SPRING SHUT INS...

Happy Spring to all of you. 

 I can't believe

 that for someone 

who was so looking forward to it, 

I totally forgot to acknowledge the fact.

  These are some unsettling times and 

it is no wonder 

I can't keep my facts straight

 along with most 

everyone else.

We,

 here in California, 

are literally shut-ins and 

I am glad to do so.

 I am so thankful 

for all the doctors and nurses,

 other first responders, 

grocery clerks, 

restaurants and

 the armed forces,

that are working so tirelessly 

to keep us as safe as we can be.

I am also very thankful 

to Governor Newsom, 

along with other governors

 throughout the United States,

 who had the foresight 

to take charge and 

handle this pandemic 

in a way that was 

timely and appropriate.

The numbers are staggering and

  we are in for 

a long haul and 

I wish everyone in the world 

love,

 peace and 

a safe place

 to be.

As I mentioned last week,

 Tami and Tim 

were coming up to do our grocery shopping. 

 At that time,

 Santa Cruz county was to shelter in place.

  We asked them not to come 

but you have to know our daughter. 

 She is a very loving, kind person 

with a strong sense of responsibility.

  One of the points of 

sheltering in place

 was to take care and look after 

loved ones and

 that is the point she fixated on.

  No amount of talking 

would change her mind. 

 Must get that all from her father!!

  I made a big pot of spaghetti

 as they were planning, after shopping, 

to have dinner with us, 

spend the night and 

leave Sunday morning. 

 Jake and Jacenda 

were coming from San Francisco 

to stay with their animals

 while they were

 here with us.

Just before

 they left home Saturday morning, 

Jake called and 

said he didn't feel well. 

 I think it is only a cold 

but he didn't want to be

 close to them until 

he knew for sure.  

That meant they wouldn't spend the night, 

but would visit for awhile 

before heading back home to

 Bo, Rosy and the cats. 

 As they were on the road, 

Tami's supervisor texted her

 saying someone she worked with 

had contacted the virus.

  When she found out who it was, 

she knew she hadn't been around the lady,

 but didn't want to take 

any unnecessary chances with us. 

 So long story short,

 we put our grocery list 

in our mailbox, 

the kids picked it up, 

did the shopping and 

then left the groceries on the back porch.

  We gave virtual hugs and kisses 

through the window in the door, and 

they drove back home.

 We can't say enough 

how proud we are of our kids and 

the two of us will be 

eating spaghetti

 for a month!

As if that wasn't enough, 

Tami left this sweet bunny 

next to the groceries. 

 He is just adorable and 

I love him.

I have been watching 

a watercolor artist on YouTube. 

 Remember how I mentioned 

that the sound of Martha Stewart's voice 

relaxed me, well,

 I must have a thing for voices,

 as this talented artist

 is so soft spoken and 

she fascinates me.  

She also is really great 

about explaining what she is doing.  

She is Australian and

 her name is Louise De Masi.  

I think if I can learn 

how to do watercolors, 

I can learn from her. 

 I will keep trying and 

we shall see.

 Above is the original photo...

...and this is my rendition.

 Obviously, 

I'm not there yet!

 Not even close, but
I am proud 
that this is the first time
 that I have done the whole drawing
 without tracing.
 For me,
that is progress!

I am not

 going stir crazy yet. 

 I am a real homebody anyway,

 so this shouldn't be

 too hard 

for me...

...but, evidently,

 one member of the household 

is feeling it and 

sneaked out

 when our backs were turned.

  The spring sunshine 

was just to hard 

to resist.

Stay healthy and safe.

...Judy...

I want to thank everyone 

who tried to remember the woman 

from the Cooking Channel. 

 My special thanks to Thelma 

who recognized her as Laura Caulder and

 the show was called French Food at Home.

  She is no longer on that channel 

but thanks, also, to Adrienne,

 we can find her on YouTube. 

 I haven't had a chance 

to watch her again yet, 

but it will be great 

on the list of 

the shut-in's 

schedule.

Sharing today with:

Love Your Creativity at Life and Linda

and

Keep In Touch at Let's Add Sprinkles