5:01 a.m. - A combination of waking up and not being able to return to sleep along with a couple of cats who were apparently starving has me up at the kitchen table typing away here. I used to get a cup of coffee and turn on the news, but the news is fairly predictable these days - Covid 19, President Trump, Black Lives Matter. I'm not saying these categories are bad; I just have been enjoying the quiet instead of hearing those stories over and over and over again. I'm excited about heading up to Darlington, Wisconsin today. The truck and trailer are ready to go - parked out front of our house on the street, The main thing this morning is to load up food and get some ice from the school to help with transport. When we arrive, I'll need to fill up the drinkable water tank, which will be something new for me, but doesn't appear to be difficult. We are only going to be there today, tomorrow, and Thursday, so it won't be a long trip. We are going to be returning on Friday morning. Yesterday, I did get reservations completed for July 27-31 for Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Amber and I are headed that direction to check out the sites of that area, particularly the Smoky Mountains, which will be a first for me. My hope is that we also take at least two more camping trips somewhere more local in between this week and that week, even if it's to go out to Loud Thunder again. I didn't hear from Carmen yesterday whether or not she took her new bike for a ride; maybe I will hear from her today. I think I spent too much money on that bike; I discovered there is like a Kelley Blue Book for bikes, and it appears that I paid pretty close to MSRP, but I'm not going to get too upset about it. I think that's just my "nature" to be honest. It seems like I'm just not a shrewd salesman/buyer, but I guess there are worse weaknesses. I really feel good about getting that dang ditch wacked yesterday; it will feel good to come home with that mowed down. Over the weekend I hope to continue to attack the wetlands. I did start a little of that task yesterday, and that's going to be a big job...maybe if I am able to just spend an hour or two each day, I can eventually get the tall stuff down. I'm really hoping this tiling project that is supposed to eventually happen will help about the wetlands situation, but I sincerely have my doubts. And I'm going to be real disappointed when my $1,905 doesn't really help the situation much.
A little good financial news...it's pay day! My anal efforts to keep track of where the money goes sometimes stress me out, but I find it beneficial in the long run to really be able to forecast how the financial picture is looking. I do really need to continue to officiate and umpire now. I'm looking at another five years to get the truck and trailer paid off. So maybe after that, I can retire from everything. I'm actually going to see if I can start trimming the work I need to do, first starting off with eliminating weekend work in the Spring and Fall, then eliminating Fall all together (volleyball) and finally eliminating softball. Basketball is going to be the last to go unless my knee can't take it anymore. I love basketball.
Things that I NOW think about with the coronavirus. (6/30)
UTHS was on the news last night and stated that their school district was going to start their school year with blended learning. Basically, they are starting the year with students going to school some days and remote learning other days, with some students with health conditions not attending school at all. Students and staff are going to be required to wear masks. There has been a huge spike in cases in the south where restrictions were eased; Arizona is actually starting to close down again and return restrictions. Blended learning is going to be an interesting challenge, but I still haven't heard what the expectations are for student accountability, performance, and attendance/adherence to expectations. Last spring was all about being more concerned for student social emotional health and less about student learning; adjusting to higher performance and attendance requirements is going to be difficult for students and families.
- Stats
- February 29 was the first reported positive case in Illinois.
- March 20, there were 585 reported positive cases.
- As of May 29 (3 months), there were 120,260 positive cases and 5,390 deaths.
- As of June 29 (4 months), there were 142, 461 positive cases and 6,902 deaths.
- ILLINOIS PREVIOUS DAY
- hospitalizations - 373
- ILLINOIS YESTERDAY
- hospitalizations - 372
- ILLINOIS TODAY
- hospitalizations - ___
- ROCK ISLAND COUNTY
- YESTERDAY - 912 positive cases; 28 deaths
- TODAY - 899 positive cases; 28 deaths
- For Darlington, Wisconsin
- Bikes loaded.
- road flares?
- balance checkbook
- Load walking sticks.
- Close down accounts at Service Plus, including credit card.
- Apply to Black Hawk State Bank for credit card.
- Write beginning of month payment checks by Friday.
- Send checks out (get some stamps)
- Fix the lock on the toolbox on the GMC.
- Paint the shed.
- Put dirt around utility square by shed.
- Print off copies of Trailer and GMC loans.
- Continue working on restoring the channel of the ditch.
- Wack the wetland weeds.
- Get the Dodge to Eric.
- Replace seals and gaskets in the pool motor.
Prayer for My Heart
Holy Spirit...
Help me have...
a pure heart, that I may see thee;a humble heart, that I may hear you;
a heart of love, that I may serve you;
a heart of faith, that I may abide in you.
Amen
