June 28
I didn’t even know the botanical gardens had reopened until I saw a friend post their visit on social media. We are members there, and we decided it was time to go back.
We got there when it opened, and the parking lot was empty. There is a big tree house for kids to play in, and Amelia headed straight there. She was the only kid, and it felt like it was ours and only ours.
After a while of playing, we walked over to the farm where she could pump water and ring the bell, and then we headed to the cafe for lunch, which was also empty.
Before we left, Amelia wanted to go play in the tree house one more time. When we got there, though, it was overrun with children. Where had all these kids come from?
Chris looked at me. “What do you think?” he asked.
I said, “Well, at least we’re outside?”
And up the stairs Amelia flew, flanked by stranger children who were touching every surface nearby. I immediately regretted my answer.
Luckily, Amelia quickly grew tired of the crowds. She preferred to have the place to herself. She’s such an introvert. And I’m so happy she is.
June 29
Cases are getting out of control in Florida, Arizona, Texas. Our cases in Michigan are on the rise, too. Three restaurants had to close this weekend; they had staff who tested positive for Covid. No, we won’t be going out for any more dates any time soon.
Disneyworld is supposed to open in a few weeks. I can’t imagine how they’ll do that, not with the virus taking over the entire state. We have reservations for September. If they do open, we’ll have to decide if we feel comfortable enough to chance it. Right now, I don’t feel comfortable.
June 30
The library building is supposed to open to patrons next week. We had a Teams meeting today for staff to ask questions about procedures for that. All the staff at my branch don’t want to open, especially with cases on the rise here. But the governor hasn’t changed course on restrictions yet.
“Will the governor have to make an executive order for us to not open on Monday?” someone asked in the meeting.
Yes and no. Our governor has been on top of things, and we trust her. But also, we want to take care of our staff, and we’ll do what is in their best interest.
“I don’t think we’re going to open,” my coworker said me.
“I’m counting on Gretchen to come to our rescue,” I answered.
July 1
The governor didn’t change her restrictions, but she did warn the state that they’re on shaky ground right now.
Our library director delayed our opening until cases start to decrease again.
Whew.
July 2
I’ve been stupidly asking my coworkers if they have any plans for the Fourth. No one does of course. What plans COULD they have? Most fireworks displays are cancelled. There aren’t any festivals. People aren’t gonna have parties (I hope).
It’s gonna be hotter than hell. I just hope to sit in Amelia’s kiddie pool all weekend and drink.
July 3
The public museum (we’re members there, too) has reopened for members this week. Amelia loves the public museum. They have a oversized dollhouse she can play in, a giant Lite Brite, a carousel, lots of buttons to press, lots of things to touch.
Whenever we are driving through downtown, she points out the museum, which you can see from the highway, and says she wants to go. And up till now, we had to tell her that we couldn’t because it was close. But now we can. But I don’t want to.
Hang out inside with strangers where all the fun stuff requires touching things other people have touched?
But I reserved tickets anyhow.
So this morning, I asked Amelia if she wanted to go to the museum.
“Yeah!” she said.
“Okay, but just so you know, we can’t ride the carousel. And we’ll need to wear masks the whole time. And there will be some hand cleaning that has to happen” (she hates to wash her hands).
“Don’t want to go,” she replied.
Okay, then. Sounds good to me.