Life in no particular order

People in New York City are really depressed about what's happening in the rest of the country with covid. Things were so bad here, we thought that we would take the hit for everyone else, and they would learn from what we went through, they would wear masks and social distance and self-quarantine so they wouldn't have to feel the same pain. Instead, numbers in Florida have surpassed New York on its worst day, and Arizona and Texas aren't far behind. And still people are going out without masks, and acting like covid is one big joke, something akin to the flu. For anyone who gets it, I pray that's all it is, because the alternative is horrifying—long lasting symptoms that include ravaged lungs, hearts and kidneys, exhaustion, body aches, breathing and neurological problems. Even though these souls are counted as survivors, life is changed for them.

Oh, here's a piece of good news. Our daughter got approved to continue working remotely for her job when she moves to Boston next month! I'm so happy for her. She's to come to the city once a month to go in to the office, but her boss told her not to worry about that for now, as she didn't think anyone would be going back into the office until next year March or April. I am so glad that she will not have to job hunt in a new city in a covid economy. Her partner will be in graduate school, and they are choosing their apartment by lottery as we speak. Most programs at that university will be virtual in the fall, even the medical school, but his program is going to be a hybrid of virtual and in person classes, so they decided to go ahead and move.

My husband also went to his work this morning for the first time since March. The museum is constructing a new wing, so the ichthyology collection is in temporary quarters for now, with the staff is making do in spacious trailers outside the main building—easier to social distance. His income has been cut by a fifth, however, as all science specialists agreed to move to a four-day work week so as to save seven of their number from being terminated.

We're just back from picking up our taxes, which we got in just under the wire. My tax guy has been doing my taxes since I was 23, a relationship of many decades. A good tax guy is one of life's true blessings. The picture up top is what I see when I look up from working. My man's newest hobby is nurturing orchids inside terrariums. Outside, it's a beautiful blue sky day.