Staying the Course -- October 7, 2020

[Superbob]

Happy New Week, Stay-the-Coursers! We've been blessed with splendid October dawgwalking weather -- down in the 60s, even 50s. Prime time for Ellie dawg and me.

I have a fresh topic: Halloween! We get some 300 to 400 trick-or-treating kids at our abode, and we enjoy seeing their smiling faces and costumes. We give out copious amounts of fun-sized candies and are happy to do it...however, 2020 is like no other year in our lifetimes.

Even if there are health advisories against it, I'll bet there will be many trick or treaters knocking on doors. On the dawgwalk this morning, I had this thought: My wife and I fall under practically every definition of "high risk" in the pandemic that the nation and world are still struggling to contain. She's had strokes and falls, and I've had heart surgeries and complications (which I'm still dealing with -- go see my cardio tomorrow for evaluation of CT results).

My question: Should we post a sign outside that because of pandemic concerns or health reasons or doctor's advice, we are sitting this one out but wishing all a Happy Halloween?.... or should we just turn off lights and not respond to the doorbell? This would be the first Halloween in 54 years that we've not been candy dispensers. Maybe we've earned a Halloween off?

What are your plans for Halloween? Are there any kinds of warnings or advisories in your community?

Stay safe, stay well, and stay your courses!

Cheers,
Superbob

 

[Superbob]

Just brought up this subject in Facebook, and a friend who also is high risk suggested just turning off the lights. Says that's a universal signal you're not taking part in Halloween. That's probably the best way, rather than putting up a sign calling attention to yourself.

 

[tom in MO]

With CDC still saying >6' or <15 minutes, personally I see limited or no risk involved in dropping a treat into a basket while wearing a mask. If you have a storm door, keep it closed and ask them to line up. You might be closer than 6' but not for more than 30 seconds. You could get a young person to give it out for you while you stand back and watch.

You live in the South, where people are a little more hospitable than other places. There is nothing wrong with having a sign. In my neighborhood, some people who are not home, leave the porch light on with candy outside in a Home Depot bucket with a sign telling the kids to take a certain number of pieces.

 

[MartinF]

We don't get trick or treaters, not may young kids in our neighborhood and we're on the edge where it's not worth walking to our house. I buy candy that I like because that's where it goes.
Had another good run last night. Walked maybe 300-400 yards of a 3 miler. I think I'm getting stronger.
Getting the property ready for the rainy season. Cleaning out the drainage ditches so water will flow to the street.
Weather is still hot days but cooler nights.
Stay safe.

 

[dick0236]

I buy candy that I like because that's where it goes.

Great idea! I live in a community of retirement du-plexes and we don't get any kids.........but I like the idea of buying some candy and eating it after Halloween

 

[LondonAndy]

I am not sure what will be happening our side of the pond this year - Halloween has been getting an increasingly popular event, with regular knocks at the door of small groups of kids, despite the fact that we have bonfire night each November 5th, when we celebrate the defeat of a plan in 1605 to blow up Parliament with barrels of gunpowder in the vaults below it. My suspicion is that it will be a much reduced affair, and I plan to put out a small bowl of treats for them to help themselves, alongside a battery operated tombstone from which a skeleton rises with flashing red eyes and spooky noises and a sign saying something like "Can't come to the door this year but help yourself and have fun!" Will replenish the bowl if needed, again using sweets and chocolates that I might happen to like and consume over the following week or two ...

 

[rich01]

You could put a big artificial pumpkin full of candy on the porch with a sign that says We Have to Isolate Ourselves, But Please Take 1 Each. When it runs out turn off the light.

 

[Superman]

Convenient thing about the treat bowl is the first set of kids making the rounds without parents empties it out and you’re done!

We’ve had neighbors do that when we took our kids around back when they were younger. Those bowls never had any candy left. We lived in a nice neighborhood outside the city.

 

[Superbob]

Convenient thing about the treat bowl is the first set of kids making the rounds without parents empties it out and you’re done!

We’ve had neighbors do that when we took our kids around back when they were younger. Those bowls never had any candy left. We lived in a nice neighborhood outside the city.

Yep, that's my experience, too. I think we will have goodies for our grandkids, but leave the front lights out and sit out this Halloween. My CT-Scan results seem pretty troubling (will finally talk to cardio this afternoon) and so I really don't need the extra exertion, and my wife can't handle it either.

 

[Superbob]

Whew -- what a relief! Cardio visit today with review of CT-Scan report suggesting an ulcer was protruding through an artery, an emergency condition that could have required surgery. But my cardio took the trouble of getting a full report of my operation a year ago and found that the "ulcer" actually was just a spot where the surgeons had placed a clamp. No cause for concern.

Meanwhile cardio gave me the okay to contact a hernia specialist. The CT confirmed "ventral abdominal hernia which contains transverse colon located at the subxiphoid region." In other words, as I've suspected since cardiac rehab last winter, part of my guts are hanging out of the upper belly. I was going to see a renowned hernia expert in July but Cardio recommended waiting for one-year CT. Now I've got the imaging to send to him. Hopefully he can fix it with minimally invasive technique, possibly even out-patient, though maybe a day or two stay for an oldster like me.

Anyway, I feel much better. Hopefully I can get back to exercise class after getting patched up. Still doing the walking and some in-home pedaling.

 

[rich01]

Sounds good SB.

 

[Duffey]

Glad to hear your cardio report was a good one, Superbob. In regards to Halloween, we’re leaving our lights off.W

 

[Superbob]

Further good news: Was able to schedule a tel-med consult with the hernia surgeon. With the CT providing a good look, maybe will be able to make journey across the state just once -- for the procedure.

 

[Eva]

Stay well and healthy, Superbob.

Whew -- what a relief! Cardio visit today with review of CT-Scan report suggesting an ulcer was protruding through an artery, an emergency condition that could have required surgery. But my cardio took the trouble of getting a full report of my operation a year ago and found that the "ulcer" actually was just a spot where the surgeons had placed a clamp. No cause for concern.

....Hopefully he can fix it with minimally invasive technique, possibly even out-patient, though maybe a day or two stay for an oldster like me.

Anyway, I feel much better. Hopefully I can get back to exercise class after getting patched up. Still doing the walking and some in-home pedaling.

Glad your cardio report is ok. Hope others will go well and you stay healthy. As for Halloween, We too will have our lights are off this year...we dont “need the extra exertion”!

 

[dornole]

A lot of people in Minnesota sit out in front of their houses with a fire pit and some adult beverages and a bowl of candy on a table anyways, so I'm guessing that may continue for outside, socially distanced candy distribution and costume admiration. It's one of my favorite parts of Halloween to talk to people. Last year I walked the neighborhood to chat with people even though my kids are grown. LOL. Maybe not this year but hopefully next year we'll be back to normal. My thoughts are with you Superbob and I hope you get sorted out without too much dificulty.

 

[Superbob]

A lot of people in Minnesota sit out in front of their houses with a fire pit and some adult beverages and a bowl of candy on a table anyways, so I'm guessing that may continue for outside, socially distanced candy distribution and costume admiration. It's one of my favorite parts of Halloween to talk to people. Last year I walked the neighborhood to chat with people even though my kids are grown. LOL. Maybe not this year but hopefully next year we'll be back to normal. My thoughts are with you Superbob and I hope you get sorted out without too much dificulty.

When we lived in Northern Virginia, we did just that! -- the community fire pit and shared goodies and handouts. We lived in a cul-de-sac and that was one of most fun evenings of the year! (Adult beverages included). Here in fertile beach country, families come marching/streaming down our boulevard by the hundreds. Even discounting heart challenges, it was a physical strain for me, b/c my wife is unable to get up and down to go to the door and help with treating, and I have a dog and cat to block from getting out the door each time the bell rings. Exhausting. So even apart from Covid concerns, think I will give myself a break. Just have goodies for grandkids, and maybe a few beers for me while watching the World Series or football.