Another Update

There are many things that we found to do to stay sane throughout this pandemic experience. Even though we aren't traveling or going to a lot of places locally, we still manage to find interesting projects to keep us busy. A lot has been happening.

We are still doing as much as we can in the heat to improve our flower bed/garden area. We are getting an estimate from our landscaper to build a garden plot off of our patio. We probably won't do that, but we would like to know what is involved anyway. In the meantime, we enjoy seeing the wildlife from our patio and we consistently see this little guy roaming around our patio every day:

He/she can't be more than a week or two old.

We also have been enjoying the transformation of the ironwood tree by the green in our back yard. It is beautiful with the lavender or purple pedals that it has at this time of the year:

Finally, to end the outside events, we have a photo of the blooming cactus that looks like this for only one day before losing all its blooms:

Another project that we have been working on part time is the second puzzle that we have acquired. This one is one we bought from Amazon and is 1000 pieces. It was difficult from the standpoint that all the pieces are shaped the same and the only differentiating characteristic is the color on each piece. It still is a nice picture of the Grand Teton National Park:

We plan to get another one of 1000 pieces soon.

Finally, the good news from Patty's home is the first look at the new puppy that they will bring home sometime in mid May. These are the two "boys" that they have selected from the litter and one goes to Michael:

How precious are they?

Stay safe and healthy everybody. Till next time...

Ramblings from Home

As we spend day after day at home while following the safe distance guidelines established for the Coronavirus Pandemic, we have used the time to do some fun and productive activities.

Starting with Josie's crochet projects which now includes 11 afghans:

She is working on two others that will just about deplete her yarn supply. She had completed most of those prior to this extended stay at home but still has finished three or four since this all started. There are a few more that are lined up for future projects if these "stay home" rules get extended.

I also have been busy trying to complete (probably) the most difficult cross stitch project I have ever attempted. This is one I started before last summer but stopped when I realized I wouldn't have it done in time for the trip to Jackson. It is very, very detailed and is taking a super long time:

As you can see, the final product should be well worth the effort.

We have recently expanded our projects to include puzzles. George has graciously loaned us three of his for us to get started. This is the first one that we completed:

As you can see, it is the Mesa Verde National Park and is really very nice. The second one that we just started is the first of two we ordered from Amazon but have taken forever to arrive as a result of a huge backlog at the puzzle producer. They never anticipated the huge demand for puzzles that was brought on by the Coronavirus impact. This is one is of the Grand Teton National Park is very difficult as a result of being 1000 pieces (versus the 500 of Mesa Verde) and the fact that the pieces are all the same shape and size:

There is no rush to complete this , so we will use this as a break from our other projects from time to time.

Finally, we have been active in our backyard trying to add some color and figure out how we can set up a permanent floral/garden area off the back of our patio:

One item that is visible in the upper right (above) is a beautiful cactus that blooms like this each year - for about two days. We have two of those in our yard:

We do get other, nice visits from the wildlife which we enjoy watching while sitting at our table on the rear patio. This butterfly flew by just yesterday:

We also enjoy watching the birds bathe in the birdbath that we have in the yard and we have already shown videos of up to 5 or 6 birds bathing at the same time. Add to that the many rabbits we have in the yard and the different species of birds and there is never a dull moment - not to mention the many golfers of all sizes shapes and skills that we watch.

As much as we hope that the virus winds down and a cure/vaccine can be developed, we are enjoying the time together and don't mind the stay at home rules that have been established. We hope everybody finds similar activities that help create a more pleasant and safe experience...

Early Trip To Grocery Store

I don't like venturing out at all during this Coronavirus pandemic but we have to keep replenishing our food and other supplies. I did a repeat of the early - 6 AM - Fry's opening and was in line at the store at 5:40 AM. This time, there was only one line instead of the two lines previously. It was still an experience as the line was around the corner of the building. These shots, taken before 6 AM, show how many people were waiting:

Behind me:

In Front of me:

Just about everybody was maintaining a six foot "social distance" and some had masks. It is clearly getting worse as more folks are taking it more seriously.

We should be good for at least another week and I dread going out again as this virus continues to worsen. Josie and I are staying busy doing our crocheting (Josie) and cross stitch (Bob). We also are doing some things outside with our plants and trees and expect to have some photos soon of blooming cactus.

Again, stay safe everybody - at home....