Andromeda Galaxy and Triangulum Galaxy

 Last Thursday night we stayed up until 1:00 a.m., imaging a couple of galaxies. Galaxies aren't as colorful as the nebulas. 

The first image is of Andromeda Galaxy. It is the nearest major galaxy to our own Millky Way Galaxy, a "mere" 2.5 million light-years from Earth. It always amazes me to think about how long ago the light that we capture with our telescope left its source! 

And the second galaxy we imaged that same night was the Triangulum Galaxy. The sky conditions weren't as good by the time we did this one, and the image quality suffers from that, I think.

COVID-Hair

We are getting out a little more. Dan's gone to Target, and so have I. I've been to Home Depot, briefly, and I dashed into a CVS pharmacy. We also have been back to church now, for three Sundays, and have met Kay and Andy for dinner several times. But we still are being pretty cautious.

One thing neither of us has done is venture into a hair salon (or barber shop, in Dan's case). I'm kind of going crazy with my hair. Dan went through a crazy spell, but now I think he has embraced the new shaggy look. I keep threatening to give him a little ponytail. I've told him he HAS to let me take a picture or two before he gets it cut. You'll have to wait for that.

As for me ... here is a pre-COVID selfie (from late February) and a current one. Oh, you will probably notice that I've switched my part, trying to get my hair to behave. I hope it doesn't have to get much longer before I feel safe going to my stylist.

Out the Door!

My birthday was January 28, and that weekend Chris, Kelsey and our grands came to visit us. That was the LAST time we've seen them because of the COVID stay-at-home restrictions. 

Last weekend we opened our door and stepped out in a big way. We headed to Houston to visit our grandkids! Our eyes feasted on the open road and Texas landscape, after so many months spent mostly inside.

It was a heart-warming weekend. The kids have changed in these seven months. Robert is being home-schooled by Kelsey. She's doing a wonderful job, and both of them seem to be enjoying the experience. Robert, who is so bright, is finding moving at his own pace much better than waiting on everyone to catch up in a regular classroom. He's continuing with his electric guitar lessons, making great musical strides and ... sporting "COVID-hair," which enhances his rock star appearance.

Clara is attending virtual school. She's in ninth grade this year, and this isn't the way she dreamed of beginning her high school venture. She may go back to in-person school after one or two grading periods, but for now she has a nice little computer station set up and is doing well, despite the unusual circumstances. She is on the basketball team, which requires practices with team mates. And she is in orchestra, which, so far, has been virtual.

This was also our first time to meet our great-grandpuppy, Thor. He is adorable! And I think we bonded with him quite well. 

Be sure your sound is on before watching Thor's video, below.

Chris continues to work from home, as he did even before COVID days. And Kelsey's new job as home-school teacher is keeping her extra busy. 

On Sunday we went to church with the kids at their home congregation, Memorial Church of Christ. We've been participating in their live-streaming worship services since March, so this, our first time since then to worship in person, was a blessing, despite having to wear a mask and maintaining social distance. Next Sunday we hope to return to Salado to worship with our home congregation, with those same restrictions. We are gradually re-entering society, but will still avoid indoor gatherings, except for church.

Bell County is seeing a downward trend of new cases of COVID-19. However, this is Labor Day weekend, and during the past two 3-day weekends (4th of July and Memorial Day) the county saw spikes in cases two weeks later. We are hoping and praying that does not hold true after this holiday.

[Bell County has had a total of 4,413 positive cases and 67 deaths.]