Summer Advances

The front garden was a riot of color one morning.

This first day of August after reading the news reports I gave thanks that my school district career is over. When I read about all the unknowns plaguing parents and school districts and teachers concerning the current pandemic one could throw up one’s hands and say “it’s not my problem.” I’d like to be able to do that but my concern is for the students and teachers who will be dangerously exposed to the virus once in-person instruction begins. My concern is for the households to which those children and teachers will return and the people they live withwho face possible exposure. Myconcern is also for the relatives with whom those students and teachers and parents will visit and who will also be exposed. The numbers right now are bad enough. The potential for millions of cases of those infected is right around the corner.

This past week brought news of a student who tested positive on the first day of school. A sports training camp at Northern S.U. in Aberdeen had several participants that were exposed and tested positive. A Bible Camp in the Black Hills had several participants that tested positive.

Ivy geranium post beetle visitation!

Then we have a sports star who thinks the whole virus thing is a hoax. We have a doctor who promotes a drug which does not work amongst other crazy ideas she emits from her mouth. Plain nuts!

A friend of mine from college days was speaking of his grandchildren and what wouldhappen to them when school begins. They will begin school at home, along with their father who will also work from home. Their mother teaches in another district which is opening its doors. He pointed out and caused me to think about the fact that a teacher who is exposed and needs to quarantine will effectively exhaust her/his sick leave by going into quarantine.  This could happen at the beginning of the year. Who is going to cover the sick leave for the remainder of the year or will the teacher be docked? There is a perpetual shortage of substitute teachers here. If the district has no subs for a particular day, what will happen? It really is everyone’s problem.

And then we have a governor who refuses to require masks. At least the district will require students and staff to wear masks The glimmer of hope is in those persons locally who see the danger and make wise decisions.

I hope things go well but I’m certainly happy not to be going back to school.

This is my languid pose.

This week off from chemo has gone well.  I’ve felt good. My port site has healed. It is still somewhat red but doesn’t feel weird anymore. Next week I can stay away from medical facilities untilFriday when I have lab work, a CT scan and an MRI. The doctor will reveal all that afternoon. Then the schedule for the next week will be presented.

It’s wonderful when a friend comes by to visit. When said friend is an excellent cook and brings tidbits along to share it’s even better. The days fill up with a variety of tasks, interesting things to read, and short trips out provide variety.  Not a lot of progress on the park visitation project this week (up to 39/80).  Getting  busy  on that project is on the agenda next week.

All the plantings have gone crazy this past month. The heat and the constant watering this householder has provided have caused great growth.  The beautiful ivy geraniums seen in a previous post have been attacked by the Japanese beetle and are no longer beautiful.  They are in need of an extreme trimming. Maybe they will make a comeback. 

I hope and pray you have a wonderful week. Thank you for reading, sharing, praying and being you.

The deck corner on August 1.