Week 8

Last week we finished off our 8th week of self-isolation.

Eight weeks.

It's really hard to wrap my head around that.  If you had told me ten weeks ago that our country would be shut down like this, I would have told you that you were out of your mind crazy.

Yet here we (still) are.

Thankfully we have been blessed with wonderful weather, and even though our strawberry farms are closed to pick-your-own, they have been selling out in record time of their berries.

We've had fresh berries, lots of strawberry shortcakes, jam, compote, and I have frozen quite a bit of compote for later.
And I have worked out the perfect fresh strawberry pie (with shortbread crumb crust).

Last week was hard.
Think we were just all rubbing on each other, and really missing our friends, activities, and school.

I heard several teachers (via Zoom calls) say how much they miss the students, and teaching.
Last Thursday would have been the conference championship meet for track....Kieran has really missed that a lot.
I miss the normal May crazy-ness: teacher appreciation, the flurry of sign-up genius emails, homeroom breakfasts, last minute projects, leading up to the end of the school year.
Not to mention the dance Kieran missed, award ceremonies for both, and watching friends at graduation.
Thankfully with the nice weather we have had, Kieran took this opportunity to carve out some extra space for relaxing.  Kevin got a hammock stand for his birthday, and the boys wasted no time in moving it to a nice corner of the front deck.
With a screen on the front door, and an extra gate on the deck the dogs (and boys) have enjoyed some extra space.

With our additional time at home, we've been working on our garden.
Kevin ordered some extra dirt to fill things in, and for an additional raised bed we've put in.
Just a bit of dirt to move.

Hopefully Loch can get back to his regular groomer soon.
Not sure who gets more stressed about trimming his fur....him or me.
Pretty sure this time it was me.  I forgot to put the guard on the trimmer....and now he's got a bit of a bald patch.....on his back.
So sorry sweet guy. (It'll be fine in another week, or two)

Last Friday we turned in our photos for our weekly contest.

The theme was "Hope and Rage."

Our fourth place winner was Kevin:

Third (Kieran):

Second (Kieran):

First (Keenan):

Keenan was thrilled.