Regarding Covid-19 Safety
FEBRUARY 11, 2021
Dear Friends and Clients,
It is such a relief to feel and see the light increasing. So very slowly through January, and now that March has arrived, a strong increase. I feel my own optimism and positivity improve with each little minute more of light, as well as the promise (no one can break it!) of Spring on the way.
I was fortunate to be able to receive my second dose of vaccine on Feb. 4. I understand that it will provide you and me an increased level of safety while we are in the massage room together. It will not eliminate our risks, however, so we will continue to use all of our Covid safety precautions. All we can do is live in the moment and cope with each new development as it comes along, right? Whether we will do this forever or not matters far less than how well and thoroughly we do it now.
Since my wife and I have both been vaccinated by the end of February, we are planning to take our annual month of March vacation. It will look very different, but the main point......bicycling in the sunshine........will still be in place. My co-worker, Jean Williams-Bergen, has not resumed working yet. I can wholeheartedly recommend making an appointment with Donna Ouimet in Potsdam, Tracy Knowlton in Canton, or Tammy Serguson in Colton (at Five Elements Living!) You will be glad you did. No reason to go without a massage while I am away! You can find their contact info on the Recommendations page. I would also be happy to talk with you about your options.
I want to remind everyone not to worry about Gift Certificate expirations. I am going to pay no attention to expiration dates on any certificate sold in the year 2020, going forward......for who knows how long! Just get in touch whenever you feel good about booking. You can reach me by text, email, or phone call.
While I am away, Gift Certificates can be bought as usual at the front desk of Nature’s Storehouse, payment by check or cash. Or you can arrange to have me mail them to you or your recipient.
I won’t be leaving until Feb. 27, so please keep me in mind if you need any help with scheduling a vaccine, as it can be trying. I would also be happy to drive anyone to an appointment if that would be helpful.
Until we meet again, I wish you patience, with yourself and others. Let’s allow this new year's energy to bloom with health and possibilities. Enjoy the snow!
Love and peace,
Valerie
NOVEMBER, 27, 2020
My dear friends and clients,
We are in the midst of intense, challenging, and unpredictable times… When the weather was inviting, it seemed much easier to find safe ways of being together socially. The decline of the light and the coming on of winter, makes it all the more trying to find our happy place.
For those who have chosen to come back to the massage room, we create a safe space together. Three months into being back at work, I take heart from the way you all have shifted along with me to arrive just before your appointment, always having your mask on properly. We have very little talking, which is both a loss and certainly again in many ways! With a big focus on keeping our mouths closed, we can give ourselves over even more to the gloriousness that is giving and receiving bodywork.
As we benefit from the joys of massage, we can pass on our good energy through acts of kindness and compassion to others. Some of the ways I have been trying to do this are:
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Cooking and baking for friends and neighbors
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Donating to local organizations I care about. Even a small amount helps.
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Writing letters or making video calls to people who can use some company.
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Taking a moment to say thank you to whoever is helping me, whether it is a mail delivery person or a store clerk, or someone on the phone.
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Donating massages to individuals when it feels right.
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Making eye contact and smiling at people, even though the mask is on. You can do it with your eyes.
As I was describing all the things I do in the massage room to assure the safety of my clients and myself to a friend, she asked, “Does it take a lot out of you to have to do all this?” The answer is a resounding "NO." It nourishes me. I get so much joy and satisfaction from each encounter and consider myself very fortunate to be able to work. If we do have to close down again, I will miss it very much. Meanwhile, I enjoy each and every client and am grateful for the days that I can give a massage.
A word about Gift Certificates. As always, Nature’s Storehouse is selling them for me at the counter, with payment in cash or check. As an alternative, I am happy to mail them to you or your recipient. Just get in touch with me by phone or text (315.379.1955), or email (vsummer17@gmail.com.) I still don’t take credit cards, but you can send me a check in the mail, or pay by Venmo.
The last date for arranging these by mail will be Dec. 18. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch. There is a price list on my website, www.valsummermassage.com
If you will be holding or attending holiday parties, for the safety of all please re-schedule any appointments which would fall within two weeks of your gathering.
Thanks so much for all of your continued support. I love seeing you, hearing from you, whether or not you are coming in for massage. Please get in touch and let me know how it is going for you. Wear your mask, be smart and safe, and make decisions that will benefit the well-being of all.
Light and love to you!
Love and peace,
Valerie
SEPTEMBER 29, 2020
Happy Autumn Equinox!
I am happy to say that my first weeks of being back to work are going very well. There is a lot to pay attention to, and I feel confident that moving, speaking, and breathing slowly is allowing me to stay on top of every precaution.
Covid safety awareness is very high here at Nature’s Storehouse, which makes my job easier. I would also say that has been true with the clients I have seen so far. I appreciate everyone’s compliance with new protocols and requirements.
If I have not gotten in touch with you yet, please think about whether you are ready to schedule your appointment and contact me when you are ready. I am booking about five weeks out. Feel free to call, email, or text at the number below.
Wishing you a peaceful, beautiful, and very healthy Fall,
Valerie
SEPTEMBER 10, 2020
Hello my dear friends and clients!
I am happy to say that I have made the leap, and started back to work at home in Morristown. My first few appointments brought me great happiness and also lots of learning. As with all new things, I am making improvements as I go along.
My Canton office at Nature’s Storehouse is not quite finished. There is a new sink, a beautiful wood floor, and newly insulated and painted walls. There are just a few things left to do before Jean W-B and I can get in there and set things up to resume practice.
Some of the changes are visible. There is an air purifier with a HEPA filter, the mask and apron of course, face shield, and hand sanitizer. A lot of the newly added items are invisible to you, like a washable cover for the table, pillow, and face-rest that are under the sheets and will be sanitized after each client.
With all the extra details, I am going to start back up with fewer clients each day. I will be in touch with you as soon as I know I can schedule, starting right from where we would have been in April.
Rest assured that all Gift Certificates will be honored for an extra year. Also, my cancellation policy will be very relaxed to accommodate any concerns about symptoms. No worries if you need to cancel, even at the last minute. Please just text or call so I am not waiting for you to show up.
I hope this note finds you well, enjoying every moment of our beautiful summer. I hope to start seeing everyone starting in September. Wear your masks and do all the smart things, so that we can all make it through this tough time together.
Peace and love,
Valerie
AUGUST, 2020
Dear Friends and Clients,
During this time of shutdown, I have been working hard to organize protocols, and educate myself about viral infection. I have updated policies and procedures to improve the safety of clients and myself.
I would like to share with you some of the COVID-19 related policies that I will be following. Please read these over carefully.
Pre-session screening: please expect a phone call or email health screening 24 hours before your massage appointment. I will ask:
1. Have you experienced any cold or flu-like symptoms in the last 14 days, or has a health professional asked you to self-isolate in the last 14 days?
2. Have you been in close contact with someone experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms or have you cared for someone testing positive for COVID-19 in the last 14 days?
3. Have you been tested, and if yes, what was the date and the result?
When you arrive, you and I will both be wearing a face mask. NYS guidelines require the client and the therapist to wear a mask for the entire time. We do have the option of using a pillowcase draped open below the face-rest while you are face-down, and some people find that is more comfortable than keeping the mask on face-down. It will be on at all other times.
I will ask you to clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer upon arrival or wash them with soap at the sink.
I will ask you to sign a COVID-19 Information and Consent form.
Love and peace, and big hugs!
Valerie