Sunday - COVID260

I woke up a little late but not too much so.  I needed some alfalfa and goat feed, so called ahead after chores and headed down to Santa Rosa for curbside pickup.

On my way back, I received a text from my neighbor that she'd seen a coyote below her house and it was headed down the driveway toward my place.  I thanked her (thankful for talk-to-text) and called Bex to let her know so she could check on the goats.  We didn't see it and the goats were undisturbed.  Oliver wasn't happy that we kept him in for a while.

I worked on projects this afternoon.  

We are safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Saturday - COVID259

This was one of those days I had to keep checking to remember what day it was.  When my alarm didn't go off, I knew it was the weekend but couldn't remember which day.  One of they side effects of COVID and working at home, exacerbated by a holiday week.

I was low energy again but did get some things done around the house.  I'm working on making what I hope will be Christmas gifts if they work out okay.  I spent a lot of time expanding our family tree online and discovered that one of my maternal ancestors came over as a cooper on the Mayflower.  It was fascinating to read more about him and his wife and how they came to be together.  Apparently Longfellow wrote a poem about how my ancestor's friend asked him to propose to a woman for him, and she asked my ancestor how HE felt - so he proposed to her and she became my ancestor too.

It was an interesting realization for me and Bex and something that we talked about and researched quite a bit.  I'd been working on expanding her family tree when that came up and the bizarre realization that so close to a Thanksgiving holiday filled with mythology hiding the truth, she discovers she is descended from both sides.  A different indigenous nation and our Mayflower ancestor was not religious (it was a job) but still.

It's been a day and there's more to try to tackle tomorrow.  It feels like there's so much that needs to be done and a limited amount of time, energy, focus, and money.  But we'll get there.

We are safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Friday - COVID258

Today was a work day but I spent part of it with my girls, picking up some things from Jess's house she was keeping during the biggest part of the wildfire threat, and playing some Mille Bournes with the kids.  

My hip is bothering me more today.  I'm still trying to figure that out.

Bex made dinner and I was ready for bed earlier than I have been for a while.  There's things to do this weekend and I hope it's a productive couple of days, though all I want to do is rest and forget about stress.

We are safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Thursday - COVID257 and Thanksgiving

I got up on time today with plenty to do.  After coffee and chores, I started cooking and was in the kitchen for three hours finishing up pie and sweet potato casserole and yeast rolls and Bex made her corn casserole.  We shared dinner with the kids and grands, all contributing delicious food and good conversation.  We left stuffed with food and memories and love, though also an ache missing my parents.  What a weird year this has been.

We are staying safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Wednesday - COVID256

I slept in a little but got up when I received a phone call this morning.  I've been pretty tired.

I worked on some Christmas gifts, some things around the house, and got a head start on cooking for Thanksgiving.  I will see the kids tomorrow but we have rolled back contact to March/April levels and will stay outside, distant, and masked.  Luckily, Jess has a good setup for staying outside.

I snoozed a few times on the couch while watching TV with Bex tonight.  She's working on some fun pet items that I hope she'll share some photos of.

We are safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Tuesday - COVID255

I slept well enough and got up okay.  The nights are colder and colder, and it's much more tempting to stay in bed until it warms up outside.

It was a work day, with work things, and nothing really noteworthy.

I did some work on selling the old Equinox.  I have one disappointing quote, no response from another yet, and an appointment to bring it for inspection and quote in the morning, though I am not thrilled about driving it.  I may go for the bird in hand that will tow the car than drive to Petaluma for an unknown.  I'll decide in the morning.

I made a new sweet bread recipe today but it turned out to be a disappointment.  We might try using it for French toast.

I'm hoping to stay off work tomorrow and focus on cooking and baking for the most part.  It's harder to do that when working from home.

We are safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Monday - COVID254

I'm sleeping better, though later, and my hip is still hurting more than usual.  I'm trying to figure out the next step and trying to take it easy.

I had some computer issues that gave me fits this morning.  Then I headed down to pick up some things from the office for the first time in months.  That included a care package from my boss with pesto, fig and ginger jam, lemon curd, and apple pie.  

I worked more in the afternoon and Bex made dinner using the pesto.  

I snoozed on the couch again and when I woke was too awake to go to bed right away, so another late night with nap.  The fox set off the Ring a couple times and appeared to be headed toward the front steps.  It left a pile on the back deck last night, so I had set up one of the cameras in that area tonight.  I regretted not setting one up on the front deck.  I think we need more cameras to cover all of the angles.

We are safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Sunday - COVID253

The weekend flew by.   I slept well again but sleeping in during the week is harder and that seems to be what helps the most.

I thought about adding fire to the title again because veg fires keep popping up, but I'll leave it be for now.  Walbridge is quiet.

I finished cleaning out and vacuuming the old Equinox and jump started it maybe for the last time. I'll make calls tomorrow to find out its new home. If I could smog it, I'd sell it. The car has more miles left but I can't help with that. I learned a lot from that car and from clearing it out.

I unloaded some of the evacuation packed items in the new Equinox.  I still need to pick up more from Jess.

I pulled the old fridge out to see if I could figure out what made it quit, and I couldn't figure it out.  I'll call and see what it will cost to get someone to look at it this week.

I was going to bake today but didn't get that done.  

I ordered groceries and picked them up, the regular stuff (sans my coffee, which they were out of) and Thanksgiving food. I'm planning a day "off" Wednesday so I can cook.  It may be just the afternoon, depending on how work goes the first two days of the week.

Jess used my fruit press tonight for her pomegranates and was so thrilled at how much easier it was to juice them for her jelly.  It makes me happy to help ease some of the work for her.  I know she enjoys it but juicing pomegranate by hand is no picnic, and using the press is actually fun.

The extra walking and carrying and work made for sore muscles so it's a couple of Tylenol before bed.  I was too tired to remember to grab the cameras when I started chores and they're taking a day off.

We are safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Saturday - COVID252

I sleep dialed Mandi at 4:50 this morning. I grabbed my phone, went to the bathroom (since hurting my hip I am scared that I will not be able to get up without assistance), then sat on the bed and noticed an open call with her. I said hello and she asked if everything was okay and said she had been staying on the line just in case I was in trouble. Oops.  We both went back to sleep and I slept until 9am!

I noted this morning that I forgot to close the inside door to the chickens last night.  I remembered starting to, then noticing that Blue was still out.  She ignored my instructions to go in, so I set an alarm to check on them later.  When the alarm went off, I remembered opening the main door and figured I'd completed the task.  Oops.  Thankfully, coop activity has been nonexistent lately.  The fox isn't even running back and forth as often.

I ordered dog food from the feed store.  While I was placing the order, I decided to add a bale of pine shavings.  When Bex and I went to the car to pick everything up, I still had the stuff from Tammy's in the back.  We discussed taking some of it out, but I said I was just getting dog food and there was plenty of room.  No need to mess with it.  

We dropped off some small crocheted blankets for the animals at the shelter on our way into town.  We picked up Starbucks and headed for the feed store.  And when we were almost there, I remembered the pine shavings.  Thankfully, it was a smaller bale than I'm used to getting, and we were able to shift things around so it would fit easily.  Bex picked up a game she'd ordered using her birthday gift card, and we headed home.

I started chicken for dinner and decided to use it for tomorrow's dinner.  I'm pretty wiped out today.

Another quiet night with a snooze on the couch before bed.

We are safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Friday - COVID251

 I went to bed so late last night and got up too early, with 3-4 hours of sleep.  It was a foggy work day for sure.

I was able to talk with a friend in need for a little bit, though our conversation was incomplete due to lots going on for her.  I'm hoping to be able to continue our talk over the weekend if she has the time and stamina to do so.

I was snoozing while watching a show with Bex so decided to get some sleep.

We are safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Thursday - COVID250

I can barely remember the day.  I do know I woke up on time and worked and it was a busy work day.

Bex and I took some time midday to pick up things Tam had been storing for me in case we had to evacuate again, and picked up a couple other things on the way home.

I fell asleep on the couch watching TV and when I woke up I was wide awake, so ultimately went to bed in the wee hours of Friday morning.

I'm hoping for an easy day.

We are safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Wednesday - COVID249

I thought today was Tuesday all day until I needed to update the title here.

I slept a little later today but was still able to start work on time.  We're staying busy.

I'm making small progress on projects.  It feels too slow but I'm trying to be patient and let the steps be small so long as they're in the right direction.

My hip is feeling a little better but I still can't go up and down stairs normally.

We are staying safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Tuesday - COVID248

It was raining when I woke up.  I think I'm done with the rain.  Bella doesn't like it either and we get soaked waiting for her to stop insisting on going inside instead of doing her "duty" outside.  No amount of rain gear or umbrellas or hats really helps.

I took some time midday to bring Bella to the vet for her nail trim.  It gave me and Bex a chance to get out together.  We picked up Starbucks on the way home.  Bex went out to work for a little in the afternoon.  

Oliver sulked by the slider all day.  He would go outside for a couple minutes and then want back in.  He napped in his cat tower next to the door or laid inside the tube looking outside.

It was a quiet day and evening.  Just trying to get through the days and figure out a better way forward.

We are safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Monday - COVID247

Monday, Monday.  It was a workday and not much to write about.  

I did dig into some genealogy and found some interesting things.  It's amazing what the internet has done for this research when the last time I really worked on this I was writing letters with self-addressed stamped envelopes.

I was feeling a little low tonight but worked on crochet and tidying up.  My hip is getting better, though still sore.

I fell asleep on the couch so that's a sign it's time to get some real rest.

We are safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Sunday - COVID246

I slept until the sun was up and was able to be comfortable last night.  I discovered that lying down really helped my hip pain the most.  I limped along slowly in the morning but did not need the walking stick to get around.  

The pain didn't decrease much throughout the day, so I took it easy.  I didn't feel confident enough carrying supplies or standing in the kitchen to make more warming salve, though I do hope to be able to do that - and more - soon.  

I haven't seen the fox for a few days on the Ring, though I haven't checked the trail cams for a while.  I did catch sight of a squirrel this morning on the Ring.

I took fire out of the title today because I haven't received notification of any vegetation fires and the air still smells like wet extinguished campfire.

I'm feeling low but soldiering forward and know that things can turn around.

But we are safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Saturday - COVID245 and FIRE86

I thought I could drop the fire count today because the air smells like a wet campfire, but I did receive notification of a vegetation fire today.  We shall see when that finally stops.

I worked on cleaning out the old Equinox again today.  It's a job I dislike but I'm almost done.  I just need to remove a couple things and vacuum it out.  Just because it's going to a junk hauler doesn't mean that I need to leave alfalfa debris and leaves in it.

Other than some light housekeeping and the Equinox work, I relaxed today because I needed the break.

But then as I was standing up from the toilet (of course the toilet because doesn't everything BAD happen there?), I heard two pops and felt extreme pain in my right hip joint.  I sat back down and caught my breath after the gasp and assessed the situation.  I've had pain in that hip for a long time and have been trying to realign my body to address what I believe is a ligament issue.  I haven't figured out yet if this was a good or bad thing because it still hurts and I'm limping.  Getting out of a chair is the worst.  I can't find my cane so am using a walking stick to help get around.  I took Tylenol and am hoping rest and warmth tonight helps it feel better by tomorrow.  If I'm up to it, I can make more warming salve to see if that helps.

Bex made creamy pesto tortellini tonight and it was amazing as always.  We had it with Caesar salad and wine.  She's getting better and better at cooking.

I'll hobble to bed and hope to feel better in the morning.  But we are safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Friday - COVID244 and FIRE85

The fire portion may be over.  It's not a gully washer, but it was raining today.  If it continues well and I quit getting notifications of vegetation fires (which I received this morning), I may be able to take that out of my focus and unpack the cars and relieve Jess of the items she's been storing for me.

It was a busy work day and a quiet night, though the stress rain brings is a whole different thing.  Added darkness and challenging work outdoors is my least favorite part of fall and winter.  

I was able to set up the small greenhouse over the jalapeno plant.  My goal is to see if I can help it survive and thrive year-round, which I'm told is possible.  The person who told me this said her father keeps his in pots indoors during the winter, so I'm not sure if this will work but it's worth a try.  There are about five jalapenos ripening on it now.  The tomatoes are still heavy with fruit and I am patiently gathering the ripened ones when they are ready.  When it's clear the tomatoes are done, I'll collect the green fruit.

I'm looking forward to what I hope will be some good sleep and a productive day tomorrow.

We are safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Thursday - COVID243 and FIRE84

I woke up a little after the alarm but in plenty of time to begin work on time.  Not too early to let Oliver out right away.

I was able to focus in the morning and felt almost normal getting caught up on work emails from the previous day that had gone on without me as if it wasn't a court holiday.  My attention waned in the afternoon but it was okay.

It was a quiet day overall and the weeks fly by.  I'm both surprised and relieved that tomorrow is Friday and I get a couple more days off.  It could be the midweek break.  

We are safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Wednesday - COVID242 and FIRE83

I turned off the alarm but still woke up early again.  I was determined to NOT work today, though I did check in on emails a little bit but not nearly even a half day.

I relaxed.  I sorted.  I organized.  I played the piano.  

It feels like the break is helping.  I have been observing that over the last week or so I have become very very unhappy and feel a simmering anger.  It felt good to work on my space today and that seemed to help.  

The fox keeps popping up near the chicken coop each night.  Most nights it just runs by but tonight I saw it on the Ring go behind the coop.  By the time I got eyeballs on it, it had run off in a hurry.  There's a gap in the camera coverage but I think it was because it triggered the new solar powered floodlight I set up temporarily on the back of Loretta.  I'll move it to the fence post when I can secure it there.  For now it seems to be working well.

Time to shut it down for the night.  We are safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Monday/Tuesday - COVID240/1 and FIRE81/2

I woke up a little early today and was enjoying the slow start to my day when I realized that I needed to meet my boss in Windsor to pick up documents.  In less than an hour.  And all of the chores had not been done.  So I got them done in record time (not nearly as fast as I have when I woke up super late to get Bex to car pool and school) and got to the meeting place on time.  While I was out, I called the feed store for a curbside order and picked up all of the feed.

Work was busy enough this afternoon.

Jess got an online order in today and Bex picked it up for me when she went out to work for a while.

I made tomato soup for dinner, which was perfect for a cold night.  I used what is likely the last of our tomato harvest.  There are still green tomatoes on the vines and tomatillos trying to ripen but I think they will be too late.  I'm leaving some jalapenos on the vine to ripen and get bigger.  I may try to transplant that to a pot for the greenhouse over the winter.  I've been told it's possible to grow them year round.

As I was beginning to write my update tonight, I saw the draft from last night still sitting here and realized it didn't get posted.    So on to Tuesday in the same post.

I woke up early again and got a head start.  It was a busy day and I am looking forward to taking tomorrow off.  I hope I'm successful in staying away from work for the day.

Leftover soup for dinner tonight.  I think there will be enough for lunch tomorrow and then I'll be done with it.  I love this tomato soup recipe - it is rich and a little spicy and buttery and scrumptious.

The fire danger continues to wane but I won't unpack until we've got some good rainfall.  It is freezing cold at night now.  

We are safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Sunday - COVID239 and FIRE80

I woke up way early today, perhaps because the wind was blowing.  On second thought, it's 'cause I had to pee and there was no way to stay in bed, and once I'm awake past sunrise, I'm up.

Oliver wanted outside immediately of course and had to wait.  The foxes trot through until the sun is well into the sky, so he stays in until the coast is clear.

The day was a blur of projects and Jess came by for a visit and to bring Bex a birthday gift.  We had a good visit.  I was also able to talk with my folks for a bit.  

Bex and I watched our show while I tore out my latest crochet project for I think the third time.  It's frustrating and I'm not sure how to navigate the size and color changes gracefully.

I'm wishing for another day off but will make the best of Monday.

We are safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Saturday - COVID238 and FIRE79

I woke up early and started some work.  The rain at midnight last night caused me to consider removing the FIRE portion of the title but probably not yet - it wasn't long enough to really douse the Walbridge smolder.

Big news on the election front and we are breathing a little easier.

It's Becca's birthday and I'm thankful that she is sharing this present with us.  We're not sure what we'll do today - I was going to give her gift digitally but since I need to go out to get cake, I figured I'd pick it up.

Tammy hurt her toes the other day and was seeking crutches that would fit her.  I actually have some so I brought them down to her today, along with some soy-free eggs from my one chicken who's still laying.  I picked up some soy eggs from the farm - the dude running the place doesn't want to pay an extra $5 per month for the organic soy free feed.

The drive was nice and I wish I'd had more time to spend with Tamily, but I needed to pick up Becca's gift card and cake.

While I was heading out on Westside, I noticed a Biden Harris sign that I have not ever seen before on that road.  I texted Bex to ask her if maybe the owners saved it for today.

I got tired earlier tonight and hope for a good night's sleep, despite the wind picking up a bit.

We are safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Friday - COVID237 and FIRE78

Friday - thank goodness.  I slept in late again but it was an easy work day.  I am a little behind on transcription but can catch up tomorrow.

I harvested the basil from the garden and made pesto, which we used some of for dinner.  There's plenty left over to freeze and more basil to make more pesto.  I'm glad that I did that today because as I write this, it's 41 degrees outside.  I still have tomatoes ripening on the vine and will hate to see them go.

The fox has rushed back and forth a few times tonight but other than one pause to look at the coop, it hasn't stopped to investigate it further.  Bex did hear some commotion under the back of the house at one point.  

It started to pour rain for about 15 minutes at around midnight.  That was a good sound.

This cold and wet night, we are safe and warm and well.  I hope you are too.

Thursday - COVID236 and FIRE77

I woke on time but still wanted more sleep.  It was a pretty tiring work day with lots of focus.

I did harvest some basil today and Becca and I will make pesto tomorrow.  We'd planned to make it for dinner tonight but got a better offer.  We went to Jessi's to have a safe dinner with all my girls plus grands.  The kids roasted marshmallows and made s'mores after dinner.  AJ knows how to roast marshmallows - and burnt mine to perfection for my s'more.

The Ring went off while Bex and I were watching our show.  I pulled up the live feed and saw a fox snooping around on top of the chicken coop.  I felt a little offended.  They've been running past it and playing and hadn't explored the coop that I know of until tonight.  I showed the live stream to Bex and was going to go outside to tell it to go away when she reminded me that ... we can talk through the camera!

So I started telling it to go away and then Becca barked at it and we just about fell over laughing for a good long time.  The fox did look at the camera and it did leave.  What a handy thing.

I was going to upload the video but I'm having some issues getting it to the blog post, so I'll have to try again later.

I hope Friday is an easy work day and am looking forward to what I hope will be a productive and yet relaxing weekend.

We are safe and well and loved.  I hope you are too.

Wednesday - COVID235 and FIRE76

I woke up on time but was super tired but still needed to get up because AJ was coming for the day.

It was a school day for him, though a short one.  His Zoom class was about a half hour in the morning and he worked on homework for the rest of the morning.  I set a timer so he could work for a half hour and take 10 minute breaks until lunch.  At that point he was close to done but had a problem with his worksheet that we decided to review after lunch.

Bex made him the new favorite sandwich that she introduced him to recently - grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich, and about that time the pretzels were out of the oven and he had one of those.

We were able to sit down together at the table and work through the math.  Then he played video games with Bex for a while.  She went to Starbucks for drinks for us all and AJ discovered the caramel hot apple cider - his new favorite drink.

We had a good visit with Jess when she came to pick AJ up at the end of the day.  She has had him this week and had an appointment at home so AJ came here for the day.  It was a treat.  He wanted to know when he could come back as he was getting ready to leave.  He loves Bells and Oliver and was happy to lead Luna to the barn tonight. He was very proud of her for not pulling on the lead.

We had chicken sandwiches for dinner and Q brought home cheesecake when he came back from his trip to the city - work appointment.

We are coping and safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Tuesday - COVID234 and FIRE75

I woke up early again, in part because I heard animal noises that I wasn't sure were inside or outside and I couldn't get them to stop - so probably outside.  Sooooo annoying.  But I got a head start on the day.

Oliver likes to go out when I get up and he was not pleased that I wasn't opening the door at 0-dark-thirty.  He's not allowed with the dawn hunters, which started when he was chased into the house a few years ago by foxes taking the last of my hens one morning.  He meowed at the door, came over to put his paw on my leg, then tore at his cat tower, wandered off to sulk, then repeated.  About an hour after this routine started, I got a Ring movement notification and looked at the video to see a fox trotting by where I would have been letting him out.  Nope.

I made him wait another hour, then went out to do chores and get the rest of the animals out.

I've been babying sourdough starter back to life after a summer hibernation the last few weeks and it was finally ready yesterday.  So I used the discard this morning to make pretzels.  I started the dough in the bread machine and went back to work, smelling the yeasty warmth and looking forward to warm salty pretzels with mustard later in the day.

Work was okay and then as the day wound down, I started to listen to election results and then stopped.  There will be nothing known today, maybe not even for at least a week.  I told myself to wait and to be patient.  And then I felt sick to my stomach at the rift in this country.

I lost track of time with a new challenging project I'm figuring out.  Then needed to create a space for AJ to be able to do his school work tomorrow as he'll be with us in the morning.

We are safe and well and loved and seeking the best.  I hope you are too.

Monday - COVID233 and FIRE74

The advantage to falling back from daylight saving time means that I am getting up earlier, easier, and going to bed sooner.  

It was a work day - not a lot to write about.  Bex and I carefully reviewed and discussed ballots this afternoon, then completed each of ours and dropped them off at the Villa.  I love that place - so many memories there from so many different parts of my life.  It was easy to get in and out, people were cheerful even late in the day, and we felt accomplished and relieved that we didn't need to deal with it tomorrow when there may be more people.

We're hopeful.  It's Bex's second presidential election. 

The foxes showed up at the front of the house shortly after Bex went outside in the back this evening, so I popped out to let her know that they were roaming so she wouldn't be surprised.

We made orange chicken and rice for dinner tonight.  

While Bex and I watched a show, I finished a mandala in the same yarn and pattern as the center of the blanket squares I finished.  I'll wash and then put it on a hoop when I get my hoops back from Jessi's house where they are being stored with other projects and with my photos.  I wanted to use up the yarn.  There's still a bit more but I think I'll move on to the next project for now.

I'm still stressed but feeling better overall.  I remembered that I had eleuthero and started using it a few days ago.  It's amazing how well it really works and I need to remember it, especially during the darker fall and winter months.  Hops tea before bed has been helping with sleep.

I did listen to a  (free) webinar today that I'd forgotten I signed up for a couple weeks ago - the page was still open in my browser and when I clicked on it, the webinar just started.  There was no way to pause it, so I listened in headphones while I worked and took notes from time to time.  It was on antiviral herbs and I have a handout and some notes that will be helpful.

We are safe and well.  I hope you are too.

Sunday - COVID232 and FIRE73

This is the time for nightmares it seems.  Last night's was me and Bex sitting on the couch watching election results.  There was a celebrity visiting - I cannot for the life of me remember who she was - and she was in another part of the house.  The screen on the TV went black and white with a globe in the middle and it said WORLD QUAKE.  Becca and I grabbed each other's arms and looked at each other as the lights flickered.  We didn't feel anything but were worried.  Then the WORLD QUAKE warning flashed on the TV again and the power went out.  We still didn't feel any shaking but had no idea what was going on.  I remember while we were getting battery packs lined up and ready and starting to look at our phones to find out what happened that the celebrity woman asked if she could stay while the whole world situation was sorted out, and we agreed.

I slept in a little.  When I checked the ring I saw that two foxes trotted through at about midnight, so the flash I caught on the other video was probably not a raccoon or prey, but the other fox while they were chasing through.

I worked this afternoon and made some salsa.  Bex went down to pick up some groceries from Jess, as well as a package of yarn that arrived during the evacuation ups and downs that Jess has been holding in her garage for me.  Time for a new project.

I got into an emotional funk and am not sure why.  It was a combo of stress and anxiety and anger at everything.  I'm trying to be kind to myself and know I'll find my way.

The time change messes everything up but I'm hopeful that finally they'll find a way to stop this ridiculousness and just leave the time be.  

I got notifications a few times around 9:30 on the Ring and watched one of the foxes running around again.

I'm going to bed earlier than usual and hope to rest easy tonight and feel better tomorrow.

We are safe and well.  I hope you are too.