Pandemic Week 8: Mother's Day

The 8th Grade Graduate
It seems that every week brings something to remind us that this event is much longer than a snowstorm.  While we keep waiting for the snow to melt and life to return to normal, it becomes more apparent each day that is not going to happen.  This week's reminder was when the summer swim season was canceled (not a surprise, but still sad).  That was the last grasp of hope for a return to normal for the summer.  It is not to be.

On the plus side, some creative folks at Anna's school came up with a way to celebrate 8th grade graduation.  First, signs appeared in everyone's yard....along with their graduation cap & gown taped to the back (packed in a sanitized manner).  Then, one of the parishioners donated the use of his drive-in movie theater to host the social distance graduation ceremony.  There will be a ceremony on June 8 (and we can park at the appropriate distance) followed by the 8th grade class photo show on the big screen.  Major points for this idea!  The teachers will also be hosting a "clap out" on June 4th when 8th graders can drive through and drop off their books with teachers spaced along the carpool line to tell them goodbye.  Major kudos to the principal for finding ways to celebrate.

Graduation Sign for the yard
Storm, who has been the biggest beneficiary of the stay-at-home order, had a rough week.  It is allergy season for him, which also means he ends up with a skin infection.  Unfortunately he began pulling out his fur and has some nice bald spots.  After a couple of trips to the vet (social distance style), he has some medicine and a cone to wear so he stops pulling out fur.  He is hoping for a better week.

The neighborhood excitement was the fact that construction began on the fire-damaged house across the street.  Early in the week, the second car was removed from the garage.  By Thursday, workers were tearing out materials.  This brought a lot of disaster tourist traffic with people walking by.  We had a prime seat - both for the construction and people watching.

Finally, today marked mother's day.  Fortunately, the weather was lovely, which meant lots of outside time.  There was a Kohler Zoom call in the morning with Grandma and Grandpa (who also sent Theresa some beautiful flowers).  Theresa and Anna took a long walk in the afternoon (Anna managed to locate a rope swing she had been looking for).  Theresa also enjoyed planting flowers and working in the yard.  Anna made her a devil's food cake from scratch and Joe picked up a collection of wine from around the world, courtesy of the local wine store.  Theresa has visions of sipping wine and planning her next wine vacation with her friend Pauletta.

Happy Mother's Day!




Rope swing on the trail

Enjoying some chocolate cake



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