Wow — my last post was three years ago.\u00c2\u00a0 But now, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, I find myself with a bit more time and maybe some extraneous thoughts to purge.\u00c2\u00a0 So much has changed since I started this blog; namely, in the beginning I had four children at home, now I have none.\u00c2\u00a0 One grandson, born amid the Covid-19 pandemic in Oregon, has joined the family.<\/p>\n
Despite the pandemic, I was there.\u00c2\u00a0 We arrived early, quarantined for two weeks in an AirB&B, and got to\u00c2\u00a0hold and spoil\u00c2\u00a0him for a few days before returning home.\u00c2\u00a0 It was hard to leave, but I grew increasingly concerned that, had we stayed until our originally planned return, we might not be able to get home at all.<\/p>\n
But home I am, with He Who Tames Flying Monkeys, Delta (who is working from home for the foreseeable future), canine Loki, feline Tesla, and avian Georgie.\u00c2\u00a0 I have learned that effective meetings can be conducted via Zoom, and find myself wondering why anyone ever has any other kind of meetings.\u00c2\u00a0 I miss my favorite waiter at Gallo Loco, which has closed, and I miss Friday evenings at Crafter’s Brew — though I’m most grateful that they’re still open for an hour or so a day for growler refills.\u00c2\u00a0 [Helpful hint: 3-liter cranberry juice bottles hold more than a standard growler.]<\/p>\n
I still maintain an interest in education, and worry what this greatly-extended Spring\/Summer break will bring for the 4,800+ students in this district, that I consider “mine.”\u00c2\u00a0 Since my last writing, we’ve gone to 1:1 devices for all students grades 2-12, but elementary students don’t take their laptops home.\u00c2\u00a0 Now, with no school, I’m wondering if that’s a mistake.\u00c2\u00a0 How many might be playing games in Dreambox (math) if they had their own computers?\u00c2\u00a0 Some families have devices the kids can use, but some don’t.\u00c2\u00a0 I worry about our teachers, who are having to come up with distance learning for their students, with little or no professional development in that area.\u00c2\u00a0 I really worry about the high school seniors, who will graduate — but without the standard trappings of a prom, senior week, graduation exercises, etc.<\/p>\n
I\u00c2\u00a0wonder why Ruth’s Chris (one of the most expensive steakhouses in which I’ve ever dined) got a bailout, but the local mom-and-pop restaurants that I prefer, got nothing.\u00c2\u00a0 I wonder why people who got tax refunds got a stimulus deposit right away, but the people who have to pay (though well within the guidelines for a stimulus check) got nothing.<\/p>\n
I wonder if there will ever be such a thing as “normal” again.\u00c2\u00a0 I want to go see my parents, but having flown cross-country a week ago, I am refraining until it’s been two weeks.\u00c2\u00a0 I’m staying home.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Wow — my last post was three years ago.\u00c2\u00a0 But now, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, I find myself with a bit more time and maybe some extraneous thoughts to purge.\u00c2\u00a0 So much has changed since I started this blog; namely, … Continue reading