COVID Test

 It has been quite a stressful week. Friday morning we received notice from Grace Village that the main campus building is closed to visitors (including the condo residents), the dining room is closed (meals will be delivered to apartments or condo residents can order by phone and pick up at kitchen backdoor), and all group activities have been stopped. I had been concerned about being involved in choir; that decision doesn't need to be made for next week anyway. All of the above is until the 21st when things will be re-evaluated. 

Thursday afternoon I heard from my sister-in-law who is in chime choir that the vocal choir director who also plays chimes received a phone call during chime practice from her son. He has tested positive for COVID. She immediately left to start quarantining in her apartment. She never wears a mask. Not only had I seen her Tuesday at choir practice, but as she was out walking Sunday, she rang my doorbell and wanted to visit. I thank the Lord that I had the presence of mind to have us sit outside on my porch. She has no symptoms so far.

When I returned from grocery shopping yesterday afternoon I found a note from my husband. He had gone with his sister to pick up her repaired computer. A man that he had breakfasted with Tuesday in the Grace Village dining room was in the hospital with COVID.

To add to my anxiety, Friday morning I started having sniffles. By the afternoon I had a swollen gland in my neck. It might have been allergies, but it felt more like a cold. I had no fever.

God is so gracious. We have two testing sites in our county but they require a doctor's referral and an appointment. On Wednesday a new testing site opened up. It is drive-thru and free. We arrived there this morning with nobody else in line. They are a little slow because they are still learning the procedures. The registration clerk said the swab test would be uncomfortable but not painful. The tester was very good about telling me to breathe deeply thru my mouth and close my eyes. But it did hurt at the end when she "swirled" it around as she described it. It made my eyes water. It was over quickly thankfully. I should have the results in 3-5 days via email. I do feel slightly unwell today. I hope it is just a cold. 

Autumn Features

 I set out yesterday afternoon under cloudy skies. I wish I had waited about 30 minutes because the sun did come out when the breeze chased them away. My early photos had no sunshine.

I went to the pond to find some bittersweet. I also clipped some little red "berries" which I think because of the thorns on the stems are actually rose hips. 

Here is how I used the bittersweet and rose hips with some artificial leaves.

As I walked home I noticed these zinnias in a yard. I can't believe I didn't see them earlier this year.

Some leaves are already on the ground.

As I rounded the corner at Sunset and Elder to walk towards my condo, I saw this burning bush near Grace Village Assisted Living.

Then as I came to Camelot I saw my backdoor neighbors starting out on a walk of their own. I asked if I could take a picture of her pumpkin in a birdbath. As I knelt to frame the photo, I saw their little dog Bandit chowing down on the front porch. He didn't let out a yip or bark. Not a very good guard dog.

Finally, as I crossed the grass toward my condo, I snapped this tree. That is my home in the background.

Other changes around my house are the fothergilla. On the west side of my condo I was surprised to see some hydrangea blooms still in decent shape.

We finished another jigsaw puzzle. Probably the last one for another 10 days as next week is very busy.

How are you spending your autumn days?

Indiana Antique Mall

 I had such a pleasant afternoon. After lunch, I went to the Indiana Antique Mall on Highway 30. It is closing for good mid-November. The vendors set their own discounts; some none, others 10, 20, 30, 50% off. I ended up buying 3 items from the same booth at 30% off. A woven purse, an apron, and a group of 5 magazines tied up in a bundle. I only paid 70 cents for the magazines, and I am anxious to peruse them for my decorating folders. 

I hope the lady with the Lang calendars marks them half off. Right now they are only 20% off. She usually advertises in the local newspaper. I will keep an eye out for any discounts.

In the next few days I will share my walk in the warm but breezy afternoon. Tomorrow will be rainy and colder; I took advantage of one of our nice days. 

I have Boston Market chicken pot pies in the oven. I have never tried that brand before. We'll eat them with some biscuits and apple butter (that we bought at Doud's). Meanwhile I am working on another jigsaw puzzle. 

I will stick with Stouffer or Marie Callendar for the pot pies.

Oh, I saw a titmouse, nuthatch, and a junco at the feeder today. The first junco of the season.

Enjoying autumn immensely.

A Quiet Sunday Afternoon

 I sat out on my front porch a bit this afternoon until a cool wind drove me inside. I didn't see a single car nor a single person walking. We should all be enjoying this Indian summer, but other than my short stay outside and the condo doors open to let in fresh air I too have had a lazy Sunday afternoon. I plan to balance my checkbook and work on some bills before finishing the newspaper I started at breakfast. I do enjoy having a Sunday newspaper to read.

This weekend we finished a nice autumn jigsaw puzzle.

I rearranged my mum bouquet and put fresh water in the sunflower vase. Some of the petals of both arrangements are starting to fall. It won't be much longer before I throw them out, maybe 3 or 4 days.

 The little neighborhood chipmunk sat still on a warm rock this morning while I watched church service online. Usually, he is scampering all over the place. He too is enjoying this Indian summer.

As we drove home from Columbia City yesterday I saw that the Indiana Antique Mall on Highway 30 has a big banner announcing a closing sale. According to its Facebook page, they will permanently close November 14th. I will try to get over there sometime this week; it is a quieter less busy week for me. 

When I took the Winona Literary Club dues to deposit at the bank last Wednesday, I noticed that Family Video would close down today. I stopped on my way home and bought 5 movies for 99 cents each. A couple of them like The Butler and Memphis Belle I have seen a long time ago. Stocking up for cold days spent indoors.

Covid is spiking again in Indiana. Our county is no exception. We had another death (total 18) posted this weekend. Kosciusko County has the highest positivity rate (over 15) in Northern Indiana right now. I don't believe our governor has the will to shut down things, especially since he is up for reelection. I will take extra care re being in groups of people. Increased transmission means increased risk. We definitely have greater transmission in recent weeks.