On Wednesday we ventured into the city for "stuff." Our first stop was Whole Foods, which, while not crowded, showed that most shoppers were being very careful. Nena saw only one woman without a mask, while I saw one man. There was also a station where masks and gloves were available for customers who wanted them. About a third of the customers were also wearing gloves (as were we). One thing that really struck me was seeing several people wearing masks and gloves while looking at cell phones and picking items off shelves; I soon figured out that they were employees selecting items for pickup/delivery. Also, every one of the help was wearing both gloves and mask. We got our stuff and left.
Our next stop was supposed to be Trader Joe's (off Eager Road, for Sadie's reference) and they had a line that stretched out the door all the way to the PetSmart next door. We decided that was too long to wait, so we went on to our next stop, Total Wine, as we were running low on such items. It wasn't crowded at all, but again, all the help were gloved and masked and the shopping carts were sanitized. We filled our cart and left, heading for another Trader Joe's off Manchester just outside of the beltway (Des Peres?). On the way we decided to have a Cafe Mocha from Panera's. Since all St. Louis restaurants are still closed for dine-in, we had to either a) order from our phones or b) get in the drive-up line. Ordering from the phone proved too complicated, so we got in the drive-up, ordered our drinks, and slowly snaked our way to the window. Again, all the help were gloved and masked. Took about 12-15 minutes.
On to Trader Joe's. (Traffic seemed about normal to me, by the way, which was navigable but busy.) There was a line there, too, but after I parked the car, Nena had been allowed towards the front of the line so we didn't have to wait long; the rule was one cart out, one cart in. Again, the carts were sanitized and all the help wore gloves and masks. Got our stuff and left.
Final stop was a small liquor store called Randall's, which is the only place I know to get Nena's favorite brand of red vermouth. It was not crowded at all, but once again, sanitized carts and glove/masked employees. I had been there before, and the man we dealt with was very knowledgeable about the stock, so he recommended a substitute for the brand we wanted, while I also picked up some beers I can't get out here in Bucolic Rolla.
On back to the homestead. Had to take Manchester/US 100, but it only adds about an extra 10 minutes to the trip from that point. Noticed both ways that there were a LOT of trucks on the highway. Ran into a jam-up on the Interstate due to an overturned semi, but shit happens, right?
All in all, a mostly productive but unnerving experience. We're staying put for a long while now.
Friday, May 15, 2020
Baseball and all
Rather than attempt to respond to Turns and Nancy about the latest in baseball news, I just thought I would start a new post.
What I have read is this. Last month the owners agreed to pay each of its players on a game by game basis. Their salaries would coincide with what they are normally paid, just not by the year but by the game. I am unclear whether that agreement was based on how many actual games were played or how many would have been played. I think that 82 games was the agreed number. (Not sure if that was based on the previous Memorial Day weekend opening or the July fourth opening). The MLB already knew that there would not be fans in the stands.
Now the owners are reneging saying that because of the lack of fans and possibly fewer advertisers, the players should get half of that. MLBPL and player's agents are saying no way! They say the owners knew about the lack of fans when they agreed to the original pay plan and the owners are just being greedy.
If anyone thinks that these players are going to be in unemployment or food lines, think again. How much money do they have now? Enough to last a year? Probably. Do I think they should hold out? Yes! The owners have always been greedy bastards ever since owners began owning teams. Would I like to see baseball return? Yes, but not on just any terms. Am I, like KJ, irritated by the proposals to tweak the rules here and there for this season (should it begin)? No.
This is the very first time in the history of baseball that there has been absolutely no baseball! It is a damned shame, because it would certainly help everyone's mood if we could watch our teams play while we are mostly prevented from any socializing. I am not even tempted to watch Korean baseball on television with their cardboard fans. It's not the Cubs!
Turns, in order to answer your question about our county and that county to our west that has the Fort, I would have to get back into librarian mode and research the army's regulations during this time. Perhaps they are not allowed off base. I'll let you know later.
What I have read is this. Last month the owners agreed to pay each of its players on a game by game basis. Their salaries would coincide with what they are normally paid, just not by the year but by the game. I am unclear whether that agreement was based on how many actual games were played or how many would have been played. I think that 82 games was the agreed number. (Not sure if that was based on the previous Memorial Day weekend opening or the July fourth opening). The MLB already knew that there would not be fans in the stands.
Now the owners are reneging saying that because of the lack of fans and possibly fewer advertisers, the players should get half of that. MLBPL and player's agents are saying no way! They say the owners knew about the lack of fans when they agreed to the original pay plan and the owners are just being greedy.
If anyone thinks that these players are going to be in unemployment or food lines, think again. How much money do they have now? Enough to last a year? Probably. Do I think they should hold out? Yes! The owners have always been greedy bastards ever since owners began owning teams. Would I like to see baseball return? Yes, but not on just any terms. Am I, like KJ, irritated by the proposals to tweak the rules here and there for this season (should it begin)? No.
This is the very first time in the history of baseball that there has been absolutely no baseball! It is a damned shame, because it would certainly help everyone's mood if we could watch our teams play while we are mostly prevented from any socializing. I am not even tempted to watch Korean baseball on television with their cardboard fans. It's not the Cubs!
Turns, in order to answer your question about our county and that county to our west that has the Fort, I would have to get back into librarian mode and research the army's regulations during this time. Perhaps they are not allowed off base. I'll let you know later.
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
corona corona
I got birds that whistle. I got birds that sing.
If the National League takes the DH it won't mean a thing.
the designated hitter rule
Illinois had six straight days of dropping corona deaths. I guess it's like the stock market where they warn you to not watch it every day because it will drive you mad, but I have to have something to feel like I have an indication of where the bus is going, And the route just became bumpier when we hit a record high today. Mid June at the earliest.
It's getting to me. So much of my life seems pointless without other people. Why do this? Why do that? Why bother? I still keep up with the painting and when it is going well that gives me a couple hours of pleasure, other than that I am pretty much killing time until supper and after when I do my crossword and watch five or six episodes of Veep, so cynical, so filthy, good entertainment for our time under the corona.
There is no end in sight and there is the possibility that we may not even get through this alive, and afterwards who knows what is to come.
So it's kind of surprising that I got so upset by reading about the proposal to have kind of a silly season of baseball beginning around the Fourth of July, I think it will be something like each team plays only members of its own division to avoid travel, what the hell, I can live with that, just for the chance of seeing Javy do one of those tricky tags, or hallelujah stealing home. But the thing that sticks in my craw is that the plan is for the National League, the senior circuit, the rock of ages, to adopt the designated hitter rule. Just for this silly season they say, but you know how those things go.
They don't explain why the DH is part of the plan, maybe Umpire Jim or one of wagoneers could explain it to me. My guess is that the ballplayers like it because it provides employment for more players and they want to sweeten it for the players who will likely be sequestered which will cut into their catting around.
It's getting to me. So much of my life seems pointless without other people. Why do this? Why do that? Why bother? I still keep up with the painting and when it is going well that gives me a couple hours of pleasure, other than that I am pretty much killing time until supper and after when I do my crossword and watch five or six episodes of Veep, so cynical, so filthy, good entertainment for our time under the corona.
There is no end in sight and there is the possibility that we may not even get through this alive, and afterwards who knows what is to come.
So it's kind of surprising that I got so upset by reading about the proposal to have kind of a silly season of baseball beginning around the Fourth of July, I think it will be something like each team plays only members of its own division to avoid travel, what the hell, I can live with that, just for the chance of seeing Javy do one of those tricky tags, or hallelujah stealing home. But the thing that sticks in my craw is that the plan is for the National League, the senior circuit, the rock of ages, to adopt the designated hitter rule. Just for this silly season they say, but you know how those things go.
They don't explain why the DH is part of the plan, maybe Umpire Jim or one of wagoneers could explain it to me. My guess is that the ballplayers like it because it provides employment for more players and they want to sweeten it for the players who will likely be sequestered which will cut into their catting around.
Monday, May 11, 2020
Saturday, May 9, 2020
Check in Periodically
Haven't heard a peep out of most of you. It would be nice to know that you are all well despite confinement.
We had an unusual cold snap last night. Predictions of a frost. So I brought in every vegetable that has been waiting patiently for the weather to clear up enough for Fred to till and plant. Also, brought in a few other plants that I did not think would enjoy temperatures in the thirties, frost or not. Now my kitchen counters look like a plant farm. I don't think that it actually got that cold last night, but I wasn't up this morning until 8AM.
Flower beds are really beginning to look great. I have two students from Ghana who come for six hours a week and are going at the weeds and volunteer trees and bushes with vigor! Fred is delighted not to hear me say that I tried but can't dig up that clump of junk daylillies or a wild honeysuckle bush. I just ask Daniel to do it and whoosh, it's gone! Next week is finals week and those two would like to get more hours if possible after that.
We have our Rolla friends on e-mail now. We take turns writing little poetry vignettes about each other and what we are or imagine others are doing these days. As always, Fred does not contribute. He brewed a batch of IPA on Wednesday and Ron came by to watch and talk (at a safe distance, of course).
So, how are you guys doing? Nancy, Turns, Sadie, Uncle Ken?? Our pub has re-opened with restrictions. We are not risking it yet. Even Fred says he doesn't want to try yet. We have Cubs masks! Everyone is supposed to wear a mask in public, although Fred is going on Tuesday to have his beard trimmed and that would mean no mask, of course.
Hey! Keep in touch!
We had an unusual cold snap last night. Predictions of a frost. So I brought in every vegetable that has been waiting patiently for the weather to clear up enough for Fred to till and plant. Also, brought in a few other plants that I did not think would enjoy temperatures in the thirties, frost or not. Now my kitchen counters look like a plant farm. I don't think that it actually got that cold last night, but I wasn't up this morning until 8AM.
Flower beds are really beginning to look great. I have two students from Ghana who come for six hours a week and are going at the weeds and volunteer trees and bushes with vigor! Fred is delighted not to hear me say that I tried but can't dig up that clump of junk daylillies or a wild honeysuckle bush. I just ask Daniel to do it and whoosh, it's gone! Next week is finals week and those two would like to get more hours if possible after that.
We have our Rolla friends on e-mail now. We take turns writing little poetry vignettes about each other and what we are or imagine others are doing these days. As always, Fred does not contribute. He brewed a batch of IPA on Wednesday and Ron came by to watch and talk (at a safe distance, of course).
So, how are you guys doing? Nancy, Turns, Sadie, Uncle Ken?? Our pub has re-opened with restrictions. We are not risking it yet. Even Fred says he doesn't want to try yet. We have Cubs masks! Everyone is supposed to wear a mask in public, although Fred is going on Tuesday to have his beard trimmed and that would mean no mask, of course.
Hey! Keep in touch!
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Seems like Almost a Year
We got back from Texas on March 13. Friday the 13th. Black and Gloomy Friday the Thirteenth! Most of our friends were already sequestered at home and the pub closed the following Friday. After we got home, Fred risked a solo trip to shop in St. Louis, despite severe chastising from me.
Since then, we stay pretty close to home.
OK, so it is only May 5th! Considering making burritos tonight. Cinco de Mayo, you know. It hasn't been two months, but wow! I thought time was supposed to fly as we age. Time has slowed down to a snail's pace. Feels like almost a year since we were in Texas. My spring trip with my brother, who lives in Oregon, has been indefinitely postponed. He wants us to make a gruesome cemetery trip to visit Grandmother and Grandfather, Mother and biological Father's graves. Kansas City, Savannah Georgia, and Arlington. Quite a road trip. I had agreed. Lots of stuff to do and see in Kansas City, Savannah is beautiful in the spring, think of all those museums on the mall in D.C.!
Our Memorial Day extravaganza had been cancelled (have to wait and see for Labor Day one). Trip early summer on the bourbon trail....gone!
Plus, such essentials like my dentist appointment end of March postponed until end of June. Second hip replacement on hold. Mammogram postponed. Maybe I might be a bit glad about those three (may regret it).
Nevertheless, we are healthy, as sane as we ever were, and alive.
Since then, we stay pretty close to home.
OK, so it is only May 5th! Considering making burritos tonight. Cinco de Mayo, you know. It hasn't been two months, but wow! I thought time was supposed to fly as we age. Time has slowed down to a snail's pace. Feels like almost a year since we were in Texas. My spring trip with my brother, who lives in Oregon, has been indefinitely postponed. He wants us to make a gruesome cemetery trip to visit Grandmother and Grandfather, Mother and biological Father's graves. Kansas City, Savannah Georgia, and Arlington. Quite a road trip. I had agreed. Lots of stuff to do and see in Kansas City, Savannah is beautiful in the spring, think of all those museums on the mall in D.C.!
Our Memorial Day extravaganza had been cancelled (have to wait and see for Labor Day one). Trip early summer on the bourbon trail....gone!
Plus, such essentials like my dentist appointment end of March postponed until end of June. Second hip replacement on hold. Mammogram postponed. Maybe I might be a bit glad about those three (may regret it).
Nevertheless, we are healthy, as sane as we ever were, and alive.
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