Things Keep Getting Crazier and Crazier

   Things just seem to be getting crazier and more out of hand in the world lately.  We are still dealing with the whole Covid-19 mess and waiting and watching as things slowly reopen.  We knew there would be a uptick in cases when this happened and tried to be prepared for it.  However, we never imagined the amount of civil unrest there would be after a man was murdered by police officers and the justified anger and outrage that followed that.  I respect the peaceful protestors but the agitators that try to come in and take advantage of grieving communities and people just piss me off.  Civilians and law enforcement, along with firefighters and National Guard troops are being killed or hurt.  My son Chris was put on notice to be ready to go up north if the protest got out of control there.  Thank God the peaceful protestors and some armed citizens got together and protected their community from rioters and looters while still being able to express their sadness and their call for much needed changes.  Word got out and the agitators avoided that town all together.

   I suspect within the next few weeks we will see a huge rise in Covid-19 cases.  Between the protests (which are understandable), rioting (this makes me so angry), and people who are not taking this Covid-19 stuff seriously and partying in large groups, we will have another big mess on our hands.  This is NOT a good situation for any of us.

   Jeff has his upcoming knee replacement surgery next month.  We need to keep him as healthy as possible so it is not delayed and we are praying that the hospitals will not have to stop doing these surgeries again so that they can keep beds open for a possible onslaught of Covid-19 patients.  At this point, I can go and be there with him since they are allowing one visitor per patient.  Things may change however.  We still do not know if he will have to stay there overnight or not.  We will find out more about that at his pre-op and it will also depend on how he does after his surgery.  

  Due to the uncertainty with all this going on, it is more important than ever for us, and for everyone else for that matter, to make sure we are prepared for whatever may come our way.  We have bought more plants for the garden since bugs got to some of ours that we had planted out.  I got more squash that is the longer storing type along with summer squash varieties.    Our Rachel really enjoys butternut squash, so I picked up some of those to grow to share with her.  I'm a huge acorn squash fan, so those came home with me also.  Zucchini plants also found there way here and will be planted out soon since the yellow squash plants took a huge hit already from the bugs.  

   I continue to stock the pantry and freezers.  My hope is to have 6 months worth of food and HBA products, along with pet food and supplies put in before Jeff has his surgery.  We had hoped to finish doing all this about a week before his surgery, but I am thinking we may have to do it sooner just to be on the safe side.  Our doctor's office has also piggybacked our appointments for Jeff's pre-op and my bloodwork back to back so that we can be in the same room and just get it all done at the same time.  I can get my prescriptions mailed to me, which is a good thing if things get worse or Jeff is unable to drive for awhile after surgery.  I can also just have my kids pick them up and run them out to me (if the Covid thing is not too bad).  We are trying to prepare for the slight possibility of Jeff not being able to return to work within a month's time, along with possibility of things being shut down once again due to nasty virus.  

   You know, I do worry.  I have family and friends who live in the areas where the rioting is happening.  Some of them are afraid to go out at night because of what is happening in their own neighborhoods.  Some of them work in the areas where it is occurring.  Some have already lost things due to the looting.  I cannot even imagine how scary this must be for people who are not prepared to shelter in their homes and have the food and things they need there already.  I continue to encourage people to please get prepared, if you are not already, for any possibility.  How many of us could have seen any of this coming back in October or November of last year?

   Be bless, be prepared and please stay safe.