The last several times I have stayed at a hotel/motel for a duration of more than one day, housekeeping has not come into the room to straighten it and make the bed. It does not seem to matter what hotel chain or their level of service. I attribute this to three causes. First, during the pandemic these chains were super cautious and bragging about their amped up level of cleanliness. It was a way to keep staff safe. Secondly, after the pandemic Continue reading “Door Hangers”
Rev. Joe’s Random Thought #4,293
yeah I know you did not ask!
I pulled into a convenience store the other night. Alright, alright, alright… I pulled in to buy a lottery ticket. Before I got out of the truck I put on my black pandemic mask. I had on my usual ball cap. I did not have far to go, but it was very cold outside so I zipped my jacket up as far as it would go. Then as I stepped out of the truck I had the random thought that all I needed at this point was a gun in my pocket.
Surely, I am not the only one.
Rev. Joe’s Random Thought #4,439
yeah I know you did not ask!
I’ve been using the disposable fiber face masks like you buy in the first aid section of Wal-Mart for most of the pandemic.
I’ve been wanting to get something a little more stylish so when I was in Wally World the other day, I went looking for the black cloth face masks that are so popular. I found a big display of them made by Hanes at a reasonable price. The box stated “Fits Most”.
When I got home I broke open the box and tried one on. It was much too small for me. I reckon all the people who have been telling me for years that I have a big head were right!
However prominent proboscises are de rigueur on both sides of the family, and my own is a fine example of this family trait. Add to that the fact that my chin usually precedes me into a room… well come to think of it I do have a big head.
Reminds me a bit of the old Jeff Foxworthy joke of the man who had big ears, a big nose, big hands and big feet, he was so ugly he better be packing.
Ba Dum.
This pandemic is real people…
A few weeks ago I posted an article, The Pandemic Blues – Take II. In it I detailed several things that happened to me during a round of golf that disturbed me in relation to folk’s attitude towards the corona virus pandemic. I then mentioned passing a popular bar/restaurant on my way home that is close to the golf course. It caters to a working class crowd, and is a nice place to grab a cold one and a bite to eat. What I noticed that day was how crowded the parking lot was, to the point of overflowing. And how I could not imagine social distancing taking place in there.
The last 2 or 3 times I have been golfing over in Illinois, the bar has been closed. Today at the golf course there was a young man behind the counter who I knew and knew to be from the area. I asked him if he knew the story about why the bar was closed.
Well yes he did. It turns out 2 of the waitresses tested positive for COVID-19. They were going to just close down the place for a couple days for a “deep cleaning”, he told me. He then went on to relate that there was a cluster of 20 COVID-19 cases in a small town close to Columbia, IL When they did the contact tracing they all went back to the bar! So they have closed the bar down for 2 weeks. I suppose that works to… I’m not really sure.
I can only hope when they reopen they test their employees a little better and force their customers into practicing social distancing. I do not really see the later happening in this particular establishment.
We all need to take care and realize that this is a real and serious pandemic, and that it is far from over.
Keep well.
The Pandemic Blues – Take II
I had a disturbing round of golf Friday. Oh not about my golf game, I describe myself as a Dr. Hyde / Mr. Jekyll golfer. I never know who is coming out, and sometimes I see both these sides in a single round of golf. I figured out last millennium that I was never going to play golf professionally, or even at a stellar amateur level. I am good with that. I still enjoy the game. My discomfort on this round of golf centered around attitudes about corona virus.
Let me describe where I golf most frequently. It is across the Rio Mississippi in the small town of Columbia, IL. This is southern Illinois and it is hoosier land. If your breed is more southern, substitute redneck for hoosier. It is the same concept, different words. I go to this particular golf course as the rates are more reasonable than in Missouri, it is usually easy to get a tee time and the course is generally in good shape. The greens always are. While not the cow pasture golf Continue reading “The Pandemic Blues – Take II”
The Pandemic Blues
Language alert!
In an email to a friend I made a wisecrack about singing The Pandemic Blues. He replied he had not heard that one, but someone had sent him a link to the Stay the F*** at Home! He then asked for a link to the The Pandemic Blues. I explained that I was being my usually contrarian sort and popping off. That there was no such song that I knew of, but perhaps we could write one and perform it. After all anyone can be on YouTube.
He sent me back the following verses and said now it was my turn. So I added the part in red.
The Pandemic Blues
The world has caught a virus
I’m to kindly ask
We need your help to cure it
so wear your fuckin’ mask!
I got an awful bad case
of them low down pandemic blues
If you want to visit family
it’s quite a simple task
just try to stay six feet apart
and wear your fuckin’ mask!
Lord, I’d have to get better, before I could die
Those low down pandemic blues
If you want to lie down on the beach
to be in the sun and bask
it really not a problem
if you just wear your fuckin’ mask!
Lord, they’re killin’ me,
I mean them low down pandemic blues.
I’m going to make my apologies to Hank Williams. Feel free to add verses in the comments. What is that old saw about too much group sourcing spoils the broth…
Now if we could just get Willie or Bocephus to sing it.
Rev. Joe’s Random Thought #5,309
yeah I know you did not ask!
I do not watch a lot of TV, but lately when I do I invariably see a commercial from a hotel chain, airline, restaurant and many different other types of businesses touting how well they are cleaning. The ads from airlines and hotels definitely grab my attention.
After seeing one of these advertisements I habitually have the same thought, “Why the hell were they not doing this before the pandemic?” And by the way, what is this “deep cleaning” they all are bragging about?
Trump’s Coronavirus Pandemic Timeline
Dec 18th – House Impeaches Trump
Jan 8th – First CDC warning
Jan 9th – Trump campaign rally
Jan 14th – Trump campaign rally
Jan 16th – House sends impeachment articles to Senate
Jan 18th – Trump golfs
Jan 19th – Trump golfs
Jan- 20th first case in South Korea
Jan 20th – first case of corona virus in the US, Washington State. Continue reading “Trump’s Coronavirus Pandemic Timeline”
I Scored Some Toilet Paper!!!
I find it very interesting that my bride, who, on occasion, views shopping as a recreational activity, has been sending me out there amongst them for groceries. I understand why. She has health issues, including a couple of auto-immune problems. She must feel that I am less likely to be affected by the virus. Who knows. But I am doing my dangest to be safe when I shop. Someone has to do it.
This morning I went to Aldi and Trader Joe’s. I mention this because Continue reading “I Scored Some Toilet Paper!!!”