2020 was a BIG year, mostly “due to COVID-19.” There was also a Presidential “election.”
We don’t generally think these pages should be political but in 2020 National politics dominated most of what we talked about and did.
Generally speaking, there have been better years.
It was first just a distant thought – word of a deadly virus that was going to spread quickly unless we did or didn’t wear masks, shut down businesses, and “socially distance” ourselves from each other. Some called it a “Dem-Panic”. Many believe that the election cycle was a driver for most of it. After all, in January the economy was booming and unemployment was at a record low.
“Follow the science!” they said while they themselves violated their own arcane restrictions. Toilet paper and hand sanitizer were scarce. In the stores, we had to “shop in this direction” in the aisles. Every single recommendation was followed by a contradictory mandate. Joe Biden locked himself in his basement to run virtually all of his campaign.
In Minneapolis, George Floyd was killed by police officer, Derek Chauvin. “Mostly Peaceful” riots, looting, and burning broke out in major cities all around the country. Many said, “Defund the Police!” We say, “Defend the Police!” and I ask, “What lives DON’T matter?” This is Lafayette Square in Washington, D.C.
So, we defend all lives – especially the lives of the unborn. This is the Pro-Life March in Washington, D.C. It is the 47th anniversary of the January 22, 1973 Roe decision. We saw President Trump speak at the event. He was the first President to make a personal appearance at the annual March.
In February we flew to Jacksonville, FL to see Beto at the Naval Air Station. Here we are touring St. Augustine. At the end of 2020, Beto was transferred to Groton, CT to continue to serve in the U.S. Navy as a corpsman.
In February, Russ started a new career. It is a great way to meet people!
“I LOVE my garden!” is Heidi’s reflex response if you mention the word ‘garden” – Just test her some time. In 2020 she continued to nurture life in her garden. This particular blackberry plant may the exception that proves the rule.
The artificial economic shutdown even put Mango out of work. Her service was no longer permitted at Morningside House in Leesburg. Oddly, she never got her COVID relief check.
Like Mango, Heidi was out of work for a while because dressage shows were suspended “due to COVID-19” for several months. But Heidi was not bothered. As soon as restrictions were “eased” she was back in the booth.
In contrast to unemployment, AOC was named “Employee of the Month” by GOYA Foods after she called for a boycott. This is me immediately after she called for the boycott.
In July, Heidi and I met Seth in Houston, TX for a horse show.
Our Tuesday Night Bible Study group met faithfully all year. There were also a couple of social events.
In 1975 Heidi won the dressage Perpetual Trophy at the Carroll County 4-H Fair…
In 2020 Heidi awarded the same trophy to a competitor at the Carroll County 4-H Fair.
Milo is a new addition to Kinsman Farm. The 3-year old Dutch Harness Horse gelding is very athletic and holds a lot of promise as a future competitor. In September we brought him home from the Lancaster, PA area.
By Thanksgiving some of the social distancing restrictions were easing up. Heidi bakes the BEST turkey I have ever tasted.
Also by November the free market economy and capitalism brought back items that had disappeared from the shelves.
It’s odd that there has yet to be a picture of this “LO” because we’ve been obsessively playing Monopoly Deal for about a decade now. I took this picture of a rare turn of events.
We are praying that 2021 will be a brighter year that 2020
