On Venturing Out

Here in North Carolina we are in phase 2 of the governor's "Safer at Home" Covid restrictions.  Slowly things are easing and more businesses are opening.  I am glad that our governor is taking it slow and not rushing into things.

As of May 22 outdoor gatherings of 25 people maximum are allowed.  Indoors it is 10.

I have been cautious about going out.  So, even though the restrictions relaxed somewhat, I wasn't sure how I felt about a recent invitation to get together with my neighbors for a friendly gathering.  After careful consideration, we decided to accept the invitation.  We all brought our own beverages and stayed outside the whole time.  We did each bring an appetizer/dessert type of dish to share.  It was evident that everybody planned dishes that could be picked up individually rather than things like chips and dips.

Because I haven't gone out much in the past few months. it felt a bit strange at first.  (keep a distance, don't hug, etc.).  Things that used to come so natural now had to be thought through carefully.

In the end it was a lovely evening.  The weather was delightful and it was good to socialize and get to know my neighbors a bit better.

Not long after that we were invited to a 40th birthday party for our nephew.  This was for family only.  The food was brought in from a restaurant and most of the time we were outside talking and playing yard games.  It was very odd not to hug family members as we are a family who usually hugs one another.  In the way that this whole situation has us feeling like everybody has cooties, there was a somewhat awkward moment when the birthday cake came out covered in candles for the birthday "boy" to blow out.  As the birthday song was being sung I wondered if I was the only one who had hesitations about him blowing all over the cake.  Normally this is just an accepted part of the birthday celebration.  Now suddenly I wondered if we were risking illness by eating a piece of that cake.  As nobody else seemed phased by it, I wasn't about to say anything.

I ate the cake.

The photo above was taken with masks to capture the current situation on the day of this 40th birthday celebration.

Masks weren't worn during the party, but they were discussed and compared.

Phase 2 also permitted hair salons to re-open.

On Friday I ventured back to the salon for a haircut.

Besides the mask my hairdresser was wearing, the first thing I noticed upon entering was how bright everything looked in there.  She told me that while they were shut down, everything was painted and sanitized.  A good use of time, I think.

For years it has been my routine to meet my sister-in-law after a salon appointment for lunch and a bit of shopping (usually thrift shop treasure hunting :).  Because one of the thrift shops had re-opened we decided to check it out.  It did feel good (in a cautious sort of way) to be able to do something that had been forbidden for so long.  We wore masks and practiced social distancing.  There weren't many treasures to be found, although we did manage to find a few books.  Something we were both looking for as our book stashes have dwindled in the last few months.

After shopping we would normally have lunch out.

I wasn't sure I was ready for that, but we headed to the restaurant to see about dining outdoors.  The doors were locked.  The sign said orders could be called in and then delivered to the patio.  So there we stood talking on the phone to the girl inside the restaurant.  Although we were looking right at each other, all communication was through that locked door.  Credit cards were the only method of payment and had to be read off on the phone.  No contact with cards.  While I completely understand, it seemed so sad.

We waited on the patio until the waitress came out in her mask and delivered the order.  Across the parking lot was the local W*lmart with the windows boarded up.  Although we weren't in a big city, there had been talk about upcoming protests, so I guess precautions were put in place.  Again... so very sad.

The potted plants that normally add beauty to this particular restaurant patio were brimming with weeds.  As we ate and discussed this current situation, I gazed into the pot sitting next to me.  There grew one lone petunia surrounded by tall weeds and trailing weeds.  Feeling sad and rather helpless, I started pulling weeds.  Weed after weed after weed.  A few bites of sandwich followed by deadheading that poor petunia.  Once that pot was tended to I glanced at all the others and the window boxes hanging along the fence.  The weeds were winning.  This restaurant where we have enjoyed lunches for years now so neglected was sad to see.  One more small business struggling to stay afloat.  I pray that they are able to.