The Times are a-changing

April 28 On Saturday we decided we needed to get out of the house. Usually, when we leave the house it is to go to the grocery or hardware store. Like everyone else that is life during the virus. Saturday we took a drive out to the Columbia Gorge, a beautiful drive on the Washington side of the river, a small winding two-lane road. We stopped to take a couple of photos overlooking the river and farms. After an hour of driving, we cross the river into Oregon at Hood River and we pulled off the freeway and took another two-lane road towards Portland. We pulled off the road and ate our picnic deli lunch in the car since it was still raining. Like everyone else, our hair is in need of a salon and a cut. Ron asked me to give him a buzz cut and fortunately, between the two of us we got it done and there was no disaster. We are now in our third week of yard work. The back yard has been so neglected by the previous owners. Much of our time has been weeding and...

April 11 We left Mexico on March 18 th . It took three airports and three planes, 19 hrs to get to Portland. We were to board the plane in Seattle for a 10:45 p.m. flight. Ron noticed that we weren’t seated together so I went to the counter and asked if it would be possible to change our seats so we could be together. There was only one rep at the counter and he said he could fix it but to have a seat until he was ready for us. Sometime later he called for boarding the plane and we headed for the gate. When the rep saw us, he asked us to sit down until later.   Although we had boarding passes, the airline did not show us on the passenger list. The rep called his boss in a panic trying to find out what to do with us. After lots of conversation, he told his boss he had held the plane up for ten minutes and he needed a decision. As his boss was speaking to him, he looked at us and said ‘get on the plane, row 12.’ I’ll just say we were glad to be home after a very long day. We lit...

March 16 We woke up and had breakfast. Ron took off for a haircut a few blocks away. I read the NY Times briefing regarding the falling stock market. YIKES! The landlord and her helper came over and brought a five-gallon bottle of water for the dispenser. After Ron returned, we walked across town to Fabrica Aurora, a former textile mill that was converted into a high-end shopping area with multiple art galleries and wonderful shops. We drooled at the artwork and products being sold but didn’t buy.  Ron took some photos, then we sat down in an outdoor eatery for lunch. We have been to this market many times in previous visits and the crowds were thinner than usual. Two couples near our table were chatting and I heard them say they were leaving early. The state of Guanajuato where we are has no reported cases of the virus. That doesn’t mean there are no cases. We stopped in a plaza and took more photos on the way home and we stopped at the bakery and again b...