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There seems to be some confusion here. Actually, our entire country has been advised to 'stay at home'. A few Governors (states) aren't complying with that. The medical experts are now suggesting everyone wear a 'cloth mask' when they go out--which should be only to get groceries or medicines, etc., or if you 'must' work, in an essential job.   They say the next 2 weeks will probably be the 'worst'.

However, I'm in the middle of a 'medical problem', so I had to go get a CT scan last week. I may have to 'see' a doctor sometime this month. Otherwise...I'm staying put!  

My husband picked up some groceries during the time allotted for 'seniors': the first hour the grocery is open.  They had no paper products (haven't for a few weeks, actually), but he got everything we needed.  We have enough food (and paper products) to get us through the end of the month, I think. Being over 70 and with 'underlying' problems, we are being cautious--and staying away from people.  At most, my husband visits outside with a neighbor. 

Now, if everyone just "stays at home"...maybe we'll be able to stop this virus from spreading even more. My advice: Listen to Dr. Fauci!  He is the expert. 

What is everyone doing while 'staying at home'?  That is, of course, if you aren't one who still 'has' to go out to work.

Our daughter is one of the few people at her bank who 'must' be there.  The lobby is closed, so it's only 'drive up' but there is still a lot of paperwork and managerial work to be done.  And yes, she's considered  Managerial. So she's also working on Saturdays. 

Our son is also in a situation where he must be at work; luckily, it's only a 3 or 4 person environment.

My niece & her husband are now telecommuting (working from home via computer); my sister, instead of caring for the baby--who can now remain at home with his parents--is picking up the 2 year old for the day. They go for long walks around the neighborhood, always staying 'away' from others, she tells me.  

As for me, not much has actually changed, since I'm pretty much a homebody; my husband, however, is chafing at the bit! He's a very social person, so he misses getting out and about. So far, he and a couple of neighbors do sit outside and chat at times; and when the weather is right, they sit around the fire pit.  Any time we need to pick up a med, my husband is the one who does that--and he might pick up a few extra groceries at the same time. We try to limit trips out, since we are both over 70 & considered high risk.

I'm still watching a lot of tv reruns, trying to concentrate on reading at times, and playing half a dozen games on my iPad. 

And, one more thing:  I've had a dream that seemed like it would make a good short story. When I was half awake, I 'finished' the scene in my head. So today, I decided to write it down...and have just posted it as a short story.    I'm waiting to see if anyone 'guesses' what it's actually about! 

The woman walked into the private company club and glanced around. There were maybe a dozen members scattered throughout the large lounge area, most of them sipping cocktails, in groups of two or three.

She could feel several men giving her an appreciative look; even as she approached middle age, she knew she still garnered attention.

 

Seating herself at a small table for two to signal she wanted to be alone, she quickly ordered a drink. Sipping it slowly, she pondered the decision she had come to. It was definitely time for a change--a big one: an early retirement. She and her partner had made a good team, for a number of years, both professionally and personally. But that was over. It was time to move on.

 

A few moments later, she noticed her partner entering the room. As he came her table, he gave her a cool look, then sat down.

 

“I was informed of your decision,” he spoke up, adding, “The Board will handle everything, including the sale of the house.”

 

“You knew it was coming, Arthur. It’s time to move on, for both of us.”

 

“I wish I could disagree; but you’re right. It is time, Pamela. Do you have plans?”

 

“Yes. What about you?”

 

“I’m not ready to retire; I’ll find another partner--or the Board will.”

 

“Then I wish you luck.”

 

Nodding, the man stood up. After one last glance, he turned and walked away.

 

A slight smile appeared on the woman’s face. She had just decided that maybe Monte Carlo would be a good place to start her retirement. After finishing her drink, she stood up and took one last look around the room.

 

She would never again return here; and she would never again see any of her colleagues--hopefully. Well, at least not for a “professional” reason, she amended her thought. Leaving the Club one last time, she felt carefree. Yes...retirement was sounding better and better.

Well, in general, I really don't like "reality shows".  But, as with everything, there are exceptions.  One of my favorites is either on hiatus--or, it might be over; I really don't know.  Anyway, I was checking out YouTube this morning--and found some interesting videos about my favorite shows: Below Deck  and Below Deck: Mediterranean.   There is a third show on that channel: Below Deck Sailing--but I really can't get into it at all. 

I found a number of 'cast interviews' from the first two shows...and I spent over half an hour watching Kate (Chief Stew), Capt. Lee, and various other members of the cast, talking about the shows.  It was quite interesting!  

After that, I 'found' a couple of interviews with Jon Gosselin (from Jon & Kate Plus 8).  It confirmed pretty much what I already knew--from viewing the show years ago--that Kate is a bully & self-centered. I hadn't known how she had the one child 'committed' and put on lots of meds, without even having an actual diagnosis first. As of the time of this interview, he was happy, healthy, and a normal kid, which is really good to see--mainly because Jon stepped in, got him 'released', etc! 

Other exceptions to my 'no reality rule' are a couple of cooking shows.   I still watch Gordon Ramsey's 24 Hrs to Hell and Back.  I occasionally watch Kids Baking Championship.   But that's about it for now; in the past I watched all the 'holiday' baking shows and a few others, like Chopped Junior.   But that's about the extent of my 'reality show' viewing now.

I've been struggling to decide what 'theme' I would use next on my page. I'm dedicating my page to all those who lived through the 60's--and those friends who didn't make it. I'm sure everyone in my age group lost someone because of that war.

  I remember one young neighbor of mine, especially: John Lankford (I called him Johnny). I had such a crush on him! I was about 15; and he was older, but he was kind to a girl with a crush.  But he  didn't return from the war.  In remembering him:I remember that he was really good at skating; he and his partner took part in competitions.

Yes, we had some  great music...and some really good movies. But what I'll always remember are the friends we lost--because of a war that the politicians always knew we could never win!  I wish--and hope--that our leaders have learned from that. However, I sincerely doubt it.

Sadly, our leaders don't think about the cost in human lives when they decide that something like oil is worth dying for. And of course..the politicians aren't the ones who sacrifice for this.  It's our young men and women who make this sacrifice--and for what? I really can't say.  Al I know is that I've gone from being a 'hawk' to being a 'dove', mainly because of losing friends. 

This is not meant to start any arguments; everyone is entitled to their own opinions on the subject. This is just 'my own thoughts'--and remembrances.

 t

I'm sure everyone here has 'lost' something, at least once--probably many times--over the years. I've lost things and never found them; I've lost some things and eventually found them.  

One thing I never did find was a 'lost' salt shaker. Our granddaughter had been here one weekend; so we eventually decided she'd done something with it.  Now, a few years later, I have a hunch that it somehow got pushed off the counter into the trash can. But who knows what really happened to it?

  Today's 'lost/found' story really is something else!  Last week, when I was playing around with music videos for my page, I decided to dig out my MP3 players and listen to some music.  I found the 'cheap version' easily; but, alas, it's "done for". It wouldn't charge; now, it won't even turn on at all. 

So I started to look for my iPod Shuffle--a gift a few years ago from my best friend. So you can imagine how much I prize it.  Well, I looked everywhere: every nook and cranny, as it were.  I really thought it was in the small file cabinet next to my desk--but no. I even checked a 2 drawer cabinet near my desk, which is mainly 'junk' drawers--it's only sitting there because I have my printer/scanner/fax sitting on it. 

I eventually gave up, thinking that "well, maybe it'll show up later".  Little did I know how right  I was!  But I never imagined it would  be 'in plain sight'!  

I'm not working at my desk right now, since with my back problems, I simply can't sit in the desk chair. I moved my laptop to a table next to this rocker/recliner and have been 'working' here recently. 

Well, today I walked over to the desk to get something out of that small file cabinet--and suddenly what do I see: my iPod Shuffle, sitting right there on the desk! I burst out laughing. Of all the places I'd looked, even while sitting right there, how could I have missed it? 

Maybe it was 'gremlins'--moving it back and forth. Who knows?  But at least I finally found it--and I can now charge it and put more music on it.

I'll apologize first--because I know this will make you yawn!

Why do we yawn?? That popped into my head again last night, as it has for some time now.  And why is it contagious?  Seeing someone else yawn makes us yawn, too; and even thinking about it makes me yawn! Here's the explanations I found:

One is that when we are bored or tired, we just don't breathe as deeply as we usually do. As this theory goes, our bodies take in less oxygen because our breathing has slowed. Therefore, yawning helps us bring more oxygen into the blood and move more carbon dioxide out of the blood.

Another thought:

A yawn is an involuntary reflex where the mouth is opened wide, and the lungs take in a lot of air. The air is then exhaled slowly. During this time, the eardrums stretch, and the eyes may also close tight, causing them to water.

No thought or action has to be taken to produce a yawn, and the process is similar for everyone. Yawning commonly occurs either before or after sleep, which is why it is usually considered a sign of being tired. Yawning also occurs frequently in people who are doing boring or tedious things.

There is also a social aspect to yawning. Yawning appears to be contagious among humans and other animals, and the contagiousness of a yawn is well documented but hardly understood. 

On a personal note: I tend to yawn if I'm nervous! That can be embarrassing, since whoever I'm with probably thinks I'm bored wih the conversation.

In this case, a vignette is basically a one scene short story. I wrote this years ago, but recently 'found' it in a file folder.

The woman was so engrossed in her task that she did not hear the man entering the penthouse  apartment.  She didn’t really ‘need’ the clothing and personal items she had  been packing into the suitcase; she only did it because it was expected.  She could not leave anything behind, if she wanted the man to believe she had left for good.  She didn’t need to glance at her wristwatch to know she still had half an hour till the rendezvous.  

The man stopped at the door to the bedroom, his calm expression covering his tumultuous emotions. He watched as the woman finished packing the suitcase.  As she started to turn around, he heard her slight gasp as she realized she was no longer alone in the room.

“Weren’t you even going to say good-bye?”  Derek Matthews asked, his voice cool..  

  The woman known to him as  Mira Tremaine returned his gaze calmly.  To a casual observer, he would appear to be calm and in complete control of his emotions.  But she knew him well enough to see the tightly leashed emotions just under the surface: anger, disappointment, and most of all--a steely resolve.  This was a man who did not take ‘no’ for an answer. She felt a twinge of regret.    If  only things had been different…

    “I thought it best to keep this uncomplicated. No messy shouting matches…just a clean break” she added.

       “That’s a lie,” he retorted, letting a  hint of his feelings show through. “I don’t know why you‘re doing this; but I do know we have something special between us.  You can’t fake that.  You care about me.”

        “Yes, I do,” Mira admitted. “But for reasons I can’t go into, it’s time for me to leave now.  As much as I wish I could stay--it just isn’t possible.”  

    Derek took a deep  breath as he prepared to face her with the truth.  “I know what’s going on.  I decided to confront you at your office.  Imagine my surprise when I was told that you’d quit.”

      “You know--what?” she asked, frowning as she  wondered what he was talking about. There was no way he could possibly know the real reason she must leave.   

        “After six months, you should know me well enough  to know I’d follow you to the ends of the earth to get what’s mine.”

        Mira couldn’t help the sudden amusement that showed in her face.  Her eyes twinkled as she thought how appropriate his choice of words was.

          “Did I say something funny?” Derek’s demeanor hardened, his eyes  glittering with anger.

            All traces of amusement  gone, she shook her head.  She knew she had options he could never even imagine; and yet, she wanted to keep talking to him.  She was enjoying one last conversation with the man she had come to care for more than she’d ever thought possible.   Soon enough, she would be far away, never to see him again.

       “Then what?”

        “Soon I’ll be much farther away than that.  Where I’m going…you couldn’t possibly follow.”

        “Let’s get back to your reason for leaving.  You know how ruthless I can be when  I want something; what made you think you could take what was mine and just leave?”  

     “I don’t understand,” Mira seemed confused.   “If you mean the gifts you’ve given me…I left all of that here. I have no need of it.”

     “Gifts be damned!”  he exploded, grabbing her by the arm.  “I don’t care about ‘things’…what you’re taking can’t be bought.   Or rather…it can be, if necessary.  That’s the ironic part.  Most women in your situation would use this as a way to gain…whatever they want.”

        “My situation,” Mira repeated, realizing what he was talking about now.  Somehow, he knew.  He had discovered  at least part of her secret.  She relaxed even as she wondered how to handle this turn of events.   

         “All right…let’s be honest here.  How much will it take for you to have the child and then leave?” Derek asked bluntly, even though this was not what he really wanted.  It would do for a start.  He knew that he could change her mind if given time.  He could keep her--and the child.

        Mira couldn’t help the laughter that spilled out of her.  Dropping the last shred of pretence, she returned his gaze coolly.  She shook off his grasp and stepped back.

         “I’m afraid that would negate my entire reason for being here,” she admitted.  Then she added, “I have no need of your money. Where I am from, a child is priceless.  And a male child is beyond priceless.”

      Derek frowned, wondering if Mira could be deranged.  She certainly wasn’t acting as he had expected

He suddenly comprehended her last words.

      “How on earth could you know it’s a boy at this stage?”

     “I have resources.  Derek, I  think it’s time I was totally honest with you.  Although I’m not sure you’ll believe me,” Mira added, watching his face closely. 

      “Mira…maybe we should get you to a doctor.  I think we need to get you checked out--to be sure everything is all right,” Derek tried to sound conciliatory.  He was starting to be concerned about her mental as well as physical health.

       “Don’t patronize me!” Mira ordered, steel in her voice.  As she saw him start to reach out for her again, she touched a small button on her wristwatch.  “I’m not delusional.”   

       ‘What the hell!” he exclaimed.  He couldn’t touch her. It was as if an invisible wall had appeared  between them.  

      “I’m really sorry it has to be this way,” Mira began, adding, “I’ve come to care for you…much more than I could ever have thought possible.”

         “Then why leave? And…okay…let’s take this calmly,” Derek drew a deep breath.  “Explain what just happened--please.”

     “I activated my personal force shield--it’s standard protection.  And no…you are not dreaming this” she assured him.  

       “Don’t try to tell me you’re from Mars,” he looked at her skeptically. “Then I’ll know I’ve gone off the deep end--or we both have.”    

        “Not quite.  In my research, I came across an old movie--I think you call it a B-movie--where men from Mars come to Earth to abduct women.    Well, in truth…my world needs children.  Our men are sterile.  So some of us are sent out to …procure….fetuses.  Once we have what we need, then we return home,” she explained, wondering if he could possibly believe her. In his world, this would be considered Science Fiction. But in her world…it was reality.

           “Then you ARE pregnant?”

            “ No, I’m not.  Well, actually…there are three children; but I am not physically pregnant at the moment..  They are safely …stored…for the journey home.”

           “I don’t believe this.   It’s impossible…crazy,” Derek spoke softly, trying to reconcile what he believed with what she was telling him.   Taking a step backward, he sat down in a nearby chair.  

          He watched as she sat down on the  bed, still watching him closely.  Now the tables were turned: it was she who was observing his reaction.  

         “You really are from…where?”

         “A planet quite a long way from here…called Altara.”

          “And you came here…for the sole purpose of getting pregnant?”

        “That’s right.”

        “So I’m what…just a means to an end? No feelings or attachments?” he sounded bitter now.

           “No, Derek…that’s not how it is.  I chose you for many reasons. One important reason is the chemistry between us.  I could not have stayed with you this long if I didn’t have feelings for you.  If things were different…well, I would not choose to leave,” Mira assured him, regret on her face. “I wish…I wish I could stay with you. But that is not possible.  I have responsibilities.   If even one of us should turn away from our duties, it would wreak havoc on our entire mission.”

          Derek was silent for several moments. Then he spoke again, thoughtfully.

      “You say your men are sterile.  So I’m assuming a virile male would be a prized possession. Or something like that,” he added, suddenly feeling  a bit awkward at the thought.  

         “Not a possession,” she smiled at him, acknowledging his sudden discomfort at the thought.  “But yes, another part of our mission is sometimes to return with suitable males.”

         “And would these suitable males be allowed to remain with the woman they …bonded with?  Or would they be treated like stud animals?”       

          “The only reason such a male would return with the woman would be because he wished to remain with the one woman.  Are you saying you might want to return with me?” she asked, almost afraid to hope he was  about to volunteer.

       “ I am considering it,” he admitted.  “You know I’m an adventurer at heart. And I admit that corporate work has become a bit boring of late.  But I must know one thing.”

         “Which is?”

       “How much of what we had was ….real…and how much was pretense?” he asked, staring at her intently.

        “It was all real. The only pretense was my ‘background‘.   I could not and would not pretend to be submissive or unintelligent. The arguments we had when we disagreed were real,” she admitted.  “That was another reason I chose you. You valued my strengths…my capabilities. You didn’t expect me to stand back and defer to you in everything.”

      “That’s one of the reasons I love you,” Derek admitted. “You didn’t pretend to be less intelligent than you are; you matched me in every way.  So yes…if it is allowed.. I would chose to go with you.  That is, if you want me to…and if you feel the same way about me.”

         “Yes!” Mira exclaimed. “I do love you, Derek,  And having you with me is more than I could have hoped for.”

          “Then what do we do? How do we…get there?”

          “In just a few more minutes, I’ll receive the signal that our ship is ready to transport me on board.  I’ll let them know there are two of us, and we’ll be taken aboard.  The ship will continue picking up the others and then we’ll return home.”

         “So you and I just disappear. Without a trace.”

         “It happens all the time, from what I see on your news reports.  Just another mystery that is never  solved,” Mira added.

        “I doubt anyone will actually miss me, “ he admitted. “The company will go on…”

         “And we’ll be together--with our children.”

       A soft chime sounded from Mira’s wristwatch a few minutes later.  She picked up the small medi-kit which contained the stored fetuses, then touched one of the tiny buttons on the ’watch’.

        “Two ready for transport,” she spoke into the tiny transmitter. Then she reached out for Derek’s hand.

“Let’s go home”.

It's interesting that 'English' words/phrases mean different things, depending on whether you are in the U.S., Canada, or Great Britain.   Today I'm watching a repeat of Midsommer Murders; I don't have a streaming service that shows 'new' episodes, so the ones I see on PBS or BBC America are 'older'. Actually, I just realized this 'channel' is really Ovation. I hadn't paid attention; I just saw it in the tv guide and decided to watch it.

  I know there are many words/phrases I could mention. Example: 'boot' is what we call a 'car trunk', etc. But right now, the one  that caught my eye was a sign on a building: "Hotel, Free House". I had to look it up! Apparently a 'free house' means it is a 'pub' (bar/restaurant) that is independently owned, 'separate' from the brewery that supplies it. 

In the U.S., that wouldn't even be a question!  I don't remember ever seeing a 'bar' that is owned by a brewery. That's not to say there aren't any; but it would be somewhat unusual.

Anyway, that just caught my eye--and I just had to look it up! So...I learned something new today.

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