January
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| Hoppin' John - Traditional New Year First Meal for Good Luck The new year started out with hope and optimism. The prevalent attitude was that 2021 couldn't be worse than 2020 which had set the bar at its lowest level in American history. A worldwide pandemic and American politics affected every aspect of life as we knew it. Caution was in the air as everyone wore masks and kept at a distance. Look before you leap and being wary of people around who might react unreasonable and maybe even violently. But most of all, don't poke the hornets nest and just walk on by to your destination. Everyday was heartbreaking with news of lives lost or affected from COVID-19. The reality of a vaccine soon was very hopeful. January 6, 2021 will go down in history as the day the Republican Losers violently tried and failed to overturn our government. The details are widely published from the visual recordings, in-person witnesses, with all the world watching in real time on media. The big lies could not compete with the truth which became widely available and accepted by the majority through unbiased fact-checking published through the media. The convictions and punishments are ongoing for those that broke the laws. The Republican Losers did not gain any ground in their cause but became bigger losers as the former president distanced himself all along the way while poking the hornets nest with his defiance and lies from a safe place. It was so good to see him leave the White House with so many good citizens collectively slamming the door on his ass in their minds! Good riddance and good bye! I do believe our country needs at least two strong political parties for good representation. The Republicans chose a man with weak character that did more harm than good in his four years as president. I hope and pray they don't make that mistake again! Now our new Democratic president has a big mess to clean up and many executive orders to reverse so we can move forward and prosper. So far so good. He is much more popular, knowledgeable, and experienced for the job.  My first visual sign of hope came from my Thanksgiving Cactus that didn't bloom for Thanksgiving or for Christmas. I think it was appropriate that it waited until after 2020 was over as it may have been afraid to come out in such a negative world. So here it bloomed and gave me some much needed joy in January!  The Christmas present from our son and his wife came a couple weeks past the holidays but was a very welcome surprise! The tiny pineapple growing gave me hope that with loving care, we will have fruit bear later this year. Really a neat plant that brightened up the winter months for us!  New Puzzle Board While the world outside was in COVID pandemic and restless political turmoil, I spent many hours safe inside with my new puzzle board. This was where I was at the time of the historical attack on the Nation's Capital Building in Washington, D. C. I stood up and watched on TV as it went down in plain view for all to see after their loser of a leader encouraged them in his public speech. I was appalled while many supporters of that Loser were in denial. Seeing is believing and many followers just went silent in their stupidity. The votes were counted and verified through the traditional electoral process in spite of the violence. I was feeling very much alone. Not the first time and likely not the last time. This was a time I needed to be alone to assess who in the world I wanted in my world. Best place to think it out is at nearby Ha Ha Tonka State Park walking up and down the stairs and trails on a mild January day. The Castle shows me that even something that appears in ruin can bring people together. Also, a natural spring will flow and bring life to all around it from a greater source if you come to it. I love nature and I love humans but human nature really can disappoint sometimes!  Ha Ha Tonka Castle Ruins  My Selfie at the Spring  Happy Inauguration Day * Biden * Harris Celebration Cake This was a good time to use my skills to bake a cake and eat it too! It not only tasted good but felt so good to share it with my husband who actually ate one piece before I threw the rest in the garbage. Diabetics don't need more than one piece. It made me happy and was such a sweet day to celebrate! On January 22, 2021, we received our 1st COVID vaccine at the local county health department. I think it was just the second day it was available and we got right in! Both of us just had a sore arm at the injection site. Now we wait 4 weeks for the 2nd vaccine. In the meantime, life goes on with caution but much more hope! It's still a cold winter to wait out.  February   Daughter and Granddaughter enjoying the snow...  ...and sledding!  Negative 20 degrees was the coldest I've ever experienced in Missouri!  Super Bowl Sunday was all about the food - 3 kinds of wings, chips & dips, and veggies! Too bad the Kansas Chiefs lost this year but it was an exciting game!  Comfort foods included homemade chicken 'n noodles over mashed potatoes for several meals.  First crocus flowers blooming in my yard brings hope for spring! On February 22, 2012, we received our 2nd COVID vaccine! We were making plans to get back to as normal as possible in the next couple weeks. I'm thinking deep tissue massage appointments, eating inside restaurants, leisure shopping at the malls, regular gym attendance, and not wearing masks everywhere as people move around cautiously and restrictions are slowly lifted. Still keeping a mask handy! We did attend our favorite yearly public event in Springfield - The Home and Garden Show less than two weeks after our 2nd vaccine. We had a direct purpose and did not linger around as much as we usually would in previous years. We wanted to buy some new poly furniture for our new deck. We found what we were looking for and put in a custom order to be delivered in 4-6 weeks. It was more than we had hoped for and at a better price than we expected! Last year's attempt to purchase didn't end well. We even had extra stimulus money to get more this year! My reaction to the 2nd vaccine was not pleasant with a sore arm at the injection site, all joints painful, whole body fatigue, 99.9 fever for 5 hours, stiff neck, no appetite, and lost 5 pounds in 2 days but still had taste and smell. When it was over after 48 hours, I was energetic and feeling great! Really moving forward now...  The month of February ended with another uplifting hike to Ha Ha Tonka castle ruins as the daylight increased. March This month I began going back to the gym in Bolivar. It had been almost one year since the pandemic closed it down and the YMCA left it vacant. It was picked up by the City of Bolivar and the Silver Sneakers Program continued with much less attendance and every other exercise machine blocked off from use for safe distancing. It felt so good to get back on track with my three days a week; two hours per day routine. The weather was nice some days to hike the 3-mile river trail close to home also. I was happy to be rid of the five pounds I had gained over the winter and my energy was increasing! We had our in-home health nurse come by for a wellness visit with dental and eye appointments made. We are okay. It was now time to have our granddaughter come for an extended weekend stay at our house again. This is the greatest joy in my life! She is such a loving child and so much fun! Here are some of the highlights from her visit...  Checking out the new and final rock garden project by Grandpa which will be my new strawberry garden.  Bandu block building is one of the old toys from her mom's childhood  Play Dough fun outside  Also chalk drawings everywhere  Time to roast hotdogs and marshmallows in the new chiminea area in the backyard  Swinging with Grandpa below the dam  New playground equipment below the dam  Sliding all by herself  Learning where pineapples come from and an opportunity to talk about Uncle Jake who gave us the plant for Christmas  Playing soccer on the back deck works really well instead of the steep yard  Time to feed the birds   My Mother's Memory Bears I made 20 years ago are in her room watching over her as she sleeps and I begin to tell the story of how my mother came to this country.  Play with my old dolls and needlecraft  Dust mopping chores are fun  Watching Grandpa clean and wax his kayak getting it ready for a new fishing season Definitely getting close to normal by the end of March as we venture out bravely and confidently to eat inside restaurants and almost made plans to take a trip to Hot Springs, Arkansas. The spa bath experience we have enjoyed most years since the 1990s at The Arlington Hotel were only open during the weekends yet. So we will wait until late October and hope that part of our lives will move forward. So far, so good! In our Hickory County, we have only had 1-2 active COVID cases the past few months and none in April with vaccination rates high. i understand much of the world is not there yet and caution is still a priority since no vaccine in 100%. We are definitely moving forward in 2021! |
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