Clara's "Coming Out"

I got a text from Kelsey yesterday, with a short note: "First trip to the pet store for Thor. First time in a store in 6+ weeks for Clara." That's a big day! I'm still looking forward to going into a store, sometime soon.

Light-Hearted Relief is Welcome

Tomorrow will be the end of six weeks of sheltering-in-place, and people are coming up with creative ways to break the monotony and to bring cheer to others, as well.

On Friday our doorbell rang. We both looked at each other as if we'd never heard that sound before. Who could be coming to our door, in the midst of this quarantine? Dan grabbed his face mask and cracked open the door to see who it could be. There on the porch was a bag, and running back down the driveway and waving, was our friend Twilla. As she hopped into the passenger side door of her car, with her husband, George, in the driver's seat, she hollered, "You've been Cross Walked!!!"

George and Twilla are the leaders of our small care group, from church, called The Cross Walkers. They had just planted a group of Cross Walkers signs in our yard and left the care package on our porch. Inside was a decorative box holding a zip-lock bag full of oatmeal cookies, a card with a scripture and their signatures, and instructions on how to pass this little blessing along to the next family in our group (which we did, yesterday).

Friday had been an especially difficult morning for me, for a number of reasons, and this unexpected thoughtfulness was exactly what I needed that day. 

On Sunday afternoon, we participated in a parade of cars that drove together past the homes of seven of our church members/families, who had been forewarned, so they could be outside on their lawns or driveways as we all drove by and waved, honked and hollered well-wishes. It brought lots of cheer to those we visited, and an equal amount of good feelings to those of us who drove in the parade and got to see faces of friends, if only through our car windows, from whom we've been separated for weeks now.

In the picture below we are just lining up in the church parking lot before taking off. Here is a link to a video taken by Karyl Small, one of our parade folks, as we paraded down a cul-de-sac to visit one family: https://www.facebook.com/karyl.small/videos/10222587154533643/

Lest We Forget - Some Memories of Spring 2020

Our family is on day 40 of social isolation. Here are some of the things that we should remember about this world-wide pandemic.

- Texas gas prices average $1.51/gallon, however nobody needs gas because there's no place to go.

- Bell County schools have been closed since March 17 and are teaching remotely online. By order of the Governor, this will continue for the rest of the school year for all of Texas. Most states are issuing similar orders.

- People must maintain 6 foot distance from anyone not in their immediate household (commonly known as social-distancing).

- Essential stores, including grocery stores, are limiting the number of people allowed inside, and social distancing is enforced. These stores are closing early to disinfect everything each night.

- All "non-essential" retail business were closed until April 24, when retail stores were allowed to begin offering curbside and home delivery, but no in-store shopping.

- Restaurants open only for home delivery or curbside pick-up.

- Texas State Parks were closed until April 20, when the Governor re-opened them for day-use only. Social distancing required.

- Sports competitions were canceled or postponed, including: 2020 Summer Olympics (Tokyo); NASCAR races; Major League baseball; NBA basketball; NCAA spring sports, including baseball, softball and lacrosse; NFL Draft held virtually, not in person; Golf - the Masters, PGA Championship and Sr. PGA Championship; Formula 1 racing; NHL Hockey; Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes; the Boston Marathon; Wimbledon.

- Festivals and entertainment events have been canceled, including Austin's South by Southwest (SXSW) - a huge impact to the city of Austin and Texas as a whole.

- Many weddings, family celebrations and birthdays have been canceled or postponed. Funerals limited to family graveside services.

- People are doing drive-by parades to cheer friends and family; and grandparents visit grandkids through a video screen or, if they visit in person, through a closed window. Hugs and kisses not shared.

- The church buildings are closed; many holding worship services on-line.

- People are wearing masks; some are making their own masks for sale or donation to medical facilities. News reports say there is a shortage of masks, gloves and ventilators in hospitals.

- Toilet paper, paper towels, hand sanitizer, antibacterial wipes, isopropyl alcohol and anything Lysol or Clorox is in short supply and limited per person , if you can even find them.

- Countries around the world are adopting stringent travel measures, including full lockdowns, shutting down airports, imposing travel restrictions and completely sealing their borders. Airports are empty. The tourism industry is devastated.

- The world is experiencing a severe economic impact from the coronavirus and the shutting down of businesses.

- The US government issued stimulus payments, automatic for most taxpayers, in the amount of $1200 per adult and $600 per child.

Inaugural Test of the New Telescope

Almost two years ago Dan purchased a new telescope.

It was pretty fabulous! But it was very heavy and bulky, and the scope, with all of the needed auxiliary equipment, barely fit into the back of Dan's car. In time, we both came to realize that the effort and stress involved in setting it up often kept us from using it. So a few months ago Dan sold that scope and ordered a different one. This one is smaller, lighter, much easier to handle, and is specifically made to pair with a camera. (And did I mention it's a beautiful color?!) His new goal is to learn the art and science of astrophotography. I'm excited about this, myself, because it fits more with my own interests.

To begin shooting photos, Dan also purchased a number of necessary accessories. Some came right away - at the same time that the scope and mount arrived. One key component, however, was on back-order until last week. FINALLY everything he needed was here (although we both know that his Santa wish list will include other cool accessories).

Last evening we had a clear sky so, before it was dark, we got everything set up for our inaugural evening of astrophotography. I would call it a successful first run, although we made a few mistakes -- all part of the learning curve. Dan's successes included great focus, polar alignment and the actual capture of photographs. He has a few things yet to master. Next time will be even better.

I can't wait for us to become proficient in, both, astrophotography and the post-processing, so I can post here, on my blog, some fabulous shots of deep space.

Coronavirus (Covid-19) Update April 18

Yesterday our Governor, Greg Abbot issued an executive order to set up plans to re-open Texas businesses that have been closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic. He said that this plan will have to take place in stages. Governor Abbot noted that the number of infections is "beginning to level off" and that it has "not come close to the early, dire predictions."

Schools, he said, will remain closed for the remainder of the school year, but all stores in Texas will be able to operate "retail-to-go" beginning next Friday. 

Not sure of what "retail-to-go" meant, I did a little on-line research. According to the Houston Chronicle (April 17, 2020), it means that "customers will be able to buy items from a retail store via pick-up and delivery (by mail to a customer's doorstep), but will not be allowed inside the store...Items will need to be placed by a store employee on the backseat or in the trunk of the customer's car." Other sanitization and safety precautions will also be urged. 

Bell County Cases:

Total cases: 115; 57 recovered, 3 dead

A Happy Day for Clara

You may remember this photo from my January 29 blog post, where I mentioned that Clara, while the family was visiting with us, was given a promise of something to come.

Well, it's been two-and-a-half months and, in the midst of these somewhat dreary Covid-19 days, what Clara has been eagerly awaiting has finally come to pass. On Wednesday she got to bring home her adorable, new Corgi puppy, Thor (aka Thorgi). And Clara's million-dollar smile brightened an otherwise dull day for all of us.

I had hoped we could be there when Thorgi came home, but the shelter-in-place order is still in effect, so we had to be content with pictures. Yesterday, though, we got to see him in action, through a Skype call. Here are some scenes from that virtual-visit.

 I'm really looking forward to meeting our first great-grandpuppy, when the world returns to normal.

Several Acts of Kindness

My adventures in searching out information about my ancestors continues to bring me new insight.

Back in 2016 I received email from a gentleman in France. He was a genealogist, who had been researching the ancestry of coal miners in northern France, leading him to a birth certificate for my grandmother, Rose-Emma Mayeur. 

I was grateful for these documents, although, being unable to read French, I was unable to translate the certificate. Ever since, I've wished to find someone who could translate the entire birth certificate for me. I was especially anxious to have someone translate it, because I thought I saw some details that seemed different from what my grandmother had always claimed.

Some time ago, a visitor came to our Genealogy Society meeting. We chatted, and when I mentioned the French birth certificate, and my wish to find someone who could translate, she said she knew someone who might be willing to do that. She took my card, with my contact information, and said she'd pass it on to her friend. A year or so went by, so I had completely forgotten about this encounter.

Yesterday, I got a phone call from the lady I had spoken with, so many months ago. She said she had just cleaned out her bag, found my card at the bottom, and realized she hadn't ever passed it on to her friend. She said she was going to give it to her right away.

Today, I answered the phone and was greeted by a lady named Annick, who had a delightful French accent. She was offering to look at my grandmother's French birth certificate and translate it for me. A couple hours later, she emailed me with the translation!!! I am so grateful to her! This is a real treasure for me to have. 

So, here is the translation she provided me, along with a few explanatory comments that Annick inserted:

MAYEUR
Rose Emma
Legitimate child
In the year 1901, on 21^st January, at 10 O’clock in the morning, in front of us Arthur FAUQUEUX, deputy mayor delegated to fulfill the functions of civil officer of the town of Lens, “head city of the county" (I have no idea of the American equivalent!) of Bethune, in the department of Pas-de-Calais, appeared the sieur (like Mr.) Ernest MAYEUR, aged 36 ½ (mine worker) miner, born in Auchel, domiciled in Lens, who presented a child of the female sex, which he declared to be born from him at his domicile in Lens, 18^th avenue, number 10 (fosse 11) (This is the number of the entrance to the mine well near where he lives and probably works everyday – again I don’t know how you would call this in English) the day before yesterday, 19 Janurary 1901, at 7 O’clock in the morning, and from Dame (like Mrs.) Adéline SENECHAL, his spouse, aged 36 ½, housekeeper, domiciled in Lens, to which child the names Rose Emma were given.  The said declaration and presentation were made in the presence of the sieurs:  Charles LANTOINE, aged 63 ½ , appariteur (the main office of the appariteur was to go around the town in uniform with a drum, alert the population to come out of their houses to listen to him as he read what the city mayor or other officials needed everyone to know – I lived under this system in my little village of Lorraine!) and Esprit LAURENT, aged 39, police officer, both domiciled in Lens, and the “comparant” (the father who presented himself with the child), declared he doesn’t know how to sign after being asked, the witnesses signed with us the present birth act after it was read aloud. 

This translation proves that my grandmother's birthday was January 19, not January 18, which she always claimed. She thought she had been born in Havre, but now I know she was born in Lens. Because she was only five years old when her mother died (only a year or so after they immigrated to America), it's understandable that her birth details may not have been accurately passed on to her.

Easter Sunday During Shelter-In-Place

I must confess - I'm not proud of yesterday's behavior. I had a full-blown melt-down complete with an abundance of tears! I don't really know what brought on this sudden emotional collapse, but I think it was a combination of stress, doubt, loneliness, tedium, uncertainty and feelings of inadequacy in this time of isolation.

I went to bed last night determined to give myself a major attitude-adjustment for today, Easter Sunday. This Easter will certainly go down as a most unusual one for Dan and me. But it has turned out to be very nice - and I have overcome yesterday's blues.

We began the day in worship, once again tuning in to, and participating in, Memorial Church of Christ's livestreaming service, which was very uplifting. 

Afterward, we watched another livestream - an Easter concert by Andrea Bocelli, from the Duomo Cathedral in Milan, Italy. Like other churches, this magnificent building is closed to the public due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Bocelli's amazing voice poured out over a sea of empty pews, in a couple of traditional pieces (one, of course, being Ave Maria). Then he stepped outside, to the courtyard, and sang Amazing Grace. Beautiful! At times, while he was performing, cameras from cities around the world - London, Paris, New York, etc. - displayed live scenes of eerily vacant streets. 

Following Bocelli's half-hour concert, we sat down to the table for Easter dinner. Because of the difficulty in getting groceries, I didn't have everything I needed for a typical holiday dinner, but I made do with what I had: a ham steak, a jello salad, and some baked sweet potatoes. For dessert I used two cans of peaches and made a peach crisp. I even took down, from the high shelf, two of Dan's family china plates for us to eat from, rather than our everyday dishes. 

While I washed the dishes, I was charmed by a dove that sat on the fence, outside one of the over-the-sink windows, and watched me throughout my entire clean-up time.

Later in the afternoon I finished a book I've been reading. You may remember that I mentioned in an earlier blog, that I've been having trouble concentrating when I read. So I decided to go simple, with a  book written for children ... The Long Winter, by Laura Ingalls Wilder. It's been a perfect little book to read during this time of isolation. The book is from her Little House series, and is set in Dakota Territory during the severe winter of 1880-1881. The Ingalls, and others in their little town, were isolated and mostly housebound from fall through spring. Blizzards prevented the trains from getting through, so the town was stranded until April. No coal, no wood, dwindling food. The people were saved by two brave young men who ventured out on the frozen prairie in search of a cache of wheat that no one knew, for sure, existed. Reading this story makes our situation seem like a vacation. It was a perfect read for helping me to put things in perspective and achieve that attitude adjustment that I committed to.

The day was good. I missed being with my kids/grands for Easter, but we are all comfortable, safe and well, which is a huge blessing.

Coronavirus (Covid-19) Update April 7

Bell County has now confirmed 68 cases of COVID-19. Fifteen people have recovered and two have died.

It has been two weeks that we've been under the Bell County shelter-in-place order, although Dan and I have actually been self-isolating, now, for 22 days. On April 3, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a recommendation for all Americans to wear cloth masks when in public. Life as usual has been put on hold, and we are gradually becoming accustomed to a "new normal."

This new normal, which has upended our lives, looks like this for Dan and me:

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The week begins, as always, with the Lord's day, but we "gather together" virtually, through YouTube, Facebook, Zoom or some other internet service.

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Other than Sunday, there is no need to set an alarm, since there is nowhere to go. My watch continuously reminds me that there are "no more events" on my calendar.

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Grocery shopping has become a little complicated. We place our order, online, and request a day and time for the store employees to bring it to our car at the curbside. The problem is that once we have created our shopping list, through the store's online site, the first available day/time for picking up those groceries is two weeks away. It makes it difficult to know just what we'll need that far in advance. There are always substitutions, and some items that are simply not available at all.

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And speaking of groceries ... we are eating every meal at home. I haven't done this much meal prep since our kids were still at home with us. Our "old normal" included several meals out every week. Now we fix our meals at home, other than once a week, when we go to a drive-through and get some take-out food to bring home.

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A sad result of this pandemic is that many businesses are in dire straits. Restaurants are trying their best to stay afloat, by serving their food through a drive-through window or bringing it to customers waiting in their cars. But the volume of business has decreased drastically. One new restaurant, that we were so excited to see open up, has announced that they may have to close down permanently.

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With no meetings or appointments on our calendars, we have a lot of free time on our hands. That means time for more TV (thank goodness for Netflix and Amazon Prime Video!); time for crafts (I've gotten back to making greeting cards with my Cricut machine); time for some spring housecleaning (I spent a couple days hosing down the patio and patio furniture, to get rid of the winter grime, and washing windows); time to read, although I've found that I can't concentrate on complicated plots - my mind is very distracted; time for baking; and time to blog. I'm also hoping to take this opportunity to better learn how to edit photos using Affinity Photo, since I'm trying to wean myself away from Photoshop products.

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We've all become a little OCD about hand-washing and sanitizing. And we are warned continuously not to touch our faces.

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Although we are keeping on top of cleanliness, we are becoming a bit shaggy in our appearance. Both Dan and I need haircuts, a luxury that could be weeks away! I only wash and moisturize my face - no make-up.

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I had gone to YouTube to learn how to make face masks out of bandanas, since I had several of them. It worked, but the masks were a bit awkward to wear. But on Sunday afternoon our friends George and Twilla brought a bag to our front door, rang the doorbell, and scurried away to the shelter of their car before I opened the door. Inside were four hand-sewn masks (AND, by the way, some homemade strawberry cream pie - thank you Twilla). Now we have "stylish" and effective masks to wear when we go out to pick up our groceries or to get our take-out from a drive-through window.

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The biggest change in this new normal is not being able to be with people. My friend, Kay, and I are used to having lunch together once a week or so. Our Tuesday ladies' Bible class always culminates in brunch together at McCain's Cafe. I also miss gathering with my First Monday Book Club and my genealogy buddies. Most of all, I miss seeing my grandkids! We did a Skype call one afternoon, but that's just not the same as seeing them in person and sharing warm hugs.