I always have Carrie and Erik over for their birthdays. This year I have added Isaac and Ari because we did not get to celebrate their birthdays in person due to the pandemic. I have made the cake. Easy. Planning lunch is more complicated because we are still meeting outdoors. It is more complicated bringing everything outside and we do not have tables to sit out. 

It is the thought that counts. 

I have adapted to the pandemic.  Therapy by phone.  Or, meeting people in my backyard sitting six feet apart and wearing masks.  Then we had the wildfires.  And the smoke.  Every day began by checking the air quality color.  There was a long period of red and purple.  All clients were now by phone. No walking in the morning.

Green, please.

With the pandemic, the gym closed.  I started walking a mile every morning.  I took a mask and put it on if I was around anyone.  Then the fires started as a result of lightning storms.  Fortunately, none of the fires were nearby.  And then I was told the smoke had come to my city.  I am unable to smell, thus I was oblivious.  I began to wear my N95 masks which I got last year during the fires.  Then I was told it was not wise to walk if the air quality rate was too high.

There is more to check on each morning.

The family came over to celebrate the October birthdays.  We were still in the backyard because of the pandemic.  We decided to discuss how we would celebrate Thanksgiving since it is usually at my home in the dining room.  The image of 13 people sitting in the backyard and serving all the food was Impractical.  Ellen suggested we each make our usual contribution and then drive around delivering the food to everyone.  Julie has already said she is not coming up for the holiday.

I believe I will be having a salad for the holiday.

Carrie and I are driving down to visit Jules and Mango. We were talking about the sleeping arrangements and Carrie asked me to bring the pills I use when I am unable to fall asleep. She anticipates a problem sleeping away from home.

Now, as adults, adjusting to overnights in a new way.

The automatic sprinkler was malfunctioning. The landscaper repaired it and reprogrammed it with me giving him the days and times. An hour before I was meeting with clients outside today, it went off, water falling on the chairs that were already set up. I always put the chairs away when the sprinkler, scheduled to run at 3 AM, will be working. Last night was the wrong night, and 8 AM was the wrong time. I had soaking wet chairs. I replaced them with the two remaining in the garage. That left me one very wet one.

Guess which one I sat on?

The family came over for lunch in my backyard. We still stay outside with the pandemic. Someone asked Isaac how long he will have classes online. He said they are going to evaluate after eight weeks. Ari said that he believes he was told reevaluation would take place in March for his school. Erik said it will be a full year of online classes.

Another issue with uncertainty.

Went to Erik, Ellen, Isaac, and Ari’s house for lunch outside yesterday. It was chilly. Ari met me wearing shorts and a t-shirt and no shoes. Ari has always preferred less clothing. For sleepovers, he wore very light pajamas during the winter. He prefers no jackets. Some things never change.

Ari’s heart and style are the same as his body temperature.

Isaac has started a program on Youtube. It is called Nysart. He is teaching about watercoloring, rooting and planting succulents, creating terrariums, and other creative endeavors. He is so good at what he does. He knows how to use the camera. I suggested he reach out to teachers who are now doing online education. He might have something to offer the children who are looking for creative outlets and gifts to create.

So proud.

My friend Doug is an IT expert. He helped me recently with a computer problem. I am not able to see him at our business group meeting during the pandemic. Rather than mail him payment for his work, I invited him over for coffee in my backyard. That way, I get to see him and have a conversation to catch up on things. Human contact during the pandemic. And not having to mail the payment.

A two-fer.