Odds and Ends

We made it through another Dec. 20 yesterday without too many woes. 

I'm always nervous on that calendar date.  It was Dec. 20, 1984, when our house burned down, and we lost almost everything.

In that family disaster, we gained priceless knowledge about the goodness and generosity of our community, friends and family. 

On Dec. 20, 2003, Willie took his first trip in his late grandfather's pickup, which his grandmother gave to him with a really good deal. 

Willie made it about two miles down the highway on his way to Les Schwab to get snow tires.  Then, he hit a patch of ice and rolled the pickup. 

Bill was behind him and suddenly noticed no pickup in front of him.  It had gone over the embankment. Luckily, Willie was okay but broken-hearted about his grandpa's pickup. His grandpa had died just weeks before. 

Two major emotional and disastrous events on the same date----it makes one think every time that date rolls around. 

Well, on Dec. 20, 2021, the dryer here at the Love house went down.  Not too emotional, just exasperating at this time of the year. 

Good fortune struck, however, when we were able to find a repair service.  Someone will come tomorrow to fix the dryer. 

When we experience this time of year, we always remember times past.  This morning, I thought about Christmas 2020.  

I think there's a book which could be compiled detailing the way the peoples of the world celebrated their Christmas holiday and traditions last year. 

We about froze to death, but we, as local family members, made some memories, masks and all, both here and at my sisters' arena.

And, so, on this shortest day of the year, we're approaching another Christmas with a sense of vagueness for how it's gonna go and what we're going to do to create our family memories this year. 

This year is very different. We've all experienced some senses of normalcy and relative freedom of movement and interaction.   As we approach Christmas, however, the Covid situation is so fluid and the guidelines are fraught with mixed messages. 

So, I'm guessing the best strategy is to stick with what has kept us, in our family unit, healthy for nearly two years.  Those basic guidelines of getting vaccinated,  masking and keeping our distance in crowds have worked thus far. So, we'll probably stick with them again.  

Maybe our gatherings will be warmer this year since we've had some experience at navigating through this Covid environment, but whatever we do, we'll likely all stay on the same page.  

Let's hope for the best.  

When I see that one of my least favorite people in the entire world has publicly announced that he has received all three Covid vaccinations and that he acknowledges that "millions of lives have been saved worldwide" from the vaccines, I hope his followers will listen and that maybe in the long run, I can give him credit for showing some sense of responsibility.

Lots to think about during this season and uncertainty once again reigns, but like following some sensible guidelines AND remembering the basics that mean the most to us---- the reason for the season, family, friends, love, caring about others, we will do okay and probably enjoy some meaningful memories with Christmas 2021. 

Whatever and however it all unfolds. 

Just some Bridie pics.  Annie took the one above, while---rather than yelling and screaming yet another NO, I grabbed my phone and caught her in the act.

 Then, I laughed. Such a precious little character.

 

From our Irish friend Vince aka Oskar Suf Suf.  He says and I'll second the motion, if you get offended easily, scroll on. 

Paddy got the Covid

He thought he'd surely die

He couldn't understand it

He'd had his booster shot

This outcome should be impossible

But why the phlegm and snot?

Paddy got the Covid

He thought he'd surely die

It started with a tickle

Then a hacking cough

Later a fever hit him

Was that not enough?

Paddy got the Covid

He thought he'd surely die.

Through the sweats and shivers

He took to his warm bed

His wife and family watched

Worried he'd soon be dead.

Paddy got the Covid

He thought he'd surely die.

He worried about his holiday

He'd booked, paid and had to fly

Would he get a refund back

Now that he was soon to die?

Paddy got the Covid

He thought he'd surely die.

In a rare lucid moment

Between bouts that sapped his zest

He called out to all that would listen

" I need the feckin test!"

Paddy got the Covid

He thought he'd surely die.

He stood in line shivering

Awaiting his turn in fear

What result was his? Positive?

Was death really this near?

Paddy got the Covid

He thought he'd surely die.

 He lay in bed worrying

Would all his fears come true?

His wife approached with his phone

"Your results are in and here for you."

Paddy thought he had the Covid

But he only had the flu.

Meanwhile, from Twitter

Stark difference in price in at home covid tests US v. Ireland. $15 each v. €3 each.

Hmmm!

And, "Hats Off" to Connie in Hope for her latest blog post. 

 https://retiredmtnlady.blogspot.com/

Happy Tuesday.