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.

The Paradox of Evil

You know, I don't like to post, to often, my personal opinions on anything.  I prefer telling something historical or an event in and around Catasauqua.  But today I am troubled. 

Yesterday there was another senseless shooting in a church, not to mention a stabbing at a Rabbi's house.  And what bothers me the most is the fact that the shooter in the church was shot dead by security.  I know the security guy was doing his job, he saved countless lives, but he took a life in a place where rule number six is Thou shall not kill.

The volunteer security member was a former reserve deputy sheriff who is a firearm instructor. So my question is, why not just wound him. 

When did we become as aggressive of a society as the evil we so often point out.

The paradox of evil.  What's the answer - I have none. 

Romans 12:19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it[a] to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

Matthew 5: 38-39 You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Are those the answer, turning the cheek, or leaving the gunman go.  No, it would of caused more deaths.  Did God put the security team in the right place at the right time - to protect his people.

I don't know - but in searching the scriptures for an answer I came up with the next one.  For some reason this struck a chord.  In the ever increasing evil that seems to plague us as a society, we need to look for the source, we need to find answers.  

Ephesians 6:12 -  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

and unfortunately, that's another day in Catasauqua.

To Feel The Love

The last two weeks have been crazy to say the least.  Two weeks ago I got a call about a new job with another Title Company.  If you know me, you know that I have worked at the same place for the last 39 years.  And, to get a new job was exciting, scary and sad all at the same time. 

I hadn't want to really look for a new job, I liked mine, but I was only working part time due to the fact we were laid off part time, and unemployment was a joke.  I tried to cut our expenses where I could but sooner or later I knew I wouldn't be able to keep up with the bills. 

I tried working part time at night for Fed Ex but besides finding out why everything is broken when it is delivered it was too hard for me to do and way to dangerous for an old lady.  I applied to a lot of jobs on line and then I got the call for an interview about a month ago for another Title Company doing more or less the same thing I am doing  now.  And when the call came that I got the job, well it was kind of sad at work.  We all teared up because we now knew that the three of us would soon be down to two. 

I spent the next two weeks packing up 39 years of accumulated stuff.  Christmas stuff, stuffed animals, food stuff and how many coffee mugs can a girl have stuff.  All of which ended up in my dining room.  The last day was difficult, but not as bad as I thought it would be.   Presents that I did not expect, a lunch which was delicious and good byes that were heartfelt and heartbreaking. 

Not only had I worked with Annette all those 39 years, Barb came along 19 years ago and became a BFF easily.  How do you leave them?  Well, one thing is that I will visit often.  Thankfully it is close by.  I didn't feel the emptiness until a few minutes ago when I was putting Christmas cookies away.  I didn't pack any for the girls for tomorrow.  It felt like I had a hole in the stomach and I got a lump in my throat.  Instead I will take some to them later this week.

Now just when I thought it couldn't get anymore emotional, yesterday proved to be even more so. 

Saturday we had a Santa's breakfast at our church.  So much fun, so much food.  It was a great time.  At the end when the helpers got a chance to sit down I was eating with another BFF of mine, Cathy.  My mom was sitting next to me and then suddenly there seemed to be a lot of people around.  I just figured they were  talking, but the next thing I knew there was a present.  Gail, a wonderful women from my church had a gift for me.  Now, I don't like to be singled out, so at first I thought what could this be, why am I getting a present? Well, to my surprise it was a painting that Gail did of me.  Me, as Super Stewardship Woman.  Me, with blue wig askew, cape flying and crazy tights.  In that moment I felt like my heart would just pop out of my chest with love.

So,  that's been my week.  I don't know what tomorrow holds, but whatever it is I know one thing for certain, I am loved.  And I don't go through this world alone.  I have so many dear friends.  So many BFF's that I feel blessed.  More blessed than one human being should be.

It has been a rough couple of months but I am looking forward to new adventures, new friends and new challenges.

And that is Another day in Catasauqua

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas

I just finished  decorating for Christmas and I decided to take Blade for a walk, when I noticed that the neighborhood is also decorated for Christmas. 

I had just thought that my house was looking a little under-lit probably because I lost my mugo pine this summer so one less shrub to decorate.  All my older stuff had broken, deer, angel and candy canes.  They only last so long.  I was toying with the idea of buying some lighted character or characters for the lawn to spice it up a bit. When what to wandering eyes I should see, but the Hallmark Pickup Truck carrying a Christmas tree.  Yes, and it is adorable.  Then I came across a shark and a NARWHAL!  The narwhal was so cute.  Now I am all excited to go out a look for something for my lawn.

You have to love Catasauqua and North Catasauqua, we know how to light the Christmas night.  I know when I use to walk Pete at night at Christmas time it was almost as bright as day.  So, I guess I will have to do the same with Blade, take a night walk, and some pictures for here, so I can share them with you.  I hope that one house in North Catasauqua still has the chimes that play songs, it was my favorite last year.  This year who knows what is out there.  I am excited to find out.

and that's another day in Catasauqua