Quarantine Log, June 7 - June 13

Sunday, June 7

Happy Birthday, David.  I texted him early and set a time for a Zoom call just after lunch.  I spent about 1 1/2 hrs in the garden to finish the last of the mulching.

After our Zoom visit with David's family, the afternoon was too hot to do much of anything.  Kathy and Wayne cancelled plans for happy hour on their porch because of the heat.

We watched a lot of news about the demonstrations all over the country.  There are peaceful protests everywhere.  Seems like the agitators and looters have run out of steam but the righteously indignant persist.


Monday, June 8

We were up and out early to take Amanda to a gold match at Williams Creek golf course just east of downtown Knoxville.  We walked the 9 homes with her, up hill and down.  She shot a 36 and won her division (5 other girls). She was pleased and so were we.  It was not by the time she finished.

First Place Medal - Way to Go! Amanda

I made a few masks to take to our 1st church finance/admin meeting since the shutdown.  A big part of the discussion was about plans to resume on-site services.  I will be part of the 5-person task force to develop the plan required by the conference for approval to reopen.  About 20 people showed up and 15 stayed until the end.


Tuesday, June 9

Happy Birthday, Jake.  We hope it won't be the last, but fear it might.  He is 85 today and has had a remarkable survival of glioblastoma brain cancer.

Bill and I went for a walk before it got too hot.  Then I worked on bread.  I made two batard shaped loaves.  They turned out pretty good.

Fried Eggplant and Shrimp Remoulade Salad for supper:

Numbers:
TN Dept of Health, June 8 data
tests: 512,763; 26,944 positive cases; 421 deaths
about 7.5% of population has been tested, the pos rate if 5.3%

Loudon County: 170 cases; 140 recovered; 2179 renagive
pos rate 7.2%; 4.3% tested

I read this morning that states should have a rate of positivity at or below 5% for 14 days before reopening. (WHO recommendation reported by Johns Hopkins). I think that rate should also be a benchmark locally for us to consider reopening.  That is what I will look for to begin going out more widely.  A very high pos rate probably indicates insufficient testing.  The target (according to a Harvard report) is 5% or less positive to assure that testing is broad enough. Closer to 2% is ideal, when 10% of the population has been tested.


Thursday, June 11

We left at 9:15 am (mi 96,555) headed for Bald River Falls and Indian Boundary in the mountains of Monroe County near Tellico Plains.  Our first destination after gassing up and getting snacks was Bald River Falls.  The drive on the Cherohala to the Falls, along the Tellico River was beautiful.  The river had plenty of water so there were lots of rapids and riffles.  The Falls also was flowing full.  We made the short hike to the top of the Falls where there is another cascade and above that calm pools.

From Bald River we drove to Indian Boundary, a National Forest Service Recreation Area in the Cherokee NF just off the Cherohala Skyway.  Indian Boundary Lake is as scenic as we remember, nestled between the mountains and trees.  We have never camped here, but have picnicked here several times.

Today, after our picnic lunch, we decided to take the 3.1 miles hike around the lake.  The trail was easy, following the shoreline, and took us 1 3/4 hrs.  We are slow, because I like to stop for pictures along the way.

The weather was perfect for our day trip, in the mid-70s in the mountains with low humidity, clear sky and magnificent views.

Tellico River

Bald River Falls

Bald River Falls

Hiking above the Falls

Cascade above the Falls

Along the Cherohala

Indian Boundary Lake

Hiking around the lake

Almost there!

For more picture: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ipSmnmxUQDzn4cSq6


Friday, June 12

Before our video project began, I met with some of our re-opening task force to determine how many our sanctuary can accommodate and what our procedures might be.  After the recording session, I met with Pastor Kristie about the same.

As I've done recently, I stopped by Bonnie's for a visit and then went to the grocery before getting home.  These are my regular outings for the week!

In the afternoon, I worked on masks.  I actually have a request for 4.  And I worked on the A/V project of the Jim Whitaker recording.  I have made the AV but I haven't been able to export it.

Late afternoon we picked up LeRoy to dog-sit while the Matzeks have a few days get-away at Lake Tansi near Crossville.

Burgers on the grill to celebrate Friday night!


Saturday, June 13

After breakfast, I worked in the garden for a couple of hours, weeding and laying soaker hose.  It is dry enough to require watering today.  I worked some more on the AV project and alternated that with working on masks.

Yellow Squash, soon

Green Beans

Late afternoon we picked up LeRoy to dog-sit while the Matzeks have a few days get-away at Lake Tansi near Crossville.

We grilled tuna and corn-on-the-cob.