Playing with his cousins after months of separation and hiking around a whole lake were the highlights of this week.
Day 85 Coronavirus
Andrew and I ate leftover donuts for breakfast. This was going to be a slow day after all the hiking we’ve been doing.
He and David made steps together this morning out of the cardboard bricks.
I did my workout and Andrew watched a show called Pup Academy with talking dogs, real dog bodies with added fake talking mouths, it’s a bit different. I tried not to notice it too much.
Lunch I wanted hotdogs since one of the episodes showed a hotdog vendor. We had chips with those.
The afternoon was spent on the lake. I did my exercise by swim races around the boat. We were out for about two hours. It was partly cloudy so it kept the heat off of us. All of us were tired when we headed back, which happens when you’re out in the sun for a while.
Dinner tonight was leftover Mexican, which David heated up. We watched Star Girl his new favorite superhero show then David read to him before he fell asleep.
David and I watched RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars season 5 first episode. There is not a lot on now with the start of summer.
Day 86 Coronavirus
Breakfast this morning was granola with cranberries.
David started the morning with Andrew doing a macaroni project with him while I updated my blog. I listened while he worked with Andrew on them.
He brought out some macaroni and placed it in a bowl. Then he took out three small glass dishes and filled them with water.
David added red food coloring to the first one, green food coloring to the second one, and then blue to the third.
“Andrew we’re making a macaroni necklace today,” he said.
“That sounds fun, poppa,” Andrew said.
David first showed how to dip a macaroni shell into the red water and let it sit for a bit.
He brought out a metal drying rack. Then after the macaroni turned red he put it on the rack.
Andrew then followed how David was doing it. They did a number of them.
“Now, you’ll need to wait and let them dry a bit before we can put them on a string,” David said.
So Andrew played superheroes for a while the macaroni dried.
Once it dried David brought out the string and began to put them on one by one even and even added ones that had not been dyed to add the color yellow. The macaroni necklace was a rainbow of color.
Andrew made one for himself, David and I.
David made some chicken quesadillas for lunch today from leftover meat from the Mexican restaurant. He surprised me with something a bit different than the sandwiches we usually eat.
After lunch David had Andrew help make chocolate chip cookies. He first made a bowl of dry ingredients with the sugar, flour, and chocolate chips. Then the wet ingredients of eggs, vanilla extracts, and water. He added the butter then the wet ingredients to the dry one. He had Andrew cream the butter, which means mixing the butter and sugar to make the cookie dough batter.
David pulled out a cooking sheet and they put the batter onto it forming small mounds.
He let him spoon out the last of it in the bowl, one of my favorite parts.
Andrew helped with dinner tonight by helping with the kale chips.
Dinner tonight was chicken wings, kale, and a tossed salad and of course, dessert was the cookies.
Afterward, Andrew and I rode our bikes around the neighborhood.
We also started packing today. I am going to stay at my sister’s for two nights. I put in my clothes then he put the clothes he wanted to wear.
I am taking my dad to a doctor’s appointment while Andrew will be spending the day with three of his boy cousins who are his age the next day. It should be fun for him to spend the day playing with them. He’ll have a better time with them then taking another drive.
I read to him tonight a book where you can open sections of a page to reveal more information. Some involve knowing your shapes and counting. I’ve read this one many times to him.
Going to be hard to sleep as I keep going through the list of what we need, I am sure I will forget something.
Day 87 Coronavirus
Andrew had a bagel with cream cheese and I had some Apple Jacks for breakfast.
I spent the morning getting everything ready for our three-hour trip to see family this week. We are staying at my sister’s house in northeast Missouri.
A suitcase filled with clothes and toiletries, water bottles, and snacks if we do some hiking and Andrew’s cloth masks and my masks. Suntan lotion if we get out in the sun. Deep Woods Off if we go hiking.
Andrew also brings a few small toys, his Spider-Man sleeping bag, and a pillow along with books to read before bed.
David sees us off. He is getting ahead of his work for the next few days while we’re staying at my sister’s house.
I first stop at the bank for some money for the trip. Then, I stop at the gas station in Troy for my two for five dollars Starbucks drinks and Andrew gets a two for five dollars Sprite. This one usually has good deals. I also pick up some key chains for my twin nieces’ 16th birthday.
The drive there is mostly freeway. I drive through St. Charles so he can check out the Missouri River bridge construction. It is not to busy this time of day.
We head north from Interstate 70 and he falls asleep and I have the music on the radio to keep me company.
Our next stop is in Hannibal, Mo. where he needs to use the restroom. I thought about checking out the barbecue place here but it doesn’t look very busy at 11 am and I don’t see that they are set up to do takeout.
I decide to do Burger King instead and eat at Riverview Park along the bluffs. I buy him a kid’s meal with a plain cheeseburger and fries and a small soda. I get myself an Impossible Burger, onion rings, jalapeño poppers, and a medium soda.
I’ve had better Impossible Burgers, but everything else was fine. We ate at the park by the life-like Mark Twain statue on the river. Many of his books are set in this town where he grew up. We both check out the river and watched as the barges passed below. It was cool out, remnants of the tropical storm that had formed in the Gulf.
After lunch, we were back on the road to my sister’s house. It begins to rain and I decide to take the river road for a scenic drive. There is a lake community along the river. I was trying to remember how it survives when the river floods. Then I realize that it is filled with campers and they just take them on the road to higher ground. Mystery solved.
It rains the rest of the way to her house. Andrew is excited when we pull in. He heads to the door and shouts his cousin’s name and his cousin shout back and they begin to play. He hasn’t played with many kids since March so this is going to be a fun time for him. I now have to play negotiator when they fight.
Tonight we are doing Mexican for dinner. I had a cheese quesadilla, chiles poblanos, and burrito with beans. Andrew had the chicken nachos; I should have had that, which looked much better.
Then the kids chased each other at a park for a while before we headed back to their home where they played some more. Then they were separating a racetrack that hit one of them and they got mad at each other. It was time for bed.
I read a Justice League and a Batman book of Grayson’s to him before he fell right to sleep.
Tomorrow I have to take my dad to his doctor in Columbia Mo. My mom will take care of the kids and he’ll have a full play day.
Day 88 Coronavirus
This morning I bought a half dozen donuts for breakfast at Casey’s for the family along with my coffee.
Andrew and his cousin played in the morning while I gathered a few things for his stay at grandmas. I am taking my dad to his pacemaker checkup or what Andrew call’s his ”heart maker” check.
I drop him off at grandma’s house and then dad and I head for Columbia, Mo. I was not sure what we would talk about, but it seemed to go fine. He talked some about the area we were driving through. The farms he used to go to along the route when he did agricultural sales.
The drive took us through the backcountry and then onto Highway 63 to Columbia.
Our first stop was a newer convenience store in Macon, Mo. We bought some drinks and took a restroom stop here.
Lunch was at Culver’s. We couldn’t eat inside the restaurant but we could order from the counter. The restaurant’s outside picnic tables there were all full. I suggested that we eat at the nearby Stephens Lake Park by the medical center where dad was having his checkup.
The park was busy, but there were picnic tables scattered about. We sat down and I had my burger and my favorite, the cheese curds, and Dad had a fish sandwich with fries.
I took a walk on a walking path around the park and went by two artificial but pretty rocky waterfalls that feed into the lake. There was a playground and spray park which if we were in Columbia, Mo, in the future we might stop here for Andrew.
Dad ended up talking to a guy who he went to high school with who happened to be at the park that day. His school was about 40 minutes from here and Columbia is the main town in the area, but still surprising.
After he talked awhile it was time for us to head to his appointment. I dropped him off and checked out the Grindstone Nature Area about five minutes away. This area included some cliffs along a clear pebble creek. I hadn’t been here before and might again take Andrew here sometime.
I was coming back from a loop trail when I got the call that everything turned out fine and it was time to come pick him up.
On the way back I drove through the countryside. The back roads took a little longer since I kept following slow-moving vehicles such a grain truck, but we were not in a big hurry.
Dad talked more about the people in the area. A rich man from St. Louis had built a huge house and cattle farm for his young wife, although this did not satisfy her and eventually the marriage ended in divorce. He didn’t know who owned the house now, but it was some operation.
Our last stop was in Shelbina, Mo., for a few drinks, it was a hot day and one last restroom break.
Arriving back at my mom’s house I found Andrew running around their house with his cousins. This seemed to be a fun day for him.
My sister bought pizza for everybody and Andrew was happy that they got his favorite pepperoni. I played some with him kicking a ball around in the grass. We took a short walk around town before heading back.
Andrew told me he had helped grandma gather strawberries out of her garden and we would have them for shortcake and ice cream like I had when I was a kid.
The kids played chase and hunted for treasure by digging in the dirt by an old oak tree while I was there.
Andrew was getting tired while the sun was setting and wanting to go but my sister wanted to stay longer to help clean up. In the end, he was grouchy, I probably should have headed back sooner.
Amazingly when we got back he had a second wind and played with his cousin a bit longer before it was time for bed.
I read a short book on WALL-E, he said it was sad, yeah, he was right. I guess my sister’s daughters must have liked this movie for them to have it.
The second book was Spider-Man, a much happier book where the good guy defeats the bad guy.
I had him say good night to David over the phone and he fell asleep quickly.
Tomorrow will be his last play day with his cousin before the weekend, but then he heads back to pre-school next week. I am glad he did some interacting with his cousins first. I thought this would help acclimate him to school again.
Day 89 Coronavirus
Andrew woke up again around 6:30 a.m. This is the second time I have to tell him that Grayson sleeps longer so he has to wait. This is our last day here I guess he wanted to get as much in as he can.
Donuts from Casey was breakfast again today. We only had the morning together since we were heading back home today.
My sister had mentioned that they had built a short Levee Walk in Canton, Mo., along the Mississippi River. I thought this would be an activity for them this morning. I headed for the parking area after breakfast.
Andrew and Grayson headed up the ramp to the tower that you can go up to have a better view of the river, an island in the distance, and the planted corn fields across the river.
Then we walked towards the lock and dam. The river was running a bit high and fast so I told them to stay away from the edge. I noticed a water snake popping its head up and down in the flow near the rocks on the other side of the wall. They kept looking for it until it went out of sight.
They ran farther down to a small waterway that flows into the river surrounded by tall ancient cottonwoods. They threw a few sticks into the river and then I noticed the time and we needed to head back.
I told them to race each other back and they ran way ahead of me. They were good about not getting too close to the river.
I unlocked the SUV and Andrew hit the button on the back to raise the hatchback door. He likes to enter from the back now and even got Grayson to do it.
We went back to my sister’s house and ended up following a bus. Grayson said the bus delivers meals to area families why schools are closed.
When we pull into my sister’s house the bus comes through and drops off food for two days worth for the weekend. Andrew wants one of the meals. My niece, Grayson’s mother, says that’s fine and they eat together.
After snack time I pack everything in the car and we head south. I decided to head through Quincy, Il.
I back the SUV into the parking area off 8th Street by the old Stone Arch Bridge. I used to walk around here when I was a kid. Andrew eats some snacks before he wants to walk down toward the creek. I notice that the rock area of the creek is farther down and talk him into walking in the other direction that leads into woods. We loop around back to the SUV checking out a small pond on the way.
It is a long about a three-hour drive. I don’t use as much of the freeway but take a decent highway that follows the Illinois River towards St. Louis.
Around 5 p.m. we pull into our home. David makes quesadillas while I unpack everything. Andrew is happy to be back home and settles into watching some cartoons.
I am tired after all the driving and eat dinner then watch a few cartoons with Andrew before David puts him to bed. He reads two books and Andrew quickly falls asleep.
I think we’re all tired, seeing family can be physically and mentally exhausting.
Day 90 Coronavirus
In the morning Andrew had one of his leftover Casey’s donuts and I had a pop tart. This morning we played some with the Play-Doh that came with his Burger King kid’s meal the other day. You have this roller that you can imprint a dinosaur on.
David said it hadn’t rained so I watered the plants this morning. Andrew helped with his watering can. I noticed that we have one cucumber and a baby pepper is on the way. Tomatoes are also growing, but all of them are green right now.
I put a load of laundry in the washer and then I put stuff together for going out on the lake. We bring water bottles and sodas. David included crackers, cheese, cantaloupe, and some papaya. I made sure to put sunscreen on him since it was a hot day.
We usually go out on the lake in the morning before it gets to busy. Andrew made sure we brought the mat.
On the lake, I read some. Andrew and I swim around the boat a few times.
Lunch was the mix of what we brought out so it was pretty open. After being outside for a while it was time to head home.
David was making spaghetti for dinner tonight requested by Andrew. That sounded fine to me also.
The afternoon was pretty slow since we were all tired from being out on the lake. Andrew watched some of his cartoons and I worked to have my office more in order.
After dinner, Andrew wanted to ride his bike so I rode with him around the neighborhood. We checked out the new pool they are building and kept a lookout for wildlife along the way. It was at least cooler now.
It was my turn to read to him, I read a book on Star Wars, Ant-Man, and Spiderman. He wanted three books tonight.
Alita: Battle Angel was tonight’s grownup show. It was an all-right movie. The ending set up for a sequel, which I am not sure will happen. So it is a little frustrating when it doesn’t have a true ending.
Tomorrow we’ll go hiking and it will be my last entry in this series on Living Under Coronavirus since Andrew is heading back to pre-school. It will be different without him at home, but it will be good for him to socialize with kids before kindergarten starts again in August.
Day 91 Coronavirus
I made waffles this morning. Andrew had wanted them and thought having a hardy breakfast before going hiking was a good idea.
After the meal, David played a match game with Andrew while I put things together. I made him a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and we also brought grapes along with chips. I put in a Sprite and some water for drinks.
Our destination today was Beaver Dam State Park, which was about 45 minutes away. Here you can take a 1.7-mile loop trail through the woods around the lake.
The drive went through some small towns, including Bunker Hill. In the middle of the downtown is a large statue of Abraham Lincoln. It was given to the town by a Civil War commander in appreciation in the men that served in the war on the side of the Union.
Our first stop at the park was the bathroom. It is has been dry lately so the trail won’t be muddy, like some of the ones we walked on in the spring.
The park is busy with people fishing and we step around the people down by the shoreline.
The trail allows for expansive views of the lake and a chance to see what lives along its shores. David points out a frog camouflaged in the undergrowth as we walk. I look for snakes or other wildlife as we go along.
I see a log that was fell by a beaver and not far away from a tree stump in the water with lots of moss now home to plants surviving on it as the log decomposes.
He gets bored with the trail some as we round the back end. Then I notice a bridge and he races to it.
I keep looking for bridges along the route and this becomes a game for us as we walk back towards the dam.
Near the dam is a shop and restaurant with outdoor seating but we had the late breakfast so we were not hungry. Although Andrew was and I opened the hatch and he ate his sandwich along with some grapes and chips.
David takes a different route on the way home heading back through Staunton, Il., and down Highway 4 that once had served as US Route 66.
Both of us are tired after the hike and Andrew watches a show. David makes chicken with couscous. Our garden provides the first cucumber. It tastes great even without dressing. So fresh this way and glad Andrew likes them, too.
He helps me water the garden before it is time for him to watch a cartoon before he goes to bed.
Tomorrow he goes back to pre-school. David and I both will take him there.
This is the last log of my coronavirus diary since I won’t be spending each day with him at home. It is a little sad, but he needs to socialize with kids his own age.
He’ll be starting kindergarten in the fall so the routine will be good for him. I will miss him some and our adventures during this time. But change will be good for both us.
