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




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Swimming with the Lakevale Dolphins

Image
The Swim Gang - Leo, Aidan, Megan & Anna Tonight Anna completed her third season with the Division II Lakevale Dolphins.  It was a great season for Anna as she improved her strokes and her times and made it to the "A"team to compete at Saturday meets.  It was an educational season for Joe and Theresa, who learned the ins and outs of life as swim team parents. The neighborhood swim team is the hub of neighborhood social activity in the summer.  There are events throughout the season, including Friday night pep rallies, and Sunday night fund events that include such things as the neighborhood scavenger hunt, laser tag night, bingo night, and even a team night at the Washington Nationals game.  In between the fun is the seriousness of the swimming, and there are definitely some top notch swimmers on the team. Anna with her lollipop for getting a "personal best" time Kids are motivated by different things. Some kids love to race.  Other kids try to beat
Read more

Camp Coles Trip & June Birthdays

Image
Anna at Girl Scout Camp Anna just returned from a fun-filled week at Girl Scout camp.  This year she was old enough to go to Camp Coles Trip, which is on a bay area off of the Potomac River.  This is a water camp, so she spent her days on the bay learning to paddle board and sail along with kayaking. Girl Scout Camp is definitely roughing it.  The camp is in the woods and girls stay in platform cabins with screens.  Anna shared a cabin with 4 other girls.  Mosquito netting is very important at night.  The only electricity is at the dining hall, health center, and activity building.  The girls are also responsible each day for doing "kapers" or chores.  They take turns helping serve meals, cleaning the bathrooms, and general clean-up.  They are also responsible for keeping track of their own things and carrying their bags. Anna had a fantastic time, despite the lack of modern conveniences, and is already planning her return next year.  She made new friends and her favo
Read more

Thanksgiving in New Jersey

Image
The Fagella family (or part of the Fagellas) celebrated Thanksgiving this year in Northern New Jersey thanks to James.  Since James was house sitting for his boss, they were very generous in letting us use their large home in their absence for a Thanksgiving celebration.  We joined Aunt Loren, Aunt Mary, James and Sundance for a Thanksgiving feast.  We could have easily fed another 20 people with all of the food, which meant lots of leftovers.  We also celebrated Aunt Mary's birthday (November 22) and Aunt Loren's (November 27) with a homemade coconut cake courtesy of James. Joe carving the turkey with his assistants. The festivities continued the next day when James hosted 22 of his high school friends for his annual Friendsgiving dinner.  Anna was kindly invited to attend the event.  Since she has attended previous dinners, she already knew many of James' friends.  Once again, the amount of food was staggering with everyone bringing a dish. Aunt Mary and Aunt Loren have c
Read more