Face Mask Saga

 Good morning,

A few days ago I posted about the three masks I received at my Meijer store when I entered to do my weekly grocery shopping.

This week I received three more N95 masks (see above) which was great because my family members haven't been able to get them.  This time the masks are equipped with valves.  What makes these interesting is our hospitals don't allow the masks with these vents that allow the air exhaled by the wearer to leave the mask, thus contaminating the nearby air.  

Soooooo, that means the person wearing the mask is somehow protected, but anyone nearby not wearing a mask is not....

The Saga of the Government Issued Masks continues.

Your tax dollars at work.

An aside:  I have recently had two teeth replaced with dental implants. The teeth aren't in the center front, but close enough that they would be missed if I spoke or smiled.  After the initial surgery to place the implants, the bone had to heal for four months, then the gums were surgically opened, impressions made, the new teeth made, then mounted.  All of this took another month.  During this time, it was good to be able to wear a mask in public so that I could hide my role as a cast member of the Beverly Hillbillies show.  I just love dental implants, but the journey to get them is a long one.

Lois

Banana Bread

 Good morning,

Yesterday morning I walked past bananas on the dining room table.  Those bananas kept whispering, "Banana bread, banana bread...."

So, of course, who will argue with a bunch of bananas?  The banana bread turned out so pretty I had to take pictures.
 

 It tasted  fantastic, too.  

The recipe is from a very old Betty Crocker cookbook.  I've added 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg to the recipe and a whole cup of walnuts.  The recipe calls for 1/2 cup walnuts.

Yum!

;),

Lois

New Tool

 Good morning,

I finally bought a set of lighted crochet hooks with wonderfully comfy handles.

 I just love these things.  

Regular readers know I turn out a large number of finished projects each month.  I was moved to find more comfortable hooks after finishing my last afghan blanket.  Although I am careful to take breaks and stagger projects with different hand movements, I really felt the strain a few days ago.

So, I'm off to the races with my new hooks.  Such fun!

:),

Lois

Cold Weather Comfort Food

 

Good morning,

 It has been cold with snow here so comfort food Norwegian style was very welcome.

Kjell made fish balls with carrots and white sauce that we enjoyed for two evenings.  

Food that helps you feel warm inside and out is so very welcome in January in Ohio!

:),

Lois

Rear Window

 Good morning,

When we had the leaded glass window for the main staircase made, we had part of the design made with clear glass so we could have a view to he back yard.

 Our view through the Rear Window has no connection to the famous play.  

The snow has certainly made the outside view light and bright.  Through the peep hole windows now we can see lots of snow instead of green grass, a hedge, and the pond.

It's quite lovely.

All the best,

Lois

Snow and More Snow!

 Good morning,

We are getting snow and more snow here in Ohio.

 The dogs just love the snow!  The go out, they come in, they go out....  When they get out there they play tag and chase each other around, usually ending in a long slide on top of the snow.  I love seeing them  have so much fun!

 The snow is beautiful, but not so much for those who have to go anywhere in it.

The street appears to be clear in this image, but an hour later, it was completely covered and cars were sliding around on that freezy skid stuff. The snow continued to come down throughout the rest of the day and evening.

 Retirement is good.  We don't have to go out anywhere unless we want to.  Even better, with the Internet we can purchase just about anything we need and it will be delivered to our front door. 

 Happy Winter!

Lois

N 95 Masks

 Good morning,

If you live in the USA, have you gotten your N95 masks yet?

As I walked into my Meijer store this week I was handed these three masks.  It struck me as funny that the woman passing them out was not wearing a mask.  I was already wearing a mask of my own at the time.  In my household we are all fully vaccinated and boostered, but I am careful.... I feel it's a personal choice whether we wear masks or not. I'm not out often, only do what I need to do outside the house, so wear the mask for the short time I am exposed to others.  I not only want to avoid Covid and all it's various spin offs, but even the common cold. Maybe by next winter I won't be so conservative about this....

It wasn't until I got home that I saw in the news that our US government is passing out the free N95 masks to everyone from our reserve stockpile.

Again, I'll say I believe it is a personal choice to wear a mask or not.  I'll not comment on the political implications, but I do wonder how many of my tax dollars paid for my three masks.

Hmmmm....  Food for thought....

Lois