summer 2011

summer 2011

Paul and I, all 16 kids and Ashley, Benjamin's wife...Christmas 2012

Paul and I, all 16 kids and Ashley, Benjamin's wife...Christmas 2012
family

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

if only, if only...

...I won't incriminate myself here on the blog. I'll never say that Sam and Grace and little Grant are coming from GASP: Virginia. Because we all know that the virus scampers across those state lines like nobody's business. That a recent test that rendered one of them negative would not help in the defense, we are only allowed ten per house here in NY state. Six of us live here, so they COULD actually come here... I will tell you this though, if the police stopped in this evening, they might find four pumpkin pies, three apple pies, and two chocolate pies. (Mariel is making lemon meringue, Ashley also chocolate, Margaret caramel granola, Grace, if she were here, ha, two pecan...) Yes, I am a huge pig, officer, is that illegal, I would say.
We got Olaf out yesterday. This is the first year that I can recall getting so many Christmas things out so early.
...the beautiful "cookies" crossstitch from Grandma...(a lazy pic, taken from my chair...) I decided, because my chair is extra comfy this fine morning, that I will take pics of the decorations just here and there, to have something nice to put on the blog, not all in one chunk. So decorating early: the girls really wanted to. This is such a strange time to grow up in, and I try to do as many fun things as possible, to make life pleasant for them. Wait, I've always tried to do that with all of my kids, ha. But even more so now, they don't have much else. Our school IS open for, two days a week for in-person. Camille plays the clarinet, she loves being in band, even if it's individual instruction. She also practices with Emily and a few of her friends. Emily and Abigail came over the other night to do a barre workout with me. I was terrible at it, out of shape, but it did give me hope and inspiration, I loved how I felt after, that good after-workout feeling...
Inspired to do it again, but oops, I haven't yet. Right now, I have to get up and sweep and mop, then start on the pies. Camille assisted me in making 14 crusts yesterday, which are actually balls of dough in the refrigerator, waiting for the rolling pin. (apple pies have double crusts...hence so many) If Sam and Grace were to come for Thanksgiving, they might be coming here today to spend the day while we make pies...wouldn't that be nice? One reader, a bit ago, wondered if Americans were "cavalier" about the virus. I cannot speak for all Americans, but I am not. I might come off as flippant and uncaring, but believe me, I read and weigh options, try to make good decisions, based on science, and not just what the government says. I do have a blogging friend who is suffering greatly right now, as her dear beloved husband is being transferred to hospice...they are 70 years old, and both contracted Covid...she healed up, he was hospitalized. She thought he was healing up and being moved to a step down facility, but he went in the other direction, and it's heartbreaking. The separation, the not being able to hold and comfort each other, the loneliness, and only 70 years old, for crying out loud. It is awful. But we do have to live, and things like depression are very real. We need to encourage each other, for us, being together as a family is like medicine. We aren't drinking and carrying on, no, we are playing with the kids and practicing patience, living what we know is right, encouraging each other to be hopeful and trust in God. It's good and pure and we are very thankful for it. "Oh now I can't wait to get out of this comfy chair and start sweeping and mopping," said no one ever. At least not ME.

6 comments:

Marilyn said...

Hi Della ✋🏻 Well we are on a sort of a lock down here in Alberta. Our illustrious Premier came out of hiding in his mother’s basement to say that for the next three weeks we should stay put as much as possible. The kids from grades 7-12 are done in school till January 11th....will be virtual learning till a few days before Christmas, but the bars, casinos and restaurants can all stay open with safe distancing etc 😳😳 Our numbers are the highest in Canada now.........all the other provinces have been sort of behaving themselves. Our emergency departments are drowning........literally.........my daughter works in the biggest hospital here, and said the other morning when she finished her shift there were 29 sick people waiting to be admitted and nowhere for them to go.....the hospital is full!! This is not ALL Covid patients......just everyone. It is just awful. All the hospitals are in the same boat. She keeps telling me NOT TO GET SICK!! Where you are is rural and I’m sure it’s not like a large community, so much safer. We are not to have gatherings in the home....just the people who live there. They are finding that this is one of the biggest spreaders, along with other things of course. Everything got worse in this country after our thanksgiving in October. It’s very sad. Stay safe Della and have a lovely thanksgiving 🦃🦃 gobble, gobble. All those pies sounds scrumpie!

Marilyn from Canada 🇨🇦

Linda said...

Keeping Tom and Barbara in prayer...my heart is just breaking...I don't think any sheriff or policeman will be showing up anyone's homes here in NY (just NYC). I know here, Steuben County said no.

Wishing each of you a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Michelle said...

That is very sad about the couple with Covid. :( My son and his wife came from VA last week to visit us in FL...they started not feeling well when they were here and then we all got sick. I hot tested for covid yesterday but still waiting for the results. He went to the gym before he came down, so we’re thinking maybe that’s where he caught something. Oh well, it’s like flu or cold symptoms, not too bad so far but we’re staying away from others. Anyway, I know you’re careful, be safe & have a Happy Thanksgiving. :)

Unknown said...

Ooooo Della, I still feel bad for suggesting you were cavalier! I didn't mean you personally, please know that! I just meant that your governments and our governments were coming at things from completely different aspects....the US seemed much more concerned with peoples freedoms not being taken away and ours (Australia, especially Victoria where I live) was all about sacrificing our freedoms to suppress the virus as much as possible and stop our healthcare system being overwhelmed (and to stop people dying really). We had a severe lockdown for 3 months or so, no visitors to homes, not allowed to go within 5 kilometers from home, an 8pm curfew, all workplaces shut except essential services, you've probably heard it all before, but now we actually have achieved zero cases for a month and no deaths. So we feel like it was worth it even though it was so very hard. I think it was probably easier for us to achieve this as we are such an isolated country with a much smaller population. Perhaps that type of thing would never work in the US. I just wanted to promote discussion about how different countries have handled the virus. I think you are a wonderful person (as I have gotten to know you through your writing) and I really didn't mean any offense. Please forgive me if I have offended anyone.

16 blessings'mom said...

Unknown, please know that I am truly not offended! The last thing I want is to be old and set in my ways, seeing things as my way or the highway. I have one daughter who has slightly different political beliefs, and it's been so good to hear her side on things. I seek the truth in things, and I try to see from different perspectives. So please, don't draw back from writing what you want in the comments, I don't take offense. I wonder myself sometimes whether I am too cavalier (I do like that word!). I think we just get so weary of it all, and want to live our lives!

Unknown said...

Thank you for replying Della, I feel much better! I'm Jodie btw, I don't quite know how to get my picture and name in my comments!