Post 33/2020 Monday 19 October Many people know that these public health measures carry solid force: Avoid crowded settings, keep social distance, do small gatherings outdoors, wash your hands for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer, and wear a mask.
(Featured image) Pumpkin tower at the main intersection in Wakarusa, not to be confused with a roundabout. We went through the village on our way to Potato Creek State Park.)
Over the last three days we aimed at applying those measures out and about, which twice included eating lunch in a restaurant.
Finding a good place for lunch wasn’t easy. On Friday we arrived at a family restaurant that did not require masks upon entering. Only one of the people going in wore one. There was an ah shucks sign on the door that said it’s hard to eat while wearing a mask. I agree, eating a mask would cause indigestion. We tarried not. Instead, we found a nearby pub, uncrowded, mask observant. The cook served up the tastiest burger I’ve had in a long time. He even downsized it to a lunchtime portion.
On Saturday, our chosen restaurant proved to be too crowded. The next place offered only a buffet, though they supplied gloves. Nah, no buffet. We ended up at a pub, had a nice corner window table. We were early, so there were few other customers. We had a passable, nonanxiety-producing meal.
Eating out is work, but we try to include it as an occasional part of creating bubble vibe. Until now we’ve been able to eat in out-of-door settings. Going indoors for a meal out now presents more challenges. We’ll continue to look for safe venues, good food, often at off-hours, and maybe catch a warm day to picnic or order a meal to eat al fresco.
Walking again proved to boost our bubble vibe last week. We visited a city trail in Syracuse, two state parks, a county park, did walks around our city, Goshen, and spent a few days in LaGrange County.
Syracuse, Indiana
Oxbow County Park
Potato Creek State Park
One can not help but be grateful to early conservationists who promoted the development of state parks and the government that created them and maintains them for the benefit of people and as a natural habitat for a variety of wildlife and plants. Thank you, Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Chain O’ Lakes State Park
A ride east in LaGrange County
Surely everyone knows what guidelines to follow to protect oneself and others from Covid-19. Know also, that you need not stay six feet away or wear a mask to smell the roses.
May you be blessed with safe, surprise-filled, restorative breaks in your total bubble vibe.
-John
It's About Now 
Congratulations, John, on a new title and new series! You’ve captured the beauty of the changing season and entertained us with your account of finding suitable places to eat during the pandemic. We’ve not ventured to eat out yet, though we’ve ordered take-out meals. Stopped at two banks this morning in an effort to set up a new account, but neither would permit entrance without an appointment. Our world keeps changing!
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Thanks, Marlene. Always a pleasure to hear from you, as from Stanley. Change indeed is in the air. Good change is the hunch I’m holding. Humor helps a lot. So much of the chaos in the world is so obviously preventable, I believe, and I see more and more people following that path of prevention, anti-prevarication, and promise, the latter as recorded in The Letter of James. James clearly outlines many truths of how to be mature and complete “lacking in nothing” (1:4). I especially like what he says about the tongue: (3:6-12). We’ve had evidence galore that “no one can tame the tongue . . . (3:8). Still, let the days ahead bring a diminution in the current cacophony.
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Oh glorious walks in nature. One thing that we are still allowed to do. The fall colours are still spectacular, even on gloomy, rainy days.
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Yes, indeed, Kaye, we’re enjoying a spectacular fall and gathering “good experiences” in our storehouse for the winter season. A little like mom used to do with all that canning. Sustenance for spirit and body. Best!
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Finding indoor restaurants that feel safe can be challenging these days! Thanks for all the photos. The Fairies must be upset too by 2020!
Monty
May the God of Wonder be with you, delighting you with the beauty of sunrise and the majesty of sunset, with the song of the bird and the fragrance of the flower.
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Thank goodness the fairies remind us to keep our sense of mystery, even humor, as there’s so much to discourage one. Let the fragrance of the flower stir us in wonder and delight.
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Hi John and Marty, I enjoyed the blog. Laurene B.
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Thanks, Laurene. Good to hear from a regular reader. Best!
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