Covid Journal, Day 7: Foraging and Flowers

42 at 8am, much colder than yesterday. Gray, overcast skies, looks like rain although this was supposed to be a sunny day. We shall see what develops.

We're into our 3rd stay-away-from-people day today. We've been mostly away from people for a week, although we had to go out for the first part of the week just to get ready to not go out. Strange. We stay in touch online with friends, and online and by phone with family. So far everyone is well, although the worry seeps through all conversations. My oldest son the banker is working hard to be sure all his staff can work at least part time and continue to be paid. He's dealing with borrowers too, as you can imagine, and the many other issues of banking in these strange days. Some of them are things that had not occurred to me. This morning he was making homemade granola as we talked, something he has been doing for several years. His daughter is completing her senior year of college online. Strange days.

My grandson in California tells me his job is considered essential so he is still working. He works in the cannabis industry--go figure. But joking aside, medical cannibis probably is a necessity in some treatments. Granddaughter Cassie is trying to figure how to manage now that her job vanished, and granddaughter Hannah is home from work, with pay thankfully, with her little baby boy. My grandson in the Navy is shipboard but gets to return home to his new wife off and on; he's not off on a mission or whatever it's called in the Navy yet. Another granddaughter who is a teacher is planning her lessons as an online class, a different kind of challenge. I will be touching base with the rest of the grandchildren soon to see how they are managing and how we can help, if needed. I spoke with one of my sisters who is also homebound and worrying about the workers in her place of business, since sales have dropped to near nothing and buyers are asking for extended terms, It is a crazy, difficult time for so many people. I know we are fortunate here, sheltered as we are and with no one we are directly responsible for. It is hard to think about so many who are worried, stressed, and not knowing what to do.

But yesterday was such a nice day, and a relief from being inside and thinking about all of this. The temperatures were in the 70's, with no rain after a little early morning sprinkle. So we were able to get out and do some things. Like gather creasy greens (wild mustard, wintercress).

There is a bumper crop along Joe's Run this year. And as you can see, social distancing at its best--not a house or car in sight. Two vehicles did pass us. Usually on our road, people will stop to say hello, or ask if we're broke down, or what we're doing. This time both went by, with their windows rolled up. I understood completely. These days a wave is all that is needed.

We ended up with three large grocery bags stuffed full; today we will clean them up and get them into the freezer.

We wandered along the road for a while, just looking and enjoying seeing spring springing up. Little Spring Beauties were everywhere.

A groundhog lives here. He has a good place, near plenty of creasy greens which groundhogs like, my husband says.

This one stopped me in my tracks. I thought it was a headless eagle! But no, it's a plastic rooster that has been decapitated. The trash people toss along the road is astonishing and sad.

A deer path goes straight up the hillside.

More little Spring Beauties.

What do you think? A muskrat hole?

Pretty Henbit in bloom along the roadside ditch.

Someone else's home, not sure whose.

Larry went fishing for a while in the evening, and came home with 4 nice bluegill. So there's part of today's supper--fish and greens. I'll add a butternut squash to the meal, and some applesauce.

Back home again, I found that all the rain had caused some of the daffodils to fall over from too much quick growth and watery stems, I suppose. They made a nice bouquet for the house, and a sunny end to a good day.

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