The New Normal

 Let me just state that I don't like the new normal.  The normal means for me working 24/7 - and I don't like it.  When I was a little girl and I played "secretary" I sat behind my desk and my toy typewrite and pretended to work.  And I pretended to work 9 to 5 with a lunch hour and breaks.  Boy, was I a dreamer.  

I have a different title now and I am not sure the term secretary in used anymore, you more of a personal assistant or administrative assistant.  Although we do have the Secretary of State, etc., which mean something different.  

When Covid hit - working from home became the new normal for a lot of people.  I hate working from home.  I hear the tv, the dog wants to sit on my lap and everyone talks to me.  While at work I hear music, the dog is at home and everyone still talks to me;  but usually about work.  The fact is almost everyone I deal with is working from home which means everyone now has a different timetable they are working.  We have the early birds, the after lunch bunch, they hey I just start  moving at 3 and the night owls.  I just want to work 8:30 am to 5 pm with some sort of break at lunch, but that just doesn't happen anymore.  Because they work, they think I work;  and when someone decides they have a question on a Sunday afternoon they call.  

Guess what people, I food shop, go to the drug store, take a nap and cook.  I clean my house, go to church and see my family.  I do laundry, I like to read (although it has been forever) and crochet (same for crochet) and in the summer -- garden (which went to hell this summer).  

Maybe I am just to old for this, I come from a whole different generation than everyone else I work with.  I still can remember when I rested on a Sunday.  

Speaking of rest, I need a nap. I will say this, my Company is very good to me.  Although I think they sometimes live in that perfect world I dream about when they say enjoy your time off.  There is not a time I am truly off - I would have to go completely off the grid with no computer and phone.   I need to learn to camp or something.  To completely unplug, how nice that would be for just even a day.

Well, I am done whining for now.  Occasionally it happens, LOL, but that's Another day in Catasauqua.

Christmas Spirit 2020

 I don't get much time anymore to write this blog, but I felt the need to write about Christmas Spirit, or the acute lack thereof, this year.  It is peculiar times; Covid has cause isolation even in a crowd.  Our masks cover not just our mouth and nose, but our smiles.  Social distancing has caused the absents of hugs and kisses, (Thank you Emmy for not following that and giving me a big, meaningful hug today),

Some people are even spending the time alone at this holiday, maybe for the first time.  A holiday that circles around family.  From the story of a baby, born to a virgin mother and a earthly father who raise Him in love,  Everyone visits that baby,  shepherds, wisemen and if the song is right, a little drummer boy.  That family is why we celebrate with our families and love ones.  That is why we share gifts at the holiday as a symbol of love to each other, sometimes even as a symbol of hope as did the gifts of the Magi, of frankincense, myrrh and  gold, gifts for a future king.

When I have gone shopping this past week the spirit that is usually there every year that you could catch in a strangers smile as they held the door, or talking with people in a long line at the store while you wait to check out, is missing.  You can't talk unless you shout, people can't understand you because the mask muffles your voice.  Handshakes and hugs don't exist and there is a sadness about that.  But what even makes me worry is that this will be an ongoing way of existence.  

All stories from a Peanuts Christmas to Twas the Night before Christmas revolves around people and family.  Will the future Santa wear a Hazmat suit and use hand sanitizer, think of all the cross contamination that man causes.  

How will Hallmark Christmas movies ever find love is a social distance society.  How will Snoopy kiss Lucy through a mask, oh the inhumanity of it all.

Well, I have no answers, only questions and I can only hope and pray that the future will be better.  That the Christmas Spirit will return, that hugs will come back.   

Until then, I wish you peace, love and hope this Christmas, and that's another day in Catasauqua

Memorial Day 2020

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday which occurs every year on the final Monday of May. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.  Formerly known as Decoration Day,(my grandmother called it this) it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service. It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.

The preferred name for the holiday gradually changed from "Decoration Day" to "Memorial Day", which was first used in 1882^.   It did not become more common until after World War II, and was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967. On June 28, 1968, the Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which moved four holidays, including Memorial Day, from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend.  (Thank you Congress I love a three day weekend)  The change moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May. The law took effect at the federal level in 1971. After some initial confusion and unwillingness to comply, all 50 states adopted Congress' change of date within a few years. (whew)

Memorial Day 2020 will soon not be forgotten, for in Catasauqua we are still in the RED Zone of the Covid 19 Quarantine.  So gatherings, parties and picnics are not a good idea unless it is with your family that you been stuck with for the last 146 days - yes it has been that long. 

Yesterday I ventured to Lowe's, which is  apparently the gathering place for the world - I haven't seen so many people since this all began.  I got some fertilizer and tomato plants, and apparently an impossible to open propane tank replacement, which is going to mean a return trip to people central to either find someone bigger and stronger than me or get a new tank. 

So today we will have grilled (hopefully) chicken and potato salad and pretend for the day that this is normal..  I don't like the phrase the new normal,  I don't want this to be our new normal   As I sit here and write I see things around me that represent my normal,  a bingo dapper, bills, and paper work.   My new normal has hand sanitizer, gloves and masks to my right.

Somethings from the Covid Crisis  I keep just because they make me smile.  Notes from my bff Cathy.

Yes, today is Memorial Day, a day to remember the fallen in Armed Forces, who secured our freedom and liberty.  Today that is what I will remember. 

and tomorrow, well, that's Another Day in Catasauqua

A case of Corona

A case of Corona means something different today - more like a virus than a good time.  In an effort to keep Catasauquians updated, I am posting any cancellations, or virus updates for our area on my Facebook page.

So what are you suppose to do at home as this virus sweeps the nation.

Yesterday I said to Parke, we should play cards - some gin rummy or Uno - we use to have fun doing that.  But as computers and iphones and Amazon prime filled our time we got away from that.  What have you gotten away from that you might like to try again?  Board games, cards, baking, crafts?  I crochet and I saw on Facebook a meme that said Crocheters have been in training for this.   So true, I have enough yarn at home to complete dozens of projects.

If you want to use your iphone or computer,  learn a new skill like belly dancing, a foreign language or learn to whistle through your fingers.  Here is a great article - 50 Amazing Skills you can learn on YouTube

 https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/572087/learn-skills-on-youtube

The thing I miss the most is Church, the singing, the prayers and the people.  They are all like my family and to be without them makes me feel like a piece of my life is missing.

I am lucky to have people at home with me, if you know someone who doesn't it is
time to reach out to them in a phone call!  Check on them, see how they are handling the situation.  Let someone know you care.

Meanwhile at my house I won't consider it a crisis until my mom has no where to go every morning.  So far her and her friends have been meeting at the buffet.  So it's not a real crisis until my Mama stays home.

and that is another day in Catasauqua.