Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

I want to go everywhere I haven't been, and back to everywhere I have been.

Friday, September 4, 2020

PHOTO DIARY: QUARANTINE SUMMER 2020

 
 
Wooden Fence _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

 
Summer always goes fast,
but that's usually because it's filled with fun activities that make the weeks race by faster than a cheetah on a Red Bull diet. 
There are barbecues, beach days,  family reunions, picnics,
 outdoor concerts, amusement parks, pool parties,
blockbuster movies, county fairs, baseball games........

Sigh.

Considering that this was the summer of "Groundhog Day," 
where  everyday was pretty much the same,
I'm kind of stunned that September got here so quickly.  
 

Thinking back to late spring, one of the coldest I can remember,
it seemed like summer would never come.

It actually snowed on May 9.
 
Photo Diary _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

 
But come, it did, and gone it is.

In May and June,  most of my time was spent in the backyard.......

Backyard Oasis _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Backyard Oasis _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Enjoying time on my deck.......

Backyard Oasis _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

 
Watching the birds......

Backyard Birding: Hummingbird   _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Backyard Birding: Hummingbird   _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

 
And admiring the flowers in my yard.

Lilacs and Ladybug _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Flowers _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


My only excursion was to the garden center.
It seemed fairly benign, 
as it was easy to social distance in wide open spaces.

Garden Center _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Life actually felt somewhat normal while I was planting flowers.......
 
Flower Pots _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Petunias and Marigolds _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

 
I did take walks around the neighborhood,
sometimes spotting little tokens of inspiration.

Painted Rocks _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

 
Eventually, I was desperate for a change of scenery.
There were only so many backyard bird photos one could take.

At first, I would only venture as far as the local park.......

Park Bench and Egret  _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Geese in the Pond  _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Egret  _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

 
It felt odd seeing everyone out in their masks, trying to find a sense of normalcy.
However, there were reminders that things were not normal at all.
Parking capacity was limited.......
 
Parking Lot  _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes
 

and playgrounds were off limits

Playground closed due to Covid 19  _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

 
Then, as if Covid-19 wasn't enough to rock our world,  we were shaken to our core, 
as was much of the nation,  with the killing of George Floyd. 
 It was important to us to show our support.
 
Peaceful Protest  _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

 
On July 4th, there were no barbecues, or fireworks. 
I needed to go SOMEWHERE, 
and it was wonderful to discover a new place really close to home.
 
Piermont Pier, Piermont, NY  _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes
 
 
In July, we finally felt safe enough to go to New York City
and catch up on a bunch of postponed doctor appointments.  
It felt both wonderful, and terribly sad to be back.
 
Lexington Candy Shop, an old-fashioned luncheonette, New York City, NY  _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Times Square in times of Covid-19,  New York City, NY  _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Rockefeller Center,  New York City, NY  _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes
 
 
We took rides to here and there.......
 
Bear Mountain Bridge, Peekskill, NY  _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Red Shed  _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Greenhouse - Cold Spring, NY  _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

 
Another new discovery was the State Line Lookout 
on the border of NY and NJ overlooking the Hudson River.
We've driven by literally thousands of times,
but never stopped to take a look.......

State Line Lookout - Alpine, NJ _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


We had a couple of outings to the quaint village of Cold Spring, NY.......
 
Quaint Village of Cold Spring,  NY _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

 
And we drove past Yankee Stadium, where they played ball to empty stands.

Yankee Stadium, New York City _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

 
As the transmission rate of Corona virus in the tri-state area of NJ, NY and CT 
dropped (and has stayed) below  1%,
we felt safer going out to outdoor restaurants that were strict about  
social distancing, disinfecting, and enforcing mask-wearing. 
 
It felt great to be back at one of our favorites, Half Moon, in Dobbs Ferry, NY.
 It overlooks the Hudson River, and New York City is visible  in the distance.
 
Hudson River Views from Half Moon Restaurant, Dobbs Ferry, NY _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


Now it's September, and before we know it, the weather will turn cold,
limiting our ability to dine outside, have social distance visits with friends, 
or sit in a park.

 
I wish that Coronavirus would just Exit Right.

Corona Ave. Exit, New York _ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes


 


 
 
 
 

17 comments:

  1. I am reading a book right now that takes place partially in Cold Spring New York. I had never heard of that area before. It was a weird summer for sure but you got some amazing photos!

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  2. What dazzling birds, blooms and travels. Yes, it has been a groundhog day summer, hasn't it. Later, rinse, repeat. But a good one. I confess I haven't minded it a bit and in a way dread the return to the city where there is so much to do on my house -- and I'd really rather read and paint! Well, I suppose all good things come to an end. I just wish the bad ones (Covid and the Election) would come to an end too.

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  3. Hi Amy, I can't believe it's September already! I enjoyed looking at the photos and I love how you captured great shots of the birds. It was a quiet summer for us too with no beach or vacation! We spent our summer in our yard too. Hopefully next summer will be back to normal for everyone. Take care and be safe.

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  4. Hi Amy,

    Your pictures are beautiful as always. I miss my family and our friends. I wish it was exit too.

    Cindy

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  5. Your pictures are always so beautiful. Love them all. Summer is finishing up too quickly. Fall will be here soon and then we all know what comes after that. Ugh! Trying to hang onto Summer as long as I can. Happy Labor Day Weekend.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  6. Wonderful pictures. If you didn't know about Covid, it looks like an idyllic, lazy summer! Hoping for a beautiful Northeast Autumn.

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  7. I have made the same comment about the speed with which summer came and left! How can it be September already? Such an incredibly strange year and yet it is passing too quickly as have recent years. Your photos are fabulous. Glad you are safe and well. Stay that way! xxx J.

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  8. I love your photo series, and we are blessed to not have to worry about existing during this pandemic. I'm so thankful we are retired and able to comfortably stay home and not be forced to scramble out in the work world at this time. Stay Safe! Sandi

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  9. I dread the thought of cold weather and no visits. Your pictures are wonderful, especially of your backyard birding.

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  10. Beautiful pics. Very lovely. I am actaully looking forward to Fall.

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  11. Thank you for sharing all of your beautiful photos, it helps me feel a little less like it's "Groundhog Day" everyday! :-)

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  12. Hi Amy, I always enjoy your posts and beautiful photos. You take us on a trip with every post. This has been a strange summer for sure and hoping for a return to normalcy by next summer. Take care. Joan

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  13. Your photos are beautiful Amy! It is hard to believe that September has arrived and that school is sort of going back after the longest March break in history! I just hope and pray that we don't get hit hard with a second wave and get set back again. It has all been so surreal and stressful! We are thankful to be living in the boonies and on a farm these days but still feel anxious when going in to town for groceries etc. We certainly aren't out of the Corona woods yet. Stay safe and healthy ...

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  14. "I wish that Coronavirus would just Exit Right."
    I think many would agree!

    It was lovely to read your post and see your collection of wonderful photographs.

    Stay safe and well.

    All the best Jan

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  15. Lovely photos.. you have such a beautiful deck and garden.

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  16. Like you, when summer comes, my blogging kind of takes a backseat so that I can enjoy the beauty of the world around us. You captured incredibly amazing photos of your backyard birds! Some of them we have here, some I've not ever seen. It is sad to see the changes in our world because of the covid. Amazingly, here where I live, we have been very blessed with hardly any disruption to our world, as we've not had very few deaths in our county from the virus. It makes me sad to see NY and other places in the country suffering so badly. It was so nice to "travel" with you, and see the beautiful sights of NY and NYC. I'm with you... praying covid takes the first exit and leaves for good! Many blessings to you :)

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