My life has gone from quite quiet to sincerely silent. I hired a handyman to do some powerwashing and his equipment malfunctioned so the two days he would have been here have passed. Feels like I can’t even pay a worker to visit me.

I have given up the dating apps. I realize most of the guys want a boody call. I’m not ready to go to bed with anyone I barely know. I would rather be alone than try to fight off a guy who makes me feel cheap. I would be open to a gradually affectionate relationship but when a stranger expects to bed me, I am firmly opposed.

My days are routine. I get up by 8 a.m., get dressed, make my bed, make coffee, turn on TV and watch game shows and Lifetime Movies. During the day I play on-line euchre, answer emails and usually post to my blog. I typically head to bed about 8:00 p.m. and read or watch TV until about 11 p.m. I wake up frequently but a few pages of reading puts me back to sleep.

Some days I do laundry. I have a few other chores I try to stay up on. I keep my condo tidy, I try to make sure Sophie is well cared for. Of course I have to think about meals and about once a week I shop for groceries. I have been slowly organizing my closet and eventually I want to get rid of boxes piled up in the garage that are full of items to be donated so I can do more out there.

With the virus numbers still too high, I’m afraid to go to my card games or dances. Maybe next week I’ll go back to karaoke but not dance with anyone. (Since I’m rarely asked, it gives me a good excuse to be a wall flower.)

I do have an ODPC (Original Dulcimer Players Club) annual meeting on Saturday (on Zoom). On Tuesday I have a hair appointment, and once I have my patio cleaned and the furniture back in place I can get some sun, especially since it’s not as humid and promises to be even better as we get into October. Maybe with less humidity, I’ll even go to the pool. It’s still pretty hot today (87 degrees) but should soon be more comfortable.

I never anticipated my life would be so dull. Surprisingly I still have a good attitude, but my total solitude is all too obvious to me.

A lovely friend, Maryanne Simon, died of Covid-19 on September 2nd. Her significant other, Bill Owens, called me yestrday to advise me. She was a wonderful friend. I tried to find her photo (I know I have several of her). They came to our Christmas Eve party and we went to their beautiful home. Since John’s passing I hadn’t contacted them, but I did think of them often. I hope Bill contacts me. He sounds like he’s overcome with grief right now but I hope I can help him.

August 28th I posted that there had been 631,440 total deaths in the U.S. but now on September 26th (a little less than a month) the deaths are up to 706,073. Looks like the last few days, Florida numbers have gone down a little. Maybe things are actually improving. I’m not risking my health yet, but I am relaxing a little. I’m anxious to get my third shot. I’ll feel better because I know the protection has gone down a little.

I have a good friend who has been there for me since about 2008. She’s a sweetheart but she hasn’t been vaccinated and she feels strongly that her “faith” will keep her safe.

She’s been up north since April but she’s planning to fly back to Kings Point in a week or so. I don’t know how to handle the situation. I don’t want her in my house, and I won’t go to her place but I know she’s planning to visit and do things together.

I could just insist that we wear masks but that’s not 100% and I am afraid to be around someone who I know hasn’t had their shots (especially someone who has just flown in). Yes, I was with her when she was here before she left in April but things have changed. I know of more and more folks who have had it.

I know my daughter Kelly is living with SIL Dave who doesn’t believe in the vaccinations, but she’s protected herself and California is or was safer. There aren’t as many strong variants raging there.

I have tried everything to get my friend to recognize the importance of the inoculations but she’s firm and she resents my comments and has told me to “back off.” We were together a lot before she headed north but now I know some of my “protection” has worn off because it’s been many months (since February) when I had my shots. (That’s why they’re recommending a third booster.) I am afraid of her.

Since she left, I’ve discovered that several folks including my realtor (who had her shots) have tested positive. The shots are not 100% but better than no vaccination. Even a neighbor has had Covid and she is very cautious because she works at hospice.

Working at the Squad, I feel I need to be extra careful. I am required to ask folks who enter our Squad building if they’ve had the shots. If they haven’t I’m supposed to avoid close contact. I’ve stayed in most of the time for over a month (since I realized how the new variants are breaking through) I feel like I’ll be betraying my safety if I ignore the precautions.

But I don’t want to lose my lovely friend. Maybe, after she’s here, if I send her that last paragraph, she’ll understand that I don’t have a choice. That doesn’t mean she’ll get the shots (I know she won’t), but at least she’ll understand that I can’t be around her. And maybe the virus will fade away. Let’s hope.

I’ve been concerned about how Ken and I would re-unite, or would we? He was supposed to be home last Wednesday. Haven’t heard anything from him. I’d hinted a lot that I wasn’t happy. Maybe he caught on. Maybe he’s solved my concerns.

Or maybe he isn’t home yet. Out of curiosity, I just went passed his place and there’s no sign of anyone.

Every afternoon it rains. Not just a drizzle but a lot of the wet stuff.

Yesterday we lost our power for a couple seconds. You wouldn’t think a couple seconds would matter but it took about 20 minutes for my TV and internet to be back up and running. What a pain!!

My back lawn (the view I see all the time) is like a field that needs thrashing. The sandhill cranes could get lost in the high grass.

I’m only about 15 feet from the property line and although they mowed that 15 feet, everything beyond that is ugly. I see only the tall stuff. The mowers did take one swipe down the cart path but that just makes it look like a partly done haircut. It’s ugly. It was better before they did anything.

I keep thinking that the mowers will come back, but the heavy rain has stopped them. Hopefully it’ll happen eventually.

I watch the forecasts because I don’t want to get caught in a heavy downpour. Today I need to go grocery shopping. Of course I want to use my golf cart. I think the best opportunity is after 3:00 but before 6:00. (But it keeps changing.) I’ll continue to watch. (Right now 4:00-5:00 has the lowest percentage.)

Most women complain when their males don’t put the seat down but I complain differently. I want the top (solid) lid closed before you flush. (Male or female, it doesn’t matter.) You can read about the reasons for closing the lid here: https://www.self.com/story/toilet-plume-poop-spray

It’s so easy and it looks better.

Twenty years ago America lost its innocence. Four hijacked planes killed thousands and changed our nation.

That day I attended a meeting at Bay Medical Center. I substituted for the administrator of our hospital and joined four or five administrators of area hospitals in Bay Med’s board room. Our plan was to finish plans for a lithotripter mobile service to go to the hospitals that were in attendance: Midland, West Branch, Bay City, Flint, and two Saginaw hospitals. We had met regularly for several months and this was the conclusion of the plan for the lithotripter.

While I was on the way, I had my car’s radio on and about 9 a.m. I heard that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center in New York. At first the report was that it was thought to be a small private plane but soon the information was corrected. A second commercial jet had hit the other tower. By the time I got to the meeting, everyone was aware and a TV set had been turned on in the board room.

Even with the chaos, the meeting continued. We watched the images of the twin towers’ destruction. I had my back to the TV set but the expressions on the faces of those who were on the other side of the table told the tale. It was horrifying.

When the towers fell (at 9:59), the room went silent.

After hurrying through the agenda items, the meeting adjourned, we all hurried to our respective hospitals. I arrived at St. Mary’s to a scene which resembled the one I’d just left. In the building where I worked, the conference room’s TV was on and the staff was gathered around watching the historic events unfold.

As I recall, all the staff left early because nothing was being accomplished anyway.

At home, John was watching the frightening scene. In the morning when it had first started, he’d been picking grapes but a neighbor, seeing him busy picking went out to tell him about the situation our nation was facing.

I am a member of two dating apps. Here’s my profile from one of them:

In the past. I’ve run an on-line business, a performing music club, and I was a hospital planner. I created websites and for over 20 years was an officer and organizer of the world’s largest hammered dulcimer festival. My late husband and I performed (musically) a great deal in Michigan and here in Florida. I love dances and socializing. I read a lot and also do a little writing. I’d like to find a nice gentleman who’d enjoy Florida’s lovely sunsets with me. I don’t have expensive tastes but I’d love go out to dinner with a sweet conversationalist who also enjoys quiet, relaxing evenings. I have been in Florida since 2002 and full time since my husband died three years ago. I volunteer at the Sun City Center Emergency Squad and I’m secretary and webmaster of the Kings Point Michigan Club. I am a healthy, very financially secure lady who loves life. I like watching TV or live sports and playing cards or other games with friends. My closest companion is my friendly little dog. I hope to find a compatible fellow with similar interests.

I turned a new leaf. I’m not concentrating so much on finding a special guy. Instead I’m cultivating both male and female friendships. I will let them know that I will always be there for them. They may have already known that, but I’m going to go out of my way to confirm that I’m a reliable resource for them.

I’ve already called Phil and Joe. I’m taking Connie to lunch today, and next week Pat will get my attention.

When Evie and Michelle get back, they’ll know I am reliable and always one of their besties.

I’ll invite neighbor Donna over for the long-promised glass (or two or three) of wine.

It’ll be so enjoyable to be friendlier. I’ll be putting less energy toward finding that one special guy.

And surprise! Maybe I can convert Ken from being my special guy to being a good friend (when he’s here). He’s nice. I’m just going to be firm that we aren’t ever going to be any more than special friends.

A single guy who plays euchre with me has invited me to visit him today. It’s a new experience for me because I usually invite males to my place and don’t go to theirs until we’re really acquainted. At least I feel I know him. He’s always popular and pleasant. He lives in a very nice area in Sun City Center. I’ll drive my car (not my golf cart) because rain is threatening and I need the GPS.

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Later:
Our date was ok. I like him, his place was lovely, but somehow I don’t feel that he’s a good fit for me.