Goody Bags & Update

6:00 AM Elizabeth Seckman 33 Comments

It's a hardy little tree
Last summer, I found this sapling growing in a chunk of fire wood. I knew it would never survive the winter, so I plucked it and stuck it in a pot. After a few weeks indoors, it looked sickly and dead. I almost tossed it, but I don't give up that easily. I kept watering the poor dead-looking little thing. The other day, I was watering my plants and I was amazed to find the barren sticks were sprouting leaves.  Seems it has more life left in it after all.

A perfect reminder to keep the faith.

With the virus working its way all over, I've been obsessively checking the US and world Covid 19 maps. Some days, when the sun is out and the birds are chirping, I feel like summer and a corona-free life is just around the corner. But then, usually after obsessively checking the maps, I feel like it's inevitable that we're all going to get it eventually. I mean, sooner or later we'll have to go out for supplies and some day, we'll have to go back to work. We can only live off the "essential workers" for so long. But every day hunkered down curbs the impact and fingers crossed, gives us time to find a treatment, or even better, a vaccine.

But still, it's definitely anxiety provoking. My mother died of a regular flu, so humans feel very vulnerable to me right now. I think of all the people among my friends and family who have underlying condition and could be at risk. It's scary. But even in the worst of times, we must look for the upsides. So, here's my list:.

1. We're learning to wash our hands.
2. We're learning that it's better to be prepared at all times than to try to stock up in a crisis.
3. More people are out walking their dogs now that gym are closed. Dogs of the world rejoice!
4. More immediate family time. My kids are all teens and early twenty-somethings. I've convinced them they're probably contagious, so they stay at home with their mom.
5. A house full of boys during a quarantine. means a lot of food prep and constant laundry. Staying busy stops me from obsessing over maps.

Before I go, I must brag a little about my "major award". I got my chocolate goody pack from Robyn Engel's Valentine's Self-love poetry challenge. Poor gal had to mail me two packages. It seems sending a box full of interesting chocolates tempts the postal people a bit too much. The first send was a fail. The second time was a charm! Check out my card. Robyn made it special. It's most definitely a keeper!

My goodies! Go ahead, be jealous. 
It should be said that even the Seckman family pets approve. Artemis knew before the rest of us that inside the pretty package was good stuff. Poor girl got nothing...even after begging so hard!


Tali Cat, on the other hand, happily ran off with a ribbon to call her own. 


I know, you're jealous. Best of luck to you next time.

Stay healthy, folks and don't hug your loved ones who are fragile.

33 comments:

  1. Yeah, round and round the virus goes and they are saying there will probably be a second wave and that a vaccine won't be available until late 2021. Fun times.

    True, the pets are getting a lot of attention. Cats may not be too happen their routine is upset though haha Congrats on winning too. Ribbons are good to steal.

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    1. On the bright side, people are learning about washing their hands...

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  2. That's just it - don't obsess. Do as much normal as possible and keep busy.
    That's a great package she sent you. I have a special Robyn-made collage as well.

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    1. We're so special! I should frame mine for my hallway "office".

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  3. What an uplifting post. Thanks for that:)
    Congrats on the goodie bag. It looks scrumptious.
    'Ware the ribbons. Cats love to eat them and they get wound up in their intestines. (Sorry for being a Nervous Nellie. What an antiquated phrase, huh?)

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    1. Ah, I never knew!! I'm glad you told me. Fortunately, Tali lost interest in the ribbon as soon as I got the phone out to snap her picture. She loves phones because my cousin who raised her as a baby kitten allowed her to watch fish videos on her phone.

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  4. Some wonderful goodies there.

    Our pecan trees that were started from nuts (thanks squirrels) are just getting buds on them now. Otherwise, they look like sick twigs sticking out of the ground.

    I agree with Sandra. My best friend had to take her cat to the emergency vet because he ate a balloon ribbon and it went almost all the way through him and he needed surgery.

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    1. We planted new trees we took from the woods last fall. I have my fingers crossed they grow.

      I never knew that about kittens and ribbons. I'll be sure to trash them quickly from ow on.

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  5. Yes, it is important to keep the faith and remember that this time will pass. Congrats on winning and getting all the yummy goodies.

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    1. I will enter any contest that offers me a food prize. LOL

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  6. It is so important to keep the faith!
    And I know my dog is rejoicing at all of his extra walks.
    My daughters both stayed on their college towns, which have been less affected by the virus than here (I live in Washington, Pierce County). We talk every day on the phone, sometimes more than once and it's really good to hear their voices. Virtual hugs.

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    1. Mine are all home, but so far, we aren't getting hit too hard. But I expect that will change. The states surrounding us are red.

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  7. We are living in tragic times. In New York, we are living in a pandemic movie. My son is an ER doc, working in Reading Hospital in the covid-19 unit. He says more than likely he'll get it. Yesterday, an ER nurse was tested positive, and many people he tested have come back positive. He's home from a long night, and the hospital called him to ask if he has any symptoms yet. Scary stuff. It's listening to the local and world news, it is good to be informed, but then turn it off because it messes with a persons head.
    But, I am keeping the faith. All I can do is pray for all of us. The cold weather in Buffalo, is getting better, and getting outside, taking walks with my dog, hearing birds singing, seeing the trees budding helps.

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    1. Prayers for your son. I can't imagine how he will avoid getting it. Hopefully, he gets a mild case. Or better yet, somehow avoids it and we get a vaccine ready. I'm hoping the warmer weather slows it down.

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  8. We're definitely living in scary times right now. I have to purposely avoid the news sometimes to keep my anxiety from going into overdrive. Glad you have some positives to help distract you! (Your pets are so darling, btw! My own dog would've sniffed out the chocolate in that package pretty quickly, too...LOL.)

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    1. I check the updates each morning on my phone and then go about my day. I was obsessively watching the map and the numbers go up, but that was wasting my time and making me neurotic as hell.

      She knew. As soon as I opened the box, she was begging. LOL

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  9. It was actually really easy. I mostly neglected it, only remembering to water it periodically. That might be the key- infrequent watering.

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  10. You've got the right attitude. What's happening around the world right now is definitely scary, but there are always bright sidse. I'm glad you found them. :)

    Oh, and you'd THINK the pandemic has taught everyone to wash their hands, but um... no. A woman in the lady's room at the cancer center did NOT wash her hands after she did her thing. I was astounded. I mean, especially THERE, where everyone is oh-so careful. The whole hospital area looks like a ghost town compared to what it used to be. I was still in the stall when I heard her leave her stall and rush out the door, so I don't know if it was a visitor, a patient, or someone who worked there. Either way, I was appalled.

    Anyhow, take care, kiddo. This, too, shall pass. We might as well make the best of it.

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    1. I used to just think- Oh, that's gross! But now I think...oh no! She's probably incubating new diseases. I read where patient 0 for this virus may have picked it up in a bathroom.

      This will pass. I just hope it's over sooner rather than later. I keep checking my news apps hoping to see a surprise- vaccine (or cure) found headline. Wouldn't that be nice?

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  11. I love that kitty used to watch fish videos:)

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    1. She loves phones. She will wrap her paw around it and pull it toward her as soon as she sees it.

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  12. It is such a difficult time for the world. My community has been really good about instituting precautions and restrictions and most people are complying to help plank the curve. Hope you and yours stay well - hard feeding those more-than-healthy appetites!! Enjoy the time together :)

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    1. My town is shut down too. It's better to do it right and get this awful bug behind us. My only outings have been to the grocery store and gas station.

      Stay healthy!

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  13. I agree, it inevitable, we'll all get it. Just praying there is some kind of medication to help fight it!. Congratulations! Loved the gift package! Chocolate is the best way to fight this virus, at least for the time being! :)

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    1. I'm hearing promising things on the news. Personally, I like hearing that we're winning small battles against it. The constant negativity makes it feel hopeless.

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  14. How's that little tree doing and what is it? I'm awfully glad you saved it:)
    Hugs (from six feet away:)

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    1. Hugs from the many six miles away!

      It's doing great. It spouted another leaf this week. It's most likely a maple from my neighbor's yard.

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  15. I find myself checking the maps and stats every day, too. I worry about my daughter with asthma and my 80+ year old parents. My daughter is finishing her sophomore college semester at home. My 18 year old son is also home and works for Dollar General which is considered an essential store. I keep praying he doesn't bring the virus home with him. Congrats on the chocolate goodies! I'm glad you were able to resuscitate the little tree. Stay well!

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    1. I can't blame you for being nervous. The workers at the stores are heroes. They are being exposed to everyone without any protection so we can all stay well supplied. I hope they're earning bonuses. Maybe they should set out tip jars.

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  16. Yay for the sapling! And thanks for sharing your photos :-)

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  17. That is too funny. Wait till she starts trying to call her kitty buds:)

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    1. Oh dear. We have two cats in the house right now. That's plenty!

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