Christmas Season Begins

Saturday Dan and I went to the Sons of the Republic of Texas/Daughters of the Republic of Texas (SRT/DRT) Christmas luncheon. It was held at the Oscar Store. Oscar was a little Czech village, founded in the late nineteenth century. In 1896, its heyday, it had a population of 115 and had a cotton gin, a hotel, a general store, a blacksmith and a barber. All that remains is the Oscar Store, which is actually a restaurant now. It is a reconstruction of the original Oscar Store, which burned to the ground in 2005. It's one of our favorite places to go for a hearty Texas dinner. The heartiness of the banquet lunch we were served yesterday was no exception - steak, baked potato, green beans, hot roll and, for dessert, peach cobbler! It was more than I could eat for a noon meal, so I asked for a take-out container and brought home enough for another meal. 

Then, on Saturday evening, we went, along with our friends Kay and Andy, to the Temple Symphony Holiday Concert, which always the kicks-off the holiday season for us. As always it was wonderful. This was the first time the whole orchestra has gathered for a performance in two years, due to COVID precautions. So it was especially joyous!

So now, our tree is decorated, the living room is aglow with sparkly lights, I've done my shopping, and made and mailed my Christmas cards. We will be attending a few other celebrations before Christmas Day, but we are already well into the Christmas spirit.

Thanksgiving 2021

Thanksgiving 2021 marks the second Thanksgiving with COVID. Our family has coped with this pandemic in different ways. Dan and I spent months in fairly strict isolation. When the vaccine became available, we felt, due to our age and other health issues, that it was the right thing for us, so we are fully vaccinated and have had the booster shot. Though we realize it's not 100%-certain protection, it did give us some confidence to gather, once again, with friends and family. Tim spent months working from home while the UNM campus was closed, and he, also, has been vaccinated and is now working back on campus. Chris, Kelsey and the grands opted not to be vaccinated. They all did come down with COVID, but recovered without too many problems. All of that is to say we ARE thankful for the various ways God has kept us safe these past two years.

And so, we celebrated Thanksgiving Day together as a family last week. Tim drove from Albuquerque to be with us, which made our family circle complete. Chris, Kelsey and the grands set up camp (a fun Thanksgiving tradition), with their motorhome, at a campground in San Antonio. Tim, Dan and I spent Wednesday and Thursday nights in a hotel near the Riverwalk, but our daytime hours were at the campground with the others.  

Robert's 12th birthday was right before Thanksgiving, so on Wednesday evening we gathered at the Hard Rock Cafe on the Riverwalk for a celebratory dinner. It was a lot of fun, and the Riverwalk, decorated for the holidays, was beautiful. 

 

The next day - Thanksgiving Day - we gathered at the motorhome. Wednesday's weather had been warm and pleasant, but on Thursday we had a lot of rain early in the morning. The rest of the day was damp, windy and a bit chilly. Robert had wanted me to go fishing with him, but the weather wasn't right for that. Instead we stayed indoors all day, watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade on TV, playing a game or two, visiting and enjoying each other's company. Kelsey and Chris prepared a wonderful holiday meal, and afterward we went outside and took a few family pictures.  

 

 

Friday morning Tim, Dan and I headed back home, to Temple. Tim was able to rest up that afternoon and evening, and then started home on Saturday morning. He arrived in Albuquerque at around 7:45 pm (MST), which was 8:45 pm for us. I always breathe a little easier once he texts me that he's made it home safely.

It was a great Thanksgiving - one of the best, for me. Just having all our loved ones with us was such a blessing.

Robert and the New School Year

I should have posted this three weeks ago, but, as they say, better late than never! 

Robert recovered from COVID just in time to start school on August 26. It was a big day. Last school year he was home-schooled, because of COVID. I can't say enough about what a marvelous job Kelsey did, keeping him interested and on-or-above grade level. From my perspective, I think it was the most productive school year he's ever had.

The plan all along, however, was to return to in-person schooling when the pandemic allowed it. But a change was in order - a move from Robert's old school, Mayde Creek, to a private school that would provide a more challenging and motivating environment. So, Robert began sixth grade this year at Memorial Private School. Here is his first-day-of-school picture.

Everything is new and different. One obvious difference, as seen in this photo, is that the students at Memorial Private wear uniforms. The school identifies itself as a "strong values, low stress, high outcomes" learning environment. We're hoping that it turns out to be a perfect fit for Robert. So far, he seems to be happy there.

Dan, Robert and I continue to meet together once a week, via Skype, for what I call "Grandma's Bookclub." During our time together we discuss a portion of the book that we are all reading. I've found this to be such a joy! We've talked about so many different topics that probably would never have come up if we hadn't been reading about them. So far we've read the following books: Artemis Fowl, by Eoin Colfer; Where the Red Fern Grows, by Wilson Rawls; The Mysterious Benedict Society, by Trenton Lee Stewart; The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey, by Trenton Lee Stewart and Diane Sudyka; Pax, by Sara Pennypacker and Jon Klassen; and Allies, by Alan Gratz. For this first month of the school year, we are taking a break, still talking on Skype once a week, but not reading a new book. However, beginning in November we will resume our reading. We haven't yet selected our next book.

Finally ... An Evening Out

Between rising COVID numbers and Dan's various health issues of late, our activities have been mostly  limited to life within the four walls of our house. But last night was a reminder of the good things in life that we've been missing. 

We are season ticket holders for the performances of the Temple Symphony Orchestra. Because of COVID, most of the performances this season will not be with the full orchestra (although I'm hoping the Christmas concert will be). The first concert, featuring a string quartet, was scheduled for September 11. It was canceled due to a shoulder injury that prohibited the cellist from performing. Therefore, last evening's concert, featuring Daniel Hsu, 2017 Bronze Medal winner of the Van Cliburn piano competition, was the first to be held. Despite Dan's continuing struggle following his recent day-surgery, we felt the NEED for a night of excellent live music. 

Sadly, but predictably, the auditorium at the Performing Arts Center of the University of Mary Hardin Baylor was not even close to full. So many are still hesitant to be in a crowded situation. The pianist expressed his joy over being able to perform for a live audience, at last. And we, the audience, were blessed, as well, to experience a live performance once again. Mr. Hsu was, indeed, a gifted pianist.

Anticipation! Waiting for the performance

So many empty seats in what would have been a packed house two years ago

 

 

Beautiful, Inside and Out

Kelsey sent me a picture of Clara (September 25), all ready for her first school dance. I'm very proud of her, for so many reasons!

 

Coronavirus (Covid-19) Update October 5

It's been a long time since I updated our COVID-19 status, and a lot has transpired.

After Governor Abbott opened everything up in Texas, the "Delta variant" of the virus hit Bell County with a vengeance. Although most of the serious cases were in unvaccinated people, fully-vaccinated people have also been at risk from this variant. Hospitals once again were reaching capacity, and deaths climbed. 

In August some of our own family, namely Chirs, Kelsey, Clara and Robert, were sufferers of COVID-19. Chris came down with it first, and had it the worst; he was given a monoclonal antibody infusion, for which we were grateful. Kelsey and Robert were next, and, finally, Clara. Sadly, Clara had to miss the first week or so of the new school year as she recovered. We are blessed that everyone has recovered, and none were hospitalized, but Chris did take quite a long time to regain his strength.

Primarily because Dan has been dealing with a "mean" and lingering infection recently (not COVID-related), and will be having a minor day-surgery tomorrow, we have chosen to avoid contact with crowds once again. We have returned to live-streamed church services for the time being. Hopefully, after Dan's procedure tomorrow, we can think about getting out more. 

Things are improving, locally, and today's newspaper reports that local hospitalizations due to COVID-19 have continued to fall, dropping to 12.84% of hospital beds taken up by COVID patients.

COVID has not only caused sickness and death, but is at the center of a lot of public contention. On one extreme are those who feel that everyone should be required by the government to be vaccinated; on the other extreme are the so-called "anti-vaxxers" who believe the vaccine is dangerous and possibly even a government conspiracy scheme. In the middle are those who believe the decision should be left to the individual. Here is a Mallard Fillmore cartoon that was in today's (October 5, 2021) local newspaper, The Temple Daily Telegram. (I tend to be in the Mallard Fillmore camp on this issue.)

For those who took the first two-dose series of Pfizer vaccine, and who are 65 years and older, a booster shot is now available and is being recommended, six months following one's second vaccination. Dan and I have not yet gotten that, although we have recently passed that six-month date. I will be seeing our doctor, in about a month, for a previously scheduled appointment, and will ask her what she recommends.

Dear Sweet Doe

Doe (short for Dorene) will turn 93 years old this week. She and her sister, Wanda, are special friends whom we grew to love when we attended Avenue T Church of Christ. Over the years I've tried to keep in touch with both of them, especially on their birthdays. Wanda now lives in a nursing home, in the town of Rosebud. But Doe is still living in her cozy apartment here in Temple.

I made arrangements with her to come by and bring lunch today, to celebrate her birthday. Getting out and going to a restaurant is very difficult for her, not to mention the recent COVID uptick. So, I packed up a "picnic" style lunch, and we enjoyed a couple hours together, catching up on each other's lives over the past year. We shared stories and pictures. She fondly remembers Clara and Robert from their visits when they were small, and was astonished at how they've grown. And she proudly showed me a five generation photo of her with her first great-great-grandchild.

What a treasure this lady is! Happy birthday, dear Doe!

Fourth of July 2021

We seem to be making up for all those months of isolation from COVID! On Friday evening (July 2) we joined up with some friends to celebrate the 4th of July. George and Twilla hosted the get-together, and everyone brought food to go along with the brisket provided by them. It was a great feast - brisket, corn on the cob, watermelon, potato salad, pinto beans, corn bread, deviled eggs, and topped off with Texas brownies and homemade ice cream! 

We even took a few minutes out of our evening to sing some patriotic songs together - it sounded good!

Our host and hostess, George and Twilla

On Sunday night the City fireworks display took place at Crossroads Park, on Research Parkway. We were privileged to have a wonderful view of the fireworks from our driveway! 

Happy Fourth of July, America!

A Senior Day Trip

Thursday was a fun day for a few of us "seniors" from the Salado Church of Christ. We went to Homestead Heritage, in Waco, for some together-time. 

Since I've posted pictures from Homestead Heritage several times on my blog (see here) , I didn't take many this time. But I did capture a few just of the folks in our group. 

Left to right: Leon C, Larry D, Andy J, Beverly S, Leroy S, Naomi R, Jan D, Carleen C, Kay J, Linda J, Dan J, Ed S

Jan does her famous headstand on top of a table near the gristmill

Success!!! 

Lunch at Heritage Cafe

Andy L-O-V-E-S his sorghum pecan ice cream!

A Fun Week with the Grands

Kelsey contacted us awhile back to ask if we were up for house guests the week of June 7. I assured her that we were, especially if those guests were some or all of the Houston Judds! As it turned out, they were having new flooring installed in their house - something they've dreamed about for a long, long time - and Kelsey and the kids were needing to get out of the house so the work could be accomplished. Chris would be staying there to keep an eye on everything, and to continue with his work from home.

So on Monday our normally (too) quiet home turned into a hubbub of activity. Robert immediately opened up his Hot Wheels track set and built a loop-de-loop race track. He asked for paper and pencil so he could keep track of the win/loss stats for his various cars.

Clara has grown into a teenager - needing some alone-time and not all that interested in some of the family activities that still keep Robert entertained. Like most teens, she focuses on her phone and communicating with her friends for much of the day. She was also troubled with allergies for some of her visit.

On Tuesday Kelsey, the kids and I did a little shopping for some extra Hot Wheels track, and then took a snack break. Clara loves Boba Tea (which she prefers to call Bubble Tea), and wanted to introduce me to it. Yum! I really enjoyed it ... very refreshing, and the big tapioca pearls were fun and interesting. Robert chose to go to the shop next door, where he got some Nitrogen Ice Cream. That was a new one for all of us, and it got a thumbs-up from Robert.

Wednesday we got a little arcade time in, and then, in the evening we went to Shakers Backyard, an outdoor park near out house, where Clara wanted to go on the ropes course, while Robert had his sights set on, both, the ropes and the go-karts. It turned out to be a fun evening, which ended in us picking up some pizza to take home for a late dinner.

Before they arrived, Dan ordered a chess set from Amazon, to send home with the kids, and to use while they were here. Clara already knew how to play chess, so Dan was excited to challenge her in a few games. Robert didn't know how to play, but was eager to learn, and learned VERY fast. He was pretty proud of beating Grandpa on their third or fourth game together. 

On Thursday I took Clara to lunch (at Freddie's) - just the two of us - and our time together was delightful.  I love having one-on-one time with the grands. I wanted to spend some time with Clara, getting her started on researching her mother's side of the family through Ancestry.com. She seemed to enjoy it a bit, and easily picked up on how to do the research, but I'm not sure she was really enchanted with it.

On Thursday evening we met up with Kay and Andy at Corona de Oro for a Mexican dinner. It was such fun! Everyone was engaged in conversation, and even the kids seemed to love the evening. After we ate, we walked down to Nolan Creek (just outside the restaurant) and the kids waded in the water a bit.

Robert talked pretty much non-stop all the while he was here. His favorite topic was Pokemon, and he tried relentlessly to bring his grandma up to speed on the 800+ Pokemon types and their weaknesses, strengths and personalities. Sadly, I was a very slow learner! On Friday, though, when it was his turn to go to lunch with me (Freebirds), he good-naturedly humored me by carrying on an engaging, Pokemon-free conversation!

We watched some TV while they were here - of COURSE Pokemon was one of Robert's favorite programs. We also laughed through several episodes of the British series, Task Master.

About 3:00 this afternoon they packed up their bags, loaded the car, and headed back home. Chris had been sending photos each day, showing the progress of the floor-installation, and it looked hopeful that the installers could finish by end of day today. Even if there was a bit more to complete, Kelsey felt like it was far enough along for them to safely spend the night back in the house.