Friday, May 8: We went to CVS to see if they had disinfectant wipes. The shelves were empty. We asked a clerk, and she said they would be getting more on Saturday morning (the next day), come early.
So, Saturday, we joined the line outside CVS at about 6:45AM; they open at 7:00. In fact, there were two lines, one for the older folks (like us) and one for everyone else. At 7AM, the doors open, and the old folks get to enter first. We go to the back of the store, where the cleaning items are shelved, and the shelf is empty. Nadine asks a clerk, and is told, yes, they did get some this morning, but they are only sold one to a customer, and you have to ask for them at the checkout counter. So, we go to the checkout line in the front of the store, where we are now third in line, but several other customers have already checked out. When it is our turn, we ask for the wipes, and that clerk tells us that the supply that came in that morning has already sold out; they only got one box today; come back on Tuesday morning, when they will get their next shipment. Going back this coming Saturday, older but wiser.
Saturday, May 16: We are first in line at CVS, at 6:45. Doors open at 7AM. We rush to be first in line at the checkout counter. “Any alcohol or sanitary wipes?” we ask. “None came in today” is the reply.
On a morning walk, I heard the distinctive sound of a woodpecker. Rap-rap-rap-rap-rap. I was not aware that there were woodpeckers in Los Angeles. The LATimes has an article about how more birds are returning to LA because of the reduced pollution, congestion and noise.
Another morning walk, thru a quiet residential neighborhood, south of Wilshire. The jacarandas and bouganvillas are in colorful bloom, all red and purple. So are the mock orange and jasmine, filling the air with exotic fragrances. And the songbirds are out in full throat.
I love our local LACounty library, the Fairfax branch (though it is on Gardner St). But of course it has been closed for weeks now; I can’t even return the three books I had checked out earlier. So I checked out a couple of audio books, which came to my iPhone. But I tend to fall asleep when listening to them. Have never read an e-book, and really miss the real thing. So, I decide to buy some used books on Amazon, and the first one has arrived: “Twilight of the American Century” by Andrew Bachevich. ex-military and retired rom the faculty at BU; so far, very interesting.
Here at Park La Brea, there is a small cafe, Curson Cafe, in the large park area behind our building. It closed about 6 weeks ago, but has now reopened...for takeout. The owner, Jessica, is Korean-American, and the crew are all Hispanic, as is true in many restaurants in our area. I am glad for us that it is open again, and especially glad for all of them that they have their livelihoods back, at least at some level.
More Zoom classes with the faux backgrounds. The latest: aurora borealis.
In front of our building is a circular driveway, with a small circle in the middle. Populated with five tall palms trees. I see several small squirrels venturing out high up in one of the palms. I suspect they are infants, and their nest is ‘way up in the tree somewhere.
Starting to have a different mood lately. The “rush” of our new mode of existence is over; all the changes have settled in, such as remembering wear our masks when we go out, how to order groceries on-line, how to join a Zoom meeting, how to set up a Zoom meeting, where to buy TP and masks, and at home activities that replace some that used to require travel, like meditation sessions and Torah classes and yoga classes. Much of this is now our new routine.
This routine has fewer outings and events in it. We are both meditating, almost daily. My blood pressure, for which I have been on meds for about eleven years, has recently come down from a typical 140/90 to a new typical of 120/80!!
Sunday, May 17: Nadine and I watched about the first hour of “Becoming", the documentary about Michelle Obama.
My overall feeling after watching it was sadness. Once we had a President and First Lady who were articulate, and had grace, intelligence, wisdom, warmth, and a sense of humor.
Not that Obama did not make some mistakes; I feel he did.
But now, what do we have: Trump and Melania….such a sad next episode in our presidential succession.
From our friend Michael: Weather forecast for tomorrow: ROOM TEMPERATURE.
Today we got a real rain in the morning. Water running down the gutters.
That’s it for now.Stay safe, wash your hands, keep your distance, be kind to one another, and call your mother (if possible).
Coleman
GALLERY:
From my brother Stan, a tribute to Bob Dylan and the coronavirus (3 minutes long on YouTube):
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