A chapter closes today......

Here are the numbers as of tonight.  Wow.  Over 1.5 million people in the US have been confirmed.  The number world-wide is about to roll over 5 million!  And deaths..... way too many deaths..... more than 300,000.  I heard on the news that yesterday was the largest reported day too.  It just doesn't seem like this is slowing down.

I was talking with Todd's sister, Tonia, last week.  I was telling her that down here in Georgia... lots of people (admittedly, I've thought it too) are wondering why we're doing all of this.  Sure, we have cases here, but everyone I've talked to down here doesn't know anyone who has had Covid.  (I suspect that one teacher I spoke to almost 2 months ago had it, but it was not confirmed / she never went in for a test because they just weren't available.)  Tonia said if we were up there in New Jersey, we would know why all of this is being done.  She started rattling off people she knows who have had it / who have died from it.  There, they have over 150,000 cases and more than 10,000 deaths.  (and... compared to New York... New Jersey is less than half of their cases and deaths.)  

Indeed.  The numbers up there are just staggering.  Our news station has aired this study that they complied a number of times (that I've seen)... it is an interesting comparison.

The newscaster also said that that we "opened up" services (such as hair salons and bowling alleys) several weeks before NC.  It is just interesting how different this is depending on where you live.  This graphic must be several weeks or a month old.  Our current #s are around 39,000 cases now and around 1700 deaths.  North Carolina's #s are around 20,000 cases and approximately 700 deaths... which is quite the jump in both states.  But - the thing that is interesting - is how the populations are similar, and how much lower North Carolina's numbers are.

A neighbor who I walk with several times a week is from New Jersey and has a lot of friend and family in New York City who are moving away.  She says that there is flight from the area... they're not planning on returning.  Our next door neighbor works in downtown Atlanta in a high-rise building.  On her conference calls with the "higher-ups" she says that they're talking about not renewing their lease in their building when it comes up.  Limiting factor:  elevator capacity is 3 in their building AND the shelter-in-place has proven that their employees are doing well working from home.  

Just these two conversations alone make me think about what the real estate market is going to look like this year and next year and the next....

On the lighter side, here is a funny sign that I've seen.  Love the analogy!

And - here's Isabella wearing her mask - for real - out in public.  She picked the fabric from some that I bought a long time ago and a neighbor made it.  Isabella and I went to a small store and we stayed away from the handful of people we saw.  It was her first "outing" other than a park.  Her first store or other building since closure 2 months ago... which seems weird to quantify that amount of time.  (We went to a paint store to pick out samples, as we're having some work done on the house.)  Um, she picked out pink and purple... we will not be painting the house those colors!!!

Well, the past 2 months have been absolutely insanely ridiculous....  I'm not one to glorify and just talk about the good stuff.  It's just been honestly H-A-R-D.  I think the experience of being a virtual teacher these past two months is a very different one based on if you have kids at home or not.  (And if your kids are younger or older.)    My experience was very different from my other science team colleagues' experiences.  (They're sleeping in... starting new hobbies... I'm a little jealous!  I had a pretty good amount of engagement from my Advanced-Content kids.  They both teach on-level and they did not have good engagment.  My on-level class engagment was so-so.)  

Here's an article that the superintendent of our kids' school system sent to parents through the chat over a zoom call.  https://www.ajc.com/news/local/new-reality-for-teachers-minding-their-kids-and-their-classrooms/bU8fEsDGzm6GJsmO37V4sJ/  

He was defending teachers when parent were voicing concerns that they wished their students' teachers had a more dedicated schedule or they wish the teachers would do more live lessons.  He said he gets it.... he understands the value of that.... but he pointed out the challenges teachers face.  He said that some teachers can knock this digital learning out of the park and can be on-call any time of day, but, some teachers are barely hanging on because they've got children at home.  They can't offer consistent zoom meetings or be available between specific hours.  That this time in history requires flexibility and grace.  


He talked about how he's not sure if we'll go back to school like normal... if we'll go back to he online scenario or if there would be some sort of hybrid model.  He did mention that teachers were exhausted - juggling kids and online learning.  He talked about trying to figure out childcare for his teachers with kids because they can't keep juggling both.

(That offers some solace because I'm going to work in this school district next year!)  

Since the last blog post almost 2 weeks ago.... we went for a Mother's Day hike.  (Todd made breakfast and dinner too.)  I graded papers and student projects.  :(  

The place where we went hiking, we've been to before.... 2x.... but from different directions.  Once we went when Mercer was little.  He was in the bike carrier and we were riding on the Silver Comet trail.  I think we just stopped by chance at a little path that veered off of the trail... and stumbled across these really cool ruins of the Concord Mill.  One of my fav photos of Mercer is of him with the steel framework blurred out behind him. 

A couple of years ago, we went hiking on this easy trail accessed by driving / parking at a visitor's center.  We hiked down to a boardwalk and eventually the boardwalk crossed water.  Continuing on, it leads to a trail that goes along a big creek.   When we went last time, Isabella was not up for walking that much.  We did not get too far.  

THIS TIME.... we made it to the end of the trail.... and.... came across those super-cool ruins!  (Isabella started to give up when we were within eye-shot of the ruins... Mercer was texting me: where are you guys?  We've been here.)  Well, it's hard to motivate her sometimes, but when we finally did get there, she was rewarded with a swing!  (Someone rigged a swing off of one of the steel framing members... somehow?!)  Todd lifted her up and she got to drift for awhile.  Mercer was not as lucky -- Todd did NOT pick him up!  But he managed to have some fun on it.  

A friend of mine, Cecilia, lives a few minutes from that park and the Silver Comet trail, so we called her.  She joined us for the hike.  She is pictured here next to Isabella in front of the small ruin of an adjacent building.  (Her daughter lives in another state right now.)  

Last time we went, we saw a giant hornet's nest and some phenomenal fuzzy caterpillars.  This time, we saw a baby snake!  

It's an easy hike and it wasn't too crowded.  People were pretty good about social distancing (except for my friend.... I kept saying "Isabella, let's stay on this side of the path" when we were passing someone and my friend just kept walking down the middle!  oops.    (It was one of the only parks in our county that was open.... a "passive" park.  The visitor's center was closed of course which is fine.  We were just happy to get out!)

Here is some interesting hisory on the Concord (Woolen) Mills at this website... like this advertisement: http://concordcoveredbridge.org/concord-woolen-mills/

















The next weekend was GAME ON busy.  I had several assignments due for teaching classes I was taking.  I worked several nights leading up to this and ALL weekend.  Todd was trying to fix the columns on the back of he house before we have the painters come WHILE watching the kiddos.  (There's always a juggle!!)  I submitted an assignment that I worked on for 4 days on Friday, a quick one on Saturday, another long one on Sunday (well, really Monday at 2 am)... then had to wrap up grading for my science students and FINALLY... clean out my room on Tuesday.

I still had students emailing in late assignments.  My mentor who I was working with on my technology project Sunday told me NOT to grade past Monday... but I have a hard time not honoring their work. I updated grades / re-posted for my classes Tuesday night... and even had two more updates on Wednesday morning.  (I had a lot of student engagement over this process.)

I posted a "Farewell Flipgrid" Video.  (It's a format I learned about during this digital teaching... and I had students submit videos for some assignments... that way they could see each other and sort of connect while they were away from each other.)   I learned about school blogs / grading (which will be the same system my new school system uses... so that was good practice) / online powerpoint types of sites with games embedded in them / interactive sites / etc.   The project I submitted Sunday -- I had to analyze technology tools and student engagement.  I am afraid, these online tools will come in handy next year too, sadly. 

The only fun thing I did this past weekend:  I "went" to a wedding.  (over Zoom)  My childhood friend, Susan's oldest son got married!  I was texting Karla - Susan's mom - asking her "what are you going to wear?"  "are you dressing up?" 

She admitted... the top only was going to be dressy.  (I did the same.  Put on a button up shirt and pearls.  Put on a little make-up, sat in the back yard in shorts and barefoot!)  It was my first Zoom wedding. 

I got to "see" Karla, Steve (Susan's dad) and even "Uncle Bob"  on the zoom.  

Susan and their immediate family went -- they drove to Michigan for the wedding.  Their youngest was ring bearer and the ceremony took place (on a windy day in the bride's back yard.  It was cool to be able to experience this.  This was their Civil wedding.  They will have one in the church (to be "sealed") once the pandemic restrictions are lifted.  

 Last week, we all seemed to finish our work and we had time to go on a bike ride.


Tired of going to the same places over and over again, we went to a nearby park and were checking out a mural depicting the history of the site - the location of a recreation center that was founded by an African-American woman. 

There was local history of desegregation in the area as well.  

I was trying to take a picture of the mural and plaque.... but Mercer had to photobomb the shop.  

And - here are some other random pictures.  



Nothing major going on.... but... just for fun.

Glad April is over.

April was a tough tough month.

At the beginning of the month, grandma (great-grandma to the kids) passed.  Then, the boy from baseball had the accident on his bicycle and did not make it to the hospital.  A week later, our long-time friend from the City of Marietta passed away in her sleep.  None of these deaths were related to the Covid-19 virus, but they still take their toll on our emotions. 

Speaking of emotions, we actually have been having issues with Isabella's behavior (just before "spring break" in early April and - still - after break).  We're working with a professional to help us know what to do when she is feeling anxious due to the shelter-in-place order / lack of school structure... and to work with her directly on some calm-down strategies. 

Finally, at the end of the moth (April 30) the national Little League organization officially cancelled the Little League World Series and the state tournaments leading up to it.  This tournament celebrates 12 year old baseball players across the country.  Unfortunately,  this is "THE YEAR" for Mercer and his All-Star team to go to the World Series....if they could make it that far.  Last year's taste of the State tournament made the boys realize they were supposed to be there in the tournament and they could have a shot in 2020.  There are other opportunities for older kids, but it seems that - after 12 - the things sort of fall apart a bit. There is only 1 team for the older kids in our league instead of 4 for the 11/12 year olds, for instance.  We'll have to see.  (Maybe this will be history in the making where 12/13 year olds are playing next year in the Little League World Series instead?)  

So, it's May.  I have not updated the Covid dashboard in a week and a half.  I haven't looked at it... but WOW.  Things have really jumped up!  (Those testing positive have increased 800,000.  OK - so more tests are available.  The number that is so shocking: the death-toll across the world has risen by almost 60,000 in that week and a half.)  The number of deaths in the US is now just under 75,000.

Doctors and scientists are studying and suggesting that this disease was present in the US prior to the original reports of the first cases in Washington State (late January).  It is suspected to have been in other parts of the country prior to that.  Also, across the pond, France is reporting that they had a case prior to the report from Wuhan, China.  There are more reports of complications such as strokes...  there is a new condition in children - possibly as a result of exposure or recovery of Covid - that is popping up mainly in New York City as well as some places in Europe.  This disease is evolving and there is so much to learn.  There have even been cases reported in felines (tigers at NY Zoo and even some house cats)!   Unfortunately, we are also hearing about mental-illness related to the virus.  There is a widely-publicized case of an in-the-trenches doctor in NYC that contracted the disease... rested and recovered... went back to work but couldn't handle it anymore and took her own life.  Her family truly believes that the disease altered something in her brain. I have heard of others taking their lives for being in isolation or stress of the situation even if they do not the virus.  Maintaining self-care and strong mental health is so important.  There will be much to study.  

There aren't many photos of the family -- not much to report on from home.  (Just hunkered down and getting through school.)   We have about 2 more weeks......  but who's counting?  ha!  

Mercer is climbing the walls again.   


Also, here's a picture too where he has brushed back his hair.... rare shot.

Mercer is riding his bike like crazy every single afternoon.  He's getting more daring (trying to do little tricks).... but mainly, it seems that he likes the "freedom" to explore - be it only the 2 streets going around the block.  He makes more and more loops each day. I think yesterday he rode around the block 31 times?  Sometimes he reports what is going on up the street or on the street over.  He sees a friend every now and then and reports that.  He's come a long long way from where he used to be scared to ride!


Isabella is wanting to ride a bunch too, but it's more limited because we don't want her out there by herself.  She rides up and down between specific neighbors' houses.  She falls... and she gets back up.  She is determined to ride.  


One day, the three of us went for a ride... there was a chance of rain, but the new bike helmets came in for the kids, so they wanted to put them to the test.  As it turns out, we got caught in the rain!  Mercer took off and left us behind. Isabella kept a great attitude.  We eventually made it home - soaking wet... but it was memorable.

We aren't going out even though the state of Georgia was one of the first ones to "open" back up on a limited basis.  (There's a struggle to maintain social distancing and shelter-in-place VS help the failing economy.)  We were blasted nationally for opening bowling alleys, tattoo parlors, gyms, hair and nail salons on May 1.   I agree with the blasting.  Bowling alleys and gyms -- they're already full of germs from people touching common items.  

Tattoo parlors and hair / nail salons... how do you socially distance?)  There are some other things that seemed like they should have opened first.  Restaurants and movie theaters opened a few days later.  We'll see how the #s go.... people are predicting that the cases will spike and the death toll will creep back up again.   

This past weekend was gorgeous.  Our major "outing" was watching the Thunderbirds and Blue Angels fly over from a parking lot a couple of blocks from our house.  They flew over the hospital that's about a mile away from us then circled down to Atlanta.  Not to worry... there was about 15' between us and the cars on either side of us. Several of the kids were hanging out of sunroofs like Isabella is here.... I guess it's a way to keep the littles contained while watching the fly-over!

(This is not our photo of the fly-over... it happened way too quick to even capture!  They were only in the sky over us for a few seconds.  Thank goodness for the internet.)  

We also spent most of the day at our community garden doing overall yard maintenance and cleaning out our garden bed / taking care of the asparagus we can finally harvest this year!  Isabella "ate" honeysuckles the whole time!  

This week is national teacher appreciation week.  It went out with a dud / fizzle.... but - there all of these parents who are homeschooling who really are appreciating teachers these days!    It is also national nurses' appreciation week.    There has been way less of a focus on sports players and movie stars.... there has been more of a celebration of doctors, nurses, ambulance drivers, grocery store workers, deliver folks, teachers, police, hospital staff, etc.  Finally some priorities are being reorganized.  (I wonder how long it will last before all of the silly social-media pop star junk re-emerges?!)  

I just appreciate good health... and being able to celebrate our little family unit -- even though it's very very tough many days!  

Speaking of little family unit..... here's a recent picture of Lizzy the lizard -- she's shedding her skin (again).  That's the white stuff on her head.  It's been at least 5 or 6 times since we've had her that she's done this!  It's more often than once a month.  She pulls it off then she eats it, so it's rare that there's anything left.  Eew.

I got hermit crabs for my classroom earlier this year.  The day before closure -- I brought the cage home (and cleaned out the one that had just passed).  This one NEVER came out and buried in the sand all the time.  After more than a month, I thought he had passed like his buddy, but I noticed the water bowl (drink cap) was turned over or the moss was moved around.  Glad I didn't chuck the whole thing! Now he's coming out of the sand more and climbing on the driftwood.  I heard that they liked to climb but until a week ago... I never saw it.  Kind of interesting that he likes to climb on the underside of the driftwood and hang!  The first time I saw him on the driftwood and he saw me.... his little tentacles tucked in and he dropped to the sand!  :)  Maybe he's starting to trust us?  Other than these few sightings... it's not been a very exciting pet.  Oh well!  


One last animal related thing.... for Mercer's Boy Scout badge, we got an ant farm. It, however, was housed OUTSIDE on the front porch!  The top photo is from when we constructed it.... and the bottom photo is from the next day.  They made their tunnels and over time, they eventually buried the sticks and pebbles that we put in there.  He had to observe it for a period of time (along with raising butterflies from the caterpillar stage which was great for Isabella (and me).  He researched a bunch of bugs and presented last week... he's finished and he'll earn his merit badge whenever they're doing awards again.

Finally - Isabella lost another tooth!