an american in belgië : April 2020

Lake House Update

We found a lake house . . . sort of . . . the one thing missing is the house. There is a lake and the possibility of a house, but for now it's mostly just a lot on a lake.

We did look for several months for the perfect house. We seriously considered this house. It pretty much met all our criteria.

Love the wood walls.

And it really did have lots of character, but ultimately we passed on it.

Then this one came along. It had been out of our designated price range until it got reduced in price. Great architecture and all those windows!

This porch is amazing too.

Inside was just as nice and pristine. The owners only visit occasionally.

Well, it turned out by the time we inquired about it, it was under contract. So, disappointed, we moved on and decided the "perfect" lake house would be the one we built ourselves.

So we found this lot. And we bought it.

Literally a day later the realtor calls and the house above with the big porch and all those windows was no longer under contract. Whether that was good or bad, we had already bought the lot. Even so, Jim made a low offer and they declined.

So here we are with a lot minus the lake house. For now.

We built a fire pit and it's been fun going out and picking up limbs and dreaming of what might be.

The trees are beginning to green up and it's really beautiful.

The lot is very sloping so building a house and a driveway to it are quite a challenge, but we are not yet deterred.

And if we never do anything more than this, it's all worth it :)

Stay at Home!

Yesterday was Ross's 31st birthday. Happy birthday, Ross!!! We "celebrated" with a video chat - us, Randi, the kids, and Ross. We weren't able to get together for dinner or cake, but we'll make up for all that soon, I hope!

Reason being . . . Covid-19. Hopefully this declared pandemic will barely make the history books, but at this moment, it's looking like it could be one for the record books.

Beginning at the end of January, this previously unknown virus entered the US from China and despite it already having wreaked havoc on Asia and starting to infect Europe, we completely ignored it. And by "we", I mean those in charge who might have done something about it. Sure, it's complicated and no doubt the economy will suffer greatly.

But hindsight is 20/20. Always. We could have and should have done more. We had the head start China only wished they'd had and we ignored it. And by "we" . . . refer to statement above.

So, we're 2 months in and, as predicted, it's spreading like wild fire as wild fires are known to do. Why the general public is surprised is a mystery to me. Oh, wait, it's the general public who are always a mystery to me.

We've done as much as we can do as individuals and hopefully it won't be too little too late. We, too, had that head start and didn't do nearly enough to take advantage of it. Right up until about 2 weeks ago, we were in some state of denial. For 6 weeks we, and by "we", this time I mean "me" could have prepared to be hunkered down for months, but we didn't.

Even when we, who were ahead of the curve, were beginning to isolate, most people were going about life as normal. Traveling, shopping, dining out - and I'm talking about our own family members! Yeah, they're on board now, but what does it take for people to snap to attention? As Jim said, it won't mean anything until it hits home - you actually know someone with the virus or you have it yourself. I guess I just answered my own question.

We did do something pretty stupid like tearing our fiberglass shower out thinking we'd be able to get it all back together before the proverbial $#!+ hit the fan. Needless to say that did not happen. Luckily we've got other bathrooms so it's just a minor inconvenience.

Even as we're supposedly on total lock down in Texas with the exception of essential travel (define "essential"), Jim is still going to work as usual. I'm worried and trying to understand the logistics of health vs. business. It's complicated, I know, but . . . it's only a matter of time (and possibly our health). It's simply not sustainable to continue as "normal".

My appreciation for people in healthcare has always been enormous, especially after working in a hospital for so many years. If you've ever sat and looked around a doctor's office waiting room or paid attention to goings on while on the floor of a hospital unit, you know, without reservation, these heroes are not in it for the money. I've said it before and I believe it more than ever . . . they are the most important people on earth. If you don't have your health, there IS nothing else.

Maybe now, finally, we'll snap to attention, so those caregivers can concentrate on caring for the sick and not the careless.