Pandemic, Week 38 (It's Beginning to Look...)

President-elect Joe Biden fractured his foot this week while playing with his dog. Biden also revealed his pick for Treasury Secretary – former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen. It was revealed that the Justice Department investigated a potential presidential pardon bribery scheme back in August. Separately, Trump has discussed with his advisors blanket pardons for his three eldest children and his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani. Ivanka Trump was deposed by DC Attorney General Karl Racine for an investigation into misuse of inaugural funds in 2017. Trump headed to Georgia for a rally for Senators Loeffler and Perdue, and to pressure Georgia's governor to convince state legislators to overturn Biden's win. Meanwhile, Attorney General Bill Barr announced that the Justice Department had uncovered no evidence of widespread voter fraud that would change the outcome of the election. A new blood test is being released for people over age 60 to test for Alzheimer's disease. Elliott Page, the former star of the indie film, Juno, came out as a transgender man. Warner Bros. announced that all 2021 movies would be released to HBO Max for streaming the same day they hit theaters. David Lander who played Squiggy in Laverne & Shirley, died.

The world reached 66.9 million COVID cases this week and 1.5 million deaths. The U.S. hit 15.0 million cases and 288,000 deaths. Great Britain approved the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for distribution starting next week. The CDC recommended that Phase 1a inoculations would include front-line health care workers and adults living in long-term care facilities. Both Allen and John received negatives COVID tests (we figured they could be our household representatives to make sure we didn't pick up any unintended souvenirs from Iowa).

But for us, this week marked the beginning of the Christmas season. We decorated the house, drafted our Christmas letter, and started addressing our Christmas cards. Mom Mom and Grandpa Don swung by for dinner and to check out our tree. Jacqui flew in from Texas for our annual holiday tea, complete with her face shield, mask, a negative test result, and a lot of Clorox wipes. Owen recorded his final concert piece for the season; Nora began the the Winter Intensive for DCYOP. We printed out Positive Pineapple Paul and Nora created a prosthetic arm for her GoldieBlox doll.  We even caught up on the latest episode of His Dark Materials. And while it was generally a happy week filled with family and Christmas songs, there was one tragedy: Jaws, our sole remaining neon fish passed away and was returned from whence he came.

Hopefully, that isn't a harbinger of things to come...

(To see all of this week's pictures, click here.)

Pandemic, Week 37 (Thanksgiving)

This week Trump pardoned turkeys Corn and Cob, as well as his former national security advisor, General Michael Flynn, who had previously pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI. Michigan certified their election results. The GSA finally acknowledged President-elect Joe Biden's win and allowed the formal transition process to begin. Biden announced his national security team, including Anthony Blinken for Secretary of State, Alejandro Mayorkas for Secretary of Homeland Security, Avril Haines for National Intelligence Director, Jake Sullivan for National Security Advisor, Linda Thomas-Greenfield for U.N. Ambassador, and John Kerry for Presidential Envoy for Climate. Iran's top nuclear scientist was killed in an ambush outside of Tehran. Eric Clapton and Van Morrison have teamed up to record an anti-lockdown song. A 10-foot metal monolith was found in the Utah desert.

The world hit 62.6 million cases of COVID-19 and 1.5 million deaths this week while the U.S. reached 13.5 million cases and 272,000 deaths. The University of Oxford's released news of its COVID vaccine, who's 70 percent average effective rate was lower than both Pfizer and Moderna, but also unlike them is stable at refrigerator temperatures, and doesn't need to be stored at -70 degrees Celsius.

We continued our visit with Grandpa and Grandma Z, eschewing everyone else as the COVID rate in Iowa got even more intense. The kids attended school, we worked and Grandma Z started prepping for a scaled down Thanksgiving – which in Zimmerman terms means just two pies (one of which was very tired), four dozen rolls, and only a twelve pound turkey (without the side of ham). There was snow, and puzzling and even an afternoon walk through mud in order to see the Buda close up. The day itself included a lovely walk at the pond, a delicious meal, turkey cookie painting, and a post-dinner "Zoomerman" (complete with a performance of Simple Gifts by Owen and Nora). The festivities were immediately followed by Allen and I furiously packing everything so that we could leave at 5:30 am the next morning to pick up Grandpa Fawcett – because nothing says, "Happy Birthday, Grandpa" like a 14-hour drive back to DC.

The drive itself was uneventful and we arrived in DC around 8:30 pm Friday night. We quickly crashed and then spent the next day unpacking, doing laundry, and looking into scheduling COVID tests...

(To see all of this week's pictures, click here.)

Pandemic, Week 36 (Iowa, Redux)

This week, Trump continued to be unsuccessful in his legal claims of election fraud (his current record is 1 out of 30 cases, and the lone victory was later overturned by the state Supreme Court), primarily because his lawyers have admitted under oath that they have no proof fraud occurred in the election. Trump has since pivoted, inspired by the initial refusal of republicans on the Wayne County Board of Canvassers to certify ballots from Detroit, he invited Michigan GOP officials to the White House to discuss certification. The next morning, the RNC Chair and the Michigan GOP Chair issued a joint statement requesting the state board delay certification for 14 days in order to conduct a full audit, which would violate Michigan law. Meanwhile, Georgia, after a statewide recount, certified that Joe Biden won. Despite being thwarted in his transition by GSA refusing to release funds and access, President-Elect Biden  met virtually with a bipartisan group of governors to discuss how to support states during the Pandemic. Democrats were joined by two republicans to block gold-standard enthusiast's Judy Shelton's appointment to the Federal Reserve. Indian soldiers claim they were attacked by Chinese troops using microwave-based weapons. Nicaragua was struck by its second hurricane this month. Trump participated in the opening session of the G-20 Summit, but skipped the session on COVID-19 in order to play golf. Michael B. Jordan was voted People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive.

The world hit 59.4 million COVID-19 cases worldwide and 1.4 million deaths. The U.S. reached 12.5 millions cases and 262,000 deaths. France was the first European country to top 2 million cases. Donald Trump Jr, Senator Chuck Grassley, and Senator Rick Scott have all tested positive. In addition, Georgia Senators Kelly Loeffler and David Purdue, who are both facing runoff elections which will decide control of the Senate, were exposed by Rick Scott at a maskless, indoor campaign rally -- Loeffler has tested positive and both are supposed to quarantine in lieu of campaigning for the January runoff. Meanwhile, Dolly Parton's $1 million donation to Vanderbilt University for COVID research helped to develop the Moderna vaccine, which studies show reduces the risk of COVID infection by 94.5 percent. Dr. Anthony Fauci said that front-line health workers are expected to receive initial doses of Covid vaccines in late December/early January with vaccines more widely available in April.

We made it to Iowa last Saturday night, after a 13.25 hour drive. We've been a little anxious to visit Iowa, both due to its recent spike in COVID cases and the family divisions the election's revealed, but we needed to retrieve Grandpa Fawcett (and wanted to check on Grandpa and Grandma Z) and so made the trip. We've mostly laid low, but did make it out to the pond a couple of times for some socially distant meetings with Leanna and family. Otherwise, the kids are managing school from Grandpa and Grandma's (finally someone is able to utilize the country school desk Grandma Z purchased so long ago). We remembered Owen's concert attire so he could record Uptown Funk for the joint collaboration between Duke Ellington and the Eclectic Music String Ensemble (ESME). We caught the Schaumburg Park's Department virtual production of Willy Wonka, Jr starring Sam and Erin. We baked and did puzzles. And Allen was even able to participate in a Stanford symposium on climate change policy in California with special guest, Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who told attendees, "We need to terminate pollution!"

Which Allen is totally planning to do, come January 21, 2021.

(To see all of this week's pictures, click here.)

Pandemic, Week 35 (A Less than Peaceful Transition)

The Secretary of Defense Mark Esper was fired on Monday leading to the resignation of his chief of staff, the Under Secretary for Intelligence and Security and the Acting Under Secretary for Defense Policy. Leaders of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, India, Ireland, Israel, and South Korea congratulated Joe Biden on his win. However, GSA refuses to recognize Biden as the winner and administer the Presidential Transition Act, which would release funds for the transition and allow transition teams to meet with agencies for planning purposes. Attorney General Bill Barr issued a memo allowing prosecutors to investigate voter fraud claims which prompted the Justice Department's election crimes chief to resign. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated in a press conference that, "There will be a smooth transition to the second Trump administration." Thousands of Trump supporters, including members of the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers and other extremist groups, descended on the capitol for multiple marches on Saturday which ended in skirmishes that evening with count-protesters and at least one stabbing. The Supreme Court heard arguments on the Affordable Care Act and whether it should be vacated. Justice Alito addressed the Federalist Society and complained about abortion, same-sex marriage, COVID restrictions, and the persecution of conservatives. Jeopardy host Alex Trebek died.

The week the world recorded 54.3 million Covid-19 cases and 1.3 million deaths. The U.S. hit 11.2 million cases and 251,000 deaths after reporting more than 100,000 new cases for 12 consecutive days. More optimistically, Pfizer announced a 90 percent success rate in the third phase of their vaccine trial and clarified, after the White House announced that the vaccine was part of the public-private partnership, that they had not accepted any public funds.

We celebrated Biden's win with a Friends outing to the Underground Railroad Experience Trail followed by a socially distant lunch with the Telfair-Chas and Mom Mom in Olney, MD. Owen spent hours submitting late Algebra 2 assignments as term one of the 2020-21 school year ended. Nora filmed her DCYOP concert video and planned her science fair project. Allen participated in the annual Stanford/Snowmass climate change conference, which this year focused on Climate Change in a World of Tradeoffs and Synergies. He was also interviewed for a documentary on climate change by our friend Mia and her eighth grade class.

And then we drove to Iowa...

(To see all of this week's pictures, click here.)

Pandemic, Week 34 (We Have a Winner!)

This week, Joe Biden was elected President of the United States. Granted, the election wasn't called by most networks until Saturday, November 7th, Trump has refused to concede and is still filing lawsuits to protest the results, but Joe Biden is the President-elect of the United States and addressed the nation as such Saturday evening, along with Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris. (The Trump campaign also addressed the country on Saturday, from the parking lot of Four Seasons Total Landscaping next to an adult bookstore and cremation center. It didn't have quite the same effect.)

The election was held on Tuesday, November 3rd and the states of Florida, Ohio and Texas were called early that evening for Trump.  However, because several republican controlled legislations mandated that mail-in ballots couldn't be processed until after polls closed, and because the Pandemic resulted in a massive increase in mail-in ballots, key swing states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania could not be called on election night. On Wednesday, the U.S. officially left the Paris Climate Agreement and Donald Trump filed lawsuits in Pennsylvania, Georgia and Michigan to halt the count of remaining votes (he was leading at the time) while simultaneously demanding counting continue in Arizona and Nevada (he was behind at the time).  This resulted in Trump supporters shouting either "Stop the count!" or "Count that vote!" depending on their location (and even tried to force their way inside the counting center in Detroit). Both Michigan and Wisconsin were called for Biden Wednesday afternoon.

On Thursday, Former Presidential Advisor Steve Bannon was permanently suspended from Twitter after suggesting Dr. Anthony Fauci and Christopher Wray be beheaded as a warning to bureaucrats. Trump later addressed the nation, but most news stations cut away when Trump falsely claimed to have won the election according to "legal votes." By Friday, Biden overtook Trump in the vote tally for Georgia while the delay in reporting results from Nevada culminated in a series of memes. Armed men from Virginia were arrested near the Philadelphia vote counting location.

But on Saturday morning, Pennsylvania and Nevada were both called for Joe Biden, clinching his Electoral College victory (he's already up over 4 million in the popular vote) and making him President-elect. There was much rejoicing in the streets.

Meanwhile, the world hit 50.2 million COVID-19 cases and 1.3 million deaths. The U.S. reported over 100,000 new cases in single day twice this week, reaching a total of 10.2 million cases and 243,000 deaths. Denmark ordered the mass extermination of farmed minks owing to fears of a coronavirus mutation spreading to humans.

We largely just tried to hold it together this week. We ate lots of comfort food, did yoga, spent election night watching the Mandalorian instead of cable news, and went to bed without seeing results thanks to some Advil PM. The next morning was a bit disheartening, but as the news became more promising over the course of the week, we allowed ourselves to relax a bit, even celebrating our friend Steve's birthday on Friday night with Portillos. On Saturday, after Biden's win was announced, Allen and I briefly stood outside and listened to the neighborhood's cheers. Later, Allen biked down to Black Lives Matter Plaza by the White House, where a massive celebration was underway.

And then we met up with Mom Mom, Grandpa Don and Katherine for dinner and drinks followed by a viewing of our new President and Vice President (the first female to bear that title) addressing the nation. It was a really good way to end the week.

(To see all of this week's pictures, click here.)

Pandemic, Week 33 (Tricks and Tweeting)

On Tuesday, the L.A. Dodgers won the World Series after a game six victory, during which third baseman Justin Turner was pulled in the eighth inning for testing positive for COVID (though he returned to the field for the celebration, despite MLB requesting he isolate, and now the entire team is self-quarantining). Amy Coney Barrett was sworn into the Supreme Court by Justice Clarence Thomas at another White House ceremony. Protests broke out in Philadelphia after police killed a man with a knife after family members had called police regarding a mental health crisis and domestic dispute. Keith Ranier, leaders of the cult NXIVM, was sentenced to 120 years for sex trafficking. Republicans in Wisconsin and Minnesota have successfully sued to reduce the number of days an absentee ballot can be counted if received after the election, despite what is printed on the ballot. A Biden campaign rally in Texas was cancelled due to security concerns after a "Trump Train" of trucks attempted to force the campaign bus off the highway. A North Carolina voter rally ended with police pepper spraying participants. Canada is looking to attract 401,000 new permanent residents next year to spur their economic recovery. The first nest of murder hornets has been destroyed.

This week the world hit a total of 46.5 million COVID cases and 1.2 million deaths. The U.S. hit 9.4 million case and 236,000 deaths. A Stanford University study estimates that 18 Trump rallies held between June and September have been responsible for 30,000 COVID cases and 700 deaths. The Trump campaign plans to hold 14 more rallies in the final days of the campaign. Trump's Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows, told reporters that the administration was not going to control the pandemic. 

We started the week with a family dinner and concert followed by a lot of preparation for a less than traditional Halloween. While there was some trick-or-treating on the Hill, we instead opted to have a socially distant costume meet-up with some of Nora's friends and then head up to Katherine's for some "Candy Pong" (which Owen was disturbingly good at), dinner (where Allen, Lee and Don literally sucked the marrow out of life), puzzling, and general frivolity.

Before we await the fate of the world next week.

(To see all of this week's pictures, click here.)

Pandemic, Week 32 (The Reckoning)

This week Pope Francis endorsed same-sex unions, stating that as children of God, homosexuals have a right to be in a family. Democrats boycotted the committee vote to advance the Supreme Court nomination of Amy Coney Barrett; the full Senate vote is expected eight days before the election. The Justice Department has been unable to locate the parents of 545 migrant children separated from them by the Trump administration. The President announced a peace deal with Israel and Sudan. Intelligence officials concluded that an email purportedly from the Proud Boys threatening violence if recipients didn't vote for Trump was actually sent by Iran. An Executive Order was issued which will except certain federal workers involved in policy making from civil service protections. Trump and Biden faced off at their final (though only second) Presidential debate and the first one ever to employ a mute button. There is now a website that will tell you if the ice cream machine at the McDonalds near you is broken.

The number of total COVID-19 cases in the world hit 42.9 million while deaths rose to 1.2 million. The U.S. reached 8.8 million cases and 230,000 deaths, after reporting its largest daily number of new cases since the pandemic began on Friday (though the President claimed during the debate that the virus was "going away"). Hospitals are reporting shortfalls of basic drugs needed to treat the virus while hospitalizations increased in 38 states this week. Texas now has the most case of COVID-19, at 908,000. 

We managed to get in a bike ride at the Arboretum (though it ended a little abruptly due to complaints about hills...) and dinner with the Telfair-Chas. I dropped a Diet Coke from the top-shelf of our cupboard which proceed to explode and the resulting 20 foot blast radius took a half hour to clean up. Owen got his official concert suit for Duke Ellington and his first tie-tying lesson from his father. He also had a zoom cello recital. Meanwhile, Nora has written two Acts and six songs for a musical with her friends (that they had kind of forgotten about).

But most poignantly, this week a new art installation opened up by RFK Stadium which represents each COVID-19 death in the U.S. with a white flag. Allen biked there early Friday morning; when I walked there on Saturday afternoon there were already 1,755 more flags. And, sadly, there will be thousands more by next week

.

(To see all of this weeks pictures, click here.)

Pandemic, Week 31 (GOTV)

This week the California Republican Party placed unofficial ballot drop boxes throughout the state. Trump, declaring that he was now immune from COVID, returned to the campaign trail this week and held rallies in Florida and Iowa, which locals advertised as a "Superspreader" event and where he offered to "kiss everyone in that audience."  After the President refused to agree to a remote debate following his positive COVID test, competing town halls were scheduled for the candidates. Biden's went on for two hours and was compared by republican operatives to an episode of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood; the Trump town hall lasted only an hour an included the President refusing to denounce QAnon and stating that the only thing he knew about the online conspiracy movement, which the FBI has labeled a domestic terrorist threat, is that "they are very much against pedophilia." The Amy Comey Barrett Supreme Court confirmation hearings concluded with Barrett failing to list all five freedoms protected by the first amendment (she forgot "protest") and Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein declaring it one of the best sets of hearing she'd participated in before giving chairman Lindsey Graham a hug.

The world hit a total number of 39.9 million cases of COVID-19 and 1.1 million deaths this week while the the U.S. reached 8.1 million cases and 224,000 deaths. Several European countries reintroduced restrictions due to a rise in the COVID infections: France and Germany imposing curfews and England considering a 2-week lockdown. The U.S. is now bracing for its third wave of the virus.

We returned home from the Chesapeake and to our regular lives. Nora was cast as Little Red Riding Hood and Puss-n-Boots in the latest Stuart-Hobson online play, Virtually Ever After (though she was hoping for Goldilocks). Owen found out that he would be recording the Star Spangled Banner with the Duke Ellington Orchestra for the Washington Football Team and then promptly missed a mandatory rehearsal (and instead got his flu shot). Hundreds of cyclist wearing costumes and adorned with disco lights biked past our house Wednesday night. Nora and I got haircuts (which was my first since March); Allen stopped by his EPA office (the first time since March) to pick up some paperwork. 

But most importantly, I voted (Allen mailed his ballot weeks ago). Please do so as well.

(To see all of this week's pictures click here.) 

Pandemic, Week 30 (Saint Michaels)

On Monday, the president was release from Walter Reed Medical Center and returned to the White House, where he promptly removed his mask and claimed he felt better than he had in 20 years (which might be because he's taking Dexamethasone, an extremely strong steroid). The president lost out on the Nobel Peace Prize to World Food Program, which was chaired by Hunter Biden from 2013-2019. The Vice-Presidential debate took place in Salt Lake City this week, with the candidates separated by a plexiglass. The barrier did not, however, stop a fly from landing on Mike Pence's hair and resting there for two minutes while he and Kamala Harris were discussing systemic racism. A group of six domestic terrorists were charged with plotting to kidnap Michigan's governor, Gretchen Whitmer, while an additional seven were charged with plotting to target law enforcement and attack the state capitol building. Eddie Van Halen died.

This week the world hit 37.5 million for the total number of COVID cases and 1.1 million deaths. The U.S. reached 7.9 million and 219,000 deaths. The president held a rally at the White House after his physician declared that he had met the criteria for the safe discontinuation of isolation – they have not indicated that he has tested negative for the disease, however.

But we were largely immune to it all, having rented a house on the water in Saint Michaels with the Telfair-Chas. The week, intermixed with school, work and conferences, has involved a lot of kayaking (and blue heron sightings), biking, puzzling, crabs, Polar Bear Club auditions, campfires, lots of fine dinners (including A5 Wagyu steak) and cocktails and most importantly, Allen and Owen (as well as Steve and Gabriel) got haircuts. And while not entirely without drama (apparently little old ladies don't like it when you kayak by their docks too frequently and will attempt to sick their dog on you while voicing their displeasure; also, when freezing chicken necks for crabbing purposes, think about extraction before placement...), hanging out with good friends in a beautiful place was a welcome reprieve from all the craziness going on in the world around us.

Which is why we're already making plans with them for the inauguration...

(To see all of this week's pictures, click here.)

Pandemic, Week 29 (Only Average)

A lot happened this week. On Sunday the Nats were eliminated from the playoffs and the New York Times revealed that Trump had paid only $750 in federal taxes in for 2016 and 2017, and no income taxes at all in 10 of the previous 15 years. On Tuesday, the Presidential candidates met in Ohio for what was advertised as a debate but has been generally described as a "shit show" with near constant interruptions, and name calling. Most alarming, during the debate, the President refused to denounce a white supremacist group, instead asking them to "stand by." A tape was released of the First Lady complaining about planning White House Christmas Decorations and criticism about detained migrant children. On Thursday, Presidential aid Hope Hicks was diagnosed with COVID-19. Later that evening, the President, announced that both he and the first lady had COVID. The President has been subsequently hospitalized and has been given an experimental antibody treatment. The Amy Coney Barrett nomination ceremony appears to have been a super spreader event.

This week there were a reported 35.5 million COVID-19 cases in the world and over one million deaths. In the U.S. there have been 7.6 million cases – including the President, the First Lady, Senators Thom Tillis, Mike Lee and Ron Johnson, former Governor Chris Christie, the President of Notre Dame, RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, several White House aids including Kelly-Ann Conway and three reporters – and 214,000 deaths, which means that the U.S. which accounts for 4 percent of the world population has been responsible fro 20 percent of all COVID-19 deaths.

But while a lot happened at the national level, it was actually a pretty quiet week for us. We skipped the debate but enjoyed Enola Holmes for family movie night. Boris, the microwave repairman, made a house call, despite John's absence, and grudgingly not only fixed our microwave, but taught Allen how (since "it's not rocket science") so that he never has to do it again. Owen enjoyed the Minecraft live reveal. Nora painted a rock and got a shoutout at the Stuart-Hobson sixth grade Town Hall for her September birthday. She also taught herself to use flipbook in order to create a video for one of her recent songs which kind of characterized the whole week.

But while this week was largely "only average," next week looks far more promising as we spent Saturday driving out to Saint Michaels for a week of bubbling with the Telfair-Chas on the Chesapeake.

(To see this week's pictures, click here.)

Pandemic, Week 28 (Please Vote)

This week a Canadian woman sent ricin to the President. The grand jury for the investigation into Breonna Taylor's death failed to indict any officers for her death and only charged one officer with wanton endangerment for firing shots into a neighbor's home. Protests erupted around the country in response to the verdict and two officers were shot in Louisville, KY. Ruth Bader Ginsburg laid in state at both the Supreme Court and the Capital -- the first woman to ever do so. During the viewing, the President was greeted with boos and chants of, "Vote him out!" Meanwhile, republicans announced that they had enough votes to confirm whatever justice the President nominated despite having not yet made his pick (he's subsequently announced it's Amy Coney Barrett). Mike Bloomberg raised $16 million to pay court fines and fees to allow 32,000 Black or Hispanic voters in Florida to vote, and republicans have now initiated an investigation to determine if this violates election law. The President twice refused to commit to a peaceful transition of power were he to lose the election. The Emmy Ceremony went virtual.

The world hit 33 million COVID-19 cases and 997,000 total deaths this week. The U.S. has reported 7.3 million cases and 209,000 deaths. The CDC removed guidance from its website that stated aerosol transmission might be the most common manner of transmission of COVID-19. A fourth large-scale vaccine trial has begun in the U.S.

Yet it was a pretty quiet week for us. On Sunday we biked to the Supreme Court so we could all pay our respects to RBG and then had a Zimmerman Zoom call where we sort of hung up on Grandpa and Grandma Z. Grandpas Fawcett and Don road-tripped to Iowa before Grandpa Don continued on to Salt Lake City to see Jen, Ahzer and the kids. Nora immortalized Piggy. There were multiple back-to-school nights and some additional class changes (Nora's now moving up to seventh grade math). Owen had climbing; Nora had DCYOP. Family game night involved "Among Us" where everyone except Allen ended up an imposter. Out instacart order omitted half of our shopping list but gave us an unsolicited 8 lbs of sugar.

But most importantly, we had a long and serious discussion with the kids about Breonna Taylor, police violence, the justice system, and everything that's been happening of late (and historically). It was illuminating to see how much they know and think about these issues, and also a bit heart-wrenching to know just how much time they're forced to think about these issues. So we talked a lot, hugged, and then we worked on postcards to encourage voter registrations.

Because that's how 2020 rolls.

(To see all of this week's pictures, click here.)

Pandemic, Week 27 (RBG)

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died. Other stuff also happened this week -- both Presidential candidates gave town halls, Louisville, KY agreed to pay Breonna Taylor's family $15 million for killing her after executing a no-knock warrant mistakenly on her home, Scientific America endorsed Joe Biden (its first presidential endorsement in 175 years), the Big 10 reversed its decision to suspend the football season, and scientists discovered phosphine in Venus's atmosphere, suggesting the possible existence of life -- but mainly, Ruth Bader Ginsburg died. 

Ginsburg's dying wish, recorded by her granddaughter, was that she, "not be replaced until a new president is installed." Within 90 minutes of her death announcement, Mitch McConnell declared that, "President Trump's nominee will receive a vote on the floor of the Senate." McConnell had declared after Justice Scalia's death -- 270 days before the 2016 election -- that, "Given that we are in the midst of the presidential election process, [I] believe that the American people should should seize the opportunity to weigh in on whom they trust to nominate the next person for a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court." Justice Ginsburg died just 47 days before the the election.

The world hit 31.0 million total COVID-19 cases and 961,000 deaths this week. Meanwhile, the U.S. hit 7.0 million cases and 204,000 deaths (though, as the President pointed out this week, if you don't count the deaths from all the blue states, the U.S. is actually doing pretty well). 

The kids continued with school this week – Owen got promoted to Music Theory II; Nora turned in her first ever excel chart depicting racial disparities in COVID-19 deaths (and got some constructive feedback from me about standardizing units that was not well received). We had Molly and Adam over for dinner. We spent the night at Katherine's and Lee's in order to see Makayla (whom we hadn't seen since March) and then headed back Saturday (after Nora's DCYOP rehearsal).  When we got home, Allen took Owen off to climbing while I visited the Supreme Court in order to pay my respects, before returning in order to be Nora's sous chef for Anais's birthday cooking party (which was awesome, but none of us ever need to make eclairs or cream puffs from scratch again).

But mainly, Ruth Bader Ginsburg died this week. May her memory be a blessing, and may we endeavor to uphold her legacy.

(To see all of this week's pictures, click here.)

Pandemic, Week 26 (The Six Month Mark)

This week, Bob Woodward revealed he'd recorded 18 interviews with Donald Trump between December 2019 and July 2020 for his book, "Fury," where Trump acknowledged the seriousness of COVID-19 in February while publicly downplaying the threat of the virus. Trump named potential Supreme Court nominees including Ted Cruz and Tom Cotton. The Justice Department announced they would be taking over the defense of the President in a defamation suit stemming from a claim of sexual assault against Trump in the 1990s. The recently renovated White House Rose Garden is being re-sodded after damage incurred from the President holding the GOP convention there. Wildfires, including one ignited after a pyrotechnic mishap at a gender reveal party, have burned 2.5 million acres in California and destroyed communities in Washington and Oregon. They have also blocked the sun in parts of the country and turned the sky disturbing shades of orange. In other news, the President was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

The total number of reported COVID-19 cases in the world hit 28.9 million this week with 924,000 deaths. The U.S. recorded 6.7 million cases and 198,000 deaths. One of the clinical trials for a COVID vaccine was halted this week after a participant had serious, neurological symptoms.

We spent the rest of our long weekend at Katherine's competing in a couples' yoga face-off (Katherine and Lee won) and Corn-hole (Nora and Mom Mom beat Owen and Grandpa Fawcett once Mom Mom began actively encouraging Nora), making butter, choosing fantasy football teams, puzzling, and observing Katherine and Lee in full apiarist mode. Back home, Nora joined the drama club and had her first rehearsal with DCYOP for the fall. Owen was promoted to Orchestra I at Duke and had his second week of in-person (but socially distanced) climbing team. Allen and I wrote 90 postcards (30 in Spanish!) to encourage citizens to vote in Texas.

But most of our energy this week was focused on planning some additional escapes from DC as social distancing continues to wear on us. When this all started, we really had no idea that six months later we would still be in the thick of it with no end in sight. I hope that in another six months we're not facing the same uncertain future.

(To see all of this week's photos, click here.)

Pandemic, Week 25 (Back to School)

This week, The President encouraged people in North Carolina to vote twice, both in person and via mail. When interviewed, Attorney General Bill Barr was unclear if doing so is illegal (it is). A "Patriot Prayer" member participating in a Trump caravan was reportedly killed by a self-described member of "antifa" during a violent skirmish in Portland involving paintballs. The suspect was later killed by U.S. Marshalls. An article in the Atlantic – which was later confirmed by Fox News, the Washington Post and the AP – reported that the President had mocked soldiers killed in battle or wounded. The President also signed a memo to defund "lawless cities" such as New York, Portland, Seattle, and Washington, DC (which is not legal). A George Washington University tenured professor of Africana studies admitted that she had been masquerading as a woman of color for the past ten years. Illusionist David Blaine flew over the Arizona desert while holding 52 balloons.

This week the world hit a total of 27.0 million cases and 882,000 deaths. The U.S. accounted for 6.4 million cases and 193,000 deaths. The Trump administration defended their notification to states to be ready to distribute a vaccine to high-priority groups as early as two days before the election as not being politically motivated. Meanwhile, several major drug makers pledged not to seek government approvals for their vaccines (some of which are currently in large clinical trials) until they have been proven safe and effective.

But while all that was going on, the kids started the 2020-21 school year (remotely) and Nora turned 11. It was big week for the kids – Owen got to go sailing, we had Mom Mom & Grandpa Don over for dinner, the kids met their new teachers and classmates (well, the ones that turned their cameras on), Nora had a birthday (and an epic Facetime with her besties), Owen auditioned for ensembles, Nora attended a club-fair, Owen got to return to a socially-distanced rock-climbing team, and we all got to go over to Aunt Katherine's to play.

It was a really good week for us, filled with lots of cake and treats and only a few technical glitches.

Hopefully our luck holds out.

(To see all of this week's pictures, click here.)

Chapter Eleven

Ten started out strong – Nora was rocking fifth grade with her besties. She joined the chorus and had a solo at the Winter Concert. She was in the Stuart-Hobson production of Frozen. She got to deliver MLK's I Have a Dream speech at the Lincoln Memorial. She made the DC Honor's Chorus. She made the Battle of the Books team. She went pixie.

And then there was the bump – aka the Pandemic. Battle of the Books was cancelled. The overnight field trip to Hard Bargain Farms was cancelled. Our trips to Harry Potter World and the Grand Canyon were cancelled. School went remote. Fifth grade graduation was virtual. We had to wear masks everywhere.

It did not go over well.

There were a lot of tears and slammed doors and yelling about all the stuff we couldn't do.

So we did other stuff.

We baked bread and cinnamon rolls . We made crepes, fresh pasta and pretzels. We churned butter. We presented on the science behind playing arpeggios using water bottles filled to different levels. We had family bike rides and family game nights. We got Animal Crossing (and played it a lot). We played a viola solo that closed out fifth grade graduation. We went hiking. We chased after covered wagons. We swam in the ocean and it didn't kill us. We rode zip lines and kayaked and flew an airplane.

And sometimes, we even got to see our friends.

So ten didn't turn out quite the way we planned, but it was still a pretty great year. And we can only imagine that 11 will be even better. Happy birthday, baby girl. We love you so, so much.

1. Personal hygiene is optional until middle school
2. Dream big. Fight hard.
3. It's all a balancing act.
4. Sometimes you need to go outside your own bubble. Especially if it means you get to bubble with a buddie.
5. Occasionally, parental guidance is suggested for the full Nora experience #PG10.
6. To laugh that we may not weep.
7. "Moo."
8. That'll do, Piggie.
9. I'm flying high, defying gravity!
10. And in the immortal words of Nora herself, These are strange, strange times and I am a strange, strange person. So take of that what you will.

Pandemic, week 24 (The Calm During the Storm)

On Sunday, Jacob Blake was shot seven times in the his back while walking away from police and entering his vehicle in Kenosha, WI. Protests erupted, which turned violent. This motivated an armed 17-year-old and his mother to drive to Kenosha from Antioch, IL in order to "protect buildings" and ended with the teen killing two protestors and shooting a third before heading back to Illinois with his mom. He was later arrested and is charged with murder. The NBA and WNBA players refused to play and the leagues postponed their playoff games in response and several MLB teams forced postponements as well. Meanwhile, Republicans held their convention this week, culminating in a 1,500 person, mask-less gathering at the White House (which probably violated the Hatch Act) where Trump accepted the nomination. Hurricane Laura struck the gulf coast resulting in the evacuation orders for over half a million people. Chadwick Boseman, who starred as T'Challa, the Black Panther, died at age 43 of colon cancer.

The world hit 25.2 million COVID case and 847,000 deaths this week with the U.S. accounting for 6.1 million cases and 187,000 deaths. The White House on Sunday announced that the FDA had granted emergency authorization for blood plasma in treating COVID-19 which would result in a 35 percent increase in the survival rate. By Wednesday, they had walked back the statements and on Friday the PR person in charge of the press release was fired.

Our week was largely quiet, as we geared up for next week's start of school. We had family game night of Poetry for Neanderthals (thanks, Dave and Kara) which involved hitting your opponent in the head with a club if they used two syllable words. While the initial round ended with some tears, eventually we all had fun with Nora even adopting it as a way of life. Owen had a virtual retreat for Duke Ellington, which involved some practice classes and learning the school creed (Commitment, Responsibility, Excellence, Empower and Dignity, though Owen thought there was an "Empathy" in there somewhere, so he may have some more work to do). Nora had her final SWS summer bookclub meeting (The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA) and meet-up with her fifth grade class. We spent a lot of time trying to change the kids school schedules (with mixed results), entering the kids schedules into their calendars and testing that they had all the different platforms needed in anticipation of next week's first day. But most importantly, we watched the premiere of Phineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe (spoiler, Candace wins!).

Hopefully, we will too.

(To see this week's pictures, click here.)

Pandemic, Week 23 (Crappy Birthday -- The Next Generation)

This week Joe Biden officially accepted nomination for President. The all-Zoom Democratic convention included speeches from Vice Presidential nominee, Kamala Harris,  Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Jill Biden, Elizabeth Warner, Bernie Sanders, a remote Democratic roll call (whose highlights included a Rhode Island product placement for the state's official appetizer, calamari) and a moving speech from a 13-year old with a stutter whom Joe Biden befriended and mentored while on the campaign trail (having also suffered from stuttering). The President called for a boycott of Goodyear tires after the company announced a policy that workers refrain from workplace expressions in support of political campaigning, including MAGA hats. Former Trump advisor Steve Bannon was arrested for fraud through a "We Build the Wall" fundraising scheme. The First Lady revamped the rose garden. And NASA announced an asteroid is headed towards earth right before the November election.

This week the world hit 23.4 million total COVID-19 cases and 809,000 deaths; The U.S. reached 5.8 million and 180,000 deaths. The University of Notre Dame and the University of North Carolina both announced they were returning to virtual classes after numerous outbreaks on their campuses associated with social gatherings. Syracuse announced it was suspending 23 students for gathering recklessly.

For us, this week was mostly about Owen turning 14. Sure, we had a socially distant bike ride (and ice cream) with the Telfair-Chas and Nora had a not-as-socially distant as initially discussed playdate with Harper. Owen continued with Duke Ellington's bridge (Nora's bridge was only a week, so she spent this week reading, familiarizing herself with her new phone and making Owen a present out of popsicle sticks). And Nora made butter thanks to an early present from Grandpa Don. 

But the clear highlight was celebrating Owen. We started with a birthday dinner featuring ice cream cake and a concert from the birthday boy himself. Then we had a climbing party (for both Owen and Nora) with Aunt Katherine and Uncle L at Sandy Springs (where Owen demonstrated his maturity by talking his increasingly hysterical mother down during two situations where we almost had to contact the staff to save me on a blue course) followed by a slumber party at Aunt Katherine's complete with presents and a Hagrid inspired Mom Mom cake.

All is all it was a pretty good week and a not-so-crappy birthday after all.

(To see all of this week's pictures, click here.)

Fourteen

Thirteen has been rough. A couple of weeks after Owen entered teen-hood, his brand new bike (and birthday present) was stolen at school. Then his cell phone screen shattered. There was drama with geometry class and Spanish class and even drama in drama class. And there was the looming high school application process complete with essays and interviews and tests (oh my).

But then Owen got a new bike (he paid for part) and a new phone. He went to the World Series and the Nationals won (granted they lost all three games he attended, but still...)! He (mostly) resolved his academic issues, decided he wanted to go to Duke Ellington and really focused on practicing for his audition (which went really well). He went to New York with the drama club and finally saw Phantom of the Opera in person. He got second place in the school science fair and an honorable mention for his National History Day project. He was cast in the spring play.

And then the Pandemic hit.

The play was cancelled. Classes were remote. Climbing was done for. Hanging out with friends was over. He couldn't go to 8th grade prom (though according to Owen, that was a silver lining).

Nevertheless, Owen persisted. He managed to perform both for his Youth Orchestra concert and channeled Odysseus in a new online play. He got into Duke. He graduated from Stuart. He traveled across the country with his cello in hand in order to practice and participate in an online intensive. He learned to make pretzels. He wrote essays on Harry Potter and did online math (as well as a disturbing amount of Brawl Stars). We bubbled with friends so he could go biking, swimming, kayaking and hiking. We bubbled with family so he could swim at the pond, eat lots of corn and ride a zip line. We bubbled with even more family so he could swim in the ocean and fly in the air.

And so while 13 maybe wasn't Owen's greatest year, it certainly has been memorable. Despite all manner of obstacles, Owen's come through a stronger, more mature and empathetic person who we're pretty proud of. Happy birthday, little man. We love you so, so much (and hope that 14 is far less eventful).

1. Bumpy roads lead to beautiful places.
2. You'd be amazed what you can deal with provided you have wifi and a Disney+ subscription.
3. Some longshots are worth it
4. "Respect the tech."
5. Life is all about balance
6. There are no small parts, only small actors. And sometimes, extremely small sets.
7. Sometimes you need to expand your bubble.
8. Diggers are good at dig dig digging, scooping up the earth and building ziplines!
9. You can't chose your family group, but sometimes you get really lucky. 
10. And in the immortal words of J.R.R. Tolkein, It's like in the great stories... The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end… because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it’s only a passing thing… this shadow. Even darkness must pass.

Pandemic, Week 22 (Back to the Start)

This week Joe Biden announced that his running mate would be California Senator, and former rival, Kamala Harris. The Senate recessed until after Labor Day without passing another Pandemic relief bill. The midwest was hit by a derecho with eastern Iowa barring the brunt of up to 140 mph winds, resulting in lost buildings, crops and power. The President announced during a press conference that he opposed funding for the USPS because he doesn't want it used for mail-in ballots this November. Meanwhile, over 600 high-volume mail-processing machines had been removed from postal facilities since June while Oregon reported the removal of mail collection boxes as recently as this week. Senate democrats have announced investigations into the matter. Dr. Pepper is facing major nation-wide shortages. 

The world hit a total of 21.6 million COVID-19 cases and 769,000 deaths. The U.S. reported 5.5 million cases and 173,000 deaths. Russia approved a COVID-19 vaccine, but without actually completing any trials, making it efficacy and safety questionable. Dr. Fauci and others have doubted whether a vaccine will be available for wide dissemination until well into 2021.

But for us, the main event this week was the return to school or at least the return to some sort of semi-organized central instruction. DC announced in the spring that they would be hosting a "bridge" for rising 3rd, 6th and 9th graders, to acclimate them to their new schools (and potentially to test new distancing policies should they DCPS be back for in-person instruction this fall – they're not, and the whole thing is on-line) which started Monday. We were somewhat doubtful as to how engaging a remote 2-week orientation would be, but both kids reported they really liked it and it seems to have assuaged their fears about middle and high school. At least for now.

Most of the other developments this week were related to that milestone. Owen got a new laptop and Nora inherited his old one. Nora got a new (well, refurbished) phone and started chatting away with her friends. The kids spent their off time organizing 100 lego mini-figures so they could wait to sit on a couch (yeah, I don't understand either, but they were really proud of it). We had the Romans over for a socially distant dinner to discuss the boys return to climbing; and a less distant family dinner to celebrate Sharon's cardiac catheterization appointment going well.

Which I guess means we're ready for the next stage of the Pandemic, which is basically whatever we were doing in March, only now it's August.

(To see all of this weeks pictures, click here.)

Pandemic, Week 21 (Life's a Beach)

This week a massive explosion in Beirut killed over 150 people, though whether it was an accident or an attack is still unclear. The New York Attorney General filed a lawsuit to dissolve the NRA, alleging it violates laws governing non-profits.  The President issued an Executive Order (which may not be be legal) that cut the payroll tax and offered $300 per week in supplemental unemployment benefits if states chipped in $100 (down from $600 per week). On Friday evening, 23 postal executives were either reassigned or displaced and states were informed that the cost of mailing ballots to voters would increase from the bulk rate of 20 cents each to the first class rate of 55 cents each, a 175 percent increase.

The world hit a total of 19.8 million COVID-19 cases and 730,000 deaths. Meanwhile the U.S. reported 5.2 million cases (including the governor of Ohio) and 165,000 deaths. A student in Georgia was suspended for posting a picture of a crowded school hallway with students not donning masks. The suspension was later reversed while 9 people from the school tested positive and one Georgia school districted had 250 people quarantined after one week of classes.

We were largely unaware of these developments, however, having headed to the Outer Banks for our annual beach trip. It was a fitting 2020 vacation in that it involved a hurricane (thanks Isaias), jellyfish, sea nettles, lots of rain and cold water all of which led Nora to conclude, "The ocean is trying to kill me!" There was also a little too much imbibing, a spontaneously shattering sliding door, and issues with the chair service.

And yet, it was still a really, really good trip.

Nora flew a plane (with Don's son Jeff prepared to take over whenever needed)! Piggy and Owen's fleece got to experience weightlessness as Jeff performed a parabolic flight (Allen, Owen and Nora did too). There were games, a 40th birthday celebration, cocktails and beach time and despite the jellyfish and sea nettles, floating time (even Grandpa Fawcett got in). There was bocce ball on the beach (Nora tied for second place) and a 1/2 marathon (only Katherine participated in that one). 

There was Duck Donuts, homemade ice cream, cookies and pie, and a lot of sandwiches. And while we didn't get around to our annual sandcastle contest (due to rain delays and an inconveniently timed high tide), we did get to "surf the flamingo" for which Katherine, Lee, Owen and Nora all received points (and Allen tried really, really hard).

All of which culminated in Lee winning this year's Pelican Cup (with Nora coming in a close second). 

It was so nice to experience one of our summer traditions in a manner that resembled previous years. And while we're sad that we have to back to work this week (and the kids are starting their "summer bridge" remotely at their new schools), it was a great way to end the summer.

Now we just have to quarantine for two weeks.

(To see all the pictures, click here.)

Pandemic, Week 20 (Nothing to See Here)

This week it was reported that the US economy contracted at a 33 percent annualized rate in the second quarter of 2020, the worst on record. Congress and the White House were not able to reach an agreement on extending emergency unemployment benefits, which means an estimated 20 million people will lose the $600 per week enhanced benefits that Congress had approved in March. Federal agents withdrew from Portland, though they are slated to go to Cleveland, Detroit and Milwaukee. President Obama spoke at John Lewis's funeral and called for both a return and expansion of Lewis's Voting Rights Act. Meanwhile Trump tweeted that due to concerns about voter fraud associated with mail-in ballots, we should delay the election (which he is not legally allowed to do). He's also discussed banning Tik-Tok.

In COVID news, the world hit 18.0 million cases and 689,000 deaths. The U.S. reported a total of 4.8 million cases and 158,000 deaths. California is now the number one state in terms of cases with Florida a close second and Texas now third. Former Presidential candidate Herman Caine died this week, after contracting COVID at the Tulsa Trump rally. Texas Congressman, and mask naysayer, Louise Gohmert, announced at an in-person meeting with staff, that he had contracted COVID. Baseball games were briefly suspended after 21 players from the Marlins tested positive. DC schools announced they would be all virtual for at least the first term, through November 6th.

But while everything seemed to be happening in the world, very little happened with us this week. After arriving back home from Iowa around 8 pm on Sunday, we unloaded and unpacked. We spent the week trying to tie up all lose ends at work, Owen completed his summer intensive (which it turns out did not end last week as previously reported), and Nora recorded this week's musical podcast (an homage to Grandpa Fawcett who spent the week watching a season of its namesake), Air Disasters.

Now we just need to pack for a week at the beach as Hurricane Isaias descends on the Outer Banks, because this is how 2020 roles.

(Sorry, we didn't take any pictures this week.)

Pandemic, Week 19 (Corn Fest-ish)

A Wall of Moms, a Wall of Veterans, Dads with Leaf Blowers, and the Mayor of Portland were participating in peaceful protests when they were gassed by federal agents in order to "protect federal property." The Chinese Consulate in Houston was given 72 hours to close after the U.S. accused it of economic espionage; China retaliated by ordering the U.S. Consulate in Chengdu closed. The Nats (minus Juan Soto who tested positive for COVID) faced the Yankees for their opening day as baseball returned (albeit for only a 60 game season). The game included Dr. Anthony Fauci throwing out the first pitch, the players from both teams kneeling before the national anthem, no fans in attendance, and the game ending after six innings due to severe thunderstorms (the Nats lost, 4-1). The President  bragged about his cognitive ability by repeating the following word string twice during an interview, "Person. Woman. Man. Camera. TV."

The world hit 16.1 million COVID-19 cases and 645,000 deaths this week – of which 4.3 million cases and 149,000 deaths were from the U.S. In response to recent spikes of cases in Florida, the President decided to cancel the Republican Convention in Jacksonville, having earlier moved it there from Charlotte, NC due to Florida's more liberal opening policies. DC is now mandating a 14-day quarantine (beginning Monday) for people returning to DC from certain hotspots, including Iowa.

Fortunately, we'll be back on Sunday.

For our last week in Iowa, we seemed to spend it finishing projects. Owen had his last "summer intensive" lesson with Ms. Purdie before he starts at Duke Ellington (remotely) August 10th. Work on the zip-line was completed (work on scaffolding for the zip-line is still underway) and all of us plus Grandpa Z got to test it. Nora helped write and record, Mythologia Cataracta (The Myth of the Waterfall), for her latest Camp Shenanigans podcast and also participated in her fifth grade class's book club. Grandpa Fawcett joined us at Grandpa and Grandma Z's towards the end of the week as a precaution while his sister Margie from Florida came to visit.

But the big event this week was Cornfest. It was a stripped down celebration this year, with only 35 people feeling comfortable in gathering together, covered wagon rides limited to family units, the banishment of the food line, masks wearing in the main cabin, and the absence of the corn-eating contest (the plaque will list "COVID" as the winner in 2020). We were a little conflicted in attending (Grandpa and Grandma Z decided to pass), but in the end, we decided to risk it for one more day at the pond, lots of corn, more zip-line runs, and some special time with family before the long drive home. It was a lot of fun.

And hopefully, we all stay healthy.


(To see all of this week's pictures, click here.)

Pandemic, Week 18 (Neowise)

This week, following calls for a boycott of Goya products after their CEO praised the President, both the President (in the Oval Office) and Ivanka Trump posted pictures of themselves endorsing Goya beans (and violating ethics rules). Federal Customs and Border Patrol agents, dressed in military fatigues, apprehended citizens and detained them in unmarked minivans in Portland, OR. The Nationals had an inner squad game at Nats Stadium. Ruth Bader Ginsburg announced her cancer has returned. Congressman and Civil Rights leader John Lewis died.

Meanwhile the world hit 14.4 million COVID-19 cases and 603,000 deaths with the U.S. reaching 3.8 million cases and 143,000 deaths. The White House argued that schools should open this fall, regardless of whether they've met the CDC's guidelines because, "Science should not stand in the way" of re-opening schools. In addition, the White House decided the CDC should no longer be in charge of COVID data on hospitalizations, and that hospitals should instead report the information directly to the White House. Congress is debating another coronavirus stimulus package with Republicans insisting on liability protections for businesses whose workers contract the disease at work; Democrats insisting on direct payments to most Americans, expanded unemployment insurance payments, and assistance to state and local governments; and the President balking at funding expanded testing. The governor of Oklahoma, who attended Trump's Tulsa, OK rally, announced he had COVID.

We continued to chill (and work) in Iowa. Efforts on the zip-line stopped abruptly when it became apparent that: 1) it wasn't steep enough to actually transport anyone, and 2) there was a fray in the cable and so all 600+ feet will need to be taken town and replaced. Revised plans are still being developed. So we watched Hamilton. We made pretzels. We saw Pete and Bernie (who had a doctor's appointment in Iowa City). Nora got prescription sunglasses.

But most significantly (from an astronomical standpoint), we enjoyed the approach of Neowise, the first comet in 23 years to be visible to the naked eye. Allen and I initially checked it out in Iowa City, but then enjoyed a Fawcett/Zimmerman socially distant comet viewing at the pond the next night (with s'mores!).

Given comets were once believed to be heavenly omens, one could argue that Neowise's presence means that things on earth are about to improve. We really, really hope so.

(To see all of this week's pictures, click here.)

Pandemic, Week 17 (Is this Heaven)

This week, Kanye West announced that he's running for president. The Supreme Court ruled that roughly half of Oklahoma is owned by the Creek Nation and that local prosecutors lack the authority to pursue criminal cases against Native defendants. The Court also ruled that the President does not have presidential immunity and that state prosecutors can obtain his financial records. The President responded by declaring that the he was the victim of political persecution and then commuting the sentence of Presidential Advisor Roger Stone for obstruction, witness tampering and making false statements to Congress.

Meanwhile, 12.8 million COVID-19 cases and 568,000 deaths were reported worldwide. Texas set a record of 10,000 new COVID-19 cases in a single day this week, contributing to the the U.S. total of 3.4 million cases and 137,000 deaths. The CDC provided guidance on school re-openings which the President criticized as "very tough" and "expensive," after which the CDC said it would issue new recommendations. Also the President wore a mask for the first time in public (at a visit to Walter Reed Hospital).

We made it to Iowa Sunday night in just under 14 hours, with two stops and no conflagration. The next morning, Allen and I began working remotely from the central time zone while the kids kept themselves occupied until we could all go to the pond. Activities for the kids have included Owen's (remote) summer intensive for Duke, a lot of Kahn Academy, editing/writing with Grandma Z, sculpting, and trivia (where Grandma and Grandpa Z proved they are not our lucky charms).

But their favorite part of the day (when it's not storming) is when we head out for a few hours (or entire day if Allen's off work) at the pond. There is a lot of swimming, some new projects (including beginning work on a zip line!), and a lot of not-entirely social distancing with Grace and Grant.

(To see all of this week's pictures, click here.)

Pandemic, Week 16 (The Rooms Where Little Happened)

The President held a fireworks display in advance of Independence Day at Mount Rushmore, despite environmental concerns. Sadly, his son couldn't attend as his fiance had just been diagnosed with COVID-19. Disney Plus released the filmed performance of Hamilton from 2016 with the original cast which we gathered on Mom Mom and Grandpa Don's porch to watch (Katherine is still in quarantine, post-Florida trip). Carl Reiner died. The Supreme Court ruled against limiting abortion access in Louisiana though also kind of explained how future states could get around that ruling. The Mississippi legislature finally voted to remove the confederate symbol from its state flag. Meanwhile Washington's football team has decided to undergo a thorough review of its name.

The new worldwide count of COVID-19 cases was 11.3 million and 531,000 deaths. The U.S. accounted for 2.9 million COVID-19 cases and 132,000 deaths. The governor of Texas has acknowledge that he probably shouldn't have opened bars so early.

On Sunday we celebrated Dave's 50th birthday via zoom. Monday we had Molly and Adam over for a socially distant backyard dinner and cello concert (Owen even got some applause from the alley). Tuesday Nora got her hair cut at Bravado. It was the first time any of us had ventured into a Phase 2 establishment for a service. Only Nora, myself, the stylist and a receptionist were in the salon, we all wore masks and we had our temperature taken prior to entry followed by some sanitizer. It was only about twenty minutes total (though I was anxious the whole time) and she looked pretty cute afterwards. Nora and her friend Sadie recorded two separate podcast episodes: Germs in the Bathroom and Trolls Under the Bridge (apparently the focus this week was prepositional phrases). Somewhere in there we also discovered the errant Easter egg John hid a little too well, met Katherine's latest pets (from a safe distance) and redecorated the kids rooms a bit (which just meant switching the space pictures to Nora's room and the U.S. map to Owen's). And we stayed up late on the Fourth (not voluntarily) watching (though mostly listening) to at least six separate neighborhood firework displays (that went off until around four in the morning).

But most importantly, we took the car in to be inspected in response to a recall. Unfortunately, the 2020 Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid may be prone to bursting into flames, and while there's no current fix for it, the manufacturer wanted to check to see how flammable ours was. It took a while for them to make a determination (two full business days and some aggressive prompting from Allen), but we have been cleared to drive it to Iowa.

But if there's no blog next week, you'll know why.

(To see this week's pictures, click here.)