Oldest Granddaughter's college room:
Now do you remember your college room? Believe me, back in 1964, my dorm room at LSUBR did not look like this. Mine was actually already furnished with old worn out twin beds and possibly a desk that had seen better days. And we weren't allowed to bring any type of electrical appliances (like microwaves or refrigerators) into our room. There was an ironing room down the hall that had a hot plate... but that was it. And still... I loved it!
We also had all sorts of restrictions. Had to be back in the dorm by 10:00 pm (and the dorm mother was waiting to check you in). No boys inside your room (they were allowed to come into the dorm sitting room). No off campus visiting allowed. No beer or alcoholic beverages allowed on campus. No slacks allowed for women (although since I was an Animal Science Major I had an exemption). And despite it all, I still loved it!
Nowadays I'm not sure there are any restrictions. But times change. And one of the reasons my granddaughter has such a fabulous room is that her mother has an Interior Design degree... and all she has to do is tell her mom what she is thinking about... and my daughter loves pulling it all together. That is a plus!
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New news here:
My spinal arthritis is acting up again... making walking painful. I really don't think I did anything to hurt it - seems like it just flares up on occasion and my back seizes (from lower back up to my neck). But it hasn't gotten any worse and as long as I can still walk, I'm grateful.
And we did start proofing the sequel to "Time After Time" this week. The new book is called "Life and Theft in Carrick Cove" (unless I change it before publishing).
Youngest granddaughter is back in school... luckily they are mask mandated (Catholic School). But I still worry for the children. Our Texas Governor, Abbott, is now testing positive for Covid. And of course he still refuses to mask mandate the public schools (although Dallas county and several others are defying his order). So proud of them! Can't imagine how our own governor would not want to protect the children (as well as the teachers). I'm afraid Covid has become a political issue and not the health issue it really is.
And an issue that lucked out this summer has been the Texas Grid. As worried as we were that the Grid would fail this summer due to this past winter's performance with Ercot, the abundance of rain lately seems to have saved August. Now we only have to see what this winter holds.
I'm not going to go into any discussion about Afghanistan. It's a beyond terrible situation and I really pray for those people. But I'm in no position to say what is right or wrong to do here. Seems like we tried for 20 years to help them take control of their country... perhaps it's not to be.
Going to close this with a question. I sew face masks and give them to friends and family. I also use a natural coffee filter inside them for added protection. But... with this new Delta variant, I decided to order some KN95 masks for when we walk in public places (such as the Mall). And I will say that these fit really well... no gaps and the best thing about them for me is that they don't cause my glasses to fog up!
This is what I ordered (and yes, they are 'made in China' - which put me off at first, but they are on the FDA approved list.)
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| ... also ordered some in black |
Anyway, I was just wondering what kind of face masks do you wear (if you wear any)?
OK, it's Thursday - TGIF Eve... just made a batch of dark chocolate peanut butter brownies for the boys (not gluten-free so no, I can't have them - but that's OK, I have Dove Bars!). And yes, I can still function in the kitchen with my back pain. I just move slowly and carefully. Take Care my friends, and stay safe!
Hugs (virtual),
Rian
Dear Rian, I'm so excited about you being to the "proofing" part of the publishing procedure. That's wonderful. I'm so looking forward to reading the new book. But first, I need to go back and read the first one so that I'll have a seamless path from one to the other.
ReplyDeleteAs to dorm rooms: I went to a small liberal arts college for Catholic women back between 1954-58. For the firs two years we lived in dorms. (There were 40 of us in St. Lucy's Dorm my freshman year.) For the last two years we lived in refurbished Victorian homes. In my junior year, three of us lived in one of the upstairs bedrooms; for the senior year, there were two of us to a room. And just like you . . . I loved it!
So sorry that your arthritic back has spasmed. How painful that must be. Take care. Go slow as you said. This really forces you to live right in the moment. Peace.
I know, Dee, that when it's been a while since the first book, it's hard to have a seemless flow to the second. We're trying to cover that base in the proofing. Hope we succeed.
DeleteI tried the N95 but because of my COPD I had trouble breathing in them. But if they don't bother you, they are worth the extra money. I use surgical masks and watch where I go. Thankfully our Governor took a smart pill and eventually put a mask mandate in our schools.
ReplyDeletePatti, the masks I bought were KN95, not N95... which is the mask recommended for the general population, not the medical profession. But from what I read, there is little difference. We have no trouble breathing in them, there's lots of room, and they fit well over my nose which prevents my glasses fogging. We also use surgical masks and cloth masks depending... only use the KN95 when in somewhat crowded situations.
DeleteOops, forgot to say I am really looking forward to the sequel.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I hope it doesn't take too long to proof... but sometimes it does.
DeleteIt's a shame you're having trouble with your back again. Hopefully it settles down soon.
ReplyDeleteYour granddaughter's dorm room is gorgeous, lucky girl! I didn't go to university until I was nearly 33 years old, had two kids and house and my room has never looked like that. :)
Thanks, Mae. It's a little better today. Yes, times have changed. I graduated college 2 days after DH and I were married. We lived in the Married Student Apartments that last semester as he had a 5 year degree... and even then we had 2nd hand furniture from both our parents for years.
DeleteOh, my! That room is very nice and absolutely nothing like my dorm room although my roommate and I thought we had it pretty good at the time.
ReplyDeleteI understand, Olga. We thought we had it pretty good too.
DeleteWhat a fabulous room. We had all the rules you had, plus stockings at Sunday dinner. As in nylons! My mask? I wear yours. It fits the best. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteOMG, Joanne. I hated stockings (pantyhose in particular)! Still do. No one in the south should have ever have to wear pantyhose. I thought they were the most uncomfortable things. As for face masks... send me your new address and I'll make you another.
DeleteCongratulations on the progress on your book, that's wonderful!
ReplyDeleteYour granddaughter's dorm room looks fantastic, nothing like mine back in the very early 80s. Mine also had built-in twin beds, some sort of desk and a small closet, that was it. We were allowed to have a TV though, I brought a little 14-inch one. Back in the days of analogue. I HATED every. single. minute. I was there. High-scale introvert in a party residence, it was awful, I was so happy to get out of there when I finished my program.
RE: masks: I finally found Health Canada-approved surgical masks and mostly use those now, though sometimes I still wear my cloth ones. I just find the cloth ones REALLY hot in our summer heat and humidity, I feel like I'm suffocating. Once the weather cools, I will go back to wearing multiple masks, one surgical and one cloth. (Last fall/winter I wore 2 non-surgical masks with a cloth one over it, so 8 layers.)
I hope your back improves and that you have good pain management options. Lots of healing energy to you!
Your comment "high-scale introvert in a party residence" reminded me of why I didn't stay longer than one semester in a sorority house on campus. Returned to the dorms - less partying and more to my liking.
DeleteAs for masks, I find the cone shaped ones more comfortable and allow more breathing space. I make the cone shaped ones and do use them (sometimes with a surgical mask underneath), but also like these KN95 ones for the fit.
And my back is improving... a little better each day. Thanks.
My dorm had all the features you described, plus one pay phone per floor, used for both incoming and outgoing calls. How in the world did we make that work???
ReplyDeleteWe did though... and somehow it was fine.
DeleteThat is a beautiful dorm room! And I received your mask yesterday and will be wearing it today! Thank you so much, dear friend. I too am looking forward to the sequel. We are required to wear masks indoors all the time, starting Monday. This Delta variant has certainly spread quickly! I'll also order those KN95 masks from Amazon.
ReplyDeleteDJan, the mask I sent you has the brown natural coffee filters inside for added protection. But please take them out before washing. And yes, the Delta variant has spread quickly and I expect there will be more variants coming. So be careful and stay safe. I like the KN95 ones we bought, but if you have any qualms about buying from China (even though these were FDA approved) my daughter-in-law (nurse) buys Lutema masks (made in US).
DeleteOMG!!! that dorm room, looks like a hotel room. my kids were in college in 2002 and forward and the rooms did not look anything like that!!
ReplyDeletei am going to order some of this masks also, thanks for the info!!
and afghanistan, no comment either, what a mess!!
I know, Debbie. That college room looks great. How times have changed.
DeleteLet me know what you think of the masks. We find that ours fit really well.
And I understand your comment about Afghanistan - it definitely wasn't handled well. But hindsight is always better. Do hope (and pray) that we can find a way to get a hold of the situation.
Oops! Having trouble with comments disappearing. Got to figure out what I am doing wrong!
DeletePrayers for your back pain. My family home was within walking distance of the university I attended so I lived at home. But I was well acquainted with the girls dormitory rooms. Your description was spot-on for 1965 dormitory decor I encountered as well as the rules for female students back then.
ReplyDelete