“You know I’m going to miss this old grass.”
“Please. The new is so much better.”
“We have a lot of memories together.”
“You’re killing me.”
Here we are rounding third base heading for home on the week. The weekend is almost upon us. It might be a good time to change into something more comfortable and relax. (Hahahaha. quarantine humor ) I don’t know about you, but I’m having a difficult time selecting something to wear. It doesn’t make sense to spend time on putting on something no one, but your cellmate will see. So the choices boil down to shorts and a t-shirt. I do get a different color for each day. I know, I know a bit OCD of me. Let’s put it this way; if I didn’t select a different color each day after a week, I would have to burn what I wore the last seven days. So my color choices are a rotation device. How did I get on this subject anyway?
If you have stopped by on Thursday, you know that the new grass installation has begun. We are replacing St. Augustine with Zorro Zoysia. We need a lawn that will stand up to the thundering paws of Lucy and Twiggy. We also need some shade tolerance and grass that can sustain a certain level of minimum watering. St Augustine is none of the things. We had counted on our landscaper to install something to meet our needs, but he chose the wrong grass. He is replacing the severely damaged part, but we are buying the new sod needed to complete the yard. It didn’t make sense to have two types of grass or fair to make him pay for the part that is somewhat okay.
I still have concerns about opening the economy too soon. I can understand the need to get the country back to work, but I hope folks have learned a self-protection process and will follow it. There is so little we know about the spread of COVID-19, and no widespread testing available, I think it will be up to the individual to stay safe. Today’s JohnKu talks about individual responsibility. I hope you all have a super weekend.
Individual Responsibility by John W. Howell © 2020
We need protection,
From those supposed leaders . . .
Make our own choices.
Fiction Favorites 
Good luck with the new grass, John. It’s gonna look great! And I love your Johnku…perfect!
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Thank you, Lori. Grass is a normal thing so I’m happy to have something trivial to be worried about. Have a super weekend. 😁
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Far be it from me to comment, but ‘supposed leaders’ says it all – and not just for the USA. Stay well, stay safe and have a good weekend, John.
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Saty safe as well, Keith. Here’s to great weekend. I’m going to go on a trip to the backyard tomorrow. YAY. 😁
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Meanwhile, I’m getting excited about a trip out in a couple of weeks – for a retinal injection!
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Hahaha. Colonoscopy here.
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The joys of ageing, eh?
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As i mention now and then, “Beats the alternative.”
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yes, I think it will be (at the end) up to the individual to stay safe… probably no travels at all this year. I mean outside of the country. At least so they said in Sweden.
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Yeah. I’m not going to be travelling anytime soon for sure. Old guy like me would be crazy to get on a germ infested airplane. Come to think about it anyone would be crazy to get on a germ infested airplane. Have a super weekend, VR.
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I had to laugh about the clothes, John. I’ve been sending my mother daily videos so she doesn’t forget me. Last week, I realized for several days in a row, I wore the same t-shirt. 🙂 Enjoy the new grass, no doubt Lucy and Twiggy will do a great job breaking it in. Happy Friday!
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I think we would all wear the sme thing simply because that is one less thing to worry about. Twiggy and Lucy are enjoying the lawn for sure. I’m really sorry you can’t get together with your mom on Friday’s. The video idea is a great one. I hope you have a super day. See you tomorrow.
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I’m with you on the self-protection. I am so unhappy at places opening up too soon; it puts so many people in danger. In the UK, we’ve been told to expect some form of restriction/distancing until the end of the year. Being in the vulnerable group, that’s both depressing and makes me feel a lot safer.
Love the colour-coded clothes thing! Have a good weekend and best of luck with the new lawn, John 🙂
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Thank you. A lawn seems like a trivial item right now but it takes the place of deeper concerns. Have a great weekend, Harmony. Stay safe.
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Choosing clothes has definitely taken on a weird tradition. It’s still too chilly here for shorts, but I’m mostly on chats with only my upper half seen. My lone pair of sweatpants has been earning its keep. Plus side, not as much laundry to do these days.
I’m really nervous about places opening up too soon. I’m sure many people will take it as a sign things are over and rush out with no protection. We have a ‘mask required’ order here, but people are still grocery shopping without.
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I do not understand those peole who have so little regard for their fellow humans that they would go without a mask. Drives me up the wall. Stay safe, Charles.
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I’ve had a few online debates with those types. Many feel that they are protecting the rights of others and this is overblown. There’s also a sense of ‘I am not at risk, so why should I stay inside?’ mentality.
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I guess those who think they are not at risk don’t consider the fact they could be carriers. It all boils down to a “me first,” mentality.
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Yeah. Definitely seeing who is selfish and who is selfless. Also how people define the terms.
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I know tight?
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I’m afraid of opening the economy too soon as well. I will continue to shelter in place.
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Very good idea. Give it time ofr the next outbreak which is surely coming. Have a super weekend, Liz.
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You, too, John!
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The new grass looks positively lush, John. I hope it works out where the other failed
Excellent JohnKu. I,m with you on the fear of opening too quickly.
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Yes. let’s hope the new works. The ols was a pain and a constant sourse of mud. Too soon is something we need to worry about. I have my personal protection routine, so I’m going to continue with it. Have a super weekend, Dale..
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Ugh. No one wants mud.
Yeah. Here in Quebec, the premier is planning on sharing a potential reintegration plan next week. Half the cases in Canada are in Quebec. Take it easy!!
Have a fab weekend yourself!
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Wow. Half the cases? What’s that all about?
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Dunno if it’s a matter of testing that is higher here or what…
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That maty be it too.
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Ha! That sounds like me, before I had to stop working. Did you know that many cultures have color correspondences for days of the week? About 20 years ago I picked one set, and that made it so much easier for me to get ready for work. (At least after I had all the colors in my closet!) I don’t really have enough “at home” clothes to do that, but maybe I should invest. It entertained me to do that. Have a fabulous Friday, John. Hugs on the wing!
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Thank you, Teagan. When I was working I had white shirts and dark grey, blue or black suits. All I had to do was decide on the tie. I would pull a suit from the right and put back on the left. The ties then became the only creative decision. Have a great weekend. Hugs
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Sounds like a good system. 🙂
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It did work especially at 4:00 am when I had to leave for work.
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I got up at 4AM too. Nobody understood it, but it worked for me. 😀
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I did my exercise routine and showered at the facility. I was at my desk about 6:45. At least an hour and a half before my boss. I wou dgrt a days work in then pay attention to him.
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I’m so glad for your Johnkus — were it not for them, I’m not sure I’d know when Friday had arrived — and that was true before the stay-at-home routine arrived. I didn’t realize how poorly the grass had done until I saw this photo, and the comparison. Good luck with the next batch!
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Thank you, Linda.Sometimes it is hard to know when Friday arrives for sure. Have a super weekend. 😁
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Guess I’m kind of on a clothing rotation also, John – noticed I was folding the same things every few days when doing laundry, lol. Hope this new sod works better with those thundering paws.
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I do too. I wish we could get the girls to do a different path each time but you know how it is. “Shortest distence between two points,” puppies here. Have a great weekend
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Should it be called re-opening the country ? Or re-crashing the ER ? We have not proven we can keep those two things separated. And personally I do not want to be one of those persons who whispers or gasps ‘Hi we are back !’ to the ER staff. As Hook would say ‘Bad form Peter !’
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I agree. All we cando is hang on and keep ourselves protected. Thanks, John
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If only everyone followed your lead, John. Assess the problem, assign and accept responsibility and work together toward a fair solution.
Stay safe. Frolic when you can (maybe just Lucy & Twiggy) and enjoy the weekend.
BTW. I started wearing my team gear. They might not be playing baseball, but I’m still a Pirates fan.
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I have a pirates cap. The real deal. Maybe I’ll wear mine too. We are going on a trip to the backyard tomorrow. All packed and ready to go. The sod guys are supposed to be here today but you never know about them. Have a super weekend , Dan.
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I’ve been wearing my Pirates cap since what was supposed to be opening day. I do have to say, by this time in April, they usually look a lot worse 😉
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Hahahahaha. I hear you. No score is a win. No game is a double win.
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The grass needs protection from those “thundering paws” as we need protection from the thundering prose of politicians! :-0
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So true, pamela. Take care of yourself.
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The contrast between those two types of grass is amazing. Here, we have Kentucky Bluegrass, which makes for a lush, green lawn (when the weather cooperates!). I’m like everybody else, eager for things to reopen yet cautious about doing so too early. What a conundrum, huh?! Hang in there, John, and enjoy the coming weekend.
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You hang in there too. Have a great weekend, Debbie.
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I remember Rick planting Zoysia grass and it worked well, even in West Texas, so I think it will do great in your climate. It is such a pretty vibrant green! I agree about the need to trust our own intelligence and gut feeling to protect ourselves against this silent enemy. We certainly cannot rely on our supposed leaders. Stay well and safe! What is today’s color? 🙂
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I love Zoysia. I had it in San Antonio too. We all need to protect ourselves. Our fellow humans could care less and our leadership is bankrupt.
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Good luck with the lawn, dear John! May it be the best for your present needs! Is Twiggy looking for Friday? What a grass date they might have! 🙂
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Thank you, Maria. 😁
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Much of the decision to reopen the economy is based on models and that concerns me because there are two types of models. The purpose of one is to scientifically predict future outcomes and the other is to scare the s**t out of the population to motivate them to act. The problem come when we confuse one with the other.
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I know right? Thanks, Greg.
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Years ago, I was on an IT team rewriting the pension system for the American Lutheran Church. At the kickoff meeting, the CFO turned to the church’s counsel and pointing to the legal document that defined the pension plan, said, “tell us what it says.”
The counsel replied, “I am a lawyer, tell me what you want it to say.”
Many years later while interviewing candidates for a data analysis and modeling position for the Minnesota Dept of Public Safety, one of our stock questions was to ask the future modeler about their approach. Most of our candidates were from the U of Minnesota Humphrey Institute or the Sociology department and to a person, their approach was, [I paraphrase] “I find out what management wants, then make the data say that.”
Like they say, All models are wrong, but some are useful….but never mistake them for reality.
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Hahahaha. Sounds very familar.
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Happy Friday, John! I’m with you on the clothes issue. I tried “dressing for work” a couple of times but it seemed to add to my stress. I don’t have the bandwidth for video meetings so what’s the point? So the way I dress enables me to work, practice yoga or go for a walk without changing. Means less laundry too 😉 My husband went grocery shopping yesterday and was appalled at how many people were not wearing masks. Too many people in my county act like we never even closed 🤷🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️ Have a great weekend, John, and enjoy that new grass!
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I don’t understand those folks to be honest. I know I’m protecting myself. Take care and stay healthy
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I liked the humor in this post, John. I’m going to wait and see what happens for all those people who stick their noes out near others before I attempt to do so. Any time I go out requires a stretcher now as there’s no lift and forty-three steps. Before this Coronavirus, I was considering selling my flat and buying another one with a lift but for now, I’m stuck and making the best of it. Take care and have a good weekend. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Oh my goodness. I had a lift in our previous house and would have never survived without it. My prayers are out for you, Suzannne.
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Good Friday to Good John! Good Piece! Good Peace! ♥♥♥
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Thank you, Billy Ray. 😁
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The grass WILL be greener on the other side, I am certain of this. Because leaders are finite, and when they don’t lead, even more finite.
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Yeah. Wish we had somone who could take charge and make folks feel better. That leader doesn’t even have to make thngs better just feeling better makes a difference.
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Absolutely John, I couldn’t agree more.
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I am very nervous about the country opening up too soon. People don’t seem to understand that precautions still have to be taken. For example, Georgia opened it’s beaches – did people stay apart – No, of course not. The few are going to ruin it for everyone else. IMO
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By ruin it I’m thinking they will be causing some deaths.
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I agree!
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🙄
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Are you in St. Augustine Florida? I stopped there on my trip back from Florida a few weeks back but it was right when the virus started and everything was pretty much closed already.
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Nope. I’m in Austin, Texas.
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I saw St. Augustine….I’ve never been to Texas…
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The grass is named St Augustine. You have missed a lot by never having been here.
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Some day…That is my dream, to travel
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Good luck with the new sod. Critical time getting it to take now before the pounding heat arrives. There is no limit to stupidity, and sometimes those people get responsibility they shouldn’t have. Stay safe.
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Stay safe as well, Frank. Yes water, water, water. I always think of Forrest Gump’s saying, “Stupid is as stupid does.”
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That saying is very fitting these days
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I think so.
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The new grass looks way better, John.
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Thanks Guy. It will take some time for the sod to take hold. (I’m always nervious about using the word “sod” with an Englishman.)
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We aren’t really masking in Idaho. People do seem to be keeping a respectable distance, though. We weren’t hit as hard as some areas, but Blaine County was one of the worst in the nation if you look at percentages. Glad that’s not where we live. The sod project is looking good, and it’s nice to have something positive to focus on.
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Yes the sod is a trivial thing. Nice to have trivial worries. Thanks.
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Twiggy loving the new grass, and Lucy missing the old. Kinda how it is. Stay well, and don’t burn any tee shirts. 🙂
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Thank you, Jennie. 😁
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You’re welcome, John.
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