Azaleas on lockdown

In this area, we have been under a strong advisory from the authorities to stay home, only go out for the essentials, medical care, and such. A news report was issued yesterday that in many areas of the state people were not adhering to those guidelines and COVID-19 cases are on the rise. As such, an order was issued by the Governor, going into effect today, that makes it a law that people are to stay home and only go out for essentials. The first infraction makes perpetrators subject to a $400 fine. A loud alarm and accompanying message blasted across our phones this afternoon right before the 5:00 PM order went into force.

So, thanks to a few selfish individuals, everyone has to suffer. 😒 Those are probably the same selfish people who have been buying and hoarding all the toilet paper, paper towels, bleach, and other sundries during this whole affair. 😠

I've been conserving on toilet paper all I could, as the shelves have been completely, totally empty for the past month in this area. Thankfully, one of the three stores I visited today had a small amount on the shelf, and I was able to snag a package of it! It's not my regular brand/style, but I am not complaining, and grateful for what I got! It was also a package of 'Mega'-sized rolls, which will not fit into the holder in this old house, but hey, I can live with a roll perched on the counter next to the toilet! No complaints!

I had to chuckle, though, as we are only supposed to be going out for the essentials, and that was the very name on this toilet paper —Charmin Essentials! LOL! I was also thrilled that another store I visited today actually had a half-dozen jugs of bleach, so I was able to get one of those, too! Yesssssss!!!

When I returned home, there was a note from one of the neighbors on the door asking for my help with something. So, I put away the groceries I bought, washed my hands really well, and headed over to her place.

While I was there, we took a peek at the beautiful azalea bushes that were in full-bloom at her house. There was once a long line of bushes just like this on my property, but they've gotten scraggly and are not blooming so well as this any more. If I had more knowledge about gardening and the energy I had thirty or forty years ago, I could probably get out there and bring mine back into stunning shape as these! I wondered, too, if these bushes might have actually been grown from cuttings of the bushes on the property here — it is highly likely that my parents shared cuttings with the neighbors who once lived in the house where my neighbor now lives.

While we were out there, I saw a bunny rabbit in her yard! Do you see it in the following photo? Look closely, as it is there... 😉

After looking at the azaleas and listening to the plans my neighbor had for her yard, we went inside so I could give her the help she needed. Then, I bid her farewell and headed back home. It was a very productive day!