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Coronavirus Pandemic

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  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    2Al fresco dining at its best — Colorado Springs, CO.

    Sunny & Warm in COS

    January 28, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 48 °F

    It’s true that winters can be cold in Colorado. And yes, there are days when we have frost and snow and ice and fog. But between those kinds of days, we have plenty of days filled with sunshine and blue skies. And sometimes the temp even gets warm enough that we shed our jackets ... as happened today.

    During the pandemic, we refuse to eat indoors. So, after running a whole bunch of errands, we went in search for a restaurant with outdoor service. Several of the places we checked were not serving on the patio, but we managed to snag a table on the terrace of the Viewhouse.

    Good food ... an amazing view of Pikes Peak and the Front Range ... a nice change of pace from eating at home.

    [Our order consisted of corn chowder with a side of kale & butternut squash for me; fish & chips with a side salad for Mui; and a skillet cookie à la mode to share.    Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    The original look of the kitchen cabinets — Colorado Springs, CO.
    Cabinets extended to the ceiling — Colorado Springs, CO.I especially like the finished look around the penny-tile backsplash — Colorado Springs, CO.Mui prepping for the installation of lights in the upper cabinets — Colorado Springs, CO.1The finished look. Now to go shopping for decorative items — Colorado Springs, CO.

    Projects: Kitchen Cabinetry

    February 7, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 48 °F

    We have 9-foot ceilings in our home. As a result, our kitchen cabinetry do not go all the way up to the ceiling.

    I’m not sure if we were offered extended cabinetry when we were making design decisions and we took a pass. Or if there was an option to upgrade the cabinets and we felt the add-on cost was more than we wanted to spend at the time.

    In any event, we’ve been wanting to extend the cabinets to the ceiling. Not so much for additional storage, but because we wanted a more finished look.

    Mui has neither all the carpentry tools this project would have required, nor the capability to match the paint finish. So, we ordered the cabinets from the company that built and installed the original ones. We opted for open cabinets for a less bulky feel.

    Once the installation was complete, Mui added the finishing touch by installing lights.

    I stole a few decorative pieces from around the house for the photo of the completed project. But we’ll have to keep our eyes open for more pieces to complete the look. I’m in no hurry!    Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    Mui didn't wait to use the afghan until he was in bed! — Colorado Springs, CO.
    A closer look at the pattern ... the variety made the knitting more fun — Colorado Springs, CO.

    Knitting: Oversized Afghan

    February 11, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 37 °F

    Mui likes a heavy cover when he’s sleeping. I’m the opposite.

    The solution? I knit an oversized afghan/blanket that he can put over the comforter on his side of the bed. I knit it in a heather-gray that compliments the decor of the master.Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel

    Mui Got His 1st Jab!

    February 13, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 12 °F

    COVID-19 vaccinations for Mui's age group opened on 8 February.

    He got his invitation to make an appointment late on the 9th. It couldn't have been easier to do so. Just a few clicks on the UCHealth app and he had a date and time not only for his first jab but for his second shot as well.

    Regardless of the cold, cold temps today, and the flurries flying around, we drove the 15 minutes or so to the UCHealth vaccination clinic. I'd be surprised if it took any longer than 5 minutes to get his shot ... from the car to the cubicle where the jab was administered. The 10-minute wait to ensure he didn't develop an allergic reaction was the longest part of the whole process. UCHealth has this down to a science.

    Mui's appointment for the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is on 6 March. As for me ... as a healthy 62-year-old "youngster," I have to wait a bit longer to get vaccinated.    Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    First real snow accumulation of the season ... estimated @ 5 inches — Colorado Springs, CO.
    Early morning look of the winter wonderland from our deck — Colorado Springs, CO.1Let's do a quick shovel so we can use the grill — Colorado Springs, CO.Sun is breaking through and the scenery gets prettier — Colorado Springs, CO.There's the sun ... it's breaking through — Colorado Springs, CO.Blue skies and snow ... winter wonderland — Colorado Springs, CO.A true winter wonderland view from our deck — Colorado Springs, CO.A little too chilly for al fresco dining — Colorado Springs, CO.

    Snow: Real Accumulation

    February 17, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 32 °F

    We’ve had some cold spells and some snow in the past months, but no real accumulation. In fact, because we didn’t reach the 3” mark, the snow removal team got off scot free. Luckily, Mui has a snowblower so getting rid of the usually light and fluffy snow was quick and easy.

    Not this time! The snow started around 3:00p yesterday, continued on and off through the night, and left us with what Mui estimated as about 5” of accumulation. The snow plows and shovelers were in the driveway, clearing the snow by 6:00a. The only thing left to do? A rough-shovel of the snow on the back deck so Mui can get to the grill!

    The low cloud deck that we woke up to start lifting around 8:30a and we had beautiful blue skies and sunshine by noon ... adding to the winter-wonderland feel.    Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    Colorful sunrise with a snow-covered landscape — Colorado Springs, CO.
    Warm and cold ... sunrise and snow — Colorado Springs, CO.1Winterscape near our neighborhood lake ... Pikes Peak in the distance — Colorado Springs, CO.Our neighborhood lake winterscape — Colorado Springs, CO.Our neighborhood lake winterscape — Colorado Springs, CO.1Slightly breezy in the 'hood ... but it's a-blowin' atop Pikes Peak — Colorado Springs, CO.

    Snow: The Day After

    February 18, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 28 °F

    Not only did we wake up to a colorful sunrise that made our winter wonderland scenery all the more beautiful, we finally broke the recent streak of below-freezing temps today.

    It was 49F when we left the house for a neighborhood walk ... lightly bundled up ... but only because of a slight breeze that added a chill factor.

    It’s days like today that make living in Colorado in the winter well worth it!    Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    2Delicious taco ring!

    Mui Got His 2nd Jab

    March 8, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F

    Mui got the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday, 6 March. Easy peasy ... well-organized process ... in and out within minutes. Same as it was the first time around.

    He went to bed Saturday night with just a slight arm ache at the spot where he was jabbed. When he woke up Sunday morning, however, he was feeling like he'd been hit by a freight train.

    Listless, achy all over, a slight headache, no appetite for food. All the symptoms that we've read are not uncommon after the second dose of the shot. Why some people experience them and others don't? No one really knows though I've read that people with a strong immune system are more prone to these second-dose reactions. The good news? They don't last forever.

    Mui pretty much slept on and off all day on Sunday. By dinner time, he was feeling well enough to have a bowl of soup before settling in front of the TV to finish up the first season of "Emily in Paris" on Netflix.

    After a good night's sleep, this morning he woke up feeling like himself again! So much so that he got busy in the kitchen making a "taco ring" for lunch!

    All in all, about 12 hours of feeling miserable! Two more weeks and he'll be in the "fully vaccinated" category. As for me? My age group is now eligible for the shot. Just waiting for the invitation to make my appointment.    Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel

    Got My First Jab!

    March 10, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 46 °F

    Frustrating!

    What is frustrating? Seeing all kinds of availability for COVID-19 vaccine appointments and not being able to snag one due to glitchy pharmacy apps.

    After spending a couple of hours yesterday morning trying to work through the glitches, I was resigned to just wait for UCHealth to send me an invitation.

    Then, while I was otherwise occupied at the dentist later in the day, Mui went to work checking for a way around the buggy apps. One phone call. Two phone calls. The third call yielded an appointment for today at OPTUM.

    About an hour ago, I got the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech shot ... my preferred one. The whole process was well-organized and moved along efficiently. Twenty minutes after the jab, I was walking out with my proof-of-vaccination card and an appointment for the second dose.

    Making progress towards becoming fully vaccinated!    Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    Largely unaware that a pandemic has been declared, we enjoy our port of call in Malaga, Spain.

    One Year Anniversary!

    March 11, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 39 °F

    365 days! A whole year of battling the coronavirus! WOW!

    When we left the US on 1 March 2020 — for a TransAtlantic Crossing aboard Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas — there were just 75 cases of COVID-19 in the USA.

    Ten days later — on 11 March — the WHO declared the coronavirus a pandemic.

    On that day, largely unaware of the pandemic declaration and how things were changing all around the world, we were touring Malaga, Spain with mom ... the only port of call on the TransAtlantic Crossing that was taking us from Ft Lauderdale, Florida to Barcelona, Spain. The COVID-19 count in the USA was up to 1,301 ... Spain had 24,670 cases ... Turkey, our final destination, was reporting 3 cases.

    We disembarked Allure of the Seas in Barcelona, Spain on 13 March to fly to İzmir, Turkey to take mom home and spend time with our families.

    By the time we arrived in İzmir that night, Turkey had shut down its airspace to flights from several countries, including Spain. The next day, the USA shut down its airspace to flights from Europe, allowing entry only to US citizens. The case count in the USA was 2,290 ... in Turkey it was 14 ... Spain, the country we had left on the last flight allowed in to Turkey, was reporting 38,098.

    The writing was on the wall. We would have to cancel our plans for the annual family visit and return to the USA. ASAP!

    On 19 March, we were on our way back to the USA ... our transit through Barcelona less than 14 days before causing us to have to switch our arrival airport midstream from Houston, Texas to Boston Massachusetts ... with an unanticipated overnight in Boston. The case count in the USA was 14,971 ... Turkey, the country we had just left, was reporting 978.

    By the time we arrived home on 20 March, the COVID-19 count in the USA was up to 20,998. The explosion of COVID-19 cases went up and up and up from there! Not just in the USA ... but all over the world.

    Today, on the one-year anniversary of the pandemic, the US has had 29,913,941 COVID-19 cases ... and 543,457 deaths ... placing the country in the unenviable #1 position worldwide. (In the time it has taken me to post this footprint, those numbers have undoubtedly changed.)

    Did it have to be this way? No. With proper pre-cautions and messaging, our numbers could have been a lot lower. But that’s all water under the bridge. Very sad ... very murky water under the bridge.

    There’s nothing we can do to change the past. But we can change the future. Three different vaccine shots are going into the arms of people in the USA. Slowly perhaps. But surely. Similarly, shots are being given in countries around the world as well. Not everywhere, alas. We have a long ways to go still.

    What we have to do in the meantime is to practice patience for a while longer and follow the public-health precautions as the vaccination program continues throughout the country and the world. It is in our hands to protect ourselves and others.

    The world may never be the same as it was pre-pandemic, but we will reach a new normal. Just a little more patience ... for a little while longer.

    P.S. All Coronavirus case numbers are from the Worldometer website ... https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/.

    P.P.S. This “trip” began with the first day of our post-trip self-quarantine on 21 March 2020 ... hence the “day tag” only shows Day 356 on this footprint instead of Day 365.    Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    At 2:00p, we have some accumulation as the fluffy snow continues to fall — Colorado Springs, CO.
    1Snow in Slo-Mo — Colorado Springs, CO.

    Falling Snow

    March 13, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 32 °F

    “March in Colorado is often accompanied by snow.”

    That’s what we were told when we bought our house in Colorado Springs in the summer of 2018. In the three years we’ve been here, that prediction has held true, though we weren’t here to experience the snow ourselves during most of March 2020. No matter, the bombogenesis of March 2019 gave us a taste of March in Colorado.

    We’re in for a doozy of a storm this weekend. The initial forecast was for 12-24 inches in northern Colorado Springs. But then, the “Albuquerque Low” which tends to be the cause of big snow totals in our neck of the woods, has settled further north. That means that the area north of us will bear the brunt of the storm. The expected precip accumulation for Colorado Springs is now anywhere between 3 inches and 12+ inches. I think we’ll be at the higher end of that scale.in our neighborhood.

    We’ve already had some snow bands come through with about 1” of accumulation. How much will we end up getting by the time the storm is out of the area on Monday morning? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.    Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    The wind blew most of the accumulation towards our neighbor — Colorado Springs, CO.
    View from our basement window — Colorado Springs, CO.Looking out across our patio — Colorado Springs, CO.Half the tabletop has been cleared of snow — Colorado Springs, CO.The shovel team has been by ... waiting on the front loader to clear the rest — Colorado Springs, COAll this is snow blown into our entryway tonight ... strong winds — Colorado Springs, CO.

    March Snowstorm: Day 1 in B&W

    March 14, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 32 °F

    There is more snow coming our way today and into the wee hours ... 4-10 inches of additional accumulation possible. In the meantime, here’s what it looks like this morning after yesterday’s snowfall.

    Strong winds blew most of the accumulation away and the snow clearing crew has been by already. All in all, not bad here at home.    Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    From the drifts on the deck, you can tell from which direction the wind was blowing — COS, CO.
    All set to go for a stroll in the aftermath of the snowstorm — Colorado Springs, CO.Winter wonderland — Colorado Springs, CO.Winter wonderland — Colorado Springs, CO.Winter wonderland — Colorado Springs, CO.Panorama of our neighborhood lake with Pikes Peak in the background — Colorado Springs, CO.The kids are out with their sleds, playing in the arroyo Winter wonderland — Colorado Springs, CO.Winter wonderland — Colorado Springs, CO.Black Forest ... winter wonderland — Colorado Springs, CO.Afternoon view of the arroyo from our deck — Colorado Springs, CO.

    March Snowstorm: Day 2 Aftermath

    March 15, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 41 °F

    No idea how much snow we got from this two-day snow/blizzard event ... plenty is all I can say. Howling winds scattered the accumulation every which way, leaving little snow in some places ... deep snow in others. Drifts ranged from 16-inches to 2-3 feet.

    After breakfast, we headed out for a neighborhood stroll to enjoy the sunshine, blue skies, and winter wonderland scenery.

    (For more winter storm images, you can visit my online gallery ... includes photos from a couple of different storms this year: https://eenusa.smugmug.com/COS-Life/Winter-Stor…)    Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    What am I photographing? — Colorado Springs, CO.
    A great horned owl, of course! — Colorado Springs, CO.Great Horned Owls — Colorado Springs, CO.Great Horned Owls — Colorado Springs, CO.Great Horned Owls — Colorado Springs, CO.Now to get out of the drift I braved to photograph the owl — Colorado Springs, CO.

    Roosting in the Neighborhood

    March 15, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 39 °F

    So glad Mui spotted the great horned owl roosting in the eaves of a house in the neighborhood. Not sure where its mate is, but I think this one is keeping an eye on the arroyo ... voles for dinner?

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    American Kestrel watching us from our deck — Colorado Springs, CO.
    American Kestrel watching us from our deck — Colorado Springs, CO.American Kestrel watching us from our deck — Colorado Springs, CO.American Kestrel on our deck — Colorado Springs, CO.American Kestrel on our deck — Colorado Springs, CO.

    Visitor on a Snowy Morning

    March 22, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 30 °F

    We had a visitor at breakfast time ... a female American Kestrel that spent some time on one of the deck pylons even as it continued to snow.

    Having never seen this bird in person, at first I thought it was a baby hawk. But research proved otherwise. With its feathers all fluffed up and snowflakes clinging to its face, the poor thing looked awfully cold. But I let it be ... as we should with wild animals.

    Even though I had no choice but to photograph the kestrel through the glass, trying to stay hidden so as not to scare it off, I couldn’t resist grabbing my camera and clicking the shutter a couple of times. I was surprised at how well the photos turned out.    Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    At 8:30a ... still snowing ... we have about 8" — Colorado Springs, CO.
    At 4:30p ... Mui shoveled off some of the snow ... much of the rest has melted and evaporated — COS.

    Another March Snowstorm

    March 22, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 36 °F

    Someone told me recently that March is the snowiest month in Colorado. I believe it.

    This snow event lasted just one day ... started around noon yesterday and ended around noon today. By the time it was all said and done, we had about 8” of accumulation.Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    Two more weeks and I'll be in the "fully vaccinated" category — Colorado Springs, CO.

    Got My Second Jab!

    April 3, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

    I received the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine this morning. Yay!

    Feeling good so far. That said, Mui's side effects — a general listlessness and achiness — did not hit until the day after he got his shot. I'm prepared for whatever might come my way ... no plans scheduled for the next few days.Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    A "we are at Monument Lake" selfie — Monument, CO.
    Lakeside panorama of Monument Lake — Monument, CO.Buen Provecho ... La Casa Fiesta — Monument, CO.Mui gets 1/2 chocolate decadence and 1/2 caramel pecan ... scrumpdillylolleylicious — Monument, CO.

    Celebrating in Monument

    April 3, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F

    After I got my second jab of the COVID-19 vaccine this morning, we went off to enjoy the delightful spring day ... mid-70F ... blue skies ... sunshine ... a light breeze. Our destination? Monument ... just a short ways north of Colorado Springs.

    First ... lunch on the patio @ La Casa Fiesta ... delicious Mexican food ... mixed fajitas for me; carnitas for Mui.

    Next ... dessert @ Lolley's, a creamery we heard about on the local news (they do a daily "Rebound Colorado" segment to promote local businesses during the pandemic). As promised, the ice cream — especially the caramel pecan — was "scrumpdillylolleylicious." Yes, I know, that's not a real word. But it fits.

    A quick stop to check out Monument Lake wrapped up our visit.

    All in all, a short but delightful outing on a lovely spring day.    Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    A delicious schnitzel lunch to celebrate my birthday @ Edelweiss — Colorado Springs, CO.
    Chocolate mousse "bomb" for dessert @ home — Colorado Springs, CO.

    Birthday Celebration

    April 11, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    We don't do birthday gifts, but we do go out for a meal to celebrate on special occasions.

    For my birthday today, we opted to go out for lunch, mostly because it tends to be too chilly in the evenings.

    My choice was Edelweiss, a family-owned German restaurant on the south side of Colorado Springs. The forecast was for a nice day, so we reserved a patio table. It was, in fact, a warm enough day that we didn't have to ask for the heater at our table to be turned on.

    Mui and I both had schnitzel ... he ordered the traditional Wienerschnitzel made with veal; I ordered the Ramschnitzel, which was made with pork and served with a mushroom sauce and a side of spaetzle. The schnitzels were perfectly cooked ... not even a tiny bit greasy.

    Since Mui had mentioned that it was my birthday, dessert was on the house ... the waiter's choice ... a yellow cake with a mocha mousse frosting. It was OK. But no matter ... Mui had a mini chocolate mousse "bomb" waiting for me at home.    Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel

    Fully Vaccinated!

    April 18, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 43 °F

    As of this morning, I am two weeks past the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and have joined Mui and the millions of others who are considered fully vaccinated in the fight against the Coronavirus.

    Of course, we will continue to mask up indoors and follow the public health recommendations.

    We were going to celebrate with Sonia & Boris, but with snow in the forecast for tomorrow into Tuesday, we've had to postpone those plans. We'll try again later!    Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    2My rainbow photo is famous 😄 — Colorado Springs, CO.

    My Rainbow: On TV

    April 29, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F

    We might not make it onto TV ourselves ... but Sam Schreier, our local weather guru featured my 🌈 photo on the morning news show.

    (Sorry, the volume is so low.)

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel
    Waiting for Sonia & Boris to join us for lunch on a beautiful spring day — Lone Tree, CO.
    Kirin Ichiban lager, raspberry lemonade, beef lo mein, honey crispy chicken with broccoli ... yumm!

    Lunch with the Gelmans

    April 29, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 61 °F

    We combined a shopping trip to Centennial today with lunch with our friends Sonia & Boris.

    We’re all fully-vaccinated and according to the CDC guidelines can now get together mask-free in an outdoor environment. Of course, we would have had to be mask-free to eat anyway!

    Mui requested a table on the patio at PF Chang’s in Lone Tree, one of our favorite eateries. Luckily it was indeed warm enough to sit outdoors. Good food ... good weather ... excellent company with lots of good cheer.

    We were having such a good time that we forgot to take a photo of the four of us ... so, these will have to do.    Read more

  • Two to TravelCoronavirus PandemicTwo to Travel

    On the Road Again!

    May 2, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    While the pandemic is far from over, I am going to put this “trip” on hiatus for a while.

    Why? We’re heading off on a road trip ... one that will have its own “trip” here on FindPenguins.

    If you care to follow along ... here’s the link!
    https://findpenguins.com/8pccjefaitoru/trip/606…    Read more

    Trip end
    May 2, 2021
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