USPS Holiday Mail Delays and some good news about the USPS

Last minute gift, SANTA BEAR, ForsythiaHill

Holiday shipping crunch time is ON! If you have yet to place that online order, don't delay. I've been shipping packages for my online vintage shop everyday now for weeks and delays are very random but becoming longer. Some customer purchases are not showing on tracking as being scanned. Typically, delivery is taking 5 - 8 days.

I've had to file one missing package search. Luckily the USPS response was excellent and much improved from past years. My package was tracked down and I actually received a call from someone in the field that located my package and got it moving along. They were going to continue to monitor it, making sure it didn't get hung up. Sure enough, 2 days after my case filing, it was gratefully received by my customer. It was described to me that there are so many packages in the system right now, they are sitting in trucks unprocessed! 

Time to take out the crystal, ForsythiaHill

The virus compounded with people making the hard decision to not travel to visit family during the holiday season has added to the package pile up. Let's all be grateful that the mail system is functioning even if it's a little clogged.

Earlier this year another customer reported to me that their order was missing. I filed a missing package search and another super nice mail clerk somehow found my package. I had not put enough postage on it (the first time that I've ever made that mistake). The clerk told me she would send it on its way without an additional fee charge. I was horrified to think a customer was going to have to pay more to get their package!

Vintage Snowman Santa Candles, ForsythiaHill

We've had some issues in the past with our mail carrier going on vacation and our mail not being picked up by substitute carriers. Our longtime carrier retired last year. We had a great system, I would text her when I was putting out a package to give her a heads up. She was the best of the best. I'm pleasantly surprised to find that our new carriers seem to be really with it and always show up, sometimes late at night after 8 pm. When you have a small business and are shipping packages from your home, the last thing you want to do is drive down to the back of the post office at 9 pm at night to find a lone mail truck where you can offload your packages. I used to have to do this more frequently than was tolerable but always found the nicest mail carriers willing to help.

Unique Sunflower Throw, ForsythiaHill

Running my small business from home is made so much easier if I can avoid the crowded post office. I hate to end my positivity with a snarl but our main branch post office is insanely backed up this time of year and I would rather have a root canal than get in that line. Earlier this year I accidently dropped off a Fedex package at the USPS by mistake (long story). I went by the next morning and a nice clerk went rummaging around in the back and found my package. I was so relieved because it was a leg brace for a customer that was in pain and needed the it ASAP! 

For years the USPS has been given a bad rap but my experience this year is increasingly positive. Put a little sweet treat in your box for your carrier Christmas week. Their job has been harder than usual.

~Rebecca

  

Let's be safe for one another, wear a mask

 Let's be safe for one another. 

Little hikers not bothered by face masks

Yesterday I took my mother to Ivy Creek Natural area. She expected no one to be in the park and a mask to not be needed as it was getting late in the day. She was pleasantly surprised to see many hikers and families enjoying the untypical mid-November pleasant weather. The parking lot was overflowing and masks were being worn outdoors even with a fairly wide area surrounding each family group. The message that cases across our country are dangerously spiking has gotten through.

In general, safety among residents and businesses is taken seriously in the Charlottesville area. It's very much frowned upon to not respect one another and wear a mask and keep your distance. I intentionally shop at Trader Joes because they have taken the virus seriously since day one. I was not finding the same degree of mask wearing, and cleaning protocols in the larger stores. The way to keep stores open is to wear a mask and not cause an explosion of cases which leads to a lock down.

Weather so warm, bluebird explores his nest box

I was pretty amazed to see so many masks in an open park. I've heard some complaining as to how difficult it is to get a child to wear a mask. I saw no sign of this in the park and if the adults are doing something the children tend to want to do what they are doing. It's no wonder that the Thomas Jefferson Health District that includes Charlottesville and Albemarle county in Virginia has the lowest positivity rate in the state.

When I went to China in the 1980's some citizens were wearing masks. Pollution and close quarters have taught the Chinese the value of wearing a mask. It's no big deal for them, and it's becoming no big deal for us. Honestly I'm not sure I want to ever be in close proximity to strangers without wearing a mask. May be our cold and flu season won't be as severe because of the mask wearing.

~Rebecca

What to see Halloween in Charlottesville Virginia, check out this Scary Creepy Halloween Display

Creep yourself out by driving past this scary Halloween Art Display just outside of Charlottesville in neighboring Free Union, Virginia. It's actually not too far from my house so it was a must see for me.

Please Mr. Postman reach in for a Halloween Treat! Know someone who gets creeped out by clowns? Might be a nice surprise.

This collection of creepy clowns is the creation of Cheryl Schultheis and family members. Apparently this is a yearly event.  I can't wait until next year.

When you get to the end of Free Union Rd, turn left and you can't miss it, on Millington Rd.

At end of Wyngate Rd off Woodlands Rd.

Driving down Woodlands Rd, there are a few tamer side shows to check out. Keep your eyes peeled.

~Rebecca

 

 

Annual 2020 Virginia Herpetological Society count of Amphibians and Reptiles

Turtle from Ivy Creek

Today my husband and I participated in the Virginia Herpetological Society annual count. Because of the coronavirus, the normal group teams were not organized and citizens were asked to sign up to count amphibians and reptiles for one day.

Fowler's Toad from our pool

We began our day by rescuing an American Toad and Fowler's Toad from our swimming pool. I also saw a baby toad nearby. Waking early to drive a few miles to Ivy Creek Natural Area to take a short hike down to the reservoir area. We were delighted to see several types of turtles and a lovely blue Heron as we made our way through the forest.

In the very back most remote area of Ivy Creek

After getting lost and accidentally hiking the entire length of Ivy Creek Natural Area, we finally arrived home several hours later exhausted, thirsty, and hungry. We were totally unprepared for a long hike, thinking we knew the trails we had hiked many times. Only 1/2 bottle water, no food, no sunscreen. At least we were deep in the shaded woods and had brought homemade insect repellent and hats!

Anthony said this was the money shot. The Great Blue Heron

But all ended well as we heard and saw many more creatures than expected. We didn't find any snakes, which is what I anticipated. I've only seen one painted turtle at our house in 10 years so were so was thrilled to see so many and different types of turtles, some massive.

Can you find the turtle?

We will end the day listening for frog calls from our deck as we have a pond located in our backyard at the bottom of our hill on Forsythia Hill. This time of year we heard the Gray Tree Frog around our house and hope to hear pond frogs or toads tonight.

Little Hackberry Emperior Butterfly (thanks Terri K for id)

We were fortunate to take a Toad and Frog class at Ivy Creek Natural Area many years ago which helps us identify. I go to the Virginia Herpetological Society website often to try and look up something I've heard or seen. It's a great site with calls and many photos to help you identify. Today so far we've identified 10 species.

~Rebecca

Plants and Birds at Ivy Creek Nature Center in the Spring

When moving into our house from out of town, we had no idea that a nature center was just a few miles down the road! Over the last 10 years we have watched Ivy Creek Nature Center add programs and develop its property (in a good way). Over the years they have restored a massive barn that is used for educational programs while also preserving the history of the property. They also have added a monster bird feeding station which entices so much wildlife. They have been broading the native plant area and now have a Butterfly Garden. Plants have begun to fill in and mature, giving a pretty show throughout the growing season.

Annual plant sale normally attracts tons of buyers

Various local groups meet year round in the Education Center and the annual native plant sale is housed in the barn. Unfortunately, the coronavirus has put a halt to meetings and lectures. The plant sale hosted by Jefferson Chapter of the Native Plant Society has been postponed to the Fall due to the coronavirus.

Sweet male bluebird on top of a feeding pole

Last week we strolled around the bird feeding area and native plant beds. It was so nice to sit on a bench and watch the numerous birds. Cardinals, White-throated Sparrows, a few woodpecker species, bluebirds and other birds flew in and out. Squirrels and rabbits were also hopping around trying to get dropped food.

As you walk past the bird feeding station toward the Education Center, pathways are loaded with established native spring ephemerals, trees, and shrubs. If you continue to follow the path toward the open field to the right of the barn, you will find the more recently planted Butterfly Garden. Most plants are uncommon as native plants are not as widely sold by most nurseries but over the last several years there has been a mind change to plant natives to revive and attract wildlife. More nurseries are offering native plants and a relatively new nursery has opened in our neck of the woods, Hummingbird Hill Native Plant Nursery. It's located 20 miles from downtown Charlottesville in Free Union.

I feel the need to acquire some Golden Ragwort!

We usually walk the trails at Ivy Creek but it was my birthday and I wanted to take a quick drive over to monitor the Spring bloom of the plants. I actually found it quite relaxing to just sit and watch the birds and research the native plants using the provided identification guide. I realized it's a great spot for someone with a disability that can't hike or walk a long distances. One day I'm going to take a picnic as there are limitless great spots.

Go visit and consider making a donation online as funds must be diminishing now due to the stoppage of most programs.

~Rebecca

Historic Garden Week in Virginia - 2020 Coronavirus edition - Visit the Gardens ONLINE!

2015 tour in Richmond at Tuckahoe Plantation

If you have followed my writing over the years, you will know that I blog about the amazing annual garden tour that takes place throughout the state of Virginia. This week long tour is organized by the Garden Club of Virginia, an organization that is celebrating their centennial this year!

2012 Garden Week, a lovely home in Ashland

I always pre-select the city that I will visit based on the detailed description in the Historic Garden Week of Virginia tour book. You can still dowload them online and you might be able to snag one in your area if you are lucky to find a distribution location up and running. It's a Spring publication that describes historic and private gardens that are scheduled to be on the tour.

Flower cart 2014 Garden Week in Lexington

Due to the coronavirus the week long tour has been cancelled but I just received notice that the event organizers will be hosting week long Facebook and Instagram video presentations beginning today, April 18, 2020 through April 25, 2020. They will periodically post videos on their sites throughout the day. Some history, flower arranging, gardens, and a little preview of gardens to come during the hopefully - back on again 2021 tour.

It's a very popular event and people travel even from outside our state to celebrate Spring in Virginia. A lot of planning goes into preparing homes and gardens for the thousands of visitors. It's quite sad the event has been cancelled but it's nice to know we can catch a glimpse online. You may be able to see posts on Instagram even if you don't have an account. Click on the links above and give it a try.

I've reposted a few of my favorite photos from past tours. Enjoy!

~Rebecca

Keeping safe at the Doctors Office and Grocery Store during COV-19 coronavirus outbreak

Little birdhouse among the Pink Dogwoods and Redbud

Top of my list for places to NOT GO to during the coronavirus outbreak is to the doctor's office. For a month now I've been fighting a sinus generated ear infection. I threw everything plus the kitchen sink at it and nothing has cured my blocked up ears. I found some interesting remedies online and tried most of them. Typically a netty pot does help clear my sinus similar to using a saline nose spray. My mother swears by saline in the Spring to keep an often dry nose healthy and allergens cleared out. Sinus pain or even a light nose bleed can be a symptom of a dry sinus.

Pink dogwood's are in bloom on Forsythia Hill

So yesterday I reluctantly called my doctors office, which I describe as my country doctor because it's located in the woods back in a rural community nearby to my house just outside of Charlottesville. I've been drastically limiting the places I go because of my autoimmune disease. I had not been to my general doctor in 4 years, so a prescription could not just be called in. I was impressed to find that my doctor's office has set up a tent outside for those not wanting to enter the building and also for people with contagious symptoms. I felt really awkward making the nurse practitioner come outside but she made it clear that it was not a problem and that it was nice to get some fresh air.

Fluffy pillows of Leatherleaf Viburnum are blooming!

I'm now on an antibiotic to hopefully clear up my ears which are causing dizziness and hearing loss so it's not something I can continue to mess around with. Often I can bring on a dizzy spell by looking up and backwards and this exercise immediately stops the vertigo sensation. It also has stopped my dizziness from the imbalance caused by my plugged up ears.

Our Mockingbird is setting up his territory.

I also wanted to try minimizing my contact in the grocery store by trying the free Kroger Pickup service. I wasn't as satisfied with this as I was with my doctor's office experience. There was a 6 day wait to even be able to pick up after my order was placed and there was only one time slot which was from 6 - 7 pm. This was rather late in the day for me and sounded like a really busy time to go to Kroger. I decided to give it a whirl regardless. As I was driving to pick up my order Kroger called to tell me it would not be ready until at least 7 - 8:30 pm if at all! I rescheduled for the next morning. I received another call that night at 7:30 to say my order was ready. I again arranged to pick it up the next morning. Pick up was no problem but 7 items out of 25 were not available. I expected some items to be out of stock but I felt like this was excessive. A foreboding of what's to come? Lucky to get anything? Time will tell. 

The pink moon, named because creeping phlox is blooming.

My next strategy will be to try Harris Teeter on 29 North at an off time as I hope they will not be as busy as Kroger. I also will wear my homemade mask that has a protective non-woven lining! So far I've made 4 of them and hope to not make any more! I'm not crafty.

Minimizing exposure is all I can do. Nothing is perfect in life but I will continue to make my way as safely as possible. Staying home enjoying plants, birds, and even taking my first moon shot with my new zoom lens camera.

~Rebecca

Spring flowers in Charlottesville Virginia on way to Ivy Landfill passing by Grand View Nursery

Azalea's are blooming. This was an impressive one at GV

If I were to rank Spring Seasons, I would have to say the bloom period this year has been stellar. Sometimes it can be so wet that you can't even get out and enjoy the plants, or they get so beaten down that the blooms get destroyed. Other times Spring can occur way too early in the season and Daffodils, Forsythia, Peach blooms, and Tulips get fried by frost or even freezes. I remember one Spring in the last 10 years that transitioned so quickly from cool temperatures to hot that everything bloomed all at once and there was really no Spring to be had, only miserable Summer humidity. That was absolutely the most disappointing Spring of them all.

Funny little statuary at Grand View

I have a regular route that I like to trek in order to check on a few spots of color. Typically in the Spring I have to make a trip to the Ivy Landfill and I make a point to drive by Grand View Nursery located at 648 Dry Bridge Road in Albemarle County Virginia. I barely missed the Daffodil blooms this year and sadly because of the coronavirus outbreak you are not permitted to get out of your car to stroll in the gardens. My photos were taken while sitting in the car!

Waterfalls at Grand View

I didn't bring my mask because I didn't imagine the greenhouses would even be open, but they ARE - hours are approximately M-Sat 9-4.  They are only letting 10 people in at a time and 8 were shopping. That was 8 too many for me without a mask! Sigh. They are a seasonal business and are only open in the Spring until around July 4th each year. They have a great sale during that time on what little that remains.

Lounging Longhorns

On the drive back we always pass the field of Texas Longhorns. I'm sure every day someone discovers this herd of amazing animals and nearly wrecks on Garth Road. I don't know of another herd in Charlottesville. Next to see as we turn onto Woodlands Road is a clump of Dogwoods that never disappoints.

Spring Pink, what could be prettier

My husband was in a mad rush to get to the landfill and back home so I was a little perturbed. I didn't spring it on him that we would be taking a Saturday drive until we were halfway to the landfill. We had over 500 lbs of carpet, concrete, and sheetrock scraps to drop off. It managed to be an enjoyable trip and it makes me want to get back out and see what's in bloom around Charlottesville before the show is over.

~Rebecca 

Things to do to keep yourself safe from COVID-19 coronavirus

Limited access, social distancing lines in parking lot.

Trader Joe's in Charlottesville, Virginia is doing it right. Limiting the number of customers in the store at one time, social distancing the wait lines outside the store and limiting like item purchases to two. Staff even wipes down your cart before you enter and there is a buzz of constant cleaning inside. I was glad to see staff wearing protective gloves.

Of course I would get Typhoid Mary immediately behind me who coughed, sneezed, and kept creeping up closer and closer to me in line. You are not going to get in the store any faster by crowding me! I do not want whatever you have, STAY AT HOME! NO ONE is wearing masks.

I'm a bit disgusted today by the lack of seriousness converning coronavirus in the United States. I called the home health care agency in Tennessee that my in-laws hire for what is deemed "non-medical" support (no medicine is dispensed, no diagnosis, no monitoring, etc.) They responded to my questioning with mixed information. First I was told they didn't send anyone out that was sick, then I was told they didn't send anyone out without a mask that is sick. I was later told they were not required to make their staff wear a mask because they were "non-medical".  I could only demand that they not send anyone to my in-laws that was sick!

We're fortunate to have fresh eggs!

Concerning online information, it's a mixed bag. There is a 19 hour lag time before the Virginia Department of Health reports numbers. We know there are four reported cases in Charlottesville and the current "health department" chart only reports one. There is a EPA published list of disinfectants that can be used to kill COVID-19. It's a bit technical but it looks like Ammonia, Bleach, and Hydrogen Peroxide all kill the virus on surfaces. We always used bleach at the animal shelter to kill canine parvovirus and other nasty germs. Mix chemicals according to the directions, making bleach "stronger" is not going to kill anything more. It is only going to irritate your nose!  Also let the counters, surfaces and dishes air dry because the chemicals do take time to "work". Drying plates with a rag only covers it with more contaminants!

Weekend project, ripping out carpet, installing LVP flooring.

Please also be careful what you click when online. As with any crisis, there are always those trying to make a buck from a bad situation. Stay at home if you can, go out only if you must. Over and over I also see everyone looking at their phone when out and while shopping. Do not use your phone when you are out, it is a major source of contaminant.  Enjoy your time at home and employ a few of my tips to keep yourself occupied. Be well, be safe.

~Rebecca




 

Keeping busy, How to not go crazy staying inside while Coronavirus COVID-19 is here

Birdhouse parts handmade by Anthony

When inside the house there is a constant barrage of coronavirus and stock market news of which none is good. I would rather be informed than uninformed but I can see how people can get depressed without any break in the constant flow of doom and gloom. It's important mentally to unplug and clear your mind. Read a riveting book (Keep the kids busy reading Nancy Drew Mysteries), work a challenging puzzle, plant a garden, bake a loaf of bread, walk down the street if still permitted, play some cards (remember Solitaire) or games if you are hunkered down with others! My husband just finished rebuilding a rotted birdhouse. I really feel for people that have to be confined to apartments or housing without a yard. No wonder people are going to balconies in Italy to cheer and make some noise!

Birdhouse assembled

I have to walk outside between the house and garage to get to my office loft and when I swing open the door I get a wonderful blast of fresh air and COLOR. Blazing white, yellow, and pink blooming Spring trees and shrubs - American Pear, Bradford Pears (pretty even though terrible trees to plant), Peach blossoms, Forsythia and Daffodils. It's so mind jarring that all of the stress washes away. I intentionally designed my office space to have 2 extra large windows so I could be up close and personal with nature. We hung a bird feeder 2 stories high because a bear decided he wanted to destroy the ground level suit feeder (pole and all). Sitting in my office I'm getting quite a show this time of year.

My neighbor with his jumbo tiller

I'm hearing of more and more people planting a Victory Garden in the US. We just finished cleaning up our vegetable plot, planting lettuce, kale, and chives. We often get critters dining on our crops so it's hard to know if we'll get anything for ourselves. Corn and beans are never successful. My neighbor is preparing his electrified garden that seems to always keep out the hungry wildlife. I have gobs of old seed that I'm giving to a friend to give a friend. Happy to share! I read about a local woman picking up some bread for housebound neighbors from a local bakery. We only have one case identified so far in our area. That doesn't mean there aren't more but we can still do a few things without extreme fear.

Big trees and birds, out my home office window

I did have to make an emergency trip yesterday to pick up a jumbo bag of cat food because they have discontinued the food our cats have been eating for 15 years! Perfect timing. I would have been stocked up otherwise. I had to investigate what food to switch to so had to make the trip to the store. The Charlottesville Petsmart was well stocked, it's a big open store, and very few people were there! I didn't see one mask which is disconcerting. I did have a scarf wrapped around my neck to pull up if anyone was coughing or sneezing or the clerks looked ill. I probably should have worn it regardless due to the fact that the droplets can stay in the air for 3 hours! 

Gus is glad Anthony is home 24 x 7 - FEED ME!

Anthony has not left the house for nearly a week. All families are undergoing some serious adjustments. Rules need to be set, that's for sure! In 12 hours I've encountered a sticky kitchen floor and crumbs all over the stove. My husband was kindly taking out the laundry and he smashed into me and I spilled my coffee and we don't even have what I would call close quarters! I turned around and nearly fell over a big box my husband had thrown in the floor. My friends with kids call it chaos! Life has changed but in the end hopefully we'll be saying that something IS worse than coronavirus --- going back to work!

~Rebecca

Brilliant ideas or flops to help you get through the Coronavirus COV-19 outbreak

I've run across some brilliant ideas during the coronavirus outbreak but several seem to be sketchy at best. Do homemade masks and hand sanitizers really work?

Please, no blowing of bubbles in crowed spaces.

Due to the shortage of COVID-19 protection gear, there are a series of homemade DIY mask projects online. Most do not screen the ultra teeny particles or allow side and top seepage. Genius Asian explains the defects in most masks and in a pinch how to improve upon masks. The best "mask" that I've seen is a motorcycle helmet! Lucky for all the cyclists. I also thought this simple idea of altering a binder sleeve was brilliant but you would also have to wear a mask as the virus can stay in the air for hours after someone sneezes.

Even better, take a bubble bath!

There are hundreds of recipes online for DIY hand sanitizers. The ratio has to be just right (over 60% alcohol) in order to even be effective. The best idea I've come across online is to forget the hand sanitizer and wash your dam hands or use a tissue when touching things and carefully fold it and toss it!

Pills anyone? A great disguise is a roll top butter dish

I was very curious as to why one of my customers would buy an ornate 1940s roll top butter dish. Who in their right mind would be hosting a formal dinner during the coronavirus outbreak? Their novel answer would be explained in their review, "Lovely and unique addition to our master bathroom, we are actually using it to hold our night pills...aesthetically much better and easier to use then a old prescription bottle."

A little dancing couldn't hurt strengthen lungs.

The personal journey documented by UK tourists that were aboard the Princess Cruise Ship has been logged by David Abel. In great detail he describes his symptoms and praises the overwhelming kindness shown by the Japanese hospital staff during their (his wife is also infected) months of quarantine! He believes that the simple breathing technique explained by EFT kept him off a ventilator and saved his life.

This garden beauty made me smile!

Of course the key to minimizing your contact with the virus is to do what the World Health Organization recommends. If you are sick in any manner, absolutely STAY THE F**K AT HOME. Yesterday I mentioned that I felt like I was coming down with something. I will NOT be making in trips out until my symptoms disappear (unless they carry me out on a stretcher). I am quite shocked that I caught something given how ridiculous I am about hand washing and not touching anything when I go out. It just goes to show how virulent coronavirus is.

United States primary voting, even by ballot, is risky for those on the receiving line!  

The good news is that I appear to have a sinus infection and no symptoms match the coronavirus symptoms. This is not an uncommon thing for me to get late Winter early Spring. It's a good day to stay inside by the wood stove as it is cold and damp. But I did poke around the yard a bit to see what popped up overnight.

~Rebecca

Life Changes because of the coronavirus in the United States and First Death in Virginia

In our area of the state of Virginia there are no reported cases but you can not get tested unless you are symptomatic and it sounds like that is even hard to do. This makes everyone very suspect of the health of others. I've not seen anyone wearing masks in Charlottsville but I'm sure it's coming. Virginia announced the first patient death from Covid-19 today located in the Hampton Roads area.

I occupy myself in the garden!

We basically live in a college town and unless it's Summer or Spring Break stores are busy and traffic is thick. It's a very odd feeling to drive out in Charlottesville to find the streets nearly bare and stores not crowded and some even shuttered! A decision was made last week to host classes online at the University of Virginia.

CSSE at Johns Hopkins tracks COVID-19 worldwide and allows you to zoom and click on your area. As test kits are made available in the US, the numbers will drastically increase. I do believe we will see a significant rise that will reflect the extensive spread of this virus in our country.

I've also noticed an occasional ambulance siren more often on the nearby street which I rarely ever heard before coronavirus. One can imagine an elevated sense of fear could cause all sorts of related problems. I know I've been on edge.

Running joke are his hat variations, going Smurf w this one.

My husband is a computer programmer and he has been working from home since Thursday. He is very lucky to be working for an online retailer so hopefully his job will not be in jeopardy. It's unbelievable to think that a month ago we could not fathom such changes! I don't know that the seriousness of the repercussions have really set in. Best to just take one day at a time and first priority is to take measures to protect ones family from getting sick!

First honeybee spotted in the garden on my Peach tree!

The best way to do this is to limit trips out unless absolutely necessary. I've always planned all my business for one day of the week so staying home for an ever greater time is not much of a change for me. A lot of planning does come into play and some sacrifices need to be made. I can't just run to the store to grab a pint of ice cream. I need wait until I REALLY run out of items before I risk going out.

I've been stocking the pantry for weeks so have a nice supply of a variety of items. This allows me to not have to buy a bunch of things when I go out, I simply replace what we've used.

I just sold this adorable daffodil tea cup in my shop.

Things have not changed much for me as I sell online and have worked from home for 10 years. I do miss my weekly coffee meetup with friends as for now, I'm staying as far away from humans as I can. It was my luck to have to take my cat to the vet office and the vet was wearing a mask because of a sore throat!! I feel sniffly with some throat weirdness but my mother reminded me that it's allergy season and the pollen count is high! Hoping this soon will pass. Gulp.

~Rebecca