Anthony's Odyssey

[flamingo]

My little corner of the world is still functioning well. Mom, my friends, and I are all happily employed. Mom is loving her new work setup at home. The shop has seen a bit of a dip in business with more people at home, but we are here for those who need to be on the road. Ash made a $2000 donation to a local food bank. Customers at the shop are adjusting to the situation for the most part, but they are expressing a growing frustration with the government shutdown order, job losses, and other uncertainties. One dairy farmer was upset over having to dump his milk down the drain. That sucks!

Easter Sunday was just another day, though Mom did prepare a meal of ham, mac & cheese, and corn. It was also a perfect day to do the mowing, trimming, and weed pulling. An overcast 60 degree day perfect for getting shit done without shivering or sweating. Before that I had to rake and pickup sticks that littered the yard from a windstorm that blew Thursday and Friday. Our neighborhood was without power for 12 1/2 hours, thanks to a tree that fell about a quarter of a mile away. Fortunately, many of those hours were overnight when most people were in bed. We got some wind and rain from those horrible storms that ripped across the South, but we dodged the worst from those.

A nearby church put up a sign that reads, "NO NEED TO PANIC! GOD IS IN CHARGE!" Okay. Whatever.

 

[CharmedFan28]

Glad to hear those storms did not affect you too badly. I am also glad that you have your job and you and the people around you are coping ok. Keep us updated and I am glad you had a nice Easter even if it was low key.

 

[bs29697]

So glad to hear all of your loved ones are doing great. Here in the Southwest part of the state I actually got a little snow this afternoon and night. it won't last long the ground is still warm and will melt it quickly.

Some people need to believe in a higher power to get through this virus scare.

Brian

 

[Kyanimal]

As my Mom would say, "Faith, not fear." In other words, use your head, and do the best you can. Control that which you can. The rest will work itself out. Your brain is for thinking, and your heart is for feeling. Don't confuse the two. Be confident there will be a tomorrow. Not bad for a preacher's wife, who was born just before The Great Depression, lived through WWII, and all else that has followed since.

Mom will be 94 on June 21, summer solstice, the longest day. Dad passed two years ago in the medical wing of the senior living complex where Mom is now. She has a really nice, fully equipped, apartment on the top floor of her wing. Her living room has a big bay window that she calls her "snow globe".

They locked down the entire complex two weeks ago. Everyone is confined to quarters. There is food and cleaning service. They take everyone's temp at least once a day. All mail is held for 24hr. before delivery, just in case.

Mom is perfectly fine being alone. She has her big screen T.V., iPad, books, painting supplies, etc., etc. Given what she managed to teach Me, she has a deep pool of coping skills. She's currently using her iPad to whomp my butt at Scrabble! She plays it like others play chess! Of the last four games, I barely won once through sheer luck!

We had snow today. Just some dandruff blowing through the frigid air. Kev's "quarantined" from work for the next two weeks. I'm gonna have to figure out what to do with him being home all the time. HA!

We're doing fine. So far, so good. As long as the cable and internet hold out ... Most things are being delivered, and dropped off inside our enclosed front porch. Don't even have to see the delivery peeps, bless them.

That's about it from our little corner. Looking forward to hearing more about yours!

(Virtual) HUGS!!
Chaz

 

[flamingo]

It has been breezy and cold here lately. The past couple of nights the temperature has dipped into the high 20s. Parts of northern Pennsylvania received 9" of snow! Yikes.

With the drop in auto repair appointments, Ash has decided to trim a couple of hours off of each workday at the shop. All employees AND customers will be required to wear masks starting tomorrow. Governor's order for all "life-sustaining" businesses. Like in other states, the natives are getting restless. Thousands of protesters are expected to converge on Harrisburg tomorrow morning to demand for a reopening of the state. No surprise the caldrons of anarchy are starting to simmer.

Adam's mother passed away last week. It has been a stressful time for him. We wish we could go to him and give him a big hug and it sucks that we can't. Only 10 people were allowed to be at the funeral home seated far apart, so a limited number of people were invited to attend.

Bryce called me over to watch a movie together. It has been awhile since it was just him and me. And he has changed his appearance. He and Ash bought some weightlifting equipment last year and Bryce, during his winter downtime, has been hitting the weights with vigor. Before the movie, he stripped everything off and showed me his much more muscular body and veiny arms to go with that shoulder length blond mane, toothy smile and blue eyes. Good Lord! He used a George Foreman grill to make us each 2 burgers. I put on a slice of cheese, some brown mustard, and zucchini relish on mine. Delicious! During the movie, he tortured me by sprawling across the sofa completely naked and stroking his cock at me while wearing a mask, and telling me I couldn't come within 6' of him. He was laughing at me knowing he was making me horny. He told me I couldn't touch myself until I got home. Little prick!

I did venture out to the grocery stores. Unlike last week, all employees were wearing masks. There was much less on the shelves to choose from, though I did find most items on my list. When I drove over to Aldi, they were restricting the number of customers in the store. I was 6th in line waiting behind other customers out on the sidewalk. We were spaced 6' apart behind the strips of blue tape on a blustery 48 degree day waiting for an employee to let someone inside only when somebody came out. When I got waved in, another employee was wiping down my cart for me. Wow, what a strange new world.

Chaz, your Mom sounds wise and perseverant and I'm glad she is doing well at her age. How many 93 year olds even know what an iPad is? It must be frustrating to not be able to be there in person to visit her and see what is going on.

I think a lot of us are fine with being alone. Alone doesn't mean you have to be lonely. I think during this pandemic we should stop using words like "isolation". It seems to be having a negative effect on some people. With the methods of communication we have today, no one should feel isolated. And some seem to be having trouble dealing with having too many people around the house.

Here is the quote of the week, courtesy of my ginger stud, Randy: "Have you noticed that the fucking people lecturing us about keeping our social distance are the ones you don't want to have near you in the first place?"

 

[CharmedFan28]

Sounds like you had a good time with Bryce. Grocery stores are a very different place these days. I am glad you are doing ok despite this crisis we are all going through.

 

[CharmedFan28]

Forgot to say sorry to hear about the passing of Adam's Mother.

 

[bs29697]

I know of a woman that was denied entry to a store because she didn't have a mask on her face and that was on Friday. The news stations in Pittsburgh seem to think that the South West portion of Pennsylvania could be allowed to gradually open certain economic sectors in the near future if things stay the same and no uptick of the virus infections keep happening. Please send my condolences to Adam for his Mothers' passing.

I agree there has to be a better word than alone or isolate to describe what everyone around the world is dealing with today with all of the devices we have today we are neither alone or isolated. It seems like only yesterday that people were proud that they turned off their devices to "get away from the technology" and today those same people are freaking out if the internet goes down for a couple of minutes!!!

Brian

 

[Kyanimal]

Please convey my condolences to Adam, too. I'm a total stranger, but I'd like to let him know there are those of us "out here" who care about our fellow passengers on our little rock zooming around the sun. Losing anyone is never easy, and things are even all that more difficult in this weird world we're living in today.

I really do appreciate your sharing your experiences with all of us. I cherish your perspectives. Sounds like Ash has a firm, and competent, hand on steering the shop, and all who work there, in the right directions. I'm hoping Randy wasn't including Ash in his 'quote'.

I'm thinking Bryce likely deserves a bit of spanking once you're able to get close enough to him. What a tease! I'm liking that boy all the more as I continue to learn more about him.

Stay Safe! Take Good Care! And, yeah ... No Matter What ...

Keep Smilin'!! (Especially Now!)
Chaz

 

[bigcannon]

So sorry to hear about Adam's mother, Anthony. He really has had a terrible year. That sucks. I'm sure you're doing your best to keep his spirits up.

As for Bryce, he's a little prick tease. Would love to see how he looks all buffed up. Damn, it'd be hard not to dive at the boy if he was naked and teasing. I think I might have to take a chance of catching something, it sounded so hot the way you described him. Whew!

Looks like we're opening up retail stores again starting tomorrow. We've been on the mask binge lately also, but not seeing as many as I thought I would. I have one, but hate wearing it. It seems so impersonal. The weather has been absolutely gorgeous here in the south lately, the best of the year is right now. They're opening up the beaches again finally, but the coastal island communities where they beaches are located are not allowing mainlanders onto the islands to go to the beaches. There may be a new civil war starting up over that issue. Am able to talk to neighbors without masks, which is wonderful. We all kind of sit on porches, and drink, hollering over to one another. Kind of fun that way. I'm still working also, but work has slowed down like the auto shop. Still it keeps me busy, as I don't idle well. Grocery stores seem to be well supplied here. I heard Giant is having some problems, but your independents should have adequate supplies up there, according to my contacts in the food business in PA.

I hope you're still able to hug Ash and Randy. I'd hate not to be able to hug those two, among other things. Keep your spirits up, Anthony and those around you. Make your mother laugh and feel loved. We will get through all of this, soon, hopefully. Stay safe, healthy and most of all happy. We'll be thinking of you. BC

 

[flamingo]

It is always a good time with Bryce! He has that captivating charm and a playful sense of humor to go with that mischievous grin and alluring blue eyes. He always has a kind word and a helping hand. And a sweet bubble butt that is begging for a

Wednesday was a great day because we got to see Adam. A couple of his Target co-workers were making masks, and he had called Randy to ask if he needed any at $1 each. Randy asked for 10 for all of us at the shop. We all had masks, but it doesn't hurt to have extras. Adam brought the masks to Randy's house that evening. Many different colors and designs. I chose one that has an American flag print.

Adam was really happy to see us. He was doing very well until recently and needed an emotional lift. It was just days after his Mom's limited funeral. Some relatives were upset they didn't get invited to attend the funeral and he heard their complaints. On top of that, I think the stresses of working at a busy retail store with irritable customers and co-workers while wearing masks and gloves and constantly scrubbing everything down is getting on his nerves.

Earlier, after I came home from work I mowed the lawn on a rare sunny day. It was a breezy 52 degree day, but I didn't mind. I noticed how incredibly blue the sky was. No clouds, and with no jet travel there were no white contrails streaking across the sky. When I was finished, I saw Randy out on his rear deck. I was stoked when he told me Adam was coming. He made a big pot of chili and got the fire pit started up. Randy, Adam, Ash, Bryce, my Mom and I served ourselves some chili and sat around the fire pit until the temperature started to fall into the cold 40s and we decided to call it a night. That was Adam's first fire pit visit and it was so cool to have him there. We didn't wear masks and did give some hugs. We keep ourselves well sanitized and don't fear giving each other any viruses.

Ash has a sign in the front window of the shop that reads, "NO MASK, NO ENTRY, NO EXCEPTIONS. I guess that pretty much covers that clear enough and everyone supports that. Like many states, Pennsylvania is facing the dilemma over how to approach reopening. Many want to reopen and go back to work and school. Many believe now would be too soon. The economic risk vs. the health risk. The problem is, no one knows what the right answer is. Gov. Wolf has a shutdown in place until May 8. What happens at that point, nobody knows. I think we are seeing a lot of "civil wars" being fought. For example, privileged rich people who have no concerns about income lecturing from their mansions and penthouses to those who have lost everything and don't know where their next dollar is coming from. "Stay home. We're all in this together." Fuck you and your ivory towers. A lot of rural blue collar people have to go out to earn their living. They don't have the means to work at home. Those are the ones who came to these protest rallies in PA. They want to work and not be a burden to others. The more sparsely populated rural counties with few infections are butting heads with the more densely populated counties with many more infections.

On Thursday, I went to a different grocery store. A family-owned store farther away that sits on the outskirts of a sleepy little town. A different atmosphere. The shelves were well-stocked, plenty of meat was available, and I saw TOILET PAPER for the first time in over a month. The employees were masked but in good spirits, chatting and laughing while respecting everyone's space. My cart was dripping from just being washed, and a shelf stocker complimented me on how cool my flag mask looked.

Mom got a surprise phone call. The ear specialist called and moved her vertigo appointment up from June. She goes there on Tuesday.

 

[bigcannon]

So great to hear your checking in, Anthony. Glad you and your great friends were able to enjoy chilie by the fire pit, unmasked and were able to hug each other. Adam probably needed the hugs he got more than anything in the world. How horrible would that be to have to bury your mother and not let loved ones and relatives come to the funeral. My heart really goes out to him and those that love him. I can't stand not being able to hug the people I just need to hug. It's killing me. Glad you were able to enjoy Bryce also. I'm sure you light up his world as much as he lights up yours. That's what loving friends are for, to enrich each other's lives.

There is quite the controversy brewing everywhere as to whether to go back to work. Like you said, those with the means to stay home, believe everyone should stay home. But those desperate to put food on the table for their families want to work. We are starting to open up slowly here in SC, but everyone is being vigilant and careful. We do have minds of our own and are capable of being careful and protecting ourselves. I can't believe what New York City is going through with the mayor urging people to turn others in if they don't stay in their houses. We have temps in the 80's these days and the outdoors is great for all of us. Like you said, mowing the lawn on a beautiful sunlit day, made you feel good again. If I lived in Michigan, I would definitely move. That's nothing but a police state these days. You can't go outside, and you can't buy things for your yard at a box store. The outdoors when warm is the safest place you can be. Go figure.

So glad to know your mother got her appointment moved up. Hopefully they'll be able to figure out what's wrong with her and possibly find an easy fix to her dizziness. We can only hope and pray.

Keep checking in. Love he idea of an American Flag as a mask. Very sexy, by the way. Ha. Hang in there and give your friends a hug for all of us, since we can't hug anyone. Love ya, BC

 

[72-Jay]

Nice to see an update flamingo!

Glad to hear your mother's appointment got moved up sooner. Hopefully they'll figure out a cure for her.

I too enjoy an evening out by the firepit but rarely do it anymore. (lit it up one random day a couple weeks ago...mid day, but that was done for part of a yard cleanup. I was burning a bunch of branches (most of them dead) trimmed off the trees.)
At some point soon I'll have to mow the lawn myself, since its greened up nicely after the snow we had the week before last. I've always liked the look & smell of a freshly cut lawn.

 

[CharmedFan28]

Nice to hear an update from you and I am glad you are doing well! That is excellent that your Mum's appointment got moved up! Hopefully they can figure out a way to help her.

 

[bs29697]

Great to hear from you Anthony. Thankfully your Moms appointment with the specialist was moved up so she can find out whats going on with her inner ear. Here in the Southwest corner of Pennsylvania it has rained just about every day in April granted it didn't rain every day but it sure has seemed like it has

Brian

 

[Kyanimal]

All of the above!

It's always great to hear from you, especially given the way you write. Thank You for making us feel as though we might be there with y'all around the fire pit.

HUGS!!
Chaz

P.S.
Scrabble with Mom: I'm 2 for 14!

 

[flamingo]

Yesterday was a beautiful Saturday. A sun-soaked 70 degrees with a slight breeze and no humidity. Randy and I mowed our lawns. Afterwards, he fired up his grill out on his rear deck for a small gathering with relatives while I got out the chaise lounge and stretched myself out under a newly leafed-out tree in nothing but my boxers and just soaked up the late afternoon. Bryce went fishing with a couple of buddies, and Ash is playing a round of golf today.

On May 1, Gov. Wolf opened up places such as golf courses and other outdoor activities on a limited basis. And 24 of our more rural counties in the northern part of PA can open for business next Friday. Pennsylvanians are starting to see that "light at the end of the tunnel." It really sucks that people in other states are seeing their governors and mayors becoming more dictatorial, seemingly putting their citizens under a form of house arrest and trampling basic freedoms. Using drones and thug cops to enforce social distancing and in some cases are making arrests! WTF! And during a time like this, wouldn't it be much safer for folks to grow food in their own gardens than buy it at a grocery store? And some of these tyrants are considering garden centers to be "non-essential?" WTF? And some are even extending shutdown orders. It's all about "science and data", so we're told. Perhaps scaring and financially crippling your residents makes them easier to control? I think the cultural clashes are really going to heat up along with the temperatures. Especially if those who feel desperate continue to be labeled as ignorant, selfish, and racist by tone-deaf politicians, media, and medical "experts."

Mom went to her appointment and the ear specialist checked her out and came to the conclusion that she needs more physical therapy. He told her the therapy center where she was didn't do a good enough job of getting those inner ear crystals back in place. So he has sent her to another physical therapist to begin sessions tomorrow. Here we go again! He dismissed Meniere's disease as a possibility. Mom hasn't used her walker in over a month, but still has those spinning moments. Like when she got up to answer a phone and wound up stumbling and falling into a chair.

Good to hear from you, Jay! Spring has been chilly, damp, and breezy for the most part here. Brian's last post pretty much sums it up. I have managed to mow 4 times, and I agree that a freshly cut lawn looks great. There shouldn't be any dead sticks left in our maple trees as often as I've picked them off the ground after windy days. While I was mowing yesterday, I saw a young groundhog watching me from the edge of a den that was dug under an old tree stump just a few feet past our property line. Does anyone have any tips to share on how to encourage these varmints to go elsewhere?

I am looking forward to future firepit visits where we'll be much less than 6' apart. Chaz, you need to improve your Scrabble percentage. Maybe you need to eat more bacon to stimulate your mind.

Randy's truckdriver pal Jimmy came into the shop to have some brake work done. He's a character who is in his mid 50s and has his long graying hair pulled back into a ponytail. He wore a t-shirt that read, "Geaux Saints." Jimmy and I were talking football when Randy came in. How they talk to each other can be hilarious. "Randy, why the hell do I have to wear a goddamn mask just to see you!" "Having half your face covered is actually an improvement." "Kiss my ass." Randy winked at me and said, "He should be nicer to me. He doesn't know who might be working on his brakes." Later when the job was finished, Ash told Jimmy with a grin, "I'm going to have to charge you triple for having that bumper sticker on the back." "Like shit you are!" I hadn't seen it, so when Jimmy's car got backed around I looked out the window and read the sticker. 'TRUMP 2020. Watch Liberals Cry Again!'

I do appreciate all your concerns for my Mom, your sympathies for Adam, and your well-wishes for me and my other friends. It does mean a lot!

 

[Kyanimal]

I'm liking Ash more and more!

As for those draconian, dictatorial, public officials, using their thug cops to hold down the populace, their main job is protecting their people, which includes public health. There is no such thing as a peeing section in the public pool. Think about that ... And, no running around the pool, either. We're all lucky that lifeguards are given whistles instead of guns.

As for the tiny minority of protesters, what happened to respect for authority, and the enforcement of law and order? They're also the same ones who boast about being able to live in their bunkers for a year, yet loose it when requested to stay home for a while. It's not the barbers demanding to go back to work, but rather the toy soldiers demanding that the barbers endanger their own health, and that of their family and friends. Who is trying to use the heavy hand here?

If you haven't been growing, and storing, your own food, but are going to start now, and not go to the store to buy any, you're going to starve before it sprouts. Just sayin' ...

Science and data? Yeah. Who needs that? Hunches are so much better to base major decisions upon. Extending shutdown orders in more densely populated areas? How silly! Not taking in cars from NYC? Loosing good business! Wearing masks, and staying 6' apart? How ridiculous! Following the advice of an ear specialist? ...

I'm happy that the warmer weather is making inroads. Here in Wisconsin, we're gonna have to wait a bit more before that's the norm. Yesterday and today hit 70. Tomorrow, it's back to the 40s.

I really got a kick out of the banter among Randy, Jimmy, and Ash. That's good stuff! Understanding and respect, with a hearty dash of humor, is always the best!

Luv ya, bud!!
Chaz

P.S.
Scrabble with Mom: I'm now 4 for 18, and still leading in our two current games. I think I'm gaining ground, but I'm not counting on it.

 

[CharmedFan28]

I am glad you are doing well. I hope this new physical therapist can help your Mum. They are starting to relax some restrictions here too. I just hope that soon things can get back to normal or as normal as they can be with social distancing. Thanks for the update and I hope you have a great week!

 

[bs29697]

I've got to agree with Chaz on this. If you want to know what happens when a city lowers their standards too quick just look up Philadelphia and the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 one day after the virus slowed its spread everyone was feeling well enough to do what they wanted to do so the mayor decided to lower the sanctions after riots broke out( like they are now) the following week when the people were still doing as they pleased another flu outbreak occurred killing many people in Philadelphia and in cities across the nation. An interesting fact is officials found a mass grave of Spanish flu victims a couple of years ago and ran tests to see if the virus was still around and found that flu virus was still alive in the victims tissues after all of this time. How scary is that? I apologize Anthony I don't want to scare anyone but there are risks to opening up too soon in some places. Hopefully this time the therapy your Mother does will get those little bones in her inner ear to come into balance.

Brian