April 2020 During CoVID Pandemic

April 1 - 30, 2020

April started off poorly. We still had several people who were willing to play tennis, and keep 6 feet apart between games, but after seven of us  played social tennis that morning, we learned later in the day that one of the seven had been in the ER the day before and everyone got spooked and decided not to play anymore.  You can see the tension and worry in folks – little things will set them off and some folks are acting like CoVID Nazis and condemning others for imagined transgressions – like guy who waved angrily at me to move further into the street because as I went by (on my bike!) I was fewer than 6 feet from where he was walking! Everyone is a bit edgy – not sure of the new “rules” and worried about how bad this pandemic is going to get.  Steve watches a lot of the CoVID coverage and political news on TV – too much in my humble opinion, so when he was desperately looking for someone to play golf with, I volunteered!  We haven’t played much together for the past year – I am too wrapped up in my tennis, and he usually has Bobby to play with, but this day I was it!  My golf wasn’t great (never has been if I am truthful!) but it was really nice to be out and enjoying the wildlife and the beautiful Florida day.  We even got to see some Sandhill Crane babies! 

We had a bright spot on Saturday when we drove out to see the home Bobby and Kitty have purchased in Arcadia.  It is a big house with a outbuilding that will be used for Bobby’s shop and for a gardening center for Kitty.  They are so happy with the house and we are happy for them. 

We just stayed awhile and sat on the lanai carefully distanced from one another while we chatted.   They have a pond, and part of a canal, and a very productive grapefruit tree!  We had already sampled the grapefruit and they are fabulous.  But it was fun for Steve to get a chance to actually pick a few! 

We spotted a very interesting bird out near their place and got a good photo so that I was able to identify it later – a Crested CaraCara!  Isn't he beautiful?!

When we got home I started a project that made me feel at least somewhat useful – I made some facemasks – the no-sew ones made with fabric, paper clips and staples.  Finished enough so that Steve and I had some and I had others to take out to Janine and Zach, when we went to Janine’s on Sunday – Zach’s birthday – and celebrated his birthday via ZOOM! 

  

It was actually pretty cool – Jessa set it up – and we were there, as were Bitsy, Hillary, Tim, Bishop and Holden from Chicago and Eleanor from Germany!  

We talked a lot and even played Pictionary!  Back in our neighborhood, the orchids we have all stuck into the Live Oak trees in our yards are blooming riotously!  

Some of you may recognize that one – it is from our next door neighbor’s tree (Norv Holm) and was perhaps the most spectacular one this year.  I made a postcard out of this photo and sent it to family and friends.  After that lovely day, the bad news came the following day – they had locked the tennis courts – now, even if someone wanted to play with me, we can’t!  The Wellness Center is closed, the pool is closed – nothing much to do except what we can find on YouTube…and there is PLENTY there!  Yoga, Dance, Walk-Walk.  So I will get exercise, it just won’t be as much fun.  On Thursday a sweet thing happened.  One of our neighbors, Doris Cristy, turned 95 that day – and of course, no one could pop into her house to wish her well – or give her a birthday hug – or anything that would put her or her husband, Bill, at risk for CoVID – so Sheila sent a notice around to all the neighbors and at a set hour – a whole bunch of folks – about 30! – gathered on the street by her house – carefully distanced from one another – and sang Happy Birthday to her while she sat in her lawn with Bill.  Made me cry – such a nice thing to be part of in these troubling times.  Other things were not so happy – we learned that our neighbor and close friend of my Dad – Harold Hayes – died of complications from CoVID – sad to hear that – they were great neighbors and we have kept in touch over the years.  Steve and I have visited them a couple of times during our travels.  Out of the ordinary behavior during the pandemic… ordered groceries delivered to the house by Publix – that worked well, and very quickly – 2 hours from the online order the groceries were at the house.  We also started ordering meals delivered by Chef Mike – a friend of Steve’s who provides meals ready to heat and each day he includes a vegan choice!  Gives me a day of not cooking and supports a friend – a win/win!  Somewhere during the month my computer developed the “blue screen of death” and had to be replaced.  I lost some of my files – fortunately had backed up only a week earlier so not too much – but did lose all of my last three years of contact information stored in Outlook!  Ouch!  That hurt – I am still replacing information on my contacts, and probably will forever.  Lost a week or so of my journal, which is where I get my material to write this blog – so pardon the gap!  Had to buy a new one – and getting it up and running to my satisfaction is an ongoing process.  We did discover that the Sarasota Film Festival was cancelled for the in-person showings, they had decided to offer 80 Films online for a very nomimal fee – about $30!  Normally the tickets for each film are in the $10-15 range.  So we signed up and for several days binged on movies in the comfort of our lanai!  There were some really good ones and some really strange ones – but the one that left a lasting impression on both of us was Microplastic Madness – a documentary about some grammar school students in NYC who really made a difference.  Would highly recommend this film!

Perhaps the Strangest Month We Have Ever Lived Through!

March 1-31, 2020

So…March was the month the world turned upside down.  Granted it started several months before – but the USA – with its pandemic team dismantled the previous year – was way late out of the starting block.  Of course, this early in March we weren’t completely aware of that yet – just beginning to get uneasy.  Talked to my brother, TJ,  whose youngest, Matt, was planning a May wedding – and beginning to worry (well-justified worry as it turned out) about their planned honeymoon in Italy.  We took the RV to the shop for a checkup in preparation for our summer travels.  I did hear a marvelous quote that first day of March - crediting Trump  with a “profligate predilection for prevarication!”  Thanks, Ann McFetters, writer for Tribune news service!  We were still in that “tons of things to do” mode – it was “season” in Sarasota and things were hopping – albeit not for long!  Steve was singing the National Anthem with members of the Key Chorale that day at Ed Smith Stadium – spring training home of the Baltimore Orioles here in Sarasota. 

I tagged along for the fun of it – although I was a little concerned that Walt and Kathy, who were just stopping on their way to another friend’s winter home further south, would get there before we got home.  I asked our neighbor, Sheila, to watch out for them and say “hi” if they came and left before we returned. LOL – she did way better – she and Denny went out to lunch with Walt and Kathy!  Love it when your friends from one home get to be friends with your friends from another!  Walt and Kathy were gone by the time we returned, but would be coming back after a week long visit on Marco Island and a 10 day cruise, so all was well. (oh boy – that sure didn’t prove to be true!)  Tuesday highlights included dermatologist appointments for both of us and a winning night for me at Mahjongg.  We had 3 subs for our 8 players – not sure how long we will continue to play.  We usually play into May although by then it would only be one table.  Wednesday featured a Pot Luck luncheon at Mahjongg – very popular – we ended up with 5 tables of players after the luncheon! 

In the evening we went to hear a friend speak at an open AA meeting and after the meeting took him to dinner at Bangkok – a Thai restaurant we used to frequent until we found Star Thai much closer to home.  I had what was perhaps the best Masaman Curry I have ever tasted!  On Thursday we had a fun video conference with Bitsy and Holden, and then Steve went off to golf with Bobby and I worked on a project I should have done years ago – a Google Spreadsheet with contact information on our entire (Skelly) family – once I get it all done, all of my siblings will have access and it will only be one document – not copies in different computers that get added to and then the changes not shared.  I am excited about this – if it works well I might try it with the Remis crew as well.  The following day found me playing social tennis in the morning and attending a beautiful Memorial Service for MaryAnn Weber – the woman who has headed up the water aerobics at Sun N Fun for many years – long before I began to participate.  She was one special gal, lived a full and long life, and will be sorely missed.  On Sunday, despite the increasing concern over CoVID19, we learned that Walt and Kathy had decided to go on their cruise, with some adaptations.  They were traveling with another couple and would only dine with them, not at a big table with others, and they would not be going to the buffet.   We had Zach and Janine over for tennis (Steve played with us!) and dinner was a new recipe I was trying out that turned out to be excellent – Tofu Drunken Noodles! 

On Monday we celebrated our 53^rd Wedding Anniversary – 2 days early because we had so many things scheduled for the actual day.  We went to Lemon Tree Kitchen for a lovely dinner. On Wednesday, our actual anniversary, we went to the NY State Lunch and Learn at Boondocks – the talk was on Boldt Castle – fabulous home on the St. Lawrence.  We had visited the location a few years back, but the actual Castle was under construction so we did not get to see the inside but did tour the island and boat house. They had a pretty good turnout for the presentation. 

That evening, we had the NAMI Annual Meeting – with a great turnout – we actually had to move the venue because so many people came! On Thursday I went to the “dark side” and went to Beginner Pickleball Lessons – it was very demoralizing – they are so organized and have so many players and such enthusiasm.  The tennis group pales by comparison… and it is so much more fun.  Made me sad to see the numbers – and midway through March – the season nearly over and there were 20 people there for lessons!!   On Friday – how appropriate – it was Friday the 13^th – the world as we know it started to fall apart – The Wellness Center and all indoor meeting places were closed – no more activities allowed.  The outdoor pool remains open but they removed half the chairs and requested that folks not gather too closely.  We had to remove all of our Mahjongg supplies from the room in which we play because it was to be locked as soon as we finished playing.  Although we considered alternatives, that was the last day the Mahjongg group met and played together.  Our nephew, David Spartano, came for a weekend visit and I made dinner for him that night – Zach joined us – and the following night we had dinner at Eatiny – our closest Thai restaurant (used to be Star Thai).  On Monday more bad news – they are closing the outdoor pool now, and we are starting to get communication from the theatres and other entertainment venues for which we hold tickets that they will not be doing the performances.  Key Chorale’s wonderfully successful Cirque des Voix has been canceled, all upcoming performances at Florida Studio Theatre… the remainder of the season looks grim – but far more worrisome is the spread of this novel virus that they have named CoVID19.  Up in Chicago – the show that Tim was playing in was also shut down.  On Tuesday, after several players said they would not be playing that night at my house – I canceled Mahjongg…and doubt that we will play again this season.  On Wednesday – Walt and Kathy returned, directly from their cruise, and I was actually shocked to hear that they went through no public health screening when they got off the ship.  It was great to see them, but bittersweet because they were not going to stay as long as they had originally planned – they are usually here for close to 2 weeks, a visit we very much look forward to each year.  Of course, with so many things closing – including the pool – there would not be much going on to entertain them!  We did go out to dinner that night to Tsunami and had a lovely dinner in a fairly empty restaurant.  My tennis tournament was canceled for the weekend, so we pretty much just hung out – played games – watched television – and made some dinners to enjoy with our guests.  They left early on Saturday – very sad to see them go – at that point we were still thinking we might visit them in June like we always do – but still hard to say good-bye. 

Next, the restaurants were ordered closed except for takeout and the beaches were closed.  Steve, who enjoys a regular meeting on Siesta Key Beach, usually followed up with breakfast with friends, had to make new plans which eventually developed into a much smaller meeting at a park where each person sat at a separate picnic table… and no breakfast unless they did take out and came back to the picnic.  On Sunday, after our usual routine of CBS Sunday Morning and Face the Nation and breakfast, we actually went out to Tatum Ridge and played golf!  I was laughing at myself – haven’t played golf in over a year I think – I must have been really desperate for something to do!!  It was actually fun – just the two of us.  I was also still able to play tennis with a few loyal players, careful not to get too close to one another, but eager to get some exercise!  We gradually developed a routine of exercise however we could get it, reading, watching TV and pretty much eating at home.  I did develop a fondness for ZOOM – had several fun calls, and set up one with my siblings that was really cool.  Didn’t get all of us – but I think 5 that first time.  Got such a kick out of it that I actually subscribed to ZOOM so that we could talk longer than 40 minutes.  The kids in Chicago are staying very carefully at home – schools all closed.  Eleanor’s University went to online classes, as did Bitsy’s.  Steve and I are dining on the deck more frequently, and I have played some Mahj on the deck with Sheila and Ann Stein. On Tuesday night, with no Mahjongg at my house any more – I actually played Pickleball with my tennis buddies!  It was fun.

And the Rest of February…

February 17-29, 2020

On Monday we had an unexpected treat – our friend Bobby Hertz got some tickets to the Sarasota Circus and gifted us with two of them.  The circus turned out to be fantastic.  We have always enjoyed the circus acts that they provide for Cirque des Voix, but it had been some time since we had attended a full circus performance (not counting our beloved Sailor’s Circus – also owned and run by the Circus Arts Conservatory – the same group).  A couple of the acts were very similar to ones I had just seen on America’s Got Talent – The Champions! Perhaps best of all was the clown, Renaldo – he was a stand-up comic of the first order.  Tuesday brought my tennis ladder and Mahjongg for entertainment, but Wednesday we went to another play – this one was called Kuntsler – yes, the attorney involved with the Chicago Seven trial.  This was in the Florida Studio Theatre Stage III subscription and, as always, an outstanding production.  Bobby and Kitty went with us and they enjoyed the show as well.   

Thursday was uneventful, and Friday was a bit of a negative as my tennis group was rained out, and electrical problems surfaced with the RV.  Saturday brought a fun event – the annual Mixed Doubles Tournament.  For this tournament, the ladies draw a card to see who their partner will be for the tournament.  I lucked out and got a very patient guy, Wade Wilkerson, who was actually my instructor when I first took tennis class at Sun N Fun.  We didn’t do too badly – we were defeated in both matches, but not without winning a few games in each… a fun outing.  Sunday was a fun day with Janine and Zach and another friend, Joan. We enjoyed a nature walk, a great dinner, some Pitch and then Zach and Janine played some music and sang … they sound really nice together.  Monday’s highlight was some more music – the student scholars supported by Key Chorale gave a recital and Steve and I attended. 

We were joined by Pete and Noni – thus getting one more chance to enjoy their company before their return to Canada. 

After the concert, at which they served wine and light bites, we went to Lemon Tree Kitchen for a “second course” and more conversation. 

We celebrated Steve’s birthday that weekend – he and I went to breakfast at First Watch to cash in his birthday coupon, and then the following day he went to Station 400 with the ROMEOs.  Zach and Janine came over that night to celebrate with us and it was a fun evening.  He got to talk to the kids and grandkids, have a nice dinner and dessert and play some Pitch. 

The following day we celebrated another birthday – Will Lane, a gentleman who is living with Parkinson’s Disease, and who we met through Steve’s involvement with the Off-Key Chorale – the singing group Joe Caulkins put together for Parkinsons patients – was having a small birthday gathering at his favorite Irish pub with his sweet wife, Margo and they asked us to join them.  

Pub 32 is a neat place, they even had a good vegan dish, but we had to leave before the Irish music started because we had finally scored tickets to the West Coast Black Theatre Troupe!!!  The production was called Your Arms Too Short To Box With God and was a high energy, non-stop performance of amazing gospel music.  Small theatre – not a bad seat in the house.  Glad we finally were able to see one of their shows.