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

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

Protecting yourself from the Coronavirus COVID-19

The sun will rise and set each day like it always does!

Over the last week, my goal has been to protect myself and household from getting COVID-19 coronavirus. First and foremost is the attempt to leave the house less often. My grocery store accumulation of a 2 week supply of goods is complete for the moment. It's not necessary to over do it and hoard, leaving nothing for others. Some countries had to limit toilet paper purchases. It really is not the end of the world but for a time it's the end of some conveniences and fun. Think of the celebration the world will have when the virus is at least minimized and possibly even killed outright. Unlike the flu virus which mutates making it impossible to get rid of entirely, COVID-19 may possibly be eradicated from our planet. Obviously it's quite a virulent coronavirus strain but it does not seem to be as aggressive at mutating as the flu virus. Thus far it exists in only 2 strains, L and S.

Image from a bizarre book, but picnic's are not contagious!

Daily I watch Dr. John Campbell who has been reporting about the worldwide impact this virus is causing. He is a retired nurse and nurse trainer living in the UK. He stresses that we all need to be proactive and not reactive. If the virus is proven to be in your area, life needs to change proactively. Schools need to close, group events cancelled, travel plans possibly halted, food stashes consumed instead of going to the grocery store, etc. Because this virus is so virulent, it's too late if you wait to close the school once a case has been reported inside the school. It has been observed time after time that others will be contaminated causing the chain effect.

Stay at home, means more time with the girls.

My husband still is going to work each day in a small local office. I do have concerns about the goings on of fellow employees. Have they recently returned from travel? Is there any process in place to require employees to notify their employer of trip plans? Are proper hand washing and sanitizer illustrations posted around the office? Are extra cleaning protocols in place? It's not too early to be safe. Plans to work from home should be worked out in advance, if you are fortunate to have a job that is not involved with working with the public.

One of my many Rosa Rogusa.

Some studies have indicated that the virus does not like the sun, possibly killing it faster. It is suspected that instead of it being seasonal like the flu, it's possibly less virulent in the summer when our bodies receive more Vitamin D from sunlight. It is recommended that your body not be deficient in D, C, and Zinc. A standard dose of D might help and is typically well accepted by most individuals (taking the large short term dose sometimes prescribed by doctors, if you are severely lacking, appears to not be beneficial). Zinc is also mentioned as possibly being beneficial and if you are eating a wide variety of food, no supplementation is required. Vitamin C can be found in many foods and rose hips are one of the less common sources. I am fortunate to have a Rosa Rugosa bush patch and each Fall I harvest rose hips and dry them to store in my refrigerator over winter. I often grind them and add to my hot jasmine tea.

Forsythia is in bloom on Forsythia Hill in Cville VA

I've also begun to rethink my current environmentally based decision to carry a reusable grocery bag and coffee cup. The virus has been shown to stay alive for 9 days so I will swap out my grocery bag with another one each week (I plan to not go to the store more than 1 day a week at the most). Hanging out the used bag in the sun and air immediately upon my return from shopping. If I go into a coffee shop, I will have my coffee in the shop using their provided non-disposable mug. Sadly, these trips will be halted once the virus is spotted nearby. It's so sad for me to think of how many small business owners will be impacted and have to go out of business. Purses, backpacks and other public carrying cases should either be swapped out and put in the sunlight or sterilized after each trip (wipes are useful for this purpose).

Early Daffodil in my garden on Forsythia Hill.

As you can see from my photos, I'm trying to lighten the mood. The virus has not halted Spring from arriving in Virginia, my favorite time of year! Poo poo to you COVID-19. I'm going to enjoy my Spring with or without you!

~Rebecca

Coronavirus in the US, nervous binge eating from the storage pantry

My pantry items are growing

Over the last several days, I've been stocking up groceries and paper goods in preparation of a possible coronavirus outbreak in our area. Fear breeds panic and local stores could be temporarily wiped out of some key items. Minimizing your shopping trips can reduce the odds of infection. If you do get the virus in your household and have to isolate, game on, no trips to the grocery store! It certainly looks as if a community outbreak can happen anywhere. I'm particularly concerned because we live 15 miles from a large state medical facility, UVA (University of Virginia Hospital) and if someone needs urgent care, that's where they will be sent!

Only half of a Donut and a little Ice Cream blob.

As we wait for the virus to strike, my greatest concern is not eating my safety stash!! Having excess food tends to make one feel as if they can eat MORE! I decided to treat myself to a pint of Ice Cream and some Donuts, just in case there is no way to get SUGAR when in crisis mode. Might as well console myself and enjoy the top of the food chain delights before all hell breaks loose.

Nervous eating, obsessive thoughts, and worry does make you want to devour all that is bad for you!

Spirits must be booming right now!

It's normal to fear the unknown but it is not time to panic shop. First of all it's just plain rude and secondly there is no need for it. Read my prior blog post on what to stock up. If you get the virus, hopefully it will be a mild case and you will become somewhat immune to it. Of course the long term effects have yet to be determined because this is a totally new virus. I am concerned about my elderly mom and in-laws, not to mention that I have an auto-immune disease which makes it more possible that I could get really sick.

After we consume the fun foods, I'll eventually go retrieve some more of the boring stuff that can actually be saved for disaster use when the time comes. Be prepared but remember, this is not the end of the world and this too shall pass or at least become the norm.

~Rebecca

Preparing and survival of the Coronavirus COVID-19 in the US

It's time to keep it clean!

COVID-19 has now been in the United States, North America (NA) specifically, for 40 days. The first confirmed case in NA was on January 21, 2020 in Washington state by a man that returned on January 15 from traveling to Wahun China. As of today, sixty-eight cases are presumed or positive tested in NA. As of yet, test kits have not been made available nationwide so it is possible that other less symptomatic cases have been in communities or symptoms are waiting to present. Incubation can take 7 days or longer. This is a new virus and until more analysis, conclusions are based on what has occurred thus far mainly in China.

The good news is that 81% of those infected will have flu like symptoms and weeks of in home isolation can aid in the non-transmission of the virus to others. It doesn't seem to impact children as badly as adults but they can be carriers. The bad news is that the other 19% often with with depressed immune systems, respiratory disorders, diabetes, or other existing illnesses can become victim to a case requiring hospitalization or even death.

Treat yourself, get some goodies while you are stocking up.

So far, it appears the virus is very stable which is good, unlike the influenza virus which mutates. It is not yet been proven that it is seasonal like influenza. It is concerning that Singapore has 100 reported cases and the temperate is around 90 degrees right now! It is believed that it can stay alive on surfaces for 9 days which is not good as this makes it easier to pick up off of droplets left by those infected from sneezing, wiping nose, going to the bathroom, etc.

The CDC has stated that the best way to avoid contracting the virus is to wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds. Even wearing a face mask has not proven to be as effective or possibly even wearing a damp face mask is even worse than none at all. Masks are becoming a hard commodity to find and in a pinch, one can be handmade for short term use. It may or may not be helpful. It probably would help to remind oneself to not put hands near your mouth, which is helpful.

I'll wear my vintage gauze witch mask

Another tip is to keep tissue with you at all times and to use as a buffer between any signature or number pads, door knobs, etc. Then carefully disposing of the tissue without touching the exterior surface which could transfer the virus to your hands.

Public bathroom use, especially in high volume areas should be avoided if at all possible as the virus can be transferred by excrement droplets that could be on toilet seats, door handles, sink knobs, etc.

It is estimated that 30% of the world population will get the virus. If strict measures and test kits are readily available and used, it can be controlled to some degree. Cases have been lowered in China with strict home confinement, closure of public events and schools, and restriction of travel. In South Korea citizens can be tested in their car and results sent to them in 2 days, which sounds like a much better idea than forcing people to go into a hospital to be tested, potentially spreading the virus to surfaces and others, especially those that are sick in the hospital with another ailment!

Air travel from infected countries such as Italy and South Korea are still permitted into North America which is problematic. Some restrictions seem to finally be coming.

Population density could certainly make community outbreaks more significant. Also the lack of test kits and availability of treatment facilities could exacerbate death rates. Asia, Europe, Africa and India have some of the denser populations on the planet.  

The best way to protect yourself is to not attend public events, not use public restrooms, wash your hands and at a minimum use tissues as surface contact barrier and keep hand gel on hand (which is not proven to work on virus germs but in a pinch might be better than nothing). Interestingly bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and possibly even vinegar might kill the COVID-19 virus but none have been specifically tested (they have been proven to kill other bad germs).

Time to make good use of the Tupperware

As more cases emerge in NA it can be anticipated that some shortages will occur. It is a good idea to begin stocking up on canned goods and the things you normally eat to avoid multiple trips to the grocery, thus reducing the possibility of picking up a contaminated item. As time goes on, stores will potentially have more shoppers with the virus and therefor fixtures and goods have the potential to harbor the virus. It's not time to hoard or panic, but it is time to stock up a little in order to minimize your exposure.

Stocking up your pantry, my beginning.

Extra pantry item ideas: canned beans, rice, instant potatoes, instant coffee (for desperate times), tea bags, canned fruit, pasta, nut butter, crackers, soup, dried milk, and water if you don't have good tap water. Stock the freezer with homemade soups and casseroles - remember the good old days! Rice, bread, and nuts can be stored in the freezer to extend their life. Certain items may be in short supply so get a little extra hand soap, bleach, toilet paper, tissues, and paper towels. You may have to make your own mask or shield.   

Time to hide out for awhile, rest, or recover?

It's not too early to ask your employer or school system if they will allow work from home, realizing that this is impossible for public service jobs. In this situation, it's not too early to ask for protective gear (disposable gloves, face masks, face shields) and to inquire about strict sanitary cleaning of surfaces and bathrooms. 

To watch a daily world briefing about the virus, I particularly like retired Dr John Campbell in the UK. If you are into data, Peak Prosperity is another good website that is tracking this virus worldwide.  

On a final note, life goes on, it's not the end of the world or the planet, look at it as an inconvenience but do your part to be prepared in a methodical way and if you think you are sick do not continue on as if "it will pass" and risk contaminating your community.

When employed in the food service industry, I learned that NOTHING replaces proper hand washing! Keep strong and carry on.

~Rebecca