Pandemic Week 56: Blue Bells in Virginia

 As pandemic weeks go, this was a good one.  There was lovely weather, so we could get aside.  There is hope on the school front that Anna may get more in person school time.  Most importantly - Joe got his second vaccine and Virginia is opening up vaccinations to everyone in a week.  In between, it was a busy week....relatively speaking.  Here are the highlights:

  • Joe got some quality outside time this week, including planting some peas and lettuce in our neighborhood garden and mowing the lawn for the first time.
  • Joe also got his second Moderna vaccination - with no side effects.  One person down - two more to go!
  • Anna participated in a swim meet on Saturday and managed to improve her time on 50 meter freestyle and 100 meter breaststroke.  She is aiming to get her freestyle time below 30 seconds....and she is close.
    5 cubic yards of mulch
  • After the school superintendent announced that Fairfax County schools would begin to look at the option of 4 in-person days a week if schools can accommodate, the principal of Anna's school said they could not.....until the local health department released the transmission rate.  Now 4 days a week is slated to begin April 19 (fingers crossed)!
  • Theresa assumed her new treasurer duties for the swim team.  She is attempting to expand her skills by learning QuickBooks (this will be interesting).
  • Saturday was family mulch day.  Normally everyone purchases bags of mulch from the local boy scout troop, who delivers it to your door.  No one is selling mulch this year thanks to COVID, so Joe decided to have a landscaping company deliver 5 cubic yards of mulch to the driveway.  Saturday afternoon was spent with a pitchfork and wheelbarrow spreading mulch (Anna threatened to collapse from exhaustion).  Storm had to stay inside since he kept eating the mulch (we will let you guess what is in it that appealed to his dog  taste buds).
  • In other yardwork news, we received word from the sanitation service that they will no longer be collecting yard waste in plastic bags.  Our readers may recall our 60+ bags of leaves in the fall.  Aunt Lucy noticed this in our photos and expressed concern over the use of plastic bags. Since that conversation, Fairfax County has changed the policy.  Coincidence?  You be the judge.
  • Sunday was a hike at Great Falls to enjoy the bluebells.  This is one of the most beautiful times of the year when the trail is carpeted with blue flowers.  The weather was 79 degrees - the perfect day to enjoy!

We are looking forward to the spring weather....and more vaccinations!




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