Are we finally heading back to normal?

After 175 years of the COVID-19 pandumbic (well, it seems like it's been that long), our county has finally moved from the Purple tier (the most restrictive) to the Red tier, meaning that there are fewer restrictions on us. More opportunities for dining inside restaurants, and more people allowed into businesses are among the benefits in the Red tier.

A thought about these tiers: I don't know how or why they were given the colors they got. Purple, Red, Orange, Yellow. It seems more logical to have the most restrictive tier be red, then move to orange, then yellow, then green—think traffic lights. Why? Because that's an easy, familiar way to remember the color levels. When I hear "Red," I think "Stop." Then with Yellow or Orange, I think "Caution." With Green, I think, "You're good to go!" That makes sense to me, anyway. But I didn't make it up. Learn more here.

Being able to go inside a nice, cool and clean restaurant, pour our own drinks, and have some elbow room sounds really good right now. We'll still need to wear our face coverings, but getting to sit and eat inside will be like a luxury. Also, by the end of April, most—if not all—of California's long-shuttered theme parks should be open. Of course there will be limitations of the number of guests; face coverings will be required, social distancing will be in place, and ride vehicles and tables will be frequently sanitized. Fewer people will be able to ride due to social distancing, so waiting will take longer.

I'm guessing that movie theaters will reopen with limited capacity, as will bowling alleys, gyms, etc. Maybe Jim Kula and I can resume seeing the foreign films on Monday nights.

Aside from the increase in activities permitted, more important is the fact that this disease is slowly but surely receding. We won't be losing so many of our loved ones. Sadly, some of my friends have lost one or a few family members and/or friends.

People are receiving their vaccinations—if they can get an appointment to do so. I've been trying, but no appointments have been available. At this time, people with certain conditions are getting priority to receive the vaccine. (I qualify because I'm diabetic.) Strangely, there are vaccination sites in every city of our county, except for the city I live in. Kinda figures, huh? But I can keep trying, right? At the rate I'm going, I'll plan on being fully vaccinated by the turn of the next century.

I've called this COVID-19 situation a "nightmare" and a "pandumbic." What I'd like to call it is "over." 

Is it OK to be angry with someone who's sick?

At some point in our lives, we've had to care for or deal with someone who is fighting some sort of bug, condition, disease, virus—whatever. For many of us, it's our children or spouse, but could also be a friend. Taking care of someone who is ill can be frustrating, especially when that person becomes dependent on you for simple things that they normally do on their own. But is getting angry, raising your voice or even striking them (I've heard stories) ever the right thing to do?

So why am I writing about this? As of late, I've been dealing with something that's been causing me to sleep a lot. I've written about it here on the Planet, and know that I need to see the doctor. That's old news. Until the COVID-19 pandumbic goes away, that could be tricky. However, with the new vaccines now available, maybe that'll speed things up. Our county just moved up a color level (to Red), so some of the restrictions have eased. I've had various people actually get angry with me that I'm not well and can't (they think "choose not to") do what they feel I should do. (Remember: many of these folks are armchair physicians and know it all. Upon request, I'll bet they'll proudly show you their medical duhgree.)

Regardless of the nightmare we've been dealing with for a year, there are going to be sick people from now till the end of time. Those who choose to deal with their ailing family and friends by following the advice given in Caring for the Infirmed by Iyell Atyou are doing the world a tremendous disservice.

Inflicting anger onto someone who got sick because of a virus going around or from a treatable condition allowed to get out of hand will not make them better, nor will it fix the problem. Depending on the affliction, taking care of someone can be exhausting. But as hard as it may be, try to show some compassion and kindness to those who could use it. In reality, that means everyone all the time, but when people are under the weather, an extra serving is not only a nice touch, but may have some benefits.

Things seem to be coming together

After what seems like an eternity of unericsplanetary debacles (try saying that fast three times), mishaps, bad tastes in my mouth and gum in my hair, it looks like there is a light at the end of the tunnel—and this time it's not a train.

Some things aren't changing (like my bizarre sleep habits as of late. I told you about that last time). But some things...maybe. Just today, in fact, I woke up at the crack of late afternoon—3pm to be exact, a mere 13 hours after hitting the hay. Getting up at almost dinnertime is not a good thing, especially when you're a diabetic. Going too much time without eating can be dangerous. Fortunately, my blood sugar reading was good at 111. But later on, what made my day was a visit from someone who may help in ridding our place of one of the two old, decrepid cars that live here. The best of the bunch will be returned all fixed...my CR-V. Done at no cost to me, too! I'll asplain when it happens.

Whenever things start to go right, it's a boost to my feelings of self worth. And I've badly needed that for such a long time. I've spent too much time worrying about what's to come. What I've learned is something I've actually known all along: that patience and prayers pay off. Many family members and friends have reminded me of this; the good things that are starting to happen is a sign that it's true. I need to learn to listen.

Everybody wants to be a cat!

Well, maybe not everybody—and maybe not even me. What brought this up is a few facts about me and thinking about how things are going in my life these days. Then the infamous song from Walt Disney's classic 1965 movie, The Jungle Book, came to mind. First, I was born under the sign of the cat, you know, Leo (not Lincoln-Mercury). Next, as of late, I've been sleeping upward of 12-15 hours a day whether I need it or not, or even if I don't want to. We all know that cats spend more time asleep than they do awake. I also sleep curled up in a ball (think "sideways fetal position") under some very thick covers to stay warm. And in the summer, too! It also helps my feline persona that I have been very lax about shaving. I've almost completely regrown the signature beard I had from high school till about 1999. The difference is that my once auburn jowl-to-jowl face carpeting is now completely gray. I may be 61, but I look about twelve times that. See for yourself:

Small children and animals beware, right? At least the hair on top has more or less retained its natural color, though it's starting to pull the dreaded disappearing act. So far, no one I've encountered has tried to pet me or call Animal Control. They even allow me into grocery stores, so at least I can still get my mum-mums and other things I need.

This is the result of dealing with who-knows-what. My doctor sent me to the lab and nothing is out of whack, though my blood sugar numbers could be better—typical diabetic issue. But I'm in no danger, my heart and lungs are OK, etc. He also sent me to an endocronologist for further treatment, but thanks to some missing information and a tight deadline by which I had to have had my visit, I missed out. It's a new year, so I'll see if we can try it again. Having good health insurance is a godsend, but at times it can be more like "unsurance."

So there you have it. You didn't ask, but you got an update on me anyway. Weird as it sounds, I may be rockin' facial fur that rivals Chimi's, but that will change ASAP. And maybe I can take care of some other things that have needed doing for longer than they should. One step at a time. But first, a little more sleep...