Sheltering in place and closures of public places and retail and a general curtailment makes for a strange life. Out for a bit of a hike today, I ended up on a trail that goes from a residential neighborhood, under a very busy road, and past a school. I felt like I was in another world – the light was dim as the storm clouds are rolling in. As it is all surreal, these seemed like good ways to process the pictures . . . 
Author: -N-
Lock Down!
In a state of 40 million, there is a lot of potential for sickness. The trajectory is 56% of the population will get Covid-19. That is 22, 400,000 people will get sick. There are 3 known corona virus victims in the city where I live, and 17 throughout the county. At least the governor of Califronia is taking a proactive approach to lessening the spread of this virus – the new state mandate is everyone shelter in place, but you can get out to shop for food, get medical care, bank, buy gas. You can get out for exercise in open spaces. I cannot believe the fact that kids are flocking to our southern beaches to play and party and crowd together, yet that is youth – indestructible and still in a world of magical thinking. Yet, I do get it.
Meanwhile, I am sitting here pondering what to do with myself. The other half is home, working full time and telecommuting again (he is happy). We sort of tumble over each other at times, but part of that is just life in a smallish house. Unlike many people, we are going to be fine no matter what happens – income, insurance, access to doctors and care. Good neighbors. People to call. I am pondering because all the things I should avoid suddenly become things I want to do! I need to really sit down and put a bit of a list together for fun things and necessary things to do. It would be a great time to do a bit of cleaning – but where do you bring discards if the places such as Goodwill are closed? Life will continue, no matter what happens, and getting creative and productive is important. Cabin fever is not something I like, nor do most people, I expect.
I am glad I live in a state, expensive as it is, with problems like every place else, is genuinely concerned about the welfare of its citizens (and non-citizens). Governor Newsom is working for the people, not for the profiteers. In this country with poor healthcare and safety nets, all the overlords will be so sad when their worker bees die from the virus because sick leave and health care are unavailable. How inconsiderate of those damned worker bees.
The Lonely Road
Corona virus and social isolation! In Northern California, 6 or 7 counties around San Francisco have issued “stay in place” orders. The only exceptions are to go grocery shopping and for medical appointments. Maybe some exercise. And, of course, keep your distance. It could be a crime if you get busted.
Where I live, there are similar, though not as draconian, edicts. Starting today, a few stores are offering special hours for those over 65, pregnant, or disabled, which can help those who might have a problem getting things. The rules here in Ventura County are that anyone 75 or older must stay home. People 70 and older must stay home if they have special health issues which put them more at risk. I am not in any of these categories, but can creep in for special hours!
So, for social distancing, going for a hike is a great option. Peaceful. People won’t be out so much. I went a few days ago, X100V in hand, and tried it out in various ways. One thing I did end up with were a lot of blurry pictures. Realizing that, I upped the iso and dropped the f/stop a tad. Little things like that are all part of learning a camera. And the 23mm focal length – equivalent to 35mm – is a bit of a learning curve, too.
Photography is a great way to get out of the house and enjoy the isolation!
Emergence of the Green Man
Rain! We’ve had it off and on for a week, and it is to continue for another. In our droughty area, this is good. So good!
Between the Trees
What caught my eye here are the shadows across the roadway. I just recently read that shadows are essentially the color of whatever is beneath them. Thus, shadows on green grass are darker green; shadows on a sandy path are darker shades of sand. The blue sky also impacts shadows, as does the sun, such as filtering through the leaves. Distance is demonstrated (as always!) by less detail and lighter, perhaps bluer, things in the distance. Here, I was interested in the cast shadows along with trying to catch the flickering sunshine through the leaves.
Ink, Yarn & Beer 