Daily Quote: April 7, 2020

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A real friend is one who walks in
when the rest of the world walks out.
~ Walter Winchell
(American – Journalist / April 7, 1897 – February 20, 1972)

Caramel Popcorn Day

World Health Day

International Window Cleaning Day

April 7th is also my birthday.  I always booked the day off of work and insisted it was so I could celebrate International Window Cleaning Day.  It is my favorite thing to do on my birthday.  I start out with the best of intentions and usually get quite a few done before company starts to pop in.  My sisters stop by for tea(or a glass of wine), my children stop in for dinner and after supper friends usually stop in.  Well, this year my husband and I will be celebrating alone as COVID-19 circles the globe and our family loves us enough to practice social distancing.

World Health Day seems like a more appropriate celebration this year as we all pray for COVID-19 to come to an end and stop spreading.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in Canada was 16,667 and the number of deaths was 323 as of April 6th, 2020.

The USA still continues to be ravaged by the effects of the pandemic.  With about 10x the population of Canada, the number of COVID-19 cases in USA according to Wikipedia:

United States
366,153 Cases
19,522 Recovered
10,831 Deaths

Daily Quote: April 6, 2020

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Art is like a border of flowers along the course of civilization.
~ Lincoln Steffens (American – Journalist / April 6, 1866 – August 9, 1936)

Sorry Charlie Day

A dull and overcast Sunday morning.  Social distancing measures continue and there are no public gatherings of over 5 people permitted in Ontario.  A walk with my dog, Rickie seems like a travel through the twilight zone as the streets are completely empty.

The number of COVID-19 total cases in Canada was 14,426 as of April 5th, 2020 with 653 cases that have been hospitalized, including 196 in intensive care.  214 have died of COVID-19 to date in Canada.

In the USA (which has about 10x the population of Canada) is now the leader in the world for reported cases and deaths.  The total number of coronavirus cases rose to over 329,636, with the number of deaths at more than 9,420.

Globally, the death toll is more than 68,148.

Daily Quote: March 28, 2020

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Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find out.
~ Frank A. Clark (American – Politician March 28, 1860 – April 14, 1936)

National Weed Appreciation Day

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National Weed Appreciation Day, not the kind you smoke.  We’re talking about weeds like dandelions or wild flowers as some of us like to call them.

I’m now on day 10 of Quarantine after returning to Canada and am wondering how much different my life will be when the quarantine is done.  My husband is in the the risk category due to age and being a cancer survivor with only one kidney, so we will still need to social distance and remain vigilant.  It will be wonderful to see my grandchildren in person again and to be able to get my own groceries rather than write a list and send my daughter-in-law into the dangerous stores.

I’ve started some seeds from OSC, where I ordered them on line, but was very disappointed with the little number of seeds in a package.  One package I received actually had no seeds, so I called and had the package replaced.  The replacement package only had 10 seeds.  I’d like to go to the dollar store and buy some seeds, one of my luxuries.

I’m anxious to go for a walk in the local conservation area to see the skunk cabbage starting to grow an the marsh marigolds or any other spring flowers starting.

 

Daily Quote: March 27, 2020

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I knew, of course, that trees and plants had roots, stems, bark,
branches and foliage that reached up toward the light.
But I was coming to realize that the real magician was light itself.
~ Edward Steichen (American – Photographer March 27, 1879 – March 25, 1973)

WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR DAY

The COVID-19 pandemic continues as numbers increase around the world.  The USA now has the highest number of cases in the world as  more than 83,005 confirmed cases were reported yesterday.  Even the Rio Grande Valley is starting to report cases.  I’m so glad we listened to Prime Minister Trudeau and came home when we were advised to do so.

How ironic that on the eve of “Won’t you be my neighbor day” President Trump is still in denial and is actually saying he wants to put military forces along the Canadian/USA boarder to prevent illegals from entering the USA with COVID-19.  The world stands in disbelief of President Trump’s total lack of empathy or concern for the welfare of his citizens.  American resources could be better used treating their ill than trying to fight with their neighbors.

Today is day 9 of our self-isolation/quarantine.  It was also the second major grocery drop-off by my daughter-in-law.  Thank God we have such a supportive family.  My son was disappointed that she bought a turkey for me (on sale for only $20) but didn’t get one for them.  I told her when this is done I will cook a turkey dinner for them to celebrate the end of our quarantine.  Even after the 14 days we will need to continue to exercise caution as my husband is still at high risk because he is over 65 and has only 1 kidney.

I got a request to update the church’s website to include the local food drive.  The food bank is almost empty and the most vulnerable in our community are left with the least.  I hope the response to the food drive is overwhelming.

Daily Quote: March 24, 2020

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It’s hard to leave behind scenes and characters I am in love with.
~ John Harrison (English – Inventor March 24, 1693 – March 24, 1776)

World Tuberculosis Day

Day 6 of self isolation after returning home from Texas.  Yesterday Prime Minister Trudeau continued his daily updates from his front porch.  COVID-19 is spreading too rapidly in Canada.  Some people are just not taking the Coronavirus threat seriously and aren’t self isolating.  Measures may need to be introduced to enforce self isolation.  The Canadian Olympic Teams made a public statement that they won’t be participating in the 2020 Olympics.  At the same time people are playing team sports in public areas and just not understanding the importance of self isolating.

Diseases from the past act as reminders as to how vulnerable people really are.  Tuberculosis lead to many deaths and hospitalizations until the correct medicine was found for treatment.  It can lay dormant for many years and then strike again, and is still killing millions.

Meanwhile, spring is quietly marching in.  The trees are starting to blush and the birds are starting to return home.  Will our lives ever return to normal?

Daily Quote: March 21, 2020

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For sleep, riches and health to be truly enjoyed, they must be interrupted.
~ Jean Paul (German – Author March 21, 1763 – November 14, 1825)

World Forestry Day

World Down Syndrome Day

World Poetry Day

For not only sleep, riches and health, but also freedom to be enjoyed, they must be interrupted.

The name of the novel coronavirus has been changed to COVID-19 but it’s effects aren’t lessening.  Tight travel restrictions that have never before been invoked now limit individual freedoms.  Home from Texas (USA) we are now in quarantine or self-isolation.  Luckily we have family and friends who are able to help us.  My lovely daughter-in-law went grocery shopping this morning and dropped of the goods to my door.  She also had my young granddaughter with her and we were able to wave kisses through the open door.  My youngest son went to Canadian Tire to buy potting soil and bird seed for me.  Such luxuries, so I can start my greenhouse up and feed the birds.

 

Daily Quote: March 20, 2020

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Youth is the time of getting,
middle age of improving,
and old age of spending.
~ Anne Bradstreet (American – Poet March 20, 1612 – September 16, 1672)

International Day of Happiness

International Earth Day

Extraterrestrial Abductions Day

 Proposal Day

World Sparrow Day

If you are lucky you’ve saved enough or have a good enough pension to spend in your old age.

Daily Quote: March 19, 2020

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Some folks are wise and some are otherwise.
~ Tobias Smollett (Scottish – Writer March 19, 1721 – September 17, 1771)

Absolutely Incredible Kid Day

After the Prime Minister advising all Canadians to return home, we packed up and made our journey home from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas.  The streets in most of the major cities were very quiet.  Restaurants were take out only. And some of the states, like Ohio,  we tried to avoid because there were no Hotels open.  I managed to have food poisoning for a day while we were on the road, so my husband had to drive most of the last day.

It feels so good to be home again in Canada.  With the Coronavirus Pandemic issues we will be in quarantine for 2 weeks, but we are lucky enough to have family that can pick-up our groceries for us.