Howllo Fellow Basset Hound and plowing through the stay at home order lovers.  So far so good in #bassethoundtown.  Grandma, Daisy Lynn and I are finding novel ways (hahaha) to stay entertained and busy. A few years ago I bought us both giant gorgeous TVs and we finally got Netflix.  Who knew howl much one could love and need a TV.  Such a blessing.  And…the month before the shut down I paid them both off sooooo they are officially ours and that makes watching them soooooo much better (extra popcorn please, pass the Irish butter…)

Saturday April 18 – Day 33

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Howllow Fellow Basset Hound and Staying at Home lovers – Well, I love my home and everyone in it so it is not as hard as some might have it.  So far we are staying #KYstrong.  As you can see I have a long list of days that I have not posted yet.  Looks like an entire week!  Well, let’s get to it and see what we have.  I wonder if I will look back on this some day when that next pandemic hits and see howl we got along.

Friday April 10th – Day 25 – Death and Taxes…

I made some phone calls to the IRS about what I owe.  I know that the deadlines are moved to July 15th but I want to get a jump on it. I have not received a refund in over a zillion years so nothing new there.

I could not get through right away but that is not surprising.  Nothing is certain but death and taxes.  Howl uplifting.  We hear the death numbers from the Corona repeated on a loop all day long… even while I am on hold for an hour with the IRS.

Death and Taxes became really realz today.

Saturday April 11 – Day 26 – Errand Day…

Dropped off a young pandemic grinch toy to Annie our basset hound friend with some reading material from Daisy Lynn…The reading material was some old Tally Ho’s and Bugler Magazines.

Then I went with Grandma to Eberts Meats to get an Easter ham.  No luck at Krogers.  I did discover that Eberts Meats has the best ham by far.  Easter here we come.  Wonder why we eat ham on Easter? I probably don’t want to know…

Here I am sporting my new Pandemic wear.  I knew when “they” (who is they anyway?) said that face masks were not recommended for the general public that was a lie.  “They” said that the masks would even be harmful to the general public because of the infected particles seeping through and our own breath contaminating the inside of the mask… blah blah blah.  I even had the woman who works at Lowes trying to explain it to me months ago when I heard China was in the mists of an epidemic.  The masks at Lowes were even gone then.  I never believed “they” for a second.  I had a few masks tucked away so we were good to go hunt ham because now we are told to WEAR A MASK IN PUBLIC.  Who is running this show anyway?  No one in the store had one on and I was NOT happy with the social distancing but I made it work.  I waiting til the infected folks left the store before I went in.  Hey, we are told to assume we all are infected.  I totally follow that rule!

Then I saw a disturbing image as we left Eberts on the way to Krogers.  A woman was speeding off the exit ramp and heading up Grand Ave.  I noticed she had a mask on while driving and I thought that seemed odd.  I then noticed her eyes looked scared.  Then I saw in the back seat a guy about her age (20ish to 30ish) sitting sideways with his legs stretched out with a mask on.  He looked at me as they turned the corner.  He was pure white and his eyes looked dead.  They had to be heading to the hospital about 1 minute up the road.  That kinda hit me hard. More infected for real this time.  This all happened in the span of about 6 seconds.  Hey, young people are at risk too.  It is not just an elderly disease.  I may have mentioned this in my blog notes already but I almost died from the flu about 8 – 10 years ago.  OK, let me go look at the date because I have it in my blog.  Yes, it was in the area of 10-11-12.  Horrible flu.  I never want to go through that again and I cannot imagine those who have to go through Corona.  Interestingly, I recall I did not get my flu vaccination until after I recovered.  I now get my vaccination in September every year and I have not had the flu since or for that matter before.  That was the only year I recall but it might be because it was so freaking bad.  That poor couple looked so scared. I wonder what happened to them?  Were they spring breakers?  Were they at a Corona Party?  Who knows.

Sunday April 12 – Day 27 – Easter

Got my ham into the crock pot with green beans, red potatoes, onions, cheese and wine.  The ole traditional Easter stew.  I also made deviled eggs and corn bread stuffed with cheese and hot peppers.  We are still packing on the pandemic pounds. Extra butter for the corn bread please…What’s for dessert? I made fresh blueberry lemon bar cheese cake strudel.  I almost cried it was so good…

Then the door bell rang…Panic sets in!!! – Some infected person is at my door???  Geezus H Christ in the name of all things holy for Easter who in their stay at home right mind is ringing my door bell???  Maybe the Easter Bunny?  If so, that’s OK.  So, I creep carefully toward the door and what do I see???  OMDOG!!!  It’s Marsie Hall Newbold heading towards her car – even during a pandemic Marsie is dropping off something to raise money for basset hounds in need.  She bought this very coveted Welcome Spring sign for us to auction off for KYbassethoundrescue.  Ohhhhh…and a little something for Grandma and I.  Easter eggs…Lavender flavor TP!  hahahaha and yes, another very coveted item for sure!!!  I recently asked Marsie to join the KYbassethoundrescue board as an advisor and networker.  That you so much Marsie…I will get this up for auction ASAP.  I will even throw in a Lily Book.  Love it! (Auction for sign not TP;)

5:00pm – watched Andy and he announced that Kroger is partnering with KY and some lab in our neck of the woods to do wide spread testing for free and the goal is to do about 20K per day.  We cannot open back up unless wide spread testing is available.  Wide spread testing and a steady flattening and then down turning of the curve.  KY is still in the upswing of the curve and nursing homes are the main target of the virus. Some dip stick idiots still want to hold Easter church services.  For the love of Dog give it a rest.  There is always those few who screw it up for everyone. 2 lunnies even drove from NJ to KY to protest.  Can you imagine howl shallow your life is to make that trip?  NJ – that has mega cases of the corona and these freaks come to KY for Easter. Gov. Andy was sooooooo mad!

Here is the supreme leader of the KY church.  CORONA FOR EVERYONE now let’s hunt eggs!!!

The notice informs Mr. you can’t tell me what to do, that he has to self quarantine for 14 days because he is in violation of  NO MASS GATHERINGS…

He said that he is not going to do that.  Wonder if he shook hands with the NJ people?

Monday April 13 – Day 28 – Deaths in KY pass 100 Gov. Andy orders flags flown at half mast.  These are the flags in front of our city building.

Tuesday April 14 – Day 29 – Coming soon – just a little long for this already too long post.

Wednesday April 15 – Day 30 –

Protesters turned up at the State Capital to throw a hissy fit tantrum. What total jerks. They tried to disrupt Gov. Andy’s conference as he was reading the death results for the day.  Trump encouraged these disrupters via Twitter.  Notice howl the word encourage has the word rage in it?  Howl crude, howl cruel.  You cannot make this stuff up folks.  These paid disruptors show up and scream about abortion and guns and other totally unrelated pandemic issues.  They were not socially distancing and not wearing masks.  What total jerks.  They were also screaming about their right to go back to work. I would say about 90 percent do not even live in KY.  They are just a fringe group of scary freaks/agitators. I hope Gov. Andy took down their license plate numbers and enforced 14 day quarantine for attending a mass gathering.  Makes me so sad to know that our country is being torn apart and it’s being torn apart at this vulnerable time.  Sickens me.  But we have to rise above it.  I vow to rise above it.  I always have. 

Persevere we do.  Though the dark comes the light if you look for it.  You have to leave the evil forces that shout and scream and try to distract and turn them off.  Just like magic they will all be gone…

A GREEN LIGHT TOUR OF OUR GREAT TOWN WAS CERTAINLY IN ORDER…

Green is the color of compassion and unity.  All Kentuckians are urged by Gov. Andy to light up green in solidarity of those we have lost to the Corona virus. Grandma and I decided to blow the stink off in more ways than one.  Please come with us on our green light tour…

This is an old water tower/beacon of strength in our town.  We waited to take the picture when the dusk light was just right.

Right down the road we have our Fire Department – Our heroic first line defenders.

This is my High School – Proud 1975 Graduate.  The building seems to be saying, “I will be here when you get back – stay safe”.

A proud home honors the lost…

Could this be any more beautiful?  This is my BFF’s church.  The second I took this picture…

This song started playing in my head…

“When you think you’ve had enough…hold on”

Love you…

Thursday April 16 – Day 31 – Totally have no idea what we did this day.  I think worked on ebay for the rescue and worked in my office.

Friday April 17 – Day 32 – Learning Zoom with Grandma and Daisy Lynn today. Well, that was a hoot.  Grandma, Daisy Lynn and I are going to Zoom with our Julian on Sunday.  We are even going to dress up for it!  I will even put on my pandemic lip gloss!!!  Daisy will wear something fetching.  Did I tell the residents that our Julian got into medical school at OSU?  Yes indeed!  He got in but will he be able to go?  Wonder what that fate is for him.  I will let u know if he knows what is happening with the start date.  Anyway…there is no getting over the fact that you must face yourself when you zoom.  Talk about holding the mirror up to your own face or should I say, fat face.  OMGAWD!!!  Pandemic pounds for sure…Even Daisy has gained some weight and has lost her girlish figure.

“May I have a little more please?”

Then…It’s 5:00pm – time for Andy!!!

Gov. Andy had a lot of info on his show today.  He unveiled a plan… for thinking about… re-opening KY!  He knows the majority of folks need a bone to chew on after a month of sheltering in place.
He is trying so hard to keep us safe from ourselves.  We will never go back to our previous normal.

“No more doin’ what you want whenever you want!”

NO MORE PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY SANDWICHES

“No more carefree hours…”

Anyway – maybe the new normal will be better in the long run.  One thing that I think will be fantastic is people will be peer pressured into staying home when they are sick.  Come on people!!!  Finally – society can shun the jerks who go out in public sneezing and coughing, (I never did that;).  But, that will not be enough so society will have to implement temperature taking!!!  Now were talkin’!  Also, Gov. Andy mentioned that testing for corona will become a norm until we find a cure (hahaha) or a vaccine (wonder if the anti vaxxers will get away without getting one but who knows – maybe the temperature takers will get um!!!  “No more doin’ what you want whenever you want!”).

Let’s say you are scheduled for a routine colonoscopy.  According to what I heard yesterday in the briefing, you would be required to get a corona test first. Your butt is not allowed into the hospital without it!  Kinda like voting in KY – we can’t vote without the new ID. That law was passed during the current legislative session aka mass gathering during a pandemic.  Keep in mind all of the county clerks offices are closed.  When they open we still need to social distance.  Gov. Andy line item vetoed the bill with the caveat of approving it later (due to the pandemic) but the the republicans have the super majority and overrode his veto!!!  You could hear screaming and cheering from the assembly floor.  I think that is called voter suppression. Not Kentucky’s finest day.  It could back fire – let’s wait and see…

Maybe soon, that same ID will be updated with virus testing results.  For some reason I don’t think these new viruses are going away anytime soon.  Gurd your loins and your lungs…Look out world here we come 6 feet apart or… until we get “innarculated, like when the doctor gives you a shot.” 

More loving care free hours later…Cat, Grandma, Daisy Lynn, (Chaps and Emma ATB eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches…)

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Howllow Fellow Basset Hound and compassion lovers…Thank goodness for toast.  Yes, toast – I have learned that Daisy Lynn and I love, like I mean in love with Irish Buttered Toast Points…

Anywhooooooo…

Wednesday April 8th – Day 23 – We finally got our green lights put in our light fixtures at the front door.  In KY we are all trying to light up green at night to honor those who have lost their lives to the Corona Virus. Grandma, Daisy Lynn, and I are planning on taking an evening drive through our town to view other green lights and to take some pictures.  It will be interesting to see howl many others are lighting up green.  I am on a KY facebook page were we all keep posting uplifting messages and memes.  I have to say that KY is doing so good together.  I cannot say it enough about howl great our Leader is, Governor Andy Beshear.  Wow – he is an inspiration and he wound up in the right place at the wrong/right time.

Green is the color of compassion…

Thursday April 9th – Day 24 – There was a big Hospital Furlough in this neck of the woods – I have friends that work for Hospitals and they were all sent an e-mail stating that if they were not assigned to help with Covid-19 this would be their last day of pay.  They were to go home and start using their vacation and personal time and when that was used up… go file for unemployment…(what no green lights?)

OK the e-mail that was sent by the hospital system sounds like the “post it break up note”.  (Any one remember that episode of Sex in the City, Carrie’s boyfriend breaks up with her on a post it note…) OMGAWD…it was hysterical.  Unlike the e-mail that was sent to thousands of non-covid-19 workers. Happy Maundy, have a nice day and a nice last supper…

Anyway…Yes, this is the time and tone we are dealing with.  Gov. Andy keeps saying and asking us to repeat it with him, “We are going to get through this, we are going to get through this together”, not “We (as in the employer) are going to get though this, don’t hate me -“.  Geeze – have a little compassion hospital it’s Maundy Thursday.

“The word “Maundy” comes to us as an Anglo-French word derived from the Latin “mandatum,” which means “commandment.” It refers to when Jesus, in the Upper Room during the Last Super, said to the disciples: “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. …”

Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, is a Christian observance in the United States. It is the day before Good Friday and takes place during Holy Week. It commemorates Jesus Christ’s last supper and the initiation of Holy Communion, when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and established the ceremony known as the Eucharist. The night of Maundy Thursday is the night on which Jesus was betrayed by Judas in the Garden of Gethsemane, observed in many Christian churches.  

I am not even religious but, correct me if I am wrong, churches and religions preach helping the poor and taking care of the sick so they raised money to build hospitals as a way to help people. Hospitals have been affiliated with religions for a very long time. … Often the only hospitals in cities were built by religious groups as a public service to an area.

Historically, churches were the hospitals. Nunneries were the only place that you could receive some sort of medical care (although it was usually meant to let you die comfortably). All the “nurses” were actually nuns. This is also why the cross makes sense as a symbol for the hospital.

Signed…The Hospital you work for…

PPS – have a nice supper…

Wonder howl much silver this is going to save the Holy Hospitals?

In related medical news…Grandma’s hearing aide stopped working so we called the office to see if we could mail it in or drop it off at a safe location for the gal to fix it.   We were told to look up repairs for her specific hearing aide on YouTube.  Folks…you better be able to turn into McGyver.

It is every woman and man for themselves. Don’t forget to wash your hands and your feet!!!

More loving and longing for the little things in life later (mainly compassion)…Cat, Grandma aka McGyver, Daisy Lynn (Chaps and Emma ATB, in the upper room, washing their paws…)

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Howllow Fellow Basset Hound and being part of the herd lovers.  I guess when I think about it I have always thought of myself as part of the pack not really a herd but stay with with here.  This is long post.  What else do you have to do?  If you boil it down the residents of #bassethoundtown are a microcosm of a larger pack belonging to a herd…So, what is a herd and howl many souls are in it?…

CENSUS…

Friday April the 3rd – Day 18 – Completed the Census as one of the herd.  Seems strange to me that the only real question was your ethnic background and if you are Hispanic.  Is it time to panic if you are Hispanic, especially during a pandemic?  OK, bad joke but it just seemed odd to me that we even have to do a Census.  OK, just googled it…This came up.  Reasons for doing a Census.

IMO – the city where you live can do the first 2 things and the 3rd thing is so jerrymandered by the politicians that the herd does not stand a chance of accurate reporting.  BTW – where does being Hispanic come in?

Let’s say you are Hispanic – I am not sure they would even answer the Census.  So counting the herd cannot be that accurate.

I have a fair amount of time to think about this stuff now as I peek out of my vented Venetian blinds.  Venetian?  That’s Italy…PANIC!!!

So, I got my mind off of that and worked in the ladies room.  Tried a green sharpie on the light bulb.  Kinda worked but not great. In KY we all turn on green lights on to honor the dead which is now a herd.  I found some actual green light bulbs in the basement in Grandpa’s stash that I am going to put in my light fixtures on the front porch.  I have that on my list.  Thank you Grandpa!!!

Saturday April the 4th – Day 19 – Walked the grave yard with Grandma.  I am still thinking about the herd.  This is an entirely different take on herd.  I wanted to exercise somewhere there is little to no living herd members.  This was the perfect spot.  We also visited with my Grandma and Grandpa on my Dad’s side who are buried right through that archway. Grandma said, “they have the perfect spot.”  Very peaceful.

It was a stunningly beautiful day and we got the much needed exercise our bodies so rightly deserved.  OK, check that off the list and head to KY Fried Chicken!!!  We did a drive through order while I scrutinized the window worker.  Come on we all do it now.  Wonder if she filled out her Census???

Click List is next on the list.  We head over to Krogers to see what we DID NOT get.  I lower my window by about a 1/2 inch and take the receipt.  Probably infected.  Remember we are to assume that everyone has the virus…PANIC!!!  Of course NO toilet paper.  Stay tuned to Day 22 when I find out why after watching a documentary on toilet paper!!!  Fun stuff!!!

Sunday April the 5th – Day 20 – Chipped ice out of Grandma’s Freezer, made KFC Nashville Hot Chicken tenders soup with potato salad – Learned that someone’s Mom in my home town died from the virus.  She got it while in the hospital after a surgical procedure.  She was 81.  She was the Mom of my BFF’s  friend.  This is the closest death to me so far that I know of. This one hurts.

My County is Campbell County, KY and every night at 5pm we watch the governor report the deaths county by county – keeping track of the missing herd.  They were all loved.  They were all special. Most were not ready to leave us yet.

I heard someone on the internet say…“I thought we were just springing forward an hour not hurling into the twilight zone”.

Monday April the 6th – Day 21 – Worked on a mid century vintage purse to put on ebay – just stunning – Grandma had this purse in the 1950s. It has never been used!!!  OMDOG!!!  It is actually a work of architectural art.  Wonder what it will fetch for #KYbassethoundrescue?  100% of the money from this sale will go into our 501(c)3 to help the hounds.

Boris Johnson Prime Minister and pandemic denialist, self proclaimed proud shaker of  hands with everyone and kissing those who could stand it winds up in a London ICU taking up a bed that he did not think was necessary.  Of course he has no trouble getting a bed and potentially a much needed respirator.  What a fool. Remember he was the one touting Herd immunity?  I guess his herd immunity mentality theory had him as the weak link needing to be weeded out.  OK…Maybe he was right. Leader schmeader.  With Leaders like that who needs ICU beds?  Apparently he does.

Tuesday April the 7th – Day 22 – Officially opened the back yard with hamburger party!!!

Hopefully get green lights in the front door fixtures.  I don’t think the ladies room one really came off like I mentioned above. Our tradition is having smashburger to open and close the backyard.  We went to get curb side pick up and NO…they want you to come in.  Forget that.  So we headed over to Burger King drive through.  I think the last time I was at Burger King was about 30 years ago.  So, we are waiting in line and I see this.  Look down in the bottom left hand corner under the wires.  Doesn’t that look like KY if you squint your eyes?

A KY cloud at Burger King could mean 3 things.  1.) Just seeing things, 2.) Sign from Gov Andy Beshear, 3.) Sign from Chaps aka Burger King!!!  Remember I used to call himz Burger King???  OMDOG – he was so cute.

OK I pull forward (another drive through window worker to scrutinize).  She had on gloves and her own system of taking money in a tupperwear container – I am diggin’ her style. Nice…

Watched Toilet Paper documentary – 2 different herds explained… Retail and Commercial – Currently we are victims of JIT (just in time inventory) and a razor thin profit on a bulky item, not hoarding.  Herd, we are in for a lot of trouble!!! It is not just hoarding now it is production.  The manufactures do not want to ramp up retail production because then they will be stuck with it making no money and the commercial manufactures are over run with a glut of TP because we are not going to the bathroom at other locations due to the lock down!!!  Totally different products to different markets.  I say, bring on the giant rolls that the commercial herd uses and help the retail herd out!!!

This is day 76 for Wuhan China – They lifts some restrictions on their herd.  Thank Gawd I am not a part of that bat eating herd.  Oh, I also watched a documentary on bats. Wuhan, Wuhan, Wuhan – what the fudge is wrong with you guys?  Really???

OK, Day 23 here we come.  More loving healthy life later.  Stay safe, stay well, and keep your herd calm.  Love, Cat, Grandma, Daisy Lynn, (Chaps and Emma ATB laying on rainbow clouds shaped like KY;)

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Howllo fellow basset hound and one day at a time and never thought this would be our best lives lovers.  Yes, I guess we are lovers.  The experts predicted this for years, maybe more like a decade that a pandemic would very likely happen and when it did it would be bad.  Unfortunately, “they” were right and now we are all complaining about being locked down.  Some are even in complete denial as they party and laugh.  Others, are well aware of what is going on and follow the rules…

So the days are strangely different and strangely quiet.  The folks who were once making jokes and in denial are now slowly beginning to realize that their summer fun has a new twist.

One day you are celebrating the next day you are grieving.  Life and death still goes on while you are sheltering in place.

Every year we look forward to the anniversary of #bassethoundtown.  This year was no different.  Grandma, Daisy Lynn, and I have had it on the calendar since last year.

Life

Wednesday April 1, Day 16 – 23 year party!  Yes, I can hardly believe it myself.  23 years ago today I closed on #bassethoundtown.  It sure was an exciting day and I can remember it like it was yesterday.  I even remember what I wore and I had a picture of it way back when…

What is so upsetting is that I have lost the pictures from that day.  I cannot for the life of me find them and I cannot for the life of me think that I might have pitched them???  I know I would have never done that.  Grandma had a few picture in her files from the day or the week I closed.

This is my kitchen – Wow!

We were sooooo excited and we still are.  I cherish #bassethoundtown.  Grandma and I made crab salad melt sandwiches on rye!  OMDOG – they were so good.  Then for desert cheese cake and black berry white Russians. It was a great party!!!

Day 16 was fun with lots of laughs and plans for the future.  But then comes day 17…One day you are up and the next day down.

Death

Thursday April 2, Day 17 – Our beloved Romeo passes away…he was 11 years old.  Romeo was as much  a part of #bassethoundtown as any dog we have ever had.  His presence was as large as he was. He roamed the halls acting like he was depressed that himz Mom went away but secretly he adored it over at #bassethoundtown.

That day about 11:45 I was coming out of my kitchen, heading down the hall to my office and I stopped in my tracks.  I thought I saw Romeo.  I thought for less than a nano second that I was watching him.  Then I figured out I was not.  All of this happened in brief split second.  He was standing under all of the urns that I keep in my office.

This is Daisy basically in the same spot he was standing in my split second vision.  I knew right then he was gone.

I sat down at my desk and read an e-mail from my sister that confirmed it.  Romeo had been ailing for a few months with age related issues.  He held out for as long as he could and for as long as himz Mom allowed.  They always say you know when they are ready and she knew.

Romeo was loved from day one.  Romeo was the pup in the litter that kept coming over to Julian so their decision was made very easy.  That guy was big and smart.  Romeo Duke Lee landed in the laps of luxury with the Lees…

and with #bassethoundtown…

This is the last picture I took of our Romeo.  It is one of thousands.  This is howl he was looking at me when he crossed over the bridge back in my office.  Exactly like this…

One last look back at the place he loved and those who loved him.

Dog Speed Romeo…Dog Speed…Time to go be with Enzo, Grandpa and all of the others represented in my office.

More loving Romeo forever…Cat, Grandma, Daisy Lynn, (Chaps and Emma leading the way to the #bassethoundtown section of rainbow.  After you come off the rainbow bridge turn right and #bassethoundtown is the 3rd cloud to the North. Chaps and Emma will make sure you find it…)

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Howllo Fellow Basset Hound and Stay at Home order lovers…I am a stay at home order lover because it is in my control and my patriotic duty.  By staying at home we can help save lives.  It’s pretty simple really.  Not much is in our control these days so we will take what we can get.

I think we are all probably spending way too much time online but thankful we have it as well to connect with others that we know and love in some cases.

So I thought I would share this image that really got to me.

Her name is Sheila…

Sheila posing in Spring Dusk Shadows.

Not much is perfect now a days but Sheila is…

More loving Shelia later…Cat, Grandma, Daisy Lynn and (Chaps and Emma ATB also posing in Spring Dusk Rainbow Shadows…)

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