A couple of weeks ago I wrote about completing the first step in getting our life back to normal by going to Wawa for the first time since the lockdown began.
Since then, we’ve added two more steps to the process.
Last week, we went grocery shopping for the first time. Prior to that we had used a delivery service through ShopRite. We did enjoy having our groceries delivered, but we also missed just making our own substitutions when something was out of stock (such as swapping Oreo cookies for kale) and those impulse buys that you can’t get yourself to make when shopping online (like Sour patch kids).
Tonight we completed the third step of our journey towards normal – we walked to the local pub and had a curbside cocktail. It’s been a while since I’ve had a Guinness on tap, and it was as good as I remembered. There were a few other people there, with their masks on, and staying away from each other.
Tomorrow is when the state of PA moves from red to yellow, so slowly but surely, businesses will begin to reopen. I’ve liked the approach that Gov. Wolf has taken, recognizing the need to get things back to normal as soon as possible, but with his primary concern being the safety of others.
I’m not sure what step four will be, but I think my wife wishes it would be doing something with my hair…
Note: music played tonight was the Rain playlist from Spotify. I am amazed at how many individual “songs” make up this playlist, and I’m not really sure how I am supposed to know when one song ends and another begins. I mean it’s the sound of rain… Like the previous two nights, it’s pure background noise that I don’t hear when I am in filly engaged in the task at hand – writing the blog.
*image – my son and I outside Flip & Bailey’s
Glad life is getting back to normal for you!!! It sure feels good with each progression no matter how small!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Indeed it does!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad y’all are catching up. SC is open, with appropriate spacing.
. . . swapping Oreo cookies for kale. . .Priceless
LikeLiked by 2 people
And Oreo cookies are vegan, so it’s an even swap…
LikeLike
So, recordings of nature sounds count as music these days? I’ll remember that, next time I go hiking. I’ll pretend I’ve snuck into a free, live concert.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I wouldn’t go hiking if the sound of nature you want to listen to is rain…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good point. Those are the days when the concert is rained out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our pubs and restaurants are still closed. Enjoy the normality.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Tandy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to hear that things are slowly getting back to normal. Hopefully your government is getting things under control. Stay safe!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, jomz. I hope things are getting better for you and the Philippines as well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d make an oreos for kale trade too any day. 🤣 Cheers!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
And it’s not too drastic trade – Oreos are vegan after all… 🙂
LikeLike
Not much new in California, yet, but it’s understandable with all the cases here. I walk 3-4 miles each day, but it’s not the same as hitting the gym.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I miss the gym as well – now get back to working on your book!
LikeLike
This was a fun read… especially the thought of your wife cutting or something to your hair
LikeLiked by 2 people
Fortunately, I don’t think we have anything in the house that can be used to cut hair… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😄😄😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
it’s these little daily rituals and familiar routines that offer us comfort, as they slowly open and return
LikeLiked by 2 people
And there’s nothing like Guinness!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to see you both out and about! My biggest problem, much like your wife’s concerns, was the length of my hair. After having been abundantly patient waiting for barber shops to open up, I finally could not take it anymore and cut my own hair. I had all the appropriate attachments for my trimmer and even watched a couple of videos online meant to help you accomplish the task with greater ease. Success? Well, let’s just say the length is not an issue anymore. After a frustrating 40 minutes, I buzzed it all off. I am still shocked a bit every time I walk past a mirror, but I won’t need a haircut again for quite awhile! 👨🦲
LikeLiked by 2 people
Nothing like going with the nuclear option! It’s a good haircut for the summer… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I made several attempts at some form of détente, but broad annihilation of the enemy was called for. As you point out, at least it is summer! 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your hair had no chance… 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’re going through some tentative stages of opening up again, but the Government’s scientific advisors say it is too soon. Fingers crossed neither you or we go backwards with this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess we’ll know soon enough…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds nice that you’re going back to normal! Next step could be hugging a friend…
LikeLiked by 1 person
My wife did get a hug from her grand niece today, which made her day…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I believe that! My grandparents were also very happy for hugging us again..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, the power of human connection…
LikeLiked by 1 person
nice one Jim. Enjoy that Guinness!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Peter. Now I can’t wait for the next one…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lucky you.. Our restaurant’s have stayed open as long as tbey observe social distancing although many have just been doing takeaway…. The kicker… No alcohol can be served… Bars still on lockdown…
LikeLiked by 1 person
A couple of bars have opened for just takeaway, but what it really turns into is people ordering drinks through a bar window, and then just milling around outside…
LikeLike
Nice Father & Son pic, Jim. Glad you world is normalizing again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Michael. Slowly but surely…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you’re slowly able to go back to normal and do normal things again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So are we!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I too like the idea of substituting Oreos for kale! Stay safe!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s a fair trade – they are both vegan…:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
I do enjoy listening to the sound of rain! I have listened to that already while dong my quotes posts on Tuesdays. Little signs of getting back to normal are so welcome! I am soooo ready to see my hairdresser!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do enjoy falling asleep to the sound of rain. I think hairdressers are going to be overwhelmed when the lockdown is fully over!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Something so soothing about it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
indeed. right now I am listening to some classical music, also very soothing…
LikeLike
Yes, we have several Classical CDs!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m using Spotify…
LikeLike
I have used Pandora befoee but not Spotify.
LikeLiked by 1 person
any song you can imagine, at your fingertips, even the soundtrack from Napoleon… 🙂
LikeLike
Hmmm…..so should I choose to listen to the Napoleon soundtrack while ….smacking my head…?
LikeLiked by 1 person
while talking like a surfer dude…
LikeLike
“Haha!”
LikeLiked by 1 person