Monday, June 1, 2020

Tales of the Traveling Tote #23

Welcome, friends!
Like most, we are masked and in mandatory "stay at home" here.
Obviously there hasn't been any travel.

Our first major disappointment was this!
Round Top Antique Market
Canceled!!!
😢😢😢😢😢

That meant one of my besties who was 
scheduled to join me from Cape Cod
had to cancel her visit.

I've been shopping these 
bi-annual markets since the 1980s.

Grocery shopping is done online 
with curbside pickup.

 Then there was this!
Fresh cut flowers are difficult to find.

Fortunately, Mother Nature came to the rescue!
~Red Bud Blooms ~ 

 ~ Mountain Laurel ~

~ Bridal Wreath ~

 In May, Texas began to reopen, and I began to 
venture into the grocery stores on occasion.
Entries are timed to limit the number of shoppers inside 
a store, so shoppers line up waiting to enter.
Masks and strict social distancing are required, and store employees are stationed to monitor that rules are observed.

I only venture out for 
essential shopping!

Trader Joe's of course 
has very clever 6 foot stations.


 Our neighborhood streets are active with 
children and families out walking or biking.

Sadie doesn't think all this fuss about 
social distancing applies to canines.


In reality, Sadie has enjoyed the months of isolation.
She gets multiple walks, likes to stop and smell the flowers,
and always finds a comfy spot for napping.
Now that Austin has begun reopening, curbside drop-off for grooming means Sadie gets time with her favorite groomer, Joelle.

 Early on, someone in our neighborhood suggested that 
the neighbors set up a Bear Hunt based on the children's book,
I'M GOING ON A BEAR HUNT 
by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury.


The idea was that families would place
a teddy bear in one of their front windows.

When families are out on their daily walks, 
the children look for bears, as they go on a Bear Hunt.
The idea was immediately embraced as you can see with
my sampling in the collage above.  It even expanded to an 
Easter Egg Hunt with some families adding eggs in their windows.

When Debbie @ Mountain Breaths convinced me to add
Olivia Owl to my nest, I decided to have a little fun with her too.
Olivia flitted about from one flower filled container to another.
Instead of WHERE'S WALDO, it was WHERE'S OLIVIA?

 Families have embraced this isolation time to reconnect.
The slower pace has families enjoying just being together.
No schools are open, so children are finishing the school year online from home with the assistance of their parents.
 Birthdays are celebrated with drive by parades or
gathering together for virtual parties on Zoom.
Our local schools organized graduation parades.
Last week high school seniors rode through the neighborhoods in cars and trucks decorated with balloons and flags and banners;
honking horns and the sound of cheers filled the streets.

One of my friends organized a couple of us to 
celebrate a friend's birthday with a tailgate party.
Four masked friends sitting six feet apart in a parking lot!
When life gives you lemons, 
make something sweet!

In addition to the isolation and lockdown orders, we are
in the throws of a remodel.  Meetings with our contractor and architect are held outside, masked, and distanced.

May 13th brought a special event to our city.
The US Air Force Thunderbirds conducted a flyover of 
Austin area hospitals to salute health care workers,
first responders, and other essential workers on the front lines.
A friend snapped this photo from her vantage point downtown.

Rabbit, Rabbit! ~ Today is June 1st
A new month, a new start!
Today, more than ever, our country must embrace the
oneness of humanity, to live with kindness and compassion.
"Through judging, we separate.  
Through understanding, we grow."
~ Doe Zantamata~

Linda is hosting our June giveaway, 
leave a comment on her blog to be entered.
Be sure to visit all the adventures below.
Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths 
Emily with Miss Courtney ChildsThe French Hutch
Jenna with Miss Coquille @The Painted Apron
Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda
 Patti with Miss Kenzie @ Pandora's Box
Rita with Miss Luna C Panoply 
Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul (You are here)
Jackie and Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home
Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Sketchy Reader
Cherry Kay and Carrie Ann Hall @ Entertaining Women