Merry Crisis: CoronaVirus Diaries

It's 4/29/2020 and I haven't been to my job since 3/12/2020.  I am on unemployment, like 10 million other people in the United States right now.  

There is a virus going around the world and people are dying.  60,000 dead so far in the U.S., over 1 million worldwide.

We have been told to Stay Home/Save Lives.  Flatten the Curve.  Wash our hands, don't touch your face., wear a mask......

For 7 weeks now, that's what I've been doing.

It's been wonderful...

So much Family time, family dinners, family dog walks, board games, movie nights, household re-arranging, grocery deliveries.

It is interesting the types of things you can still do:

Go to fast food

Go to Home Depot

Go to Target

Go to grocery stores

At 8pm every night, whole neighborhoods HOWL in appreciation for the "Essential Workers", the Doctors, Nurses, retail workers, and all the other people who are working while we stay home.

No one knows how long the Stay at Home orders will be in effect.  Some states want to open everything now, others don't.  Our nation is more divided than ever.

I just love these two.....

9/14/2018

Wow...it's been a long time since I've posted anything.  It's been a hard (almost) 3 years since my Dad died.  About 6 months ago, I finally had the realization that I "wasn't grieving today".  It felt good to know I had moved yet another step up in that process.
My Sister Cheryl died in May.  At first it was hard to let the grieving process begin because I was afraid I would spiral down.....but I only delayed what needed to be e done for a week.  I came through it ok.....
I am working and living in Marin now.  No more Yosemite.  I don't miss it.  So much less stress now....
Here's a photo of me..... went blonde! Go figure...lol.  It's the first time I've ever been a blonde.  It doesn't feel any different.  I don't even think about it until I look in the mirror.  Sometimes I even think it looks good!!
The best thing about this photo, to me anyway, is that I can look into my own eyes....they look clear and ---- happy?------, not sad at least......

The foggy 41

Cali Palms in Fresno

"Takin' Dad out to the desert" March 2017

I thought I would take my Fathers ashes out to some Southern California deserts that I grew up going to.  They hold so many good memories of my Dad and my Family.  I went to Amboy Crater first.  It was so beautiful!  I am unsure if I actually remember being here as a child, or if the photographs my Dad took of us are the memory.  Either way, I was not compelled to spread the ashes.....instead, I picked up a small volcanic rock and added that to the velvet bag that my "Dad" is in......

Next, Joshua Tree.  This was really the main focus of my trip.  We came here often as a family.  I also came here many times as an adult with my own Family and friends.  It had been too many years since I had been here.  If you have ever been to Joshua Tree, you know that there is a longing to go back.  I didn't leave my Dad here either!!  I just want to keep him here with me in Yosemite, in my home.....I took a piece of a downed Joshua Tree to add to the bag.

I don't feel bad about wanting to keep His ashes all to myself.  I know how much I've healed since he's died......I really did think "these were the places to leave him",  but I guess the timing wasn't right........

Healing

It was a long, hard year

But the gate is open now

I'm on the other side 

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