Betsy's Blog

       An elderly lady walked up to my husband and me on the sidewalk the other day. I backed away as she pointed her finger and screamed, “Take your masks off. You  don’t have to wear them anymore!” I’m not sure where she got that idea because masks are still mandatory in my state. I think that people are getting frustrated and are eager to return to their normal lives. What is normal now? It changes daily and so does the news. Now I heard today that washing your hands is not very effective against the coronavirus. However, I will continue to wash my hands and use hand gel as if it is going out of style anyway.      Bravo to my favorite store Target! They still require masks at all their stores even if the state doesn’t. Texas Targets need a big round of applause for enforcing the mask mandate. I watched a lady eating a Starbucks pastry at a slot machine. When she was done, she licked her fingers and then touched the screen. Promp...

  Guess what I learned recently...wine is the purest food. It is 100% grapes with no water allowed. My husband and I recently visited a local winery and learned some fun facts. What do you think is the #1 Wine city in the U.S.?  Washington D.C.! Are you surprised? I am. Did you know that two gallons of wine are made from only one gallon of grapes? I learned this information from a local owner of a winery located in the middle of the desert. The night before his Winery opened, wild mustangs came and totally destroyed his vineyard. It made the news and the owner was interviewed on ‘Good Morning America’ about his unusual opening day. A California winemaker saw the interview and offered him his leftover vat of wine to start up his new winery. Now his desert vineyard is thriving with a cafe and shop too. Bonjour! We also visited a French Bakery in this same little desert town. It was filled with fresh French treats in the middle of nowhere. The croissants tasted like they were fro...

               Breaking News! Local public schools will reopen after Spring Break for all interested students. It looks like virtual learning is coming to an end in my school district. Sports, Music and Theater programs will even resume for teens after school. Teachers and parents have mixed reactions. A Kindergarten teacher expressed concern that her students have never been in a classroom before. They must learn to line up, hang up their backpacks, and follow classroom routines.  One teacher said that her ‘Wine of the Month Club’ is getting her through this virtual school year.  I just got my second vaccine at the Las Vegas Convention Center that holds 7500 people. Currently, it is a center for 2000 daily second doses of COVID vaccines. I arrived early and it still took two hours of waiting in line before I got my shot. I showed my first vaccine card at multiple points in line until I could enter the huge building. Next, I had to ...

              Breaking News! I can’t believe that Dairy Queen is canceling its annual Free Cone Day! The long lines could spread COVID-19. It is another sign of the times. Today I will be standing in a long line to get my second Covid vaccine, instead of a DQ cone. I also returned to school this week to prepare for the Hybrid Model next week. The time has come to reopen the school doors to K-3 students in my school district. What is the Hybrid Model? It is a gradual return to school with ten students socially distanced in the classroom while the rest of the class is watching from home. Less than ten students will be sitting two to a table with plexiglass barriers around each of them and the teacher. Hand gel and masks will be provided to all staff. There will be a special isolated sick room for students. The school nurses will be given a $3000 bonus. No temperatures will be taken as students enter the school. Masks are required at all times, exce...

       Yesterday, a wind storm hit Las Vegas with dark clouds full of rain and wonder. Sand swirled around me and disappeared into every nook and cranny. Electricity was hiding for over three hours. Luckily, the power returned before our ice cream melted and darkness set in. It’s a wonder how many of our home gadgets depend on electricity. The smart bulbs were as confused as me, but all but two reset themselves. Luckily, we didn’t need heat or aircon...it was an in-between day. No meals without power. I have to admit it was a little scary. I appreciate the invention of electricity even more today.  This morning, we took our daily, windy walk. I don’t know why the neighborhood dogwalkers have to take over the whole sidewalk. I always cross the street when I see them coming to stay away from possible germs and over-eager dogs. No one wears a mask out walking their dogs. I shout hello from afar and hope our new neighbors don’t think I’m unfriendly. It has been a ...

  It was not the first time in my life that a shot made me cry. When I was young, I was scared of shots and almost fainted when I got a shot in my teens. Today I cried happy tears getting my first COVID 19 shot! I told the nurse this is the only time I have been happy getting a shot. The big event lasted almost three hours at a huge convention hall Las Vegas-style.  I arrived at 7:30 am on a cold, dark morning for my appointment. I wore three masks, winter gloves, and my hooded coat to protect myself from germs. I stood in line shivering until the officials came out and waved us into the huge venue. There were uniformed servicemen and women managing the large crowd. When I showed them my appointment paper, they couldn't find me on the computer. Then he realized that this part of the building was for COVID testing only. Why didn’t they put that on a sign outside? So I had to follow a crowd to the other side of the building with an even longer line. Grrr...As someone said, we ...

         Why are younger children returning to school first? It seems to be an economic-based decision. The fact is that parents need to return to work and they can’t leave their children home alone. So schools will begin to open with Grades K-3. Older students will stay at home alone and continue to attend school virtually. Teens are suffering from mental health issues and during this difficult time, but they can’t return to school yet. Districts are also canceling school sports which upsets many families. There were demonstrations at the Michigan State Capital Building yesterday to bring back school sports. How can children play sports now with all the COVID germs? Look at all the recent college basketball teams that are now in quarantine.  Another factor for schools reopening is teacher vaccinations. Two vaccinations are required, but they want to open schools before that happens. Did you read about the teacher dying of COVID in the hospital?...