Christmas 2020

 We had a festive celebration for Christmas this year.  ML & family came by Christmas Eve for turkey dinner then I went to their house to spend the night and wait for Santa. The boys enjoyed all their toys as we enjoyed watching open their gifts and our gifts. We had a wonderful charcuterie spread for eats. Robert’s company sent yummy foods to everyone: smoked duck breast, pate, jamón, etc. 

Autumn

 The long Autumn of 2020 was spent in anticipation of two events: the presidential election and the birth of my third

grand baby. We all tried desperately to wear masks, stay outside and keep 6 feet apart, not to mention all the hand washing and hand sanitizer. This was not only to save our lives but to prevent exposing Mary Laurel to COVID-19 which might affect the developing fetus. I tracked infection rates in Marin County daily. The only place I went was the grocery store and occasionally to dinner at my friend, Bev’s who lives near me. Church became a weekly Zoom call, class reunions also turned to zoom for communication. A monthly Rhodes School (lux sit) alumni zoom was always informative.

As to the election, I was glued to TRMS and CNN and the PBS News Hour. Every atrocity committed by the Trumpsters was detailed. That with the horrendous lack of response by the federal government to the pandemic and then lack of concern for first-line workers made for a fair amount of cussing at the tv. I sent off checks the the Democrats and Elect Biden praying others would do the same and there would be a landslide vote for Biden and the Democrats would take the Senate. Not all of this was realized. The lack of concession by Trump to Biden and with Trumps firing heads of security and others at the Department of Defence and Voice of America communication chiefs, it felt like Trump was staging a coup. He replaced all the knowledgeable people with lackeys from congressional staff who believe in absurd conspiracy theories.  Trumps continued insistence that he actually won the vote has led to contributions of over $250 million to help fight the results. But the money is actually going into Trump’s pocket for the most part.

I spent a lot of time with Lyle during the day so Arlo could do his zoom school and ML could rest when she wasn’t working from home. Lyle and I made cakes and cookies, took walks and scoots, played tennis, and made art. When it got close to full term, I slept at their house until Thanksgiving week when I brought the boys to my house to stay since there was no school. Lucky I did because finally a week after due date baby wanted out. They rushed to the hospital and baby was born within 45 minutes. His name is Everett Jude Bilek-Burt and he is beautiful. He was 7 lbs & 15 ozs when born on 11/24/2020.

Below are some pics from the Fall of 2020.

Pandemic

Starting around March 11 I self isolated so as not to be exposed to COVID-19. The Bay Area closed down early with stay at home orders, going out only for groceries, medical care, and pharmacies. Essential service providers continued to go to work. We all wore masks and gloves, washed hands, and stayed 6 feet apart. I saw my family about once every 10 days in my patio or on their deck. I attended church services via Zoom. Below are some pics. It is now June 8 and the area is just starting to open up a little.

Early March Visitor

In early March, Cathy Dippo came to visit for a week. We explored the north bay wineries making daily treks from home: Napa, Sonoma, Bodega Bay, Santa Rosa, and a spa in Calistoga. Below are some pics.

Before Cathy came I had taken Arlo to Safari West with my friend Bev and her grandson Sawyer. It was north on the way to Calistoga.

Cabo San Lucas

In January, Sim and I travelled to the base of California Baja South, Mexico. We went with Sim’s nephew and his wife, Avi and Gilla. We stayed at a resort on the beach and had a wonderful time. Below are some pics.

New Years Hike

I took a 3.5 mile hike around Bon Tempe Lake on New Years Day with ML, Robert, and the boys. It’s a dammed lake near the top of Mt. Tamalpais  in Fairfax. The boys did a great job walking around the trail. There were lots of other hikers and runners to wish “Happy New Year”.  The day began with buckwheat cakes and sausage with homemade applesauce. Can’t really ask for more than that to begin a new year. On the eve before the family came over for dinner with an early ball drop.

SMA

In early December, Sim came out to visit then we went to San Miguel de Allende for a week. I celebrated my bday on the roof terrace for sunset eating mid eastern mezes then a holiday concert by Lady Zen. The next day I had lunch with Emily CD, ML’s college roommate who is living there now. The next night we went to see Lee’s 2-women play called “The Roommate”. She was wonderful.

I’m slipping in here some pics of folks back East who came to visit me in October and early November. It was in the midst of bathroom remodeling and my surgery on October 30.  Susan Schappert and her husband visited mid- October. We hiked around Point Reyes. Rob Weinzimer and his daughter visited right after the surgery, and Sue Goodwin came out for a week to start my recuperation since my actions were limited. Here are some pics.

Rob and me

Point Reyes

Blue Heron at Point Reyes

Susan at Point Reyes

Point Reyes

Sue and me on the ferry to San Francisco

Poke lunch at the Chart House at end of Pier 29

View from our lunch on Pier 29

We are going back to Mexico in mid January but to an all inclusive resort at the southern tip of Baja along with Sim’s nephew and his wife. Should be fun. Below are pics from the December SMA trip.

Sim on Aldama

Sim, Lee, Richard and Cathy at sunset rooftop dinner