I read that I'm not unusual for the times. People are sleeping badly and having unusual dreams, some of them nightmares. We are also, probably, remembering dreams more because we don't have to set an alarm clock.
I've tried to keep to a normal schedule and get out at least five days a week for a walk of about a mile in the sunlight and air. It's actually been a very beautiful spring. The air is good. The sky is exceptionally blue. There are clouds. These things are special in Southern California.
I have my dog who is now a slower, aging dog, as well. The soothing and stroking I give her should be therapeutic and she's an excellent excuse for being outside. I love her.
I've gone into my sewing supplies and hand stitched a few masks. I hate wearing them because I feel that the air I'm breathing in is probably more of my own exhaled air than usual. Maybe that's a factor in feeling that I'm actually fighting depression and tears. Out the door I go with my face swathed in one of my obviously hand-made masks. Taking suburban streets means that I'm not encountering many other humans and can lift the mask to actually breath the good air.
Yesterday I shampooed and conditioned my dog. She slept soundly after that. She ate her dinner while I had mine.
Last night I had a wonderful and nutritious dinner. Kale salad. An omelet with some good cheese melted inside. Nuts. I slipped her a teaspoon of the omelet.
When I went to bed, I heard a helicopter circling around the neighborhood to one side of me. Someone with an app that tells you what's going on with the circling helicopter told me it was about a car theft. Let's just say that the neighborhood the helicopter was over has a couple banks but few cars worth stealing. Unless you've gone Coronavirus-19 Crazy. These helicopters are extremely expensive to operate and are usually taken out for murderer on foot. I figured that the news of a car theft on this app of hers was either wrong or there's so little crime right now that they thought they'd take up a helicopter to stay in practice. This helicopter also circled for at least two hours, maybe three. Tell me how long it takes for a car thief to park and get out of a car.
I lay there trying to sleep. I got up and went out the front door and looked into the sky to see the copter. Yea, it was black and white - police.
Around 4:30 in the morning I awakened to my dog heaving all over the sheets. I could tell without putting on the lights that this was no small heave. I took her into my arms and put her outside a while. She went out but seemed, well, hangdog. When she came back in she drank a lot of water. Then she threw up on the floor. Another expansive puddle.
I didn't think I would get back to sleep and I did not. My dog was sick. She threw up like a human does with food poisoning. Repeatedly.
As the dawn made it's way into the bedroom window, I got up to look for rags, and begin what turned into a half a day clean up, locating puddles of throw up on various floor surfaces, mopping with rags, trying to at least soap the areas for sanitation. I removed sheets and padding and blankets from the bed. I had to hand scrub the puke before putting into the washing machine. I noticed that the 4:30 heave must have been explosive. Some was on the wall and more on the floor. It contained a lot of undigested chunks of kibble as well as some digested. Oh, Lord.
I got depressed.
Last week I'd called the vet to see about a possible flea shot and was told that they were closed until further notice. This is no time to try to locate an open vet, who is also a more expensive and unfamiliar vet.
I got on line to look for a home remedy. Luckily I had a small container of goat milk in the fridge and I gave her a small amount, followed by a tiny bit of kibble.
I held her in my arms and moved her bed, freshly made, near where I sat, looking for a good documentary for later. She finally settled in.
The whole time thought I was thinking about the horrible dream I was having and woke from at 4:30. I was on line looking for dream interpretations.
In my dream appeared an old friend I haven't seen in years, a person who I know a lot about that I would probably never tell anyone, but who turned his life around from the time I knew him. He is, I hear, probably the most successful person, at least financially, in his graduating class. When he appeared, seeming to visit me, I felt emotional, rather honored. There was a lot of chaos in the form of people I didn't know moving around in the setting, but I was conscious that I was carrying some items close to my chest, a couple notebooks or ledgers of some sort which I knew were important, my cell phone (which is turned off), and a pair of shoes I own which are extremely comfortable but dilapidated sandals (that need to be replaced as soon as I can go shoe shopping) as well as a pair of strappy sandals with chunky two inch heels, obviously new, and bright gold. My old friend hands me a crisp new $100 bill which I don't want to take.
I somehow know this is a dream but there are mental processes involved such as awareness of my emotions, which become less enthusiastic about this meet up when I realize that it will be no more than this interaction, that he cannot hang out. He just lost $2000 this day at his business. Take the money. Don't want to. But it's not much money to him. But he just lost $2000. He has no time. I tell him, "but I just sent you a gift and now you are giving it back!" Am I shamed into taking the hundred? Are we even? He has to go?
He leaves me disappointed. In this chaos I first realize I lost the cell phone.
I then realize I lost the important papers. Finally, I see that the floor is flooding and that one of the gold shoes is floating away. I have one gold shoe and the dilapidated sandals still close to my chest.
Have at it as you will.
According to various internet resources about dreams, this dream is all bad news, especially about financial loses, and loosing direction. A symbol of great financial success only wants to pay me a brief visit.
How did I create this dream?
It is, not unusual for the times though.
Now I'm going on my walk.
C 2020 Christine Trzyna
All Rights Reserved
4/28/20
MEN GIVE UP READING 50 PAGES BEFORE WOMEN
DAILY MAIL SCIENCE : MEN GIVE UP ON PAGE 50
This is bad news for those of us who write books that are so many pages more.
I wonder about the books they used. Maybe they were boring books. Maybe they were books that are generally more appealing to women. What happens if you give a man a manuel on how to repair his car? The difference between paper book and audio book and e-book?
EXCERPT: The report was created by the Audience Agency, a British charity that gathers data to help creative industries reach people who will enjoy their work.
4/13/20
GUINESS WORD RECORD FOR MAKING A HOUSE OF CARDS
Bryan Berg is the champeon card stacker. It looks so much fun to apply a fan to the structure and see what happens. It's almost poetic.
4/8/20
ARE WE TAKING CORONAVIRUS-19 TOO SERIOUSLY? MY AFTA-PANDEMIC PREDICTIONS : TALKING TO STRANGERS
This morning I headed out on foot, my face wrapped in a scarf, careful not to have too much human contact. I had a bill to pay and no mail had been picked up at the house for two days. (Envelopes were still clipped to the box for send.) So I knew I had to walk to a box. Half the people I encountered were wearing some sort of face protection.
I walked into the closest grocery store where the employees were not wearing face protection last week. Today they were - but not the other customers. I grabbed a free sanitation wipe and walked out. I have another week of toilet paper. Enough shampoo and soap to last three. But I was wondering what was on the shelves.
One bar which is staying open because they are also a restaurant (though the emphasis had never been on the food) has a sign out on the street that says "Free Toilet Paper with Order." We think this is funny. Just how much TP do you get, say with a full $29.99 order of ham and cabbage? A couple weeks ago when the sign appeared I stuck my head in to ask about the price of the ham and cabbage and the bar was full of men drinking side by side - no masks. A bartender - no mask.
I have friends who are taking Coronavirus-19 so seriously that when their son in law brought groceries (and then declared he was not shopping for another two weeks) in plastic bags, they let those bags sit for a day, then donned gloves to remove cans and produce, threw the bags into recycling, and proceeded to scrub the cans till the labels wore off, afraid that some other knowingly or unknowingly sick person had touched them. Is this wise or paranoia?
If I'm not picky about what I eat - and certainly those who lived through The Great Depression could not be and are my inspiration - I can go a couple weeks without shopping myself. In order to keep my supply of dried beans and legumes and assorted canned goods and pastas interesting I've tried many new recipes. Meanwhile my friend's cupboard is slowly being depleted, as she home makes bread every other day, and there are things she and her husband simply refuse to eat.
Specifically they decided pigs were treated especially horribly and they had decided they would no longer eat pig (though they do eat lots of fish, some chicken and other meats.) I think this has more to do with the intelligence of pigs over that of fish and chicken. This morning this is what they talked about in front of me.
Her: "I have some bacon in the freezer - uncured - that's been there forever. I was thinking when I was studying Buddhism that it was OK to eat whatever someone else presented to you. Do you think it would be OK to put some of that bacon in soup?
Me: "I was thinking of making green pea soup. I've never liked the flavor of green peas - I prefer the yellow - but most recipes for green pea soup suggest ham. What about bacon?
She: "I won't eat ham."
He: Shakes his head yes. (In agreement of one of us?)
Me: Probably that Buddhist thing started in cultures where it was considered rude to refuse any food offered as a guest. I was wondering if you wanted me to offer you this bacon? If you won't eat it, I suggest the dogs would love it.
She: "If it's OK with you, I will use the bacon."
He "OK."
Seeing how this was going, I wondered about the Grab and Go food give out at a school close by. I went there to talk to them after noticing the web site that was looking for volunteers through the Red Cross. The web site said that a person had to apply to volunteer (unpaid work) and had to repeatedly lift 20 to 50 pounds and prove they are Coronavirus immune. Are they joking? (Do they have workers compensation insurance? Where are the Coronavirus immunity tests? Will they also want a volunteer to donate blood?) The Red Cross and Los Angeles Unified School District are paying for this food and one can take up to two bags a day per child. I decided to go talk to them. I don't want to commute to volunteer.
None of the present volunteers, though six or more feet away from the table with the plastic bags of food, were wearing masks. None of them knew about the Red Cross providing funding. None of them were volunteers though the Red Cross - though they did know there was a need for more volunteers. I and my dog stood aways and watched as one expensive SUV after another - with no children inside the vehicle - drove up and took food. Shit.
But I thought about my friends who were going to use the long frozen bacon though they don't want to eat pig. And on YouTube there's a YouTube video about Grab and Go from LA Unified which says that one third of the recipients are NOT students. Would my friends be willing to eat food from Grab and Go? I looked through the plastic and though there was some cartoned milk and fresh fruit there were also white bread rolls and well - food that is not very nutritious. I myself would eat this food rather than suffer hunger pains if need be.
Meanwhile fresh produce - good for you fruits and veggies - are going unsold and rotting according to the local news.
So I called the local Senior Center to find out if there were any food banks open and when. No answer. No call back.
People will eat People in some circumstances.
Some people (including me) will die before they eat people, but I say that sane.
I have not had the experience of starvation to know.
After this Pandemic I predict:
People will forget they can stand closer and continue to SHOUT AT EACH OTHER.
Sex is going to be more complicated than ever.
People will go to their hairdressers and dog groomers in droves.
People will realize they can live without wearing lipstick, but will want to wear it more than ever.
People may not want to wear scarves or facemasks though new Coronavirus-19 fashion trends have us looking like bank robbers, doctors, and Muslims, but they'll keep one with them anyway, just in case.
People will have learned that soap doesn't work instantly like they used to think and will persist in the thorough 20 seconds or more of washing. But they will never enjoy songs like Happy Birthday like they used to.
Buses will provide sanitary hand wipes just like grocery stores.
Paper bags will be back, the hell with plastic. But what about the doggie poo?
Lots of people are going to realize they prefer to telecommute or homeschool. But not if they live in apartments.
If it goes on for months: More divorces.
C Christine Trzyna 2020 All Rights Reserved including Internet and International Rights.
I walked into the closest grocery store where the employees were not wearing face protection last week. Today they were - but not the other customers. I grabbed a free sanitation wipe and walked out. I have another week of toilet paper. Enough shampoo and soap to last three. But I was wondering what was on the shelves.
One bar which is staying open because they are also a restaurant (though the emphasis had never been on the food) has a sign out on the street that says "Free Toilet Paper with Order." We think this is funny. Just how much TP do you get, say with a full $29.99 order of ham and cabbage? A couple weeks ago when the sign appeared I stuck my head in to ask about the price of the ham and cabbage and the bar was full of men drinking side by side - no masks. A bartender - no mask.
I have friends who are taking Coronavirus-19 so seriously that when their son in law brought groceries (and then declared he was not shopping for another two weeks) in plastic bags, they let those bags sit for a day, then donned gloves to remove cans and produce, threw the bags into recycling, and proceeded to scrub the cans till the labels wore off, afraid that some other knowingly or unknowingly sick person had touched them. Is this wise or paranoia?
If I'm not picky about what I eat - and certainly those who lived through The Great Depression could not be and are my inspiration - I can go a couple weeks without shopping myself. In order to keep my supply of dried beans and legumes and assorted canned goods and pastas interesting I've tried many new recipes. Meanwhile my friend's cupboard is slowly being depleted, as she home makes bread every other day, and there are things she and her husband simply refuse to eat.
Specifically they decided pigs were treated especially horribly and they had decided they would no longer eat pig (though they do eat lots of fish, some chicken and other meats.) I think this has more to do with the intelligence of pigs over that of fish and chicken. This morning this is what they talked about in front of me.
Her: "I have some bacon in the freezer - uncured - that's been there forever. I was thinking when I was studying Buddhism that it was OK to eat whatever someone else presented to you. Do you think it would be OK to put some of that bacon in soup?
Me: "I was thinking of making green pea soup. I've never liked the flavor of green peas - I prefer the yellow - but most recipes for green pea soup suggest ham. What about bacon?
She: "I won't eat ham."
He: Shakes his head yes. (In agreement of one of us?)
Me: Probably that Buddhist thing started in cultures where it was considered rude to refuse any food offered as a guest. I was wondering if you wanted me to offer you this bacon? If you won't eat it, I suggest the dogs would love it.
She: "If it's OK with you, I will use the bacon."
He "OK."
Seeing how this was going, I wondered about the Grab and Go food give out at a school close by. I went there to talk to them after noticing the web site that was looking for volunteers through the Red Cross. The web site said that a person had to apply to volunteer (unpaid work) and had to repeatedly lift 20 to 50 pounds and prove they are Coronavirus immune. Are they joking? (Do they have workers compensation insurance? Where are the Coronavirus immunity tests? Will they also want a volunteer to donate blood?) The Red Cross and Los Angeles Unified School District are paying for this food and one can take up to two bags a day per child. I decided to go talk to them. I don't want to commute to volunteer.
None of the present volunteers, though six or more feet away from the table with the plastic bags of food, were wearing masks. None of them knew about the Red Cross providing funding. None of them were volunteers though the Red Cross - though they did know there was a need for more volunteers. I and my dog stood aways and watched as one expensive SUV after another - with no children inside the vehicle - drove up and took food. Shit.
But I thought about my friends who were going to use the long frozen bacon though they don't want to eat pig. And on YouTube there's a YouTube video about Grab and Go from LA Unified which says that one third of the recipients are NOT students. Would my friends be willing to eat food from Grab and Go? I looked through the plastic and though there was some cartoned milk and fresh fruit there were also white bread rolls and well - food that is not very nutritious. I myself would eat this food rather than suffer hunger pains if need be.
Meanwhile fresh produce - good for you fruits and veggies - are going unsold and rotting according to the local news.
So I called the local Senior Center to find out if there were any food banks open and when. No answer. No call back.
People will eat People in some circumstances.
Some people (including me) will die before they eat people, but I say that sane.
I have not had the experience of starvation to know.
After this Pandemic I predict:
People will forget they can stand closer and continue to SHOUT AT EACH OTHER.
Sex is going to be more complicated than ever.
People will go to their hairdressers and dog groomers in droves.
People will realize they can live without wearing lipstick, but will want to wear it more than ever.
People may not want to wear scarves or facemasks though new Coronavirus-19 fashion trends have us looking like bank robbers, doctors, and Muslims, but they'll keep one with them anyway, just in case.
People will have learned that soap doesn't work instantly like they used to think and will persist in the thorough 20 seconds or more of washing. But they will never enjoy songs like Happy Birthday like they used to.
Buses will provide sanitary hand wipes just like grocery stores.
Paper bags will be back, the hell with plastic. But what about the doggie poo?
Lots of people are going to realize they prefer to telecommute or homeschool. But not if they live in apartments.
If it goes on for months: More divorces.
C Christine Trzyna 2020 All Rights Reserved including Internet and International Rights.
4/6/20
THE QUIET POWER OF INTROVERTS : BBC
If you are NOT an INTROVERT, you might try being one for the duration of the Pandemic.
I have to admit I'm not using my time as well as I could, not doing so many of those little tasks - sewing on buttons, etc. that I ought to. But I have tried a LOT of new recipes and I've transplanted a lot of plants into better pots and me and my dog are walking most days. Even today in the rain.
I have to admit I'm not using my time as well as I could, not doing so many of those little tasks - sewing on buttons, etc. that I ought to. But I have tried a LOT of new recipes and I've transplanted a lot of plants into better pots and me and my dog are walking most days. Even today in the rain.
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