Pandemic Week 43: A Mob, A Meet & Not Manassas

Anna ready for the swim meet
 This may be the most memorable week of the pandemic thus far - and not in a positive way.  Like the rest of the world, we watched in horror as a mob descended on the capitol January 6 as Congress was certifying the electoral college vote.  Words cannot express the sadness and anger over what happened.  No matter where you were, the images were startling.  When you live in the Washington area, it is close to home as we recall just a few weeks ago we were strolling around the Capitol before the holidays looking at the tree and the construction of the stands for the inauguration.  Theresa was very grateful to be working from home that day, but many others were  downtown.  Everyone is on edge with concerns about security - both from internal and external threats - as we countdown to January 20.  It has been our nightly dinner conversation.  One can only imagine what Anna will recall when she reflects on this time years from now.  

On a more positive note, Anna competed in her first high school swim meet on Friday night.  So far, the swim season is a go with LOTS of safety protocols in place.  It is a shortened season at 6 weeks with meets on Friday and Saturday nights (the coach is trying to split the team as much as possible so most only swim one night).  There is social distancing, masks, no spectators, limited volunteers.....it is definitely not typical, BUT the kids were so excited to be out.  Anna was thrilled with her first meet as she managed to drop time on her 50 meter freestyle.  She also participated in a 200 meter and 400 meter relay team.  She was most excited to meet a group of Freshman girls.  It was almost normal.  Anna practices one day a week with the high school team and 3 days a week with her swim club (all practice spots are limited to small groups).  Fingers crossed that everyone stays healthy and the season can go on!  

Sunday was a lovely day with sunshine finally making an appearance.  Every week, we rotate  weekend activities (Friday is game night, Saturday is family movie night, and Sunday is an outing).  This week, Theresa picked the movie (Yellow Rose) and Joe had the outing.  Normally he picks a hike on a trail at Manassas battle field, which is where the family was headed today.  Fortunately, thanks to a wrong turn and some quick checks of the All Trails app by Theresa, he was convinced to divert to a new trail - the Cub Run trail.  Anna and Theresa already are ready to return to this one in the future with skates.  It was nice afternoon out to enjoy the sunshine for a socially distant walk.  Happy Sunday!

Enjoying Cub Run trail




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