Day 10 - Mask mandate is rescinded in California

“River” in the Sculpture Garden at the Norton Simon…

“Mountain” in the Sculpture Garden at the Norton Simon…

6/24/21. Thursday.

8:30-9:30 – Up and at ‘em. I wash my face, brush my teeth, and get dressed in my Covid-19 uniform. After last night’s dinner, I’m at 98 pounds. I go downstairs to say good morning to the dog.  I rub her tummy three times, she grabs her toy, and we go outside. She goes potty while I water my potted jasmine and zucchini seedlings.  I return to the patio and see that she just pooped…on the patio. great. I’ll clean it momentarily, but I pause for a moment to inspect one of my plants.  When I turn around, the poop is gone…she ate it.

I feel like vomiting, but I keep it down.

9:30-11:00 – Kitchen duty and I prepare several snacks for my insulated lunch bag.  Then, I leave and get gas.

11:00-12:00 – I exit the gas station and head to the Norton Simon Museum, in Pasadena. I have a 12:00 reservation.

Driving. I listen to Slate’s Political Gabfest.

12:00-2:00 – Arrive and it is a shock to tour a museum, although B. and I visited the Bowen Museum several months ago - the Norton Simon has been closed for almost two years. Their masking policy is still in effect – in fact, you can’t enter unless you’re wearing a mask – and there are men in suits, strategically placed, all over the museum. It’s a little intimidating.

I head immediately to the “sculpture garden” and it is so beautiful!  I’ve never been to the sculpture garden, so this is a real treat. I take my time and walk the property, looking at everything.  Of interest are three sculptures named “Air”, “Mountain” and “River” depicting women in poses of submission, as if they are sustaining a beating, or perhaps they’re fighting back - the violence might be over in the “Mountain” sculpture, as she appears to be crying and hiding her face in the crook of her arm.  All of this is so disturbing…I’m sure I’m misinterpreting the works…

I visit the Impressionist section (left side) of the museum as well, and look at all the paintings. This is so great – I can’t believe I’m here!

After two hours, I’m still not finished touring the museum, but I decide to save the right side and the downstairs for a later date.  Since I’m a college student (French Cinema, remember?), my ticket is free so I can come anytime.  Touring the remainder of the Norton Simon will be a nice way to spend the day in the future…

2:00-3:00 – Driving. I listen to The Weeds.

3:00 – 4:00 – Home and I have last night’s leftover tempura and read a Money Diary

4:00-5:00 – Quick nap…

5:15-6:30 - …and I do an Insanity Max Plyo workout.

6:30-7:00 – I turn on the tree lights in my backyard and do a quick sweep of the patio.

7:00-7:30 – I take the dog for a walk.

7:30 – 10:00 - B. arrives to shoot poison into a wasp’s nest I located on top of the exterior window, next to the front door. Lately, there have been several wasps flying around our porch, making it difficult for L. and I to get our packages. After, B. and I have drinks on the patio and talk politics.

B. leaves.

10:00-11:00 – Blog posts

11:00-1:00 – Continue re-curating my Ipad…

1:00-2:00 – Nighttime routine. Bed.