I saw an article a while ago about checking sewage to gauge how many people in a city had the virus. (obviously, pooping in the yard would throw the figures off ... as well as leaving a potential vector, unless you provided a pooper scooper)

That reminds me, Mom and I ate out Wednesday night for the first time since early March. The Houlihan's in my hometown has an outdoor patio, so we sat in the breeze well-distanced from everyone else and only people in masks came within 10' of us. It was nice, but still nerve-wracking enough that we're not going to make a frequent thing of it—I feel much more comfortable when we pick up takeout picnic food and it's just us in a park or out on the lawn.

We are in agreement that while Houlihan's much-lauded meatloaf is good, it's not as good as hers.

It is a little more relaxed here for visiting family or friends because the virus levels are so low. I go and visit my sister almost daily, but we haven't hugged. I use her bathroom. I've seen and been to my nephew's home a number of times. I haven't seen any friends or neighbors other than short conversations from the car or porch when they are walking. We go grocery shopping and get take out. My son does go to work, but they check temperatures and have safety protocols in place.

I feel safe for the time being. Everyone is very concerned with schools opening, but they have met the criteria and open they will. I haven't seen a lot about how they are going to handle safety.

Now Florida is a whole other matter. And I will have to go back at some point.

Given the fact that two storms are heading for New Orleans, I'm having to refrain from calling my parents and panicking at them. I think it will probably be okay, if not for other parts of the city, then for my parents' neighborhood. But still.

{{{Dana}}}

I can see where that would be a bit nerve-wracking, Dana.

Or maybe they hit Houston and dump forty inches of rain!

AGAIN.

About to text-bank over my lunch hour. Probably the best thing I'll do all day.

Oooh, that reminds me, I did a virtual phone-bank with Actual Beto this week.

I think I prefer doing that with a smaller group and less-famous people. Particularly doing it on a Zoom call, I like the feeling of doing it with people you connect to.

Yeah Tropical Storm Laura is headed through my sister and brother's town shortly. The Gulf is so warm. Ugh. I hope they don't build up much.

I know many of you have voted by mail, but I never did until this summer. I finally got around to checking the county website and sure as heck they show that I voted by mail and that my vote was counted. I'm more delighted about this than I anticipated. Whee! Vote!