Coronavirus, COVID-19, SARS-COV-2 Virus, The Rona...Whatever you want to call it, I call it a pain in the old patootie. Of course, I normally wouldn't say "patootie" but so as not to offend the eyes of those who may read this, let's just stick with that, shall we? Whatever it is, wherever it came from, however it got here, it is really doing a number on the world. Some think it is a hoax or "just the flu", while others think it is a plague sent from God soon to be followed by locusts (check), sand storms (check), angry volcano otters (hmmm), or bubonic squirrels (one tested positive in Colorado). Regardless, it certainly is causing a major disruption in the lives of everyone on the planet, except for perhaps the bubonic plague squirrel or the angry volcano otters. I've tried to organize a collective cry of "Jumanji!" to end the insanity but to no avail.
In all honesty, even with the mitigation of kids and parents fighting over bandwidth for ZOOM time to either try and finish school or to attend that business meeting in shirt, tie, pajama pants, and slippers, my life did not change as much. I still am working and didn't miss a day. Same for my husband. I was told I am "essential" which just means that I work in a place that NEVER CLOSES. The only real change in my life is wearing a mask like I'm heading in to assist in open heart surgery and not eating in a restaurant. (Before The Rona, we usually got take out and ate at home anyway while streaming Amazon or YouTube like most other families...and don't even lie to me.)
HOWEVER, my life did experience a few changes. First, the kiddo moved back in March because all of the schools closed to avoid the plague and went to online educating. Right when I had gotten used to my baby bird being out of the nest, he flew right back in. To stay. For months. In all honesty, I enjoyed having him here, especially when I had shoulder surgery. He was a huge help to me during that time. But, honestly, once that bird has grown, the nest becomes crowded for all of us. He is a socially gregarious only child, so this isolation for mitigation was torture for him. When he moved back to attend summer school (even though it was still online), I was like, "Need us to bring a load or two up for you? Really! It is no trouble at all!" He visits. We have fun. He goes back. Life is normal again.
But the biggest change was my vacation. What started out as a dream camping trip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and through southern Utah's canyons and valleys turned into two days in Fort Smith with my in-laws and everything being closed due to The Rona. We had fun, though. The hotel was nice even though the Bistro was closed...all together now...DUE TO THE RONA. What happened to the Grand Canyon, you ask?
The Rona
My husband fractured a bone in his foot
I could not leave the state or I would have to stay away from work for 14 days.
And, oh yes, it was closed due to FIRE.
Needless to say, God was telling me NOT to go to the Grand Canyon. Maybe He knew I would fall in. Maybe He knew I would hurt somebody because I was having to try and sleep while I was hot. I don't do hot sleeping. I would have been grumpy. Maybe my husband would have "fallen" into the Grand Canyon. Whatever the reason, 2020 was not my year for the canyon lands.
When Lisa first talked to us about this website, she suggested I blog about my husband's and my experiences with overlanding, and I will after it cools down. I will discuss how we got into it, what we did to the 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee we bought for $1800 to rig it for overlanding, where we go, how we sleep, what and how we cook...all of that...when it's not so $%*$*@ hot. Seriously, as they say, take a hot shower, don't dry off, put on clothes, and that is summer in Arkansas. Two words: Boob Sweat. Need I say more? Sleep in a sauna? I'd rather go to the grocery store and run from The Rona with my maximum 2 packages of toilet paper. Anyway, I'll get to that stuff later, including local diners that we have found and really like...but you can't go to because of The Rona. See?! The Rona sticks its ugly virus filled face into everything!
Speaking of virus filled faces, if you are going to wear a mask, please cover your nose and mouth. Most of you have them down around your chin, and I ain't that worried about droplets spraying out of your neck mouth. Either wear it or don't. I don't care. Just don't wear it like a chin strap to satisfy some guideline. Just don't. And don't judge others for wearing or not wearing a mask. God doesn't need you to keep the judgment seat warm for Him. The Rona is here to stay. We'll get through it. Physicians and scientists will figure out how to treat it and vaccinate it. We don't need the drama. Who knows? You could be bitten by a bubonic squirrel.
Oh yeah, I'm Julie, the emotional support animal of the group. They drink wine, vodka, and mojitos; I drink Fireball Whiskey. I think that covers it.
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