Captain’s Log 6 April 2020
This weekend was good. It started with a wonderful surprise after I finished my blog on Friday and continued with great conversations and a little less work for two days. The weather was decent and that always makes things better.
In my last Captain’s Log I talked about my old childhood neighbors and their influence on me. I have, in the past, looked for their obits online and never found anything of consequence. Friday evening, I researched some more and found that Mr. Brookens had written a book about his life! I cannot lie, I shed a few tears. As I thought about it, I remember going over there to find him hen pecking at a typewriter. He had loose pages scattered about and I remember him saying Beulah was good to put up with his mess. I am sure what I saw was him writing this book! I downloaded it and immediately scanned it for pictures. I found one of the two of them toward the end that made me bawl like a baby. It was so good to see those beautiful faces again! I am savoring the book, reading just a few pages at a time. What a blessing this was. Again, Mr. and Mrs. Brookens are influencing my life. Reading his book has solidified my drive to continue this blog for my descendants. Our words are important and live on forever. May their memories be eternal.
We zoomed with my sister and brother in law and my niece, my friend in Ohio, and did an interview with another traveling family (Growing Up Without Borders) who have found themselves, happily, quarantined in New Zealand. I had long phone chats with both of my parents and with my other sister. I miss my family so very much. Just knowing I cannot go see them makes it harder. Chances are without quarantine we probably wouldn’t be visiting them until Easter anyway—but it is mentally harder regardless. Despite the distance and time differences we got some good quality time in with good quality people. I find myself deeply grateful for access to technology that allows me to see my loved ones faces.
Mark and I did two live streams this weekend. Around 11k people logged in to our general live chat. The conversation was good and people were generally positive. There does, however, seem to be more worry about the financial ramifications of this (almost) worldwide quarantine. I don’t want to dwell on it but, I am very concerned about not only our national economy but the world economy. I just pray world leaders are honest and do what is in everyone’s best interest. It is a long-shot, I know but, miracles do happen.
Our second live stream was with our members and patrons. These people are such a supportive bunch. While the general live stream is literally 10 thousand people and thousands of questions, this stream is usually around 40 people and much less frenetic. We talk about travel and related subjects but we also talk about life, ours and theirs. It is a lot of fun and I love to see how so many of this group have become friends. They talk to each other throughout the stream and it is like being part of a lovely dinner party where everyone gets along. I always walk away from those chats with a light heart.
This past week I put in two grocery orders, one with Meijer and one with Sam’s Club. Normally, an online order would take hours to fulfill. These took days. But that’s ok, I am lucky to be able to order my family’s food online. The whole process should be rather simple but technology, being what it is, was a pain in the rear end this week. Things kept falling out of my cart or taking several minutes to load which means it took over an hour to get a weeks’ worth of groceries in my virtual cart, I swear that kind of shop would have taken me 45mins in person.
My shopper at Meijer was sweet. He texted often as they were out of several things and he worked with me to find replacements. They are still out of my dishwashing gloves—my hands are going to look 20 years older when this quarantine is over with all the dishes I am doing. But bless this man for shopping for my family. I have only seen personal shoppers occasionally at the store in the past couple of years, I have a feeling there are many more now and I am glad some people have found work in this downturn. I am concerned though for their health. On that note, I think it is important that those of us who are utilizing these services tip accordingly.
My Sam’s order was rather humorous. My shopper was fun, we texted back and forth and made jokes about the lack of some items—why for instance, are there no avocados? Do avocados boost immunity? Or does our town have an inordinate love of guacamole? She was unable to get the pork loin I had ordered so picked up a different one. I thought it was a different brand but still the usual 1-2lb tenderloin. Boy, was I wrong. When I brought the groceries in off the porch there was this colossal, half-pig sized piece of meat in my order. The substitute for my 1-2lb tenderloin was a different brand but still $15. It was also 9 pounds! 9lbs of meat for $15 is a deal. That is enough pork to sustain my family for months. Too bad I can’t have people over to share in the bounty. Anyway, I cut it into several roasts and whipped up different marinades inspired by some of our travels. Asian 5 spice, Georgia BBQ, Carnitas and German mustard will hopefully be well received by my men. Oh, I also though I was ordering 4 loaves of bread for two weeks, turns out I ordered 8. Several friends got an extra loaf or two which I left on porches because, social distancing.
We are still missing our family and friends, technology is wonderful for connecting us but Lawd, I wish I could hug me some friends.
Until next time,
Jocelyn