Seattle during the Pandemic

I am hanging out in Seattle with my grandson, Odin & daughter, Heather and son-in-law Joshua while the world is in a crazy state. Not sure when I will be on the road again Read more

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Trip start
August 8, 2020
Seattle during the Pandemic Traveler
Yoshi, the new dog
August 11, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F
Josh got a dog. He named him Yoshi. Odin is so excited and so happy to have a new family member. The dog will take some training, actually a lot of training but it will keep Josh busy and focused on something other than work and Odin's misbehaviors.Read more
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Seattle during the Pandemic Traveler
Belated Post
September 19, 2020 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 63 °F
I have been in Seattle over a month now and haven't written or recorded a single note or journal entry, haven't read a single book, & can barely remember what I've done the last few weeks. I started to write in a paper journal in Sept but only made a few entries that I am now transcribing just to try to make a more complete record of things.

I have been taking Odin to Karate on Mondays and Thursdays. Mostly we meet outside although he is usually the only one taking the class. He tries hard and concentrates as much as a 4 yr old can, but he is not very willing to practice with me in between classes.Read more
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Seattle during the Pandemic Traveler
Zelda & Vanette
September 27, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F
Watching a 4 yr old play video games is a practice in frustration, tolerance, patience and futility. Especially at 7 am. The new Zelda game is way to hard for him yet he insists on playing it and refuses to switch to something easier; I suppose that says something about his willingness to persevere at something. It would help if he would listen to instructions or slow down enough to allow me to read the tips. But Josh's patience and teaching ability is being massaged. :)

It has been interesting watching the cooperative video gaming endeavor. Odin is slowly learning some of the tricks and skills and he will play for hours.

In the meantime: Vanette will be in the shop for at least 2 more weeks. I need to get a rental car. It took a few weeks to find someone who was willing and able to do the needed repairs. And I waited til after a camping trip to bring it in. They thought it would take a week but it is turning into a MONTH!Read more
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Seattle during the Pandemic Traveler
These Crazy Times
September 28, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F
The rhetoric about dTrump refusing to leave office if he looses the election is unnerving and scary, more because his die-hard supporters are CRAZY! They are already causing chaos and I am afraid they will be armed and rioting and dTrump will be encouraging them. They are already causing chaos and have committed some violent acts. What an unimaginable situation in the U.S..
It is truly insane. Who would ever have predicted that the US would find itself deteriorating to such an extent in just 4 years. Of course it started long ago but the last 4 years has done more damage than anything in the past century.

I worry about the children growing up today. What will life be like in 20 yrs? How will the political chaos contribute to the pandemic chaos to affect their future. Odin is lucky to at least be able to go to school and to have some friends to socialize with. I have heard of younger children that have had NO contact with other kids for the past 6 months and do not know how to interact with other children.Read more
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Seattle during the Pandemic Traveler
Staying Put in Seattle
September 29, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
Just hanging out in Seattle while 2020 rages around ,me. My van, Vanette is in the shop for at least another 2 weeks getting its but fixed after being rear-ended in Colorado on my way here (by my friend). For such a light tap it sure did a lot of damage and it took a while to find a place that was willing to do all the work. So....here I sit. Not sure I would be on the road anyway.

I arrived in early August, have gone camping with the group a couple of times, They have a small group of friends that they get together with and do outdoor activities with. Our 2nd camping trip was cut short due to smoke from multiple wildfires.

So far in 2020: a major pandemic, a fiasco of a president, a new movement for Black Lives Matter due to multiple excessive uses of force and deaths of multiple blacks in multiple cities, record setting wildfires in the northwest, brain-eating bacteria in Texas....what's next? All leading up to a very contentious presidential election with dTrump refusing to say he will leave peacefully if defeated....his supporters arming themselves and the year is not over.

I don't know how safe it will be to travel after the election. Will there be riots in all the major cities? So right now I am just trying to enjoy having time with my familyRead more
TravelerGood to hear from you. Glad you are having fun with friends and family.
9/29/20Reply
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Seattle during the Pandemic Traveler
Quite day in Seattle
October 1, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F
Having a quiet day in Seattle. There's a lot less to do during a pandemic. Even though some things are open, I see no reason to risk exposure to the CoronaVirus unnecessarily. I am trying to motivate myself to organize my digital photos, watch educational YouTube videos (today looking at some YNAB videos to see if I need to upgrade),

I did buy a new Garmin GPS for RVs that I haven't even turned on yet. I do need to watch some videos on how to set it up.

Other stuff I need to research &/or teach myself:
- Travel Apps for trip planning
- Editing photos in elements
- Using this App for Journaling & record keeping (or determining if I need a different app)
- researching a new camera
- and ....... maybe a few other things that I will mention tomorrowRead more
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Seattle during the Pandemic Traveler
Littered Seattle
October 8, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F
Such a beautiful city but in such a sad state. Everywhere there is litter and trash. And everywhere there are homeless people. Huge tent villages on many streets and in this neighborhood lots of old broken-down RVs, Vans and cars.

Houses are so expensive here and I wonder how much worse it will get. Certainly the pandemic is having a huge affect on small businesses everywhere. The future looks very uncertain.Read more
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Seattle during the Pandemic Traveler
Seattle day # ????
October 9, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F
Covid test results finally in: Negative. And now I feel like I am coming down with a runny nose. Do I assume it's just whatever Odin has or do I need a test too?

Odin & I were playing "soccer" outside when a stray German Shepherd appeared and befriended us. He really liked Odin. Kept liking him and jumping on him. He had a collar but no tags. Josh walked him to the vet and since he had no chip and was obviously undernourished he left him there to be picked up by animal control. He was a sweet dog but not trained and very strong.Read more
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Seattle during the Pandemic Traveler
Daily update
October 15, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F
I am going to start using this as a journal for now with private postings for several reasons.
1. I have paper journals that I just do not use. This may be easier AND means I don't need to carry paper journals when traveling. So a major advantage & might be considered another move towards minimalism.
2. It sends me reminders.
3. I can add photos.
4. When traveling I can share &/or make some entries public.
5. If I get in the habit, maybe it will become a real habit!!!

So...today...the sun was shining and I took Jayfor a walk and took my new Pickleball Paddle & ball, found a wall and practiced. OMG I am so out of shape. But I did enjoy it. So I just need to keep at it.

I picked up Odin in the new Honda CRV. Love the way it handles. And I am starting to understand the karate and if I practice with Odin maybe we can both get the moves down.

Yesterday I bought a bunch of clothes at Ross but since the try-on rooms are closed, most of them need to go back. Which is probably a good thing since I really don't need that much more.Read more
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Seattle during the Pandemic Traveler
What's Next?
October 16, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
2 positive things worth mentioning :

1. I mailed in my mail-in ballot. No idea what the next few weeks is going to bring to this country but at least I can say I voted.
2. I paid off my Van this month. It is still in the shop at Kent Collision but it is paid off and I feel like I can afford to pay someone to help me finish it or make some major upgrades.

Odin has decided that I give the best foot massages in the house and wants me to put him to bed every night. I think I am spoiling him. And I am somewhat concerned about how attached he is getting to me. But it is understandable I guess. We have been spending lots of time together, I have not been strict with him, and I tend to let him get away with stuff that his parents wouldn't.

Odin is teaching Heather to play Zelda. It is fun watching him try to control his frustration and also encourage her. He is so obsessed with the game and the fighting, after playing the video gam for hours we have to role play the characters together.

Also spent some time today building lego's as he was off from school today and heather was working.Read more
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Seattle during the Pandemic Traveler
Quiet Sunday
October 18, 2020 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 57 °F
Odin loves playing with the dogs. Jay runs and plays tug and chase until she is exhausted and starts limping afterwards. But I love to hear Odin laugh! As it is getting colder in Seattle I keep thinking about heading south. My Van will be ready tomorrow and then the prep begins......but will it be safe to travel?Read more
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Seattle during the Pandemic Traveler
Just another day
October 19, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F
Vanette, my little baby Van will be ready for pick up tomorrow. Then I'll have to start putting my stuff inside and maybe figuring out better organization. And thinking about how to get back to Texas while avoiding wildfires, avoiding snow and other cold weather, avoiding crazy trumpites, AND avoiding Covid; etc. No idea how to do all that. Planning my trips was difficult enough before all this craziness, now I am at a loss!

And it will be so hard leaving Odin. But I need some space and so do Josh & Heather.

One night I happened to massage Odin's feet while putting him to sleep. And the next time I put him to sleep, I used some lotion on his feet. Now he wants me to put him to sleep every night. He says I am the best foot massager and that his mommy and daddy need to go to massage school! Bedtime has gotten to be a contentious time.Read more
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Seattle during the Pandemic Traveler
Vanette Returns
October 21, 2020 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 46 °F
Finally got my van back from the shop yesterday. Kent Collision did a terrific job. Removed and reinstalled all my camping stuff including the electric. Back-up camera is clearer than it has ever been. After driving a rental SUV/Mini-van for almost a month; it felt a little odd; certainly noisier and a little rougher ride but I adjusted within minutes! I was so happy to be driving my own little home on wheels. and it did feel like coming home after a long vacation.

Today, I got my flu shot and Tdap shot so other than a slightly sore arm, I feel fine!Read more
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Seattle during the Pandemic Traveler
Almost Halloween
October 28, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F
It's been a few days and when ever I think of something to write, I am too tired to do it or too busy. (mostly busy doing nothing) It looks like I am staying in Seattle at least until the election is over and the dust settles. Probably not the best idea but that seems to be my plan. I even bought a Halloween costume that Odin picked out. I was able to get my Vet's office to call Yoshi's Vets Office so that I could get another months worth of her Thyroid med. Next on my agenda is reviewing my Medicare coverage, always such a chore this time of year.

I have been slowly getting my van back together. and I am adjusting to the cold so that is not so scary anymore. The van is relatively warm when I am working in it. I am not sure how I will fit all my stuff back in comfortably. I am jealous of bigger decked-out vans. And I would like to find someone to help me finish/enhance mine. I'm glad I got my van before I saw all the broken down RVs and vans (and cars) lining the streets of Seattle. It is obvious that most of them have ISSUES, but I fear the pandemic will put many more people on the street. I'm not sure things will ever get back to "normal".Read more
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Seattle during the Pandemic Traveler
Halloween 2020
October 31, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 48 °F
Halloween during a pandemic was actually fun. Heather and I took Odin to a neighborhood "parade". Several blocks were blocked off from traffic and people were outside giving away candy. They would toss it, or let the kids take their own, and a few really creative people made candy shoots which were especially fun. Odin had a great time. He kept saying "I can't believe I got this much candy!"

There were lots of kids and adults in costumes. Every one had on masks and it felt pretty safe. It was actually the most fun Halloween I've had in a long time.

After dinner I logged onto a Zoom Event for Fire Ant Frolic. I had mixed feelings about the whole thing. I didn't try dancing, I was tired and there is not much room in my 'room'. It was both nice to see my old friends but it also made me so sad as I realized just how much I missed so many of them and how much I missed dancing.

well, time to put Odin to bed so I will finish this later.Read more
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Seattle during the Pandemic Traveler
Hyak Sno-Park
December 5, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 34 °F
Wonderful time sledding at Hyak Sno-Park with Heather and Odin. I can't really remember sledding as a kid and my kids never really got to go sledding due to lack of snow in TX. This was the 2nd weekend in a row that we went sledding and this time Odin even went by himself.Read more
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Seattle during the Pandemic Traveler
Hyak 2nd Saturday
December 12, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 39 °F
Another day sledding. We had to buy a new sled as we broke the old one last week. It couldn't handle all the weight and bumps. Odin actually went down by himself on his tummy. I have a video of him doing it but not sure how to add it.Read more
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Seattle during the Pandemic Traveler
Sledding Video
December 12, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 30 °F
Odin loves sledding
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Seattle during the Pandemic Traveler
where am I?
December 21, 2020 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 52 °F
Still in Seattle. Feels like I am in suspended animation and this will never end. The pandemic is skyrocketing, people are not doing what needs to get done, and Seattle in the winter is dark, wet and dreary. But even worse, I seem unable to do anything productive. I could be spending hours a day working on my photo organization & editing. Or working out and studying something. ANYTHING! I should have anticipated this and put all my stuff in storage and got my house ready to rent. But NO!

I am not even writing in my journal or here.

In the meantime, my mom had a mastectomy a month ago and it turned out to be skin cancer. Joe & Sue initially took care of them. Then Steve and his friend Anna went to NY and were going to spend just a couple of weeks. But they are still there. And everyone in NY came down with Covid. I was sure my mom would have a hard time but although she did get admitted, they started her on IV steroids and Remdesivir and did really well. She was discharged after a few days. The only other relative with symptoms is my Dad who is just feeling extremely weak and tired.

Steve & Anna are planning on leaving on Thursday. At which point Joe and Sue will have to help out again. Jim and MaryLou are in NH taking care of Katie's new baby but are willing to drive down to help some. BUT Christine wants her house back so where do they stay? And where would I stay if I drove there? Jim has offered to possibly take my dog to NH for awhile. But that still requires me to 1. drive cross-country in the dead of winter during a major surge in a pandemic while numerous states have all kinds of rules and regulations and each is different. (If I do go, I would plan on emptying out the 2nd bedroom and tossing a bunch of stuff out, something my dad will not be happy about...but I need a place to sleep.)

Joe is not speaking to me or Jim because we agreed that He, Joe said he and Sue would take care of them if/when they moved back to NY. And I said I told them no-one would be able to come help. And then Jim said maybe if Joe actually did something to help and didn't leave it all up to Sue that they would be able to handle it. I hear that Joe does not know how to do anything domestic. He should be looking at my dad and realizing that he would be in the same shape if Sue got sick.

I thought about taking a plane to NY....but only briefly and with much consternation......but then today I read a story about a guy that arrested and died on a flight from Florida to California. He boarded knowing he had Covid. So with people like that running around, I have ruled out flying.

And then there is the crazy Republican extremists who are threatening to have a coup and make the US into a Third World Country.

And there you have it....my excuses for my complete inertia and lack of ability to do anything!Read more
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Seattle during the Pandemic Traveler
My First Brio Build
December 24, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 39 °F
Xmas Eve.
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Seattle during the Pandemic Traveler
Rancho Relaxo
December 26, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 41 °F
Just a little over an hour from Seattle, a beautiful cabin next to a river. Nice to get away for a couple of days
This place looks awesome! Odin is so dang cute! [Jeanie]
1/16/21Reply
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Seattle during the Pandemic Traveler
Mini-Vacation
December 28, 2020 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 34 °F
Heading to Seattle tomorrow. It's been a fun couple of days in the Cascade mountains. Cold but fun & relaxing
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Seattle during the Pandemic Traveler
New Years Eve with my Favorite guy
December 31, 2020 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 48 °F
Josh and Heather went away for a couple of days and I got to have some special Odin and Grandma days.
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Seattle during the Pandemic Traveler
WTF
January 6, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 41 °F
WTF country am I living in? Today was the most F'ed up day in US history. I won't give any details here, the news is everywhere.

But it was sunny and lovely in Seattle and I took a few pictures on my walk with Jay. There are a lot of murals all over Seattle. I've passed this one several times, it's quite intricate and well done. The colorful poles are outside a school.Read more
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Seattle during the Pandemic Traveler
Too much NEWS
January 9, 2021 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 43 °F
Dtrump remains in office although he is not in control. All his minions are avoiding him and no one is taking orders from him. But the chicken shit cabinet refuse to officially remove him. The democrats are bringing Impeachment proceedings on Monday. This has been the most disturbing event in my lifetime., Worse than the Nixon Watergate scandalRead more
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