Pandemic Times, December 27-31

Sunday, December 27

Happy 2nd Birthday, John David Whitaker.

We aren't able to see him and the rest of the Whitakers often enough, but thanks to Zoom, Facetime and Marco Polo app, we are able to interact remotely.  I'll be so glad when we can be together for those precious hugs. I don't expect that to occur until after Bill and I get the Covid vaccine.  Mike is scheduled to get his today as a health care provider with UT hospital system. (It went smoothly). 

I was determined to move my body more today than I have for the past week.  My joints have gotten creaky.  After breakfast digested sufficiently, I did my 30 minute yoga routine.  After lunch, as I was resting in my favorite chair, look who showed up right outside my window.

The day was sunny with a projected high near 50. Even though there was still snow in shady spots and north slopes, we ventured across the river for a walk.  

Along the way I looked for a unique site to mark the day.  As I said a few days ago, I look with wonder at the rock cliffs and outcrops that are exposed in winter.  But again, the best sighting came near the end of the walk.  We spied an eagle on a high snag on the ridge - a spot we have known to be a favorite eagle perch.  

I had looked there when we started our walk and found it empty.  But now there he/she was, to far for a picture with my cell phone but clearly visible to the naked eye.  We wished for the binoculars and my long zoom camera.  Then as we approached the car, we saw another eagle in a tree at the end of the parking lot.  I was able to approach quite closely. When we pulled out, we drove toward the tree and I was lucky enough to get a video of him/her flying away right over my head.

Ruby Tuesday had their BOGO special bank so we enjoyed the hickory bourbon salmon, a new Sunday tradition.

Monday, December 28

This Monday came with no specific agenda.  I spent several hours working on building a new church website.  I have to decide about upgrading or switching plans.  I feel better about the upgrade than my initial impression.

We didn't go anywhere or even venture out for a walk on this cloudy day.  Bill has been very committed to walking on his treadmill.  I gave it about 15 minutes today, almost 3/4 mile, not too impressive.

I always remember my mammaw, Emily Lucille Farrar Westmoreland, who was born on this date in 1902 in Montgomery Co, Mississippi. Her parents, John Andrew Farrar and Nellie Jane McLaughlin Farrar, owned a farm near French Camp.  Emily was named after her grandmother Emily May McLaughlin.  She married her true love, Buford Clark Westmoreland (for whom I'm named) in 1924. They had one child, my mother Clara Nelle Westmoreland Taylor.  Mammaw was a strong woman, who worked hard, enjoyed life, and saw everything and everyone in a positive light.  She died in 1993, age 90 years, 10 months.  Her daughter, Clara Nelle, lived 90 years 6 months.

Numbers for 12/28

NY Times, 2 pm update
     19.2+ million cases; 334,130 deaths (0.1% of population)
    California has exceeded TN in new cases per 100,000

TN had no testing over Christmas
    567,792 cases; 48,000 new since 12/20
    0-10  29,047; 11-20  73,105

Loudon County
    4046 total cases; 779 active; 35 deaths
    case rate 101.5
    pos rate 33.6%

Tuesday, December 29

Big outing today.  I placed an order with Whole Foods/Prime for curbside pickup in Knoxville. I wanted some fish and shrimp that they had on sale.  Bill suggested we get takeout from Thai Bistro for supper so we picked up that first, then to Total Wine to stock up on beverages and finally to Whole Foods.  We have been so cocooned here that it was somewhat surprising to see so many people out and about. Roads and parkings lots were full, but at least in Knox Co people were wearing masks.

As soon as we got the groceries unloaded we headed out for our walk, hoping to see the eagles again. When we started, the eagles were nowhere to be seen. As usual, I was looking for something I hadn't noticed before. Finally, there it was - a milkweed pod,open and ready to spread its beautiful fluffy seeds. When I was a kid on the farm, I loved finding these and freeing the seeds to fly away on the breeze.  Now, finding milkweed pods gives me hope for the monarch butterflies.  Maybe I'll plant some milkweed in the garden next year. 

I didn't know that the best treat was waiting ahead.  On the snag high up the ridge was, not one, but two eagles. I had my camera ready, but even with the long zoom I was unable to get a good picture.  Nevertheless, we were thrilled to see this magnificent pair.  Using Bill's good binoculars, we enjoyed watching them. Thanks to the binoculars, we were able to clearly identify their nest in a pine tree near their perch, high on the ridge. This ridge is behind the fence on Oak Ridge Reservation property, so is well protected.  My photo time stamp marked the sighting at 4:45.  

We got home in time to catch a beautiful sunset before heating and enjoying our Asian dinner.

Wednesday, December 30

Last week I ordered bananas with my curbside pickup order and was given a huge bunch, slightly green.  Today they were ripe enough to make banana bread - 4 loaves.  When they were done, I called Claire to come over and have some for lunch and take a loaf home for the family.  I couldn't talk her into doing my housework, though.

Later, almost 5 pm, we went looking for our eagles. We were not disappointed. One was perched on the snag near the nest and the other was closer to the parking lot, but partially hidden among the trees. Male and female look alike, so it is hard to tell which is which.  Females are typically larger, more heavy bodied, but unless a pair is together, we can't tell. The nearer one flew down to the river bed, missed its fish, and returned to a perch very near the road at the end of the parking lot.  The tree was no more than 20 yards off the road.  I was able to get some great shots. Next time, I might bring a tripod which would help greatly on the long zooms.  We were there past sunset, enjoying the majesty of the bald eagle up close. 

Charleston Shrimp and Grits for supper. 

Thursday, December 31

New Year's Eve - No one is sorry to see 2020 over.  For us, personally, the restrictions have not been too bad, we and our children have been healthy and have not suffered loss of income.  Routines have been changed, socializing restricted, but most of the important elements of life remain intact.  We have missed seeing David's family, but we have maintained a good relationship with the grandchildren.  We last saw them at Fall Creek Falls at the end of September and do not expect to see them in person any time soon.

We usually celebrate New Year's Even by watching a game with the Brocks.  For several years, we were in Orange Beach/  This year it was just the two of us watching football and snacking too much.  It was a foggy, drizzly day, so we didn't go out.  I cooked some fresh collard greens and black-eyed peas for tomorrow. This year, I didn't even stay up to see the year out and ring in the new.  But I did enjoy my bottle of Champagne and made a meal of shrimp cocktail and focaccia cheese toast.

Numbers for the next to last day of the year:

US: 19.8 million total cases; 344,221 deaths

TN: 586,802 cases; 6907 deaths; 0-10 29,949; 11-20 74,846

LoCo: 4210 total cases; 661 active; 37 deaths; 95.4 case rate; 31.8% pos rate

Pandemic Times, December 20 - 26

Sunday, December 20

The rhythm of Sunday without church is different. I am compelled to treat this day as different from the other days of the week.  The old pattern of Sunday being set aside from the normal workday/Saturday routine is deeply ingrained. On Sunday, I have no compulsion to "be productive." Just a little cooking is work enough for the day. I don't do anything different that is particularly "religious" or "spiritual," but I do find more ease and rest. Not that I have anything to rest from these days! The rest is from obligation. Even going to church is an obligation. 

The weather has not been suitable for walking outdoors, so I have really been sedentary.

Covid Numbers were updated for Sat & Sunday.  Some of this information is from Brandon Goodwin's post.  He accumulates, analyzes and posts the Covid data for Loudon County almost every day.  He says that we now have 29 deaths, 8 in the last week.  Of 3571 total cases, 637 were diagnosed last week and 1,495 in the last month.  There are 751 active cases (by the state's definition of 14 days after diagnosis regardless of outcome). There are 11 ICU beds available in the Knox Metro area.  (I hope we don't have any non-Covid emergency!)

TN Dept of Health: 519,687 total cases; 6071 total deaths; 0-10 26,600; 11-20 67,741

LoCo: 3571 cases; 29 deaths; 168.3/100,000 case rate; 29.3% pos rate

I thought that when the case rate hit 30/100,000/day and the positivity rate was 12% that it was too high for public gatherings of more than 6 or 8.  Those were the rates the Sunday after Thanksgiving.  Less than a month later the case rate is more than 5 times greater and the positivity rate has more than doubled. I'm staying home. The CDC has issued guidance for TN that people over 65 should not go anywhere in public where people are not wearing masks and wearing them properly, including the grocery store.

Monday, December 21

Happy Birthday, Park Taylor - best and cutest little brother.

Happy Birthday, Claire Elise Matzek

I enjoyed picking out the photos for Claire and Park. Lots of good memories are captured in these and many other pictures.  Their shared birthday is Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year and longest night.  This year the solstice is marked by the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, low in the Southwest sky just after sunset.  I did not plan ahead to set up my telescope, but I was able to get a pretty good picture with my regular camera.

The two planets appear as one bright star, as seen with the naked eye just after sunset.  

A little camera zoom shows the two planets, Jupiter is the larger.

Tuesday, December 22

I completed my first GoCart online grocery order yesterday and scheduled an 11 am. No impulse buying, advance planning required, but it is a safe convenient process.  The CDC has issued guidance for TN that people over 65 or "with signIficant health conditions" should not enter any indoor public spaces where anyone is unmasked.  They recommend using curbside pickup or having groceries and meds delivered.

TN is #1 with 131.1 cases per 100,000. Knoxville is #1 in active cases for cities of its size (250,000 - 1,000,000). Loudon at 166.7/100,000 is 14th highest among all TN counties.

Wednesday, December 23

Bread-making day started after supper last night with preparing thd levain.  Baking the first of the three loaves began at 5 pm. Because of pan and oven limitations, the loaves are baked one at a time. 

In between kneading, I managed to work in some yoga and routine puttering about.  I made french onion soup for lunch and coconut curry chicken for supper.

Christmas Eve, December 24

This Christmas Eve is like no other: fewer gifts under the tree; Matzeks won't be here for dinner and overnight; no church service.  So I had much less food to buy and prepare.  Nevertheless, I spent all day until 3 pm in the kitchen.  I made a focaccio loaf and shared half with the Brocks. For our Christmas Eve dessert gathering with the Matzeks I made homemade from scratch eggnog and gingerbread.

Just after 3 pm, the rain changed to snow. By the time the Matzeks arrived at 4 pm, we had enough snow to qualify for a white Christmas.  We Southerners are never to old to be excited by a snowfall, especially at Christmas.  Via Zoom, we included David and his family in our gathering. When the Matzek's left, almost an inch of snow had accumulated.  They took all the gifts from under the tree.  We will go to their house tomorrow for gifts and lunch.  They have more room for us to spread out and maintain safe distances. 

Snow is just starting at 3:15 pm

By 5:15 we have an official White Christmas

For many years on Christmas Eve I have worked all day prepping food for our supper and Christmas Day breakfast and dinner, then going to Trinity for the 5 pm candlelight service.  Often, the Matzeks went to the service, too.  Bill, at home, would prepare tacos, a meal he can mostly make on his own.  The Matzeks brought all their gifts and spent the night so that we could celebrate Christmas morning together.  They have done this every year since they moved back to Tennessee when Claire was a baby. David's family has chosen to establish their own traditions by spending Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at their own home and coming here after, or us going there.

In every way, 2020 - Pandemic Times, is different.  The Matzeks came over for about an hour, 4-5pm. After our family Zoom visit, we had the gingerbread and eggnog that I made earlier. Then they went home, taking all the gifts.  Bill and I had our taco supper and watched some TV until bedtime - our normal routine. 

Christmas Day, December 25

For the first time in our married life, Bill and I woke up on Christmas morning with the house all to ourselves.  I don't report that because I felt sad or sorry for myself, but as a curious observation. We married on November 4, 1972.  For our first Christmas, Bill took me north to meet his parents in Westfield, NJ. We went with them to Boston (Newton), Mass to meet his sister Anna and her family - husband Jake, Jeff & little Heather. That was my first white Christmas, and quite a wonderful and overwhelming experience.

The next year, we were on the farm in Sunflower with my family and then back to Perth Amboy, NJ the following year.  In the years after we moved to Tennessee and until Laura and David were high/middle school, we spent Christmas on the farm. We celebrated one Christmas Eve/Day/Week in Orange Beach with my mother. More than once in those years, until Claire was born, we left on Christmas Day or the day after for the beach to spend the holiday through New Years with mother.

But never until this year have the two of us waked up Christmas morning with no one else in the house.  We woke up to 2+ inches of snow and icy roads and temperature around 20 and a forecast high of 25 F. With the snow and ice and , we weren't sure if we could even make it to the Matzeks.  

We were the first car up Matzek Road:

Matzek Road

At 11 am we had a Zoom gift opening with David's family.  We enjoyed watching them open their gifts and show off a bit.  Then we braved the road to the Matzeks.  It really wasn't too bad, and it was beautiful.  At their house, we had another Zoom session with the Missouri kids - so much fun!  

There were lots of gifts under the Matzek tree, so we had a long delightful gift time.  Everybody got something they wanted.  Our amazing Amanda got a sword (real) and throwing knives (and lots of books).  I never seem to remember to take pictures when we gather.  I guess I'm too "in the moment" to remember to record the fun.  I did get one of Amanda with her unique gifts. 

Laura made taco soup and brought bread - sourdough and cornbread- for our lunch.  It was a perfect day.  When we left, Mike had set up a piece of plywood and Amanda was trying out her throwing knives.

When we got home at 3:30, I realized that we had left all the debris of Christmas day behind - gift wrap, boxes and dirty dishes - for Mike and Laura to deal with.  Not a bad deal! The only down-side is no left-overs for supper. No ham or turkey to put in a roll with a little cranberry sauce. No left-over dressing. No left-overs at all.

While Bill was napping, I found enough Drambuie for a toast to Christmas 2020 - and a farewell toast to my mother, Clara Nelle Westmoreland Taylor.  This was the first Christmas I would not see her or talk to her on the phone.

Sardines and saltines with cheese, olives and red wine made a perfect light Christmas supper (in the absence of left-overs.)

Merry Christmas!

A beautiful finale to a perfect day!

Saturday, December 26

Liturgically, Christmas has just begun and will continue until Epiphany, January 6, my birthday, the 12th day of Christmas and the celebration of the visit of the three kings, the Magi.  Socially and culturally, Christmas is over.  This day has had nothing remarkable to mark it.  The snow has melted in the sunny spots, but the day is still quite chilly and I've stayed snug inside. I spent several hours on the computer, updating the church web site with tomorrow's worship video and updating this blog.

New is full of Covid and politics. The world is as scary as it was before Christmas.  Despite all our fine words of peace and love, nothing has changed.  I won't obsess with the negative, but keep steadfastly working to be a positive force without being naive.

In keeping with memories of Christmas past, I reflected on what my family did on the day after Christmas.  Deer hunting season opened, so my father, John Park, left for deer camp on Christmas afternoon and we saw little or nothing of him for 2 or 3 weeks.  Mother invited her side of the family - parents, aunts & uncles, coursins - for a country vegetable dinner (mid-day). I'm sure we also celebrated my mammaw's birthday (Emily Westmoreland) which was on the 28th. There was laughter and fun and everyone had a good time, especially my mother, even though she did most of the work.  They called it a "cleansing dinner" after all the rich holiday food.

A more recent memory is captured in a poem I wrote a few years ago:

The Day After Christmas

by Jane Clark Whitaker (with apology to Clement Clarke Moore)

Tis the day after Christmas, and all through the house
Not a creature is stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings hung back by the chimney with care,
Emptied of goodies that had been placed there.

The children gone home to sleep in their beds,
While memories of candies now dance in their heads.
And I in my pj's with cat in my lap,
Have just settled just settled down for an afternoon nap.

Remembering yesterday's clutter and clatter,

I had to wonder, did it all really matter.
The paper in tatters and gleeful shouts,
As ribbons and bows were scattered about.

The voices of children both old and young,

Joined in the laughter of games and fun.

And to top it all off, what then did appear,
But a feast fit for Christmas for family to share.

The gifts were all given with hearts full of love
And the day had a luster that came from above.

The quiet is lovely, I'm glad that it's come

But I miss the chaos of my family at home.

I'm thinking of you who have traveled my way

Sharing the journey for part of a day.

Old friends from childhood, cousins and kin,

New friends and loved ones I'll see soon again.

To friends and family, nearby and far way
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-day"

May the love of the season stay in your heart

And the New Year have a prosperous start.

Merry Christmas? 2020

Merry Christmas seems to be an inadequate greeting this year. 2020 has not offered much to be merry about. Fortunately for our immediate family this virus has so far been an inconvenience, not a tragedy. We are all well and carrying on. However, for many others, the virus has brought loss of income, illness, grief.

I must remind myself that Christmas hasn't been cancelled this year, even though we will celebrate differently. No Christmas Eve services, no family meals, no family gathering to celebrate and share gifts of love and belonging.

Still...Christmas hasn't been cancelled. Advent is here, Emmanuel is here, Christ is here. We don't have to wait for the hereafter to claim the promises of His becoming one with us, showing us the Way.

In whatever situation you find yourself this holiday season, I hope you are able to find those critical things that the advent season reminds us of – Hope, Joy, Peace, Love.

Love came down at Christmas. May that love permeate your life in the coming year.

Jane Clark 

Christmas Reflection, December 20, 2020

 Christmas Reflection for Trinity, New Vision Sunday School Class

One of the readings for this week past was from 2 Samuel 7:1-11; 16. It seemed at first an odd selection as King David was talking to the prophet Nathan about his (David's) desire to build a temple. God's response, given through Nathan was this: “I haven’t lived in a temple from the day I brought Israel out of Egypt until now. Instead, I have been traveling around in a tent and in a dwelling.” God goes on to promise that the house that David will build will not be a building, but will be a dynasty. “Your dynasty and your kingdom will be secured forever before me. Your throne will be established forever.” We know now that the dynasty that is established forever is through Jesus the Christ.

I read this scripture and reflection on Tuesday morning, just after the decision had been made official to suspend in-house worship through rest of the Christmas season. What resonated with me was not the promise of a dynasty that we see fulfilled in the coming of the Messiah, Jesus. What seems more relevant this week is the reminder that God doesn't dwell in our temple. He travels around with his people, to be in their midst. We don't need to come to the temple to find God. He is found among us, with us, beside us. God reminds David, saying; “ I’ve been with you wherever you’ve gone, and I’ve eliminated all your enemies before you.”

So my word for us in this season is that we shouldn't fret about the church or the building or when we can gather in the temple. If we remain faithful in our worship, and worship as God directs us, He will be faithful in bringing us through this storm. God has made clear that the worship He desires is this: “And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)

My friends, I share this reflection with you because I miss you. I pray that your Christmas season will be blessed. I have faith that we will be together again in God's good time.

Love came down at Christmas. May that Love permeate your life in the coming year.

Jane Clark

Pandemic Times, December 13-19

 Sunday, December 13

Another quiet Sunday at home.  The clouds cleared just after noon and by 3 pm we were able to go for a walk. These walks are so important for our physical and mental health. Having grown up in the flatlands, I am always fascinated by rock formations. Winter views may seem dreary because of the lack of greenery and color, but the barren trees allow us to glimpse hidden treasurers like these cave openings.  How far back into the hill do they extend? What creatures find homes there?  The beautiful bare white trunks of sycamore trees, hidden during the summer and fall, almost glow in the reflected sunlight.

Bare white sycamore

Lifting up its seeds in prayer

To winter blue sky.

(Haiku from February 2014)

At 7 pm we tuned in to the YouTube live stream of the Christmas Pageant at Cape Bible Chapel. Owen was a shepherd and Allison an angel. Of course, we enjoyed seeing the kids in their first performance.  It was a full hour in length.

Monday, December 14

There is a lot going on out in the world today.  The Electoral College votes are being tabulated all state, live on TV, state by state like an election.  The outcome is not in doubt, but cable news is making the most of it, milking all the drama they can.

The really significant NEWS is that the rollout of the first vaccine doses. Reporters are showcasing health-care workers receiving their shots. Maybe by Easter our turn will come.  I found a CDC sites that calculates a persons turn in for their county based on a series of questions.  We are #8840 in Loudon County. The US death toll surpassed 300,000 today. TN is 2nd behind Rhode Island in cases per 100,000 with more than 100.  This has doubled in a week.

I learned a few days ago that some of my Mississippi cousins have been sick and in the hospital with Covid.  My 2nd cousin Katie is still hospitalized and on a ventilator. Their family has been hit very hard.

We had a Trinity Finance/Admin Zoom meeting and endorsed Pastor Kristie's recommendation to suspend in-house worship through the holidays until January 10.  It is past time.  I don't see how the situation will be any better in early January.  I will be helping with recording on Friday afternoon as I did before we resumed worship in the sanctuary.

Numbers:
NY Times, 2:30 pm
16,477,200 total cases; 300,051 deaths

TN: more than 10,000 new cases since yesterday and 79 deaths
464,624 total cases; 5541 total deaths; 0-10 23,562; 11-21 60,811

Loudon County: 3036 total cases; 525 active; 23 deaths;
    91 new cases yesterday; case rate 110.2; pos rate 24%

Add one more death not in this count.  A friend and colleague, Ron Jordan, died last night of Covid, age 67.

Tuesday, December 15

The morning melted away while I was at my computer. One project was to download a print information on Matthew Alexander Park, my 2nd great-grandfather, paternal grandfather of my paternal grandmother Mary Park Taylor.  I got caught up in searching for more documental evidence on my grandmother.  Unfortunately, Mississippi vital records are not all online.  I can find no birth record or death certificate for her. I believe that she was born in Alligator, Mississippi and I know that she died in a care home in Ruleville, Mississippi. Her family life was not very stable, so it is probable that her birth was at home and was not recorded. 

Claire and Amanda had been deputized to bring their grandad a peppermint milkshake and spicy chicken sandwich from ChikFilA for lunch.  He bought their lunch, too, of course.  His milkshake craving ended up costing him $30!  We enjoyed a short, safe-distanced visit with the girls.

Later in the afternoon we took our walk across the river.  We were almost back to the car when a noise in the woods drew our attention to a flock of a dozen wild turkeys. Although we regularly see a variety of wildlife, we still get a thrill from seeing these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.

For supper, we finished the chicken noodle soup that I made yesterday from the remains of last week's roasted chicken.  I served the soup with cornbread which I haven't made in ages and old-fashioned pear salad.  It was a satisfying end to the day.

Wednesday, December 16

A cold damp chill permeated the day.  Nevertheless, we were out of milk, so I ventured to the grocery.  I had a few other errands as well.  A cold drizzle started before I got home and continued for the rest of the day.  It has been a good day to huddle indoors. The birds at the feeder were happy, though, because I restocked the safflower seeds that they love.  They are eating about 10 lbs per week.  Today I was graced with a visit from a white-throated sparrow - a handsome little bird.

Pork chops, purple hull peas and green beans from the garden/freezer stockpile, and fried eggplant made a satisfying repast. The vegetables remind me that garden days will come again in a few months.

Thursday, December 17

Bill and I frittered away several hours today watching the tree-service crew trim the threes under the power lines.  It won't look good when they are finished, but maybe we have a lesser chance of power outage this winter. The crew of at least a dozen men and women operated trucks, bucket truck, chippers, and a big boom saw.

I've been working on signing and addressing Christmas cards.  I started with the idea of sending cards to the folks on our church "shut-in" list. The project kept expanding and now my goal is to send a card to all my friends at church and a few community friends.  These are people that under normal circumstances I would see in some social way or visit with at church during the holidays. I don't know that it will matter to anyone but me. For me, it gives a sense of reaching out when we are all cocooned in our homes.

We haven't had fried rice in a few weeks, so tonight I made some from left-over pork & chicken with a few shrimp added.  Before supper, I enjoyed a nice long phone visit with Anna.

Friday, December 18

On this day in 1949, Clara Nelle Westmoreland married John Park Taylor. They were a young couple very much in love. He was about to leave for training in South Carolina as his National Guard unit had been called up for service in Korea.

Today's recording session was scheduled to start 1 pm, so I had time for morning yoga. As I was watching the little birds eager at the feeder, my practice mantra was HOLY, HOLY, HOLY. Holy are the small joys of life.

We recorded 4 services, including Christmas Eve, to carry the church through the first Sunday in January.

A friend texted with a request, so I got more political "get-out-the-vote" postcards to address and mail to Georgia.  Fortunately the PO had plenty of postcard stamps as well as Christmas stamps to finish my card project.  I did 50 postcards on the first round and this batch is 34.

Friday night called for a special supper.  I made one of my favorites -Charleston - Shrimp and Grits. I have some good stone-ground yellow-corn grits.  The shrimp gravy starts almost like gumbo - make a roux and saute a cup or two of the trinity (celery, bell pepper & onion).  I use a frozen package of seasoning blend to ease the process.  Add a bit of cajun seasoning. For tonight I add a link of Andouille sausage sliced in rounds to the skillet. Then add enough chicken broth (or shrimp stock) to make the sauce to the desired thickness.  Peeled shrimp are added last and cooked until they are just done.  Serve over the grits. I've been rationing my Joe Patti shrimp and have just one package left in the freezer.

Saturday, December 20

I spent the morning finishing my Christmas card project and got them in the mail by 1 pm. None went to family or or people I see regularly. It surprised me to realize that I don't have current mailing addresses for most of my nieces, nephews and cousins.  They all communicate by text, private message or email. 

This week, I've been thinking about a new project for the winter.  More on that later if it develops!

At 3 pm we celebrated Claire's 18th birthday with a bonfire, cake and gifts.  It was damp and chilly out, but fortunately Laura offered hot mulled wine and hot cider to keep us warm.  Mike and Claire wondered why Laura was planning to served molded wine! We are very proud of our oldest grandchild.  This has been a challenging year to finish high school and start college for all in her age group.

Non many moms can boast of a 40+ daughter with her own trapeze in the living room.  Proud of my girl!

She always liked hanging upside down!

Beef stew in the crockpot and biscuits made a warm comforting meal for a chilly evening.

Numbers:

Tennessee had so many Covid tests to process that the website was not updated today.  The TN numbers are from Friday afternoon.

US, NY Times, 6 pm: 17,592,999 cases; 315,312 deaths

TN: 503,651 cases, increase of more than 10,000 in one day
    5960 deaths

LoCo: 3413 cases; 671 active; 28 deaths
    no county snapshot