Covid & Me 😷

My symptoms started on August 20 - stuffed up, fever, sneezing, congestion.  Typical summer cold which put me in bed all weekend.  The weird thing was my taste buds and smell were messed up...food tasted weird and there was an odd smell to regular odors.  Even though I received the vaccine, decided it would be best to get tested.  And sure enough, I had the Covid!

Diagnosis meant quarantine until my symptoms passed. This actually worked out well since I work from home and Stan/Susan were leaving on an RV trip to N. Dakota.  I've had the place to myself and it has sure been quiet!  Aside from an occasional cough, it's been over ten days since my symptoms began so I'm free to return to society.

On top of that, I scheduled a few vacation days - for no reason.  Since they fell during my quarantine, I've spent most of my time all by my lonesome fishing!  Even caught a small steelhead!

Looking forward to a Blue Jacket Diva's dinner this Friday!  Probably been two years since we've seen each other. Can't wait to catch up!

Fishin Buddies

Frequently when I'm fishing on the Cowlitz, there is often a young couple with their three sons enjoying the sun and sand.  The boys always come visit while I'm fishing, watching me cast and hollering "no fish yet!"  Well, the other day was lucky enough to catch a fish so they could enjoy the excitement!  

Braved the sprinkles after work today to fish taking along my little Stubbs so he could experience the river adventure.  He loved running around in the sand, smelling everything, and peeing whether the urge struck or not.  Once we returned home he was sleeping, down for the count.

While at sister Erin's during my last visit, I snapped a pic of the numerous piano rolls stacked together. Ended up ordering the picture as wrapping paper which turned out perfectly.  May also be able to use them as backgrounds or mat board for the piano roll art.

Repurposed Piano Rolls

Last time I was visiting sis Erin she gifted me several piano rolls.  Growing up we had a player piano and it was so much fun playing it and singing with Mom, who was an excellent singer.  Piano is gone but I wanted to figure out a creative use for the rolls.

After scouring Pinterest for inspiration, decided to clip frameable portions from the rolls and add drawings related to the particular song. My first one was "When You Wish Upon A Star" from Pinocchio. Of course Jiminy Cricket had to be up front and center!  Remember - these are piano rolls so you read from the bottom up.

That one turned out so well I made a few more using songs from "Fiddler On The Roof."

I opened up one roll titled "The Sunny Side of the Street"; however, to my surprise it held "Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown."  Currently using my thinking cap to come up with appropriate art to decorate this roll snippet.

Fun to add another outlet to my crafting bag!

Summer Life

Summer has been in full force so I've spent the majority of my time swimming and fishing!  Sam introduced me to a new Cowlitz River spot that is secluded so that's become my favorite trolling and swimming place lately.  Enjoyed the Toledo pond but never caught any fish so figured I would try out a new site.

Have been using my dad's trout fishing gear (thanks Erin for gifting me those tackle boxes and poles!)  First trip to the river ended up catching four pike minnow and a squawfish.  Fun to catch but they always go right back into the water because the task to clean and grill fresh fish is not my favorite activity.  Now, if I catch a salmon that's something different.

I've probably hit the new angling hole about four times now and three of those times I've caught fish.  In most cases no one is around so I've enjoyed the solitude as I've casted my line.  Speaking of line, it had been over a year since my reel was restrung so took that into Bob's to get 'er done.  Also picked up a new bright pink and silver rooster tail to try and snag a big one.  Made my way out to the river, strung a new line set-up with my shiny pink lure, and cast it out.  Boom!  Knot slipped and my pink treasure sailed off into the water.  Ugh!!!  But that's fishing for you!

Candy catching babies
at the Toledo pond

New Cowlitz River Spot

Cowlitz River spot

Have done a few acrylic pour paintings. So hard when I have a vision in my mind but it doesn't turn out.  Have to accept it, change it, or trash it!

The deer have been making regular appearances in the neighborhood including one who tried to stare me down in the street.

Looking forward to another road trip to Erin's the end of this month. We will be attending our company's picnic at the Tacoma Rainier's game. Looking forward to catching up with co-workers and relaxing in the sun! 🌞⚾️🍻

Son Sam finally found himself an apartment and moved in on the 1st. Same complex as his buddy Jimmy's. It's been remodeled with new paint and flooring, which is a light driftwood style.  I would have moved right in there with him but alas they don't take pets.  I could never part with my Stubbers!  He's also been scavenging my storage unit so his furnishings look awfully familiar!  I'm happy for him now that he's settled into a place of his own.

Paint Party

Another weekend over. 😒  Saturday did an acrylic pour on canvas. Didn't care for the way it turned out; however, it looked like a sea theme so added a bunch of characters to it and it looks mucho better.  

Also spent time painting rocks.  Finally, in the afternoon decided to take a shower, put on makeup, straighten my hair and jaunted over to....Michaels.  Yep, and followed that up with browsing at Goodwill.  Just a hot Saturday evening at the House of Diva!

Today laid out and swam at the Toledo park, my new favorite spot.  Susan, her daughter Amanda, and her two kids drove up as well to go kayaking. 

And my knee is better...actually picked up some arthritis creme and it seemed to do the trick.

Good night all!

Sunshine, Swimming, and Sore

Been enjoying this balmy weather by making myself a regular visitor at the South Lewis County Park in Toledo, WA. Great lake, awesome swimming, and no one around.  This past weekend went Saturday afternoon then snagged Jordan and Candy to go on Sunday. They fished, Jordan and I swam, and it was mucho entertaining!

The employees in my company are scheduled to return to the office two days each week come September.  Our local office is very old and lacking so they were hoping to find a suitable replacement. Alas, nothing acceptable so we will now continue to work from home indefinitely.  Spent time last Friday cleaning out and packing up my cubicle.  Will continue on as we have over the last 1.5 years. Thankfully, I really enjoy the work from home set-up.

Been feeling my age this past week. Must have tweaked my knee when I was in Cannon Beach as it's been sore. Ugh. Praying it's just a strain and not......arthritis!!!  Also dealt with wicked allergy eye the other night....take a look!  Would think I had just gone ten rounds with Mohammad Ali!

Spa Retreat Continues

The dining at Chez Erin this weekend has been phenomenal!  Yesterday for dinner Erin whipped up homemade fettuccine and baked halibut with a creamy lemon sauce.  This morning Randy made waffles for breakfast then he smoked pork belly so we will have fresh bacon tomorrow.  Erin also served me up a couple of Nespresso espressos which got my brain cells moving.

Tonight Erin made a riff on Brazilian food. She served up a plate mounded with Jasmine rice with all sorts off goodies in it topped with tomatoes and perfectly medium rare sliced steak that Randy had barbecued.  I'm not sure what else was on there but it was divine.

Also today when it was cloudy we hit a Tacoma Goodwill.  Found lots of 99 cent and half price items.  Erin also found a bowling ball to use as a garden ornament.  Their dog Gunnar was digging it. Made our way home when the sun broke and relaxed on a floatie in the pool. Damn it felt good!

While Erin was cooking dinner I borrowed her polish to lacquer my nails.  After digging through my choices decided on white because why not?  Enjoyed sipping on my red beer on ice while my nails dried.

My niece Ella stopped by for a quick visit so it was great to catch up with her. Now it's after dinner and I'm relaxing on the back patio waiting until dark to possibly see fireworks.

The pic below also shows Stubb's Corner that Erin fashioned for my little pup.