AS FALL APPROACHES...

Sharing more old photos from a previous Fall, I had dinner guests so I thought it would be nice to get an Autumn flower arrangement.  It came from our local supermarket.  

It has been a very nice week so far and I hope you are having a good one too.  We had a family member in town recently who was passing through.  We met at a restaurant and it was so good to get together after several months.  The restaurant was decided upon because of its close proximity to the freeway. 

We have been passing the building for years.  It is out in the countryside and used to be a huge old barn, now turned into a restaurant.  Nearby silo's have been revamped as a brewing company.   

We sat outside.  There were only two other customers who chose to sit as far away as they could, around a corner and out of sight. I really appreciated that, and we did not hear their conversation.  The staff wore masks, as we did except when we were eating of course, and we social distanced.  Those staff were super friendly and had easy going natures.  Even those who weren't taking care of us, we could see the smiles behind those masks as they walked by and said hello.  Definitely a place we will be going back to some time when things settle down again.  

We had our temperature taken when we entered the building (to get to our seating outside on a large, second floor balcony, and I didn't notice too many people inside).  As it was pointed towards our forehead, the thermometer reminded me of a radar gun.  

We have been sticking close to home.  Retirement has made that easier I have to admit.  As we drove there and back we didn't see too many people out walking, and those who were wore masks.

This is the new norm I suppose but I hope we will eventually get to the point where we can meet up with family and friends and give each other a big hug.  That all being said we had a great get together and it was lovely catching up.

We also had another visit from our son and daughter-in-law a few days later. They had been away.  Not for me to go into any details why but they drove 1200 miles in two days to get back home.   As they had been around a lot of people they also wore masks and we sat outside on the deck about ten feet apart.  They are two very loving and thoughtful young people.  They stayed for a couple of hours and thankfully the weather cooperated.  It has been raining ever since.

I constantly think of you all out there with everything going on, not for just the pandemic but so much else also, here and in every part of the world it seems.  I send you a big virtual hug and hope you and your loved ones are keeping safe and well.