April 1, 2020

Liz Writes Life

“Counting flowers on the wall that don’t bother me at all, playing solitaire ‘til dawn with a deck of 51, smokin’ cigarettes and watchin’ Captain Kangaroo, now don’t tell me I’ve nothin’ to do.” This 1960s Statler Brothers song has been playing in my head for nearly two weeks – since the federal social distancing guidelines and then California’s edict to “stay in place (home)” was issued regarding the Covid-19 virus.

Just what are we all doing, at home, with all this extra time? Are you bored?

The song is actually about a man claiming that his ex-girlfriend (or wife) doesn’t need to worry about his happiness, because he has plenty to do.

As more states have mandated stricter stay-away-from-each-other measures, and shut-down schools, people are coming up with some interesting things to do. Youtube videos are becoming the rage. I saw a young child start his own cooking show. Pretty cute. One Texas man held a stay-at-home fashion show and dads are dancing with kids. Yep, these are innovative things.

I don’t get on facebook much or do other social media, so I think I am missing a lot of hilarity. Email or texts on my cell phone are my main means of that kind of communication. In an email, I did see local gals are making medical masks for Fairchild Medical Center. There is a video on how to make them. If we are feeling bored (or not), it would be a great idea to help out this project!

I thought I’d get to doing more genealogy and re-writing family history stories, but haven’t gotten around to it. Gotta admit, I really don’t mind slowing my life down!

More of us have gotten back into the art of the old-fashioned phone call letting friends know the hours for seniors at the local grocery stores, asking how their extended family is doing, along with trying to keep-up with the fast-moving virus and shut-downs throughout the world. It has been a whirl-wind few weeks for sure!

Well, back to the Statler Brothers song: Remember back in the 1950s and 1960s, when most living rooms were adorned with wall paper? Yep, I recall homes with wall paper that had lots of tiny flowers on the wall. It would have taken quite a bit of time counting them all.

Even though I haven’t played cards for quite a while, I do remember quickly learning to always separate the suits and count all of the cards before playing any game. If a card was missing, we would use the Joker. Just had to remember which card it was standing-in for!

Because I can’t get the song out of my head, I have changed a couple of words. I don’t smoke cigarettes. So, I decided to put “eating chocolate” in place of those words, then I reminded myself that I am trying to reduce my chocolate consumption. So, for a healthy-motivation, I am using the words “eating carrots.” Ha, ha.

Now, as to watching Captain Kangaroo? It was on television, when I was a kid. But, we didn’t get that station at our house up Sawyer’s Bar Rd. Or, rather, a person bigger than me had to go out and turn the antenna (on the tall aluminum) pole. My parents just didn’t do that. The antenna was strapped to a fence post on the south side of the house. We typically got ABC KRCR out of Redding. So, for younger people, I want to stress that we did have television-watching choices – on or off!

Just for fun, I did a search for Captain Kangaroo on youtube.com and up came several shows from the 1950s. Yep, it was entertaining – for kids. Then, I got distracted clicking on old shows like the “Glen Campbell Good Time Hour,” Johnny Cash’s show and other shows of that time period. Then, I watched Garth, Kenny Rogers and Dolly, Mac Davis, Elvis – you name it. Whittled away quite a few hours, it did.

Now, I am not making light of this extremely difficult situation we find ourselves in trying to stop the spread of this dreaded Covid-19 virus. It is good that we are hunkering-down and not physically socializing. And when cabin fever starts to hit, we can always go out and dig-up the flower bed or the garden, wash windows, or count the blossoms on the pink spring-blooming trees. My ornamental plum just popped! So, don’t tell me I’ve nothin’ to do!

Sheriff and CCW

Last week, Siskiyou Co. Sheriff Jon Lopey sent out a Covid-19 update press release. I was glad that he addressed the California Concealed Weapon Permit process for renewals. Every two years, a CCW Permit holder must renew by taking a class. Because we should not gather in groups, I am not sure how renewal instructors are handling the situation.

So, it is good to know that Sheriff Lopey is allowing a 90-day extension. Apparently, if the time-limit is getting tight and the re-certification class is not available, the individual facing the expiration of the CCW permit will need to contact the Siskiyou Co. Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Lopey will then provide you a letter certifying the extension of the CCW permit, if applicable.

Telemedicine

It looks like doctors are gearing-up to do much more face-to-face telemedicine appointments as an aid to patients, particularly the ones with Covid-19 symptoms during this social distancing situation. Now, animal doctors will have the same flexibility.

During this lock-down, veterinarians are allowed to do “emergency only” service for clients. But, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced telemedicine will be permitted. While, most veterinarians would rather see their animal patient for diagnosis, this should be helpful in stressful situations – as long as the human owner can also help explain the symptoms! Previously, through federal regulations, vets were required to make physical examinations in order to prescribe treatments. Yep, that is a really good move from the FDA.

TP

Oh, and there is good news on the toilet paper horizon. I saw a commercial on T.V., where a toilet paper company said it is making lots more! Yay! We were also reminded to share.

Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Columns from the past year can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at 530-467-3515.

 # # #