Visiting the Coronavirus four years ago.

                                  The Virus

April 2020

Just three weeks ago, there was little concern about the Coronavirus. Now, it’s scary. The Virus is the worst in New York State. California is also flawed and is now in many states, including New York City.

Our State of Washington is the hot spot that started it all.

   We are supposed to keep a six-foot distance from all people. We’ve been strongly urged to wear masks and surgical gloves…but many people ignore these guidelines, especially the masks. Most stores keep people out of their stores if there are too many people. So, there are lines at grocery stores snaking outside their doors, waiting to be let in. Only essential businesses can remain open. So, most restaurants are closed inside their store and are reduced to take-out service. You see cars lined up at the restaurant doors and employees bringing food to the first car in line. Charlotte and I went to the drive-in, Sonics, the other day, which remains open due to vehicles being six feet from the other cars.

All the churches have canceled services for the past three weeks. Most sporting events are closed and rescheduled for another distant month in the future. Or it is canceled altogether. All schools are closed until the end of the summer vacation. Everyone is taking online courses for their schooling, or their parents are home-schooling them. Many factories are closed, and employees are furloughed. Unemployment is in the millions, and many people have filed for unemployment benefits. The government is giving trillions to keep businesses from going under and giving all American families a couple of thousand dollars. So, two breadwinners are getting roughly 2500.00 dollars. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is starting a worldwide fast tomorrow, the 10th of April.  This is to bring down heavenly help to end the virus and restore our economy. So, Charlotte and I are starting a fast tomorrow Morning. We take too much medicine and have illnesses that don’t take kindly to skipping meals. So, we are going to stop using anything electronic for 24 hours…Yikes! I would instead fast! Also, during this time, we will pray and ask Heavenly Father to end this pandemic and restore our economy.

   Our General Conference was not held in the typical Salt Lake City building but in Temple Square, a small annex building. Only a handful of general authorities, including Prophet Russel M. Nelson and other technical people, helped conduct the conference. Also, a couple of teenagers, a boy, and a girl, I believe 14, gave talks. The General Authorities kept a six-foot distance from each other.

  The Church closed all Temples worldwide and brought home most of the missionaries from overseas. All church schools are closed; generally, all places that brought many people together are closed.

  The Olympics were canceled in Tokyo, Japan. Most cruise lines have canceled cruises, and the airlines are shut down, except for a small percentage of regular traffic.

  People are doing yard work, working on their houses, going for walks, running to the grocery store if necessary, and trying to keep 6 feet from other people. One church out south decided to have a Choir practice, and many people caught the virus…Many people say food is hard to get and is sold for highly inflated prices. This was on Facebook today. Toilet paper that somebody found was highly over-priced and almost impossible to get, according to people on Facebook. My wife is telling me this as I sit here and type this out.

   Mostly, the aged are dying, usually in Nursing Homes or Assisted Living Homes, etc. People with pre-existing conditions, compromised immunity systems, asthma, and breathing problems are also dying more than the norm in the general population.

   Some stores, such as sporting goods stores, are refusing to close, saying they are needed to sell guns to protect themselves. My wife and I went to Sportsman Warehouse the other day wearing masks, and they looked at us like we were nuts…

   Coronavirus killed a mom and her three sons, all in 10 days of each other…my wife tells me.   Some states, like Texas, are hardly affected and do not take the virus seriously. The virus is mostly attacking in force people who are not taking seriously the warnings from the Government.

   In other countries, Italy was the hardest hit by the virus, where people have died in the thousands.

   The Prime Minister of England has the Covid -19

-Ric-

(I will continue with my journal every day)

Today, I’m starting a Journal on the coronavirus covid 19 starting the 9th

Of April 2020

 It’s midnight as I type this on my MacBook Pro, vintage 2014, man! How time flies.

   Yesterday, I had to start washing and waxing my cars because the car washes were all shut down by the Virus…The irrigation still hasn’t come on, probably due to the coronavirus. I’m having to use city water on my lawn. Many people are riding bikes now.

-Ric-

Friday the 10th April 2020

Today on the news, the coronavirus curve is starting to flatten, which is good news; this only applies to New York state.

   In our area, it’s still on the increase.

   Today, we had the worldwide fast, which originated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and General Conference. Charlotte and I couldn’t stop eating because of all the medicine we take, so we fasted by going electronic-free for 20 hours. We found it very difficult to do. And I don’t want to do it again any time soon. I walked today, and Charlotte went along…and Bear Dog. We went to Costco today, and of course, there was no toilet paper…although we didn’t need any, you wonder where people are getting any. Still, only a quarter of people are wearing masks at Costco. My wife agrees. We know people working in the hospital have to wear masks. Usually, their kids do, too.

On the news today, I observed the news people showing many positive things people of this country are doing to help others…many positive instead of negative. Some churches plan to meet for Easter Sunday services no matter what…we will wait and see. Charlotte told me that the United States has the most deaths of any country from the covid19. Yesterday, I baked cookies and took them to our Bishop's house. I put together a Coronavirus care package. I put four rolls of toilet paper, a bottle of hand sanitizer…and the cookies. They got a real kick out of it!

-Ric- 

   April 11, 2020 Saturday

Today, I baked cookies and chocolate chips, which we put in a sack, added hand sanitizer, and four rolls of toilet paper, and took to the Kershaws. We talked a long time when delivering it about Lois Alcorn and her broken hip.

   The Coronavirus is still getting worse in the Benton County area.

   They are using drones to police the beaches in Florida.

   Hospitalizations are going flat, but deaths are on the rise in New York City.

   The United States is reporting 20,000 coronavirus deaths. More than any other country.

  For the first time in history, all the States have declared a state of emergency.

  Some think the coronavirus was here much sooner than everyone thinks.

   As of today, 27 people have died from coronavirus, and 364 cases have been reported, up 9% in the Tri-Cities.

  533,259 cases of coronavirus in the United States, 20,597 deaths.

April 12, 2020 Sunday

We continue to get more deaths in Benton County from the virus. We didn’t go to Whitney’s for Easter; we stayed home and hunkered down. We had an excellent roast for Easter dinner, and Charlotte made great muffins. It was nice out today…but cold. Rusty called us this morning, and they're going to Mona’s and Jim’s for Easter.

April 13th, 2020 Monday

I rode my recumbent bicycle today and also went for a walk with Bear. My Gout is better. They turned on the irrigation today, and of course, something had to go wrong. The front sprinkler solenoid wasn’t getting power, so after much testing, I finally figured that the electric cable was broken somewhere in the yard. So, I’m going to have to buy a new cable. It's a bummer. The back cable did the same thing a couple of years ago…. It must be the cable rusting or something like that.

  Georjean was here to clean today. She had Oliver in the toe, a friendly little kid. Charlotte and I drove over to the subway, got food, and went over to the Numerica convention building parking lot to eat…just to get away from the house. We're going stir crazy with this order to stay at home except to go grocery shopping, order food and pick it up, or go to the Doctor. That’s about what we can do.

                       Saturday 18th of April 2020

Today I helped Jesus Ramos clean up our lawn. Actually, I picked up the yard and picked up poop. I also sprayed weeds. Did some watering. Later on, took my bike out and then went for a walk. Wrote some on the book. Yesterday, I got my gout shot, and boy, do I feel better.

  So far in the Tri-Cities, about 46 have died, and 600 people have been infected by the virus.

April 14th, 2020 Wednesday

  I have an appointment to get a shot on Friday for my gout.

                   Saturday 2nd of May 2020

Yesterday, we went up to our place in Naches and checked out everything. We mowed our lawn, sprayed weeds a lot, and paid Ryan to clean up the leaves on our lots. And believe me, at least five loads were taken out of there…in a trailer!

   Today, in the Tri-Cities, we still need to reach the top of the curve for COVID-19. Up to this date, there have been 1000 cases of coronavirus in our area. The state or governor is still imposing a stay-at-home order. They will return things to their regular order in four stages. Stage one has started: some construction, hunting and fishing, car washes, and others.

I rode my bike this early and then took Bear for a walk. Did the regular watering and then a lot of chores. I did some banking on my cell phone. Where I have an apt for numerica, my credit union. I go online and then take a picture of both sides of the check to deposit, and presto, I don’t have to go to the credit union to deposit it. Cool! I washed the cars. Then caused a significant storm to move it…drat! Went for another walk. I tried to clean up the vehicles from the first part of the storm, and then it hit again! I gave up.

                   May 6th Wedns 2020

Governor Inslee has officially opened the state's four phases—car dealerships, car washes, etc. Yesterday, Charlotte had an operation on her left elbow. The first day was kind of rough for her…but that’s to be expected. I had to do a lot for her, but that will slack off as she gets better.

But I still walked with Bear. Yesterday I went to pick up Charlotte’s prescription at Reliance Pharmacy. I just like getting away! Trump is lifting his COVID-19 task force. He wants the country to get back to business. Also, a vaccine is probably going to be ok’d this fall. The weather had been so lovely, especially yesterday. But today it’s crappy!

.

May 11th Monday 2020

The Coronavirus has reached new heights today in Washington and the Tri-Cities. We just found out from Georjean, our housekeeper and good friend, that we possibly have been exposed to COVID-19. Excellent! If Char or I got the virus with all of our problems, we would probably bite the dust.

The weather has been great—in the 80s. I've been doing lots of yard work and playing with the dog. I've also been walking the dog and riding my bicycle in the morning, trying to figure out how to get a haircut. I mentioned the haircut to Charlotte, and she said I’m going out too much! OK….

May 13th Wednesday 2020

I rode my bike this morning, then walked Bear. Today was around 70 degrees. COVID-19 is getting worse in Washington. Not too many people are wearing masks in Yoke’s today; it seems that people are getting lax. I've been watching too much of Magnum PI…that’s for sure. In Washington State, there were 182 new cases of COVID-19 and 13 deaths on Wednesday, May 13, 2020.

State totals at 17,512 /975 deaths.

               Thur 14th May 2020

Today I bicycled, walked Bear, and did some yard work.

71 have died of covid virus in Tri-Cities, the death toll is the highest in the state. In the Tri-Cities Walmart lady employee she died of covid 19 virus.

               Friday 15th May 2020

Bear had to wear the hood of shame. Actually it was because he had his butt worked on and had some inflammation.  Covid 19 cases top 1,300 in the Tri-cities. Also 69 deaths so far. Bear and I went for our usual walk today and poor Bear was very embarrassed.

                Sat 16th May 2020

I rode by bicycle this morning, after that I walked Bear. Charlotte is finished with the taxes today, I went to Walmart to pick up a file folder for our taxes. I walked Bear again in the PM and as normal talked to little kids that love to pet Bear. One of the kids sneezed on me. I went home and sanitized my arms, etc. And I pray he wasn’t sick! I do love the kids. Talked to Jeff Sagen tonight right before he went to work, he asked how Charlotte and I were doing and offered to help us anyway he could..They are great people…we love his family. We have such good friends all around us in our neighborhood..were so lucky! Charlotte and I went to Yokes, that was our big night…since there’s nothing else to do with this covid 19 thing and of course were not supposed to be going places just to go..we must have a reason. Charlotte fell today in the garden…she falls so quickly..she hasn’t much strength in her legs. I’m getting worried about her.

72 deaths in 2 months from covid 19 in tri cities…772 cases of covid 19 in Benton county

            May 18th Monday 2020

I Rode a bicycle in the, then walked the dog. We walked dog after our colossal thunderstorm. This is, Charlotte had an appointment with Dr. to take out her stitches. I went to Richland and delivered our taxes. Oh yes, yesterday we lost our finished taxes..looked for most of the day. Then I finally took one last look in our expanding file…really carefully, and lo and behold, there were the taxes. I was terrible today and ate 2 donuts. (very bad) I have a echogram tomorrow with Dr. Zuroske at 8:00.

          May 22nd Friday 2020

Today, President Trump declared the nation would not shut down again for a relapse in Covid 19 virus. He refused to wear a mask when visiting the Ford Auto plant.  Out big getaway was to Relient Pharmacy, then we went to Diary queen for ice cream. Waiting for our taxes to be done. My echogram was good except he said the leak in my Mitro valve was alittle worse. Rode the bike this AM then walked the dog, did yard work..picking up the  dog’s mess, sprayed for weeds. Sprayed the hedge in front to kill any ticks we have. Almost night, I took Bear for another walk..nice evening for a walk.

              Sat. May 23rd 2020

I had a busy day, rode my bicycle in the AM, and walked Bear. Went to Yokes. Washed the cars. COVID-19 is still bad in the Tri-Cities. Walked Bear PM.

              Mon May 25th 2020

Memorial Day was pretty good. Early Am rode the bicycle and then walked the dog. Late PM walked the dog. We barbecued hamburgers and hotdogs. The Sagen girls came over again today; they are a breath of life…

Tues 26th of May 2020

Today, I did the bicycle in the AM, Walked Bear in the AM, and walked again in the PM. I went to Desert Valley Eye Care, and they fixed my glasses, then went to Costco to pick up vitamins. The Sagen girls came over at 4:00 and watched Mr. T: Vet. The two counties had 18 new covid 19 a day, and still too much to go into phase 2 of the governor’s plan. In Benton-franklin counties, the amount of Covid 19 cases has increased by 1 to 3 percent every 10 days

              Friday 29th May 2020

A black man in Minneapolis was killed unnecessarily by a white policeman, and riots have erupted throughout the nation, especially in Minneapolis (of course). On top of this pandemic, the number of cases of COVID-19 in that city will skyrocket. They even burned down a police precinct, and many buildings have been set on fire…it’s stupid.. they are burning down their community.

I believe the COVID-19 cases are decreasing, but not enough to put our community into the governor's phase 2 declaration. I really would like the hair solons to open…. I need a haircut. I bicycled this morning and walked the dog this morning. Bear got into the mud this morning and came in without me noticing and tracked mud everywhere! Such is having a dog.

Sunday the 7th of June 2020

I've been remiss about writing! Charlotte and I were bad. We rented a cabin, the same one we rented for later this year, for our whole family from Dec. 10th to the 15th, just to see what, how, and where things were going to happen. Then, when we got home, I wrote a newsletter about it and am going to send it and a jump drive of the pictures I took.

Anyway, we were really up there alone and isolated and saw hardly anyone except when going to the country store one day.

  Were watching Genealogist Judy Russel talking about legal quarantines…church sponsored.

Been doing my bicycling and walking. Charlotte and I talked to the Bishop, knowing about how many needy people are right now, and offered to pay someone’s rent for a month…the least we can do is pay our fast offering every month and tithing.

500 new covid 19 cases in the state yesterday of the governor’s covid 19 plan. The tri-cities is still in phase 1 and is trying for phase 2 so more businesses can open and more people can go to work. Especially hair salons. I really need a haircut!

Tuesday 9th of June 2020

There were 313 new cases of COVID-19 and 15 deaths in Washington state on Tuesday. In the Tri-Cities, there were 86 confirmed cases, but still, the counties are going to phase 11 in re-opening. Today, I woke up to rain, so I couldn’t bicycle or walk Bear, so I walked him later in the day and ran into neighbor dogs (on the lose), particularly one white mongrel that bit Bear and is totally out of control. I was not a happy camper.

 So, we went to see Whitney and Steve and had a good visit. We sent a package to Rusty for Father’s Day. We sent out a newsletter to Trevor and Jessica and Rusty and Molly and jump drives with all the pictures we took of the cabin in Leavenworth, where we’ll be staying this Dec. 14th through the 19th (I think that’s right).

Today, I also took a picture of the Sagen girls, Brianna and Clara, for Megan and Jeff to look at. I think today was the day the governor of Washington stipulated that all people in public are to wear masks…not to be enforced by arrest or fines.

 Wednsday the 10th of June 2020

Covid 19 still on the rise in Wa. State. Still on the rise in Benton county. This coming Friday we will find out weather or not we go into phase 2 of the governor’s plan. This will allow us to go back to church…only a hundred at a time. Today I took potatoes to Aubrey Radigan one bucket..took 8 big potatoes for us and gave the rest to Megan sagen. Today the weather was 90 degrees wonderful, without the wind!! Great bicycle ride and walking Bear in AM…then walked Bear in PM foot achilles  tendon on fire, so only went two blocks. Went to Yokes for food and most people were wearing masks: go figure.

June 15th Monday 2020

Today, wa. State had 309 more covid 19 cases, no new deaths. Benton county had a total of 1132 covid 19 cases. Georjene is coming to clean on Friday. Bicycled in AM in the rain..Walked dog in AM. Walked dog in PM.

State has had total 20,800 covid 19 cases. Much more cases expected due to protests in wa. State cities.

Alaina went to see Elizabeth Sagen today and she left upset over different things which we don’t fully know.  Took Alaina to Diary queen for dinner.

                     19th of June Friday 2020

Haven’t written for awhile. The covid 19 is still on the increase in Benton County and we are still in phase 1. Who knows about phase 2…maybe the 1st of August.

Today, I bicycled in AM and walked Bear. Then walked the dog in PM. Our little girls, “The Sagen girls” came over for 2 1/2 hours today. They played some with Oliver. Georjean was cleaning today. Jesus came and worked with his wife Maria and took out some shrubs, trimed some trees. Tomorrow the Missionaries are coming to clean my garage.

I’m going to put some 4x4’s along the driveway, about 24 feet worth..that’s all I have in stock in the yard. Did garden work…as normal. We have tomatoes coming on and onions, squash, and beans also. I finally got tired of fulling around with copying programs that are all no good, so I bought a machine with two disk drives that can copy anything. Not a computer! It even can copy in the M-format which recording can last 1000 years. It only cost 140.00..what a deal, a good software, which is crappy..cost 90.00..it’s a no brainer.

        Saturday 21st of June 2020

Bicycled early AM, walked dog AM and PM..Missionaries arrived at 8:00AM and by 10:00 we had the garage cleaned. Then we had a wonderful lunch with our four elders and we have invited the elders to lunch tomorrow. I think Charlotte and I are going to Spokane for a haircut and stay at a motel, then visit Trevor and Jessica and kids. I worked later in day on the driveway and got rid of our dangerous border timbers, so now were safe. Oh, yes, and it rained for 2 hours this afternoon…but it gave everyone a break!

Sunday 21st of June 2020

Today, we had the missionaries for lunch and were glad for their spiritual message and spirit they bring into our house. Later we picked up Kaden and Alaina and brought them to our house where they will be until Friday.

I walked the dog in AM, rode my bicycle in AM. And walked the dog in the PM. Talked to Trever for Father’s Day and also Rusty…had good talks! I baked cookies for Radigan’s this morning and brought them over about 11:30. The virus count keeps edging up…Yakima county has run out of beds and people are flying into Seattle for beds.

Saturday 4th of July 2020

Been awhile since I wrote! This area has qualified for phase 1.5…limited opening of many more businesses for 20% capacity and all people must wear masks. There still are people that won’t wear them, of course. We’re sitting here waiting for the dark when all the fireworks go off, hoping our house doesn’t burn down…the Mexicans who are new to the neighborhood have their regular family of a thousand people over at  their house…so 1+1=mucho fireworks. Yesterday we watched Hamilton the famous Broadway hit on Disney plus. It was fabulous. We have to show our place to some people from Finley tomorrow they have come up with 8 thousand dollars down for our place and will pay what they can after that…I’m not on board with this at all, I have a bad feeling. I guess I’m o.k. with it after all after meaning with them.

July 5th Sunday 2020

I have to laugh, my daughter just said I’m a terrible writer! I’m not affended because I just started writing and I can possibly get better (I hope). Today the news said we possibly might reach 100,000 new covid 19 cases a day in the U.S: Arizona has been really bad.

Tues July 7th 2020

Today still no paperwork from Jason Jones, and they don’t return my messages on their answering machines…I’m just being paranoid about everything! It’s just that I have an award from the dept of labor, but Jason wants to apply for more award which in the long run is good for me and Jason since he get’s 10% of my awards, but I am getting very anxious about getting my money! Worked in the garden today. I rode my bicycle and walked the dog and played with him. Did domestic things around house.

Things are still getting worse with covid 19 cases. Today Eric was supposedly going to die and charlotte and I thought yes please do that. Then he and Lynnette were exaggerating the whole thing. He is really sick, but that is par for the course with Eric since he is a full-blown drug addict. Were not sure if Eric doesn’t have covid 19th so were going to avoid Lynnette for a while. Also, Lynette is going bankrupt (go figure) she has been supporting Eric’s drug habbit.

8th July Wedns 2020

I did get the letter from Jason Jones. Finally! I guess according to Jason, it will take 3 months to get the final judgement. Today was great weather! Were going up to the trailer with Whitney and Steve tomarrow, leaving at 9:00.

9th of July Thursday 2020

Up at 5:00 went on bicycle ride and after that walked Bear. Left at 9:00 and arrived Naches at 11:30. Char and I worked for an hour and Whitney and Steve showed up with Kaden and Alaina. The kids went swimming while we worked packing up the stuff we wanted to  take home with us. Steve and Whitney took home their stuff. So we left our 5th wheel on the 2 lots for the last time….almost kind of sad. We had reached the point where we just hardly ever went up, accept  to rake leaves and open the trailer in spring then close it in winter. Whitney and steve and kids went up about 5 times  a year.

The missionaries come tomarrow morning at 8:15 to put together our 2nd chair. Charlotte and I put together the first chair yesterday and it was a tremendous fiasco that lasted 3 hours. That’s why the missionaries are coming over to save my back; and sanity. The covid 19 is still on the rise in Washington state.

July 10th Friday 2020

 It was nice to see Trevor and Jessica and Kids though. Today we signed the contract for the trailer and lots. So, we are officially non owners of the trailer and lots, a great weight is lifted off us. So, I bicycled in the am walked bear in am. And walked bear in the pm.

Char and I went to eat lunch at great harvest and then went to Steve and Whitney’s and left them some cinnamon bread and fruit drinks. Then we went to Costco for dog food. In all the stores, people are wearing masks which is refreshing.    Rusty, told us the other day that he will have to be loaned to Coyote Ridge prison in Connell Wa. Because they have an outbreak of cov 19. One hundred and 50 inmates are sick and 2 have died. He will stop and see us on his way from Portland, but he will be quarantined after  wards for up to 3 weeks. He will be paid overtime the whole time up there so that will be worth it for him. Oh, yes and I believe 50 guards had been sick from civid 19. The missionaries stopped and helped us put together our second chair. I couldn’t have done it myself, because charlotte was just having back problems from helping me put together the 1st chair. So, the missionaries came to our resue.

July 14th 2020 Tuesday

Today was bicycling in the AM walked dog in the AM three times around the block. Instead of walking in the PM I decided to wash the car. Took bear to  the Banfield clinic and it took most of the day. We did go to Costco and ate at  the Great Harvest..also bought some bread for Whitney and family.

Aug 12th Wednesday 2020

Can’t believe I haven’t written in about a month. We’ve been busy, that’s for sure. Yesterday, (oh yes, we bought a 2010 Suburban..Chevy last week. We put new brakes on it, fixed the sway bar in front, worked on the battery and replace a couple of bleeder nuts that someone had torqued on…big mess!

 The coved 19 is still too much in this area, so we’re still in phase 1 in this area. Some important people predict this pandemic won’t end until the end of next year. Someone we know in our ward had covid 19..that’s Rod Kump. Also, in our ward was Kandie Foster.

I’m hoping there’s nothing wrong with me, but I lost 10 in a matter of a few days..i have been trying to diet, with these special patches and one that everyone swears makes them lose weight..(Well, I certainly lost, but that is too much, to soon!!) Well, it’s wait and see.

 My sister’s husband, Jim Tunnell went into Renal failure yesterday and Charlotte and I went to her house to comfort her until her children could get to her. They came a couple of hours after we arrived. He is expected to recover after about 4 days in the hospital. Hope the Lord will bless him. So I drove our car in the dark last night and I finally found a car I’d drive safely at night..it’s great!

Thurs 13 August 2020

Rode my bike Am walked dog Am and Pm.

Drove to Harbor Freight, Les Schwab, the bicycle shop. Baked a loaf of banana bread. Really good! I think the Tri cites we good into phase 2 fairly soon.

Monday 17 August 2020

Covid 19 cases still decreasing and I think were going into phase 2 fairly soon.

I rode bike this am and walked dog am. We’ll see about tonight because it’s 101 degrees right now and suppose to stay around 90 at sunset. Whew! Georgean is over right now cleaning the house for us..(we pay her of course). It’s not very healthy out at all! It’s 1830 and still a 100 degrees! The missionaries came over to help Lavern and Bob and Lavern is trying to discourage them. Went to get Charlotte her covid 19 test at Walgreens and she found out she was required to isolate in her house until her surgery. I think she is going  to her pain doctor tomorrow and her surgery is wednsday.

19th August Wednsday 2020

Charlotte had surgery today. She had a few rough patches, but survived. Deaths keep decreasing in the Tri-city area and the numbers are going down…phase 2 here we come. Sisters are bringing Charlotte dinner tonight and me..of course…I baked zucchini bread for whoever comes over.

23rd August Sunday 2020

Charlotte is recovering from surgery nicely; we’re fixing dinner right now. Donny just called from Salt Lake City to say they are marching up state street in protest, “Black life matters” It’s just plain wearing people out and we’re getting tired of it!! churches are now being allowed to have outdoor services of 100 or less worshippers..social distance and all, and masks of course. So, they are in mist of organizing it right now. They just had a Sturgis rally for motorcyclists of 350,000 people.  I’m sure they will open the temple to about the same amount of people. If you count the 35 workers that would be there…that would allow about 75 patrons, which would probably be more like 20 at a time in the Temple. Maybe, more like 15. We are enjoying our Suburban truck…although we are rarely driving it.

                 26th of August Wednesday 2020

Not much going on…our church here is going to be allowed an outdoor service of 100 less people, of course masks and social distancing. Drove the Suburban yesterday to my appointment with Derma Health. I was diagnosed with good skin…no cancer. Went to Fred Meyer to pick up prescription. Went to Yokes. Need to call Linda today and see how things are going with their move to Potlach, Idaho. I need to also call Midtown dental this AM. I biked in AM and walked Bear AM&PM. My knee is still bothering me alittle. I think I’ll make Zucchini bread today. Deaths continue to go down in Tri-Cities

Aug 27th Thursday 20, 2020

Walked 3 whole laps with Bear. Had an appt. at 7:45 with Dr. Yu for my c-pap adjustment. I’m getting a new machine, yeh! So, I missed my bike ride. The girls, Clara and sister came over today from 1:00 to 5:00. Clara ate up most of our ice-cream..but secretly that’s who I always get ice cream for. Her and Brianna. They are glued to the tv. Today we are now in Phase 1 1/2, so we can go to church indoors 50 at a time and many other.

Aug 31st Monday 2020

Today only 1 death in the Tri-cities. We learned yesterday that church will start in limited capacity on Sept. 27th. We have had a nice visit with Rusty and he left this AM. We were able to go to Hole in the wall and shoot at their shooting range. Charlotte fired the security 6, 357 about 12 times and did a good job..she fired the 22 also. We both got to fire Rusty’s 9mm smith and Wesson. That evening we all sat around the fire and had a great  talk.

 I was able to give Rusty my recumbent bicycle. His knee is bothering him and  I told him about how good the bicycle is for your knees and he was convinced. Also, I had a power saw and hatchet that were extra that I was able to give Rusty as I already had duplicates in our garage. Rusty also took us to dinner at a Mexican restaurant and got charged way more than what was advertised at the door, he went to the manager and complained…the manager was unsympathetic. Needless to say we won’t be back. I did ride my bicycle this AM. Only one death in the tri-cities this last day..so who knows what tomorrow will bring..i hope it’s all good! Oh, and Whitney is mad because Rusty didn’t visit her and visited us…oh well.

Sept 01, Tues 2020

Well today was a total flop! Lynnette, charlotte’s sister who is bankrupt cried to charlotte and charlotte and i wrote her a check, who knows what happens to it! $320.00! She is far gone money wise but were not giving her any more money, she made her own bed. I tried to take the battery out but it was complicated and didn’t want to come out…I didn’t have the right tools. So, It stressed charlotte out and now she isn’t feeling good. Lynnette and Eric are really screwed up, I don’t know what to do, but I know I’m getting stressed with all their non-caring attitude about their lives being in the toilet…they just don’t seem to care or just don’t have the common sense that a rock has.

So today was big fat zero! On the upside I did bike in AM and walked the dog in the AM.

So, charlotte and I are both basically depressed by the situation which is really totally out of our control. That is always depressing!

Sept 3rd Thursday 2020

So, Les Schwab installed the new battery in Lynnette’s car and it works fine now. So our money at least it wasn’t wasted, it did the job and got her running again. We had the Troy boys for their school today. We got off to a slow start. Charlotte couldn’t get their computers on- line. So, she called me and after a little work on my part I got them on- line. After doing their lessons on- line they played on our two pc’s and played games. They will be back on Tuesday, right after Labor Day.

 Later in the day we went to Whitney’s with one of our Shutterfly picture books and gave it to Kaden and Alaina it had mostly pictures of the franklin family. Whitney and Steve were out on their motorcycle with his brother Nathan.

Sunday the 13th 2020

Talked to my sister this AM. I haven’t gone biking for a couple of days…or walking due to the huge cloud of smoke that has descended upon us. So bad, it is terribly unhealthy to go out…crap, I don’t like it!! Covid 19 is doing so much better, I think they will go from phase 1 ½ to 2 fairly soon. We are going to start church on a limited basis maybe today. Although we haven’t been notified. It sounds terribly complicated returning!! I feel for our Bishop and his councilors and key members of the Sunday school, primary, relief society, elders quorum and clerks, etc. We had Trevor, Jessica and kids over for the weekend on Labor Day weekend, we had lots of fun with all the kids here. Alaina and Kaden were also here with us.

Trevor, Jessica and I went  to the Air Show at Columbia Park, it was 70.00! Although we had a great time. All of us roasted marsh mellows around our little fireplace out on our patio on Sunday night. Saturday charlotte and I stayed in the back room where it was less smoky and just vegged out. We are going to Christeens Monday night for dinner and family night. The Bobby and Byon Norris were here yesterday to discuss our missionary calling and how we were not going to do English connect any more. We had a good talk with them. Norris’s are one of my ministering assignments. Cambri Longacker returned my phone call and we had a long talk about vacations we had taken 

Tuesday 15th of September 2020

Took zucchini  bread to our neighbor’s Curtis and Katy. Today took zucchini to the knightons. Christeen is still feeling under the weather. Today, still no walking or riding bike, the weather is still smoggy with smoke. It’s suppose to clear up by this Friday. Took the car, or Suburu to McCurley for its 30,000-mile checkup. Received my new c-pap yesterday and am sending the old one to Trevor. I will mail it tomorrow. So, I bailed out the car for 230.00…But that will keep the warranty in force.

Thursday 24th September 2020

Today we had the Troy boys over to do their school work with Charlotte keeping tabs on them. Right now they are taking a break from their studies and playing on our foosball table. Yesterday we had the Sagan girls here.

Saturday 25th of September 2020

This was my birthday. I went and gave blood at TCL..what fun, I waited for one hour and a half, outside in the rain. That’s what social distancing is doing to allot of everyday tasks. I went to GESA the other day to pay for our safety deposit box, and again social distancing put me outside waiting and waiting….

Were starting to go church on a limited meeting schedule Sunday. We will go at 12:00 and there will be a youth talk 15 minutes and an adult talk 15 minutes. So, only 50 people in each meeting and social distancing in place starting from the front pews to the back. This is one time when people will have  to sit in front!

So, 3 talks by adults per Sunday…they will get to me pretty fast, yikes! Me and talks don’t  get along so well together.

Charlotte and I are on a fixed income with pensions and social security I never thought this would be a good thing, but now we at least have steady income. I feel for the people that haven’t had steady work and pray that they might make out o.k. In our area Covid 19 cases are decreasing, this means school will probably hopefully start October 15th. We think the temple will open hopefully, soon. Charlotte and I are missing our work at the temple,  but are joyful for attending church on a limited basis. Charlotte has many physical challenges of late, I have been blessed with having good mobility, knock on wood. I have to exercise allot, very regular, this has kept my Parkinson’s to a minimum and under control. I have been told that I am in the beginning stages of heart failure and will have to get my mitrol valve worked on in the near future. I have to take medicine for my heart and for the bad swelling in my legs, but enough of woe is us, we are still blessed with staying in our home, for now.

Sept. 30th Wednesday 2020

We had Josh and Mac over for their schooling today from 9:00 to 1:30. Charlotte went with her good friend Carry to lunch and watched a movie. I got bored and went to Whitney and Steve’s and brought them my old i-pod..apple with it full of songs. Alaina, adapted and accepted the i-pod as her own. I really hope she enjoys it. Anyway, I went to Barns and Noble and got a book called: think and grow rich. Who knows? I wanted to invite charlotte to join me at Barnes and Noble, but she was to tired. The tri-cities covid 19 is on the upswing again, but just barely.

October 1st Thursday 2020

Today covid 19 cases in the Tri-cites is alittle on the upswing still.

Today I did create a slide show on this computer for my funeral…and Charlotte knows how to activate it. This will take some of the burden off when I pass on. Kind of morbid. And it took me all afternoon to do. Josh came to our house for school today and stayed to play the xbox..I walked a whole 8 laps today around the block..3x times what I usually do. Bear’s pooped.

October 3rd Saturday 2020

Today I walked 5 laps, didn’t bicycle but walked 4 laps that night.

Charlotte and I went to Costco after watching Conference at 9:00 then we watched at 1:00 and then at 5:00. After conference at 3:00 I made Zucchini bread that went to Radigans…that was the big loaf, the small one I will take to Halsey’s. Then I will make a gingerbread cake for tonight when Linda and Jim come over, I guess they have a busy day Monday the 5th. Today we learned President Trump has covid 19 and some of his staff. Also, Yavona Trump has covid 19… that’s his wife. Today seemed like Sunday all day long and we forgot Jesus Ramos was coming to mow the lawn, so I didn’t get the poop picked up…dang..so I had to pay him extra for picking it up.

October 7th Wednesday 2020

Today biked, 3 laps with bear walking. Matt came to our house to study with Charlotte. Then Georjean came over to clean..surprised both Charlotte and i…we didn’t know she was coming. I payed and mailed the mdvip money and the 2nd payment to KID. Picked up some groceries, took them home then went to pick up 2215.00 in cash for our patio job. Georjean fell in our house and hurt her hand…not to bad though. Jesus is going to move our sprinklers out to accommodate our new addition to our patio on Saturday AM. We are still at phase 1.5 in our area as far as covid 19 goes. The governor announced today new guidelines for opening movie theater’s and broadening  other restrictions. Generally, citizens are all wearing masks.

October 14th Wednesday 2020

Well, we went to Phase 2 for our area. So this opens movie theaters at 50% capacity..200 people for church service if we do social distancing. The temple is opening for live ordinances…about 6 brethren per shift on Thursday. I don’t know if I’m going to volunteer due to my silicosis. Today their going to pour our cement for the patio.

October 16, 2020 Friday

Jason Jones my advocate for my D.O.L. claim on silicosis called today and told me to go ahead and schedule my pulmonary exam to determine my disability percent, 50%, etc. So, I have some work to due on Monday…call Kadlec pulmonary clinic and find out if they have a registered respiratory therapist to due their pulmonary function test. They will probably pour our cement for the patio on Monday. Charlotte did a shopping day. I left the water on our tree run for 5 hours..i think I added at least 5.00 to our water bill next month!! Better get to bed, the natives are getting restless.  

 October 20, Tuesday 2020

The patio got poured and turned out really nice, yea! Now a big enough patio, we will probably put a covering over it. Now we decided to have our driveway re-done…about 6000.00 dollars! But it would make it less steep and really improve it so if one of us ends up in a wheelchair it won’t be as dangerous for different mobility devices. It’s kind of funny, our dog Bear, because we were trying to keep him off the new cement, was all upset and wouldn’t poop. We really tried to get him too…because he was going to the Vet the next day. We didn’t want him pooping on their floor! He got us up a-lot of times last night trying to go. The weather is still nice out today and tomorrow. Then comes the cold…cold! So I’ve got to get out and walk…or something today and enjoy while I can. I guess I mentioned were in phase 2 in this area, and last Saturday we went to the movies, yea! It was great after so long a time. Charlotte’s sister Lynnette had shoulder surgery and Charlotte is running ragged running her around. I was shocked today when I noticed the car going towards less than a ¼ of tank..i filled it up 2 day before that. I teased Charlotte of driving to Yakima and back…she was not pleased. And she’s running her around today…I told her to put gas in the car. I talked to Melanie at the VA yesterday…we did it over video chat…which did ok, but we didn’t have sound. We had to use the telephone for sound.

October 26, 2020 Monday

Today I walked Bear about 6 laps around the block and I’m starting to loose alittle weight. I spent half the day putting a ring doorbell in…it wasn’t to fun..but finally I set things up so you can talk to the echo show and ask it to answer the door…you say “Alexia, answer the door.”

October 27th Tuesday 2020

Walked bear AM 6 laps and PM 3 laps. Today, they ripped up our driveway. I worked to put all the pea gravel out into the garden area and did allot of raking. Had to clean all the junk off the driveway before they started work on the driveway. Covid 19 is on the rise in Washington state. Especially, Utah is having problems.

November 5th 2020 Thursday

Today, I walked bear 6 times around the block. It was beautiful the first part of the day, then the afternoon was very rainy. We were worried about the cement. I think it’s o.k. it’s been drying 3 days. They will put the cover on the patio in 10days. The finished driveway looks great, they did a great job! People are commenting about it. Also, Scott put cement blocks around the driveway and it looks very finished. We will have to pay alittle more..300.00 for the blocks and 150.00 for labor to place the blocks.

Sunday Nov 8th 2020

Charlotte and I gave the opening and closing prayer in sacrament meeting Pam and scott  nielson gave the talks in sacrament meeting. Char and I went to Home Depot after church. We got a 12 foot Santa Clause…with a air pump of course!

        Saturday 14th November 2020

The other day I had surgery scheduled and it got cancelled, due to my taking Plavex. The office couldn’t get ahold of my Dr. clar to see when to stop the Plavex ahead of my surgery. So, a waiting game.

I walked the dog for 4 laps this am. The driveway is almost dry. We got hit by quite a windstorm the other day. Whitney and Steve took out my old vanity and put in a nice used one. Were going to put a new faucet on it and Whitney is going  to put tile around it…anyway they certainly did surprise me. Whitney organized Charlotte’s kitchen. Covid 19 numbers are going up again in the state of Washington and all across the nation. The governor is suggesting families don’t meet for thanksgiving it’s getting so much worse. Utah is being hit really bad and there having to use beds in the children’s hospitals for covid 19 patients.

11/16/20 Monday

Walked bear 4 laps.

Today it rained off and on most of the day. Charlotte was having a migraine and most of the day was just her taking care of it. I did go to Yoke’s for groceries.

 We learned today that they don’t know where most of the covid 19 is being contacted…makes us feel so safe! Were getting really close to Thanksgiving and going to the cabin. Time went by so fast.

11/18/2020  Wedns

Walked 4 laps with bear this AM. Charlotte and I have reached the point when we think we might have covid 19..were going  to get tested today. So we got tested..wasn’t too bad and the results come fairly fast. Had to call the temple supervisor to let him know I probably shouldn’t go. I’m really sad not to be able to go, I was looking forward to it. So, that’s basically all we did today, besides all  the cleaning I did this AM..we have to step up, due to Georjean not working for us anymore. I did, yesterday get the last of our huge planters off the back porch..they had a ton of dirt in each one.

Nov 28th Sat. 2020

Walked Bear 4 laps in AM.

Today we celebrated Thanksgiving at Whitney’s house. We had Prime-Rib and it was great!! And of course we had pumpkin pie. I got another covid 19 test; the reason why was I have an appointment Tuesday Dec 1st in Spokane to get my lung function test. This is for my dept. of labor case. Our stay at the cabin from the 10th of dec to the 15th is really fast approaching.

I must admit covid 19 is getting much worse and Jessica and Trevor didn’t come for Thanksgiving day due to the governor requesting people limit their exposure to others in their family. As far as I know their coming to the cabin..hope..hope! Charlotte’s sister borrowed 20.00 for Eric’s cigarette’s..of all things! Charlotte and Lynnette got in quite an argument..Same old, is that Lynette should kick her 37year old baby boy out of her really small apartment. He has ruined her life and she just won’t stop being a mommy and letting him grow up. Whitney and I put a new sink into char’s bathroom and put a new cabinet and sink in my bathroom. To tell the truth I didn’t help to much.. but Whitney has been really good to Charlotte and I lately. We love her much! Then she’s going to do some tiling around my cabinet and some work in Charlotte’s bathroom. 

Friday Dec 4 2020

So, covid 19 is getting worse again all over  the country and they are predicting even worse over Christmas. Put up our Christmas tree, tutored the Troy boys Josh and Mac yesterday. I went to the store and got some cash for our trip this next Thursday. Our neighbors Katie and drason both got Covid 19.

Saturday December 12th 2020

We are up in Plain Wa. at a cabin in the mountains. Char and I and our kids and grandkids.

Friday January 15th 2021

Long time since I wrote. Covid 19 has never been worse! The vaccines are starting to arrive for certain places and people; like in hospitals, etc. Rusty has covid 19, he’s just just getting back to work tonight. Whitney and Steve now have covid 19…the kids don’t have it yet. The only one that doesn’t have it is Trevor and family. Char and I are trying to stay home and ordering groceries in. We’ve been taking different things to Whitney and Steven and kids, so they don’t have to go out. I have started my diet today and already have lost about 4 pounds. I’m 205 right now and will go down to 180, that’s my goal! The weather has been real nice.

  The big news is President Trump has got impeached for the 2nd time yesterday. He actually incited a riot by asking his supporters to descend on the capitol building and stop the counting of electoral votes. Biden will take over the presidency in just a few days. Pres Trump and family have not been invited to the inauguration this next week. I found out the other day that my award with d.o.l was calculated at 10%. Or 24,000 dollars. Where it goes from here I don’t know..it’s a waiting game to see if I challenge the award or accept it… I seem to be like a puppet on a string. The strings pulled by Jason Jones, my advocate..there’s not much coming out of their office to guide me in what going to happen next! So surprise!! Surprise!!

Thursday 21st of January 2020

Been walking steady, about 4 blocks every day.

Starting to exercise with a mat…yoga like stuff.

Our Troy boys are here this morning.

We ordered a patio heater the other day.

Our daughter and her husband are both infected with covid 19 and they have since pretty much recovered.

Nothing real exciting happening, accept everyone is in the process of getting covid-19 inoculations..i’m on a list at the VA: next week.

Been doing allot of running around for Whitney and Steve and kids..snacks and dinner some times. The inauguration took place yesterday and it was really great! Biden did a good job.

Thursday 28th of January 2021

Today the boys are over and studying hard. I walked a whole 2 laps yesterday. We got the covid 19 shots the other day and I’ve been pretty tired since. Yes, we got the shots on Monday when the Mass inoculation site opened at the Benton Franklin Fairgrounds. We sat in our car for 6 hours waiting for it to open and Charlotte and I both got shots. Now were going to start trying to get an appointment for our second covid shot on the 27th of next month. We were relieved to get the shot. After a week has gone by you get some immunity to covid 19. Then allot more when getting the second shot.

We got our patio heater and it is so complex to put together I’m going to get our daughter Whitney to put it together. If I can talk her into it! Tyler, is  going to put up gutters for us in the back of our house and alittle bit over our front door. And he’s going to build a canopy over our heat pump. It’s going to cost a bit, but it helps protect the heat pump from ice storms which we get allot in this area. And I think it will help the resale of the house. Whitney and Steve are over their covid 19 and doing ok.

I don’t know if I mentioned it but Molly and Jack, Rusty’s family got covid 19. And they are doing ok. Rusty is taking good care of them. I think their over their quarantine. Rusty, Jessica, Roman and Addy Walked Bear 4 laps in AM.

Today we celebrated Thanksgiving at Whitney’s house. We had Prime-Rib and it was great!! And of course we had pumpkin pie. I got another covid 19 test; the reason why was I have an appointment Tuesday Dec 1st in Spokane to get my lung function test. This is for my dept. of labor case. Our stay at the cabin from the 10th of dec to the 15th is really fast approaching.

I must admit covid 19 is getting much worse and Jessica and Trevor didn’t come for Thanksgiving day due to the governor requesting people limit their exposure to others in their family. As far as I know their coming to the cabin..hope..hope! Charlotte’s sister borrowed 20.00 for Eric’s cigarette’s..of all things! Charlotte and Lynnette got in quite an argument..Same old, is that Lynette should kick her 37year old baby boy out of her really small apartment. He has ruined her life and she just won’t stop being a mommy and letting him grow up. Whitney and I put a new sink into char’s bathroom and put a new cabinet and sink in my bathroom. To tell the truth I didn’t help to much.. but Whitney has been really good to Charlotte and I lately. We love her much! Then she’s going to do some tiling around my cabinet and some work in Charlotte’s bathroom. 

Friday Dec 4 2020

So, covid 19 is getting worse again all over  the country and they are predicting even worse over Christmas. Put up our Christmas tree, tutored the Troy boys Josh and Mac yesterday. I went to the store and got some cash for our trip this next Thursday. Our neighbors Katie and drason both got Covid 19.

Saturday December 12th 2020

We are up in Plain Wa. at a cabin in the mountains. Char and I and our kids and grandkids.

Friday January 15th 2021

Long time since I wrote. Covid 19 has never been worse! The vaccines are starting to arrive for certain places and people; like in hospitals, etc. Rusty has covid 19, he’s just just getting back to work tonight. Whitney and Steve now have covid 19…the kids don’t have it yet. The only one that doesn’t have it is Trevor and family. Char and I are trying to stay home and ordering groceries in. We’ve been taking different things to Whitney and Steven and kids, so they don’t have to go out. I have started my diet today and already have lost about 4 pounds. I’m 205 right now and will go down to 180, that’s my goal! The weather has been real nice.

  The big news is President Trump has got impeached for the 2nd time yesterday. He actually incited a riot by asking his supporters to descend on the capitol building and stop the counting of electoral votes. Biden will take over the presidency in just a few days. Pres Trump and family have not been i

Thursday 21st of January 2020

Been walking steady, about 4 blocks every day.

Starting to exercise with a mat…yoga like stuff.

Our Troy boys are here this morning.

We ordered a patio heater the other day.

Our daughter and her husband are both infected with covid 19 and they have since pretty much recovered.

Nothing real exciting happening, accept everyone is in the process of getting covid-19 inoculations..i’m on a list at the VA: next week.

Been doing allot of running around for Whitney and Steve and kids..snacks and dinner some times. The inauguration took place yesterday and it was really great! Biden did a good job.

Thursday 28th of January 2021

Today the boys are over and studying hard. I walked a whole 2 laps yesterday. We got the covid 19 shots the other day and I’ve been pretty tired since. Yes, we got the shots on Monday when the Mass inoculation site opened at the Benton Franklin Fairgrounds. We sat in our car for 6 hours waiting for it to open and Charlotte and I both got shots. Now were going to start trying to get an appointment for our second covid shot on the 27th of next month. We were relieved to get the shot. After a week has gone by you get some immunity to covid 19. Then allot more when getting the second shot.

We got our patio heater and it is so complex to put together I’m going to get our daughter Whitney to put it together. If I can talk her into it! Tyler, is  going to put up gutters for us in the back of our house and alittle bit over our front door. And he’s going to build a canopy over our heat pump. It’s going to cost a bit, but it helps protect the heat pump from ice storms which we get allot in this area. And I think it will help the resale of the house. Whitney and Steve are over their covid 19 and doing ok.

I don’t know if I mentioned it but Molly and Jack, Rusty’s family got covid 19. And they are doing ok. Rusty is taking good care of them. I think their over their quarantine. Rusty, Jessica, Roman and Addy and Charlotte and I are the only ones in our family to not get it so far!!

2/17/21 Wednesday

I can’t believe it’s February! We got our covid 19 shot, it’s the mederna vaccine and were going to get the second shot next week. Charlotte and I are being real careful about wearing masks and social distancing and washing hands. The Tri-cities is now in phase 2 per the governor. 25% occupancy in most businesses.

We got the huge snowstorm of  the year, about 10 inches the other day and another snow, probably tomorrow. Then clear sailing for the rest of  the winter…(hopefully) I’m getting tired of shoveling snow!! Although we did get help from the Sagen girls and Jeff and Megan. Also, Lindy came over and helped one day.

We have some great friends! I was able to help the Radigans move the other day and I was able to drive them to the airport. It was an eventful morning helping to get 4 kids and the grandma and parents to the airport on time. It was dicey to say the least.

Charlotte and I were released from our mission call and we both spoke in church, each 5 minutes. Probably, Char and I will be starting back working at the temple any day.

We missed church the other day because many people couldn’t get out of their driveways due to the snow.

18th of February Thursday 2021

Well, it’s snowing again! Another storm hitting us.

This is another winter from hell! I had to go to the Federal Building to the VA clinic there and give blood this morning. They checked me over at security like I was on the most wanted list. One of the patrolman after checking me with his wand, checked my shoes and said he was being nice not asking me to take them off. Wow!

I’m glad I don’t go to the VA very often. After I got home char and I went to her pain clinic appt. That’s when it started snowing again. We went home and had Raditolie for dinner. Now we are sitting in our easy chairs just vegging out.

Feb 20, 2021 Saturday

Yesterday I went to the periodontist to check my implant site in my mouth, I will get the implant in March.

Went to the VA the other day and gave blood. They really check the vets..more so than regular people that work at the Federal Building…not fair!

Char and I are still trying to get our 2nd dose, or booster for moderna vaccine. The tri-cities has entered phase 2 of the wa. state phase program. That means the movie theaters can open for 25% capacity. Also, restaurants, bars, gyms and other buildings. We think the temple in Richland will open soon for limited use.

Our 10 inches of snow is starting to melt, but still we have quite a lot of snow. Char and I are waiting for our 25,000 to be deposited in our account  by the silicosis. And I am pretty much (because of my disability with the service) I think able to get help for me from the Veterans department. So my care is assured when I get there if my Parkinson’s gets worse, or heart.

The weather has been nice.

This area is going into phase three of the coronavirus mandates put forth by our governor Insley. That mean our temple will probably open up again..great! Char and I went to a show last night, Wonder Women, it was good. Char and I got a imac the other day and got rid of our two old pc computers (we gave them to good will). Taking them off of our taxes. There are many variants of covid 19 cropping up around the world.

We’re decided no news is good news!! We found out the other day Addy is writing a book and she is on page 170. I feel good because I’d like to think I was one person encouraging her to write. I’m going to start writing more on my books, I’d like to finish one.

March 14th Sunday 2021

Well, we got the imac yesterday and I spent at least 12 hours trying to set it up or more like 24 hours. Anything that could go wrong, went wrong! Now it’s fine, (Hopefully). I did get apple care with it..thank goodness! We didn’t even go to church this AM.

March 18th Thursday 2021

Lynette came over yesterday, Eric had been pushing her around and being the total dung-pile that he is so she came over for a few days.

Well, yesterday I pooled our money and paid off the Surbaru….Ya..take that Numerica credit union. So we’ll save 500.00 a month…and we can do lot’s with that every month..that frees up 6000.00 a year!!

I don’t know if I mentioned that Jason Jones I filing again for my prostate cancer, this will be re-open my case, since I had filed on it before. Jason gets 20% of any reward I would get if I received an award. I don’t know if I mentioned it, but the governor has put us in Phase 3 so things can open in restaurants at about 50% capacity. Charlotte and I have been to the movies 2 times, about 1 every 3 weeks. Josh and mac Troy are here this morning and Addy will come to stay with us tomorrow..we have to pick her up at the bus stop about noon tomorrow. She’s a sweet girl. It’s supposed to rain tonight and as usual it will probably be what I call “dirt rain.” It just makes a mess of the car. 

Monday the 22nd of March 2120

Rusty will be here on Thursday for a couple of days. Today, I took off the snow tires..so I’ll probably snow tomarrow! Will probably dirt rain again like it did yesterday, right after I washed both cars! Were supposed to finally, officially go to Phase 3 in the next few days. Ten people were killed in Boulder Colorado in a grocery store…sad..sad world! I sent a picture of Addy, the Troys little girl to her tonight, she really like it! Sunday was a good day yesterday..I baked a gingerbread cake for the Halsey’s yesterday took it over with a thing of whipped cream. His wife is pretty bad off..bad heart.

Whitney came over and worked on my bathroom, she took out my ugly cupboard above my toilet, it looks so different, and also she finished grouting the tile she had laid in my bathroom. She also measured charlotte’s bathroom for some flooring she wants to put in the bathroom. Also, she put up a fancy towel rack and took out all the old stuff Charlotte’s father put in years ago when they were living with us. Well, that’s all I can think of going on accept, gas has risen about a 1.00 a galleon…I put 10.00 more in to fill it up and it’s supposed to go higher.

Friday 26th March 2021

Yesterday we had a great visit with Rusty, we love that guy so much. His marriage isn’t going well and for that were so sorry about. We had so much going on yesterday!! Our hot water had gone out and the plumber came about 430 and installed a new one. They came out and maintenance our heating system on the same day and put in our filter as normal.

March 29th Monday 2021

Thursday night we all had a barbecue and it was a smashing success, all the kids were there. Alaina and I started a fire and the kids roasted marsh mellows and we fixed smores, then we watched a movie “better off dead.” Rusty left Friday Am. Charlotte and I left for Spokane about noon. When we arrived in Spokane we stopped at Fred Meyer and bought a couple of gluten free cakes. Trevor, Jessica, Addy and Roman thoroughly enjoyed them. We went to the Museums on Saturday. Oh yes, we went to Red Robins Friday night and Trevor and Jessica payed. We had lots of fun. We loved the museums, and all had fun doing that and that night Charlotte and I paid for gluten free pizza. We left Sunday morning and hugs all around. Char and I were able to bring Addy my old Nikon camera…digital of course. It’s a really nice camera.. small, just the right size for her to carry around and take good pictures. Coved 19 went to phase #3 in Washington. This should affect temple work..i suspect we’ll hear fairly quick once a plan is worked out for the new phase #3. We drove home from Spokane Sunday AM and drove in this terrible wind to make it home by 2:00. We picked up our mail from the Troys when getting home and then! The wind hit real hard then and we now have to pick up branches from the storm. The wind was not to bad this am but is now starting up again!! (Not so bad, only 25 to 30 is expected. We have nothing going on today but lots of stuff Tuesday.

March 30th Tuesday 2021

Today was busy. Walked in the AM. Went to physical therapy at 11:00. The people came and cleaned our vents, pipes, plus the dryer vent. This was Chinook. The Columbia Basin plumbers people came and checked out our water heater, it wasn’t getting hot enough so they turned it up and showed us how to do that.

 The policeman that killed George Floyd was put on trial today and already the riots are starting up again!! If he gets off I hate to think of the riots that would ensue. Found out the other day that the Sagen girls all have covid 19. Talked to Jeff Sagen the other day. That’s why we hadn’t seen them lately. Tomarrow I get my implant put in at the Dentist’s office.  

April 7th Weds 2021

So, I got my implant last Wedns. So far everything is going well with it. I went to physical therapy Tuesday and Wednsday. After physical therapy I went to Costco and picked 3 sacks of potting soil and 6 geraniums and bathwash. I then went to pick up 4 wine barrels, cut in half for 30.00 a piece. At home the grandkids helped move the stuff out of the car. The other day I bought weed control spray and sprayed all the weeds. I’ve been taking care of Katy and Curtis’s house and Troy’s house and chickens. We put a new battery in the Suburban the other day for 207.00…I’m just glad it was the battery and not something serious..short or worse. This is the grandkids last night here, they or Addy and Roman will go to their other grandmother Lori tomorrow. We’ve had beautiful weather the last 3 days ending with today. The wind is supposed to come up in the next few days.

April 10th 2021 Saturday

Walked Bear 4 blocks. Tonight is supposed to be below freezing! Today I mailed the letter to Jason Jones with his check in it. It was literally freezing this morning and a strong wind blowing. So, I decided to make banana bread. After about 3 hours…anyway, I made two batches of banana bread. I cut one up, or sliced it up and brought over to Troy and Camry Longaker. Had a long chat with Troy…he’s a real nice guy. Have a interview with the Elder’s Quorum President tomorrow at 1:00. Picked up Bear’s poop bombs in the back yard this morning.

April 26th Monday 2021

Haven’t written for awhile. Things getting alittle bit crazy as we get ready to go on Thursday. I’m hoping my health will be okay and Charlotte’s. Covid 19 is in another surge in many states. I’ve been keeping up my exercise walking bear. So, char and I are going to Burbank California to stay for 4 days and then on to Phoenix where we will see my sister. Were staying at the Merriott on the 29 to 3rd then staying at the holiday Inn express in Surprise, Az. Were depending on Uber to take us around in Burbank and we are renting a car at the Mesa airport in Phoenix.

Our temple is open for limited baptisms and personal endowments.

I’m feeling better this AM and not as dizzy like I was yesterday. We dug a trench 150 feet long yesterday to put in a new sprinkler cable for my timer on  the house to my valve box. Jesus Ramos helped and Well…did most of the work. I spent way to much time trying to hook up the sprinkler timer on the wall and wiring going into the valve box. Things like that take so long for me to do..well, I guess after all I’m not a electrician. So yeh, the sprinklers are now working in the back yard. Sprinkler systems are so expensive! And buggy. I had just put a new cable in front last year. Lynnette charlotte’s sister is going to stay and watch our house while were in California…and of course Bear our dog. Charlotte is almost finished with our taxes, we have so much to due!!

May 13th Thursday 2021

Today I walked bear 6 blocks.

 Char and I went out to the store and brought home the groceries. Then we went to a flower farm out in West Pasco and got garden tomato plants, Zuchini, onions,

some flowering thyme, and seed potatoes. Also, 5 sacks of special potters mix that is the best I have ever used. We are growing some beautiful flowers in our front yard with it. So, we got the gardens in back all dug up and the special potting mix spread in them and plants planted.   

Charlotte and I have just got back last Saturday from California…Burbank for 4 days and phoenix 5 days. We went to Universal studios, took a tour of Hollywood stars all of the stars homes, then we went to the Santa Monica pier. Then on to Phoenix. Got a rental car and went to Surprise. We stayed in the Holliday Inn Express which was really nice.

 We visited with Penny and Ron (my sister) and visited her children, ate dinner with them and went out to dinner at Red robin.

We returned to Phoenix and dropped off our car and traveled back to Burbank, stayed the night and returned home.

It took us 3 days to recover from the vacation. It helped going to the acupuncturist in richland.

 We didn’t go to the temple today, we don’t return until the 27th of this month. 

We are watching Addy and Ezra tonight for a couple of hours. We watched Mac and Josh from 9:30 to 12:00 for tutoring.

 With at least 100 million Americans vaccinated things are opening up across the country.

May the 15th 2021

Not much to say. Walked bear this Am 4 blocks. I have been ambitious today, I got up to walk bear sat out on our patio and was deep in thought, so I went inside and wrote. Then I worked in the garden and started in making two cinnamon cakes which kept me busy until 10:00, then I picked up Bear’s Poop. So I’m pooped. Were going to take a cinnamon cake to Whitney’s house, it’s really sweet, the kids will love it. I made our bed, and did miscellaneous things not worth mentioning. It’s funny how busy Char and i stay…then we can’t remember all the little things we do their just so mundane and by rote. I paid our helic loan with Hapo.

Sept 4th Saturday 2021

Today I’m starting my covid journal again due to the up-swing in covid 19 variant. We are right back where we started a year or so ago. The emergency hospital beds are all taken up throughout the state so we are basically screwed (pardon my French) finding a bed free. It’s funny but we’re so numb to covid that were not treating it like the pandemic it is becoming again. On one hand we have the people who have been vaccinated (which is for adults running about 70% of the population) and those who aren’t vaccinated. Most of the hospital beds are taken by the unvaccinated! Go figure! These people are our friends and neighbors. What are they thinking when there is a cure out there! Now, after 6 months or so, we are requiring all people to wear masks at all stores and meetings, including church. However, the governor is not closing all businesses to certain restrictions like when the last big wave of the pandemic hit. Basically, now it’s everyone for themselves. The thinking people I would say, “the people in power” and the movers and shakers of this state are refusing to kill our economy over idiots that aren’t vaccinated. The thinking is if they want to die let them die, accept what do the vaccinated do when we need a hospital bed due to heart attacks, strokes, injuries, and many things that befall people everywhere. Where is the legitimately of all this falling! The medical personnel are requiring all workers get the vaccine and many other businesses also. Well, enough of that.

Charlotte has gotten old, oh so fast and she is struggling with a weakness in her legs and arms and her balance is very off. And her shaking is getting much, much worse. She is going to many specialists trying to discern what is going on. She has fallen, many times and is using a cane most of the time. I lift her up on occasion and it is very taxing on my back. I really feel for her and pray for her often. She is taking physical therapy at the Kadlec Pt unit in Richland.

And me, I’m taking PT at the same place, also Occupational and Speech therapy. Our gas bill has gone up to scarry heights.

We just got through moving Lynette, Charlotte’s sister, who has been living with us for 2 months. We moved her from her apartment in Pasco to storage in Kennewick until she, or we, figured out where she should go. She had been essentially bankrupted by her druggy son Eric who was taking her money, and the only way to get him out of the apartment was to move Lynette out. It was a job moving her out, you know, packing up all her junk and then moving her to the storage shed in Kennewick and then having to clean a badly taken care of apartment…dirty! I, Pam, (Lynette’s good friend) and our housekeeper (who we paid) came and cleaned it up. The whole thing went easy due to members of the church who helped…they (her ward) had basically been paying her rent for the last number of months because of the druggy son taking her money. So they were, I hate to say this, were glad to see her go. Charlotte and I have put about three thousand dollars into paying some of her debts off and moving her. This is so she can get into the affinity apartment in Kennewick, her old, old apartment had put a collection lien against her due to her not paying. So, we have moved her 4 times in about 4 years and were just getting too old to bail her out anymore; she knows that…I think! But one thing about Lynette, it doesn’t register in her mind that she has caused us much sorrow and consternation concerning all the many times we have drug her out of the hole she has put herself in. She isn’t thankful at all. She rarely says thank you; you are saving my butt but seems to be numb to niceties and formalities of being grateful. She expects us to save her every time, as that’s expected of us as sisters and husbands related to her. She goes through life just numb to it all and expects people to provide for her and do the everyday work around her. She just goes to Doctor appointments (Charlotte has been driving her for 2 months) and sits around the house watching TV. We think she has, maybe a form of Dementia, maybe. I am leaning toward her just being the laziest person ever born. She hadn’t opened her mail for months before we bailed her out. Charlotte has forced her, literally to go through her bills and mail. Charlotte herself spent many hours going through it herself and organizing her finances. Charlotte has a say so for her spending money, and to keep her from giving it to her druggy son Eric….she laid down the law to Lynette.

So, she is paying her bills now, thanks to Charlotte. Now she has a hefty bill from the apartment she just moved out of to pay for her ruining the bedroom rug and still having them clean up a little. So it goes on and on; it is like having an irresponsible daughter living with us that is ungrateful and using us to live her life for her and us taking all her responsibility and doing everything but wiping her butt. I am getting sick of it, but what do we do? She is a puppet on a string, and Charlotte is moving her through her life for her.

Enough of that! I’m just venting some frustration; I support her in what she’s doing because I’d probably do it for one of my sisters or brothers. I’m just thankful my family has no similar situation that would bankrupt us emotionally and physically.

November 4th Thursday 2021

Now, COVID-19 has a variant making its rounds across the United States. Charlotte and I got the booster Moderna shot 6 days ago. We were some of the first to get them due to age 65 and over. I’m now the activity leader in our ward for the 7 to 13-year-olds. We have gone on a hike, and a knot-tying session, and were going to tour a fire station on the 11th of this month—veterans day. On the news today, they reported that 700, almost 800,000 people have died from the covid 19 in the USA.

I just received news that I will get 8 hours a week of care from the United Energy Workers Health Care, which includes some housework. I’m in the phase of my impairment evaluation from Tolar and Mills for both Silicosis and Prostate Cancer. Then, I will be given a percentage of disability, in which 1% of disability equals 2500.00 of compensation. I’m waiting for my white card for the silicosis and prostate cancer.

November 5th Friday 2021

Today, I’m wondering when we’ll get everything that needs to be done. I made an appointment with United Energy Workers Healthcare for next Friday with Lindey for 1 to 2 hours… I walked the morning with Bear. I cleaned out my closet of a bunch of shirts.

November 8th Monday 2021

Sat was a busy day. I have been making cakes for the Troys and the Howards. Jacob is in the hospital, and I think it’s time for him to depart this earth. It sounds serious. We’re going to send them some money today.

November 12th, 2021 Friday

Covid 19 has exploded in half the states, and they are the ones with the most unvaccinated people; Washington’s population is about 75% vaccinated.

Yesterday, I took the boys, ages 7 to 13, to our primary school to tour Fire Station #5 in Kennewick. I baked cookies and brought pop for the kids.

Jack, also an activity leader in our ward, had a fire at his house the night before the tour.

It went off without a hitch. The boys enjoyed it. I enjoyed it.’

December 7th Tuesday 2021

A new variant of COVID-19 has surfaced on the world stage. Everyone is getting worried again. We had a lovely Thanksgiving with the kids. We managed to get Pam, Lynn’s best friend, to invite her over for 3 days during the Thanksgiving holiday. She did go to our Thanksgiving dinner. I have my pulmonary test scheduled for the 20th of December, and on the 14th, I have to get the covid 19 test. It’s at Scared Heart in Spokane. After that, I get an impairment evaluation from Tolar and Mills. They send the percentage that I’m impaired to the Department of Labor. After that, I get a letter from the Department of Labor announcing the monetary amount I get, and they send a sheet for you to fill out with your banking information. Then they issue a check, yeah!

  I got the Christmas decorations up the other day for the outside. Last night, we delivered a Christmas package to the Howard’s with lots of Coco and pumpkin bread. The bishop and Docter Markle and relatives were there to be around when their son Jacob passed on. I gave them a merry Christmas and tried to be cheery to uplift them somewhat. It's such a sad time, but he will be out of pain…that’s good! I delivered a Christmas package to the Salings and Norton’s. I had also previously given the Longackers a basket. Charlotte has to go to Salinas’s office this morning; we will put up our Christmas tree. Charlotte and I also got our COVID-19 booster shot, which should protect us from the different variants.

department of labor. Then Jason Jones will take 10% plus his expenses. So who knows how much we will get? We are going to put what we get on the Subaru and then refinance what’s left over for a small payment, this will help pay for the helic loan we took out to pay for upgrades on the house. Our neighbor and good friends, the Radigans are asking 330.000 for their house. They moved to Florida. So  350,000 people have died from Covid 19 in the United States as of this date. A huge winter cold front, called a polar Vortex has gripped the United States…many states will take months to recover from it…many states are passing out millions of tons of bottles water, due to power outages that have contaminated water supplies. Also, many states are receiving food..emergency food supplies. The Vortex is beginning to lift as of this date. That’s what gave us the 12 inches of snow. Texas was hard hit, as of many southern states. Charlotte and I got to bed at 1:30 last night…just lost track of time. Well thats all for now.

February 22nd Monday 2021

Walked 2 blocks…with Bear. We got our 2nd dose of Merdina vaccine scheduled for the 27th of this month at 0730 on Saturday. I have a good cold today and hoping it’s not covid 19. The good news is I had my 1st vaccination of medina almost a month ago, so I have allot of protection from the virus. Went to Costco today. We got some good news that Trevor got a new job at the water treatment plant in Spokane…he’s really excited! He’s coming up Friday with the kids…Steve is having knee surgery on Weds so Whitney’s kids are coming to stay with Trevor’s kids..so we’re going to have a house full. Although Jessica’s not coming. We are expecting our money any day now. All the rest of the snow melted last night (it’s all gone) yea!

I washed the Suburban today. The Subaru is next. Charlotte and I went to church yesterday and priesthood meeting. Ezra came over for 3 hours.

March 13th Saturday 2021

News up date is that we had the 2nd shot of Mederna vaccine about a week and a half ago, so Charlotte and I are pretty much protected from the virus..or will just have a slight case of it if infected. We received our moneToday, I baked cookies and chocolate chips, which we put in a sack, added hand sanitizer and four rolls of toilet paper, and took to the Kershaws. When we delivered it, we talked for a long time about Lois Alcorn and her broken hip.

   The Coronavirus is still getting worse in the Benton County area.

   They are using drones to police the beaches in Florida.

   Hospitalizations are going flat, but deaths are on the rise in New York City.

   The United States reports 20,000 coronavirus deaths—more than any other country.

  For the first time in history, all the States have declared a state of emergency.

  Some think the coronavirus was here much sooner than everyone thinks.

   As of today, 27 people have died from coronavirus, and 364 cases have been reported, up 9% in the Tri-Cities.

  Five hundred thirty-three thousand two hundred fifty-nine cases of coronavirus in the United States, 20,597 deaths. -Ric-

April 12, 2020 Sunday

We continue to get more deaths in Benton County from the virus. We didn’t go to Whitney’s for Easter; we stayed home and hunkered down. We had an excellent roast for Easter dinner, and Charlotte made great muffins. It was nice out today…but cold. Rusty called us this morning, and they're going to Mona’s and Jim’s for Easter. -Ric-

April 13th, 2020 Monday

I rode my recumbent bicycle today and also went for a walk with Bear. My Gout is better. They turned on the irrigation today, and something had to go wrong. The front sprinkler solenoid wasn’t getting power, so after much testing, I finally figured the electric cable was broken somewhere in the yard. So, I’m going to have to buy a new cable. It's a bummer. The back cable did the same thing a couple of years ago…. It must be the cable rusting or something like that.

  Georjean was here to clean today. She had Oliver in the toe, a friendly little kid. Charlotte and I drove to the subway, got food, and went to the Numerica convention building parking lot to eat… to get away from the house. We're going crazy with this order to stay home except to go grocery shopping, order food and pick it up, or go to the Doctor. That’s about what we can do.

   The Coronavirus is still getting worse in the Benton County area.

   They are using drones to police the beaches in Florida.

   Hospitalizations are going flat, but deaths are on the rise in New York City.

   The United States reports 20,000 coronavirus deaths—more than any other country.

  For the first time in history, all the States have declared a state of emergency.

  Some think the coronavirus was here much sooner than everyone thinks.

-Ric-

                       Saturday 18th of April 20

Today, I helped Jesus Ramos clean up our lawn. I picked up the yard and picked up poop. I also sprayed weeds. Did some watering. Later, I took my bike out and went for a walk. Wrote some on the book. Yesterday, I got my gout shot, and boy, do I feel better.

  So far in the Tri-Cities, about 46 have died, and the virus has infected 600 people.

-Ric-

                     24th April 20 Friday

Today, Charlotte worked on Taxes. She does a lot of the work…I’m kind of behind the scenes. I fixed a sprinkler today that flooded the lawn the other day. I bought a new hose at Home Depot…it was another crappy hose. So, I took it back and got another better one. Went to Reliance Pharmacy also. Georgene came to clean today. She does talk a lot, and she comes with Oliver, a 9-year-old. I don’t know how, but I walked 7,200 steps today. Amazing! The coronavirus is…well, I can say this. Hardly anyone is wearing masks at Home Depot, etc. It has something to do with states talking about going back to normal.  Eight hundred four cases and 42 deaths in the Tri-Cities. All the hospitals have 48 COVID-19 instances, and 17% are hospitalized. This is in the Tri-Cities. Tyson Meats in the Tri-Cities has 100 cases alone. A good part of cases is from the old folk’s homes. 

-Ric-

                   Saturday 2nd of May 2020

Yesterday, we went to our place in Naches and checked everything. We mowed our lawn, sprayed weeds a lot, and paid Ryan to clean up the leaves on our lots. And believe me, at least five loads were taken out of there…in a trailer!

   Today, in the Tri-Cities, we still need to reach the top of the COVID-19 curve. To this date, there have been 1,000 coronavirus cases in our area. The state or governor is still imposing a stay-at-home order. In four stages, urn to their regular order, things will return. Stage one has started: construction, hunting and fishing, car washes, and others.

I rode my bike this early and then took Bear for a walk. Did the regular watering and then a lot of chores. I did some banking on my cell phone. Cool! I washed the cars. Then, it caused a significant storm to move it…drat! Went for another walk. I tried to clean up the vehicles from the first part of the storm, and then it hit again! I gave up.

 -Ric-

                   May 6th Wedns 2020

Governor Inslee has officially opened the state's four phases—car dealerships, car washes, etc. Yesterday, Charlotte had an operation on her left elbow. The first day was rough for her…but that’s to be expected. I had to do a lot for her, but that will slack off as she gets better.

But I still walked with Bear. Yesterday, I went to pick up Charlotte’s prescription at Reliance Pharmacy. I like getting away! Trump is lifting his COVID-19 task force. He wants the country to get back to business. Also, a vaccine is probably going to be okay this fall. The weather had been so lovely, especially yesterday. But today, it’s crappy!

 -Ric-

May 11th Monday 2020

The Coronavirus has reached new heights today in Washington and the Tri-Cities. We just learned from Georjean, our housekeeper and good friend, that we may have been exposed to COVID-19. Excellent! If Char or I got the virus with all of our problems, we would probably bite the dust.

The weather has been great—in the 80s. I've been doing lots of yard work and playing with the dog. In the morning, I've also been walking the dog and riding my bicycle, trying to figure out how to get a haircut. I mentioned the haircut to Charlotte, who said I go out too much! OK….

May 13th Wednesday 2020

I rode my bike this morning, then walked Bear. Today was around 70 degrees. COVID-19 is getting worse in Washington. Not many people wear masks in Yoke’s today; people seem to be getting lax. I've been watching too much of Magnum PI…that’s for sure. In Washington State, there were 182 new cases of COVID-19 and 13 deaths on Wednesday, May 13, 2020.

State totals at 17,512 /975 deaths.

               Thur 14th May 2020

Today, I bicycled, walked Bear, and did some yard work.

Seventy-one have died of the virus in Tri-Cities; the death toll is the highest in the state. In the Tri-Cities, a Walmart lady employee died of the COVID-19 virus.

               Friday 15th May 2020

Bear had to wear the hood of shame. It was because he had his butt worked on and had some inflammation.  Covid 19 cases top 1,300 in the Tri-cities. Also 69 deaths so far. Bear and I went for our usual walk today, and poor Bear was very embarrassed.

                Sat 16th May 2020= 

I rode by bicycle this morning, and after that, I walked Bear. Charlotte is finished with the taxes today; I went to Walmart to pick up a file folder for our taxes. As usual, I walked Bear again in the PM and talked to little kids who love to pet Bear. One of the kids sneezed on me. I went home and sanitized my arms, etc. And I pray he wasn’t sick! I do love the kids. I talked to Jeff Sagen tonight right before he went to work; he asked how Charlotte and I were doing and offered to help us however he could. They are great people…we love his family. We have such good friends all around us in our neighborhood. We're so lucky! Charlotte and I went to Yokes; that was our big night…since there’s nothing else to do with this covid 19 thing, and of course, we're not supposed to be going places to go..we must have a reason. Charlotte fell today in the garden…she fell so quickly that she doesn’t have much strength in her legs. I’m getting worried about her.

72 deaths in 2 months from covid 19 in tri cities…772 cases of covid 19 in Benton county

            May 18th Monday 2020

I Rode a bicycle in the, then walked the dog. We walked the dog after our colossal thunderstorm. Charlotte had an appointment with Dr. to take out her stitches. I went to Richland and delivered our taxes. Oh yes, yesterday we lost our finished taxes. We looked for most of the day. Then I took one last look in our expanding file… carefully, and lo and behold, there were the taxes. I was terrible today and ate two donuts. (very bad) I have an echogram tomorrow with Dr. Zuroske at 8:00.

          May 22nd Friday 2020

Today, President Trump declared that the nation would not shut down again due to a relapse in the COVID-19 virus. He refused to wear a mask when visiting the Ford Auto plant.  Our big getaway was to Relient Pharmacy; then, we went to Diary Queen for ice cream. We are waiting for our taxes to be done. My echogram was good, except he said the leak in my Mitro valve was a little worse. I rode the bike this morning, walked the dog, did yard work, picked up the dog’s mess, sprayed for weeds, and sprayed the hedge in front to kill any ticks we have. Almost at night, I took Bear for another walk. It was a lovely evening. 

The echogram was good, except he said the leak in my Mitro valve was a little worse. This morning, I rode my bike, walked the dog, did yard work, picked up the dog’s mess, and sprayed for weeds. I also sprayed the hedge in front to kill any ticks we have. Almost at night, I took Bear for another walk. It was a lovely evening for a walk.

              Sat. May 23rd, 2020

I had a busy day. I rode my morning bicycle and walked Bear. I went to Yokes and washed the cars. COVID-19 is still deficient in the Tri-Cities. I walked Bear PM.

              Mon May 25th 2020

Memorial Day was pretty good. I rode my bicycle early in the morning and then walked the dog late in the evening. We barbecued hamburgers and hotdogs. The Sagen girls came over again today; they are a breath of life…

Tues 26th of May 2020

Today, I did the bicycle in the AM, Walked Bear in the AM, and walked again in the PM. I went to Desert Valley Eye Care, where they fixed my glasses. Then, I went to Costco to pick up vitamins. The Sagen girls came over at 4:00 and watched Mr. T: Vet. The two counties had 18 new covid 19 a day, and still too much to go into phase 2 of the governor’s plan. In Benton-Franklin counties, the amount of COVID-19 cases has increased by 1 to 3 percent every 10 days.

              Friday 29th May 2020

A black man in Minneapolis was killed unnecessarily by a white policeman, and riots have erupted throughout the nation, especially in Minneapolis (of course). On top of this pandemic, the number of COVID-19 cases in that city will skyrocket. They even burned down a police precinct, and many buildings have been set on fire…it’s stupid.. they are burning down their community.

I believe the COVID-19 cases are decreasing, but not enough to put our community into the governor's phase 2 declaration. I really would like the hair solons to open…. I need a haircut. I bicycled this morning and walked the dog this morning. Bear got into the mud this morning and came in without me noticing and tracked mud everywhere! Such is having a dog.

Sunday, the 7th of June 2020

I've been remiss about writing! Charlotte and I were evil. We rented a cabin, the same one we rented for later this year, for our whole family from Dec. 10th to the 15th to see what, how, and where things would happen. Then, when we got home, I wrote a newsletter about it and will send it along with a jump drive of the pictures I took.

We were alone and isolated and saw hardly anyone except when we went to the country store one day.

  We were watching Genealogist Judy Russel talking about legal quarantines…church sponsored.

I have been doing my bicycling and walking. Charlotte and I talked to the Bishop, knowing how many needy people are right now, and offered to pay someone’s rent for a month…the least we can do is pay our fast offering every month and tithing.

500 new covid 19 cases in the state yesterday of the governor’s covid 19 plan. The tri-cities is still in phase 1 and is trying for phase 2 so more businesses can open and more people can go to work. Especially hair salons. I need a haircut!

Tuesday, 9th of June 2020

On Tuesday, there were 313 new cases of COVID-19 and 15 deaths in Washington state. In the Tri-Cities, there were 86 confirmed cases, but the counties are still going to phase 11 in re-opening. Today, I woke up to rain, so I couldn’t bicycle or walk Bear. Later in the day, I walked him and ran into neighbor dogs (on the loose), particularly one white mongrel that bit Bear and is totally out of control. I was not a happy camper.

 We visited Whitney and Steve and had a good time. For Father's Day, we sent a package to Rusty. We also sent a newsletter to Trevor, Jessica, Rusty, and Molly and a jump drive with all the pictures we took of the cabin in Leavenworth, where we’ll be staying from Dec. 14th through the 19th (I think that’s right).

Today, I also took a picture of the Sagen girls, Brianna and Clara, for Megan and Jeff to look at. I think today was the day the governor of Washington stipulated that all people in public are to wear masks…not to be enforced by arrest or fines.

.