Well, we are being as Merry as we can, given the ever changing fate of 2021.
First, Bella played out her time on Earth. At the end she was blind, deaf, and smell-less. This is her last picture, in the parking lot of the Vet.
Then we left on a three week vacation to tour Native American mounds and ruins, along with visits with relatives along the way. I have been obsessed in my typical fashion with the idea that most of North America was settled indigenous communities linked by roads and trade for over a thousand years before Europeans came. Sadly, disease wiped out 90% of the inhabitants, or nearly 10 million humans, before most Europeans ever saw the interior. The Spanish recorded the towns and population, but for some reason (I wonder what that would be) early settlers refused to believe it. So we went in search of the ruins.
First stop was Georgia to see Sal’s parents, Israel and
Mildred. They are always the greatest hosts but not ruins!
Then on to Hocking Hills in Ohio to see the remnants of the Hopewell Culture. This map is all the known sites of indigenous culture in Ohio. 42,000 of them.
Lancaster County, and we found the Amish!
Then on to Michigan to spend time with Val’s family.
The best preserved collection of artifacts of the Mississippian Culture are just outside Chattanooga.
This is a map of Echota, the capital of the Cherokee Nation, complete with Supreme Court Buildings, Capital, stores, houses, and wide streets. Of course, the Government did not care that the Cherokee were “civilized” since the government was not. They were forcefully removed, exiled to Oklahoma along the trail of tears, and their land given by lottery to the “civilized” white settlers.
On the way back home we stopped to see Jessica and Hayden in Atlanta, where they have a very cute home.
Since I did not shave the entire time, I documented my heavy beard, and the after effect of a good three minute shaving!
When we returned, Val had a simple lumpectomy to remove a benign cyst in her breast. We were startled to discover that it turned out, after pathology, to be cancerous. After talking with the doctor, they decided to do a mastectomy. But like all great things in life, it took awhile to schedule.
So, despite COVID being declared over by our Governor, I still had most meetings on Zoom
I even had time for motorcycle rides. These are from Myaaka, a State Park. Left is the view from the Observation Tower. Below left is my favorite Florida animal, the alligator.
Walking along the North Clearwater Beach. Yep, almost no people!
Kyna was tired of the blank wall, and sweet talked me into helping her put in a custom fireplace with recycled wood. I had too much time, so what was 4 weekend days?
First things first, we drilled into a pipe in the wall, flooding the front room and part of the bathroom behind it. Had to stop to repair it.
But the project came out much better than I thought we could ever do. Forget it, we are not starting a new business.
Next up, the Super Hero 5K run for Guardian ad Litem. Leila joined by other Super Heroes. She looks right at home.
To the left, I finish in a blazing 52 minutes. On the right, the Betancourts celebrating they are still alive
Val congratulating her favorite Super Hero!
Then, before we could duck, it was Thanksgiving. Here are the little tiny kids from olden times, now almost adults. Except for the cute one on the left.
The Thanksgiving guys to the left, damsels to the right! There were more hiding in the bushes, trying to preserve deniability.
Great food, too, most likely a more required tradition. Although it was hinted at, the guys were making Mucosa Bombosa in the backyard.
Formalities completed, we then set ourselves the goal of eliminating all calories from the house. Try as we might, we were not successful.
To mentally prepare ourselves for the surgery, we ate gourmet burgers
And took one last canoe ride in a wilderness area. Can never get enough swamp time.
But all distractions eventually end, and Val had the mastectomy. She felt fine after surgery, and wanted to go home, but the doctors said no way.
Poor Patty could not figure out what happened to Val, and moped around all night waiting for her.
The next day we had a florist shop on the table, thanks to all the well wishers.
After grinding up the removed tumors for genetic analysis, the pathologist discovered that she had tumors in her lymph nodes and the type of tumor put her at high risk for development. Which means chemo. While writing this, she has been caught in a battle of incompetence between the insurance company and the referral person for her doctor. So far, both are winning. But we are tough, we will make it through, especially with our fantastic support team. And we are very lucky to have the next generations coming up behind, who promise to do a better job at life than we have.
Jessica and Hayden at our home. They announced they are getting married next year, and are adapting their plans to include us
Seen here getting ready to run in the Turkey Trot, our very own inspiring, loving, and totally supportive family.
So as we hold our breath against the centripetal force from whipping around the Sun and heading back toward Summer, we trust we will make it safely. Despite the best work and dedication of chaos and conflict, we remain both happy and content. We look forward to writing to you in 6 months. Happy Solstice!