PANDEMIC - YEAR II

The second year of the COVID-19 pandemic started off with a bang for those of us in Texas. The news coverage kept us informed -- that is, if we had electricity. Many lost both power and water during the "arctic blast" that lasted nearly a week and broke many records here, with temperatures dropping into the single digits. I spent a lot of time on my computer checking on family and friends. The ones I could reach. Fortunately, most of my family were lucky enough not to lose electricity or water. We did have to boil water for three or four days. Some suffered rolling blackouts, but said they didn't last very long. 

So many were without power that freezing pipes have created nightmares for hundreds, if not thousands, of residents here in Austin. Videos of broken water pipes flooding homes and even causing ceilings to collapse while doing so make me count my blessings again and again. 

(WFAA)

The lack of enough plumbers to make the repairs to the myriad of burst pipes has created long lines of people at sites that are providing drinking water. Being without potable water for nearly two weeks or longer presents great hardships for those affected. Thankfully, many volunteers and organizations have stepped up to assist with repairs and providing necessary food and water. FEMA is now helping victims and businesses as well.

*********************

I don't always hear much from you guys, but there are a few I can count on for a little (or a lot) of news. The following are some of the communications I extracted during the past few weeks.

Somewhere I let it be known that it has been over a year since I visited my hair stylist. My hair has since grown more than the thirteen inches I had cut off at that time. Denny had a clever solution for his own hair.

DENNY HILL: (Feb. 4) "It has been a year since I have had a

haircut, but it grows rather slowly. I trimmed it a bit myself around the ears, looking in the mirror with scissors." (Of course, you could always wear a pony tail and that great beret!) (Feb. 16) "Looks like not very much snow around my house. The snow around my house has melted down somewhat, but is still from 1 to 1-1/2 feet deep. At the end of my driveway there is a snow hill formed by the snowplow that is as high as my waist. That is why I am snowbound for 2 or 3 weeks. But otherwise the weather is nice, the air is very clean, all roads are clear, which means that is you have managed to dig your car out, or get it out of the garage, then there is no problem to drive around. But I prefer to just leave my cars in my garage and relax and be snowbound."

TRUMAN CONNER: (Feb. 19) "It was tough going until yesterday morning when we finally got water and electricity. We had one 24-hour stretch with no water or electricity. HEB has been a mob scene though." 

TRUMAN gets his second COVID vaccination March 13th.

JUNE HASH CURRY: (Feb. 4) "I did manage to get my first COVID shot, and the second one scheduled. (Feb. 16) It was -17 (degrees) last night but we have not lost power, thank God. Chris finally got to work today without incident, so all is good."

MARTHA NORTHINGTON: (Feb. 19) "Ok now. No power or water until yesterday. Whole family went to hotel. Water flowing but still has to be boiled. Heat working. Anne (her daughter) just stood in line at grocery and got a few things for me. Had to toss everything in refrigerator."

NANCY THOMPSON BAKER is usually up-to-date on Ballinger news. On February 12 I sent her an article about the San Angelo water being toxic, and asked her how she was holding up. This was her reply, "Wow! wow! I am okay for now but not looking forward to ice, sleet and snow being alone. My dog is too little to keep me warm...nearly all my heat is connected to electricity, so concerned...very concerned, about the duration of cold weather." She told me about VIRGINIA EGAN and Mike losing power. She didn't lose power or water, but later told me, "I had someone call to check on me as there were no tire tracks (in the snow) leaving my driveway. I have everything I need. I learned to survive when Jake was traveling!"  At one time she stuck a yardstick into the snow off her back steps and said there was at least 5 inches.

VIRGINIA HARRAL EGAN: (Feb. 19)

"Finally got a dialysis treatment for Mike yesterday. The dialysis center had lots of problems such as broken generator and the contaminated water situation in San Angelo, which has been ongoing for 2-weeks. The machines use a lot of water. He went back for another treatment today because he had gone 6-days without one. We had the rolling blackouts, but have managed to survive and our water supply has been good. If it hadn't been for the worry about Mike's health I could have dealt with it better. Family has been checking on us constantly. My daughter, Carolyn came and stayed with us for 3-days. I am looking forward to normal, if there is a normal anymore."

I later heard from NANCY that some dialysis patients had to be airlifted via helicopter to treatment centers. VIRGINIA didn't mention this and I forgot to ask.

*************************************

Mallie Sue Vessel, sister of BARBARA CAMPBELL WITTE. (March 31, 1940 - February 15, 2021) I am sorry I missed this when BARBARA'S brother Grady's obituary was mentioned on the last blog post. I think their memorial was held on the same day. You may read her obituary and leave your condolences at Lange Funeral Home.

*************************************

I'm pretty sure many of you either had recent experiences as scary as ours or have had a good laugh at the predicament we here in Texas found ourselves in during the recent wicked weather we suffered. This on top of the COVID pandemic seemed almost too much to bear. At least in this part of Texas. We definitely are not used to it. Can you imagine that Del Rio recorded a record-breaking 11.2 inches of snowfall?

My front porch.

My back deck.

The bad weather? Well, Considering what we have been through in recent years, I think we all must admit that climate change is upon us. Hopefully, the Texas leaders will do whatever is necessary to prepare us for any future events such as the one we just went through. It was sad to think that so many of the Board members of ERCOT that nearly completely failed our electricity needs don't even live in Texas. They all received salaries of six figures. (Needless to say, they have since resigned.) Even though they were advised that our grid needed to be upgraded, they ignored doing anything, which left us at a point we were less than five minutes away from the whole state losing power and shutting down completely. 

I do hope most of you have been escaping the coronavirus and perhaps have one or more of the vaccinations under your belt by now. I would love to hear from you. Let me know how you are coping with the isolation the pandemic has forced upon us. Share some of the "good stuff" you have experienced as well.

Until next time..

Peace and love,

Marilyn

LATEST NOTICES

I have been waiting to hear from more of you before writing a new post.  Sadly, most of the news I've received has not been happy news. The latest was sent to me by TRUMAN CONNER in regards to the passing of HAROLD HUDGENS.

"Harold Hudgens, 81, of Ballinger, passed away Saturday, February 6, 2021, at Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo. A full obituary will follow." 

BARBARA CAMPBELL WITTE's brother, Grady Campbell, Sr., 78, passed away Thursday, January 28, 2021, at his home in Ballinger, Texas. 

JIMMY COWLISHAW's sister, "Emma Lou Cowlishaw Smith peacefully passed away at her home Saturday morning. (January 23, 2021) She was the first of seven children born to Herbert Cowlishaw and Marie Killingsworth; she was born August 17, 1933, in Ballinger."

I usually try to keep up with Ballinger news on their website, but I'm finding out they don't always list all of the obituaries. Each of the above can be located on the Lange Funeral Home website, where you may also submit your condolences. Lange Funeral Home

**************************************

Not all news from your classmates are gloomy or sad. Some have advised me they have gotten or have an appointment to get the COVID-19 vaccinations. My first one is to be on March 1st. Daughter Carajean is taking me to the drive-through, where she is also scheduled for her first shot.

MARTHA NORTHINGTON has had both of her vaccinations as her daughter is a nurse here in Austin. MARTHA made a quick run to the doctor's office where she worked when they ran completely out of appointments and had a few leftovers that were going to expire. 

JUNE HASH CURRY has gotten her first shot and the second one scheduled!

TRUMAN CONNER has an appointment to get his first one this month.

NANCY THOMPSON BAKER said she is scheduled to get her first shot in April. Lucky her, a home health nurse will administer it to her in her home.

DENNY HILL always keeps me up-to-date. Recently I received the

following email from him. It's always such fun to hear from him!

"Miracles do Happen!" .. "I can still hardly believe it, but I got my 1st COVID-19 vaccination shot today! Out of the blue came the info that on Sat & Sun, Jan 30 & 31, there were openings available for the first dose at Stony Brook. I found out about it on Friday afternoon, and by Saturday afternoon I had the shot. Nobody I know understands what happened.

"It was shockingly well planned, organized, and executed. The National Guard was there to direct traffic, and guide you to the site. It progressed in a simple, orderly but thorough fashion, and they signed you up for an appointment for the 2nd dose. Everyone was very polite and helpful.

"I do not know how to explain it. Maybe some goose flew over and dropped a golden egg."

When I asked if the last big Arctic Blast that hit the east coast had affected him, DENNY told me he currently had a foot of snow in his yard. Today I saw on the weather that a second Blast was to reach them again. I emailed him and asked if he had plenty of food on hand in case he got snowed in. He responded that it is already snowing.

One more thing before I close.. well, two more. First, please let me know how each of you and your family are doing. 

Secondly, please keep GENE ROUTH and his family in your thoughts and prayers. It is terribly hard -- as you all know -- to lose a loved one. And there are more than one way to lose someone dear to you. GENE's wife Lenna is in a memory care facility. Being away from a spouse you have been married to for over 50-years is difficult. And the added sadness when they are unable to recall many of those years makes it even harder.

Until next time..

Peace and love,

Marilyn

GOOD STUFF (and Not So Good Stuff)

"The eighth-century Chinese Zen master P'an-shan had his first satori (enlightenment-glimpse) while walking through a marketplace. He overheard a customer tell the butcher, 'Cut me some of the good stuff'; the butcher replied, 'Hey, take a look -- nothing but good stuff!' This was just the catalyst P'an-shan needed. He took a look, perhaps, at the ground, the sky, the people in their bustle of buying and selling . . . and everywhere he saw nothing but good stuff."— Dean Sluyter in Why the Chicken Crossed the Road and Other Hidden Enlightenment Teachings from the Buddha to Bebop to Mother Goose 

Unfortunately, we all know that someone walking through a Chinese marketplace last December or January probably saw and picked up the coronavirus from one of the vendors. That was the beginning of the terrible spread of what is now known as COVID-19. That certainly was not "good stuff"! 

I have not heard from many of you since I emailed and requested news a few days ago. I am hoping none of you who didn't respond has any health issues. If this is not true, I hope someone will let me know so we can pray for you. I believe that most of you remain in your homes as I do, and if you have to venture out that you observe social distancing and are wearing masks. At our ages, we must take extra care.

**********************************************************

I can always count on JAMES HAYS to keep me informed (with a little bit of humor). It's nice to know he is still in good health since he has to deal with COVID-19 cases in the county. He sent this:

  "I have been earning the beer money that the county pays me for being County Health Authority. I was feeling guilty for signing my name every two weeks. We have had 87 cases of COVID-19 in Brown County so far and 11 deaths. Currently we have 22 active cases, the rest 'graduated' one way or the other. You can't cure stupidity, but you can't quarantine it very well either. We are seeing younger people with it now because we can't afford our precious allocation of tests on contacts who are non-symptomatic.

  "I have been told that the homecoming game will be September 11th. Someone correct me if I am wrong. I hope we can get together for the all-school reunion. I am trying to be optimistic about it. Let me hear from you.

  "News:  Jerri (Piel) Steel has about recovered from a broken hip and is driving now, doing well.  Her husband died a few years back, but she has a strong family who took good care of her."

TRUMAN CONNER has been playing golf - which is one of the safest places one can be outdoors today - a couple of times a week as well as swimming at his club. They have separate lanes to swim in and a private locker room and shower. That was a few days ago before the newest restrictions have been issued from Governor Abbott. He has been doing shopping for groceries and such and sent me this photo awhile back. Love the Hawaiian shirt!

************************************************

I debated on whether or not to include the following "little" story on myself. Although it might have been a "not so good stuff" at first, it has a happy ending. This happened on Friday, June 12th. Some of you have already read this when I shared it via email. A concentrator is equipment that runs on electricity to deliver oxygen via tubing I can run throughout my house. When going out, I have  small oxygen tanks I keep to use as needed. 

Concentrator

"As I've been having more difficulty breathing lately I have been using my oxygen concentrator daily. Around 2 or 2:30, I was sitting in the living room eating leftover fried chicken son Craig brought the night before when the power again went off (it had gone off at 7:30 am, but came back on immediately). This time it didn't come back on. I immediately thought I had no phone service (it's an internet phone) and started to get a little panicky. I remembered my 'Obama cell phone', but first had to get into my closet files to find an electric bill with the 'outage' number on it. I started getting a little more panicky, as my tanks of oxygen were in the other room, and I wasn't sure if the one hooked up had very much oxygen left. And my little phone showed the battery was getting low!

"I found the number and called. It took awhile for me to give all the information the young man needed and I was getting breathless (stress makes it worse). He couldn't see a problem for our area and asked me if I had anyone I could have come help me for now. I told him I had a son nearby. He told me to get on my backup oxygen and call my son to come check the breakers (I didn't tell him I could do that, as I was anxious to get on oxygen). He told me again to get on my backup and call my son right away, and he would have the electric company come out. He was running a check on my meter, too, to see if that was the problem.

"I went to the bedroom and was picking up that d*** heavy tank and trying to get it turned on, looking for Matt's number on the little cell phone.. by now I was really breathless. I think I might have even laid the phone down while putting on my other cannula, hooking up to blessed oxygen.. Matt said 'call 911' and I told him no, it was the electricity and I had talked to them and they were on

their way. What I wanted to convey was I wanted him to come over and hook up the largest oxygen tank for me in case the power was off very long. I guess I didn't get that across. Because, as you all know, in a very few minutes my house looked like this (at right):

"Apparently, son Matthew called 911. These guys were absolutely amazing. So professional, kind, and friendly. They did a thorough job of checking me out, running tests, and staying there for quite a long time. Neighbors came and offered help. Judy told us the whole area was blacked out and the electric company was working on a transformer that went out.  The EMTs asked all the right questions, kept me on a monitor the whole time they were here (even took my temp), and they wore their face masks. I apologized to them and said I did not want to go to the hospital. (They laughed.) What sweethearts! As soon as I'm able I'm going to bake them some chocolate chip cookies so Matt can take to them. Matthew deserves some, too, as I could not have managed any of the afternoon without his help. 

"My wonderful new neighbor, Erick and his wife offered to help. He just happened to have a generator. He and Matthew ran a cord over to my concentrator! I would now have plenty of oxygen until the electricity came back on, which it soon did. Now the EMTs could leave and get in their van with blessed a/c!"

*************************************************

Not So Good Stuff (prayers and condolences needed):

Hi Marilyn ~ I don’t have pictures but here's an update on my family- My youngest daughter lives in Austin and she tested positive for virus ~ she is at home getting better ~ prayers for complete healing please ~ Thank you. Have a blessed day . JERRI PIEL STEEL

JUNE HASH CURRY had a sad occurrence in one of her granddaughters' family. The seven (7) year-old-son of granddaughter Danielle was visiting another grandmother when he fell ill and suddenly passed away. This was a very traumatic event for the family. JUNE's son Scott took her to the funeral in Missouri... a very painful trip for JUNE both physically and emotionally. She is concerned about Danielle and requests prayers for her as she grieves for her young son. Please send your prayers for JUNE as well. Our condolences to all.

I hope to hear from more of you soon. I try really hard not to "worry".... "What you hold in your thoughts you create in your world!".. but in times like these it is more difficult to think positive.

Peace, Love, and good health,
Marilyn

HODGEPODGE

Fall has officially arrived, although until yesterday, here in Austin you would never believe it. This year was the hottest ever in the history of Austin.

"We average about 14 100-degree days per year (period of record dating back to 1898), but more recently, that number has been much higher. The average over the last 30 years (1989-2018) is 27 days of triple digit heat. The most ever (90) happened in 2011. Last year, we had 52." (CBS Austin)

I haven't found the total number of 100 degree days yet, but it is record-breaking. The month of October thus far:

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

9/29

Actual Temp

98°

77°

Hist. Avg.

87°/65°

9/30

Actual Temp

99°

80°

Hist. Avg.

86°/65°

1

Actual Temp

99°

78°

Hist. Avg.

86°/65°

2

Actual Temp

98°

77°

Hist. Avg.

86°/64°

3

Actual Temp

97°

75°

Hist. Avg.

86°/64°

4

Actual Temp

96°

75°

Hist. Avg.

85°/64°

5

Actual Temp

97°

72°

Hist. Avg.

85°/64°

6

Actual Temp

99°

72°

Hist. Avg.

85°/63°

7

Actual Temp

85°

68°

Hist. Avg.

84°/63°

8

Actual Temp

87°

63°

Hist. Avg.

84°/63°

9

Actual Temp

96°

69°

Hist. Avg.

84°/62°

10

Actual Temp

99°

78°

Hist. Avg.

84°/62°

11

Actual Temp

82°

47°

Hist. Avg.

83°/62°

12

Actual Temp

65°

54°

Hist. Avg.

83°/62°

13

Actual Temp

82°

56°

Hist. Avg.

83°/61°

14

Actual Temp

89°

71°

Hist. Avg.

82°/61°

15

Actual Temp

96°

74°

Hist. Avg.

82°/61°

16

Actual Temp

76°

56°

Hist. Avg.

82°/61°

17

Actual Temp

77°

54°

Hist. Avg.

82°/60°

18

Actual Temp

85°

51°

Hist. Avg.

81°/60°

19

Actual Temp

96°

66°

Hist. Avg.

81°/60°

20

Actual Temp

95°

65°

Hist. Avg.

81°/60°

21

Actual Temp

82°

63°

Hist. Avg.

80°/59°

22

Actual Temp

83°

50°

Hist. Avg.

80°/59°

23

Actual Temp

87°

54°

Hist. Avg.

80°/59°

24

Actual Temp

86°

49°

Hist. Avg.

80°/58°

25

Actual Temp

59°

44°

Hist. Avg.

79°/58°

Can you believe the heat? Although yesterday was so cool, I actually had to put the furnace on, today it will be 70 degrees and tomorrow 80. And they keep saying "there's no such thing as climate change". I thought Arizona was hot. I remember folks telling me, "at least it's a dry heat!" Unfortunately, we cannot say that about Austin.

I heard from GENE ROUTH. He sent the following message:

"Woke up this morning (Thursday) to 10 inches of snow. Fall/Winter is definitely here. Hope this finds everyone doing OK. See you next year, God willing."  GENE and Lenna

GENE also sent the following beautiful snow scenes at their home:

Beautiful to look at, but I'm glad you don't have to drive anywhere in all that snow. Bet the mountains of Colorado are treacherous as well.

The tornadoes that hit the Dallas/Ft Worth area and moved north into Oklahoma last week missed BOB BURTON's place in Flower Mound. JUNE HASH CURRY said the storm didn't do any damage to their home in Edmond, Oklahoma, but gave them much-needed rain. It also gave us two (2) inches of rain here in Austin. We've had such a drought of late, even the pounding on my metal roof was a welcome sound and I slept like a baby. 

Does anyone remember the snow days in Ballinger? NANCY THOMPSON BAKER said she didn't remember guys riding in a car down the park hill. They would pull an old car hood behind them with someone foolish enough to ride on it like a sled! I remember making them let me out of the car before they began that dangerous trek downhill. Also, does anyone remember riding on icy country roads on those snow days? At one time someone in the back seat had a rifle - probably a 22 caliber. The car slid off the road into a small ditch, and the rifle went off, tearing a hole in the back of a seat. It's a wonder no one was seriously injured or killed during those foolish rides. (I sure wish I still had that "pea coat".)

Nancy sent the following a couple of weeks back: "I haven't told you about our new dog named BOZO. She was found out on a country road starving.... you could count her ribs. She makes a good companion for BRANDY (another rescue dog) and our cat, BEARCAT - continuing the "B" names. BOZO escapes every chance she gets and we have chased her down MANY times. She's a Chiweenie, small and not well-behaved. She learned how to escape the yard gates quickly, and sneaks out every time I go outside."

I found this online and NANCY said "That's an exact picture of BOZO except she is dark brown and has a pink collar":

DENNY HILL has been in Rome the past week. I got a late answer to my email last night asking him what kind of plane he was flying on. (At one time he was going on one of the Boeing 737s that have been recalled. He didn't give me the type of plane, but the airline he's traveling on was on strike all day yesterday!): "Alitalia...direct flight from JFK to Rome. Meeting over today, gave my talk, and now have one day, Saturday, to walk around.  Fly back on Sunday, and teach two courses on Monday."   Busy guy!

As you can see, I took up a lot of space on some things (on weather) that may not be too interesting. I really would like to hear from more of you. The good, the bad, the stuff in need of prayer work! Unless some of us plan on living to the ripe old age of 100, we may not be around too many more years to share our news.

Peace, love, and good health,

Marilyn