6 month summary and review

More than 6 months have passed since my last World of Crow post. It's hard to say where the time has gone. This post cannot fully document those forgotten events and photos. But, since this blog serves as my journal, here is an attempted summary.

April 2021 - food:

 As it ends up, Helen can really cook. Yep, the secret is out. She has excellent skills and even better instincts. Healthy food is much tastier than unhealthy food. Together, we have created some cooking masterpieces. No, nothing that will win awards, but lots of yummy, healthy, and pallet-satisfying meals created on our 60-year-old Hotpoint Range. Here is an example or two:

California: 

As soon as our vaccinations matured, we got on an airplane to California. It had been 14 months since I'd hugged my kid ... and her kids.

April snow:

Ya gotta love Kansas weather. Upon our return from California, we enjoyed an April Winter Wonderland.

May 2021 - Dad turns 95:

At 95, Dad does remarkably well ... thanks to the kind and gentle care he receives from Kathie, Susan, and especially Lynn. SACII came to town for a quiet celebration. A cigar seemed appropriate.

Arkansas golf: 

After missing 2020 due to COVID-19, our golfing group traveled to Bella Vista, Arkansas, for 5 days of golf and friendship. Play it where it lies, Brent.

Memorial Day:

June 2021 - Back to California:

Can't get enough of those grandkids.

(What is George doing?)

July 2021 - Andy and SACII visit:

The 4th of July brought Andy from Florida and SAC II from Springfield to visit Dad.

Knocked down, but not out:

Helen loves to reward the delivery people ... especially during COVID when we've relied on them so much. She places Peanut M&Ms on the front porch for them to take as they please. PROBLEM: Our yard is full of squirrels and THEY love the peanuts. After trying many (many) containers, Helen may have finally found a winner.

August - a visit from Grandkids:

Shortly after they left Kansas, Helen flew to California for more Grandchildren time.

September:

We have some time together before Helen returns to California again for even more Grandchildren time.

Tree trimming and removal:

Maybe cutting down the walnut tree will convince the squirrels to relocate?

There you have it ... a seven-month summary.

Staring at the floor

In the past year, I have spent approximately 6 full days staring at the floor. I've seen all kinds of floors. Carpet. Hardwood. Rugs. Fritztile Terrazzo. Here are a few:

I've even spent time staring at decks, patios, parking lots, and tee boxes. I've seen them all very close-up ... from 2 feet to less than 2 inches away. 

Yep, more than 70,000 Push-Ups a year gives you lots of time to stare at the floor.

COVID-19 vaccine - shot #2

On March 24, 2020, as the spread of the COVID-19 virus was escalating, the Shawnee County Health Department issued a Safer at Home Order directing all non-essential workers to stay home in hopes of slowing the spread of the deadly virus. Confusion, anger, and fear immediately followed.

Exactly one year later, on March 24, 2021, I received my second shot of the Pfizer vaccine.

A lot has happened in the last year. While confusion about the virus still abounds, more than 46,000,000 Americans have now been fully vaccinated ... approximately 14% of our population. We still have a long way to go, but some sense of normalcy might be on the horizon.

Avocado Green ...

Check out our vintage 1970s Hamilton Beach Switchblade electric knife in Avocado Green. Yep, it still works ... even though the cord requires the help of some electrical tape.

It totally compliments our 1950s GE Hotpoint Range.

We are soooo retro-hip.

Dan turns 69

A giant Thank You to George for my "chocolate-proof" shirt. Yep, according to George, while wearing this shirt I can eat chocolate without worrying about spilling it ... as opposed to my traditional white golf shirts that would show chocolate stains. Thanks, George. I love it.

This Birthday is my 69th. Wow, where did 7 decades go?

It is also Inauguration Day. Today, amidst 20,000 National Guard troops, Joe Biden will be sworn in as our 46th President. Kamala Harris will be sworn in as our Vice President.

Today's date is also a palindrome. 1202021 backward is 1202021. 69 upside down is 69. A lot of things seem backward and upside down right now.

It couldn't look worse.

"There is nothing to lose, it couldn't look worse."  

After repeating that mantra over, and over, and over again, I finally convinced Helen to pick up the scissors and cut my hair. As a consequence of COVID social distancing, it had been more than 4 months.

After watching some YouTube videos, Helen reluctantly agreed. "There is nothing to lose, it couldn't look worse." 

An hour later, Hair By Helen was born.

My barber of 40 years has been furloughed.

Speaking of hair, the No-Shave November campaign caught my attention early in the month. I lastest for 3 weeks.

I like razor blades.

Family Zoom Christmas - 2020

Well, it is what it is.

Merry Zoom Christmas 2020 from Topeka, to Springfield, to Independence, to Minneapolis, to Redwood City.

42,000 Push-Ups

When COVID took over our lives in March, I decided that being physically fit was more important than ever. Strength. Flexibility. Balance. Good heart health, too. Since late March, I've been doing 8 sets of 25 Push-Ups every day. To date, that amounts to more than 42,000 Push-Ups.

Combined with some stretching, some balance exercises, a good diet, and occasionally lugging my golf bag around, I've been able to gain strength while losing 10% of my body weight. Who needs a fancy gym? Push-Ups only need a floor.