“Pig in the parlor.” One year ago today, we left South Africa and posted more of our favorite photos. This was the second time Little came up the steps and into the house while sitting on the sofa and didn’t see him right away.  We howled.

In several posts I’ve mentioned, I have been walking the corridors once an hour, always keeping a watchful eye on the time. I start around 8:00 am and continue through 6:00 pm, resulting in 10 periods of walking. 

Little, “Pig in a Pond.”

In the video, I mentioned that I walk for two to three minutes. That’s good enough for me under these circumstances. Still, after seeing the video lasted for almost five minutes with a few stops along the way, I timed myself this morning, and it’s four minutes for the entire route, resulting in 40 minutes of vigorous walking each day.

“Pig on the porch.” His feet were muddy, and he made a mess, but we didn’t care.  It was Little, coming to call.

Each time I go out for the walk, I must prepare. I put my shoes on, place a mask on my face, the key card in my pocket, and get my phone and earpieces set up to continue listening to various podcasts throughout the walk. Doing so makes those four minutes pass quickly.

Since I began the walks almost two months ago, my resting heart rate has gone down from 65 beats per minute to 54 beats per minute (BPM). This is a good indicator of improving heart health. 

He was tentative at first, as he wondered if this was acceptable.

Unfortunately, walking doesn’t necessarily improve cardiovascular disease. If it did, I’d certainly up the ante. But, the problem was never with my heart itself. It was always about the arteries, a hereditary condition over which I have no control to change.

Once he realized he was welcome, he settled in for a long nap.

This morning, when we awoke, Tom asked me, “What are your plans today?” We both laughed out loud. In another day and time, I may have had a few exciting prospects on the horizon. Not now. 

Today will be like any other day, like all others during this time of Covid-19. Prepare this post. Stream a few shows. Eat a few meals. And walk a few miles in the corridors. We couldn’t help but laugh over today’s year ago photos. Referring to happier times makes all of this a “little” more accessible, no pun intended.

A few days after Little’s first visit inside the house, he brought a friend to show him the goodies.  We aptly named his friend “Little’s Friend,” He often visited on his own, and eventually, he, too, responded to his name.

Thanks to my sons, daughter-in-law, and friends, and readers for all the Mother’s Day wishes. If ever, that means a lot to me, as it always does. This year it means all the more. 

Little brought us so many laughs and so much joy. When I spoke to him, he’d shake his head in acknowledgment, not unlike a dog or cat would do.  Pigs are described as being more intelligent than dogs. Why wouldn’t they relate to us in the way our pets do?

Two months in lockdown have passed. We are facing at least four more months here, possibly six. We’re holding up well, taking each new day as it comes. No, it’s not easy now, nor will it be in the months to come. Our choices are simple… We can stay upbeat and cheerful or not. We choose optimism.

May all of you choose the same.

Mutton Chops and Scar-Face stopped by many times, but we haven’t seen them in months after Basket chased them and Tusker out of our garden.  Now Basket visits with his new girlfriend with whom he shares the pellets. Please click here for the link.

Closeup of our toad peeking out from a hole in a decorative mask.

This intrigued me. Having an opportunity to share our woes about India’s lockdown during the pandemic with a local person in isolation similar to us was fascinating.

In a matter of seconds, we were both engaged in lively and enthusiastic chatter, sharing our worries and concerns, our solutions to problems, and our realities during this time of Covid-19, as restrictions seem to tighten each day.

As it turned out, Kalindi and her husband also live in France and often come to Mumbai for her husband’s business ventures. They own a home here but not close to where we are located. They can cook their meals and enjoy their home here. But, like us, no socialization is possible.

Mesmerizing marking on zebras, each of which is so unique, comparable to a fingerprint.

We laughed when she said how wonderful it would be if they could invite us to dinner. And, I replied how delightful it would be to visit them and bring along a few bottles of wine. Ah, the simple things we so much enjoyed in times past.

“Retired Generals,” cape buffalo males who hang together after being kicked out of the herd when they lost the battle for dominance and the right to mate.

Each time we receive an email message, I make every effort to reply to each one. But, at times, there are so many, it’s impossible to respond to each one, and I may refer to a “thank you” in a post.

We never feel alone with all of you ‘traveling with us,” especially now in lockdown and also as we’ve traveled throughout the world. At any given moment, I can check my email to find several of you “there.” 

Never for a moment do I feel overwhelmed by the number of messages and my genuine attempt to reply. If I don’t respond, please don’t feel singled out. I could spend 12 hours a day replying to messages. I do my best.

Eventually, we stopped giving mongooses whole eggs and beat up the eggs in the dish. That way, there would be enough for everyone.

You’d think that now in lockdown, I’d have more time to reply. After all, I don’t cook or clean. We hand wash our clothes and our flatware after each meal, and I spend approximately half of each day preparing a post, conducting research, and going through past photos.
Although I am no longer posting commentaries about Covid-19, I am still busy researching any relevant information that may be useful for us in moving forward. In addition, as an information junkie, I spend the better part of each afternoon, after the post is uploaded, researching topics that appeal to me: science, health, wildlife, nature, culture, and the universe as a whole.

Now that we have NatGeo on the TV, we may keep this in the background throughout the day, continually striving to learn more and more about wildlife and nature. As for Facebook, I don’t spend more than 30-minutes a day checking on posts from family and friends. 

Big Daddy, of whom there are many, came to call on a sunny morning.

I haven’t made an effort to add more “friends” to my presence on Facebook to avoid spending more time there, especially after becoming more aware recently of their ramped-up censorship. However, I often post the link and a photo for the current day’s post. Otherwise, I am relatively silent on Facebook other than “liking” posts of friends, family members, wildlife, and nature.

In any case, the days are full. Yesterday, I spent no less than two hours attempting to get a refund from Kenya Airways for the flight we had booked to fly to South Africa on March 20th when we were turned away at the Mumbai Airport. 

A leopard tortoise visited our garden.

Between Expedia and Kenya Airways, they are each denying responsibility for the refund. Today, I’ll pursue the credit card we used to see if they can help. This will be another two-hour ordeal.

Tomorrow, would you like to “take a walk” with me? Please check back to see what that is all about.                                                                                                   

Photo from one year ago today, May 10, 2019:

Tom’s favorite, Ms. Bushbuck, is comfortable near him.  For more details, please click here.