Tag Archives: Covid-19

Going Solo, Well Not Really

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An Idaho Summer

Just before I arrived in Idaho this summer I had a text conversation with Linda, who has opened her and her husband’s second home to me. She was concerned about me coming to Idaho. Covid-19 was on  upsurge in the state and she was concerned. Linda’s statement to me was she wasn’t sure I would have allies up here. I told her as a single or solo person I can’t rely on having any allies.

Guess who was wrong? Me. A week after I arrived in Idaho I got sick. I had a sore throat, it was really sore. After spending a weekend self-treating I decided a visit to the clinic associated with St Lukes Hospital was in hand. I was apprehensive. I worried that I had Covid-19. I was worried that I could have infected others. I was worried that things could get worse. I was disappointed in myself that I had exposed myself to this ugly virus. I was feeling alone.

I had a car appointment. I wore a mask and never got out of my car. The NP who saw me was gowned, gloved, and masked. My whole visit was conducted without moving from the driver’s seat. My heart rate was a little high and I received the lecture about drinking enough water at elevation. My throat was red and sore.

I was tested for strep which was negative and then for Covid-19. I was told I should self isolate until the results came back. Three days later the results were in and I was negative for the coronavirus. Yes!!! I am happy to report I am back in full working order and what was a scary moment in time is now in the past.

My friends came to the rescue. I notified Linda that this was happening. She immediately texted me and told me to hang tight. Over the next few days until the results came in we texted back and forth. Her support was a comfort to me and made me realize I am not alone. My sister, Ginny, was in touch and anxiously waiting for the results with me. Friends in Oregon, Mary, and Wanda, awaited the news and supported me via social media. Hmmm, I was not alone. I have allies.

Kayaking the North Fork of the Payette River

This event has made me realize I am never alone, not really. I have friends and allies all over the country and world who continue to love and support me and encourage me when I feel the most vulnerable and worn down. I have friends who support and celebrate with me when life is on an upswing. I have friends who make me realize I am not alone. I may be solo and adventuring out on my own but I carry all these people with me, in my everyday life. They are only a phone call away.

This summer I am up in the mountains. I am safe. I am biking, kayaking, hiking and taking plenty of photos. I am social distancing and wearing a mask. I am taking care of myself as best I can. And I am not doing it alone. I have allies.

Today I am thankful for my immediate family and my family of friends who love and support me, no matter what.

NextDoor

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I have been staying with friends in Bay Park, a community in San Diego since March. Yes, we are still getting along. We are all healthy and “sheltering in place”. This has meant that we get our groceries and other necessities delivered to the house. I have not been inside a grocery store for over two months. Wow.

Why are we doing this, well, we are in the demographic that needs to be careful (67 years young), I was treated for thyroid cancer in February and Cynthia is recovering from foot surgery. We have all felt it is best to stay away from the stores.

Since early March we have been diligently trying to find disinfectant sprays that are recommended for Covid-19. Do you know how hard they are to find? Some stores have it but you have to go to the store and pick it up. We continue to choose to social distance from others.  Amazon delivers on-line but they are “out of stock”. Walmart, CVS, Riteaid, Target, Home Depot…..Out Of Stock!!

Enter Nextdoor.com. I have had experiences with this social media platform since Elsie the Cat disappeared from my rig, November 3, 2019. The people in the community of Santee have been amazing and continue to be so. When I posted my lost cat on Nextdoor, I met Tanya. She is all things animals in the east county area. Although I have never met her I feel like she became a friend. And, to this day the Santee community is keeping an eye out for my now, 15-year-old kitty. I am so thankful for their caring, for a little lost kitty.

I noticed that as we began to “shelter in place” the communities on Nextdoor reached out. They have reached out to their neighbors, to seniors, and to anyone in need. Some people even set up tables near the street with extra items. People would come and pick up something they needed and drop off what they had in excess. They also shopped for people who could not go to the store.

When I moved to Bay Park I signed up with Nextdoor in this area. Out of frustration and running extremely low on disinfectant spray and toilet paper I posted on Nextdoor and offered an exchange of paper towels for anyone who had what we needed.

Within a very short time, the answers started coming in. I was told what stores had toilet paper. Then the offers started. Thanks to Emma, we now have Lysol disinfectant and TP. She even threw in some Clorox wipes. Thanks to Howard we have enough TP not to worry about running out. Today I got another offer for TP. I turned the offer down and told Bobby to hold onto it until the next person in need surfaces. I have now experienced another amazing Nextdoor community and I am grateful.

Nextdoor has shown me a sense of community. The kindness of people has shone through. The willingness of individuals to help others continues to be a wonderful experience for me. It has shown me the kindness of others, and the willingness to help, no matter what the crisis is. People care about their neighborhoods and they care about each other. They may not always agree yet they continue to support and help each other. They create strong communities through this social media platform.

Besides communicating and pleas for help, Nextdoor also had a market place where you can shop locally for free or sale items. Because it is local all one has to do is drive somewhere in the neighborhood to pick it up. Local Businesses, Real Estate, Lost & Found, Events and more are listed. I have to admit I have not taken the time to explore it in depth. I do know that Nextdoor will remain a part of my life wherever I roam in my little RV.

I will always be grateful to those who reached out to me and my friends when the plea for supplies was posted. Thank you, Bay Park, thank you, Santee, and for all those communities that are out there helping, supporting and caring about each other.