Hello book friends! No, I didn't disappear on you. I'm back around to say 'Hi!' and also to share what we've been up to. Don't get too excited - it's not much. Ha!
We actually spent a week out in Ruidoso, New Mexico, taking care of some things and getting a bit of mountain air. Not that life was much different for us there than it is here in Central Texas. My husband wasn't working, but was on vacation, which was nice for him. Lots of golf in the cool mornings. While he was golfing, I was walking up and down the hills around and also enjoying the nice temperatures. So different from home, though the altitude makes you work a bit harder when you are walking up a steep slope. It was lovely though and I saw some nice mountain creatures on my walks - elk, deer, and bunnies. I also saw two snakes and the black flies were annoying and biting. I came home with itchy spots, but they will go away before long.
I didn't take any pictures, but I'm sharing my mask collection with you above. Cute, huh? I actually have one more that's in my car - it has pine cones on the fabric. So, while we were out of town and on the road, we were sensible and smart to wear our masks if we went into any store or restaurant. We got take-out mostly and did all our other sensible things like hand washing and social distancing. Actually, for the most part, life was the same as here at home. It was really good for my husband though and he had a very relaxing time.
Now we are at home and he's back to work here at home (and will be working from home for months to come). This morning the temp was 80 degrees with 84% humidity at 6:30 a.m. Kind of like being outside with a damp cloth on your face. Needless to say, I went back to the rec center to walk on the track there - yes, I love air conditioning. I will say that I am beginning to get used to a mask more than I was at first. I think I'm better at adjusting it to work with my glasses (I hate when they fog up). If I feel even slightly annoyed about it, I think of my daughter and her co-workers at the hospital and I know that my discomfort is not a big thing at all.
I don't have much to talk about book wise, but I'm hoping to do a few reviews as I begin to read more books that are new to me. I've been doing a lot of rereads in the past months and just haven't felt compelled to share, but today I started Linda Castillo's latest Kate Burkholder mystery, Outsider. I love the series and have been waiting for this one. I've got a few others that I'm excited to read and so, look for some book thoughts in upcoming days and weeks. I've been reading your posts, but my commenting has been nil. Hope to change that a bit in the future.
Take care, please! I know some of you have been dealing with some stressful situations in your lives and know that if that is the case, I've been thinking of you. We will get through this - one day at a time. One book at a time. Big hugs to all!
Glad you had an enjoyable trip! My mask collection is up to six now. I still don't love them, but I wear them anyway. And I'm really excited to read Outsider, too. That's one of my favorite series. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I've been adding to my masks as things have gotten more intense in our area. Plus, we found a place that had a bunch for sale and so picked up several. By the way, I'm enjoying Outsider so far.
DeleteSounds like you had a nice getaway to NM. So good for your hubby to have some downtime and enjoy golfing in cooler temps. I love all of your masks! I have one from Johnny Was, which I love. We also have several packages of surgical masks that aren't as fashionable, but do the trick. I'm getting used to wearing them, too, but the foggy glasses can be frustrating. A small price to pay, imho.
ReplyDeleteTake care and stay safe!
The foggy glasses - sigh. I've tried the tricks that have gone around, but somehow mine seem to have a mind of their own - the glasses I mean. Ah well.
DeleteI'm a little jealous of the mountain air! Glad you enjoyed your trip and love the variety your mask wardrobe. Looking forward to the new Castillo!
ReplyDeleteThe NM air was indeed fresh and very dry. However, it always takes a toll on my nose and skin - tradoffs. Wish we had seen a mask with jalapenos on it. My husband saw someone wearing one of those. LOL
DeleteThat sounds so delightful, Kay. I did enjoy hearing about it. Yes, masks are awkward for glasses wearers aren't they? It's like walking around in a permanent mist. Never mind (and I really don't.) Take care.
ReplyDeleteMist is a good word, Cath. It just annoys me, but lots of things annoy me or have in the last few months. As I said, I think I'm getting better at adjusting for the fog or maybe I'm just getting used to it. Hope your husband is doing well now.
DeleteYou know, I was thinking about my ears...yes, my EARS! Just think, we hear with our ears, and they prop up our glasses (which I must have in order to see) and NOW my poor ears have to hold up my face mask which protects me from COVID 19! Let's hear it for for our EARS...ha,ha..HEAR It! I was going to do a post about this, so look out for it! :-) Of course, these days, I will instantly forget about it, so you just might have to get my wit and wisdom in this pithy comment. Stay safe! xx
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, the ears. A couple of those masks have very tight elastic and those are not as comfortable on the ears. Plus they make the ears stick out - which looks funny to me. HEAR it - yes! Cute!
DeleteGlad you had a great trip! I find myself always keeping a mask in my car, just in case!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes. We have masks in both vehicles. Funny how that has become 'normal'.
DeleteHi there, Kay. So glad you were able to get away for a bit. Looking forward to hearing more about you're reading.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, my reading will be more 'normal' in upcoming days, though why it should be 'normal' when nothing else is. LOL
DeleteWhat do you do about foggy glasses while wearing a mask? It makes it really hard to see when I'm grocery shopping. It's fine on the inhale, but on the exhale not so much! I've seen some masks advertised as no-fog, but I wonder if they really work??
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you and your husband got to get out and vacation a little. Sounds you had a great time. We've been enjoying watching the wild bunnies, too - we have four who love to scamper around in our backyard grass. They're adorable!
Yes, I've tried the tricks of cleaning the glasses with soap and water and alcohol wipes and shaving cream (that was an odd one), but I've found that nothing works for long. I just have to make sure the masks fits tight around my upper nose and then is higher up than I'm probably comfortable with. Several of my masks have a bit of wire in the top so that you can kind of mold it to your nose. Those are best. Honestly, nothing works 100%. Bunnies in your backyard. More fun than cows. LOL
DeleteWhat a lovely collection of masks! It is very hot in Arizona so I usually rip mine off the minute I get back in my car, and am always amused/bemused to see people actually driving with them on, alone in their cars. Of course, I want to rip off my clothes in the heat too, and they remain dressed, so there you go!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, I've seen people doing that too - masks when they are alone in the car. I keep thinking - really? LOL
DeleteDid you encounter many people without masks?
ReplyDeleteYes and no. Depended on where you were. When we drove out there, West Texas had very few people wearing masks in the convenience stores - customers I mean. The employees all had masks on. That being said, we went through Texas counties and New Mexico counties that have had and continue to have almost no cases at all. These are places that also have very small populations. In Ruidoso itself, most wore masks, but not all. We didn't really go into stores all that much - just a couple of visits to the grocery and one very large flea market/antique type place. And yes, masks on almost everyone there. NM has had a requirement for masks in public, but not everyone wears them. Texas got a requirement for masks in public while we were on our trip - at least in counties with over 20 cases. The Austin area has had a requirement for weeks and I'd say people wearing them are about 60-40. Most who don't honestly are younger - certainly under 60 and probably most under 45. Almost all the older people we've seen are wearing them.
DeleteI so don't get it. And esp the whole political aspect. I saw a guy in the Coop just yesterday strolling along without a mask and I swear he looked smug. He must have been 60. All the kids (and I mean 30somethings!) around here wear them.
DeleteYes, people have made everything political these days. It's tiresome for sure. I will say that when I went to the grocery store yesterday, every single person I saw was wearing a mask and I think that's a first. I usually go very early, right after the store opens and have seen a few without, but this time - all had masks. Good!
DeleteA lot of the new cases in Texas or even most are people in the 20-40 age group. Partly due to gatherings or so they say. Bars, Memorial Day events, now 4th of July events, etc. Family gatherings and even a bunch of high school kids who did some kind of 'traditional' thing. I wondered where their parents were and why they let them go. Sigh.
It's good to hear from you, Kay. Glad you got to spend some time in New Mexico! I am also accumulating a mask collection. Seems like I have three in my purse at all times... though we rarely go anywhere these days. My walks are getting shorter as temperatures rise, but I've rediscovered my love of swimming. I'm hitting the pool every evening to swim a few laps, float around, and do some water aerobics. When/if our rec center ever reopens, I think I'm going give water aerobics classes a try. We're planning to get out things out of storage at the end of next week, settle into the new house just a little, then head up to NY/CT for August and September. Hope things will be better there than they are in FL right now. Take care and stay safe!
ReplyDeleteJoAnn, water aerobics might be just the thing for you. I did that years ago, but my current rec center doesn't have an indoor pool and that's what I'd need. Hope your trip up north goes well. Take care!
DeleteGetting away, even if much of what you do is the same as what you do at home, is good just for the change of scenery. I get so excited when we drive somewhere. Like a dog, really.
ReplyDeleteI bought a mask package when this all began but my kids and husband took them and we need more anyway. You have to have extra to rotate through the wash and the like. My friend is making them so I may ask her to make me some cool ones. I need comfortable fabric if I end up going back to work and wearing them all day long. I wear one for errands and find myself ripping it off as soon as I exit a building.
We are plugging along. I am not my usual perky self these days. I wake with anxiety and a poor mood. It leaves me eventually mid morning but then returns late at night. A vicious cycle.
Ti, I understand what you're saying about moods and anxiety. I have days that are not so good in that regard and then other days seem a bit better. I'm still having all of it affect my reading somewhat, but that seems to be easing off. Take care and deep breaths and relax....we can both use that, right?
DeleteAll of these comments sound so familiar to my experience. The problem with masks and glasses. I have a huge problem seeing prices and especially expiration dates. I usually have my son with me shopping but we split up to get it over faster. But still, like you say, there are people wearing the masks all day to work in grocery stores and medical personnel taking care of people all day. So no complaints. We have multiple masks, and have been lucky finding ones that fit. I had not thought of putting some in the cars just in case.
ReplyDeleteLike Ti, it takes me a while to wake up and get in a mood to do anything in the morning. Some days are better than others. I have found that doing more outside in the yard has helped, although I have to limit that due to aches and pains in various parts of my body. But overall, our situation is fine and we are grateful for that.
Tracy, I think all of this is such an adjustment and just about the time a few areas get more familiar, something changes again. I never really thought of myself as so adverse to change, but I am - I so am. LOL
DeleteLooks like a good trip and I would love to go to New Mexico and really anything in that direction one day. I'm a bit worried what that dry air would do to my skin and hair but I'm intrigued! I love the masks. We have to wear masks all the time in the hospital but it has to be the surgical masks which I think are more comfortable but not nearly as fun. I am so so glad I don't wear glasses though! I have learned that I apparently have a very small face - or at least a short one! - as my eyelashes are constantly getting stuck in them anytime I glance down.
ReplyDeleteKatherine, I've been thinking about you daily and hoping for all good things in your life and for your boy. Yes, NM really makes the skin dry. I'm constantly putting cream and lip stuff on to mitigate it. Take care and all good thoughts and prayers heading your way...
DeleteSounds like you had a nice little vacation. It's nice that you were able to get away. Love your masks! They are all the new fashion craze right now, aren't they? :-) Wish you well. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteYes, who would have thought that we would all be looking for 'fun' fabric for masks? A weird year, right? It was nice to be away for a bit, but think that will be the only getaway for this year - likely anyway.
DeleteVery interesting post and comments. I've hardly been out since this all started so have only worn a mask a few times, feeling very self-conscious as hardly anyone else was wearing one. I think it'll change though as it's now mandatory in shops and public transport in Scotland and will be soon in England (I live on the border - tricky.)
ReplyDeleteMargaret, I understand what you mean about feeling self-conscious - it's all taking a bit to be adjusted to that face covering. As I said, fixing the edges so that my exhaled breath doesn't fog up the glasses has been the biggest challenge and also speaking a bit more loudly. Ah well. We'll manage.
DeleteMasks. At first when wearing a mask to the store, I felt like I couldn't see well. Isn't that funny? I wear glasses to read or work on the computer, not to see far or walk. But I found I felt like I couldn't see to walk. That has gotten better. Also because I am such a "routine" person I did a really silly thing a few times. Instead of pull up to the store, unbuckle seat belt, grab purse, open door, I pull up the store, put on mask, grab purse, open door. Same amount of steps right? Forgot to unbuckle seat belt. Gosh. Better now. lol
ReplyDeleteYes, I think it's taking all of us a bit of time to adjust to masks. Who knew it would take so much coordination? LOL
DeleteKay that is great that you and your husband were able to enjoy a getaway! Love your mask collection and glad to hear you've been staying safe. I know masks aren't fun but I feel like we all need to do our part. Our numbers here in Central Texas aren't encouraging. Can't wait to hear what you think of the latest Linda Castillo mystery. I've only read a few books in the series but I really like the characters!
ReplyDeleteI'm still slowly reading the Castillo book. I was going great guns, but then got distracted. Hopefully I'll get it finished this week. Take care, Iliana. Yes, the numbers here are not good, better in my county but still...I will say that when I went to the HEB on Friday every single person was wearing a mask. That's a first in my experience.
DeleteSounds lovely. Beautiful masks.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteSounds like a great trip to me, Kay! We've been getting some cooler temperatures lately thanks to the rain, but still hate the humidity. That's a lovely collection of masks you've there! I don't like wearing them too since they fog up the glasses, but well we've to do whatever we can in this situation, isn't it? Despite everything, I find that I've somehow slowly gotten use to wearing them now, though I'm still sceptical about dining out. You take care too, Kay!
ReplyDeleteI understand what you're saying, Melody. I walked outside today very early and it was OK, but too humid. Not much I can do about that though - just sweat - ha! Yes, we've only eaten inside at a restaurant twice since the start of this - once here in our area and once while we were in New Mexico. Both times were good enough, but I'm not rushing to do that frequently. Most places here have transitioned to decent takeout options and that's what we pick.
DeleteKay, I'm glad you were able to get away for a while. I have a friend who has a place in Ruidoso, so I often hear about the wonders of the cool temps.
ReplyDeleteIt's 80 degrees when we start walking at 7 am. Masks are uncomfortable, but I'm not complaining. I know medical workers have it much, much, much worse. It feels like the least I can do.
Your masks are beautiful. A friend gave me a beautiful flowered mask that I wear as often as I can.
We do enjoy getting away to the mountains when we can, though the journey is just a little long for comfort - about 9 hours or so. Yes, I'm finding I do like variety in my masks - who knew that would even be a thing, right? LOL
DeleteLove the Kate Burkholder series and am looking forward to the newest installment. It certainly helps to get out, we try to walk early in the morning daily.
ReplyDeleteYes, early is the way to go here too. Just at sunrise for me and most days with a little breeze which helps. Nice to see your comment, Nise'!
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