MORNING ROLL CALL APRIL - JUNE CLOSED

Community Champion ⭐⭐

Went to Walmart yesterday to stock up on a few items. Walmart has removed all mask requirements. I have been fully vaccinated for almost 3 months now. CDC says I am good to go. Virginia governor following CDC recommendations and removed mandate for the vaccinated And yet, I still felt trepidation about going into a Walmart exposed. I should add that this would be my first foray into a store since the CDC changed their recommendations. Didn't quite feel comfortable leaving home without it, so put mask in my pocket.

Got out of my truck and immediately felt naked. As I was walking towards the entrance (I always park out in left field for the extra steps and elbow room), my confidence and resolve went by the wayside and I caved and put on the mask. Interestingly, once I was inside, I did not see one other maskless person. Old. Young. In-between. Everyone had a mask on. A year ago, this would have looked very differently when security guards stood outside offering masks to all those in non-compliance of the mandate.

Can't help but wonder if the real reason for me feeling uncomfortable is not necessarily because I feel threatened by COVID, but because I like the anonymity behind a mask and the freedom to look like hell. I suspect a little of both. I don't wear the mask outdoors (I also don't attend any large gatherings), but indoors? Walmart? Still gotta work on that.

Community Manager

Hi @MsStretch thanks for the latest for Virginia. I have to go next week to my local Walmart. I am fully vaccinated but keeping my mask on in stores. I never wear it in my car and giggle when I see drivers who do when they pull up beside me. Then July 1st is suppose to be when weed becomes legal. Nothing against this but already dealing with mask plus cigarette smokers 😭 Now to add recreational weed. Lol, my allergies will not be happy. Have an awesome day 😉

Community Champion ⭐⭐

@Anonymous , interestingly, my neighbor, also fully vaccinated, says she doesn't plan on getting rid of a mask anytime soon. The mask has helped her hold her allergies at bay against all the pollen, plus she said she hasn't been sick once, not even the sniffles. Good point. And we both agree there's a certain freedom in not having to look your best behind a mask. 😷

@RosemaryF433825 , it's a conundrum, especially for small business owners. BTW, congrats on the reopening. Maybe you can take your cue from fellow neighboring small businesses. The CDC caught everyone unaware with their announcement. They made it clear that if you are fully vaccinated, you don't have to wear a mask, but because this country does not have nor likely to have a vaccine passport system in place, how do you differentiate? It boils down to an honor system, and seriously, what anti-vaxxer is going to wear a mask when no one else is? That just leaves them open to taunts and derision from those who have gotten the vaccine. Perhaps, you can put up a unobtrusive sign that says "Maskers always welcome here" or similar. No outright requirement, just a suggestion to make them feel it's their choice. And even if you are fully vaccinated, maybe you can still wear a mask to make others not feel like a pariah by wearing one.

Bottom line: this thing isn't over it. Oh my gawd, look at India.

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RosemaryF433825

Community Champion ⭐

Thanks for the suggestions, MsStretch.

I already had a very tasteful and artsy sign printed up that says masks are required here and that I am limiting the number of customers at one time. At the very few times I managed to be open last year, anyone who came in automatically had on a mask. So it was never a problem. I like your idea "Maskers always welcome here" very much! I will most probably be wearing one myself. I don't think this thing is over either...not by a long shot. Again, thanks much! : )

Community Manager

@DaveMcK why are you called the LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER?
Have you been in one?
I luv them, HOPE 😉 to visit one before I die. Lol, on my RETIREMENT BUCKET LIST that has been on hold since retiring July 2020 🙄

Community Champion ⭐⭐

Hi there Porchers,

@MsStretch, @RosemaryF433825 , @Anonymous ...I agree with those of you who are a bit timid on giving up the masks. We are not wearing a badge saying we are vaccinated, so who is and who isn't?

I have been to Starbucks drive through twice since I've been fully "vaxed," and the mask mandates changed. It felt weird after ordering not to put my mask on at the window, but it's like inching into cold water one toe at a time. I still wear a mask when I go into stores. Today at Fresh Market was the first time I saw the signs had been taken down and there was a new colorful poster about following CDC guidelines with pictures of masked and unmasked people. I didn't take the time to read the whole thing, but it was the first time I ever saw an unmasked shopper. Everyone else had on a mask, including of course, the employees.

At the birthday lunch I went to on Wednesday, we ate outdoors since the birthday person is under strict orders from her sister that there is no indoor dining for them yet. Luckily we had gorgeous weather. My friend still wore an N95 mask even though I had give her some cute flowered ones with filters for Christmas. We all had to hug before we got to the parking lot because of the sister waiting for my friend not allowing hugging either. I wasn't even allowed to pick up my friend and take her to lunch. The sister and her husband had to drop her off and pick her up. I do think they are taking this whole thing a bit far, but then again, to each his/her own. Just wish my friend hadn't been diagnosed with dementia, and is now under the control of her sister. 🙄

Anyway...I'm certainly looking forward to a summer of more social events than last summer. I hope you all are feeling safe enough to enjoy life as we used to know it (mostly). 😻

Community Manager

@catwoman500 luv your frog picture. Have a great weekend too 😉

DaveMcKAuthor

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

I'm having issues with forum! Nothing seems to be working correctly!

Is your site working???

Posted by Dave the Lighthouse Keeper

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RosemaryF433825

Community Champion ⭐

@DaveMcK HI Dave! Mine seems to be working just fine. 👍

DaveMcKAuthor

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

Good morning to everyone on the Front Porch! Our temperature is 42* with moderate winds and a chance of rain showers during the day.

For me it was that I woke up this morning to face another day!

Posted by Dave the Lighthouse Keeper

Frozenoem

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

Afternoon 51* and sunny, someday I’ll get used to weather one week of 80’s then frost warnings.

Good thing for today finally found reeds for my Scottish Chanter, now to discover if I can still gie a blaw. It’s been 15 years since i found reeds for it.

And lobster is on sale at general store , might be buying some.🤣

Pollen is interesting, coughing and sneezing, how to get people to back off. Mask may be breathing requirement for a few days.

Froze

And yes, after long days/nights, I'd still like to swing these hunks of glass , plastic and silicon against the nearest wall Come on retirement!

Community Champion ⭐⭐

Today, Biden joined Gov. Northram in Alexandria, VA to announce the lifting of all COVID restrictions in the state. I still can't believe it is over. Sorta. It will never be 'over'. 66% of adults have gotten their first shot and 54% are fully vaccinated. But still not quite up there with @Frozenoem and ME which is one of 8 states to hit 70%.

Frozenoem

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

@MsStretch

We are entering the home stretch at least here (for now) 70% vaccinated with some holdouts of die-hard t’ers. 12-year olds now getting vaccinated, me thinks Biden will get his numbers by July, unlike the other guy.😎

My neighbor household is split, wife has had both shots, Him none.

Have to say no comment publicly, best friend for 40+ years, we’re trying to convince him. Beats becoming a statistic just take the jab.

Re: it being over crap shoot, tune in later for perhaps requiring a booster shot, if it comes I’ll take it, gladly.

Froze

And yes, after long days/nights, I'd still like to swing these hunks of glass , plastic and silicon against the nearest wall Come on retirement!

Community Champion ⭐⭐

Hey there Porchers!

Still most are masking when going into places around here.

It will take a while to get used to no masks. If the place still has the sign up, I'm not going to enter without one.

So...What a fun day today!

Started with my friend in NJ calling me by mistake, but telling me that the Fire Dept. was on its way because her outside outlet was smoking. All is OK, but she only has half the power in her house until a new breaker box is installed. (Why do things always happen on holiday weekends when no one is working?) So I go back to bed to do my exercises and a drop of water falls on my forehead! Earlier I thought I had spilled some coffee on my comforter, but now I knew it wasn’t coffee falling from the LIGHT FIXTURE! 😮

I moved my bed…luckily, being lazy, I had left those furniture mover slide things under the legs of my bed from the last time I had to change the ceiling light bulbs, so it wasn’t too hard to move the bed, but more than I should have done…what else could I do? Got the step ladder and removed the cover from the fixture…it had water in it. Rain has stopped for a while, so that is good, but it will start up again. I put a bucket under the fixture which has stopped leaking for now. I think the wind brought the rain under the flashing and that is what happened, but I will have to call my stepson on Tuesday to see what he wants to do since he will be renovating my bedroom soon.

It is so cold I had to turn the heat back on. Highs in the 40’s today… the fun just never stops!

Hope Everyone has a good holiday weekend! 🍉🌭🍔🇺🇸

Stay safe!

LaDolceVita

Community Champion ⭐

@catwoman500 Sounds like something that happens in old movies, leaking ceiling I mean. Strange weather for Memorial Day here too. We have had 2 cool nights in the low 50s. Daytime is beautiful though, low humidity and sunshine.

Beautiful day spent at the homestead yesterday, visiting with the neighbors and enjoying the hum of the cicadas. Basement has been dug and it took some getting used to and getting my bearings. Took one dog, Snoopy along for the ride as she cannot run free here where we live. Boy did she have a good time. She looked at the pasture for the first time and I could read her thoughts. Heaven, yeah!

DaveMcKAuthor

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

Good morning everyone on this Tuesday morning June 1, 2021. Welcome to our Front Porch. We will be keeping this open as I am not able do much posting as I am having computer issues!

Posted by Dave the Lighthouse Keeper

Community Champion ⭐⭐

Happy June!

Happy June, Porch Peeps!

I hope you all had a nice holiday weekend.

I had my twice a year burger and thoroughly enjoyed it! 🍔

At least we had a decent day yesterday after all the cold and wind.

@LaDolceVita ...Glad you had some good weather and happy that Snoopy got to romp! 🐶

Stepson is coming up tomorrow morning to check out the leak and caulk for now.

Have a lovely week, Everyone!

Community Manager

Friday - June 11, 2021 12:30pm EST

Hey Fellow Front Porchers!

Lol, I kept waiting for @DaveMcK to post this morning but nothing so far. Anyway wanted to wish everyone an awesome rest of the day. Lol, this thread is our Morning Roll Call, but better late than never. How about Afternoon Roll Call. 🤣😂 Made it to my 9am doctor's appointment and was back home by 10am. No waiting around this time 😁 As soon as I arrived, I got weighed 😱 and the usual COVID questions. Friday picture attached. Thought it was cute. Lots of hugs all, Angela

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RosemaryF433825

Community Champion ⭐

@Anonymous Thanks for your wishes, Angela!!! (Dontcha just hate that weight obsession thing they seem to have at the Dr.'s office???)

I am trying to sneak this in right before the noon whistle. Happy Friday gang! Another insufferable day of heat and humidity here. My rain dances don't seem to be helping any. (sobs). And to make matters worse, when I unwound my garden hose to water my flowers, I discovered...or rather THEY discovered ME...a paper wasp nest. YOW! Darn things got me TWICE. Their sting is like a hot poker that keeps on giving long after they fly off!

Finally got my business reopened this morning, which feels great (and back to humanity) again! Vive la difference'! Wishing everyone a lovely weekend, wherever you are. (Oh, and sweet photo Angela!)

Community Manager

June 11, 2021

Congrats @RosemaryF433825 !!! I know folks will be heading your way 😁 Thanks for the feedback on the kitten picture 👍

Community Champion ⭐⭐

@RosemaryF433825 , maybe you better fine-tune your rain dances, since the rain hit here instead of there. Cooler temps, too. Actually turned off the AC and opened the windows for some fresh air, but had to reverse when the rain came splattering in.

Congrats on the reopening!

@Anonymous , so how does it feel now that the governor has reopened our state again and removed most restrictions?

Community Manager

Friday - June 11, 2021

Lol @MsStretch I am still wearing my mask, doing social distancing, staying home except for Walmart, Dollar Tree, Firestone, Sheetz, doctor and dentist 🤣😂 I am fully vaccinated since March of this year.