Some Excitement

I've been going stir-crazy here lately.  So when my daughter suggested going over to the river for a dip, I decided to just go for it.

I hadn't been anywhere but the store in a long time - too long.

And it has been hot lately!

The original plan had called for grilling some Hot Dogs over there.  But the logistics were getting complicated, so we decided on going for a swim, and then doing the grill-thing back at the house.

With the heat, I had expected there to be a crowd over there.  That's normal for this time of year.  But there were surprisingly few folks out.

Perhaps they didn't want to be out in the heat.  Or maybe more people are deciding to actually stay at home like the governor suggested.

But since it was outdoors, and there seemed to be plenty of opportunity for social-distance, I figured it was worth a shot.

Turned out that it was easy to find a place we had to ourselves.

The river was pretty high.  There have been some pretty good rains in the area lately.  Of course with the rain, come mores humidity - another good reason for a dip.

The river felt wonderful for sure.

Got home and got the dogs grilled before the storm hit.

Sheesh.

Got 3in of rain, and knocked out the power for awhile.

But since we already had our grub, we were able to sit on the porch and watch the deluge.

The wind was pretty rough too.  I was kinda worried about the trees.

But no damage here.

Duke Power said there was a tree down on the powerline.

But the lights came back eventually.

Kind of an exciting day, really.

And a nice change.

Hang in there

𝕵𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖎

The Year So Far

2020

Sounds good when it's your eyesight.

And they tell me that's what I have now, 20/20.

And this is a good thing.

The year 2020 started with finishing up my cataract surgeries.  But then just as life was beginning to return to normal, we began to get hints of a new crisis in the making.

At first, it seemed like nothing to worry too much about.

I mean, it was far away from home, and just seemed like something that would be dealt with.

There had been SARS, and then that Ebola stuff.  Admittedly dangerous, but the experts/professionals had been able to handle things - more or less.

Of course, we were mistaken.

Mistakes were made.

And now some world leaders seem more interested in blaming each other, than trying to do some damage control.

We really need damage control at this point.

It's hard to say what's next.

We have demonstrations in the streets, and there is an election coming.

Well, for what it's worth, the year is only half over.  So maybe it's too early to make a call on this Year of Our Lord, 2020.

On the other hand, 2020 is over half gone!

And so far I feel like I've spent it sitting here in this house.

I was kind of looking forward to starting over, after many (even extreme) changes in my life.  In many ways 2019 had been a confusing blur.  Now at last the light was beginning to break through.

Well, admittedly, things are different now.

But I just feel like I'm only marking time - waiting for something that's beginning to look like it's not going to happen.

And at my age, marking time doesn't seem like such a great thing.

It is depressing.

Seriously.

I'm sure this feeling is contributing to the general unrest and frustration in the country.

For now, I'm just waiting for something to break.

Hang in there friends, and be kind to each other.

𝕵𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖎

Old School

Waiting

Still staying home for the most part.

But it is definitely getting old.

Actually, The Old North State seems to be one of the current hotspots for C-19 now.

I see where we are required to quarantine lately if we go to some other places.

Oh well.

But I don't actually need to go anywhere - except the occasional trip out for necessary supplies, like maybe the odd roll of toilet paper.

Mostly, it's just waiting, but for what?

It's like I keep waiting for something to happen…

Anything.

We all seem to be waiting for this to pass.

It's hard to not just say #@&% it, and go out and rip off the face mask.

Seems to be plenty of folks doing that already.

You start to think maybe a few sniffles would be better than this.

Of course that's not the reality of the situation.

Being on a ventilator doesn't hold a whole lot of attraction for me.

And then there is the aspect of contributing to spread of the crap.

So for now, it's just this waiting game.

Waiting

Waiting

Waiting…

For something to change.

So anyhow, let's have a happy pix for these frustrating times.

Some happy Day Lilies!

𝕵𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖎

Mimosa

Mimosa:

"A mimosa cocktail is composed of champagne (or other sparkling wine) and chilled citrus juice, usually orange juice unless otherwise specified. It is traditionally served in a tall champagne flute at brunch, at weddings…"

However, that is not the subject at hand.

We are more concerned with these…

I've loved these things since the first time I saw one.  They seem (at least to me) to be almost tropical looking.

I don't remember them growing back in the Old Country.  But of course, that was years ago.

Really, there's a lot I don't remember from there.

But back to the subject at hand.

They grow pretty well around here - even into gigantic trees!

Well, maybe not gigantic, but still trees.

They're not particularly strong trees.  But they grow pretty fast.

In fact, not only fast, but everywhere.

If you get one established, which is not difficult, (it might even establish itself if there are any in the neighborhood) it (or its decedents) will be there for always.

But for my part I still love the feathery blooms and exotic looking foliage.

so here's a few more pix.

By the way…

It seems that the drink is named after an Astralian mimosa ( Acacia dealbata).

Still hanging in here

𝕵𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖎

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Fungoid Fun

We've been having plenty of rain around here lately.  As a result, it's been tending a toward the damp side.  And damp lends itself to our Fungoid Friends.

I found this weird guy in the yard.

It always amazes me the variety of fungi one finds.

But I think this one is a first for me.

There was another strange one down in the back yard yesterday, but I was lazy and didn't get a shot at the time.

Big mistake.

When I went back today, it was gone - vanished without a proverbial trace.

You would think I'd learned my lesson by now.

If you want a pix - get it now!

Of course, some of us are just slow learners, very slow.

I wanted to use the excuse of being depressed from all this social distancing.

But really…

How hard is it to carry a camera into the yard and touch the shutter?

But that's a thing about depression.  It doesn't always seem logical.

On the plus side, the garden is supplying lettuce and kale for salad now.

And there are a few of these guys on the way!

There's nothing like fresh vine ripened tomatoes to brighten one's day…

And of course one's dinner!

Anyhow…

I do want to apologize for missing an interesting pix.

I would promise to do better in the future.

However…

I don't like to make promises that I'm unlikely to keep.

But, here is one more fungoid pix to make up for the missing ones.

𝕵𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖎

P. S. Here's a little something extra regarding fungi.

Still Here etc… etc.

It's been a couple weeks since we've posted here.

But not much has changed.

I mean, I could be a bit more depressed than before… but maybe not.

Is there a depression scale somewhere?

Maybe on facebook.  They seem to have all kinds of ways to rank yourself, or determine exactly which kind of crazy you are.

Lately there seems like a lot of political crap.

I seem to have "friends" on both ends of the political spectrum.  But I'd prefer to keep Kinda Fuzzy out of the toxic politics.

Time is passing.

I just realized that 2020 is approaching it's midpoint.

Well… maybe we still have a month to go. But there's already been months in limbo, at least for me.

Time seems irrelevant now.

But the depression is real enough.

I frequently wonder what's the point in getting out of bed in the morning.

But one can only sleep so much.

So this is Memorial Day Weekend!

We had a family camp-out planned, but that kinda got canceled awhile back.

And so, it's just more of the same.

Last week I did go out and visit a friend.  They live way up in the country so I suppose it was relatively safe.  Anyway, we just sat on the porch at an appropriate social distance and talked.

That was nice though.

But summer is here.

There are a few things in the garden.  I can get greens for my salad now.  But the weird weather made some of the lettuce bolt already.  And the Napa cabbage as well.

But these guys are a nice treat for the eyes.

Planted them a few years ago, but, I don't remember what they are called.

Some kind of Lily I would think.

During the afternoon, the fragrance fills the yard.

So perhaps there is hope for us yet.

𝕵𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖎

Zombies ?

A couple of weeks ago - or more… maybe… I don't really remember, I found a dead possum by the road in front of the house.

That was nothing unusual, of course.  This fellow had made the classic possum mistake of trying to cross the road… unsuccessfully, as is common.

While I have heard that there are people who think they are cute little things, I am not one of them.

(Used to have problems with them getting into the henhouse)

Consequently, I was not terribly sympathetic.  However, being quite dead, and right in front of my house, it would only be a matter of time until I would be unable to ignore it.  To make matters more inconvenient, it was a rather large fellow.

There was nothing to do but get out the shovel and go to work.

I managed to keep a reasonably sunny disposition as I prepared the grave.  After all, one less possum in the world could hardly be a bad thing overall.

Knowing that there are more, and worse things, prowling the darkness I made sure to add a cement block in way of a tombstone.

With this crazy "stay-at-home-stuff" going on now, it has become necessary to hand-wash undies and other stuff to avoid the laundromat.  And, while walking down to the clothesline with a basket of the unmentionables, I discovered this!

It seems that some loathsome creature of the night had paid a visit, and tunneled under the headstone, to indulge in a disgusting act of grave-robbing.

Is nothing sacred?

At least this is what I hope has happened.

The alternative is too terrifying to contemplate.

Could it be possible that an undead possum, clawed it's way from the grave, and is even now, wandering forrest and field as a terrifying

Zombie Possum!!?

Perhaps I should sleep with a garlic charm from now on - just to play it safe!

𝕵𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖎

A Brief Outing

Again, it's been over a week now since I've been anywhere.

Well no…

Strictly speaking I have been somewhere.  It's just the same place… constantly.

I mean, "here" is "somewhere"to be accurate about it.

(for all you literal minded folks)

But some supplies were beginning to run low.  So it was time to go out into the wide and dangerous world.

I had been working on a list, adding to it from time to time.  There had been a few times I had almost gone out, but figured I could get by for another day.  And "another day" became another, and so on.

So, I got out my little face-mask and…

The neighborhood grocery store was uncrowded, compared to the beginning of this lockdown-thing.  People were busy stocking the shelves with what they still had.  The meat section was pretty picked over - a whole lot of emptiness there.  But there was plenty of bread this time.

But still no toilet paper!

This is a strange thing.  I don't really get it myself.

Are people wiping their butts more now than before?

Maybe trying to do a better job or something?

I have a reliable source reporting that they have seen, here in America, a neighbor's garage piled with mounds of TP!

This is just wrong.

As for myself, I'll get by.

Awhile back, I purchased something online.  Ever since, I have received a weekly catalogue, like a hard-copy type.  Got quite a pile by now.  So, if worse comes to worse, I can always go "old-school" on that.  After all, here, plumbing is not an issue.

And there is a positive development.

It seems that Preying Mantises are fond of "Murder Hornet's" brains! - Like for munchies.

I saw it on the internet, so it must be true.

We need to encourage more immigration of mantises.

Dang.
Just realized I forgot the orange juice.

Just trying to make the best of things…

𝕵𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖎

It Just Goes On and On

Welp…

Still here, but feeling on the edge.

I'll admit it, this Stay at Home business is getting to me.  It's getting hard to get up in the morning.  Just doesn't seem to be much point - unless nature is calling.  That will do it.  I'm just not quite to the point where that wouldn't be enough.

Let's face it.  There are times when a good BM is the high point of the day.  And that seems like lately.

I'm just depressed, I suppose.

Nothing to do but wonder about every little "symptom"I think I notice.

Went out to the outhouse awhile ago.  There was a snake in there - harmless I realize.  But I just have this thing about snakes.

Now, I'm not sure where it's hiding in there.

This should be one of those "out of sight - out of mind" things.

But it doesn't really work like that in this case.

I'm afraid this might take some of the enjoyment out of that morning BM.

I know I should just forget about it.  I'm sure it's been there all along.

And yet…

Depression.

It's not that there is nothing to do.  There's plenty of work in the yard.  And that's not off limits.  The house needs a bunch of work too.  There are sewing projects, and just cleaning up a bit.  There is some writing I need to finish up.

I did make myself go out and do some weeding in the garden.

And felt the better for it.

That should be telling me something.

I realize I'm actually lucky.

If I were in New York, I'd probably be in a bodybag by now.

And I do have family.  They're just not here.

There's no one to talk to.

I do have conversations with Jandi.

They are getting more frequent.

Depression.

And then…

there is that snake.

𝕵𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖎

Hey… It Might Work !

Haven't been away from the house for over a week now.  And I'll admit, that could make one just a little crazy.

But there doesn't seem to be an end in sight at this time.

I try to stay caught up on the news and all - although there are times I wonder just how good an idea that is.

Apparently it will be awhile until there is a vaccine or treatment for this plague.

But now, perhaps there is hope with a more unconventional treatment!

Now, I realize this idea has been widely disparaged.

But perhaps it should be reconsidered.

For one thing, it has been suggested by someone that has been heralded as a genius!

And then, it does kill germs.  It says so right on the bottle!

Being stuck here at the house forever has given me a lot of time to think this over, without any distractions.

And in a strange way, it does make sense if you think it through.

I mean, if it works on countertops, why not on people.

Or even in people.

Once the virus is inside a person, it's just a matter of getting the treatment in there too.

It's remarkably simple, so easy to understand.

It shouldn't have taken such a great genius to realize it.

Maybe some sort of inhaler to get it into the lungs.  That way we probably won't even need all those ventilators.

Maybe it'll work, maybe it won't.

But I think it could be very effective as a prevention.

A few CC's in a concentrated form, injected into an artery, could prevent one from even contracting the plague.

And maybe anything else as well!

As for myself, guess I'll just keep socially distancing for now, and hope for the best.

Stay well, y'all.

𝕵𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖎

Cultural Appropriation?

I find myself wondering if this is a case of Cultural Appropriation.

What you see here, may appear to be merely a jar of mayonnaise.

But no.  This is Dukes!

When the Covid-19 panic hit, not only did the toilet paper disappear, but the Dukes!

At my local grocery store, all the other, off brand stuff, was still there.  But the Dukes shelf was picked clean.  People around here know what is an essential.

I'm sure this is common knowledge.  But that is not what this post is concerned with.

Back in the day, we were, for a time, temporarily living in another state.  It was shocking to find that Dukes was not carried by the local super market.

But now, it seems that our Dukes has become more widely available.

While I can appreciate other folks wanting to get in on a good thing, I can't help but wonder if this is a clear case of Cultural Appropriation.

I present as evidence, these two lids taken from Dukes jars.

First the current lid.

Now a more traditional one.

(although it is plastic - I apologize, but it was all that was available)

Notice a difference?

In another time, Dukes was the secret of "Great Southern Cooks".

Whereas now, simply, "Great Food".

What is going on here?

Does this mean that even yankees are being privileged with our Dukes?

Where will this end?

Will they be dipping Tube Rose in Seattle?

Well, I suppose it would be wrong to begrudge folks enjoying a superior product.  But lets admit, that we are dealing with a clear case of Dukes Appropriation here.

Be sweet y'all,

𝕵𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖎

Waiting It Out

Being "socially distanced", with a stay-at-home order in NC, one has plenty of time to waste.  So I spend too much time wondering about my mild symptoms.  Is this runny nose just a cold, or pollen?  Or am I actually about to die?  And what about this persistent cough?  Of course in saner times, these things would only be an inconvenience.  I bought one of those fancy digital thermometers.  If anything, my temp is on the low side.

I try not to get paranoid.  Really, I'm no longer an essential worker, so I do stay home, except to venture out for supplies, necessities, like food… and of course, beverages.  

This is a mostly rural county.  I live close enough to walk into town if I wanted to.  But this place is hardly a thriving metropolis.  Of course the "thriving metropolises" these days are having a pretty hard time of it.  Guess it's too many people in one place.  Anyhow, I never have liked crowds that much.

I live by myself here.  I miss being able to go into town for a beer.  Sure I can drink one at the house, I have, and will do so again.  But it's just not the same as being around people.  There have been times in my life when I thought being a hermit would be nice.  I came to realize that I really miss people, even when I'm only sitting back and watching.  I'm not a hermit.

Really, there's not much I can do about all this.  I think that sooner or later we'll all be exposed to this stuff.  Maybe it won't kill me when it happens… but then, maybe it will.  For now, we'll just have to wait it out.

Hang in there, y'all…

𝕵𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖎

Just for Fun…. A MYSTERY PIX REVIVAL !

I don't really normally get a whole lot of social interaction, living alone here.  But what little there is, has been severely limited with this Covid-19 business.

And I can only look at so much Youtube without completely loosing it.

So, I resorted to playing with Photoshop.

So here…

I think it looks prettier than all those corona virus things we keep seeing everywhere.

The Fuzz used to post "Mystery Pix" here at Kinda Fuzzy.

Maybe it's time to bring that back.

Of course, that was back in the days when people actually still looked at this blog.

But, I'll throw one out there.

If anyone happens to see this, they can post a guess in the comments.

Sooner or later, we'll have an exciting reveal of this latest

Mystery Pix!

A Bright Spot

Here in The Old North State we're under a stay-at-home order.  This has put a damper on a lot of things.  I did slip out to take care of a few necessary things though.

Got the car inspected - necessary to renew the tag which is about to expire.

And then over to the tag office.

At the inspection place, there were signs posted to stay in the car.  So I got to enjoy the nice car seat whilst the Inspector-Person went about his business.  They even brought the bill to the car for me to pay.

Curb Service!

At the tag office, each had to wait outside for their turn.  I, of course, wore my spiffy home-made Covid-Mask.

On the plus side, there were not many people there, which was unusual, but also made for a conveniently short wait.

And since I was already out, I stopped by the feed store to pick up a couple of tomato plants.

A quick stop at the rather empty grocery store, and then home to the socially distanced house.

And here's a little bright spot for these troubled times, another sign of springtime!

The Fuzz got this cool Iris from an older lady at the farmers market a couple years ago.

It's done rather well.

Hang in there

𝕵𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖎