March 24-25, 2023

A canceled hike – Working in the garden – Evening statistics

We were obliged to cancel the Capital Hiking Club hike today because it was scheduled for the Camp Rapidan area, which has been temporarily closed off on account of a recent wildfire.  This, however, is to be borne with resignation, for it rained steadily most of yesterday and the morning of today, and in all probability it would not have been enjoyable.  I will be leading the Kennedy Peak hike with the Wanderbirds tomorrow, when fair weather is predicted.  The paths will be muddy and slippery as a result of the recent rain, but there will be at least a little time for the water to drain off and the puddles to recede slightly.

In the meantime I worked on the garden at home today.  I am no expert gardener but I managed to dig up some old bulbs that no longer produce flowers, and I planted some pansies and violas in their stead, and I weeded the plots a bit, and I distributed mulch on their surfaces.  It is not a bad time to work on the garden just after a rainstorm clears; it is easier to dig and loosen the soil when it is soft and wet.  The garden looks quite colorful now,

Today’s statistics as of 8:00 PM – # of cases worldwide: 682,970,802; # of deaths worldwide: 6,823,199; # of cases U.S.: 106,042,628; # of deaths; U.S.: 1,152,582.   COVID rates continue to decline, happily.  In Virginia the 7-day COVID positivity rate has gone down by 5.9% and new cases have dropped 18% from last week.