covid diary: day 18

We woke up to thunder and lightning, the first thunderstorms of the season. Henry texted me from his room (insert eyeroll here) because he wasn't sure what that booming was that pulled him out of a sound sleep. Once the rain calmed down a little, I looked out and discovered that Liam's chicken friend (I'm calling it Houdini) had wandered over from next door again and spent some time in our pasture. It stayed there most of the day, content to wander among the red-winged blackbirds and safe from the dogs.

Mike got up early and went to the grocery store, where most things are back in stock, even though there are still limits to how many of each item you can purchase. Those limits don't apply to salmon, apparently, because the guy in line in front of Mike bought every package of frozen salmon in the store, along with his regular groceries, and spent something like $380. These are strange times indeed.

Today was mostly a work day around the house. Mike spent the morning and early afternoon putting the new subfloor in the library, and I spent the rest of the afternoon/evening laying the carpet. We're excited about how that project is turning out! There's still some work to be done putting everything back together, though — it's no small feat to move that many books in and out to be able to work in there!

In the afternoon, Avalon called and asked if we were home, then we both laughed and laughed and laughed because where else would we be? She and Lee made "quarantine survival kits" for the boys, and she wanted to bring them over. So they came with Jack, parked at the end of our driveway, and "hid" each kit in the yard for the boys to find. Then they left, and Lon facetimed the boys to tell them the hunt was on and to give them the rules (I particularly enjoy the "you must share" rule, which benefits me directly). The boys found their booty outdoors, and came back in and opened their packages excitedly. It was such a thoughtful thing for Lon and Lee and Jack to do! DAY. MADE.

Throughout the day, of course, we watched the news and kept up with updates online. The situation nationally continues to be grim, and the leadership at the federal level continues to be nonexistent. In the absence of a coordinated federal response, states are left to bid against each other (and against the federal government!) to try to purchase masks, gowns, ventilators, and other equipment. Meanwhile, 482 people died today from COVID-19, and there were 19,748 new cases diagnosed. It's horrifying to watch this crisis unfold, knowing that sooner or later someone I know will be directly impacted. Today, after their extremely thoughtful gift drop, Lon and Lee learned that Lee's aunt, who lives in Florida, tested positive. This is especially alarming because Lee's dad and many of his siblings, including this aunt, have a rare genetic form of COPD. So her lung function is already compromised, and now she has to deal with this respiratory virus that she has no immunity to. Keep her (and everyone else) in your thoughts, friends.