Leslie Hoff Travels

[lesliehofftravels]

Fresh air...

June 12, 2020

Last week we decided to venture out for a hike.  We went to Roxborough Park, which is about an hour’s drive from our home.  It was a warm day, easy trail, and it was nice to be outside.  There weren’t many people there, so it was easy to keep a social distance from others.  I think the best idea is to go during the week to avoid a crowd.

We managed to have our weekly game night out in the park.  We kept social distance and had a great time.  It was so nice to interact with REAL people in person!

The racial protests continue around the country, as well as in Denver, but are not generally violent. It seems that this is making an impact, with the police force being scrutinized and laws going up for a vote regarding police accountability.  It’s impressive to see what happens when people voice their concerns together.  

The country is “opening up” after the corona virus lockdown. The restaurants are beginning to open for indoor seating, with precautions.  I see these precautions as only lip service to the social distancing, and you surely can’t wear a mask when you are eating and drinking.  I’m not sure when I will feel comfortable dining in.  I am waiting to see what the virus fall-out is after the protests where there was no social distancing, as well as the re-opening consequences.  If all goes well, maybe I will get a haircut someday!

[lesliehofftravels]

Everything’s coming up roses...

June 2, 2020

The parks are in bloom with all types of beautiful flowers, as well as the lawns of the neighbors.  People are at home and are busy working on their gardens. 

Meanwhile, this is Day 5 of protests regarding the George Floyd murder by police officers in Minnesota.  We have had curfews in Denver for the past few nights due to the violent protests.  However, only the night protests are violent.  There have been many daytime protests that are peaceful.  We will continue having night curfews for at least 3 more nights.

The world seems like it’s upside down right now, at least the USA.  Between the pandemic along with the social distancing, and the riots in the streets, it’s unnerving.  I fear it’s getting the best of many people’s mental health.  There is so much uncertainty about employment, schools, social distancing, virus spreading, etc.  There is so much stress on everyone.  We are fortunate in this situation, yet living with the knowledge that we are not helping as much as we want to due to not wanting to contract the virus ourselves and also not to give it to our roommate who is in her 70′s.  

We are trying to be positive.... but it can be positively difficult at times.  

[lesliehofftravels]

Quarantine haircuts...

May 24, 2020

Today I cut Bill’s hair.  We’d ordered some electric clippers, and he knew just what size attachments he likes to have for the clippers.  I was nervous, but it turned out very nice, even if I have to say so myself!

If I don’t get to go to the salon soon, I think I’ll get him to cut mine and we’ll have matching hairstyles.  Yikes!

[lesliehofftravels]

Life is a picnic...

May 22, 2020

We had a picnic at City Park with Bill’s kids, Ken & TJ, and their girlfriends.  We were social distanced, as you can see.  We all brought our own food, except we had Ken pick up some margaritas for us.  

We had a great time socializing.  Zoom just doesn’t feel the same.  This was lots of fun and we stayed a while talking, and playing a few fun talking games.  The weather is getting nice, and we will probably do this often. 

[lesliehofftravels]

Venturing out...

May 20, 2020

I had an adventure today.  I drove up to Boulder to see Alex.  This is the only place I’ve been besides the grocery stores near my house.  We met for a “social distanced” picnic.  I brought our food, prepared in separate containers, and met him at a park.  I placed a blanket to measure 6 feet so we could remain apart.  It was really nice to get out, and nice to see him.  One of the things that makes it hard for me is that I can’t hug my kids.  “Virtual hugs” just aren’t the same. 

He’s doing well and keeping busy.  His payroll protection $ from his job will run out at the end of this month, so he expects to get laid off.  He is going to try to open up the dance studio on June 1, but they will have to follow alot of social distancing and mask rules.  It will be a challenge.  The rent at the studio has to be paid...life must go on...

[lesliehofftravels]

Sunsets...

May 13, 2020

Sunsets are at the top of the list for the locals living near City Park.  People sit on the hill behind the Denver Museum of Nature and Science near the gardens and await a sunset over downtown with a backdrop of the mountains.  “Rocky Mountain High?”  

Our days run into each other, and not much changes in our routines.  They are filled with online chats, reading, cooking, and working around the house.  Bill has finished up his semester at the university, and they are trying to decide what the fall classes will involve.  If they go to online classes only, the dorms, cafeterias, and other buildings will be pretty empty.  They’ve already asked for information on which professors would be high risk to go into the schools in the fall.  California has already stated that their universities will all be online.  

The news regarding the virus seems to be more of the same, with the government fighting the CDC and other health professionals about the idea of reopening the country.  Meanwhile, vaccines and antibody testing are being researched.  They believe the virus has started to cause children to be ill with a disease similar to Kawasaki disease.  Also, they are discovering that the virus also affects the blood, and has started to cause strokes in young adults.  It’s not looking good for the economy, as some larger retail stores are declaring bankruptcy and closing their doors.  The same is true for some restaurants.  Other than hair salons, nail salons, and dog salons opening, not much has changed here.  I’m starting to get used to the distancing idea, and trying to think of creative ways to have live person contact and still use precautions.

After a very cool week, with some rain and hail, we are about to head into a warm spell.  I like hot weather, so it’s good for me!

[lesliehofftravels]

May 5, 2020

Animals...

It seems like the animals are venturing out during the human quarantine.  They seem very relaxed around people and are exploring.  This deer was just roaming around a neighborhood nearby.

[lesliehofftravels]

May 3, 2020

Daily Jokes...

We went for a walk, and down the street we saw these signs.  The kids that live in the house there are making signs every day with a new joke.  They like to rush out to say hi to the people who are reading the sign.  Social distancing at its best....

[lesliehofftravels]

May 2, 2020

This too shall pass...

And, we’re hoping it does!  Not much is changing in Denver with the new orders called “Safer at home”.  Supposedly everyone has to wear a mask in stores, employees and customers.  I was at the liquor store around the corner and the cashier wasn’t wearing a mask.  So, I don’t know if anything is really different.

Apparently, we are opening up the country, lifting restrictions even in light of the CDC recommending against it.  It is projected that the number of deaths will increase with the openings.  We just read that New Zealand is coronavirus free, due to the measures they’d set in place.  We are seriously considering moving there!  We loved NZ when we visited there last year, it’s a beautiful place.

[lesliehofftravels]

May 1, 2020

TGIF!

It’s becoming our Friday tradition to get take-out margaritas.  We are telling ourselves that we are supporting our local restaurants.  It’s the law that you have to order food with alcoholic drinks.  We ordered our drinks from Machete restaurant down the street, with a side of chips and 4 salsas.  The salsas were good, and VERY spicy!  The margaritas were delicious.  We read in the news that margaritas are becoming THE drink during the pandemic.  Hmmm...

[lesliehofftravels]

April 30, 2020

The Costco challenge

Today Dona and I ventured out to Costco with our masks in tow.  They do a pretty good job there of keeping people distanced at the check-outs.  However, there were more people shopping than last time, so it’s difficult to stay 6 feet away, and most people don’t seem to really care.

Due to the lack of dressing rooms, I wore a dress so i could try on pants at the store.  When you’re over 60, you can get away with these shenanigans because you have no sense of caring about what other people think.  :-). Costco has nice quality clothes, if you can find something you like, and they are inexpensive.

[lesliehofftravels]

Stay safe, America!!! (AND the world!)

April 29, 2020

Today I had a Zoom session with some of my Canasta friends.  It’s hard not to talk about the “virus”, yet it always turns up in the conversation.  One of the members is a retired doctor, keeping up on the news, and feels pessimistic about the future of our world in our lifetime.  It got me in a funk for the rest of the day.  

The news includes hope of a vaccine, but reading the fine print it’s not the usual vaccine that could prevent the disease, only possibly shortening the illness by a few days.  They are trying to push it through, I don’t plan on getting it.  The antibody tests are available for people, but they are not very helpful, since some people test negative who are pretty sure they’ve had the disease.  The breadth of the test is not clear, nor the accuracy.  There are many reports that the tests aren’t good.  I won’t me getting one of these either, no need to develop a false sense of security.

For now, I’ll try to enjoy my Wednesday :-)

[lesliehofftravels]

Strolling along...

April 28, 2020

Bill and I got up a little early and drove 10 minutes to have a walk in a different area.  We went to Westerly Creek.  The birds were chirping like crazy, and there weren’t many people there.  Most people were wearing masks (Bill pulled his down for the picture.)

The neighbors are still howling at 8pm every night from their front porches in support of the service and healthcare workers. The dogs are chiming in quite nicely.

It looks like our lockdown will stay almost the same, except for opening up hair salons (I guess that’s a necessity?).   

My friend who is a nurse at a nearby nursing home reports that it’s absolutely miserable in the facility.  They have to wear their surgical masks for 2 weeks before getting a new one. They also don’t have gowns for protection.  Several of the nurses there are hospitalized and may die.  I can tell it’s starting to get to her.  There are no words....

[lesliehofftravels]

Grocery pick-up

April 27, 2020

Last night I ordered groceries online from King Soopers, and I picked up the order today.  It was very easy to use their website.  During the morning this morning I got texts updating my order, giving me options to select substitutions for what they don’t have in stock.  They had most of what I wanted.  

When I arrived at the store, I pulled into the specially marked parking spaces, and called the number on the sign to let them know I’d arrived and what parking spot number I was in.  They promptly loaded everything in the back of my car, without my needing to get out or make contact with them.  It was easy.  They’re waiving their shopping fee during the shutdown, otherwise it would be about $5.00 for the service.  I think it might be worth it even if I had to pay.  

Today was very warm, and we were able to eat dinner outside.  Many people are preparing their gardens.  It’s a great thing to do.  Usually it’s a good idea to wait until after Mother’s Day to plant, as Denver can get a surprise snow or freeze before then.

Last night, after the neighborhood porch howling event, I stayed outside until dark talking with my neighbor across the street.  We stood across the street from each other and talked with our strong voices.  She has 5 kids she’s trying to take care of at home, 3 of them trying to school through online classes while she tries to occupy her two 2 year olds.  Unfortunately, her neighbors are complaining about how much noise her kids make in the back yard when they are outside.  The backyard is the only place her kids have to go, since there are too many people in the park to keep them safely 6 feet away.  This poor mom, she’s got her hands full.

[lesliehofftravels]

Exercising...

Aprl 26, 2020

Every time I walk in the park I see people exercising.  It’s a great silver lining to this pandemic.  People are out with their yoga mats, weights, music, and downloaded exercise tapes on their phones.  There are many bike-riders, joggers, and even slackline walking.  The weather is getting warmer, and everyone is enjoying the sun.  About half the people are wearing masks.  We try to keep 6 ft. away from people, but it’s tricky sometimes, especially when bike riders zoom past you closeby (it’s also a bit dangerous!)

I’m spending time reading books, which is something that I never quite seemed to get around to before now.  I joined a book group that will meet online next week, so I have to be sure to finish the book.  It’s good motivation.

We turned the sprinkler system on today after Bill spread grass seed in a few areas in the backyard.  

Our stay-at-home orders in Colorado have been extended until May 8.  Antibody testing and virus testing news is rampant.  The bottom line is that no one really knows what to do.  I’m staying quarantined.  (and that means I get to read more books!)

[lesliehofftravels]

Salad days...

April 25, 2020

My new lifestyle.  I try to keep a great big salad in the fridge at all times.  Since we are home “all the time”, we are eating all the time.  The salad can act as lunch, throwing in a can of beans, or for a side dish for a meal.  It’s nice to have it ready to go.  When I’m hungry, I’m not making a salad, going for something quick and easy.

The days definitely seem to run together.  Saturday nights have become “Online Gang” game night.  There’s about 6 of us, all new friends, playing together.  We played “Drawful” tonight, and it was fun.  At least I can keep track of the weekends a bit with this routine.

[lesliehofftravels]

Pudding pie...seriously delicious...

April 24, 2020

I’ve spent lots of time lately trying out new recipes.  This is one I found online, a Chocolate Pudding Pie.  You’d never guess it is loaded with vegetables, no fat, and no sugar.  It’s made with sweet potatoes, dates, and cacao powder.  The crust is an oatmeal and date crust.  Delicious!  I think you could also try prunes instead of dates if you need to substitute, they’re just as sweet!  

We ordered Margaritas from Annie’s restaurant down the street, so we were all set for our Margarita Happy Hour with Ken & TJ and the girlfriends.  It was fun to visit through Zoom.  We ended up playing a ridiculous online game that had us laughing.  

#chocolatepuddingpievegan #margaritasforlockdownparties