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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Harold was born in Ballinger, Texas to Thelbert and Eron Hudgens, the fourth child of seven. He attended school in Ballinger and graduated from Ballinger High School in 1957. He went to Texas Tech University on a basketball scholarship and graduated in 1962. He was drafted by the NBA Detroit Pistons and the ABA Colorado Nuggets but opted to play semi-pro basketball for the Phillips 66ers.
In 1964, he returned to Texas Tech, obtained an accounting degree, and became a CPA. He embarked on a career in accounting that included time spent in Lubbock and Houston, before returning to Runnels County to work for North Runnels Hospital District.
At 6’10 ½”, Harold had a very successful high school, college, and semi-pro basketball career. In 2006, Harold was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of honor and, in 2019, he was inducted into the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame housed in the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in Waco, Texas.
Harold was preceded in death by his parents, Thelbert and Eron Hudgens; his older sister, Marynell Hudgens; and infant daughters Maryneil (11/26/1974 - 11/27/1974) and Beth (9/4/1976 – 11/7/1976); and his brother-in-law Gene Ischar.
Harold is survived by his wife Bettye Hudgens of Ballinger, Texas; his children Anne Lippmann and husband Eric of Houston, Texas, and Brad Hudgens and wife Harmony, of Little Elm, Texas; his grandchildren Emily Lippmann of Lubbock, Texas and Caroline Lippmann of Houston, Texas. He is also survived by the mother of his children, Joan Hudgens of Houston, Texas; his step-children, Rodney Irby and his wife Cory of Casa Grande, Arizona, Terri Irby of San Angelo, Texas, and Mark Irby and wife Jeane of Rowena, Texas; his step-grandchildren and greats, Jarred Irby and son Mason of North Richland Hills, Texas, Greg Selby and wife Liz and daughter Braelyn of San Angelo, Texas, Geoffrey Selby of San Angelo, Texas, and Chris Irby of San Angelo, Texas. He also leaves behind his siblings, Betty Ischar of Ballinger, Texas, Janece Alexander and husband Fred of Sulphur, Louisianna, LaVeda Zak and husband Jerry of San Angelo, Texas, Martha Hastings and husband Cotton of Bauxite, Arkansas, and Alan Hudgens and wife Roselyn of Ballinger, Texas; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and their families.
Memorial Service Saturday, February 13, 2021 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Lange Funeral Home Chapel 1910 Hutchings Ave. BALLINGER, Texas 76821
"I tried to find out more about Harold Hudgens, ran into his nephew a couple of weeks ago and he told me about Harold's long hard fight. If the person with him had not had a Ballinger cap on, I wouldn’t have known who he was.
"On another note, I have been working some as the Brown County Health Authority for a number of years. I wanted to stay until we have put this Virus away, but I guess they felt sorry for me and I don’t know yet if I will retire my license, but at least, I lasted until the vaccine was introduced. It looks like the corner is beginning to turn. Kay and I got our second injection this week and I would urge everybody to get theirs as soon as you can as that is how we defeat this thing. Be safe out there."
If you and yours have not yet had your vaccinations, remember this:
"Wash your hands, wear your masks, and stay indoors as much as possible!"
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
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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.
Craig's children, Cameron and Hannah, decided to postpone a memorial service until COVID-19 has ceased to be so prolific. Perhaps not until vaccines are available. Austin has been raised to a Level Four (out of Five levels) due to the rise in cases in and around Austin. More restrictions have also been placed on gatherings.
Cameron and Craig's sister Carajean (Burton) Archer collaborated on this loving obituary. Our hearts are saddened.
OBITUARY
Randall Craig Young
MAY 29, 1958 – OCTOBER 24, 2020
Randall Craig Young died peacefully in his sleep on October 24, 2020 in his Austin apartment at the age of 62. He is survived by his mother, Marilyn Moragne; his stepfather, Bob Burton; stepmothers, Ann Burton and Carolyn Young; his children, Cameron and Hannah Young, and his stepdaughter Miranda Williams; his siblings, Carajean Archer and Matthew Rider; step sister, Leah Vandergriff; brother-in-law, Branch Archer; sister-in-law, Amy Rider; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews including Audrey Bohorquez, Ashlyn Archer, Tanner Archer, Travis and Kelly Rider; his cat, Floki. He is predeceased by his father, Ray Ellis Young.
Craig was born to Ray Young and Marilyn Moragne, in Waco, Texas, May 29, 1958. Craig attended Waco High School, later graduating from MacArthur High School in Irving, Texas in 1976. He married Johnna Smith in 1988. They welcomed Cameron Oliver Young in 1990. Craig married Dot Williams in 1999 and welcomed her daughter Miranda Williams. Their daughter, Hannah Young, was born in 2000. Craig was a devoted, proud, and loving father, his reason for being.
Craig studied variously at McLennan College in Waco, Texas; Richland College, Dallas, Texas; The University of Texas at Dallas; and at Southern Methodist University School of Engineering and Advanced Computer Studies in Plano, Texas.
Craig’s passions included music, football, family, friends, but first and foremost, he was a dedicated political activist. He believed all people are created equal, that America is a land of opportunity for all, and that man-made climate change is an enormous risk to our future on this planet. He was certain of Joe Biden achieving the presidency, as well as his success as our new president. We are saddened that Craig did not live to see Mr. Biden win the presidential election, but we are sure Craig is smiling somewhere. He also enjoyed singing, playing the guitar, and going to concerts. He was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. He was a loving son, brother, uncle, cousin, and nephew, having shared many good times with lasting memories for us to hold dear. He maintained friendships as far back as high school while continuing to make new friends throughout his life.
Life was at a peak for Craig when he passed. Although a career in the car business was not what he had planned, he was successful. He recently secured a job position that he was very much enjoying, and was well liked and respected by his coworkers. His children were happy, succeeding in college with the brightest of futures. After years of living in Dallas, he enjoyed spending the last couple of years in Austin, close to family. Craig was a man of integrity. He was kind, intelligent, principled, and articulate. His bright smile, deep laughter and witty sense of humor will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Due to the current status of the COVID pandemic, services are pending. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Texas Civil Rights Project. (https://txcivilrights.org/take-action/contribute/).
...I don't know how to go on without him in my life. My first born child, Craig Young, died in his sleep Friday night. He was 62-years-old and enjoying his life more than he had in years. My daughter Carajean went to check on him for me as he was not answering my texts or voice mail. He was supposed to pick up groceries I had ordered and bring them to my house. We were going to have a "porch visit" that was past due. Carajean had to call 911 to come and check on Craig, and she wasn't allowed in until the Medical Examiner came. She could see him lying on the sofa, with his hand under his chin. Peaceful looking, but the police checked for a pulse. They told her there was no sign that it was anything other than a peaceful, natural death. I am so thankful that they had a grief counselor come to assist Carrie until her brother Matthew and his wife Amy arrived. We do not have the final arrangements as of yet. Craig's two children, Cameron and Hannah, are to come here from Fort Worth and Dallas in the next day or two. They will make plans at that time. Cameron posted the following beautiful tribute to Craig on Facebook the next day. His writing is in Italics, and I made a few comments in regular type.
"I lost my best friend last night. One of the most loving people I've ever known. Of all the ways I can think of to pay tribute to him (and will at some point), here's what he would want on here first and foremost. He instilled in me from an early age a desire to fight for a loving, just, and inclusive world. He told me stories about how racism and bigotry has harmed our society, but also about the countless heroes who had come before us and managed to make things better - even if it was just a little bit. He also taught me that democracy (with some help), however flawed it may be, is our absolute best shot to achieve that vision.
"My dad was in his early twenties (correction, Cameron, he was only 19) working at the Sheraton Hotel in Waco, TX when Alex Haley stayed there - the Roots miniseries had just been released. My dad rashly knocked on his door in the middle of the night, to tell Mr. Haley (who answered the door in his underwear), 'I want to thank you for what you've done for this country.' Alex Haley would later write about this encounter in Playboy magazine ('I didn't know whether to hug him or punch him'). Leave it to some well-intentioned hippie white boy, but it's a beautiful reflection of his personality. Going out of his way to make his principles known, and hopefully, making Alex Haley feel a little more welcomed in an otherwise unwelcoming place.
"My dad was a lifelong Democrat - like 'canvassed for McGovern when he was 14' Democrat. He was a delegate for the Texas Convention more times than I can count (including this year). He was active in the Nuclear Disarmament movement in the 80s. (He was on the 7-member board of directors of the Texas Nuclear Freeze Movement -- all but Craig were PhDs.) Here is a picture he took marching with Jesse Jackson in a demonstration that I assume has roots in the Rainbow Coalition of the 60s. (I couldn't find the one with Craig in it, but this was on the day Craig joined him in 1985.)
(This was actually in June 1985. I got a call from Craig, 'Don't be surprised, Mom, if you get a call from me saying I'm in jail!' Needless to say, I was a little concerned. He went on to say, 'It was called the March for Peace and Justice. Apartheid was one of many issues being protested. I still have a couple of pictures of him standing a few feet away from me being interviewed prior to the march. We started at Lafayette Park, marched down Pennsylvania Ave. and ended at the Capitol lawn, where he and many others spoke. About 100,000 people, according to Park Police estimates.')
"He was counting down the days to see Mango Mussolini voted out of office and to have integrity, reason, and kindness return to our national and local leadership. I'm hurt that he won't see that, but in some ways relieved that he may not have to witness how hard indeed the coming weeks and months could be for our country. With that said - Vote your a** off! Get organized to protect that right for others. My Dad recognized that Donald J. Trump and his enablers pose the single biggest existential threat to those fundamental rights that he had seen in his lifetime. Do it for our climate in peril, for the countless people being marginalized, erased, or otherwise harmed by those in power. For women and trans folk. For the kids separated from their families. For those we've lost to COVID and other stuff because of our negligible leadership and healthcare system. For my dad.
I love you so much, Dad."
Cameron's LSU Sr Recital Cameron-Hannah-Craig
Many of you already know about Craig. He was as crazy about his children as they are about him. When Cameron left for college, Craig wrote a moving article about him as well. I posted it on my personal blog. If any of you are interested, here is the site: Number One Son
Cameron has been going over some of the things his dad has saved and ran across this post. He left a sweet comment at the end.
This has helped...just to write about it. Stay well. I really am ready to write about some "good stuff" happening.
As you know, NANCY THOMPSON BAKER'S husband Jake passed away last week. I spoke with NANCY today, and she is holding up fairly well. I sent all of your prayers and good wishes to her to read and share with her family. Please continue to think of them as they grieve the passing of this important man in their lives.
JERRY ARTHUR "JAKE" BAKER
Jerry (Jake) Baker, of Ballinger Texas, passed away Friday, July 17th, 2020 in Fort Worth, Texas.
Jake was born to Johnnie Harry and Ivah Bernice Smith on December 21, 1935, in Winters Texas.
Jake attended Ballinger high school in Ballinger, Texas, where he played football. Jake was a wide receiver and in 1953, one year before he graduated, he was a state championship finalist for catching the only touchdown pass for Ballinger High. On August 31, 1957, Jake married the love of his life, Nancy Thompson Baker in Waco, Texas. Jake went on to become a salesman for M&M Packing Co. for 28 years. After that, he worked as the food service supervisor at the Runnels County Jail for 14 years. Jake also served The Volunteer Fire Department for 38 years. He was once elected “Fireman of the Year”! He retired in 2013. Jake loved his dogs “Brandy" and “Bozo” and his cat “Sneaky Pete”.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and 2 siblings: sister, Fadine Williams, and brother, Danny Baker.
Jake will be remembered by his wife, Nancy Thompson Baker, his sons: Russ Baker of San Angelo, Texas and Rodger Baker of Stafford, Virginia. His daughters: Lynn De La Cruz of Winters, Texas and Melissa Jones of Ballinger, Texas, his 9 grandchildren, his 9 great-grandchildren, and his sister, Norma McFarland of Saginaw, Texas, and brother, Randall Baker of Harlingen, Texas.
The family would like to say a special thank you to the home health nurses who took such great care of Jake during his time of need. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Saint Jude Children’s Hospital or your local ASPCA.
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A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Wednesday, July 22, 2020, at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger. Please contact them for information regarding the COVID-19 requirements.
By now, most of you know about NANCY THOMPSON BAKER'S husband Jake (BHS '54). This past Monday he fell off a ladder at their home in Ballinger. The hospital in Ballinger was unable to care for him as he broke seven (7) ribs and two (2) vertebrae in his fall. He was taken to Abilene where, due to COVID-19, there were no ICU beds available. The same was true for the San Angelo hospitals. The weather was extremely cloudy that night, preventing them from airlifting him by Careflight, so he was taken by plane to John Peter Smith Hospital in Ft. Worth. NANCY and their son Russ followed and are staying in a local motel. The ICU unit Jake is in does not allow visitors. That is for the best considering all of the coronavirus cases. However, that makes it very hard on the family. They depend on updates from the nurses and doctors.
Thursday Russ sent me the following that I forwarded to the class: "(Jake) has a chest tube to drain internal bleeding and is currently on a ventilator. He's resting comfortably and responding to nurses' voices." Last night: "Jake still critical but stable, resting comfortably, only had one dose of pain meds. Not on continuous drip anymore. Giving him mild sedative to control anxiety and keep him calm. Getting high doses of meds to keep his blood pressure up. He is still responding to nurses voices by squeezing their hands etc. He is still on ventilator. May need surgery to 'plate' the ribs where they are broken." Friday morning Russ sent the following: "This morning Jake is stable. They are doing a CT scan on chest and abdomen to check for problems. Went down a bit on blood pressure meds. He has a chronic abdominal aneurysm that is being treated with meds. Still on ventilator. Nurse said he will be in hospital at least another week."
NANCY and Russ will remain in Ft. Worth for now.
ROSALYN URBANTKE HOELSCHER sent the following:
"I don’t know what’s going on in this crazy world but the virus has now hit our family. My 17-year-old granddaughter has the virus right now. She is not in the hospital and not really, really sick. Yeah, she’s running a fever and doesn’t feel good but she could breathe. I was with her on July 4 and definitely was very close to her and now I know I am fully exposed. At my age that’s going to be very, very hard if I get it. Our son was over there too, but he was not real close to Annalise. Please pray for our family."
I have received many prayers and well wishes from the class, which I've forwarded to NANCY. If you wish to send your thoughts and prayers as well, please send them to me. I will be sure to let their family know. Personally, I have seen what some would call "miracles" as a result of prayer. I believe "good thoughts" contain as much energy as prayers. So whatever your belief, think loving, healing thoughts for all of us. If you wish to send a message to NANCY, please send them to me. I will forward them to her. And of course, if anyone else needs prayers, please let me know. May we all remain in good health during this trying time. Love and Peace, Marilyn For greater assistance: The Silent Unity prayer vigil, which has been ongoing since the early 1900s, continues to be staffed 24/7. Team members are holding vigil in their homes. (Before COVID-19, prayer requests were prayed over in the Chapel at Unity Village for 30 days.)
Prayer line in U.S. 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. (CT), 3 a.m. to 11 p.m. (PT) 1-816-969-2000
"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 inWhy 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!
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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!"
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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
A sad bit of news again about the loss of a former classmate, FLOYE SHARP.
NANCY BAKER first let me know the night she died, and was followed by an email from Class President JAMES HAYS. I have searched for a complete obituary for FLOYE for several days now with no success. This was on the Lange Funeral Home site:
"Floye Sharp, 80, of Ballinger, passed away on Sunday, April 19, 2020 at Ballinger Healthcare and Rehabilitation. A full obituary is to follow."
Sadly, maybe the reason there has been no complete obituary is the fact that her twin LOYE is in a nursing home.
April 20: "Got a phone call from Janice Amarine yesterday to tell me that FLOYE SHARP passed away. She had developed advanced pancreatic cancer, went to a nursing home for hospice and didn’t last long. Cremated, so memorial service in future. LOYE is in the same N H with dementia." JAMES H.
I have had several emails from James since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak. I told him I was waiting to hear from other classmates, and would post his activities then. Sadly, I didn't think it would be the loss of another classmate. Here is his enlightening correspondence from someone on the battlefront of the pandemic:
April 8: "For 7 or 8 years, I have been the Brown County Health Authority, not doing much except chasing mosquitoes and bed bugs, and now I have to work for the little stipend, basically beer money. I have had to quarantine quite a few folks, mostly cooperative, helpful people, but a few who didn’t think it should apply to them. I have had to lean on some of them heavily, but haven’t had to use the law yet, usually the mention of such creates cooperation in a hurry. As of today, we have 8 positive tests, 3 recovered, one on a ventilator, one just off of a vent, and more tests returning daily. So far, I haven’t been exposed, but I try to avoid it and take precautions. If New York turns around next week as 'predicted', then Texas should the following week and hopefully we can all breathe easier – with a mask on in public.
"My health is fairly good, otherwise. I am dealing with some after-effects of having polio in 1949, post-polio syndrome, but it appears stable, just can't walk all that well for long. I have quit flying and have sold some airplanes, still have one left and for sale. Can't work on them anymore, and hard to crawl into them now.
"My gut feeling is that we will be able to have a reunion at the projected all school reunion this fall, too early to tell if covid-19 will let us. Hang in there, wash your hands and be safe.
April 14: "I am at the Brown County Health Unit almost daily. Mostly tracking cases and doing what I can in enforcing quarantines. I have the authority to do so as County Health Authority. We have had one death and 10 other positives, 5 have recovered so far. Most all people are trying to follow the rules here. Less so in Ballinger. Smaller counties do not have an organized health unit.
"We quarantined contacts of positive tests and a strict quarantine of the positive tests, especially if symptomatic. It is for 14 days, the incubation period of the virus. One young man was seen violating the quarantine when he was seen at a store trying to buy toilet paper. I told him to use corn cobs, and there was a long silence on the phone. Quite a generation gap. I then told him that a Sears catalogue could supply a family of 6 for 2+ months. More silence. He was clueless. I then explained how to burn the paper. It was an educational experience for him.
"I don’t expose myself carelessly to Covid patients. I use a mask and gloves and a face shield if necessary. I haven't had to strip off on the back porch yet, but that is an option. I did that when exposed to bed bugs once in the past. We got over that without having to burn down a flophouse motel, but barely"...JBH
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Of course, it's always good to hear from DENNY HILL, especially now. He resides most of the year in the village of Port Jefferson on Long Island, NY - an extremely hard-hit area in Suffolk County, which as of April 6there were over 14,000 cases of COVID-19.I contacted DENNY to see if he was affected. He replied: "I am staying home, not having any contact with people, but I go out to the supermarket for food only once per week. And when I do, I wear a mask and gloves. My pharmacy is next door to the supermarket, so I can stop in there also."
And yesterday:
April 21: "Poland is sending a supply of equipment and a contingent of doctors to Chicago, to help out with the corona crisis there, and also for the Polish doctors to learn how best to treat corona patients. And this comes from a country of limited means, with a population of only 38 million. The first flight is to arrive in Chicago on Thursday.
"It was proposed by the president of Poland, Andrzej Duda, in a telephone conversation with Trump on Saturday, and was announced on Polish news in a press conference by the Polish Minister of Defense."
Poland is DENNY'S second home. He canceled a trip there for May, just in time to miss the
terrible outbreaks of the coronavirus in both Italy and Poland.
This will be the fourth post I've written since March 6th that mentions the Coronavirus and the C0VID-19 cases that might affect the members of our class. The city of Austin as well as many of the areas where you all live has gone on a lockdown since then. Personally, I am going into my third month of isolation. It has now been three weeks since any of my children have visited. Not that they have neglected me, but all think it wiser not to have physical contact with me. They are all sheltering in place, working and studying from home, but some still are shopping for groceries. They take turns coming to my house to take my trash to the dumpster down the road, and to bring me my mail. They talk to me briefly from the porch or front yard. I miss the hugs and occasional games we used to play.
(Foggy morning view from porch.)
There are seven people staying with my daughter Carajean for whom she shops. They all pitch in and share the cooking and chores while staying there. Since the virus is known to be asymptomatic in some cases, no one wants to inadvertently pass it on to me. Carajean says she orders groceries online now about every other day at different stores. Then she drives to pick them up. I am still ordering online, but now to be delivered. I ordered a fairly large amount last week only to have them say the soonest they could deliver is April 9th! Since HEB is overwhelmed with orders they said many of the items on my list will not be available, but they will substitute if I wish.
That started a small pity party I held for myself when the thought that now I likely must do without my favorite coffee and creamer. And eggs! How many recipes call for eggs? My "brunch" most often consists of eggs and toast. That made me immediately feel guilty and ashamed. I feel inordinately grateful that I have a cozy cottage to live in, children nearby to assist me when I need help, plentiful food (if not my favorite), internet, TV, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Roku (gifts from my son Matthew), and electricity to run them all as well as my oxygen concentrator. Even here in affluent Austin, poverty is plentiful, and the homeless are in danger of becoming the next victims of the pandemic. And then there are the third world countries..
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I breathe a sigh of relief when I hear from one of you or my other friends during this stressful time. Most of us are in the "vulnerable" stage. And some of you live in the hardest hit areas. I fear that Texas is going to be the next Number One center for the outbreak. Our Republican Governor has dragged his heels issuing stay-in-place orders. He still doesn't see the necessity of a full state lockdown. At the current time there are twelve (12) states that have yet to issue them... all with Republican Governors. They all seem to be following Trump's lead, and more concerned with leaving businesses open than saving lives.
I received the following from a few of you this past week:
Since the last time I heard from him, Garden Grove, CA, where BOB HOLLIS lives, has had a stay-at-home order issued. He wrote: "Margaret is cooped up at home.. in lockdown mode. I am avoiding people left and right, but still going to work. There are only two of us in the office and our offices are 30 feet apart. The Hollises are all ok. Thanks for asking. I hope you and yours are well also." Bob
DOTTIE BISHOP ROGERS sent an update as well: "I'm doing well. We only have 4-cases in Cochise County. Yes, our church is closed, but we are blessed with a pastor who is a pro with technology and he preaches online and teaches a class later. Our little Dollar General store is open. The only cafe has set up tables outside and gives our coffee clatches a place to eat. We have no gas station or grocery store. I'm so blessed to have my children close when so many have no one. I hope you are doing well." Isn't technology wonderful, DOTTIE? For years I have watched church services on TV. I'm happy to see so many are now offering online church as well. If we ever needed spirituality, we need it now.
GENE ROUTH always sends such beautiful photographs of their snowy landscape. Here's what he has to say currently: "We are doing well so far. Close to 400 cases of Covid-19 in our county and some deaths. I haven’t left home since Monday and don’t plan to for a few more days. About 5-inches of snow overnight, looks beautiful but things are not so great outside our gates. Our kids and grands are okay, all are still working so we worry about them. They check in daily, we are well looked after. I hope you are all safe and well. Best wishes and prayers." Gene
JERRI PIEL STEEL didn't mention the virus, but she has had another difficulty to deal with. She sent the following to me this week. "Am in isolation but for other reasons ~ 2-weeks ago my dog knocked me down, broke my hip - surgery, rehab, now at my son’s house in Weatherford for therapy ~ hope to be home soon. Love you."
Love you, too, JERRI. As I wrote this now, I realized that Weatherford is close to Fort Worth and located in Parker County. I noticed that Weatherford has instituted some lockdown features, too, but don't know if the city itself has any cases of COVID-19. In any case, JERRI, I hope you are careful before you venture out to go home. And watch out for your dog. It will probably be excited to see you up and around as usual.
Everyone please take good care of yourselves. Why not share some of your experiences with isolation. What you do to pass the time. Your memories of past "disasters".
