What’s Next? Godzilla? Flying Sharks?

Posted on by Cheryl Capaldo Traylor

Ah, here we are in our 47th year of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Ok, I exaggerate. But, man, doesn’t it feel like this thing has lasted forever? The experts on social media say next up is Godzilla or maybe flying sharks. I say whatever, and nothing would surprise me at this point. I’m still spending a lot of time in my garden (mostly mornings) even though it’s hellishly hot here in North Carolina. I keep thinking once we get through July, then get through August, then get through half of September, THEN it will cool down a tiny bit. It’s often hot through half of October, too, but I’m an optimist so I’m going with September!

Chuck had total knee replacement Friday and so we’ve been learning to deal with the ins and outs of that. He’s been pretty lucky, not too much pain. He got behind on his pain meds yesterday–which EVERYONE suggested he not do. But it’s so hard when you’re feeling good to remember why you’re feeling good–the pain meds. Physical therapy started right away at the outpatient surgical center and has continued in-home. So, in addition to everything else going on in the world, we’ve dealt with two surgeries. My shoulder is healing nicely after a setback earlier at week 8. Now to get Chuck on the mend. He is planning on having the right knee replaced in November, so he has to work hard on getting through this one. 

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Two of the four kitties have had ongoing health issues. At times, serious. They are growing older, so maybe that’s to be expected. Wait! Those surgeries Chuck and I had must mean that we, too, are getting ol…nah. Can’t be.


I’ve had a garden companion since late March. It’s a strange relationship, one that might seem incompatible at first glance. But somehow we make it work. We have the same taste in plants. My favorite $40 anemonella is also her favorite. My favorite antique roses are also her favorite roses. I love blue cardinal flower and so does she. She prefers to eat all of my favorite plants and I, strange gardener that I am, allow it. Meet Flora Leonora, my gardening assistant. In truth, early on she ate a lot of plants, but now she hardly touches anything but a large patch of weedy grass in the back. 

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First pic is from early April. The second pic was last week after squirrels knocked over a bird feeder. Flora Leonora was much appreciative.

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A bit of writing news. I have an essay in this anthology, TAF Stays Home: 29 Freelancers Writing. I wrote about the early days of the pandemic, how I spent my time, and what was going on in my garden (and my heart and head). TAF stands for Triangle Association of Freelancers, a professional writers’ association in the Triangle region of North Carolina.

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The anthology is available from Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/TAF-Stays-Home-freelancers-writing/dp/B08BWHQ7FS/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=taf+stays+home&qid=1594052341&s=books&sr=1-1

Speaking of books, I read Linda Hogan’s book ‘Dwellings’ for a virtual book club. I cannot recommend it highly enough. It instantly became one of my all-time favorites and a book I know I’ll keep by my recliner for a long time. Almost every sentence is underlined and asterisked. You see Penny is modeling it in the kitty photo collage above.

Not too much else going on. I hope everyone is making it through ok. I know many are back to pre-quarantine days. Let me know how you’re doing where you are. And…WATCH OUT for those flying sharks!

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38 thoughts on “What’s Next? Godzilla? Flying Sharks?”

  1. Not too much else going on, you say! Big LOL!! Hope you are all healing – you, hubby, and kitties. Love little Miss Flora – what a cutie. Maybe she ws being kind in sparing you some flowers later on in the season. Congrats on being published – at least you are continuing with your writing … that’s something. Flying sharks would certainly be something new instead of the same ol/, same ol’. Hang in and take care … Jeanne

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  3. Love the kitty pics, Cheryl! How lovely! I know exactly what you mean about this thing dragging on. We’re still having some late summer here but the garden is definitely ‘going over’. I’m rather dreading the winter under virtual house arrest 😦 Congratulations on the publication – it sounds intriguing. Wishing you and your family good health and mobility!

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  4. Wishing a return to full health for both of you, Cheryl. And congratulations on the publication! Everything here is kind of stuck, some places open, others shut, so a lifestyle of writing, painting, and enjoying nature is my daily routine, well weaned off coffee shops now. I also made it back from my mum’s and sisters without getting infected – now that’s a result! Your grey cat looks so much like our 11 year old, Sasha, same markings, same soft grey tones. God knows what’s coming next for us all, but we’re kind of all getting in the groove of expecting the unexpected!

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    1. Thanks, Lynne. I am so happy all went well with your visit. We must stay connected and doing so poses challenges, but is still possible. Looks like we’ll be dealing with this for quite a while. The grey kitty is Sylvie! She’s had a lot of health issues the past year. She’s 15 and dealing with chronic kidney/bladder problems. But, still sweet as she can be:)

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    1. Thanks so much, dear friend! If you like Flora Leonora (named after my Grandma partly), you’ll love Frank 5, 6, and 7. That’s the 3 frogs I’ve named after my Dad. For many years I thought maybe it could be the same frog returning, but then 3 showed up at the same time, so… there you have it! 🙂

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  6. At first read, I felt so bad for you dealing with multiple surgeries and sick kitties during all the coronavirus stuff, but then I figured it might be a good time to be stuck at home … since you’re stuck at home anyway! I am not making light of your travails, and I do hope Chuck is on the mend and that the rest of you stay healthy and strong. Gardening and reading sound like perfect activities to get through this stormy time (although, like you, we are dealing with monster heat, and it’s not always pleasant to be out there these days). I love that you and Flora have made peace with each other! 🙂

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    1. Thanks so much Lexi! And I agree with the timing. What else would we be doing? We were supposed to be hiking in Colorado this month, but that was rescheduled until next July. Chuck will have 2 new knees then and what a difference that will make! 🙂

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  7. Best wishes to Chuck for a continued excellent recovery. Linda Hogan’s book has been added to my library reserve list. Curbside pickup of reserve items is now an option, and it is a highlight of this pandemic summer. Take good care, and be on the lookout for Godzilla!

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  9. Please forgive my copy/paste snafu. Still having WP issues.

    I wanted to say I was happy to see your new post and update on family and critters. I was thinking of you this morning while becoming overheated in the garden, wondering “Is this how unbearably hot/humid it is for you in NC in July? And is it even hotter there this summer?”

    Flora Leonora’s cousin has been eyeing up my lettuce but the kitschy pinwheels have been good detractors the last several years. However, chipmunks (7 and counting) are dismantling the stone wall… Seems most things are topsy turvey right now.

    Cherish each day with your kittens. You are fortunate to have their love and comfort during these limiting times that do indeed seem to go on and on and on. I still miss Bess dearly.

    Warm wishes to you, your family and critters for staying healthy in all ways.

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    1. Yes, it’s blazing hot here, as usual for this time. The humidity is what really gets to me. I love the afternoon/evening thunderstorms. We’ve had plenty of rain this year. I do cherish each minute with my kitties. They are an enormous part of my life and another reason I enjoy working from home. They are constant companions. And yet, I remind myself they are growing older and won’t be with me forever. Sadly. Warm, healthy wishes to you and yours.

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      1. Seems you/NC has gotten the rain we so desperately need. Instead we’ve had that overwhelming humidity with crunchy brown grass – unusual for us. Please do feel free to delete the copy/paste snafu. Apologies again. And congrats on your recent writing accomplishment. 🙂

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  12. Glad everyone seems to be healing well, Cheryl. Your cats appear to have a very good life–and a very attentive staff. The bunnies in our neighborhood have been such a joy to watch this year. They’re welcome to anything in our garden. And, yes, it does feel like year 47 of the pandemic….

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    1. Thanks so much, Donna. My cats do have a very attentive staff–an all in one chef, massage therapist, chauffeur, healer, holder/calmer, confidence-builder, on and on. Yes, it’s me, but I don’t return nearly the joy and love they give me. I’m totally in love!

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  13. Soooo much to love here. Last things first. I used to be a huge Linda Hogan fan. First of her poetry. She was going to be one of my dissertation chapters, but she ended up being part of one when I got lazy. Plus I delivered a paper in ?Atlanta? once on her poem “The Truth Is.” Her novel Mean Spirit is so good. But did I ever read Dwellings? I have wracked my brain, and I just can’t recall. So I guess that means I need to (re)read it. That’s why the RE is in read, I guess.
    Now humans with surgery! and sick kitties! It’s all too much! I hope Chuck’s knee doesn’t affect your shoulder!!!! You know–the helping part. I hope his recovery is the easiest one ever. And the kitties, I sure hope they are ok. This growing older thing is insult to injury during a pandemic. Or ironic.

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    1. Thanks, Luanne! I’ve looked everywhere online to find Hogan’s “The Truth Is” poem. Where would I find it? Which book? I want to read EVERYTHING she’s written. She has a new book of poems out. And another book coming out in October.

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      1. I think it’s in Seeing through the Sun. Don’t quote me on that, but I think so. I will see if I still have a copy of it somewhere. My favorite Hogan poem is “Crossings.” 🙂

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  14. Wow–Cheryl! So much going on in your little spot of the world. I wish your husband a speedy recovery. I’ve heard also not to get behind on the pain meds after knee surgery. And I hope you and the kitties stay healthy and well. I love that you have a rabbit companion in your garden. So cute! As for flying sharks or whatever–I hope not, but nothing will surprise me in terms of this virus, or what might happen to our country.

    Congratulations on your publication!

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  15. Healing thoughts for all creatures in house and garden. If we look at the world as all of nature then of course we name and claim. What shall we call flying sharks should they land in our gardens? I’m afraid I’d be giving up my land and heading for the hills!

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  16. Congrats on the story in the publication Cheryl. And sending good wishes for healthy knees and cats and assorted other parts – man, the bits that give up on us as we age!! I’m intrigued by the book, ‘Dwellings’ but couldn’t find a copy on my preferred seller. I’ll keep looking though. I’m looking forward to the light returning here, it picks up as you cool down interestingly. Our lives are conducted on a daily basis as once they were but with a strange absence of tourists and foreign students (I live in a university town) that reminds me somewhat of life as it was a half century ago. There will be changes and long term effects from this thing and it is intriguing watching how it pans out.

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    1. Thanks so much, Pauline:) I bet the absence of tourists is actually nice. Here in the US we are still in the thick of it. It’s disheartening because we still have many people who believe the virus isn’t even real.
      One of my favorite things about the transition between seasons is the way the light changes, even if subtle. I love the autumnal light here. I love everything about autumn. Take care and I hope you are doing well! ❤

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  17. We have a tiny brown garden bunny here in Portland as well, but he races from one clump of dense shrubbery to the blueberry bushes to graze on what the birds have dropped, and then back to his cover. I don’t know where he lives but it’s always a pleasure to have him visit. And fortunately he’s left our raised beds alone.
    Thanks for your (always pleasurable) post. I’m going out now to put up some shark repellent in the garden.

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