have A/C. I didn't grow up in this part of Texas until I was in my teens, but the Panhandle was still hot in summer. Just not as humid.
DeleteI don't think we even have an indication as to when our local library is opening. It can't be too much longer.
ReplyDeleteI bet they have a plan, Marg. I think all of them likely do.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear you cancelled the trip, but it's probably a wise decision. We're trying to figure out what to do this summer... not sure I'm up to staying on a barrier island during the height of hurricane season. The virus seems to be increasing here, too, so we'd like to be in NY or CT at least for August and September.
ReplyDeleteHope you get to see your daughter and son in law soon. We've added my FIL and SIL to our close circle. They've visited a couple of times and will have dinner with us tonight. One daughter has gone back to NYC, the other will follow in 10 days. Our library has reopened but since I prefer reading on the kindle, my one visit to browse was enough. I'm really excited about a haircut coming up tomorrow, but no color yet.
I'm envious of your indoor walking track! My walks are getting earlier as temps and humidity levels rise. Our rec center is opening soon for lap swim and weight room by reservation, but no timetable for when group classes might resume. It's a strange new world. Take care, Kay.
JoAnn, the hurricane season is something else to consider for your area and for our Gulf Coast. Hurricanes and big storms will happen regardless of viruses. I've read that the people who deal with those in our state are having to rethink a bunch of things just in case. I love the indoor walking track and am very glad that it's available. It's not crowded because of the reservations and it's very cool. Lovely.
DeleteIt looks like you've had some baby steps to socialization :) That's where we are right now and where I plan to stay for the summer. I had a friend over for an hour and we sat outside 10 feet apart. But it was nice just to feel normal. Our library is still closed and will be for another month. I'm interested to see what their plans are for when they reopen. Good to catch up Kay :)
ReplyDeleteOur libraries are still not open, although the other sectors are gradually reopening. I don't think I'll be going anywhere for the time being. Hopefully by next year things will get settled down so we shall see. Hope you've a great week, Kay!
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to read your updates, Kay, and know that you are well. I've also been a sporadic reader/poster in the blogosphere these days. I have been reading a lot more though! So many trips and book events on my calendar have been cancelled, so I'm taking pleasure in the small delights.
ReplyDeleteOur libraries (In NY) are still closed, and I am working remotely from home, answering questions online and updating web content.
Stay well!
I enjoyed reaidng your latest news, Kay. I am glad you were able to get together with friends and family. The libraries here are still closed. I haven't heard if they will re-open any time soon. It seems like everything else is re-opening though, so who knows.
ReplyDeleteI am glad your book club meeting went well. I almost feels like we're living in the future with all these virtual meetings. I need to schedule one for my work team, now that I think about it.
I hope you have a great week!
Enjoy the time off! Always good to take time off some established routines to shake things up and break the monotony or the busyness. I had a thought recently while watching a documentary that I may never get to visit Paris or Alaska or for a long time, not unless I'm willing to take some health risks, and it's so crushing. We are only seeing increasing cases lately.
ReplyDelete