Bogieblog

More from the 2020 Iditarod

Congratulations once again go to NH native Aliy Zirkle for winning the Leonard Sepala Humanitarian Award. This is the 6th time she has won the honor, which is designated to a musher whose team demonstrates outstanding care of their race team while remaining competitive.

From the FB page:

Read more about the award, and what it represents on the Iditarod Official Website

Quote from the story: “This award is the most coveted award for mushers and has great importance to the race and to the Iditarod Trail Committee in its mission to promote excellence in dog care. Aliy continues to impress us year after year with the outstanding care she provides her team,” said Dr. Nelson."

Cleaning Up

Most of the snow that we received Tuesday night is gone as we had a couple of days of strong sun. Yesterday, although it was heavily overcast and threatening rain most of the day, I worked outside most of the day cleaning up flower beds. I found 2 of the invasive roses under the Rhododendron and Burning Bush in the shade garden, which I dug up. I took 2 extra trips to the dump to drop off leaves, old stalks, and branches that fell thru the winter.

While I was out at the dump, I stopped at farm & garden stores (essential businesses) to get bird seed. I found a Nanking Cherry that I couldn't live without (only a yearling), lavender and another rosemary plant. I potted up the cherry for now and need to pot up the lavender and rosemary today. And, I picked up a trellis/obelisk which I had the perfect usage for.

I also stopped at the grocery store for some perishables. I had to tell an 80 year old woman to back off at the register, even though they had tape marking off 6' intervals. She got huffy and called me the distance police. I just said it was for her safety and mine. She finally backed off - I have a feeling she won't be my best friend for a while LOL.

I got the windmill placed back into the driveway garden (I take it down during the winter as it is close to the roof dumpage area and directly in the path of snow removal). I also installed the trellis/obelisk over the Sweet Autumn Clematis (after pruning it severely) so that it has something to climb and doesn't spread 6' in all directions on the ground.

I still have a bunch of yard work to do at a later time, but it felt good to get something done. Today it is rainy and will stay in the low 40's, and we are to get mixed rain/snow several days this coming week, so it may be a while before I can work in the yard again.

Stay at Home Order in New Hampshire

I sent the following email out to family on Thursday. There have been a few edits  to remove sensitive names, and add explanations. I also added additional information at the end:

The NH Governor has issued a stay-at-home order (not shelter in place – which he says he can’t do) until May 4. Most likely it was done just because we are surrounded by states that have been that way for at least a week. This shuts down non-essential business as of midnight on Friday. Doesn’t affect me one bit. People in my group received their “VIP” papers yesterday in case any of us HAS to visit another company or another state that has an enforced shelter-in-place. However, any visits or travel has to be okayed by upper management and the company expects us to be smart and not go anywhere if you are sick.

My Workplace is also helping suppliers get the Fed’s designation as an essential business since we can’t build if we ain’t got the stuff to build with. The Fed is telling us they expect us to hit all our due dates regardless of circumstances – national security don’t ya know. We have had some over seas companies send in Force Majeure declarations, so we have to make sure our local sources are up and going.

I’ve been working from home for nearly 3 weeks anyway [the week of 3/9 I worked from home for 4 days because I was sick], so what is another 4 or 5? Sure saves on gas not putting in 100 miles each work day! I just went to the dump and saw I had 110 miles on the car. The last time I got gas was on 3/14 when I gassed up both vehicles and 100 of those miles on the car was going in to work on 3/16 [the day they told us to start working from home]. I have another 19.6 miles on the truck (yes, I went out and checked). Also, saving another $1.50 in tolls each day.

ADDITIONAL INFO:

Of course the HOG Chapter has cancelled the monthly meeting, and the annual Bake Sale at the dealership was cancelled (as have all other events). The Dealership has been super responsible having enforced having nobody but employees inside the building for a couple of weeks. You can call in, or email an order for parts/merchandise, and then pick up (outside - personnel deliver to your vehicle). Even bike drop offs and pick ups are conducted outside only and riders insert their keys in the night drop (regardless of time of day). Test rides have been by appointment only and you have to do your inventory perusal online, then indicate which bike you want to try out so they can have it ready outside when you arrive.

A friend bought a bike on Friday, before the stay at Home order took affect, and he said it was the strangest experience. Everything, including paperwork was completed outside. He posted pictures on FB of the loan officer at a table outside, and she was wearing gloves. There were two pens, one for her and one for him.

Snowy Bike

Almost 2 weeks ago the dealership started encouraging those that used their winter storage to get their bikes out as soon as possible. At that time they were unsure how the pandemic, and governmental regulations would affect them. I arranged to have my bike delivered on 3/24/20 since that was a day that I had few meetings at work (albeit remote meetings, but I still had to attend).

Despite receiving snow on 3/19, by 3/22 there were only a few patches of snow left in my yard - obviously areas that are mostly shaded areas as well as where the roof dumps its load.

Late afternoon on Monday, 3/23, it started to snow

I snow blowed after the plow went by about 9 pm, and at that point we had received about 5" of the white stuff. The snow was so wet that the roof was continuously dumping and I had shoveled the ramp twice before that.

By 4:30 Tuesday morning, we had received another 5" of snow and I'm sure my neighbors were thrilled that I started snow blowing about 5:30 am

Of course I had to shovel the ramp and around both gates too (I didn't snow blow anything but the driveway) so I didn't start working remotely until about 7am (an hour late). I had preiously let my boss know that I wouldn't be available part of the afternoon as the dealership was scheduled to leave their place with my bike at 1:30.

Around 1:45 I got a phone call from the delivery driver stating he was getting ready to leave the shop. He also informed me that this would be a no-touch, no contact delivery. Usually I have to sign, but this time I wouldn't. I asked the driver to back the bike into the driveway and leave it in front of the garage - I would take it from there since it was fairly tight.

Just before 2:30, he arrived with my bike

I was in the garage while taking the pictures and he left the bike where I had the puck at - about 8' away from the garage door. Note that he is wearing gloves, which I was happy to see. After he left, I backed the bike into the garage, and there she sits until the weather and circumstances allow time for me to take her out for the season's inaugural ride.

Iditarod 2020

This year's Iditarod has been some tough times for some teams. The "Elim 11" had to wait while a new route was figured out and cleared as heavy, wet snow and an overflow of water took out part of the trail. These teams were actually past the Elim checkpoint but had to turn back due to conditions.

Reports on facebook said the Elim 11 have stayed together to ensure the safety of all.

Even then, their continued trip has been in high winds and storms. They have arrived at the White Mountain checkpoint and are in their mandatory 8 hour rest period.

Here is a newspaper report on the happenings. Here are some of the FB posts

And they made the news

Oh, and congratulations to everyone who has so far finished the race - with Thomas Waerner taking the top spot.

All other teams, besides the Elim 11 have scratched for team and/or musher safety. Condolences to the Berington sisters who scratched for family reasons.

Spring Green - Before the Snow

Friday night I went out and raked leaves from the side yard shrub garden. This had two purposes, get the wet leaves onto a drier portion of the lawn so that they can dry, and remove the heavy leaf layer to allow spring growth to push up thru the bark mulch. While doing that, I noticed daffodil greens poking up. We had high winds Friday night, so the leaves dried out and yesterday, I mowed the leaves into mulch. Pictures taken yesterday (Saturday) afternoon.

Daffodil greens in the shrub garden (notice that they are on the yellowish side from being under the leaf litter)

Daffodils were also poking up in the back yard under the trees - the tops are greener since they have gotten tall enough they have seen some sun.

My region is supposed to get 6-12" of snow on Tuesday - the day my bike is supposed to be delivered from the dealership. I can't reschedule as they are encouraging people to get their bikes out of storage in case they have to close their doors for a while. I did move one snow blower into the shed yesterday to make room for the bike (when they were forecasting 4" of snow), but will probably pull it out to the tent garage so I can run them both out of gas for (hopefully) summer storage.

Cats Being Entertained

I rarely get paper bags, but when I do, I place them on the floor for the cats to play with. Most of my previous cats liked to go into the bags - my present kitties are weirdos and prefer to scrunch them down and sit on top of them. Pictures taken on 3/19/20 - presented in order:

Spot trampling the bag

Rainey on the bag, with spot at the very top of the picture

I have no idea what they are looking at - they may have heard birds at the feeder at the back door

The next morning (3/20/20), the cats got the idea to go in the bag. The surprising thing was that Rainey went in first. She is usually the more cautious of them, and follows Spot's lead.

Rainey

Spot looking at Rainey

Rita strolled by to give Rainey a disdainful look - the only time she even looked at the bag. She is way to dignified for that type of thing :)

Spot wants her time in the bag

Spot flushed Rainey and is peering out. Notice the rip in the bag from the "eviction"

I picked up the bag yesterday while cleaning, and placed it in the recycle bin, so no more fun for them.

Sickly Me

UPDATE 3/15/20, at 1:50 pm shown at the bottom of the post

I rarely get ill, at least not with common colds and viruses. I may get conditions (allergic reactions, trigger finger etc.) but I don't get anything beyond a mild sniffle. And I mean a MILD sniffle that lasts about a day. I am just this side of an OCD hand washer when I am at work, use paper towels to open the restroom door (faucets and paper towel dispenser and touch-less), and wash my hands frequently outside of nature's call.

Tuesday I went to work as usual feeling just fine. By 9:30 (4 hours into my work day), I had developed a sore throat and my nose was getting stuffed up. Being sensitive to the current times, the fact that I hate it when other people come to work sick, and that my boss always wants us to go home / stay home if sick, I gathered my computer and some paperwork and headed home to work. By late Tuesday evening it had settled into my upper chest and by last night it progressed to mid chest and had some heavy coughing up of phlegm.

Wednesday was more of the same, except it had moved to the middle of my chest. Thursday was more of the same, although toward the afternoon I also had a couple of chills (no fever, just some chills which might have been a psychosomatic reaction to the heavy overcast and rain we had). Thursday night it changed direction and went back to my sinuses. Friday and yesterday my eyes got itchy, I was a snot machine with occasional hacking cough attacks. I finally opened a box of tissues, instead of using TP as I normally do. To go along with the runny nose, yesterday I could have earned the nickname "Sneezy" too.

By late afternoon on Saturday, I had lost my sense of smell and taste. I didn't even realize it until I was making shower gel and couldn't smell any of the essential oils I was using. That includes Ylang-ylang and patchouli which are powerful scents. I could get a bit of "sharpness" smelling rosemary, but that was it. Thinking back on what I ate that day, cinnamon was a bit flat at breakfast and I didn't get any heat or sharpness from the salsa and guacamole I had at lunch.

This morning the sinuses have slowed down, my throat is not sore and the sneezing has ended. Still have the occasional hack, and the sinuses are backed up a bit. Haven't gotten my sense of smell or taste back yet.

Thru this whole thing I have not had a fever - my temp has been between 97.6 and 98.8. The rest of my body has felt pretty good - no aches, no tiredness etc. So, according to my symptoms I do not have flu or the latest health threat. Just a nasty cold or other bug.

I've had people ask if I'm getting myself tested for COVID-19. No I am not for a couple of reasons

• I do not qualify. First question is if you have a fever - nope (one of the signatures is a fever of 100.4 or higher). Second question is do you have a dry cough - nope, cough is very productive
• I have not even been out of 2 counties in the last couple of months, much less overseas
• I haven't come in contact with anyone who is a known carrier
• I don't have a social life so it is highly unlikely I unknowingly came in contact with any of the known cases in NH
• And because of the point above, I most likely caught this thing at work. I am surrounded by people who have small kids (or grandchildren that they live with). Those people are constantly sick themselves or staying home with sick kids.

Even though I am 99.99999....% sure I don't have COVID, I have been pretty much self-quarantining since I left work on Tuesday. Yesterday I did go to the dump and stopped at the grocery store for some perishables. The store wasn't crowded and I kept my distance from people, used hand sanitizer at the register, and wiped down the cart I used with the sanitizer wipes the store provides. Otherwise, I have been at home either working remotely, reading or wishing the weather was decent so I could go outside. However,  I do not plan on being out for 14 days, unless something changes. As I stated before, I most likely caught this at work and I would be the least common vector for anyone else to be affected.

Work has been proactive in keeping everyone informed. They have pretty much shut down international travel and discourage travel at all unless required. And that travel has to be okayed by management.From what my boss says, there have been a lot of people out of work in my building (an office building). The cafeteria sent out a notice that all "self-serve" areas such as the salad bar, soup pots and pizza carousel are being shut down and they will pre-package so 100's of people aren't handling the same utensils.

NH has declared a state of emergency, in order to give the government flexibility (that lasts 21 days). The SOE gives schools the ability to shut down (all schools in the county that has confirmed cases have shut down for a coupe of weeks) . It also gives towns the ability to reschedule town meetings (which is not allowed unless there is a SOE) - and several have taken the opportunity.

EDIT: I was supposed to have an eye appointment on Tuesday. It is the first of my bi-annual appointments. I called Friday and rescheduled it for the first week in April.

EDIT II: As of 1:30 pm Sunday, the Governor of NH has ordered all schools to shut down - giving them 1 week to develop remote learning plans to last at least until April 3. I assume this is because overnight the state's cases of COVID-19 have nearly doubled from 7 to 13).

Pandemic News You Can Use

OMG, I am so tired of reading about the two extremes going on about COVID-19 (novel corona virus). Some people that think this is a conspiracy to take over people's lives (gov't & businesses shutting down events/schools etc.) and that everyone should just ignore that it is out there. Some people are panicking and buying everything in sight.

Then there are those that disparage those who are stocking up  - which is many time called "hoarding" so to make those people seem to be bad guys people. But then, when that self-same person runs across the last 48 rolls of TP a store has (not in one pack), they buy them all. Seriously, this scenario was posted on a forum I frequent and that person did not see anything ironic about disparaging the action and performing that same action. [facepalm]

Anyway, I ran across this fascinating article that shows even better why social distancing is the preferred method of dealing with pandemics (or rapidly spreading anythings) than previous graphs I have seen. It has little to do with shutting contagion down, as that will rarely work. Please go check out the article as it has a bunch of simulations on forced quarantine, and different levels of social distancing. The cool part is that each time you view the simulations they change since they are randomly generated, just following the rules of what is being shown.

Snow Shrinkage

Last Monday the weather guessers were saying we should get plowable, maybe even significant snow on Saturday (yesterday). Instead, the N'oreaster stayed out at sea and the other system that might have joined it got pushed south.

So, the snow continues to recede from the yard - in fact most is gone except for berms from the road plow, snow blower and roof dumpage. The following pictures were taken 3/6/20. Yesterday, although not warm, was sunny enough to continue the trend .

Today should be over freezing and Monday they are saying maybe up to 60*, so the snow won't be here much longer.

Oh, and the maple sugaring business is going great guns. Last year was not a good year as the days were too cold but this year they say the sap is running quite well, so there shouldn't be a shortage.