February, March and Part of April 2021

Where has the time gone?  As we continue to deal with all the changes caused by Covid-19 and the restrictions placed on our behavior, time has both been slow (this has been going on forever) and fast (wow, it has been more than a year).

From Megan's learning to fly, we have learned about a lenticular clouds: Lenticular clouds are stationary clouds that form mostly in the troposphere, typically in perpendicular alignment to the wind direction. They are often comparable in appearance to a lens or saucer. Nacreous clouds that form in the lower stratosphere sometimes have lenticular shapes.

We have continued to enjoy fresh vegetables from the Flagstaff CSA.

We had some amazing winter sunrises.

Snow came and went quickly, often gone by the next morning.

But there appeared to be plenty of snow on Mount Humphries.

We had seen a recipe for a Negroni cocktail, so we had to try it.

We still hiked, just not as much because snow and ice that remained on shady parts of the trails - but we still made it to the Duck Pond at the junction of the Arizona and Sinclair Wash Trails.

As before, we got more snow but it did not last long.

We loved this decal seen while out walking.

More snow on March 23 - but it did not last.

I got my two doses of the Moderna vaccine through the VA on Jan. 28 and Feb. 25.  Patty got her two doses through the Safeway pharmacy on Feb. 14 and Mar. 14.  Megan got her first dose, so we felt comfortable with going to Phoenix to celebrate Patty's birthday with Megan. 

While at our condo, early Saturday morning, we saw the ducks in the swimming pool.

We ran errands, visited with Anne and Shawn and then on Saturday evening, had a zoom birthday party where Ben and Martha joined Megan, Patty and me.  On Sunday the three of us went to the Desert Botanical Garden - among other things was the Earth display made from some 10,000 flowers, and we had brunch at Gertrude's Restaurant.

On April 7, we had the new induction top stove delivered from Ikea, unboxed it, attached the correct four lead wire, installed it, made it level and Patty was happy and ready to cook.

Patty got her "Fauci Ouchie" shirt to show she had received the covid vaccine.

And a last gift of "I'm too sexy to be 70" socks were received

After the big peak in covid cases, the numbers were coming down, but are now going back up again as states like Arizona open things up.  Record hospitalizations are happening in the midwest and northeast, along with different variants of covid, so we are still being cautious in what we do.  Still wearing masks and keep distance except when with friends who have both been vaccinated - Friday the 9th we had TGIF in our driveway, enjoying drinks in the warm afternoon sun with Linda and Richard.

Snow, snow and more snow, January 15 - 30, 2021

On Monday the18th, MLK Day, it was warm and sunny - so warm that after our hike, we sat out front in the sun and had a drink.  Patty even took her shoes off

The next morning, we had a stunning sunrise before the storm brought snow - less than 24 hours from when we sat in the sun.

And then the snow came.

They had an unusual way of plowing, making snow banks six feet tall where they pushed the snow.

On the 22d and 23rd, we had another storm with about 6 inches of snow.

Cars could not make it up the hill behind us.

The big storm came on the evening of Sunday the 24th - it snowed continuously until midday on Tuesday the 26th.  The official report said 31 inches at the airport with as much as 47 inches in various locations.  We easily had more than 30 inches - I shoveled 8 times over three days, each time there was 4 - 8 inches of snow.  The snowbanks out front were chest high.

Cars in the HOA near us where buried.

On the 28th, while walking the dog after lunch, I was called by the VA - I was number one on the standby list.  I brought the dog home and got there in less than 20 minutes.  I got the first dose of the Moderna Vaccine and have an appointment for the second dose on Feb. 25.  On Friday the 29th, it snowed again, between 6 and 8 inches.  

Covid numbers are still bad, with Arizona being the worst in the USA, while the USA has the worst numbers in the world.  Had I not stumbled into this opportunity with the VA, I would be like Patty and many of our friends and neighbors, searching constantly for an appointment for the vaccine.  Even with the vaccine, I now wear two masks when I go to the store or medical appointments.  And as before, I continue to go at times when I have limited exposure to others.

A New and Larger Desk, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021

Since we moved my office into the guest bedroom, I could have a larger desk.  Now I have a file drawer and supply drawer to my left and an area to store notebooks and large books to my right.  Center drawer over the kneehole has a built-in surge protector. But the desk came unassembled.  We could have paid $80 for assembly - but not us.  The 90 pound box arrived Thursday morning.  It took the two of us to carry it into the garage.  I then made about twenty trips upstairs, carrying several parts per trip.  There were three pages for the parts list and 29 pages of assembly instruction.

But we worked carefully and took our time, resting when needed.

Finally we finished and now I need to get organized.  I have ordered a clear plastic cover to protect the top of the desk.  And I am now using my new desk.