I knew it was going to happen. At some point it was bound to. But, I wasn’t really ready for it to happen quite so quickly. Slowly the country is phasing back into normal operating procedures. We’ve been getting a few more reservations over the past few weeks. But, I don’t know what happened the last three weekends. BAM! Full houses every Friday and Saturday night. Just like that. No warning. The phone kept ringing and the I kept saying “come on.”
I’m not really sure what I expected the re-opening of the country to look like, but I’m liking what I’m seeing. Folks aren’t planning long term or for long trips like they used to. Instead they’re focusing on last minute quick get-aways, short drives from home. They’re flocking down south where the weather is just about perfect right now. People are tired of being cooped up looking at the same four walls every day. And I couldn’t be happier.
My little town is allowing any business to operate at 75% occupancy and restaurants are experiencing overload right now. Sometimes my guests wait over an hour for a table at one of our fine eating establishments. Museums are resuming their “regular” hours on the weekends due to demand. It’s so exciting to see people in town.
The governor of Mississippi has lifted the mask mandates so that’s even better. My own community must still follow the mandates of our mayor, who insists that masks must be worn at least another month, but I expect that’ll also be lifted soon. Most people aren’t wearing masks at outdoor functions right now so it won’t be long before that carries over to the indoor events as well.
Kids are allowed to play sports again. Gyms have allowed the elimination of masks if you are participating in any type of cardio work-out. Outdoor flea markets, farmers markets, craft fairs and even Octoberfests are sprouting up everywhere. People are ready to have some fun. People are ready to spend some money. Business is picking up for everyone. We’re heading in the right direction.
Is that a good thing or a bad thing? I don’t know but I’m of the opinion that it’s time to get the economy moving again and it’s time to stop assuming you’re going to get sick everywhere you go. Take the necessary precautions if you’re at risk. Be respectful of everyone around you. But by all means, get out there and breathe the beautiful fresh air and soak up the healing sunshine. Come and visit me! You won’t regret it.
How are things where you’re at? Still clogged up in a bottleneck of panic and fear and an overabundance of caution? Or loosening up some? Are you ready to move on? Or do you think it’s too soon? There is no right or wrong answer because everyone has their own comfort level. I’m just curious what’s going on elsewhere in the world.
Word of the Day: Factotum
Fun fact about me: I am a factotum.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, October 2020. Images by Pexels and giphy.com
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jansenschmidt 
Factotum, that’s a new one on me, I always used “Jack of all trades”!
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Well why use 3 words when 1 will do? Now go forth and impress your friends with your new-found word.
Thanks for joining the conversation!
Patricia
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Glad to see business is picking up! We still have a mask mandate in my county, but it’s always been for indoors, or for outdoors only when distancing can’t be maintained. And a lot of people don’t observe it strictly, especially since the sheriff came right out and said it wouldn’t be enforced.
Still trying to figure out what to do with our dogs so I can plan that trip to Vicksburg….
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Well, if it was just the 1 I’d say bring it, but I only have one room that I allow pets in and it’s not large enough to accommodate the whole herd. Some kennels are real nice. Or dog sitters. Or a house sitter.
I hope you can work it out. I’d love to have you visit. The weather is so nice you guys should ride your bikes down.
Anyway, thanks for visiting virtually. Some day we’ll get together. I know it.
Patricia
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I am really glad to hear that business is picking up for you! Phew! It’s just in time for the beautiful autumn leaves. 🙂
I personally am happy that people are still wearing masks. I’d have a few friends and family who caught covid-19 and it has made me want to avoid it at all costs!!
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I’m sure COVID is not pleasant. In fact, I’m pretty sure I had it way back in January before it was even a “thing.” I had all the symptoms including the breathing difficulty. But, everyone has their own comfort level so I never judge. I have a hard time wearing the masks. I only put one on if I absolutely have to, but I don’t go very many places either.
I’m just glad to see people out and about now that things are settling down. I think enough people had been infected that the numbers will keep dwindling. (fingers crossed)
Thanks for visiting. Have a wonderful week.
Patricia
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So glad Mississippi is getting back to it! Oregon remains masked and nowhere close to back to normal. Parents have been forced to become home-schoolers and kids aren’t allowed to play sports. Restaurants have limited seating (only a few tables open at a time)…but it’s totally okay for people to crowd into Wal-Mart or Home Depoe because apparently those places are immune to any viruses. It makes no sense to me. I get that COVID is terrible, but so are a lot of other things out there and those other things don’t stop people from getting on with their lives. I say way to go, governor of Mississippi!
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I’ve heard horror stories about the entire west coast being on lock down. It’s crazy. Somebody has to be the first. I’m glad we’re following Florida. It makes no sense to keep doing what we’re doing when people are still getting sick. Enough already. I think the whacko’s on the west coats (present company excluded) want an complete economic breakdown to further their political agenda and make everybody dependent on the government. I’m pretty sure the conservative states aren’t going to let that happen. Scary times that’s for sure.
Hang in there my friend. You’re always welcome here if things get too nutty there. Just sayin’.
Patricia
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Wonderful news for you and the Baer House. Maybe you’ll get some more funny stories to share as tales from the innkeeper!
My wife and I stole a weekend away to the lake last weekend. We left Thursday after school and I taught from the lake on Friday. We spent the rest of Friday enjoying the time away together. Saturday was chores and yard work with dinner out. We were surprised how busy the town was and even more surprised by Sunday’s traffic driving back to reality. Not crazy, but busy traffic. It was good to get away – it whetted our appetite for another weekend get way before the weather turns cold! We are back at school with kids in a three weeks and I am excited to finally ‘meet’ my students. Take care and stay well, be happy.
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It is so nice to see people out and about again. Returning to “normal” is the best way to feel like we’re in some sort of control again (in my opinion anyway). So much of what’s happened lately has been forced upon us and it makes people angry, confused, and depressed. I’m seeing lots of people with a sense of, I don’t know, relief I guess, that they’re able to make their own decisions again, as far as leaving the house, going out, etc. That’s a step in the right direction as far as I’m concerned.
I hope you have an amazing group of kids this year. Keep up the good work my friend.
Patricia
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I’d say the hysteria has died down quite a bit where I am, but that might be because I saw the very worst of it: I had the misfortune to be driving cross-country in mid-March. (It was certainly essential travel – my college dorm was closed due to the virus and I had to get home.) At that time, gas stations were pay-at-the-pump only and fast food places were drive-through only – neither were letting people come inside. So I had access to food and gas for my journey, but what to do when the food gave me gas? No public restrooms open anywhere! At one fast-food joint I begged the lady at the window to let me come inside and use the facilities. She said she’d check with her manager. When she came back after supposedly doing this, she handed me a toilet roll and pointed to the woods behind the restaurant! It’s amazing how callous some people will get when there’s fear in the air.
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Oh my gosh – that’s horrible!! I am so sorry you had to experience that. One person using one restroom one time is surely not going to cause widespread panic! Oh – wait. It did. WTH?
Thanks for joining the conversation. I’m always glad to hear from other people and see what they have been experiencing. I hope things get back to “normal” for you again soon and that your trip back to college (if that’s where you’re headed) is much more pleasant.
Patricia
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And bear in mind this was Minnesota, in March, and it was still snowing. That trip to the woods gave new meaning to “freezing my butt off”. But getting rid of that two-days-of-nothing-but-fast-food stomachache was more than worth it.
I don’t know about “back to normal”, but things have definitely improved for me. My college is still doing online classes only, so I’m taking some of those and working part-time. All from the comforts of my parents’ house, where it’s toasty warm, the food is home-cooked, and the restroom is always available.
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Well there you go – all’s well that ends well.
I’m originally from Minnesota so I’m very familiar with those freezing temps. I would not want to make a trip to the woods in the winter there. (Geez.) But, as you say, you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do.
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