September Update: COVID (still!), Global Warming, and You!

 Dear Joanie,

    First of all, let me offer these side-by-side images of you and your Grandmother Coco, arms outstretched. The first is of you, taken on your first birthday, May 23, 2021. The second is of Coco, which was taken by a professional photographer, and I can't remember how old she was. Her photo was taken in either 1958 or 1959.

When I look at the two of you, I see the resemblances. Do you? Actually, that's Coco's hand outstretched, as she is a little nervous about your sitting on the edge of the seat. I think Coco in her picture must be about 6 months old.I love seeing the joy on her face, and I'm wondering what the photographer has said to her that made her laugh.

 

What I see with both of you is the same intelligent, curious demeanor. You did not inherit her dark brown eyes, however, which she inherited from me. Those bright blue eyes are stunning, though. Look at your little dresses. Coco is dressed in the style of the 1050s: little puffed sleeves and a top with smocking, those little ribbed pieces that you see.

I believe that dress was blue. I love the little Kewpie doll upright curl in her hair. I probably made that curl myself, and I imagine that Coco might cringe when she sees it. 

You are dressed in the style of your day, a pretty tulle skirt with a satiny top. You are barefoot. That's where you take after me. Barefoot is always my first choice.

Here are updates on the current state of the world, especially this country.

The latest COVID information from the New York Times on this date:

United States ›

	Avg. on Sept. 27	14-day change
New cases	117,966	–33%
New deaths	2,052	+12%

    Of course,  it's good to see the fall in the reports of new cases, but it is at odds with the rise in deaths and doesn't tell the whole picture. In this country, we are still plagued, quite literally, with people who are Anti-Vaxx, as we are calling them.  So, vaccinations have become a political issue, and there are large demonstrations against government-mandated vaccinations (all health care workers) and also mask mandates by local and state governments. Also what these statistics don't reveal is that there are emergency room and ICUs that are filled to capacity in the states with the lowest vaccination rates. Unvaccinated people are taking up space that people with other medical conditions need, and there is growing resentment about that.

    That means, yes, we are back to wearing masks in public places. We had a brief respite when cases had gone down, and we were all freely shopping without our masks on and looking forward to indoor gatherings like they used to be. But in Colorado, and especially in Boulder, masks are mandated for all commercial businesses operating indoors. The implications for us are Target and Whole and The Dog Spot for Shelby Poodle.  And, of course, where we live: The Carillon.

    At the Carillon, we take our temperature and oxygen rate daily. We had a time period when we had to be tested for COVID twice a week, since we had a staff member test positive. That ended last week, but we are to wear masks in all public places. Visitors must show proof of vaccination, answer questions, and have temperature taken. Then a little badge is printed out that they have to wear when they're here. 

     Dougie and I are doing all right in the midst of all of this. He is having trouble with balance and walking, so I hope to get a walker for him this week.

Global Warming

    Above all, your life will be most affected by global warming. The implications are rather terrifying because we have ignored the issue for so long, and, as with COVID, it's become a political issue, with people who don't have a clue about scientific information, and are, in fact, anti-science. 

    Here is an example. Several years ago, I did a canoe trip on the San Juan River, putting in at Bluff, Utah, and pulling out at Lake Powell, an artificial lake that serves as a water supply for the West. If I were to repeat that trip today, my canoe would scrape bottom in many places, but if I did make it to Lake Powell, the pull-out spot would now be 30 feet above the water. Yes, 30 feet.  

    But before, I go, here's one picture that shows the beauty of this world we live in: Aspen trees in Colorado in the fall.

 

Keep on walking at the park, Joanie. We love the little videos.

Love,

GG Katie