Omaha Pandemic, Friday, August 14, 2020

In the plagiarized words of Garrison Keillor, it was a quiet week in Omaha.

Our fair city was finally able to shed the title as the only city of the nation’s top 100 to not have a mandatory mask requirement. The Omaha City Council finally put an emergency ordinance together to require masks at all times in most venues. The esteemed Governor, “Cricket” Ricketts was not able to stop it, nor was he threatening to sue as has happened in other Republican led states.  This move will not stop the coronavirus, but maybe it will save a life or two.
The past week has been characterized by morning paper reading, sometimes a breakfast and sometimes not, and then off to the daughters’ house for a round of repairs. The living room is sporting a new coat rack and carpet, all the floors steam cleaned, the bathroom exhaust fan and light are back in working order, and the solar powered motion detector light over the garage has been replaced. The mountains of cardboard boxes in the garage have been sliced, diced, and delivered to the recycle center. All is in shipshape for today’s celebration of Darcy’s friend Maria’s 25th birthday. Have a stellar day Maria! The two of them (without their attendant canine companions) are off for a day at the world famous Henry Dooley Zoo for a socially distanced outing.
Lynn and John Covert joined us on the patio last evening for a steak and potato cookout, accompanied by a caprese salad and finished off with the strawberry and angel food cake which Lynn provided. We learned of Jessy, Alex and Milo’s plans to remain permanently in Omaha, sheltering in Lynn and John’s lower level with their cat and dog until other more permanent lodgings can be secured.
The other significant development of the week is that the tomato crop at our house has begun to ripen. Looks like tomato salads, BLTs, marguerita pizzas and pasta sauce into our future ad infinitum. How could three small tomato plants so overwhelm us? How could we not remember the same problem every previous year and learn to plant only one plant?
The weather has been relatively moderate this week, although the derecho storm that blew through town in the space of 30 minutes (totally unheralded) provided a little excitement. No damage to our property, but massive damage east of us across Iowa, Illinois, and into Indiana and Ohio. Millions of acres of corn and soybeans have been lost, not to mention structures, trees and other vegetation. Mother Nature again shows that she is not to be trifled with.
We look forward to a slow upcoming week, no kids going back to school, no mask or illness worries, just the “Good Life.” Be safe, wash your hands and don’t forget your mask!