July 2020

July flew by like a series of Groundhog Days, repeating endlessly with few variations. The Fourth was a quiet affair with lunch in Spanish Fork at Emily's house and fireworks later on our street. Hamilton played on Disney+ and was among the many things we streamed. Work continued at a good clip at Opa and Annie's and we shared meals with them almost every evening. Matt, Kim, and Brigham visited at the end of the month, and Manuel started the restoration of our doors.

Alexander Hamilton

A calm Fourth

Not much concern about the pandemic

Los Ruiz

Fireworks with a citronella bucket

The floor is in

The Marlpit-Hill Boyntons

Denmark and the United Kingdom on Pioneer Day

Yup

Manuel stripping the garage door

The stripped front door being sanded

The primer was very pink

But the finished first coat is good

The plague looks like it will go on for quite some time and things will be rather dull. So for now, that's all folks.

OXO

D.

June 2020

Life is pretty routine on lockdown: stay home and shelter in place except for grocery shopping once a week. There have been a couple of Zoom meetings with family and "The Group," but in general, that has tapered off. Happily, we still keep in contact through Marco Polo and Instagram so we have a rough idea of what is going on in Spanish Fork, Vernal, Peoria, and Santa Fe. Unhappily, we don't hear much from Hawaii, which is equally our fault for not reaching out. We still cook for and have dinner with Opa and Annie, and we keep up on their remodel just about every day. We have been experimenting with killing weeds with boiling water and a steamer: it seems to work, but requires constant follow through. I have decided that I like my hair short, but not buzzed, and that the biblical beard is a pain. We miss our Cousins' Breakfasts and hope the plague will abate so we can get together again. The cousin's reunion in July was cancelled, too. The most out-of-the-ordinary thing in June was a very nice visit from Uncle Mark and his good friend Ann who met here halfway from AZ and WY.

The start of the cement work

Vic's photo of dinner on our deck

Ann and Mark

Crazy old man killing weeds

The roofing begins

A beautiful south-county view on a ride with AW/SKT

It will be, and is, a cute little cottage


Our support


Sheet rock waiting for mud


Fireplace


Haircut by SKT was followed by a radical beard trim


Keeping in touch on Marco Polo


Opa and Annie's house at the end of June

I have no idea what July has in store, but probably more of the same. So this is all for now.

OXO

D.

"Graduation" in Santa Fe

A spur-of-the-moment invitation from Anna for a visit in Santa Fe for Tucker's graduation led to a wonderful visit with lots of delicious food, good deep discussions, and some fun adventures.

A warm reception at the door on Thursday

Sunset over the Jemez Thursday evening

Friday was drive-up graduation at Santa Fe Prep for parents
and the graduate, and Anders' ceramics came home

Grammy gave Clara a haircut

Friday evening, Rob made an incredible Japanese feast

The serving line

Bacon-wrapped shishito peppers, cucumber pickle, 

croquettes, rice, and yakiniku (not shown)

A delicious repast!

Tucker opening gifts

I guess luggage from Grammy and Pop Pop is now a tradition

This doggy loves her boy

The graduate

With the binkers

Saturday, Grammy got her Talavera-shopping fix

And we drove over the Sangre de Cristos

A rest stop, then home for take out from Tesuque Market

Sunday Rob and Anna (et al.) made a delicious Indian nosh; 

Anders. the origami master, folded the samosas

And Anna fried them up in the pan

Serving line

Chicken tikka masala, rice, naan, samosas, and mint chutney

Monday we drove up into the Jemez to Las Conchas

The boys and girl climbed

Up like spiders on a wall

A very beautiful spot

The clouds gathered, the thunder rolled 

And the rain and hail pelted down 

It was a delight to be with the Hastings for a few days. They were wonderful hosts! This is all for now.

OXO

D.