It was unseasonably warm in Omaha this past week. Nighttime temperatures in the low to mid 40s and daytime temps reaching into the upper 60s and low 70s. we even hit a record 73ºF on Thursday. The rain two weeks ago brought our drought standing up to moderate, a better level heading into winter. We continue to water our lawn and gardens, trying to set them up for success for next season. Soon though we will be rolling the hoses up and setting them in for the winter months. Excellent weather to sit on the front porch and enjoy a dirty martini.
Some birthdays to report this week: our friend Deb Duggan celebrated a milestone on Tuesday. As Tuesday Drinks Night Zoom went on as scheduled, Deb Covert baked a cake and Mark was tasked with delivering it during the Zoom call. The girls then sang the standard Birthday song. The traditions that this pandemic has forced from a hug inducing get together to forced electronic cheeriness can induce some depression!
Another birthday milestone was that Mark celebrated the conclusion of his 73rd year and the plunge into his 74th on Wednesday. He continues to hobble along with the hip repair getting stronger everyday, as long as he doesn’t try anything stupid, as is his wont.
We celebrated Mark’s day by having a dinner with Abigail, Darcy and Maria at Abigail’s house. Although there has been some valid criticism regarding discussion on this site of mundane meals such as Hot Dogs or grilled cheese sandwiches, this birthday dinner was a special request of the celebrant; grilled thick hamburgers, Deb’s world famous potato salad, and a resurrection of Deb’s Mom’s baked bean recipe. A dessert of homemade chocolate swirl cake made for a great evening. The girls produced a pair of homemade fruitcake; they amassed all the ingredients and baked up two huge loaves, an effort truly appreciated. One was partially consumed and one was carried home, going into the freezer to be trotted out at some future time and occasion for all to enjoy!
Our weekly Family Zoom on Saturday was well attended with Claire, Jessy, John, Lynn, Abigail, Ed & Meg and Jake & Audry in attendance. We covered the impending Thanksgiving plans that normally would have included most of us getting together, which, this year will be small home gatherings with the standard menu but held throughout the land in our individual places. Maybe a Zoom meet with the various turkey carcass remains on display?
We enjoyed the company of our friends Lee and Howie Needelman around our patio fire pit on Thursday, utilizing a different source for pizza - Tasty Pizza, a small local restaurant where we ordered in six of their 8” pies: Marguerita, Bacon Gouda, Pepperoni, Meatball, Supreme, and Mushroom. All were delicious; the Bacon Gouda and the Supreme were clear favorites.
Friday, November 20, is a sad day around our home, marking this year the 6th anniversary of the loss of Glenda and Jeff’s son Tony; a young man full of promise, intelligence and talent. Deb, as she does most years, traveled to Lincoln to lay some flowers on the grave and reminisce with Glenda. Tony’s life is a memory that we will treasure and hold in our hearts.
As all readers will know, there as been no concession this week from the great orange presence - only a failure of over twenty lawsuits he and his troupe have instigated to try and overcome the election results. In the meantime, his administration’s refusal to allow GSA to begin the transition to the Biden administration means that we as a nation fall further into potential harm and definite diminishment of our standing in the world as a shining example of democracy. How can one person bring an entire nation to such a low point? The coronavirus has now taken the lives of over 250,000 Americans; the great leader does not acknowledge this but only rants about how his rightful win has been stolen. The Statue of Liberty must be weeping torrents, just as the rest of the nation is standing tearfully by, trying to understand why this is happening. The only answer is a septuagenarian spoiled child not getting his way.
Thank you all for your votes. Now we must continue to vigilantly push together to get to that day in January when we can celebrate; not only the end of our suffering, but it is also Abigail’s birthday - another reason to celebrate. Keep washing your hands, mask up, stay distanced as best you can, think of all your friends and relatives this coming holiday, and give thanks for what can again become a proud nation.
