​So Odd

Tonight's debate was quite memorable.

I studied the scene before the candidates came "on stage". Two podiums and a desk for the moderator. It didn't look that different, except for the chairs, spaced apart.

I got no photos of the family members as they entered.  The Trump family promptly took off masks as soon as they were seated. 

Trump and Biden came on stage. No handshakes, as planned. All looked somewhat normal for moment.

What I witnessed for the next 90 minutes was astonishing. Trump refused to condemn white nationalism and to commit to a peaceful transition of power.

Trump bullied Biden about his son and avoided questions about the pandemic. Mostly he interrupted constantly. I was furious, but Biden never lost his temper. Biden did however call the president a clown and told him to shut up. It was stressful to watch, but I felt our president's real character was revealed. I needed to watch.

I snapped a pic at the end. I wish I could have seen Chris Wallace's face. I'm sure he was stunned. He needed a gavel or a mute button. I was glad to see Jill Biden walk up with a mask... although I would have liked to have seen her smile.
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​Love This

I saw this recently on the internet. I wonder who the artist is, who created this little gem.

I don't imagine Van Gogh ever sat still too long. If he'd been forced to quarantine, he'd have been fine if he'd had enough paint and canvases.
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Paint Therapy

I'm jealous of a couple of my artist friends, who have been making good use their time at home, during these Covid months. I so wish I could paint... and create!

Actually. I did get out the brush (and roller) the other day. I painted the room where my computer sits, a few feet from my childhood bed. Painting the ugly walls was actually really good therapy.

Back in April, I painted my son's old bedroom. I listened to Italian language tapes... because I thought we'd still be going to Italy in October. And I smiled to think Scott and Chali would be surprised when they came for Christmas, to see the fresh walls.

Well, the kids aren't coming for Christmas and and we definitely are not going to Italy now. But this room is brighter and happier and so am I. Someday the kids will get back to this house for a visit and someday grandkids will see this little bed! That's a mighty fun thought!
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But I opened this one, that came a few days ago. I totally forgot it was the time of year, when we should be having the County Fair. It's also Homecoming time. I guess some celebrations have actually taken place.

I paused to absorb the photos. What a sad reminder of where we are right now. But it was also pretty sweet, to see these young women, standing graciously in gowns and masks. I'm sure they did not want to wear those masks, but they were willing to adapt.

If these young people can do what's right, you'd think our president could!
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​Crowds in the Garden

Today, Trump announced his Supreme Court nomination of Amy Coney Barrett, in the Rose Garden.

Ruth Bader Ginsberg died just a week ago. The election is just over a month away. This seems wrong. But it also seems wrong to have so many people jammed together for this ceremony... during Covid.

I caught a few glimpses of the ceremony later, on the news. Why are these people all so close? 

Why are so few wearing masks? These are different people than the crowds we see at the rallies. Aren't these smart people?

And what's with all this hugging? People have been refraining from hugging their elderly relatives for months. Children have been told to stay apart in school. Why is this okay?
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​RBG at the U.S. Capital

Once again, I was drawn to the TV for something, sobering and historic.

The late justice's casket was escorted by Sergeants at Arms, for a private ceremony in Statuary Hall. 

The ceremony was attended by Justice Ginsberg's family and lawmakers... who all looked the same in black clothing and masks. I recognized a few. The Trumps and Pences were not there. 

I studied the uniforms... the guests, spaced far apart... and the statues, watching over.

After a while, the quiet space was filled with the voice of mezzo-soprano, Denyce Graves. FBG loved opera and it seemed so fitting for this special ceremony. RBG was a political trailblazer. Now she has become the first woman to lie in state at the U.S. Capital.
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​Real Concerns

Mostly I ignore the chatter on my Neighborhood Facebook Group. Lots of bored people whining about stupid things. But this sad image caught my eye. This was worth fretting over.

How can this be? Why would someone be wise enough to wear a disposable mask and stupid enough to let it become litter? Thoughts of this poor duck haunted me.

Discoveries

I've taken some different routes on my walks and runs. I hoped to find the duck, but I found other things. I saw the middle school with it's flag at half-mast for Justice Ginsberg. I saw the marquee, with words for the students, who are still doing school from home.

I saw stuffed animals in trees. That was funny. Someone is trying to amuse the kids, I guess.

Signs

And I saw signs at Pecan Park, that made me think a bit.

It was sad to see the red sign near the playground, reminding folks about Covid-19. "Use at your own risk" I was a little amused by the sign that reminded us that we will be fined if we use sticks against the pecan trees. 

I haven't spotted the duck yet, but I did see a few people gathering pecans... without using sticks.
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​One More Funeral

It seems like I've been watching funerals for months. George Floyd and John Lewis and now Ruth Bader Ginsberg. 

It was sobering to watch these former law clerks, carrying her casket. 

Then, I spotted the president on the screen. He stepped out with Melania and received some boos from the crowds on the street. That seems disrespectful. But it's also disrespectful to be talking about replacing Justice Ginsberg, the day she died.

My Way

I hate it that I can't just watch and absorb this ceremony, without feeling anger. I hate the way politics is interfering. I want to feel sad about the loss, without feeling worry about what will happen, now that she's gone.

So I mourned in my own way. I created my own little shrine for RBG in the kitchen. Silly, I know. I have amused myself often during these pandemic months, with whimsical decorating. But today I found a little peace, with my Patriotic Chair... decorated with donkeys and Ruth.
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​Dying Computer

I tried to turn on my computer this morning and it wouldn't.

Luckily my son-in-law works for Apple and he is the kindest, most patient soul! We got it back on, but just enough to back it up. New Mac is ordered! It could take a couple weeks to get it.

Using My Phone!

I am incredibly lucky to have a good cell phone. But I am an old person and using my phone like a computer is already driving me crazy! Today I did a Zoom Training, on my phone! 

I trained and then I passed my quiz, to be on the TX Volunteer Texting Team. I want to help encourage voter turnout.

I wasted hours at this. I am not exaggerating. I went in circles. I was supposed to get a list of 300 numbers to text. I have been beating my self up over my tech incompetence. I just want to help in some way and I am fumbling and failing. 

Whew! I just heard from my friend who is also training. She has given up. It's NOT just me, it's something with the system. That makes me feel only a little better. But, I still need to find a way to be productive and helpful, during these unsettling times!

​Hurricane Beta

Hurricane Beta is the 9th storm to make landfall in the US, this year!

This blasting alert came on our TV. Hopefully we won't have to evacuate like we did 3 years ago.

Fires

I'm not actually worried about floods right now. It's the fires in the west that are terrifying.

Over 5 million acres have burned in California, Oregon and Washington so far. Our kids in CA and OR are dealing with so many worries concerning smoke and fire. 

There is no end to the worries of 2020.
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​Oddly Quiet

Don and I are at the cabin for 2 nights. The weather is lovely, but all seems oddly quiet. Don mowed and grilled and I read and ran.

This morning, the sky was eerily hazy. Was it the smoke from fires in the west? Surely not?

Maybe it really isn't quieter than usual. Maybe it's me. Don and I are used to spending time here, just the 2 of us. But I keep wondering when our kids (now living in CA & OR) will ever be able to spend time in this cabin, again. 

Pandemics make me moody.