Latter Day Saints

Boo Hoo Hoo

The Wuhan Flu fallout hits me. The $25 per visit walk in chiropractor  has been shut down by the state, and my right shoulder is out of alignment. I usually visit monthly. The shoulder is interfering with my sleep.

Social Distancing at the Post Office

On the positive side, you can’t tell how unprepared and dumb some patrons are, on a good day, when you are six feet behind them.

The Coven

Still meeting but now use three tables and keep to the 6’ distance rule.

Virga

Earliest I remember seeing virga. During the summer there will be bands east of the mountains where the rain shadow ends. In a light airplane you can experience a few “interesting” minutes.

We probably have virga year around and I don’t notice it.

Stay at Home

Coming east on Highway 34 (four lanes) from Longmont at 4 p.m. the traffic was sparse. A 65 mph speed limit limited access road, the usual speed at the time of day is down to 40-45 bumper to bumper. A car wash, one $13 monthly fee unlimited washes, I use had no one. There usually is a 6-8 vehicle line waiting to go in.

Scofflaw

That is me! I go where I want, when I want. Comically, my little part time gig is considered part of essential industry so I’m legal! (letter of the law; certainly not the spirit).

If It Bleeds, It Leads

That is the media. Hasn’t it always been that way? These must be halcyon days for the media. Breathless reporting, opportunity to criticize the Trump Administration (from a sanctimonious perch), and in a fluid situation that makes fact checking difficult. They seem to be falling all over each other congratulating themselves.

As my late mother would say, “Don’t break your arm patting yourself on the back”.

UPDATE: Shit, the Sombrero Horse Drive is cancelled.

Visit Moffat County

5 hrs · 

The 61st annual Great American Horse Drive has been cancelled for 2020. Sombrero Ranches will running this important Moffat County event again in 2021.

Rambling Thoughts

Good News

Always up for a bit of good news.  Gas price war! It seems to be just in our little city as prices are higher in surrounding areas and much higher in Cheyenne.

Not Good News

On the darker side, Weld County, where I live, is the 20^th largest oil and natural gas producer in the USA. Between the climate change idiots led by our (P)regressive governor, and the world wide turmoil in the energy market, we may see some serious employment problems soon.

This will probably mean an uptick in my delivery of mortgage dunning letters. I like the money but don’t relish the pain of my neighbors.

People Coping?

I needed to pick up my Metforman prescription. Two drive up lanes at the drug store had six or more vehicles in line. Parked, went inside, and was the only customer at the inside counter. The store had tape laid down on the floor six feet apart in all aisles. Social distancing?

Noticeable Impact

The stay at home order by the Governor seems to have cut down on traffic. My work is considered “essential” financial activity so I’m not affected. I do make sure I have my work briefcase with me at all times.

My middle son works in a factory that makes medical equipment components so he hasn’t missed work. His employer gave all employees a “note” to show police.

My oldest son, a 49 years old high functioning autistic man, lives in Seattle. He is having a difficult time with the isolation. I recently got him a better smart phone that he uses to email me, frequently. You never stop being a parent.

Out My Front Door

 So far our 90 unit senior building has been spared. The daily routines have been drastically altered and those individuals who thrive on pissing and moaning about everything are enjoying themselves.

                                                       Preparation

From my three years as a medical courier I have an ample supply of hand sanitizer. I’ve gone back to the routines I used on that job, and wear cotton gloves. I have some twelve pairs of cheap brown cotton gloves (a year ago Harbor Freight had a special). Each evening the day’s gloves go into the wash.

Dog Life

We are now closing in on five months together, Banner the dog and myself. He does chase away any tedium in my life. We start each morning with a five to ten minute wrestling session which always puts a smile on my face. Then it is the walk around the building while he takes care of dog business. Next stop is the commons room to meet up with the “treat” lady (she who is the leader of the Coven). After that, it is on to the elevator, our hall, and then the apartment and breakfast! After that I’m allowed my first cup of coffee for the day.

Do we ever change from our “raising”? I was raised to take care of the livestock before I took care of myself.

Our ongoing adventure involves his interaction with the other residents. This is a 90 unit building of 65+ seniors. Most are very poor and receive subsidized rent. I’m one of maybe twelve who pay “full sticker”. Many are sick – lots of wheelchairs and walkers are seen. Many are withdrawn and profoundly depressed. Along comes Banner and you see smiles. He gets petted, a lot. Even a hardened cynic like me finds it uplifting. My sister calls him a therapy dog, and says I’m the one who gets the most therapy. She may be correct.

Because of him I interact with the other residents much more than I did before I got him.

It isn’t all smooth sailing. Most of the dogs in the building are yappy little ankle biters, and most don’t like him. He is such a wuss – hides behind me as they yap at him.

He rarely barks, doesn’t chew on anything in the apartment, and has never had an “accident”. He does snore!

Weather permitting I take a mile walk each day with him. The walk is for my benefit as I continue to drop 5-10 pounds a month. Two to three times a week I take him to the dog park. He knows the route and starts getting excited when he sees the direction we are going.

He came from a house with two other dogs that kept attacking him. The family decided he was easier to adopt than the other two dogs. She had him for seven years, from the time he was a pup, and I’m sure giving him up was difficult. We exchange emails about once a month.

I tell others I feel I’ve won the dog lottery.

Life’s Shit Sandwiches

A friend is going through a family shit storm. One sister is in a hospice with Stage 4 cancer. Her alcoholic brother is soon to be in the hospital. Suffering from dementia, among other problems, he is rapidly losing weight. The weight of dealing with the VA, the insurance companies, etc. falls on her. She is a strong woman with her own serious health issues. Another sister refuses to become involved with anything involving her siblings.

 From me she gets hugs (forget social distancing), and an ear when she needs one.

We all know life isn’t fair, don’t we?

Tis a Privilege To Live in Colorado

On clear mornings I see this as I take the dog out for his dog business. Never fails to raise my spirits.

Signs of Spring

In the years of off and on living in the Colorado Rockies, the arrival of Red Wing Blackbirds  always was my clue Spring was at hand. True, we might get more snowstorms and even a nasty blizzard, but the birds always made me feel cheerful.

This morning on my morning walk with Mr. Nose & Appetite, the nearby wetland has the early arrival birds. Roosting on the cattails, they are signing away. Made me smile.

Colorado has gone to “stay at home” and lots of people are out walking.  Knock on wood, none of my close family, in four different states; have come down with the virus.

Perverse humor. The State Lottery Claims Offices are closed until April 21^st, for now. Imagine, winning big on the lottery and not being able to get the money! I’m a $10 per week gambler. Yes, yes, I’m bad at math!

Kung Flu Responses

The way individuals respond to this Wuhan Virus says a lot about them as people,

A man I’m proud to call a friend is a very successful used truck dealer. I’ve known him for years and he may be the most ethical man I personally know in the business.

He is being shut down for the time being, and posted this on his Facebook page.

We were serve a warning that our Business DYEAUTOS will be closing starting tomorrow, be cause of this terrible virus we are happy to comply to protect our employees and ourselves !! So Today on any vehicle purchased today ! I will send you a Personal Check for $500. On any vehicle in our inventory ! No strings no conditions ! The deal must be completed cash or Finance! You-make your best deal at my Dealership !! This check will be a personal check to help you threw this pandemic ! Stay safe !! DyeAutos in Wheatridge Colo 80023 phone 303-286-1665 please share ! 

You may notice he isn’t the most accomplished writer. In fact, he was a Denver juvenile delinquent high school dropout when he joined the Marine Corps.  He credits the Corps for correcting his ways, and giving him the personal tools to be successful.

When he says it will be a personal check he means it. The funds won’t be coming out of the dealership nor will he scheme to make it a tax deduction.

In a business deal, I would rather have Dave’s handshake than any lawyer blessed notarized contract.

Plan B

Michael Bloomberg failed to buy the Democratic nomination for President. That was Plan A.

Plan B is to buy the V.P. spot, and he has made an $18 million down payment.

https://freebeacon.com/2020-election/bloomberg-exploits-campaign-finance-loophole-to-funnel-18-million-to-dnc/?utm_source=actengage&utm_campaign=FreedomMail&utm_medium=email

Assume for a moment Sleepy Joe is the nominee and somehow wins. He dies in office. Toad’s Plan B works to perfection.

He becomes the 47^th President of our country.

This Is Getting Serious

The Coven is no longer gathering for morning coffee. Banner is upset. His morning loving and treats are missing!

There were two main morning social groups, the Coven in the commons area and the anti-coven in the lobby. Both are on pause.

The afternoon gatherings are gone. One group gathered for board games. Another was a bible study group. We also have avid jigsaw puzzle enthusiasts.

Banner and I are passerby friends with all the groups but a member of none.

All of this was spurred by a second hand report that some resident may, just may, have come in contact with someone who may have been in contact with someone being “tested” for the Wuhan Virus.

We have 90 units and, with the exception of the in house maintenance man (no spring chicken) everyone is 65+. Many have serious health issues. Mobile oxygen generators and wheelchairs are common sights.

Maybe an over abundance of caution is warranted but Banner doesn’t understand!