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September, 2020:

Summer 2020

Some things have remained normal while other things are, well, different.  The “pandemic” (I can only imagine how crazy things would be if this were something like Ebola or major natural disaster or war) and all the rioting and a president who continues to divide this country … things are nuts 🙁

School started a week late in August.  It’s not normal school.  We had the choice between full day remote or half day in / half day remote.  At first he was going to do all remote but we switch to the “hybrid” option.  It seems to be going okay.  They have to wear masks the entire time in school but do get outside breaks where they can take off their mask.  Still the lack of total social contact is concerning, like not being able to see the teachers face or visa versa

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Still we made it through the first day, picture day, and all the days of mask-wearing thus far.  We now have a rack of masks which used to hold our keys but now has a dozen or so hanging on it.  We also have a container of hand sanitizer next to the door.  And a stock pile of those things in the car as well.

The summer was not all too different from usual for us despite cancelled camps and sports which were a total disappointment at the time to the kids.  Still we spent a ton of time at the lake and even had some small groups of friends & family visit with us.

Both of them learned how to kneeboard and then kneeboard standing up as well (Brett on the right in this picture wasn’t as successful)

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We created a makeshift slip & slide and surpassed the mandated 2 people per boat pandemic restriction multiple times 😐

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We watched fireworks on the lake (amazing) and numerous sunsets

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Once we had a butterfly visit and ride around the entire lake on the boat with us

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The kids actually took a 10-mile bike ride with me.  Success!

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I learned how to catch crappy.  I caught a giant walleye too this summer (unfortunately no picture though) and numerous bass, one perch and some bluegill.  One morning maybe hundreds of gnats died and landed on the water.  There was no wind in the portion of the lake I normally fish and the gnats piled up near the docks.  The bass were literally jumping out of the water to get the gnats.  I’ve never caught fish so easily in my life before.

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I even somehow snagged this little thing

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We found a local butcher and I swear I’ll never buy meat anywhere else if I don’t have to (these are country ribs, yum!)

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This giant yellow garden spider spun a web next to the front door.

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And Grandpa gave him some advice on how to repair decking (FYI I did nearly all the work on my own)

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Sports were abbreviated this year.  Softball & Baseball began in early August and just wrapped up this week.  Unfortunately she missed out on what likely would have been a solid District team and hopeful state qualifier.  She has turned into one of the leagues best pitchers 🙂  His team just won their league’s championship game.  He struggled a bit at the plate early on but after borrowing Grandpa’s wooden bat and working on his swing he hit the ball multiple times in nearly every game after that.  Fortunately both kids were picked for the Gold Sox in their respective league, hence the matching jerseys (I coached her team)

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Grandpa came to all of his games and wasn’t afraid to give him regular advice

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For me I spent most of my free time (and some time when I should have been working) in our attic.  Nearly done … 4 (almost 5) months later

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This was my birthday present to myself this year (a dumpster rental), lol

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The garden wasn’t much of a success this year.  Totally bummed about that.  It produced one pumpkin, zero potatoes, zero orange peppers (although some are still growing), zero jalapenos (although some of those “may” still be growing too), 2 cucumbers, a couple green onions, a few michiana peppers, a few green peppers, lots of red/yellow cherry tomatoes.  Broccoli, cabbage and brussel sprouts as well as some peppers are still growing but it’s nearly October 🙁  I was however successful with basil, oregano, thyme and dill.  Spring can’t come soon enough.  I think a lack of sun because a tree grew over the garden this year caused some or maybe all of the issues.  Or maybe it was the weird May weather we had.

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Some of the flowers I planted as seeds did really well though

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Personally, I don’t mind the pandemic.  I don’t need the big parties or social events.  Concerts, sporting events and dining out are fun but I don’t miss them.  If I could have anything I’d be happy on the lake fishing every single day.

Things are way better for the kids than in the spring.  The social isolation for them really affected their personalities.  They’ve both found small groups of friends to hang out with.  Sports helped too.  As did spending time at the lake.  I’m worried about the winter though and how things will play out.  When it’s warm it’s easier to socialize outside but once it’s freezing cold out I’m not yet sure how things will work.

Everything else in the world though seems out of control.  I’m worried how this isolation and social unrest will affect groups of people.  The news and social media cause most of the problems.  People are using social media platforms to create chaos.  And the news focuses on it.  Looking back at the news before all this they’d focus on terrorism around the world but now they hardly talk about it.  Why?  Did it disappear?  Is it no longer important?  I don’t get it…  And the president is simply a fool elected by fools.  I don’t care if you’re democrat or republican this idiot doesn’t belong leading our country.  He’s no good for anyone.  Sigh

I’m hoping for a better 2021 but the upcoming election period is sure to be a mess …

In the meantime I’ll spend time in the attic, at the lake, catering to the needs of my kids, and working occasionally (assuming my client has work for me to do).