it's getting too peoplely out there again...

 i have embraced the hermit life.  just chilling with my pets. it's very comfortable.

 today it looked a bit cloudy out by Powerline Pass but i went anyway.  it was nice to be out of the full sun.  that also meant less humans...at least for awhile.

 the sun came out eventually so as i returned back the trail became more crowded...that last mile was actually annoying full of people. some large group of tweens/below tween age kids and the adults supervising them.  they were spread out over about a quarter mile at least in little subgroups...there had to have been 50+ people. they slowly passed by me.  i kept pulling the dogs off the trail but it was steady and constant. 

 when the last of them finally passed by us i felt a moment of relief.  only a few had masks...which i'm not that insane about masks in open space, i just give space but i think it was just that i haven't seen that many people out since before this all started.

 within moments of my relief of them passing i heard one call out, "we're turning around now"!!  so now i had to deal with the same huge group in reverse.  with adults running between sub groups and when they all finally passed me by near the parking area another sub group opted to again turn around and do a bit longer walk the other direction.  my peaceful walk had been about ruined by this large group who forced me to be in their realm.  they had taken over the trail.

 as i said, otherwise it was nice and pretty.  the sun came out with the clouds to cover at times so it stayed cool. there was still quite a lot of patches of snow which the dogs loved to stop on.

 there was a dad and his son that i met out at the bridge.  i'd seen them running down a patch of snow from the top of the mountains around us.  they had apparently gone up from the parking lot 2 miles in and crossed over, hitting all those peaks before coming down the mountain on a patch of snow.  it would have killed my knees.  always great to see parents who get out in nature with their kids. it was so sweet.

 i had managed to get part of the deck painted...just a big touch up...before i left.  i finished inside the dog run touch up when i got home.  of course, there were a few wet spots awhile later when i allowed the dogs back through.  there are some painted paws at this time.

 i'd hit the grocery yesterday and pet store. i'm happy i did that yesterday because it seemed like everyone was out today.  the grocery and pet store were high density mask wearing, which is still smart i think. our numbers remain low.  not sure how things will go when they start flying. there is still a request for 14 day quarantine but it seems like a very loose request.  our governor is a GOP and i think he has begun to return to his base thinking.  getting back in line with the other trumpers. 

 i'd thought of hitting Lowes for some plants for the garden, maybe some flowers.  but it was packed with cars and people so i just drove home.  i'd had enough live  human interactions for the day.  will i be forever changed.  cling to my home time, my alone time?  will i return to the meager social activities of my past?

 not really sure how things will go with the virus over the next 6 months. i think i will lay a bit lower than baseline through some of this, watching.

 stretched out covi kitten.  i bought some treats so that i can give him treats when he comes inside when called.  training time. am missing a collar...those quick release collars quick release too quickly.  i keep looking around for it but haven't found it yet.

 the color between Willow area below and Denali above is pretty impressive.

 this is the yard work trying to make the yard a cat enclosed area. the gutters are in upside down now and the fencing in between the deck and the back fence.

 will it work? time will tell.  i suspect it will be a work in progress. has he already left and returned?  is that why i can't find that collar or is it under the deck.  so far he keeps returning so hopefully, we are an appealing household for him. 

 he doesn't seem as interested in going out when it's cooler so maybe his days as a stray will be enough to help him see how good he has it here.

 got the dogs in to the vet for their rabies, they were due for their new licenses so that is all done.  they are still doing drive up service.  you drive up and call in.  the tech came out to get the pups.  they were good dogs. Ivy is just over 68 pounds and Tusker nearly 74 pounds...so i think good weights for their size.

 i have an orange kitten in my lap now. 

 i think he's pretty happy here.

 he's off to curl up with Miss Breezy. they've slept near each other but so far they haven't actually been caught snuggling.  perhaps one day.

 so i did a few things, was lazy a bit as well.  nothing new.  i always feel good when i at least get something accomplished.

 i have another work stretch coming up. i switched it up a little bit so i am not working the night of my birthday next week...though i will be working the night before so technically on my Birthday i guess.

 just another year....at some point celebrating seems pointless. happy to still be enjoying this life though.  i hope for a long healthy life if i can have it. i love the critters, this earth and my simple life. i have very few needs really.  i've learned to take it as it comes.  i'm learning to accept things i can't change as the saying goes.

 still wearing the knee support if i'm not in the shower or in bed.

 i still get my steps in though.  it's a wee bit uncomfortable at times but not bad. overall does seem a smidge better with the occasional twinge. i have made little forays around in the mornings without support on and survived thus far so fingers crossed.

 just watched "Spanglish"...a fun movie.

 the other night i binged watched the second season of "Dead to Me" i think it's called. i'd watched the first season...like it.  i know i should be reading more. i think concentrating hasn't been that easy for me through all of this.  a blend of mild anxiety and depression no doubt. i do not think i am alone on any of that.

 it seems like too much effort to leave the house more than once in a day unless i am going to work. 

 who would have thought we'd all have our lives altered so much by this.

the Spanish Flu outbreak went on for nearly 3 years.  hoping we have more opportunities to get on top of this with improved treatments and a vaccine sooner than later. 

 the rights dream of herd immunity kills off a lot of people to get to that. i suspect there were fools back in that time as there are now.  this too shall pass eventually. 

 just hope for a change in November.  this fool has no clue what he is doing.  he's a wreck...and he's surrounded himself with fools as well.  we have little hope if he is elected again. 

 they are doing all they can to seize absolute power though.  this administration and this party do not care about the regular folks of this nation except in how they can use them to their advantage. 

 that is me with my little neck bandana for outdoor wear.  mostly i pull it up if there is someone with masks and/or not much room to pass outside. i use a regular mask for store stuff. you just never know if the persons around you have a medical condition or someone at home with medical conditions that they are trying to protect. 

 these fools that have turned not wearing a mask into some sort of sign of patriotism are just plain selfish really.  it's 30 minutes of my day in and out of a store.  not much of an infringement on my rights...more of a mark of kindness and community.  actually, my last trek to the grocery most were wearing masks and those that didn't kind of looked odd.

 my other point of cat proofing.

 the days fly by really.  great walk today....dog park yesterday.  at some point i did start to imagine symptoms...was it covid?  a heart attack?  in the end i figured i was just super hungry.  stopped for mexican food. i'm for sure not ready to eat in a restaurant yet. 

 mostly, i think working in the hospital i figure i am more likely to be an asymptomatic carrier. i'd feel terrible if i passed it alone unknowingly.

 look at that sweet face. 

 the rest are from the big camera over the month. this eagle was sitting on a thawing lake....when i got it on the computer i saw all the little bones...some poor critter.  hopefully, not some ones pet!!

 moose chilling at the curve

 they looked to be mostly males.  they are out there some times when i drive home from work. 

 the rest are from Homer.  these are white faced geese and snow geese.

 and of course, sea stars.

 should sleep well tonight. i have been waking earlier than normal. strange.  i just get up feed the critters and crawl back in bed.  they are used to eating when i get home from work so i guess that really isn't that odd.

 burrowing in

 this star looks wiped out....i shall go crash like he seems to be doing.  :-)

thankful for A.  a pleasant walk...at least most of it B. peace C quiet