This and that but not much new.

June and July: Where did you go? When I made the pledge to spend the year having new experiences, I swear this wasn’t what I had in mind. The Days of Rona are not my fault. I promise!

I’ve been racking my brain the last couple of months to figure out something “new” I could do that was fun and interesting. Of course, it’s pretty darn near impossible to top flying a plane in May! But the summer months have been bereft of new adventures. Could be the heat, could be the fact that people are huddling up in their Hobbit Holes waiting for the Rona to pass. Or I could just be a little stressed. Regardless, when you look at it, so much of the last few months has been a new experience. So here are a few new experiences these last couple of months:

The whole mask thing. I won’t argue the merits for or against here, but I think we all can agree we’ll be glad when we don’t have to wear them anymore. Seriously, I never thought I would wear a face covering on a regular basis. I tried some of those flimsy blue ones for a while, but they were basically just trash; didn’t last very long. Then I made a couple of basic masks out of some scrap material. Still have those, but not wearing them much. Broke down and bought one with our school logo last week, and so far that’s working out fairly well. Then today we were given our “ration” of cotton masks, made from — well — tighty-whities by the looks of them. Everyone at work received a pack of five, and they are white cotton and look like the equivalent of underwear for your face. One person received her ration early and she’s already bedazzled hers. I may try a little tie-dye or embroidery to liven mine up. They’re washable, which is great. And may last through the duration of this plague. Maybe that’s my August newbie: decorating the masks!

Actual human contact, even in the midst of The Rona. While my practically non-existent social life continues on life support, I have had a few unexpected surprises these last couple of months. Mom and I re-connected with a cousin’s daughter via Facebook a few months ago, but finally were able to get together for a visit in late June. I had not seen her since she was very small child; she’s now a mother to many and just delightful! Also an awesome baker, and she made us a heavenly chocolate cake! It’s not often someone bakes for me, so it was quite a treat. A friend from grad school was in town on business, and I met up with her and another friend of hers — a new person for me to meet — for dinner and adult beverages. We entertained the bartender and had a lovely evening all around. I also was able to get a visit in with a former college roommate and her husband over yet another dinner, also a lovely evening. In all cases, we discussed everything from the mundane to world events and decided everything would be much better if they’d just let us be in charge for a while.

Then there was the fireworks debacle. Went to the beach with yet another friend and some of her family to watch fireworks on July 4th. Some random rude dude set up behind us with quite the array of what we could only assume were military-grade fireworks and it was not a happy result. When asked politely to move, he responded by proving his IQ was slightly lower than his neck size. So we moved over a little to get out of the way, but before the night was over — you guessed it — one of those rocket towers misfired and shot a few flaming fireballs into our little group. Injuries were minor, but since small children were part of our group we were less than complimentary of his fireworks display and frankly his entire lineage. At one point he tried to claim he was a lawyer, but the t-shirt that didn’t quite meet the waistband of his somewhat stained and tattered jeans and stretched over what was an impressive beer belly was not what one would expect from an esteemed barrister hanging out on the beach. Accompanied as it was with a vocabulary that appeared to be learned primarily from watching episodes of Duck Dynasty and the Jerry Springer Show, I believe he was being less than truthful. Oh, I’ve been hit with fireworks before. There were the Great Bottle Rocket Wars staged in the pasture at the house where I grew up. And who among us has not held on to a sparkler just a little too long while running gleefully through the yard waving it proudly? But the surprise blazing ball of fire to the back of the thigh was definitely a new experience.

Mom’s incredible checkup. On June 18, five years to the day from her first “all clear” cancer check-up, we had our last visit with her oncologist! While we love him and his staff, we are simply thrilled to never go back. In May of 2014 she was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma; it was a grapefruit-sized tumor on her right lung and wrapped around her vena cava. The original diagnosis was six weeks to three months with treatment, and three to six months with treatment. We were told to get all her affairs in order and prepare. Well, obviously God had other plans and she’s still here and cancer-free for five years. Even the doc says she’s a miracle.

While there is another “new” thing going on right now, that will have to wait til the August report. It’s an ongoing project helping my Mom with something, and will report more soon. In the meantime, it’s been fun spending some extra time with her and trying to make her life a little easier. Of course, there are TONS of new issues at work revolving around Rona, but everyone is dealing with that so it doesn’t really count. I’m keeping busy trying to cook healthy meals and keep busy. Plans for my 60th Birthday trip remain fluid but considering driving the length of the Natchez Trace and stopping off along the way to visit with friends and family.

So, until next time stay tuned!