Up Your Nose With A ...Cotton Swab

 If nothing else, this time spent in isolation has been productive. I've repaired more than a dozen items that have been languishing in my mending pile-some for years I'm a bit embarrassed to admit. The timing is good as I'm finally wanting to bother getting dressed. Not that I am, as I'm still isolating for a bit.

I drove myself to get tested for Covid this morning. Ordinarily, I'd balk at giving a company with ZERO medical experience a no-bid contract to do vital pandemic testing for the state. In the absence of any help from Washington though, it was probably not a bad decision. I'm not sure where my personal information is going to end up (I hope they do as they promise and keep it safe )but it certainly ran smoothly from my experience so far. I should have results somewhere in the next 72 hours. I registered, they sent a code that I showed to be scanned when I arrived, and then a member of the National Guard shoved a swab through my nose into my throat. Less than 5 minutes and I was on my way without getting out of the car. It wasn't a pleasant experience, but it was quick. 

After a week isolated in my room, it really did feel like a bear emerging from hibernation to see the outside world. I was able to do a drive-through no contact trip to the pharmacy to pick up prescriptions, which at this point almost feels "normal". Anyway, with any luck I'll be fine and can emerge from my isolation to get cracking on the laundry, dishes, and putting the house back together. We're getting freezing rain and snow tonight, so I asked the boys to cover the garden-we'll see if it gets done. 

I've been feeding myself quite nicely up here with an electric kettle. Instant porridge oats, dried fruit, instant potatoes, peanuts in the shell, and tea are keeping me well fed. I have some ramen noodles but I can't really eat more than half a packet at a time without feeling slightly queasy, so those haven't been nearly as enjoyable as the peanuts. It does pass the time cracking open the shells. I also got through a box of Golden Grahams cereal, which I really coveted in the 70s, but my mother wouldn't buy them. Maybe they don't appeal to adult tastes, but I must say it was disappointing. The box said, "Original Retro Recipe", so I'll take them at their word. Don't think I'd ever buy them again. I'm more of a Raisin Bran sort of woman anyway. 

Danny has been doing the remote learning option for school and a good thing too as the cases continue to skyrocket. His school is now going to 50% where students will alternate days in the building with days remote. Things continue to get worse here, and the doctors pleading with the governor to do something are accused of being political enemies by his spokesperson. I don't know how we'll live through this with that sort of mindset. But here we are. The positivity rate in Douglas County is now a whopping 30%. I will be calling the Governor's office to register my displeasure as a Nebraskan, but doubt very much it will do any good. 

Before I had to isolate, I bought Danny a stuffed animal. I saw it out of the corner of my eye at Walgreen's and couldn't resist. It was bargain priced in one of those, "Please take this un-sold-toy-off-our-hands" manner. We haven't given the dinosaur a name, but it did get a permanent spot at the dining room table. It has been several years since my son's toy friends have joined us at the table, and I was pleased he decided to deposit it there. When I'm done isolating, maybe I'll bring down Blue Bear for company. 

That's from 2006! Blue Bear was mine growing up-mum made him, and I've been sewing him back together for decades. He's doing OK for a more than 50 year old bear. That was Danny's second crib/cot. The first one was a lovely wooden thing that would eventually convert into a twin bed frame when he was ready. Because it was wood, and made in China, I was a little worried about him licking the wood, as children do. To counter that, I bought these hard, vinyl rail covers to prevent children from doing just that. I'll never forget the day I heard loud banging coming from the nursery when he ought to have been napping to find him, vinyl cover in hand, swinging at the crib mobile like a piñata. Going to replace it, I noticed where he had chewed straight through the varnish down to bare wood. Looking at his mouth filled with wood pulp, I knew that we weren't going to be able to keep him from his beaver-like activity, and I sent his father out to buy a metal bed. "Chew through that, Jaws."  Today, he uses the wooden headboard from the original crib and while I haven't bothered to check if he has been chewing on it, I'd guess he's probably OK. 

This is a photo of my favourite childhood toy that I didn't get to keep because mum gave it to my sister's kids to destroy (along with all my other stuff). If anyone ever spots Blippy for less than $25.00 let me know! I wouldn't mind having him in my collection. 

I've resisted doing too much shopping online but did manage a few items over the past week. A Victorian black wool skirt with the original buttons, an Edwardian blouse, and some 18th century reproduction black and red clocked cotton stockings. I'm looking forward to wearing them soon. The skirt already arrived, but is still in a box downstairs-I'll deal with it later. I didn't need to worry that they boys might be tempted to "help" by washing it, but I warned them not to-just in case by some miracle they got inspired to do housework. I hope the socks are well made-I'd like a pair in every colourway. 

Here's a quick peek at the items before I go. I'll be back with a few more recipes next time.