My Heavens… Katie has it wrong … it should COVID-19 !!! COVID 19 will be part of this essay … but now I mean COVID 15!!! Remember so many years ago ,,, when we left for College …remember that FRESHMAN year … that FRESHMAN-15. The phrase “FRESHMAN 15” referred to the … (at least) 15 pounds that we had gained our freshman year of College. The phase COVID-15 refers to the (at least!) 15 pounds that we have gained during the quarantine. That has actually happened to me … now , WHAT DO I DO ?
I was walking before the quarantine … and I have continued. There have been a couple times when walking became one lap … and a couple times walking really seemed “out of reach.” But, now, about 2 months into the quarantine, I am doing about .47 of a mile daily. I have walked outside since two residents and three associates came down with the COVID-19. The staff here has done a very nice job handling this situation — so it does not infect other of the residents or staff, But you don’t walk the halls now. In fact, I had to ask to do my walking … and of course, “OK”. So, I am walking the perimeter of the parking lot two times … for my daily walking. And that walk is .47 of a mile. A couple times I have added enough to make it at least .5 of a mile. I want to add a little bit. so I can do more walking!!! But note … there is no “losing” weight . In fact, obviously I am gaining weight. My old body will not do the walking faster or excessively longer than right now. My strategy … add a little length to my walk; make that a comfortable walk; add a little length to my walk; make that a comfortable walk; etc
So back to gaining weight … I will have to do something. I am doing breakfast and one more meal. That is obviously too much. At least, I am doing something … so I will try to work with both my walking and my eating. I know that I am causing the weight gain … but I also know that being quarantined 23 1/2 hours a day does not leave a lot of room for just living and doing things!!!
The riots … I would never have expected the riots to enter DENVER!! Denver is really a very thoughtful town … it appears to me that decisions are thought out before actions. We have a very fine governor who works so well with people in charge of other units of governance. Our governor, also, is a user and fan of “DATA”. His decisions are “data driven”. I love it !!! He does a good number of online press conferences … always supported by pictures of data graphs and conclusions made from the data(graphs). Recently he wanted to show the effects of “masks”. He puts up a transparency with 4 graphs… each showing GROWTH of Covid-affected patients with percentage of people wearing masks as the variable. The curve flattened nicely at 65% wearing masks and began its trot to quite large numerical outcomes as the % was lowered. As I am writing 65% there is a little warning that enters my mind … I may have forgotten the exact percentages. But, you get the idea. Excuse me, I could be mistaken. but I do not think I have ever had a governor who would use graphs to explain how a certain behavior of people could result in some drastic outcomes!!! It was very impressive!!!
Oh, … I have written several times about “Little Mary” … Pete’s great niece. Mary and her husband have three children … absolutely precious. The middle child made her first communion yesterday … and I watched it all … through the Church’s “www” address. Although this was a very well planned occasion, I was impressed … the use of the video was such a great gift to family members not at the ceremony. Of course, the children were lovely and very well-behaved.
As I was watching the First Communion, I had vivid memories of the riots everywhere … and in Denver. The two … so-contrasting occasions … First Communion … and individuals deliberately destroying downtown stores … and the callousness of stealing merchandise. It is said that it is the culture of a people that molds a person … well, culture and some one individual who connects with the person. Who are the people who culturally molded the “agitators” ... the name usually used by our news people … to describe the people destroying our town!! I saw the Capitol with graffiti on it; the Denver Art Museum, … several such buildings downtown … defaced!!! And, we could have a fifth night tonight. The police try to identify the “agitators” and remove them from the scene … there are too many … and they hide in groups not-agitating.
I didn’t know I would write so much about the riots. They has really affected me.
There must be something else I want to write about. When every day is getup, get dressed, “wake up”, watch “The Price is Right” on TV, watch some local news, watch a program called “DBL”, … Denver people discussing current topics, each very opinionated, and not covering it up. Put on sun glasses, mask … and usually my oxygen connection to my nose !!! Do my .47 of a mile. Think of writing in my BLOG … that won out today!!! And here I 7 of a mile walk!!!am!!! Want my nails done … but do not want to go out of this reasonably pure environment unless it is necessary.
I will end this writing time … and come back later if a reason … and then post this monologue on my site.
(LAST NIGHT WAS SOME DESTRUCTION IN DENVER.)
Love y’all.
Old Fashion with a Twist 