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Monday, November 30:
Only one more month to go in 2020; hang in there, folks
Los Angeles County has begun new public health orders as of today. These new orders will ban all gatherings with people from another household. People are allowed to leave their homes to walk their dog or take walks with people they live with, buy groceries or pick up drugs, pick up or receive takeout food, travel to the emergency room or urgent care, or for other essential purposes. These rules last for at least three weeks.
As far as I know, there will not be any active attempt by the police or other authorities to enforce these rules. (In Paris, Ashley tells us you have to carry papers when you go out, and are subject to a fine of 150 Euros if caught violating the rules there!)Every morning one of the first things I do is to splash cold water on my face to wake up. Then I dry off and glance in the mirror. Sometimes what I see surprises me: a new wrinkle? a new spot? a sagging eyelid? etc. And that's just on my face. You usually can't see much more of my body, but, trust me, you don't want to; there are much more spots and sagging flesh there.
I do make an effort to get some exercise every day: walking, walking in the lap pool, etc. No treadmill or stationery bike at the gym, which is closed for now. My grandmother, born about 1880, lived to be 95. Her life as a homemaker, cooking, cleaning, sewing, washing, grocery shopping, and so forth, kept her very healthy. My mother lived to be 88, and was going strong, living alone and driving, until the very end. As far as I remember, neither of them ever saw any need to exercise or "work out". I think I got a lot of my "health" DNA from them.
I'm not complaining about growing old. So far, it's better than the alternative. I'll turn 85 later this month, God willing. This aging seems quite normal. Over the years I have had a share of health and medical issues. Recently, my urologist discovered bladder cancer by pure coincidence. It's early stage T1, and should be very treatable. I am fortunate that it was found at all, since these cancers usually do not show up on scans, until they have progressed very far. So I count myself lucky on this one (as well as on my ancestors DNA).
Tuesday, December 1:
In past years, we have almost always seen all of our children and grandchildren at least twice in each year. So far in 2020, we saw our daughter Ashley and husband Neil Hafer, their daughters Chelsea and Lindsay, and son Phil and wife Tracy at the Hafer's joint 50th birthday party in January. A big fun party (and what luck on the timing for them). We saw Danny in San Francisco in January also. We saw Neil in the summer. And we see Lindsay occasionally as she is back at UCLA. But we have not seen any other children or grandchildren at all in 2020, and probably will not in December, based in part on the latest restrictions in LA County.
So I think my on-going aging may surprise some of our children and grandchildren the next time we see them...whenever that will be.
On my morning walk, I go thru Farmers Market. The latest restrictions in LA County are in place until at least December 20. All outdoor dining tables and chairs have been removed. It feels so deserted there. And I fear it may be the final blow for some of the restaurants there, who have struggled on as the pandemic has impacted their businesses.
Wednesday, December 2:
Weekly grocery shopping morning. Whole Foods senior hour at 7AM. More Amazon "shoppers" than seniors, but not crowded except in produce. No Christmas music yet. Plenty of TP and paper towels, but no barley. Only 4 Christmas trees left. Trader Joe's senior hour at 8AM. About a dozen shoppers in line when they open. Music: Christmas songs, but not the oldies I remember. Home by 9AM. Speaking of exercise, got in over 3.500 steps on this short expedition.
Ashley and Neil have decided to cancel their planned trip to the States for the holidays. If they came, their ability to interact with family and friends would be severely limited. We will miss seeing them, but think it's the right decision on their part.
Stay safe, and wear your masks.
Coleman
Documentary recommendation (sent to us by Dan): "Trial 4" on Netflix. A young Black man in Boston is convicted of murdering a Boston policeman, and serves over 20 years. A persistent and tough defense attorney. If you liked "Making A Murderer", you will probably like this one. 8-episodes, about 1 hour each.
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