@becsbuddy I tried race walking for about 6 minutes of my walk today. In another life I would have been running, but joints and lungs no longer allow.
Yesterday I reported that my Texas walkers were falling away now at home, so tomorrow 2 of us will plug in our headphones and do a walk and talk. If that works we'll try to add another friend later in the week. On a bright note, one friend lives about 25 miles from me and we're planning a weekly meetup walk.

@becsbuddy, like the poster and laughing that you can't remember "which week we are on"...someone told me we are into a new Month already....really/?? vbg
@lilypaw &@wisco50, I live in west texas and have noticed that higher temps have started earlier over the past 2 yrs. As a sunshine maven, I can tolerate our dry heat much better than that in more humid areas. However, three digit temp on May 1st set a record high here.

Lilypaw, I am so sorry your pain is so intense. While I’ve not had a spinal fusion done, a close friend’s hubby did. She told me that ff his surgery and initial recovery, she found him in his study with tears streaming. Alarmed, she asked: “What’s wrong?”
He said: “I never expected to be pain free again and I had forgotten how wonderful it is!” This from a very outwardly macho male whom she’d had to drag behind a donkey cart to get him to docs in the past! Certainly, we’ll be rooting for you and hope you’ll let us know when your surgery takes place.
Well, I’m sending you some cyber love right back! Smiles. I was an unexpected addition to our family. When my 11 yr old sister was told that I was on the way, she quickly asked if our mom had told our dad yet ??
Had the rural hospital not been so tiny, I think my parents would have questioned whether or not they’d brought home “the right baby”. Unlike my very mild mannered parents and sister, I was told I was quite a “handful” from the beginning. Got my days and nights mixed up; at age 3, I stormed into the house demanding to know: “Why God had put more sunshine in our neighbor’s yard”…Seriously doubt that “feisty” was the 1st word that came to mind in describing me over the years…lol

@migizii, I am heartened to hear that your MN gov was able to secure timely federal assistance. Sadly on too many fronts, each of our 50 gov’s are having to act for their state as if they were an independent nation. Thank goodness, some are beginning to form regional alliances with one another because what affects one, affects us all.
It would have been considered science fiction for any American a few short years ago to be even imagining that a parent would be considering setting up a tent in the yard or seeking to borrow an ice fishing house for a son to safe harbor. Yet, as you write our perserverance in doing our part individually will hopefully see us through this time of pandemonium.
As @robbie1956 said so well: “staying safe can be done easier when all take this seriously”.

@lioness, Dear Linda, I Really needed to hear your words this morning. Yesterday a friend called wanting to go to for an in-restaurant meal. When I told her that I’d like nothing more but my lungs wouldn’t approve of the exposure, she chided and almost ridiculed me for being so “over the top” cautious. It hurt. And worse is that I am in such a minority within my friend/acquaintance group that I can only predict more of the same in the days ahead.
Thanks, @Parus, Yes! Maybe your words need to become my first mantra of the coming days: “I frequently remind myself I am only responsible for my own behavior.”

@sueinmn, Methinks you were the motivational, ever ready little spark plug that kept your Tx friends walking! While Zoom may be out, your cyber encouragement will probably serve to keep them “on the go”. Smiles Temps must be warming in MN if you are out clearing your garden beds. I’ve not been away like you but I’m behind in weeding my multiple flower beds so remember your Tx buddy will be pulling right along with you. At least this keeps us out of some mischief, yes?
Sue, I am intrigued with your help from “diggers”…who are they? Would they consider traveling to Tx??? Like you, I always contribute plants to our Arboretum plant sales. With the cancellation this year, I’ve been putting some winnowed out bulbs and perennials with a Free sign in my driveway. Within 2-3 hrs, they are all taken. Hadn’t considered posting them on our Neighborhood facebook page but like the idea for “next time”.

Aw shucks, @zep! Both parents hailed from central Tx. and my dad would start talking about how wonderful the “rich, black, loamy soil” smelled as our car visits took us there for visits with relatives. I wish you could share some with me too!!!! Vbg I’ve also been amending for years but have yet to garner your great results. I wear a pr of cleated shoes and use a long handled poker to help aerate and get water closer to the roots in mid-summer.
Can commiserate with your scarcer energy too. We had bumble bees and some honeybees but fewer than in years past. Also regret that how once Monarchs blanketed our lawns on their migrations, now we celebrate seeing very small clusters.
How anyone can question the effects of global warming is beyond me. I can remember Al Gore addressing the issue in the 70’s but even now, there are those who refuse to acknowledge its existence. What a world and time we are living in!
Thanks,

@lioness, I never thought to try the sautee for the dandies. Side note: poured boiling water on several shooting up between sidewalk sections…although it wilted some of the leaves…the water didn’t kill the suckers! Talk about persistence!!!!!