Thinking back

[susandennis]

When I look back at the 70's (1970's) the first thought that comes to mind is sex without condoms. We didn't even think of it. I never actually saw one until I was well past 30 years old. "Protection" meant safety against pregnancy and everyone was on birth control pills so no need.

Free sex.

I probably won't live long enough but if I did... live long enough to look back on the 20's (2020's) the first thought that would come to mind is breathing without masks.

Fresh air. Hugs. Handshakes.

I am not a touchy feely huggy person but it does amaze me how we just turned that all off like a light switch.

I cannot imagine having sex now without a condom. I haven't had sex with anyone in years and years but, still, there are condoms in the drawer next to my bed.

I can absolutely see a time when kids will look at movies and TV where people are hugging or shaking hands and be all ewwwwww gross.

Sea changes. How amazing to have lived long enough to see them in action.

Today's walk was hard. My back hurt and I was not into it at all. But, I do have a new boyfriend. Towards the end of my walk, there's a guy at a laptop in a street level window. He's sitting there facing the window and I wave when I walk by and he waves back. It's our thing. It gets me through the tough middle of my walk - I'm almost to my boyfriend.

It's a little disconcerting that I've been making that relatively simple, short walk now every day for 29 days and it's honestly no easier than day one. I had hoped to maybe make it longer just a bit - go down to the other end of the baseball stadium but I'd probably not even make it as far as I do without the reward of my boyfriend's wave.

On the up side, my stomach skin situation is improved. I think I got it in time and just now need to keep an eye out and make sure it says dry and friction free. The other day I did google the condition and OMG ugly doesn't begin to cover what could happen. So yeah for better.

Today I want to get a handle on food. I'm out of fresh but the freezer is still going strong. I'd like to hold off buying any new groceries until next week. Delivery and pick up times are getting more and more plentiful so I feel like it's safe to wait and place a medium sized order when I'm ready.

My fridge/freezer inventory list is fairly current. It just needs a bit of updating. So I'll get that done. I've saved a ton of money on food this month and, actually, everything. I've still got half a tank of the gas left that I bought in February.

And today there will be sewing.

Comments

[bill-schubert.livejournal.com]

OK.. would not have thought I would EVER see an entry from you containing both 'boyfriend' and 'condoms in the drawer next to my bed'. I'm processing it and will get back to you.

[susandennis]

OK now I've broken you. So sorry. But, you had to grow up sometime.

[lenine2.livejournal.com]

I remember when AIDS came out, and the idea of having to protect yourself against someone else's blood was mind-blowing. Medical people wearing gloves was a new requirement. Screening people donating blood was new, too. Now it's like "Duh, what idiot wouldn't wear gloves when taking someone's blood???" So yeah, this is a new normal, but I think we'll all get used to it.

[carriea31.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear the stomach is better. That's good news.

[timbear.livejournal.com]

Saving money on fuel, food, and other things? Here's something a good friend once told us before she died. For us "older people" if you are unexpectedly saving money and you aren't short of it, use the surplus in a way that would make you happy. Buy something nice for yourself, a gift for someone else, make a charity donation, whatever it is that would please you. There are no pockets in shrouds

[susandennis]

In my house it was "You can't take it with you" But shroud pockets.... good one.

[mairi-dubh.livejournal.com]

What you (and what another commenter) described on the stomach skin sounds an awful lot like intertrigo.

Not actually my business so I do beg your pardon, here, and am totally understanding if you don't want to make a public response to this comment. Meanwhile, I'm sure your M.D. identified the condition and the cause to you, and I hope sincerely for you that it'll get cleared up.

[susandennis]

If I was sensitive about comments, I would have never made the entry public and/or not written it at all. And yep, intertrigo is likely what it is. Especially since the fix I tried is recommended for interrigo and it appears to have worked.

[mairi-dubh.livejournal.com]

I've had multiple encounters with intertrigo, myself. Sooo not fun! You're probably too well aware that it can occur as often as conditions allow.

[susandennis]

yup. i get it all over - it comes, it goes. i've never had it on my stomach before but it will likely act the same.

[mairi-dubh.livejournal.com]

Underside of the belly, or the breasts, or for some people in or near the armpit, anywhere skin will be moist and basically where it doesn't get circulating air.
The responsible organism lives on the skin and most of the time doesn't cause any trouble---until conditions are right for i t to get out of hand.

[msconduct.livejournal.com]

I suspect your lack of improvement with the walks might be lockdown-related. Mum reports that on her walks she feels a lot less fit than she did pre-lockdown. It seems that the sum of the activity one did in the Before Times (lots more in your case with the swimming, but just walking around with shopping and stuff as well) makes more of a difference than I would have thought.

[susandennis]

Probably right but I do wish it would get easier. At least I'm still fine with doing it every day anyway.

[rsc.livejournal.com]

I find it difficult to imagine that we will never go back to what I've long considered "normal" physical contact.

[mhaithaca.livejournal.com]

I do think it's likely handshakes will take a while to come back. They're such a clear disease transmission vector. Even hugs are safer!

The real question is, will handshakes be replaced by "Live long and prosper" Vulcan salutes or Wakanda salutes?