MORNING ROLL CALL APRIL - JUNE CLOSED

Community Champion ⭐⭐

Having been fully vaccinated since March and with the vaccine widely available to just about anybody who wants it, I finally gave up my 'security blanket'. Since now, anyone can walk into most pharmacies, no appointment necessary, and get the jab (not like when we were all trying to get it 😑), I figure people have a choice now and if they choose to take their chances getting COVID, so be it and may God help them.

I still carry a mask and definitely will comply when required or necessary. Nor do I plan to 86 them entirely. It can happen again, but hopefully, we will be better prepared next time and take early warnings dead seriously, so we can start mitigation earlier instead of initially blowing it off. And the Delta strain is never far from mind.

@catwoman500 , had to laugh at you not wearing a mask and most peeps still had them on, then when you wore one, most were maskless. Remember when the CDC first recommended everyone wear one and threw everyone in a quandary? There still was a shortage of PPE for health care workers, so how was that going to work now that everyone had to wear one? I remember watching YouTube videos on how to fold a square of cotton into an effective mask. Nonetheless, after that announcement, I did not go out in public without a mask and peeps were still going bare-faced and I would be one of the very few in compliance. And the fights and temper tantrums we read and heard about over customers refusing to wear a mask. Then, over the months, it became a fashion accessory and it was rare to see anyone without one. I honestly think people like to follow the herd and don't want to stand out, so when more people started wearing masks, they did, too. Now that it is reversed, when we were first given the go-ahead, I was hesitant at first, but I was protected, so I finally got somewhat presentable (brush hair, teeth, etc. 😁) and went boldly out into the world and now, I was one of the only ones without a mask. Gotta admit, I felt a little self-conscious and downright naked at first. Sort of like when you have covered up all winter, then warm/hot weather rolls around and you put on shorts and a T for the first time. You can cover up those pale legs and little flabby areas with a coat in the winter, now all those idiosyncrasies are out on public view.

Ah well, I still like my space and I always give the strangers around me plenty of space, too. See no reason to bunch up or breathe down anyone's neck and vice versus.

Community Manager

Friday - June 11, 2021

@MsStretch I was amazed at the prices of the fashion statement masks 😱 Nope, just my plain old mask for me.

Community Champion ⭐⭐

@Anonymous , wasn't that the truth?! A whole new very lucrative industry was born!

The first masks I saw for sale were at a Target. $2/ea. and they were double-layered with a pocket for filters and bendable nose piece and they came in assorted colors and patterns. I scarfed up on a few, because at $2, they would end up paying for themselves. Reusable. Washable. The price of disposable masks, if you could find them, would certainly end up costing me waaaay more. Then I started seeing more and more stores carry them and I would pick up another assortment.

Then... they did start getting downright fancy and so did the price! 😲

I was in Walmart and they had a bunch of masks on clearance for 50¢. Sequined. Appliquéd. Embroidered. Thought about stocking up, but wait. I have enough for the next pandemic -- disposable and reusable. And seriously, where would I go that I would need to wear a 'dressy' mask? Especially during a pandemic.

Community Champion ⭐⭐

@LaDolceVita , unfortunately, discarded masks are definitely a problem. The sad thing, at least for me, is that I am more hesitant to pick up a used mask and put it in the trash than I am for any other pieces of garbage. Sort of like picking up a used diaper. ☹

Community Manager

Sunday - June 13, 2021

@MsStretch the only trash I am picking up is if it is on my property. I use to live by a school bus stop. Yes, right in front of my house. Lol, I was going to charge the school board for the hours I spent picking up trash. Back then, no gloves. Now, gloves for all trash. Angela

catwoman500

Community Champion ⭐⭐

Hello, Everyone,

Another week begins. A little humid today with severe storms forecast again. It’s only 82, but the sun is out there fueling up the storm possibility.

@Anonymous …hope you found your ice cream!

Oh, ugh…the littering of masks! I haven’t seen any of that around here.

@MsStretch …yeah, I would be reluctant to pick one of those up for sure. I have stopped carrying my disposable gloves around with me.

I do like the nicer masks that can be washed. Mine all have the filter pocket and the nose piece. The masks were supposed to be a close fit so not sure how the disposable ones could do that over the nose. The filters can be used 5 times, so I bought a pack of them and have been alternating them. Since I really didn’t curtail many of my activities...I still did my grocery, bank, post office, and drug store runs throughout the pandemic, I liked being able to wear a pretty, seasonal/holiday mask. A bit of cheer in the dark days.

Hope everyone is still doing well and happily on your way back to “normal.”

@Frozenoem ...how you doin'?

@LaDolceVita ...keep those feet dry!

Community Champion ⭐⭐

Found a poor doggie in a pit on the property today. There is a retaining wall that was built around a oak tree and than was backfilled when they hauled yards of dirt in to raise the grade. About 5' deep. Neighbor heard a dog bark and didn't see it, so went to look in the woods and lo and behold! he was in the tree pit! No telling how long he had been there, but I noticed the shed kitties were mostly scarce today. Tried to ramp a ladder down and a long board for him to come up, but no one really wanted to go down there because he appeared friendly, but he was definitely wary and scared. Lowered some cat food (hey, that's all we had) and a bucket of water and then neighbor started throwing down ham on the board and ladder rungs hoping to lure him up. He wasn't real thrilled with the sketchy-looking ramps.

I posted a picture on the Nextdoor app and we tried to check with neighbors (who mostly weren't home or answering their phones). We didn't recognize the dog. Finally, I called Animal Control. They were closed, but they still have officers in the field. Already long story short, poor baby got rescued and will enjoy overnight accommodations at their facility. Hopefully, he was chipped and the owner will be located. No one has responded to my Nextdoor post yet, but I did update it on his new location.

"This is the pits!"

R

RosemaryF433825

Community Champion ⭐

@MsStretch Poor pup! 😪. What a pretty dog! So sweet of you to try so hard to be his rescue. Glad to hear he is safe and well-fed and watered at the Animal Control Facility.

catwoman500

Community Champion ⭐⭐

Good Morning! It's "Fri-YAY!"

Another gorgeous day here. I feel so bad for those folks that are suffering in that awful heat wave.

@MsStretch ...Oh, the poor baby! He looks so sweet. I hope his parents find him at the facility. He just looks like he would be "chipped." I just want to hug him!

So this morning was my appointment at the ear doc...what? JK...😸

This office is still pretty strict with the safety precautions. I had to call from the car, mask up, make my way to the office door, knock, have my temp taken at the door, and then I was put right into a room, no siting in the waiting area. The nurse even took my copay, I couldn't even go to the desk. Other medical/dental offices I've been to don't seem to be quite as strict as this one. I was kind of surprised.

Hope all you dads and folks who have dads have a nice celebration this weekend. My friend's grown sons are taking their dad to an axe throwing place tomorrow. 😯

Community Champion ⭐⭐

@LaDolceVita , I've had cataract surgery. Piece of cake. You will be amazed at the difference. For 50 years, I wore contact lenses and not sticking something in my eye took getting used to, but I got over it fast. Went from 20/700 to 20/15.

The dog is in good hands. In the long run, we did the only thing possible in calling animal control. Even if we had gotten him out, we really had no place to keep him. The Animal Control here is excellent to their guests and at finding them homes -- either adopted or sent to rescue if unclaimed. Still no response to my Nextdoor app and I checked all the lost pet pages (PawBoost, FB, etc.) and nothing. 🤷

We still have cooler than normal temps here in VA (70s to low 80s, 60s overnight,). AC hasn't been on for several days, but today I will have to kick it on since temps are inching back up to high 80s-90s). Bummer about your heat and drought, @RosemaryF433825 . You know what they say -- "Dance as if no one were watching" -- just stay clear of wet concrete. 😄

DaveMcKAuthor

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

Good morning everyone on this Father's day morning June 20, 2021. Welcome to our Front Porch. It is so great to be a Father and first time Grandfather to Adalyn Johnson.

Happy Father's day to all the Father's on the Front Porch!

Daughters Janice, Mary ( wife ) Emma and Michelle

Posted by Dave the Lighthouse Keeper

R

RosemaryF433825

Community Champion ⭐

@DaveMcK Oh my goodness!!!!!!! Will you look at the new little cherub???? What a darling! Congrats, Grandpa Dave!!! And thanks for sharing the photos of the other pretty ladies in your life, too!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO YOU, DAVE... and to all the Dads who post in this section. And to the yet to be Dads who are father figures and mentors to so many of us. You are indeed treasures in our lives.

(And HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to my own Dad who made me the woman I am today! May you be sharing in a special heavenly celebration! I LOVE YOU !!!)

--Rosemary

Community Champion ⭐⭐

Wonderful family, @DaveMcK . I bet it was nice to gather without the masks and the COVID fear somewhat abated. For those of us fully vaccinated anyway.

Heat and humidity back for the time being in Virginia. AC cranked back up, but tomorrow it drops back to the 70s.

I am assuming the KISS pup's owners were located (chipped). Never did hear back and I checked Animal Control FB and they did not post looking for owner. There was only one other found dog post and happily, it was updated that he's been returned to his family.

Community Manager

Lol, oh yes, Mr. Humidity is outside @MsStretch 🤣😂 Missing my spring here in Cave Spring, Virginia 😭😭😭

Community Manager

💥Wednesday - June 23, 2021💥

Good Morning Porchers!

It is nearly 6am EST here in Cave Spring, Virginia. Time to open up my window to let in some fresh air and nature before it gets hot. Lol, scared to check the weather. 😂🤣 Busy day as I am rich today, Social Security Direct Deposit. Paying rent today so I donot forget it. I have until July 5th before they slap their $35 lat fee on to it. Also Walmart Hell Day. Out of stuff, so need to go. 😭

Lots of luv and hugs.

Frozenoem

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

@Anonymous
Morning 60* glorious degrees, yep I’m surprised. Windows open, and today grass gets mowed.

And with luck one maple 🍁 tree, finally comes down the old fashioned way buck saw. Two remaining chainsaws and ethanol has done me in.🤬

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 ⭐⭐

@Anonymous , I think we are good in Virginia for one more day -- 70s again, and then it starts to inch up to 80s+

I just applied online yesterday for my SS benefits. Reached the end of the line for max bennies, so time to start collecting. One thing about COVID, they made it easier to do things (online) to avoid cramming people into waiting rooms. Government offices always seemed to relish seeing peeps in person. It might have helped I already have a My Social Security account and I already have Medicare. Hopefully, that will be it. 🤞 I am standing by.

@Frozenoem , you'd make a good trail overseer. No power tools allowed, particularly the AT. 😁

LaDolceVita

Community Champion ⭐

Lovely cool day in Ga too! Windows open and cool enough to turn oven on to cook! The whole month of June has been great, only one semi hot day! The next 10 days look great too, no 90s in sight. Have a lovely day Porchers, looks like I will have one!

Community Manager

@LaDolceVita wrote:
Lovely cool day in Ga too! Windows open and cool enough to turn oven on to cook! The whole month of June has been great, only one semi hot day! The next 10 days look great too, no 90s in sight Have a lovely day Porchers, looks like I will have one!

💥Hmmm, cooking @LaDolceVita . Lol, got a spot at your table for me?😂🤣 I use to live in Columbus, Georgia before I left my last ex. 🙄 That is where my furbaby Jeremiah ran away 😭 We also had lived in a lovely old house across the bridge in Phenix City, Alabama. Was such fun having different time zones on each side of the bridge. Had to remember which Time Zone I was in. 😱 Would forget and be late or too early for things.💥