Wednesday 11 August 2021

a day trip and some general natter

WOW! Where did July go?! 
 
As much as I love winters here, this winter sure has messed around with my asthma, as well as me getting a dose of flu...twice! 

We started a 3 day lock-down on Saturday, July 31st at 4pm which was extended to Sunday, August 8th at 4pm. We had 9 Covid cases in that last 24 hours of lock-down so numbers had decreased. Our mask mandate will probably remain in place until December. Some other restrictions will remain in place for 2 weeks. I think social distancing will become a normality until enough are vaccinated where it reduces the spread of Covid dramatically. 

I think they should consider quarantining Aussies returning from overseas for at least 3 to 4 weeks, instead of just 2 weeks. One guy was in quarantine for 2 weeks and was negative on all his Covid tests and then, a week after leaving quarantine, he tested positive causing it to spread into the community. Luckily, our state government acted quickly with restrictions and two lock-downs. Sadly, New South Wales isn't fairing too well because their Premier was slower to act. They are averaging between 250 and 270 new cases a day at the moment. They had 357 new cases on the 9th. I hope they manage to get on top of it.

Bradley (son) had his first Pfizer jab on Friday with only mild side effects - headache and a bout of nausea. Sore arm too but that is to be expected with it being an intramuscular jab. I had my first Astra-Zeneca jab on the 10th (yesterday). I'm nervous because, a very tiny percentage of people had some very nasty side effects such as life-threatening blood clots with the Astra-Zeneca. Cross fingers I don't have that happen but it's a risk I am willing to take for the greater good. If I caught Covid with having asthma, my chances wouldn't be good anyway. The Delta variant spreads like wildfire and is deadly.

My doctor said to get checked if I develop any symptoms after the 4th day. The peak period is 6 to 14 days but blood clots can develop even a month after Astra-Zeneca vaccination. Wish me luck.
 
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Anyway, just prior to the lock-down, we managed to get away for a much needed family day trip to Andrew Drynan Park. It's so lovely and peaceful out that way. It"s our new favourite spot. Aaron recently bought a new Mitsubishi Outlander SUV and he had attached an awning to the roof racks. It worked beautifully! The grass greens took on a bright yellow tone because the sun was full-on with barely a cloud in the sky. Very reflective.
 






A couple of galahs dropped by

Aaron's dogs - Violet and Scarlett

a family selfie

 

I love the textures of trees



We all had a beautiful day! On the way home, we passed a Paraglider Pilot holding up a sign asking for a lift into town. He had the glider packed up in a huge bag. We were upset that we couldn't help him because the car was already chockers with our gear and no available seat. Aaron said that Beau would stop for him and, sure enough, Beau did pick him up and dropped him into Beaudesert where he was meeting up with other Paraglider Pilots. Beau said they had a nice chat about Paragliding.

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I haven't been doing a lot of sketching lately but I have been keeping my hands busy knitting bed socks. No easy feat when I deal with daily arthritic pain in my hands. I can't even straighten my ring fingers...the middle knuckles are so swollen and very painful pretty much all the time. I hate the shooting pains.
 
Anyway, years ago, I would knit bed socks for the boys and Aaron said he wanted a pair for this winter. The bed sock pattern is very basic. They aren't pretty-looking but hey, they are bed socks.

Aaron modelling the socks. 
Violet and Scarlett adore him.
Nice shot of my Maseurs too. hehe

So that's the goss for now. 

I've been also watching some art classes online 
when I get the chance.

I hope you are all keeping safe and well.

Love, Light and Peace

21 comments:

  1. This is a very nice post. We are starting to shut down too. Although here in Florence, Oregon US, a lot of people are stupid and refuse to wear a mask, keep a distance or get vaccinated. It has been a real chore staying safe here. We did make a day trip to the butterfly pavilion today. Masks are mandatory and it is outside. Anyway your trip looks amazing. Good idea on the awning. It all looks so pretty there. Nice socks. I heard that knitting or crocheting is a good thing for arthritic hands. Hope it is so with you. Take care and be safe.

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    1. Thanks, Nicole. It's crazy that people refuse to wear masks to help protect their community. The majority here do the right thing but we have our protesters too. I'm glad you were able to enjoy an outing to the butterfly pavilion. Currently we also have to wear masks outdoors.

      They say to keep the hands busy if you suffer with arthritis but the socks took me much longer than they would have years ago as my hands kept seizing up. I'm glad I got them done though. :)

      Take care and stay safe too. xx

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  2. So sorry about the arthritis. Nice to hear from you.

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  3. What a beautiful getaway! Those trees are amazing!
    I don't know how you manage to make those great socks with your hands hurting like they do. They look warm and comfy, that's for sure.
    I hope you stay well now--all of you. Love the family selfie! :)

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    1. Thanks, Rita. The socks were no easy feat. They took me much longer than I would have managed years ago and my hands kept seizing up. Perseverance paid off.

      I hope things go well for you.
      Stay safe, my friend. xx

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  4. such a gorgeous place for a day out! 😀
    sorry you are having so much pain from the arthritis and can't straighten some of your fingers ☹️

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    1. Thanks, Jen. Chronic conditions are no fun at all as you know too.

      Stay safe and well. xx

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  5. I apologize for taking so long to visit. You have created a lovely post considering everything that has happened in your life. Flu twice and shooting arthritic pains would put anyone down. Sorry to read about the lock down. We probably need that here, since so many adults refuse to get vaccinated. (We don't call it JAB here. That word brings shivers up my spine every time I hear or read it).

    Loved your family selfie. It sounds like you had a great getaway, too. I suspect you needed it. Your photos of the trip are amazing. There were clouds in the sky and one of them looked like a helicopter. I had to look twice!

    Your socks are lovely, even if they are utilitarian. I hope August treats you better than June and July did, dear.

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    1. Thanks, Elizabeth. I wonder what it is about the 'J' word that causes such a reaction in you. Are you afraid of injections?

      Yes, there were only a couple of clouds here and there...and yes, I saw the helicopter cloud after you mentioned it. Nice!

      Stay safe and well. xx

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  6. Thanks, Tracy. Scary times for sure...stay safe and well in this covid chaos. xx

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  7. Hi Serena!!! :) Oh the socks are great! And those two little dogs...so adorable!! Looks like a beautiful spot for a day trip. I will wish you more than luck that you don't develop any side effects from the Astra Zeneca. I too had the Pfizer and I had bad effects after the first one. I'm not looking forward to the second one, but at least I know what to expect. I realized that once my arm didn't hurt anymore, I no longer felt sick and the side effects went away. I just won't plan anything for 48 hours after the next shot! Shame about the lockdown. I think that people think they are invincible after getting vaccinated...I will never stop wearing a mask!

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    1. Thanks, Rain. xx

      I hope all went well with your second Pfizer jab. Hopefully you will have just dealt with the side effects with your first and will have no issues with your second.

      There are so many people complaining about having to wear masks but I don't mind. I have asthma and yes, I can feel like I can't breathe well at times if I've had the mask on for a while but I feel safer with the mask than without. Queensland is doing really well with 0 - 2 new cases daily. I just pray we don't end up like New South Wales which is currently averaging 1,100 new cases daily. Very worrying.

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  8. Great to see a post from you. Sad to see numbers for Covid cases in some areas so high though. At least Australia seems to be being sensible and not throwing away the mask mandate just yet, unlike over here.

    Glad Bradley got through his first dose without any real issues, hope that remains the case for you too, and that both of you do well with the second dose as well.

    The outing sounds like it was wonderful. I'm glad you were able to get out for a while before lockdowns kicked in again, and all enjoyed yourself. Nice that one of you were able to pick up the glider who needed a lift at least.

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    1. Thanks, Tori. xx

      Brad's second dose of Pfizer went well with minimal side effects. I get my second Astra-Zeneca early October. So far, so good.

      Covid is a concern with New South Wales struggling to stop new infections. Queensland is still doing well with an average of 0 to 2 new cases daily...I pray it stays that way.

      We had such a lovely day and I'm already looking forward to the next one.

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  9. Serena, hope you are having continued 'no signs of problems' with your Astra-Zeneca shot. When I read your community stats and issues, I feel for you, not that I live in a perfect world, but our population isn't as large, I guess - only 2500 in the entire county. Hubby and I got Moderna - 2 vaccines - back in Feb. I, like you, can't get this dreaded virus..with asthma and RAD and age I would surely go quickly. They say with being vaccinated we can go about our days, unmasked, until the Delta variant showed up. Now I mask again going into heavily populated stores and such. They are saying that a 3rd booster shot might be something to think about in the near future, and if my pulmonologist says so, I will get one. Our lives are so similar with art right now. I, too, am doing online courses, with arthritis-sy hands - particularly the painting hand 'thumb'. Too much use of it last season, with outdoor painting - really did a number on it. I have trigger thumb from time to time. I have so many interests in the art arena, I move on and find something that isn't as taxing and exacting to do..gotta create, no matter what. Love that you camped with your son - looks like a lovely countryside!

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    1. We are lucky here in Queensland with only 0 to 2 new cases daily, however, our southern neighbour, New South Wales, is getting an average of 1,100 new cases daily and they are struggling to get it under control. It's a worry as people from New South Wales are trying to get into Queensland despite our borders being closed. I can only hope Queensland doesn't end up the same way as NSW.

      Moderna is very similar to the Pfizer from what I've read. Yep, we are both high risk so the vaccine was the safest choice for me and my son too. My other sons are getting theirs too. We still have the mask mandate in place but it's a little disheartening to see some people just not wearing them. Thankfully, the majority do. They say the mRNA vaccines don't offer as long-lasting protection as the Astra-Zeneca so it might be wise to get the 3rd one. I think we will need to get annual boosters just as we do for Influenza.

      OH, you have my sympathy re. hand pain. It's bloody horrible and can bring me to tears. It can be so debilitating too. I no longer have the strength I had before. The pain puts a stop to doing a lot of things. Even as I type, the pain in the middle knuckle of my ring fingers is quite bad. I have a couple of pet portraits to get done sooner than later. Good luck with your creative endeavours.

      Have a lovely week! xx

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  10. what a nice post seeing you with your family and those cute fur kids. Really enjoyed it and hoping you are feeling well and glorious!!

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    1. Thanks for dropping by, Sandy. I'm glad you enjoyed the post. x

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  11. Glad it's so far so good with you guys with vaccinations.

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    1. Thanks, Tori. Brad has since had his 2nd Pfizer and all went well. :)

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