2020: The Year that Wasn't

typical summer rainstorm

2020 seems to be lost/disappearing before my eyes and although I could give you a long list of what I have accomplished, somehow it all feels like a mirage.  So 2020 the Year that Wasn't (as my neighbour said)! July and August have seemed particularly tough for those of us still in our own social bubble and disinfecting everything we bring into the home; maybe it's partly the heat and needing to stay closed up with AC. I feel like 'suzy homemaker' with all the baking, cooking, crafting and cleaning!

In case you are wondering - Suzy Homemaker was a line of miniature functional toy household appliances produced by Topper Toys, and launched in 1966. In the USA this term is used as a derisive reference to any woman with habits linked to stereotypical domestic activities traditionally done by women. 21st century update would be Martha Stewart homemaker!

Maybe all this is because History is Repeating: Letters from the 1918 'Spanish flu' outbreak make interesting reading -- independence vs indifference - see this article from The Guardian. More new meaningless phrases:  'half-maskers'(or as hubby says pointless maskers, ie those who cover mouth but not nose increasing one's coronavirus risk as the virus tends to first & most penetrate and infect the nasal cavity) and twin-demic (coming of the flu in the autumn on top of COVID-19).

My fingers are going numb from crafting, so guess I will soon have to just read, in the meantime, I notice the cold water from my tap is hot enough to take a bath (a Florida issue in the heat and humidity).

washed up by Hurricane Laura
could they be sea squirts?

This week's beach sights:

Sea Squirts

Man with fruit - melons or coconut

look closely - swimmers with fishing pelicans 

aftermath of summer thunderstorms

The Gulp Coast

Well I never, but a British friend forwarded an article which names this stretch of Florida beach as the 'Gulp Coast' due to it's microbreweries ... and ... I name it the Gulp Coast due to the Trumptilla Boat Parade, read about it here. What a sight of thousands of boats streaming past on a Saturday morning, Trump banners blowing in the wind going for The Guinness Book of World Records, which they got with 2,200 boats.

I keep thinking we have seen it all out our window onto the Gulf, but no  Last week we finally had a manatee swim past (water temp is 90F/ 32C) and yesterday a jumping fish frenzy (picture by wkrg.com) which resulted in a bird frenzy as they tried to catch the fish.  Underneath the water was a black blob of something unknown that we think drove the fish to the surface - could even be sharks.

Another Gulp, is our increased use of plastic during coronavirus - EEKKKK! So much for that brief 2 month window of helping the planet. Speaking of coronavirus, we now have "mask slacking;"  Apparently People balked at masks in 1918, too. And some say COVID-19 mortality on par with peak of 1918 pandemic followed by Survival does not mean fully recovery! Do masks work?  Surgeons and dentists wear masks - what do you think?

Numerous new phrases we have are just too much, but apparently 'help us cope' as language 'unites' - 

no masks, no 6 feet, but at least outside

don't even mention the 'new normal,' 'back to normal' (a ridiculous concept), or unprecedented (it's not - read about 1918 or the plague) to me! How about re-imagine (used throughout Democratic National Convention with few specifics) or Cory Booker's phrase  'national nightmare?' "We're in this together" seems to be fading from use, but the new TV adverts -- in the USA there aren't really any government public service announcements on what to do the health care groups have taken up the charge -- at least try to give some practical advice .

 I am doing staying home almost all the time and limiting contact to just 1-2 people at a 'social distance' - - guess that's called sheltering in place (but note not a good idea for those living on a barrier island if a hurricane comes along)? Or perhaps I have a "mini me social bubble" ( apparently also known as a pod, or a "quaranteam,")? I don't think the USA and UK concepts of 'social bubble' are at all the same.  It is reported that during the 1918 pandemic, women wore over-sized hats to keep people away - sounds easier than the hoop skirt!' 

The Telegraph reports Megan is having issues "speaking British as an American."  Not sure I sympathize, but I do know what is meant causing mirth/confusion by 'slipping into British idioms' to American friends/whilst living in the USA.

A summer slump calls for some inventive pastimes --Here's the new St Pete pier which replaced the pyramid - do you think it is an improvement? From pictures, I would say the new pier looks better at night - especially the 'fishing net' thing to the right.! And of course this coming week the Republican Convention is on for four nights - yippee!?!

New Pier

Old Pier

My craft projects remain 'under wraps' as they are presents, but here's a picture of our daily summer thunderstorms.

Steel Yourselves!

'city of clouds' on the horizon

History repeats itself: an interesting, easy read - Why the Second Wave of the 1918 Spanish Flu Was So Deadly.

Never realised the face mask would become a new diet plan!

I set out not to be  apolitical on this blog, but just sharing beach/crafting fun.

However, I would feel remiss if didn't mention ...  the USA needs to change - protesters, inequality and kindness.

AND ... 31 July news headlines include 'Hong Kong delays election ... over virus fears' - now who does that sound like?

Mini me has yet to see or try one , but they are about in her community: water bicycle/ hydrofoil/ hydrobikes plus pedal kayaks.

First the news was about staycation stress and now as people have started travelling agins with the inevitable consequences of getting stuck/cutting holiday short, we have Caution Fatigue. Ah the problems you didn't even know you had, until 'named' by the press!

Enterprising fund raising for
Rocksolid Cheerleading,
selling cold drinks on our beach.

It's summertime which means hurricane season - first one we've had to watch is Hurricane Isaias (prounced eee-sigh-ee-us) - a Spanish name. First the forecast was up the west coast of Florida, then the center and now the path is forecast to track offshore ("skirt") of the East Coast of the Florida peninsula as a category 1 steered by the easterly Bermuda High and an Upper Trough to the west.

Segway, some don't have handlebars!

 

The cruise ships clustered and anchored in the

 Bahamas waiting out the coronavirus, are all now fleeing southwest around the tip of Florida.

No not a hurricane spotter (nor the red arrows over Kent), but sea planes like this fly low and buzz our beaches every so often.

The beaches in England seemed to be even more crowded than here as once again officials warn on the news to avoid them and social distance. But otherwise Europeans & Brits seem better behaved than Americans with COVID-19 advisories and common sense!

I've been busy making . . .

. . . Christmas and assorted birthday presents, so cannot post them here -- yet! My favorite model,  however, can show off the newly recommended homemade face shield.

The Sea Turtle Conservancy was here today doing a lighting survey - let's help those momma loggerheads and their hatchlings get to the sea!

And of course I need to end with a sunset.