We Enter a New Stage in Colorado

The stay at home order for Colorado concluded yesterday. It lasted 32 days ... 14 of which we were self-quarantining post-trip anyway.

Today we began a new phase — "safer at home." What this means is that the state is slowly taking steps towards re-opening the economy. Personally, I think it's too early for us to be doing so, but no one asked my opinion. At least Colorado seems to be taking steps a bit more slowly than some of the other states are doing.

This new phase won't be making much of a change in our lives. We'll continue to social-distance. For the next few weeks at least, we'll also limit our forays to within 10 miles from our home base as requested.

It's not much of a hardship for us to take these precautionary measures. We have plenty of projects to do at home. Some small ... like sewing hook tabs on washcloths. Some requiring a bit more effort ... like building a small side table to use between the two chaise lounges on the deck. In a week or so, Mui will start planting flowers for us to enjoy on our deck.

I'm still taking bites out of the elephant that is also known as organizing the walk-in-closet. A few knitting projects give my hands something to do when we sit down to watch TV at night. And, of course, processing travel photos is still at the forefront of my hobby taskers ... as is cleaning up the stash of photos on my iPhone.

Spring has well and truly sprung in Colorado Springs. That doesn't mean that we might not still get winter-like weather in the next few weeks. I'm OK with that. We are in the mountains of Colorado after all. Nature is starting to green up nicely. The fountain at the entrance to the community is spouting high and the landscapers turned on the irrigation system today, so we'll see plants and lawns coming alive before long.

We're making the most of the warmer temps. While we yearn to go hiking, we'll do our share in the pandemic fight by curbing our enthusiasm to visit nearby parks for a bit longer and make do with neighborhood walks.

Having the deck is a delight and we're using it as much as we can between doing chores at home. Quiet mornings sitting on the deck with a cup of tea and my iPad is my favorite time of the day ... enjoying the birds chirping in the trees and the sound of the frogs croaking in the tiny pond that has developed in the arroyo.

We're expecting the temps to rise into the mid-80s for a few days later this week, so there's definitely more deck time in our immediate future. And al fresco meals, of course ... with "wine-time" moved to lunch since it's still a bit too cool to eat dinner outdoors.

All in all ... we're doing well. And so our families and friends. Stay safe ... stay healthy.Læs mere