Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020 - Week 47
Holiday season begins
City of Shelton employee Danny Phipps hangs a strand of Christmas lights on West Railroad Avenue in downtown Shelton. Journal photo by Justin Johnson
Inslee orders new COVID restrictions
By JUSTIN JOHNSON
justin@masoncounty.com Gov. Jay Inslee on Sunday announced a host of new restrictions intended to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Washington. among the orders is the closure of bars, gyms, indoor dining at restaurants and capacity restrictions of 25% on retail stores — including grocery stores — and personal service businesses. Outdoor dining and social gatherings are limited to five people outside your household, defined as those living in the same domicile. Most of the restrictions went into effect at midnight Tuesday, with the exception of those directed at restaurants and bars, which started at midnight Wednesday. The order is scheduled to last four weeks. “We must take this virus seriously and do our part to stop the spread, distancing as much as possible and wearing masks when out in public,” Kevin Shutty, Mason County commissioner, wrote in a Monday email to the Shelton-Mason County Journal. For more of the Shelton-Mason County Journal, subscribe to our weekly edition. |
Restaurants aim to survive
By KIRK BOXLEITNER
kboxleitner@masoncounty.com The consensus among Shelton restaurants is that the governor’s recently announced COVID restrictions will significantly affect their businesses. “The first shutdown caught us with our pants down,” said Herb Baze of the Strip Steak House. “We’d stocked up on meat, vegetables and other food that mostly went to waste. We had to eat that loss, both figuratively and literally. It was really hard on us.” To meet rent and other financial obligations, the Strip Steak House shifted to takeout, and perhaps the one silver lining Baze has found in the latest restrictions is that, because his restaurant never shifted back to in-person dining, they were better prepared. “We pretty much expected it this time,” Baze said. “Our space is so small, we couldn’t staff it with a full crew, to offer our customers the dine-in experience, so we stuck with takeout. It’s just “A temporary pause on certain activities is difficult, particularly around the holidays, which are already a stressful time. My wife, a nurse, and I are doing our part by spending Thanksgiving alone, even though we would rather celebrate with our family. These sacrifices are hard, but can be meaningful.” For more of the Shelton-Mason County Journal, subscribe to our weekly edition. |
A kite surfer ventures into the wind-driven water during a king tide Sunday at Belfair State Park. Journal photo by Justin Johnson
Fighting off the anxiety of life, one step at a time
By JUSTIN JOHNSON
justin@masoncounty.com
Raise you hand if you’ve dealt with some sort of anxiety in the past nine or so months.
For those with your hand up — I’m going to assume that’s most of you —know that you’re not alone.
It’s been a long haul and, at least for me, as the days continue to get shorter, my own bouts have become more common.
Between the coronavirus pandemic, civil unrest across the country and the most contentious election of my 41 years, it doesn’t feel like there are many avenues to escape.
I turned back to my most reliable one — walking.
I’ve written previously about my struggles with depression and anxiety, and how I’ve used my Fitbit’s daily step count goal of 10,000 steps, which equals about 4.5 miles of walking.
Beginning in late 2018, I set a goal to hit that step count every day for a year, and I came close. After 11 months, with the end in sight, I missed a day’s goal by less than 500 steps.
Despite the miss, I finished out the year strong and hit the goal for the remaining three weeks, and even though I told myself at the time it was OK, it still kept bothering me.
In April, I decided to do something about it.
As the pandemic settled in, upending all our lives, I turned again to that band of plastic on my wrist, giving me a vital lifeline to focus on.
I started on April 1 and made it 21 days before I narrowly missed.
Call it a false start.
Beginning April 23, I locked in and as of Tuesday night, I’ve achieved my 10,000-step goal for just shy of seven months.
Just as it was the first time, it can be a chore some days.
Some days you just want to sit in your recliner in front of the television and watch football.
On a few occasions, that 10,000th step has come as I walked to the bedroom to go sleep.
I choose to push through those days that lack motivation.
I keep going.
Why?
It’s not glamorous and there isn’t a trophy waiting at the end, but, as they say, it’s about the journey, not the destination.
During those times when I’m walking, it gives me time to clear my head.
It helps short-circuit the moments of anxiety, stress and whatever other emotions flow out of a world that has seemingly gone mad.
Sometimes your feet hurt or your back aches, but that pain keeps up the distraction.
There is joy in committing to and achieving a long-term goal.
I don’t know yet whether I’ll be successful in reaching a year, but I do know that the journey thus far as helped fight off that fog of anxiety.
Feeling the buzz on my wrist as that counter clicks past 10,000 gives me a daily victory.
It’s not much, but some days even the little things count.
That’s why I keep going.
Justin Johnson is the Editor of the Shelton-Mason County Journal. He can be reached by email at justin@masoncounty.com.
For more of the Shelton-Mason County Journal, subscribe to our weekly edition.
justin@masoncounty.com
Raise you hand if you’ve dealt with some sort of anxiety in the past nine or so months.
For those with your hand up — I’m going to assume that’s most of you —know that you’re not alone.
It’s been a long haul and, at least for me, as the days continue to get shorter, my own bouts have become more common.
Between the coronavirus pandemic, civil unrest across the country and the most contentious election of my 41 years, it doesn’t feel like there are many avenues to escape.
I turned back to my most reliable one — walking.
I’ve written previously about my struggles with depression and anxiety, and how I’ve used my Fitbit’s daily step count goal of 10,000 steps, which equals about 4.5 miles of walking.
Beginning in late 2018, I set a goal to hit that step count every day for a year, and I came close. After 11 months, with the end in sight, I missed a day’s goal by less than 500 steps.
Despite the miss, I finished out the year strong and hit the goal for the remaining three weeks, and even though I told myself at the time it was OK, it still kept bothering me.
In April, I decided to do something about it.
As the pandemic settled in, upending all our lives, I turned again to that band of plastic on my wrist, giving me a vital lifeline to focus on.
I started on April 1 and made it 21 days before I narrowly missed.
Call it a false start.
Beginning April 23, I locked in and as of Tuesday night, I’ve achieved my 10,000-step goal for just shy of seven months.
Just as it was the first time, it can be a chore some days.
Some days you just want to sit in your recliner in front of the television and watch football.
On a few occasions, that 10,000th step has come as I walked to the bedroom to go sleep.
I choose to push through those days that lack motivation.
I keep going.
Why?
It’s not glamorous and there isn’t a trophy waiting at the end, but, as they say, it’s about the journey, not the destination.
During those times when I’m walking, it gives me time to clear my head.
It helps short-circuit the moments of anxiety, stress and whatever other emotions flow out of a world that has seemingly gone mad.
Sometimes your feet hurt or your back aches, but that pain keeps up the distraction.
There is joy in committing to and achieving a long-term goal.
I don’t know yet whether I’ll be successful in reaching a year, but I do know that the journey thus far as helped fight off that fog of anxiety.
Feeling the buzz on my wrist as that counter clicks past 10,000 gives me a daily victory.
It’s not much, but some days even the little things count.
That’s why I keep going.
Justin Johnson is the Editor of the Shelton-Mason County Journal. He can be reached by email at justin@masoncounty.com.
For more of the Shelton-Mason County Journal, subscribe to our weekly edition.
Lobby Hours Mon.-Fri. 8:30am-12:00pm
With Social Distancing. 6’ and mask requested please. Be safe. We care.
With Social Distancing. 6’ and mask requested please. Be safe. We care.
