Everything has been out of whack. Our city is almost back to being fully operational, which is a good thing. The only real restrictions are for large gatherings. But that doesn’t mean things are back to normal. Of course, there are the usual “new normal” things, like wearing masks and such, but even those things are more or less “recommendations” here and not actual requirements. We’ve never really had a huge volume of COVID cases in our county to start with, so everyone is just being cautious but going about their business. No real fanatics here.
Movie theaters and local playhouses were finally allowed to reopen. But, Hollywood hasn’t been making films so there are no new movies to show. Theater companies haven’t been allowed to rehearse so there are no new plays to present. Dance studios have been shuttered so there are no dance recitals to attend. Concerts were all canceled so auditorium seats sit empty. Even the famed Miss Mississippi pageant was canceled. No telling when these businesses will be back to “business as usual.”
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Gyms reopened at limited capacity a couple of weeks ago, but after just one week they’ve stopped taking temperatures at the door and just letting anybody with a membership in. This past week the group classes have resumed. Karate, Zumba, youth basketball are back in business. I’ve been able to get back in the water for my aqua Zumba class, but it’s weird because everyone is always looking around to make sure we stay in our spot well away from the other participants. And we have to wear masks, which is challenging in the water. Wet masks are not fun. Changing rooms are crowded so there’s extra time associated with getting in and out of our swimsuits. I’ve just taken to going home in my wet suit.
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Business at the inn is picking up but every day is a mystery. Used to be we’d know well in advance how many people to expect checking in and for breakfast because people made reservations weeks or months in advance. Not anymore. We’ve been getting a lot of last minute walk-in traffic. Which is good but requires a lot more flexibility with breakfast preparations. I haven’t stocked up my pantry or freezer so I have to make more frequent trips to the supermarket now. I also never know if I have to have my housekeeper come in or not. If there are only one or two rooms checking out, I’ll just clean them myself. But, when two rooms check in at the last minute, I have to contact my housekeeper and ask her to come in, which she is not always able to do now because she’s already made plans. It’s not really fair or me to ask her to be on-call when I can’t guarantee work is it?
I’ve had several medical appointments rescheduled from March, April and May. The other day I had a video appointment with my oncologist. That was weird. I understand why their office is keeping folks out, as much as possible. If I were still receiving chemotherapy treatments I wouldn’t want a whole bunch of people around me either. However, after the appointment, a nurse called me and said the doctor wanted me to come into the lab for bloodwork. Say what? Why didn’t I just have my normal office visit then? I have to go to the same place. I’m still exposing myself to the same people and space. All so weird. I know they’re doing the best they can, but it doesn’t make any sense to me.
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Even my writing has become more chaotic and sporadic. I’ve had more time to write but my mindset has been everywhere but on my story. And, just when I get into a flow, I’ll get a phone call and have someone want to book a room, which throws me out of whack. I’ve been “almost done” with this book I’m working on for months now. Every time I write a chapter, I have to think about what I wrote for 2 or 3 days before I can move on. Sometimes, what I’ve written takes me in a direction I didn’t want to go so I have to delete and start over or move forward with a new idea. It’s all so odd right now.
Developing a routine is almost impossible amidst all the current conditions. I guess my “new normal” is NOT having a routine. I work better with more structure, but hey, if that’s the way of my future, I’ll learn to adapt. I guess.
How are you guys doing? Are things feeling more like “normal” where you are? Any idea what new movies are coming out? Will our favorite television shows be back this fall? Inquiring minds want to know.
Word of the Day: Refulgent
Fun fact about me: I’m apparently writing the next great epic novel. This new book draft is already almost 500 pages. Insane. I need help.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, June 2020. Images by Pexels.
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My county also never had a high number of COVID cases, so things are mostly normal here – main thing is restaurants are still operating at reduced capacity, and restaurant and retail employees wear masks. Hardly anyone else does. I think movie theaters were allowed to open last week or so, but we hardly ever go to movies. And LOL about the book length – that happens to me almost every time! Good luck with it!
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I’m seeing a lot more people NOT wearing masks lately. The heat and humidity don’t help. Most people are conscientious about social distancing, however. I truly believe we’re near an end to this. The spike in cases was bound to happen by the simple fact of “opening” things back up. I expected it. I say, let it run it’s course and move on. Be careful and practical.
But, no more about that.
Thanks for stopping by. Always good to see smiling faces on a Monday morning.
Patricia
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Hi again, Patricia. Glad to hear your clientele situation is improving even though it makes for more chaos at this point.
I totally understand the difficulty with a routine. It’s tough to play ball when the ground rules constantly change in the middle of the game.
As for the writing, I think I mentioned I was going to start again from scratch. I got back to 20,000 words and hit a wall again. I haven’t even looked at it for weeks now. The Covid-19 was a great excuse. Just thinking about writing 500 pages makes me fingers cramp up!
You’re lucky they are letting you back in the pool. Our recreations centers here are just now opening one at a time but for appointment only swimming. No water sprite groups like yours that Patty loves so much. She’s been reduced to walking with me…..quite a come down.
Here’s hoping the future for you, Corey and the Inn is filled with refulgence!
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Hi Al. Good to see you again. Our first couple of aqua zumba classes were pretty small. Wearing the masks is really hard during a workout. Last night the pool was really full so it was also hard to find a spot a comfortable distance away from others. The weather has been REALLY hot here so I think a lot of people are coming just to get the refreshment from the pool rather than the workout.
I hope you don’t give up on the writing. Just write something. It doesn’t have to be great. Finishing a manuscript – no matter how many words – is a wonderful feeling. Keep at it if you feel the calling. And, if not, that’s okay too. You’re still a winner in my book.
Take care and have a great rest of the week.
Patricia
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I’m glad business is picking up for Baer House! Even if it’s not as structured as you prefer, I’m guessing you’re thankful for the guests. We haven’t had many cases here, either, and hardly anyone wears a mask, but our governor just announced that starting tomorrow, anyone who enters a public place must wear one. Since I’ll have to wear one at work now whenever clients come in, I had to order a Darth Vader protective face covering. Gotta find some fun in it, right? I feel you with the unfocused writing, which is why I’m doing the Camp NaNo in July to finish up my own almost finished story! If you want to join our cabin, give me a shout–being accountable to your cabin mates really does help.
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Oh, oh, oh, I’d love to join your cabin!! But, I just finished a 513-page manuscript that I’ve been working on FOREVER and I need to get it edited and off to my editor for more editing of my edits. But, please, next time, I’d love an invite. I need an accountability partner so much. Good luck to you.
Our state hasn’t mandated masks yet, but I feel pretty confident we’re headed in that direction. I don’t go out very much anyway, so it’s not a huge deal for me, but I get sort of claustrophobic when I cover my mouth and nose. I’ll just have to get in and get out real quick. This crap has to be over at some point. I figure if enough people get it, it won’t have anywhere else to go.
Anyway, thanks for stopping by. Have a great week. Good luck with the manuscript. I’m reading the first book in new series and I’m loving it so far. Adara is my kind of gal.
Patricia
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Next camp season, I’ll invite you to our cabin! And so glad you like Adara! ❤
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I read your post Monday morning on my phone. My phone is very clunky when it comes to commenting on blogs, so I wait to re-read and comment on my laptop. But sometimes my routine is whacked and I don’t leave a comment that day, or at all. The first half of 2020 was a train wreck. I am hoping and praying for a better second half, maybe we can pull even or better yet pull away for the win. Your post made me think I’ve been on the road and away from my home close to more than half 2020. Crazy. I know how you are feeling, hang in there the 2nd half is here and we’re gonna make it roar. Peace and stay well.
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Thanks Clay. A certain amount of disruption I can handle, but everything is changing so fast. Stay home, don’t stay home. Wear a mask, don’t wear a mask. Restaurants are opened, restaurants are closed. I’m back to getting cancellations again because stuff is closing back up. It’s all so confusing.
But, this too shall pass. Eventually. I’m trying to hang tough and look for the good. As we all know, there is always good.
Thanks for stopping by (again) and joining the conversation. Here’s hoping you get back into your routine again as well.
Patricia
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