The Re-Opening

Things are gradually opening up again, at least here in New York State and in neighboring Vermont. The States that didn't take firm action early on are now being overwhelmed by the coronavirus. Most of them seem to be in the southern USA.

Our church held its first in-person service last Sunday. We had about 45. This coming Sunday more are expected and we will have two services. Kathy and I will be holding off awhile, especially since they allow singing, (though do require masks while doing the singing). We personally are in the very high-risk category, and churches haven't been doing well with the re-openings. A lot of people in enclosed spaces, masks often not required the whole time, and singing allowed is a dangerous combination.

I was contacted yesterday about bringing in my photographs for the display in the "Corridor Art Gallery" at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, so tomorrow I have to take them in early. I'm not sure how many people will see them, as you still have to be checked in and have a valid reason for being there to even enter the hospital, but they will be up until mid-September.

Also I spent time early mornings and late afternoons the last 4 or 5 days taking photos of the Bennington Battlefield area for a fellow writing a magazine article on it. No pay for that, but I do get credit given.

I ordered and received brake parts for the Dodge Journey, so will begin replacing them and some bulbs to get it ready for inspection. Also got some new tire pressure sensors and have to replace the rear tires.

The camper is out of storage and sitting in the yard. Have to check that out and clean it. The rear box needs rebuilding. The thing is 53 years old this year! We stayed in it on our honeymoon 51 years ago! Hope to get out camping once or twice later this summer.

2016 photo of us camping with the camper

The rioting mostly seems to be over. There are still demonstrations. There is a whole lot of "Mickey Mouse" political correctness, plus attacks on statues that will only fuel hatred and accomplish nothing positive in the long run. Governments are finally coming to the realization they can't just shut down the police or allow "anarchy zones" and are beginning to clamp down. The coming economic collapse is going to put most people in survival mode. They aren't going to be able to afford running around burning other people's businesses. Outside the US, the world as a whole is not doing any better, except a few places like New Zealand.

We finally got about half an inch of rain today. That makes only about 0.7" for the entire month. Everything has been turning brown and withering up. My wife's small raised garden is doing very well, but we water that daily. A lot of Saharan dust is supposed to reach the USA this week, but mostly down south. Some say it will provide spectacular sunsets and sunrises, others the opposite!