Pandemic times

We are still self-isolating in Dorset England. We get out for a walk most days which is good for our physical and mental health and well-being. As Bryan says, we aren't going to sit in the house and just wait to die. Thank goodness for our little patio and garden area full of flowers and a bit of veg in planters and pots. We are however very careful with the social distancing and hand-washing and house disinfecting, etc. I still have not been in another building except our home since my birthday in mid-March. Bryan has gone to the chemist twice to pick up his prescriptions, otherwise we don't congregate. Thank goodness for grocery delivery, it's a life-saver ... quite literally I believe. We carry our masks with us whenever we are out, just in case, too many situations that are impossible to predict anymore. As I don't have a sewing machine here, it's in Houston, a neighbour, Pam, made us some masks and in return I supplied her with crocheted 'ear-savers' to accompany the masks she was also sending out to family and friends who are nurses. I miss lots of things, family primarily, but also activities like shopping at the weekly Market in DOrchester, attending various local music concerts, but I'm not keen to jeopardize my or Bryan's health or risk getting separated on opposite sides of the Atlantic with no way back together to take care of each other - we just managed to stay together here when our flights were cancelled in March and both countries went on lockdown - and the kids say they miss me - but also that they are still keen for me to stay here until it is safe to travel again, as in with an effective vaccine in place. We are both in the High Risk group for multiple reasons. Fingers crossed my Leave to Remain extension is approved. We are living ... living being the the operative word ... in interesting, scary times.

Names Matter

I am renaming this bit of the blog world, “Choosing Joy”. It’s former name, “Time Flies” was and is accurate, but misses the essential point.
A bit of perspective re-framing has occurred and the new name is more appropriate.
It doesn't necessarily mean an increase in posts ... but it could.

5 years on ...

Five years on ... and even longer than my last lapse in posting!

Had I not seen the name on Google's updated Picasa Web Album, now Google+, I wouldn't have recalled the name of this pitiful excuse for a blog.

In the intervening years, I've read many interesting blogs, not necessarily great blogs, but interesting ones nonetheless - and even so, they shine in comparison to this poor neglected corner of the 'web' I once designated as 'mine' almost TEN years ago.

It's almost 2:30 in the morning, I have nothing profound to share ... Good night ... or Good morning!

Flew by

TIME FLIES seems to be quite the understatement! who knew I'd forget about this blog ... and then be reminded a few years on that I had posted a few words someplace other than on my Flickr account?

Busy-ness with taking the Texas Master Naturalist course this past fall ... still trying to get in 40 hours of volunteer work and 8 more advanced training hours to be fully certified. I am so-o enjoying the outdoor learning activity and the photography opportunities opening up for me now - keeping both my mind and my body active ... a good thing all around.

I need to figure out this posting of photos to a blog ... this blog to be specific ... I tend to concentrate my time on Flickr and the contacts there .... ruminating .....

{wanders away for a bit}

A Veteran Returns

Daniel is stateside!
Yesterday morning there was a post-it from Connie on my computer screen that he had called from the Atlanta airport - I was a bit late in to work (misplaced the car keys - haven't done that in a while) and so missed his first call. I wasn't expecting him until the 17th or 18th, but then, the military has always adjusted any date they've provided for anything...his induction date...his BasicTraining start date...his deployment dates - and places, too. The only date that didn't change was the one scheduled for his Basic Training graduation. So I'm not particularly surprised now...I don't think it'll adversely affect his being able to be here for Thanksgiving, he plans to arrive in Houston on the 20th or 21st. HOOAH! The 14 days they get for R & R leave should be up that following Monday or Tuesday, just depends on what day the Army says it officially started.
Through the plane window, his first glimpse of land, of the United States, through otherwise dense clouds, was of Georgia. He said he immediately had goosebumps all over.... We can never take this great country for granted - obviously he does not.
They are all wearing their ACU's on the flight - it's a military chartered flight. Atlanta Customs had them all take off their boots (ugh, think of the laces) and "get about half-undressed". He wasn't terribly impressed with that particular exercise - they weren't in full battle-rattle, but what a pain in the butt to mess with all their gear. They then sent them to Gate (or Terminal?) 3 - instead of "30" . as he said, that's a lot of walking between 3 and 30, only to find out you have to go all the way back. Aggravating at the least - he'd already been up for over 42 hours and their flight was delayed due to the weather...
He was in Dallas by 14:00, but his next flight out wasn't until 5:30 - barring any more delays...he was going to find the USO or Admiral's club at the airport and get something to eat and put his feet up. I hope he was able to catch a few Z's.
I haven't heard how things went after that yet...but if I was him, once I got to the post and could get horizontal, I'd have slept all day...and that is what I hope he had the opportunity to do! God Bless Him for the job he does...a good long restful sleep on his first day back in the country he defends, doesn't seem like too much to wish for...I know he's earned it.

Step One

blogging....one of those "sounds like an interesting idea" phenomena. wonder how long my interest will last? guess I'll learn that ...in due time!