Do you
feel as if you’re an actor in an episode of Twilight Zone - living in an
alternate universe?
I wish
we could change the channel, but this pandemic crisis is real - turning our
world upside down: church services and events canceled; volunteers no longer
needed; and we are told to stay home and avoid friends. And making it worse, COVID-19
can be spread by people who are asymptomatic, not showing any signs of the virus,
making us cautious of anyone we meet. Our usual means of connecting with each
other have been eliminated.
But we
still need to be connected. My children have called four times in the last week,
reminding me, no, more like telling me, to stay home ALL the time. That I can’t
do, but I am working from home and if I do go out, I’m maintaining the
suggested social distance of six feet (One solution is to carry a six foot
walking stick. If you can whack the person, they know they’re too close!)
If you
are following the advice of public health officials by staying home and would
like someone to talk with – or you have no one to pick up groceries or your medications,
you can call Circles of Care at 541-397-0724 or email Gracen at gbookmyer@jfrfoundation.org. Circles
of Care is a pilot program in The Dalles that connects older adults who need
support with volunteers who can provide that support.
You
can also call Meals-on-Wheels. They are still delivering meals but are in
desperate need for drivers. An eighth route is being added because of the number
of delivered meals has increased to over 140 meals a day. And because of
COVID-19, they have lost several drivers who are self-isolating.
At the
Center, all classes and activities are now canceled. But if you need help with
Medicare, you can still call the local coordinator at 541-288-8341. And if you
need medical equipment call me at 541-980-4645 and I can meet you at the Center
while maintaining our six feet of separation. (Remember, I’ll be caring my
walking stick!)
For
many of us, staying home is not easy. Here are ten ideas to consider.
1. Contact
five friends by phone, email, or Facebook. They’ll be glad to hear from you.
2. Exercise
your brain using the free “Staying Sharp” program found on AARP’s website.
3. Take
a walk - even if it’s raining.
4. Work
in your garden – it’s also great therapy.
5. Clean
house - in both meanings.
6. Learn
how to use your Instapot - finally.
7. Draw
– you only need a pencil and paper.
8. Practice
meditation - there are apps and YouTube videos.
9. Start
writing your life story - and it doesn’t all have to be true!
10. Create
a disaster plan. Nothing like a real crisis to get you motivated.
This
is a time we need to care for each other. Until this dark cloud passes, stay
connected, wash your hands and if you do leave your home - take your walking
stick.
The
name for the moistened piece of paper rolled into a ball and blown through a
straw was called a spit wad or spit ball. I received correct answers from Bud
Earl, who taught in The Dalles and who knows intimately about spitwads, Mary
Hass, Virginia Johnson, Diane Weston, Jim and Betsy Ayers, Carol Earl, Lana
Tepfer who said all the guys loved spitwads but were hated by the girls - except
for this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket, Widge Johnson, who remembers with
great pride the days when she could get enough air into her lungs to blast one
across a room… and not hit a nun! (Last week I missed Judee Flint and Ronda
Spies- again. And my apologies to everyone else I’ve missed.
He hosted
his own weekly variety show that featured his most popular character Geraldine Jones
who popularized the catchphrase “What you see is what you get”. For this week’s
“Remember When” question, what was the name of this comedian who in 1972 was
named by Time Magazine as “TV’s first black superstar”? Email your answer to
mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or send it with the
album The Devil Made Me Buy This Dress.
Well,
it’s been another week, riding the wave and trying to stay on. Until we meet
again, I have found there are two types of people: those who stockpile toilet
paper and those who ask, WHY?