Retire In Style Blog Too

Has it really only been 3 months since the Chinese notifies WHO of the Coronavirus outbreak? It seems like a lifetime to my family. Here is where we are now. I try not to think about the past too much...yes I know, if we don't remember the past we are doomed to repeat the same mistakes. The mistakes, of course, are the problem. They cannot be undone. Words cannot be pulled back into our mouths unsaid and we cannot un-know what we know. I think that is the problem right now...the un-knowing. Wouldn't you agree? For example, can we un-know that press conference where a NBC reporter asked our president to comfort those that afraid and was told what an awful person he was. I cannot un-know the last presidential debates nor can I even wrap my mind around how to make the foreboding go away. These incidences are a snap shot of what our leadership is like. Scary, huh? So, just finding a way to move forward is the best answer I guess. But what to do...what to do. My oldest ...

If you have ever gone camping and been left in the forest camp by yourself for a time, you will understand what isolation can feel like. Silence is wonderful but like anything, too much is too much. I actually do know women that like being left with their thoughts. I am not one of them. I cannot even imagine NYC with no traffic and throngs of people. As my daughter-in-law related the story of living in Shenzhen, China for a couple of week with no one but two teens to keep her sane, the silence would be deafening! But the reality is we must learn to socially distance ourselves. Italy is an example of what can happen when a culture of lovely people can't seem to do that. It makes one sick at heart. And still, it seems so remote doesn't it? What happens next door or a few miles away does not happen to us...or so we think. In fact, in my minds eye, the restaurants are busy and I wonder why I am not there. A glass of wine with people chatting around me would be so wonderful. I...

Here is the deal...I am old enough that I remember periods of time with shortages and high interest rates and inflation though the roof. I remember that the inflation made it very hard to put food on our families table. It was hard but it was not the end of the world. We got through it and we will again. The voice of reason will prevail. What that voice says to you might be different than what it says to me. We each will find what works for us. I for one cannot imagine staying in my house for-ever. The voice of reason tells me that going out doors, socializing and having fun will be fine. It tells me that having some basic supplies in my home may be a good idea...not enough for six years but enough for a few weeks. Flour, rice, beans can suffice in a pinch. It tells me that hoarding does not keep the wolf from my door because if my neighbor runs out I will be sharing. It would be wrong to get fat while others are suffering. It tells me that now is the time to tap into that inner re...

My husband was very concerned about the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at the very beginning. I didn't want to talk about it! That was back in January. We had ordered visa's for a trip to China and we were to leave next week...March 19th. Tickets were purchased and we were making plans from a side trip to Bali. Needless to say, we changed our plans. As we all know, this disease is about to change more and more lives. It certainly has had an effect on ours. And the beat goes on. My son and his wife plus our grandchildren live and work in China. Thankfully they are back in the states now. We are grateful that they are out of  Shenzhen and  living temporarily in their condo in the Portland, Oregon. But the battle they had getting here was not easy. Getting out of the China without contracting the Coronavirus disease was the big victory. It was very much a worry for all of us. Chinese back street. by b I cannot tell you the full story because I honestly do not ...