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.

Father's Day 2020

As per Dad's wish, we visited Mother's grave this Father's Day.

At 94, he is doing remarkably well.

Dad turns 94 amidst Social Distancing

Social Distancing - noun, medical definition: "the avoidance of close contact with other people during the outbreak of a contagious disease in order to minimize exposure and reduce the transmission of infection." (Merriam-Webster online dictionary)

A short 3 months ago, I had never heard this term. Now, it dominates our lives. Case in point ... please see the photo of Dad's 94th Birthday Party below:

Dad sits in his driveway between 2 (of his 3) loyal and dedicated caretakers, Lynn and Susan, as Nancy, Helen and I bring him birthday wishes while wearing our COVID-19 face masks. No hugs. No cards. No giant birthday luncheon at his office. Instead, we practice Social Distancing of 20 feet.

In hopes that Dad could see it, I created a crude 3 foot by 5 foot Birthday Card and laid it in the driveway.

Sigh ... maybe we can have a real Birthday Party later.

The World Turned Upside Down

April was COVID-19 Stay Home month.

Based on Orders issued by our former across-the-street neighbor, and County Medical Officer, Dr. Gianfranco Pezzino 

as well as one issued by our former down-the-street neighbor, and current Kansas Governor, Laura Kelly

we stayed home all of April.

Helen cooked. We both did laundry and cleaned the house ... sort of. Except for a few brief trips to our offices, and some walks and bicycle rides, we stayed home. Whether Constitutional or not, we complied with their Orders. Most people did. Oh yes, I occasionally attacked the Crow Links in the back yard ... 

but was still not able to improve my putting.

Fortunately, at least so far, COVID-19 has only impacted a small percentage of Kansans. Regardless, we will remember this as the time our World Turned Upside Down. I think most people will.