Curacao Merry Christmas!

Happy to be sailing again even with masks!

Covid Winter

 We went south as usual this year figuring it was nicer to be in the warm weather if we had to be confined and cautious.  The family was doing well and we gathered just before we left to enjoy each other's company and say goodbye.  We planned to stay in Florida for the holidays to avoid travel.

Everyone has been cautious, zoom board meetings, little activity inside at all.  The gallery has held exhibits with everyone just dropping off their work and scooting away.  Not much socializing unfortunately.  Fortunately because we can be outside the painters meet wearing masks but can still enjoy painting and chatting safely.

The holidays were a bit strange with a zoom Christmas.  We watched as they opened gifts and laughed together.  George and I filled stockings for each other and exchanged a few gifts just to make the day a bit special.

George kept busy doing puzzles, each one more difficult than the other.  It was challenging and fun to post him working on them.  He also learned to make pie pastry and has made quiches, pot pies and others with this own crust and fillings.  New tools helped and I enjoyed the products of his labor.

Kris and Mitchell flew down in January then just Kris again in February.  We ate in a few restaurants outside only and enjoyed the beaches a bit but it was a much different experience than usual.

Now many are getting the vaccines and things will open up.  The insanity from politics is much less now that 45 is out and Biden is president.  There was a huge sigh of relief from all of us so tired of the awful mess he created.  The vaccines were a wonderful accomplishment done more in spite of politics than because of it.  Slowly the world is getting the shots and hopefully this pandemic will die down and life will return to a new normal.

I'm still doing some art and now that sanity is being restored I hope to be revitalized!

This is "Found"  created this summer from found items. A piece of handmade paper from a stash made by paper guild ages ago, a paper towel that I saved because I thought it was beautiful, a piece of grass cloth from the Scrapbox junk, a bottlecap, a feather found in a stash from a friend, and a broken beer bottle stuck to it's label found at the boat launch.  George thought I was nuts when I carefully carried it home.  This was fun to assemble on an old canvas I recycled as well.  

Happy Spring!!!!

Just to update...

 This entry is for posterity...

The Covid 19 virus is ramping up again after slowing some at the end of the lock down.  States opened and directed their citizens each in their own way.  Masks or no masks are a huge argument everywhere though the scientists say they help along with social distancing and lots of hand washing.  Michigan was strict and people were angry but our cases did go down. 

Currently Florida is high, Georgia..all republican states.  The virus has become a political issue.  Much has been learned since the first cases struck but now over 170,000 people have died.  Yes, that number is correct.  Having a comorbidity increases the likelihood of dying from this monster

There is a lot of controversy over whether or not schools should be in person or virtual.  Each seems to be different.  Portage is on line while Mitchell is going to his dorm at Western for classes.  Not sure how long that will last as many schools have closed again soon after opening.

And politics and the election is a nightmare.  Biden has chosen Kamala Harris as running mate.Don the Con is getting worse every day and spouts evil.  He is loosing per polls so is now sabotaging the post office to prevent mail in votes getting counted.  They are tossing sorters, picking up boxes and slowing everything down.   I hope to heaven he doesn't manage to win or the country is doomed.

The longest summer...

 On a positive note, the weather here has been remarkable.  Beautiful days, few storms, no tornadoes.  We have been so lucky to be here on the lake to enjoy the water and cooling breeze.

George and I have both been careful and discriminating on what we do.  A bit of shopping for groceries, a few art supplies and only a few people seen outside the family.  The big spurge was for Mitchell's graduation party last weekend.  It was outside  and people for the most part social distanced but few wore masks.  Food was prepackaged including the Chik Fillet main course and there was lots of sanitizer everywhere.   

Mitch was all smiles as he chatted up friends and family celebrating his achievement.  It was a beautiful day and breezy though hot.   Karen and I helped a lot and were pooped the following day!!   Now I am laying low until we are sure no virus was spread despite our pretty careful behavior.

Pickleball is still going strong and I am doing some painting with the plein air group.   This small oil painting done at Pickerel Lake Park was sold to a classmate of ours.  So nice.

I've made a few cards and will begin a painting Karen asked me to do for a friend.  Since we plan to go south after all at the end of October, I have a few more chances to paint plein air and mess in the studio before everything gets packed up.  We are very much missing traveling and planning our trips.  That is a long way off.  Crossing our fingers that our health remains good and no virus invades our home!!

Fourth of July weekend looks beautiful!!

We are getting ready for having fun on the fourth!  Buelows are coming tomorrow for a long weekend on the lake.  Kris and Mitch will join us while Ethan and Jeff are in the Chicago area for BB tournament.  Every weekend is a different city for them.

A little more is open now with masks recommended.  Michigan is pretty good at keeping cases contained but those going to bars are lax and spreading the virus.  We still haven't gone out to eat but enjoy take out occasionally.  Pickleball is up and running to make George happy.  My plein air group will begin next week to meet.  Fortunately that is all outdoors and safely distanced.  I'm looking forward to joining them when I can.  The Saturday meetings and long drives sometimes keep me away.

The small watercolor   5x7  paintings were finished and delivered...

I practiced a bit with oils and painted this view from my walks along East Shore..10x12

These are strange times...not only the virus which is disrupting people's lives but the politics of the country is distressing.  I can't wait for this all to be over.  Ignoring it all seems like putting my head in the sand but following it all closely makes me a bit crazy!!!  I very much miss the anticipation of travel and fellowship of friends as well.   What a very strange time.......

Saga continues......

Mother's Day has come and gone with only a few celebrations around.  We still are under stay at home orders and restaurants are closed here except for take out.   Contacts with the family have been mostly on video as we are all being careful and of course the Gettings were quarantined.

Memorial Day this weekend and finally some nice weather!!  Boats are in the water and ready.  Hopefully we can enjoy some outdoor time and maybe even see friends outside.  What a nice thing that would be.

We have passed the time doing chores around the house, walking,  puzzles, games, painting and reading.  Golf is open now and George is happy about that.

So far only Jeff and Kris had a bout with this virus.  I hope our careful living pays off...I hate to be sick, let alone be in the hospital.  We are fortunate to live where we do and be able to mostly enjoy life as usual.  We don't eat out much normally so don't miss that at all.  Home hair cuts, and a lot of cooking though!!

I am painting the small watercolors still and will post here when finished.  When doing something on commission it takes me a lot longer to get it to the level I think they want.  No quick studies here!!

Lake view......

After a 20 hour trip and 18.75 hrs of driving, mostly George, we are home at the lake.  We were exhausted to say the least but the trip itself was not bad with less traffic.  Pit stops were swift and food was OK eaten standing up.  We were met with a beeping carbon monoxide alarm which was cause for concern.  Turned out it was telling us to buy a new one!  Whew, I was nervous abut going to bed. 

Kris had dropped off the basic food items and turned on the water which was great.  When we got the text later that Jeff was isolated for Covid 19, we had to wipe it all down before adding what we brought up.  Poor Jeff was feeling bad and had the test done.  It was negative but the doc said the tests are unreliable and they treat any with the symptoms as if positive.  The house is on lock down now.  Jeff is doing ok and hopefully will recover soon.  Also hope no one else in the family gets this vicious virus. 

I am still working on unpacking things.  Brought a lot back as I think we will be here late into the fall.  The CDC expects a resurgence of the virus in the fall and I won't travel through this again.  Hard to predict anything but I hope a vaccine is developed soon and that it works. 

Art gear is next and organizing the studio space here.  I'm looking forward to breaking out the paints a bit.  Kathy sends an inspirational photo each week and we work on something to share.  Nice to hear from everyone and it keeps us busy.

We received our credit and bonus from the cancelled cruise.  Have until 2022 to use it.  Since we're not even sure we can do the one next March, we are not picking anything out just yet.  I won't sail again until there is a vaccine.