"Don't Just Do Something, Sit There"

That's mostly what I've been doing the past year. Sometimes I wish it had never happened. So many painful events both personal and national occurred. The worst of which was the loss of my oldest child, Craig, on October 24th. We have been unable to complete our mourning period by holding a memorial due to the pandemic.

It has been a full year since I have left my little cottage here in Austin. In January, 2020 my daughter Carajean took me to my primary care physician for an annual checkup. Next we went to the hair stylist I've used for several years for a much-needed haircut. He cut thirteen inches off of my hair, which turned out to be a real blessing. At the time we had no idea I would be unable to return for over a year. Of course, by now those thirteen inches have grown back plus inches more. As a result of the events of the past year I now have some gray hairs sprinkled among the new growth. And I am still unable to leave my cozy home.

(Grandchild Cameron on one end of Porch) 

The COVID-19 pandemic keeps looming unrelentingly over us, worsening every week. Because of this, my children Carajean and Matthew are almost paranoid over the possibility I might be exposed to the virus. My cottage has a large front porch that is conducive to holding "porch visits" while maintaining social distancing. During these visits everyone wears their mask unless they are eating or drinking. Everyone but me. My oxygen tubing makes it too difficult. If anyone needs to be indoors (Matthew is my go-to for minor tasks and "fix its"; Carajean changes my sheets), I am instructed to remain on the porch. Ordering groceries and medications online has made shopping possible during this pandemic. As I no longer own a car, I can easily have them delivered or picked up curbside. Again, my children or grandchildren come to the rescue.

It appears I may have to wait longer for my much-needed haircut. I really don't mind, but I look forward to being able to visit at someone's place besides my own! Or having company indoors again. The weather reports become critical in planning porch visits. Thank goodness the Hill Country has had a fairly mild winter so far. Playing dominoes or Qwirkle in 60- and 70- degree weather is not so bad.  Remarkably, the reports say we will have record-breaking 85 degrees this afternoon.

Modern technology has been a huge blessing (and even a curse at times). No matter that we might be confined to home, there are always texts, emails, and entertainment at our fingertips. We may have cowered in fear at some of the news that reached us day and night. As we anxiously awaited election news, we were bombarded with conspiracies and threats from the opposing sides. Then there were the constant instances of the votes being threatened in state after state by a president who refused to believe he would not be around another four years!  We held our breath as votes were counted and then recounted.

Whew.. At last we had a new President elected - or thought we did. Then January 6th happened. The repercussions of the assault on our nation's Capitol continue to this day. Many of the participants are being arrested and charged. And finally, the instigator of the horrific events of that day will be judged by a jury of his peers. Our former president probably won't be convicted at his impeachment due to his loyal followers who fear for their futures if they vote to convict. The world knows he is guilty. In the meantime, President Biden is making progress in undoing so much damage that was done to our democracy by the previous administration. Way to go, Joe!

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On a lighter note. The bright spots in a dark year were staying in touch with friends. I love hearing news regarding their families. One dear friend in Denton has a daughter, Donna Rodgers, who is amazing in her talents. Her mother recently shared a photo of her daughter's most recent accomplishments.  From time to time, I had checked her homemaking blog. www.cominhome.net Besides homeschooling her five children, Donna is an accomplished seamstress, musician, songwriter, and since about 2016-2017, she began to use the sculpting tools left to her by her late father. These are just a couple of examples. More can be seen on her website www.classicalsculpting.com.

This is titled after the Greek mythological character Arethusa, Nymph of Achaia. Donna's daughter Rebekah was the model. She uses members of her family as well as friends as models. 

She used her youngest son Christian, who was on his way to boot camp, to model Lucifer's angry rage at his defeat in Paradise Lost. Donna said that he made the angriest face she'd ever seen! 

Donna's websites share her remarkable life and interests. She even tried her hand at beekeeping. You can find out more and see her sculptures from her Instagram site:  @donnacrodgers.. or her blog at https://donnacrodgers.com/blog/.  She is one busy lady -- working a full-time job as well as all of her artistic endeavors.

Makes me feel more than a little bit lazy!.. But then, I remind myself of the title of this post, and I am going to go into the living room and "sit there".

Peace,

Marilyn