June 29-July 5th, Week 16 Covid  Wear a Mask!

Happy Birthday America! The 4th of July landed on a beautiful and very hot Saturday. With Covid, there were no parades, concerts, fireworks or parties this year. We were looking forward to the return of our BSO(Baltimore Symphony Orchestra) 4th of July concert and fireworks. We missed it last year while the BSO was on strike. Instead, we spent the day preparing food for an evening dinner party with our neighbors. We joined Dan and Gloria for a rib dinner with Key Lime Pie for dessert. Scott and I were not too hungry though since we broke down and enjoyed some coney dogs during the day. We were inspired by the 4th of July Nathan Hot Dog eating contest. I also pulled out some old fireworks and Scott and Allison had a great time in the evening shooting off all kinds of old noisemakers. So did the rest of the neighborhood it seems. Boy was it loud! Poor Cookie sat on everyone's lap that evening.

On Sunday evening we enjoyed a "Hamilton" watch party with Dan and Gloria. They came over for pizza and salad and we watched together. Tom enjoyed it more than he thought he would. Allison and I really enjoyed it and Dan and Gloria did too. We also enjoyed an ice cream cake to celebrate Allison's birthday early. We are planning on traveling to Tennessee to visit with Tom's family next week and Allison's birthday falls on July 13th. We decided to celebrate a bit early by opening some of her birthday presents that we did not want to pack. She got a lot of clothes, mostly exercise clothes and shorts. Plus she was asking for an electric kettle to make her hot tea, and Tom bought her a sushi making kit since she and Gabe really enjoyed trying to make their own. She also picked out a new Vera Bradley purse online since they were on sale. We also discovered Vera Bradley face masks so we each bought one for our upcoming vacation to Tennessee, and I purchased a duffle bag. So Sunday morning, we opened some of her gifts and enjoyed cake with Dan and Gloria that evening. We were so surprised to see Dan and Gloria had bought her a present as well-and it turned out to be a Vera Bradley cosmetic case!  Too funny. Allison and I also treated ourselves to a mani-pedi on Friday. I desperately needed a pedicure. Our salon takes reservations and does not have very many people in the shop at once. All the seats are spread out and have plastic barriers between the staff and customers. After Allison and I had a pedicure, we asked if we could get a manicure since they were taking precautions. And we were all wearing masks. It felt like heaven!

I also spent Sunday afternoon visiting face to face with my Mom! The facility opened the door of their hair salon and I was able to sit outside and chat with my mask on for about 20 mins. It was the first time since March that I was able to see her. Naturally I did all the talking, and Mom seemed to enjoy watching the large, fluffy clouds blowing past, as well as the wind in the trees and the birds and planes overhead. I am sure she also enjoyed getting a breath of fresh air. She has been taken out to the courtyard occassionally for a walk and picnics at times. But mostly the state is demanding residents stay in their apartments.