1/20/21 — Today is Inauguration Day, and Judy Kennedy forwarded this poem from our youth poet laureate, Amanda Gorman, who wrote it especially for President Biden’s inauguration. How absolutely marvelous!
THE HILL WE CLIMB
by Amanda Gorman
When day comes we ask ourselves,
where can we find light in this never-ending shade?
The loss we carry,
a sea we must wade
We’ve braved the belly of the beast
We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace
And the norms and notions
of what just is
Isn’t always just-ice
And yet the dawn is ours
before we knew it
Somehow we do it
Somehow we’ve weathered and witnessed
a nation that isn’t broken
but simply unfinished
We the successors of a country and a time
Where a skinny Black girl
descended from slaves and raised by a single mother
can dream of becoming president
only to find herself reciting for one
And yes we are far from polished
far from pristine
but that doesn’t mean we are
striving to form a union that is perfect
We are striving to forge a union with purpose
To compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters and
conditions of man
And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us
but what stands before us
We close the divide because we know, to put our future first,
we must first put our differences aside
We lay down our arms
so we can reach out our arms
to one another
We seek harm to none and harmony for all
Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true:
That even as we grieved, we grew
That even as we hurt, we hoped
That even as we tired, we tried
That we’ll forever be tied together, victorious
Not because we will never again know defeat
but because we will never again sow division
Scripture tells us to envision
that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree
And no one shall make them afraid
If we’re to live up to our own time
Then victory won’t lie in the blade
But in all the bridges we’ve made
That is the promised glade
The hill we climb
If only we dare
It’s because being American is more than a pride we inherit,
it’s the past we step into
and how we repair it
We’ve seen a force that would shatter our nation
rather than share it
Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy
And this effort very nearly succeeded
But while democracy can be periodically delayed
it can never be permanently defeated
In this truth
in this faith we trust
For while we have our eyes on the future
history has its eyes on us
This is the era of just redemption
We feared at its inception
We did not feel prepared to be the heirs
of such a terrifying hour
but within it we found the power
to author a new chapter
To offer hope and laughter to ourselves
So while once we asked,
how could we possibly prevail over catastrophe?
Now we assert
How could catastrophe possibly prevail over us?
We will not march back to what was
but move to what shall be
A country that is bruised but whole,
benevolent but bold,
fierce and free
We will not be turned around
or interrupted by intimidation
because we know our inaction and inertia
will be the inheritance of the next generation
Our blunders become their burdens
But one thing is certain:
If we merge mercy with might,
and might with right,
then love becomes our legacy
and change our children’s birthright
So let us leave behind a country
better than the one we were left with
Every breath from my bronze-pounded chest,
we will raise this wounded world into a wondrous one
We will rise from the gold-limbed hills of the west,
we will rise from the windswept northeast
where our forefathers first realized revolution
We will rise from the lake-rimmed cities of the midwestern states,
we will rise from the sunbaked south
We will rebuild, reconcile and recover
and every known nook of our nation and
every corner called our country,
our people diverse and beautiful will emerge,
battered and beautiful
When day comes we step out of the shade,
aflame and unafraid
The new dawn blooms as we free it
For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it
If only we’re brave enough to be it
(Ed Note: What an astonishing young woman. The entire inauguration was simply splendid. Great words, beautiful visual. Makes me so proud.)
1/21/21 — Thanks to whomever sent that! Wasn’t that inauguration yesterday just fantastic? And last night was wonderful too! What a difference a day makes! I feel like a rock has been lifted from my heart! We can breathe again! Betsy
1/21/21 — Thank you for sharing this poem with us I suspect it will be circulated long after Biden’s speech. Jennifer B-C Seaver
1/21/21 — T’was me, Bets. Couldn’t agree more. I was fixated on the TV yesterday from dawn to dusk and beyond. Even cancelled my piano lesson, because I just didn’t want to miss a minute of it. Too many magic moments to list here, but I have to say that Lady Gaga’s rendition of the national anthem was one for the history books. If you missed it, do catch it on Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HezPdHTwdGA
Been giving some serious thought to what I individually can do now to help the Biden agenda move forward fast – something physical like volunteering to park cars and “greet” people one day a week at our new local mass vaccination center, once Dan and I are vaccinated, which should be soon as sign-up in NH for “65 and older” starts tomorrow at 8 am (suspect the website may crash, but we’ll see!). Any ideas for me? Judy K Judy Marshall Kennedy
1/21/21– This was sent to me by our local Jewish Federation. I am very interested in much that they do so am happy to be on their mailing list. This came this morning. Brought me to tears but seems so appropriate, especially this week! Here’s to happier days!
(Ed Note: Unfortunately, I could not put this on our website without first signing up for this organization. Sorry.)
1/21/21 –Dear Kim, (I think Kim sent this). Thank you for it. I did get teary watching and listening. This land belongs to all of us, doesn’t it? We need to remember that – no, “I” need to remember that. Marian
1/21/21 — Kim, I forwarded it to my daughter, Mary, Linguistics prof. at U.C.S.B., and she’s going to assign it to students in one of her classes to learn and sing on ZOOM. Barbara Bucholtz
1/21/21 — interesting, Barbara, that your daughter is hoping to have her students sing on Zoom. Unfortunately, as far as I know, Zoom does not yet have the capability of recording many voices. It can barely keep two voices separate and intact. She’ll learn this soon enough. It will take individual recordings put together by some very clever person. But good luck to her.
Some good news about school: I’m starting singing again the end of next week with a dozen women at our community college. We will, luckily, be able to get together in a very well distanced room, sing for an hour, then break for the room to be aired for an hour while we have lunch or something, and then back for another hour or so. During the off time we’ll be using Jam Kazam software for our 12 voices. I am dreading that because so far I’ve not had good luck with Jam Kazam. Anyway, I’m interested in the project and hope you’ll keep us posted.
In a couple of weeks at the community college, I’m also starting back up with ceramics in our very large and very ventilated lab. Exciting! Now I can glaze and finish the stuff I started a year ago.
I think I’ll be more enthused if I am able to get a vaccination before all of this. Cheers — Liz Webfoot
1/22/21 — Thanks for your insights! Hoping you get a vaccination very soon!!! Hugs, Barbara
1/23/21 — Hey Barbara, I didn’t realize your daughter taught here in Santa Barbara which is where I live and got the God Bless America video from our local Jewish Federation! When things return to normal, if you come for a visit please do contact me! Best wishes. Kim
1/23/21– I will, Kim! Barbara
1/24/21 — Yes, you will allow, the way we speak English changes all the time. I am not so sure about grammar changing!
I am an Episcopalian. We have used The Book of Common Prayer for hundreds of years. Some of us actually collect various editions; Beginning With Cranmers edition in 1549 and continuing until this day. Both the English church and the American church have modernized the language many times over the millennia, so it reads very differently BUT it remains grammatical.
Structure, usage and vocabulary may change, while remaining grammatically correct. In recent years we’ve been challenged by inclusive language, computerization of texts and multi lingual congregations. Even so Rules of grammar remain important! Don’t give up on your value system.Meg/Maggie
1/24/21 –Speaking of different versions of The Book of Common Prayer…It took me back to Baby Religion and Miss Andreassian’s* introduction to the many versions of the Bible. It seems that In 1631, an edition was published which was intended to copy the King James version. But unfortunately they left “not” out of the 7th Commandment and it read…”Thou shalt commit adultery.” The Wicked Bible. So we have to change some things.
But, I’ve gotten away from our original concern about bad grammar… split infinitives jump out at me, just between you and I…just kidding…between you and me. SueWCarr
*I think I’ve mangled the spelling of her name.
1/24/21 –Wife: You need to do more chores around the house.
Husband: Let’s change the subject.
Wife: OK. More chores around the house need to be done by you. BarbFreeman Douglass
1/24/21 — Thank you for the joke – might work for one who goes about red penciling every grammar mistake in every book I read – my children tell me that much of the bad grammar we see has now crept into being acceptable – amy
1/24/21 — On grammar: A plug for my late husband’s (Thomas Parrish) still in-print book The Grouchy Grammarian published by Wiley. It’s really fun. And I still hear his voice saying in the face of “different than” and “between he and I”–it’s “him and me, dammit.” Best, Nancy
1/24/21 –I’m with you, Nancy and Amy. I can’t believe the number of shows where characters say “between he and I” or use Me and him as a subject, so Amy, you’re right, it has now become acceptable! It is still like chalk on a blackboard to my ears!
Another Grouchy Grammarian (I’ll have to look for that book!)
Kim PS I love the joke!
1/24/21 — Much as I hate to accept it, isn’t usage changing all the time? The point of language is communication and if we understand each other, isn’t that the point? Having said that, I am a feisty grammarian and don’t like what I just said. Marian
1/24/21 — My oldest grandson (lovingly?) call me the Gramma(r) Nazi. Barbara Hartt Hise
1/24/21 — I am constantly annoyed by people saying “waiting on “ someone’s arrival. I see plates in front of my nose instead of my guests arriving!! Chris Hollister Hila
1/24/21 — Love this! Thanks for the guffaw! Hugs, Liz WF
1/25/21 — Ann Merchant Boesgaard sent this for our amusement (got lost – still looking for it – LWF):
1/25/21 –While I haven’t been in Fauci’s shoes (thank God!), I think I can relate! Thanks, Ann! Frannie Blair
1/25/21 — I think How wonderful it must be for him to have a president look earnestly at him and ask for information. And nod. And ask more questions. Oh happy day, oh happy day for me.
I have an appointment for vaccine shot week from tomorrow. Nearby. Drive-through. The county came through.
Dottie Smith Mann
1/25/21 — So glad you’re going to get your vaccine, Dottie! So glad for a lot of things!, Sally (Sarah Stearns Gipson)
1/26/21 — You’re right. He looks and acts like a different person! So good to see him smiling! Betsy
1/27/21 — Thanks once again to Liz Thornton for her wonderful list of films. Last night Bryan and I watched Impromptu and enjoyed it thoroughly. We were in the mood to “veg” out and be entertained. That we were! Boy I love this chat group. Without you, my brain would be dead. Cheers and hugs, Liz Webfoot. PS Our first vaccination is tomorrow!
1/27/21 — So glad of my “legacy”. Liz T
2/1/21 — Hello, friends I couldn’t resist sharing this, from my sister-in-law. I”m enjoying reconnecting with classmates for reunion planning for our May virtual reunion – should be fun. I”m on the program committee, and would love to hear from some of you what you’d like to talk about and do. There are quite a few options from the college, but I think we all want time to talk to each other as well.
Best to you all, from LA where we have no snow, of course, and are all getting vaccinated because we’re old!! Dee de Ferranti Abrahamse
2/1/21 — This is the third time we’ve received this video — from all around the world. The first time was from our daughter in Paris. Brilliant, but it’s almost annoying that we have a male president! Good suggestion, Jennifer. xxx Liz
2/2/21 — That is an amazing video! Please tell us the origin of it. Who produced it? I liked the music too. and especially the picture of Kamala Harris. Ann Merchant Boesgaard
2/4/21 — For those of you with Netflix subscriptions, we just streamed “The Dig” with Ralph Fiennes (and a lot of other good actors I didn’t know), and found it fascinating. It is the story of the discovery in Sussex England of the ship and Anglo Saxon treasure at Sutton Hoo. I knew nothing about this actually, but a friend had recommended the movie to us. Have just spent the morning learning more by googling “Sutton Hoo Treasure” and it’s a big deal, so many of you have probably even been to the site or at least know a lot more about it. The movie is very well done (both streamed and available on DVD from Netflix), and even has a nice little romance tucked into it. Judy K Judy Marshall Kennedy
2/4/21 — Thanks, Judy, for another wonderful movie suggestion! Last night we watched “Saving Mr Banks”. I’d heard of it but never paid much attention. We both liked it a lot — a really heart-touching film with Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks. Do those two ever make a bad film? Hugs — Liz WF
2/4/21 — Thanks for the suggestion Judy. I wondered if this was good so now I will try it. Nancy Cox
2/4/21 — Saw this about The Dig that my sister posted on Facebook: https://blog.britishmuseum.org/inside-the-dig-how-star-studded-film-squares-with-reality-of-sutton-hoo/?fbclid=IwAR27LzKGTb_j-T8cGerU4QVQNyM4ssoPdnw7KZ1APBcxabTil15LOyDA_tY
—Rocki Hill Hughes
2/4/21 — What a great article! Now I can’t wait to see the film! This weekend for sure! Kim
2/4/21 — I, too, will try – Rob and I have not done justice to our Netflix subscription – amy C
2/4/21 — It was very interesting and if I ever get to London, I know what exhibit I will go to. Nancy
2/4/21 — We’ll probably be in England in July to attend our grandson’s graduation from Exeter if it is safe to travel by then. We’ll have had our flu shots, and so I would think we can go, have fun at the graduation, and then stay in our club in London and play there for a few days. For sure we’ll go to the British Museum and look at the Sutton Hoo collection. Can’t wait. It’s been so long since we’ve been anywhere. Hugs — Liz Webfoot
2/4/21 — We watched The Dig last night, and both of us loved it. It is what I call a really lovely film — interesting and thoughtful and educational and emotional. Thanks for your recommendations! xxx Liz Webfoot
2/4/21 — I’m a big fan of the movie, too (hi Judy!)- esp Ralph Fiennes! Does anyone else remember a lecture – with slides – on the Sutton Hoo treasure, very early Freshman year? When Ginger Stromsted and I finally got to London, post graduation, we headed straight for that exhibit in the British Museum!
We still have many feet of snow in NJ, so last night I watched Mank – and would love to know what others thought of it. Gary Oldman was great, but I suspect some of the rave reviews come from Hollywood’s love for pictures which love Hollywood.
Hope you and yours are safe and healthy!
Mary Lynn Caffrey Berry
I was also fascinated by “Mank” but then there’s an embarasing “groupie side” to me, so it’s no wonder I would like it! In fact, it made me want to give “Citizen Kane” another try, as that mystified me on my first and only viewing many moons ago — or should I confess and say that it had me nodding off, so no surprise that I just didn’t “get it” then. Haven’t done that yet, but if I do, I’d happily see “Mank” a second time too, just to see Amanda Segfried playing Marion Davies again. Judy K Judy Marshall Kennedy
Jealously, Mary Lynn Caffrey Berry
2/9/21 — Most of you probably get the AARP newsletters, but in case not, (and since so many of us are in the throes of getting shots), thought you would find this interesting, particularly the advice about NOT taking painkillers before getting the shot though okay after.
And then I watched Rachel Maddow. If you missed her interview of Fulton County’s new DA, I am sure you can find it. When one door closes, another opens. DA Willis is a force to be reckoned with. She gives me hope, new hope, that Trump will be held accountable. Even Rachel was blown away.
I am scrubbing my greasy vent filters, cleaning my ashy and dirty fireplace, and I’m sure there will be more soap and water. I am reaching out to my many sisters with the good news you’ve read above. At the end of the day I will raise a glass to all the unexpected places hope can spring up, like a crocus or a pussy willow.
Will you be my valentines?? Love, Dottie Smith Mann
2/12/21 — Dottie, you are a ray of sunshine! Thanks for the lift. Barbara ( Freeman Douglass)
2/12/21 — Dottie – ️
️, Sally (Stearns Sullivan)
2/11/21 — Hi, friends. I honestly thought some of the impeachment remarks these past days were absolutely brilliant. Jamie Raskin is fabulous, and I had never seen nor heard of Rep. Joe Neguse who is amazing. He’s from Colorado, the son of refugees from Africa. What a lot of talent we have in our Congress. Made us very proud. Now how can anyone not convict Donald Trump.
Already I am sidetracked. It is the website which beckoned me. Kim needed some help getting on our class website. She was delighted to see it and thought you all might be having the same problem finding it; so just in case you haven’t been on the website for a while, here is how you get to it:
2/12/21 — Hi Classmates — Liz, Rocki and I are in the throes of planning the Entertainment Portion of our Reunion. Challenging to say the least, but we are hoping to provide around an hour’s worth of entertainment for either Friday or Saturday night. Though we might be able to figure out how to host this live, we plan to use a master video composed of segments supplied to us by some of you class members, augmented with highlights from our past two reunions.
If any of you would like to submit a video of you doing something creative, we will vet them and choose the ones we think would be enjoyed the most. Anything over 4 minutes can become tedious, but of course that depends on what you’re doing! Suggestions include poems, monologues, songs, skits, dances, magic acts (or spoofs of the same!), and we welcome other ideas from you. This is just your audition — we understand that you would be perfecting it for the show, unless you already have a video ready to go. If any of you live near each other and can produce a video together, that would be doubly great. And if anyone can still stand on her head, a snapshot of that will cut right through the audition process!
Send them to me (kirsmom@aol.com). Liz, Rocki and I will vet them to see which we want to include in “Have We Got Talent?!?” and get back to you. Good luck and thanks in advance for your participation! Cheers, Kim
2/17/21 —
2/17/21 –And so we are finished. Just received and am waiting after our SECOND vaccination. Omigosh it is such a relief. Our scheduled date was for tomorrow morning at 8:30. We knew full well that we are getting a big snow tomorrow that will change to ice. We know full well that our community college (where we get our shot) will be closed. So we arrived this afternoon, and the vaccine administration was terrific! Told us to come back when they reopen at 5:30 and they would try to fit us in. I think hundreds of people did the same thing. We went to a bar! — our first time, not a crowded one but rather part of the restaurant that we visit frequently, and now I am feeling no pain (after the vaccination, not the drinks.)
What an exciting day. Hugs and cheers. Liz WF
2/17/21 — That’s great news Liz, especially since we were Zooming when you made that instantaneous decision to go and try to get in today. So happy your perseverance paid off! Shall be especially interested to hear your reaction to the second shot (and from you too, Betsy!) I just got back from having my teeth cleaned and the hygienist reported several symptoms starting about 6 hours in and lasting about 24 after her second. She and I both read a couple of articles that in addition to NOT taking aspirin etc. before your shot, you shouldn’t take them after either! I think I’ll leave that open to a decision depending on how much in pain I am but I will try to power through!!!
Other reports to offer? Kim
2/17/21 –We’re almost 10 days out from our 2nd Moderna vaccine shot, (at a healthcare office building that was incredibly well organized and staffed with very competent persons.) Andy had no reaction at all; I had a sore, hot arm for 3 days. We were told by the MD in charge that day that reactions most commonly started 24-48 hours post-injection, and Tylenol is the drug of choice for symptoms. I’ve also heard that it’s the younger crowd (that doesn’t mean us anymore!) that’s dealing with tough side effects. It is totally liberating to have that 2nd vaccine onboard; we feel great relief and are thrilled with our good luck in getting the appointments. Can’t imagine the stress of watching weather predictions that could cancel your Appointment….. Any others feeling lucky?? Sherry Urner
2/17/21 — Yes! Feeling lucky too. I had my second vaccine last Saturday (2/13). No side effects at all. Last time my arm was sore – only if I touched it (so… don’t touch it). This time not even that. I had the pfizer shots. no weather issues here in Honolulu. But I feel so badly for all the freezing people in Texas and elsewhere. and it’s only mid-February. at least the days are getting longer and brighter.
Ann Merchant Boesgaard
2/17/21 — Don and I got our vaccine supplied by our assisted living house in Portland, Maine. We live in one of the four cottages which are considered independent, but are managed by Hawthorne, a senior living management company out of Canada with independent and assisted living developments in the US and Canada. Don, who has COPD, had severe enough reactions that he has spent some days in the hospital, but I only was tired and had a sore arm. Even with Don’s more severe reaction, we feel most lucky to have the vaccine.
We get our food delivered to our cottage daily, so we have been pretty isolated and I am sure that too has been a blessing, but it certainly will be good to be somewhat part of the world in a few more weeks. It has been an interesting time unlike any other I can remember. Sallie Crittendon
2/17/21 — I am scheduled for my second shot on Tuesday. The site has made the local news with long lines so I checked it out today and it looks fine so I won’t worry.
Tonight Rachel Maddow featured monoclonal antibodies as an underused treatment for high risk patients who have just tested positive. I saw the results this morning in my friend Willa. She is in her 90s, back in my yoga class this morning after having Covid. She tested positive after a friend came down with it and her daughter immediately took her to Tampa General; she was there for three hours getting the monoclonal antibody infusion. She reports never getting very sick though she felt a little under the weather. And she was back doing down dogs this morning!! So keep them in mind, those friendly little monoclonal antibodies. A top scientist told Rachel the supplies are underutilized so let’s pass the word. Dottie SmithMann
2/18/21 –Still waiting here in Chester County, PA.
Jennifer B-C Seaver
2/18/21 — Sadly, feeling very unlucky! Dan and I do not get a first vaccination until April 2nd despite the fact that we were right on the phones to make an appointment as soon as they opened. We’re in a large retirement community up here with an excellent distribution center that is running very smoothly, BUT a very limited supply of the vaccines has been received. They are only vaccinating Phase 1B folks like us two days a week at present. They are hoping to move us up if they get more vaccine, but so far they haven’t been in touch with us about it.
Our big problem is that we had hoped to be vaccinated with at least the first shot by the end of February, as our kitchen is being completely redone for the entire month of March with lots of workmen in-and-out every single day of the month plus very limited space and equipment to cook at home, so we had planned on eating out more — even leaving the house for short trips when things got really bad — all of which isn’t really going to be possible now.
The good news is that the days just fly by for us — so April 2nd will be here before we know it, and by then the kitchen will be up and running once again. Trying to be positive, so maybe I’ll lose a few pounds from my own poor cooking in a small micorwave in the laundry room over the next month or so. Judy K
Judy Marshall Kennedy
2/18/21 –Got my second shot yesterday at noon. So far so good. My Dr. Son told me to take 2 ibuprophen and 1 acetominophen 1/2 hr before vaccination and then 2 acetominophen last night. I am feeling good now 24 hours after. Best feeling is the relief. I had no waiting and even had a nurse who remembered me from taking care of my sister 5 years ago! Wishing you all well. Chris Hollister Hila
2/18/21 — So far neither of us has had a reaction. I’m pretty darned tired, and maybe that’s because of the vaccine, but then maybe it’s because of all the stuff that I’m trying to do while also following the Australian Open. I’m very sad that Nadal was ousted, glad Serena was ousted, and now I’m waiting for the other semi-final men’s match.
Chris, we were told not to take anything BEFORE our shot — how weird. Cheers — Liz Webfoot (Liz Hottel Barrett — every once in a while I should put that in.😇)
2/18/21 — Hi all. We had our second shot almost two weeks ago (no problems) so are on our way tomorrow to Indy and then Cinci to see our four month old great grandson for the first time. Can’t wait! We then come back on Sunday and get on a plane on March first in non stop (from little old Traverse City) to St Pete and Long Boat Key for two months. Looking forward to seeing Dottie soon!
One does feel so much more freedom with the shots, but we will still wear masks and distance. Best to all. Betsy.
2/18/21 — Tom and I are scheduled for our second Moderna vaccinations on Feb. 24th. A good friend and former colleague is our Chairman of the Board of Health, and I’m sure he was influential in getting us our appointments. It will be a great relief. I appreciate hearing from so many of you that you have had both shots with few reactions. Thanks to Liz for making these conversations possible.
BB (Barbara B Farquhar)
2/18/21 — We were both fine after our shot on MOnday – sore arms, and I had a very minor headache for a while, but tylenol did the trick for that. No after effects so far. Dee de Ferranti Abrahamse
2/18/21 — Ah, but, we are the Uncommon women!! Marian Strong Moore (Ed. note: who forwarded this to us.)
After “The first time I ever saw your face,” Peggy Seeger is updating her story with “the Invisible woman” – accompanied by her two sons, Calum and Neil MacColl
Anyone want to take on playing and singing that with perhaps a cut and an additional verse about not being invisible because we are uncommon women as Marian mentions? Looking for talent submissions for our Entertainment Session!!!
Kim
2/17/21 –Hi Bette, So happy to hear that you are preparing a book of poems! If you could select one (or two if you want us to try to choose) for our review, that would be great. Ordinarily, I would respond directly to you rather than through this chat group, but I thought maybe others would benefit from my suggestions.
Liz and I are still working on details, but I think it’s safe to say that we will vet the auditions and hopefully find them all worthy of inclusion. The show will probably be about an hour and we will pre-record rather than having it live, though perhaps we can be there to comment when it runs (technical issues still to be worked out!) There are several sections from our last 2 reunions that might be worth including, depending on how many new submissions we get. We would appreciate it if you could submit a recording for us to view, even if it might have to be done again.
So all you other poets, comics, actors, singers, instrumentalists, put on your thinking caps about what you might present. We do have a small budget to hire a technical advisor so that should help! Maybe some of you have something already recorded but hopefully fairly recent. Please make it around 2 to 3 minutes max. I just finished a Zoom meeting with eight 5 minute reports and the 5 minutes seemed really long! In the future, please send your submission or ideas for submissions directly to me, rather than to the whole website.
Thanks in advance for your participation! Kim
2/17/21 — I am also songwriting with my son John. It was his Christmas present to me, always something we can do together; but we never found a virtual class that appealed to us. I think Peggy Seeger would be a terrific teacher! Anyway, we are just tuning in together once a week and seeing what we can do. Of course John is marvelous with words. The biggest problem is that neither of us have the time we need to spend on such a project. If we succeed, Kim, believe me that you will be the first to hear my audition.
Wasn’t the Mars landing stupendous! Astonishing in every way! And the tennis has taken up most of my should-be-doing-something-else time. Thank heavens it is over on Sunday. It KILLED me to see my adored Nadal beaten by Tsitsipas, and then he didn’t do so well against Medvedev. It’s like a double whammy.
As I write, it is raining ice for the third time this winter. Right now we have about an inch of new ice. Getting to the hottub on ice was a pain — just about 10 feet from the door, but ice nonetheless. Thanks heavens we got our vaccination on Wednesday night! The college (vaccination place) has been closed ever since and we would have been having an absolute fit by now! The team running that center took a long break on Wednesday to load up with more vaccine because it was obvious to them that all of us Thursday people were hoping to be able to get our second vaccination. Once again we were mightily impressed with the efficiency of the entire operation. Three cheers for Anne Arundel County Health Department!
And how about poor Texas. Does anyone live there near all of the snow and power outages? What a miserable situation, but interesting about their electric grid — good for an entirely new discussion.
About our Covid-19 email compilation on the website, I think I will end as soon as everyone either has their vaccination or are assured of one. Does that sound right to everyone? And if you don’t know because you never look at the website, please take a look. https://new.alumnae.mtholyoke.edu/1961
Now you know why I never really get anything done. By the way, I’m still testing fonts and think this Verdana (Ed note: font not shown) is readable by those who have sight problems. Hope I’m right. Hugs, Liz Webfoot
2/21/21 –Just checked out the link to the website Liz and surprised and delighted to see a picture of EDWARD walking along with our class at reunion! Liz T
2/21/21 — I know, Liz. It really made me laugh, but it was also the best parade photo I could find. Like Ed is in ALL of our reunion photos and videos. Check out the 55th reunion videos. What a hoot!
By the way, if someone has a better photo of our parade or of any other event you want me to use, just send it to me. Or send me, as you have all heard and read, anything that you are proud of accomplishing: short story, photo, food, awards, artwork, needlework, music, community work, activism, whatever. Personally, I just can’t throw away all my citations and awards, so I stacked them up to throw them out and was completely relieved at doing that. Now I have not moved that stack. How pathetic. I think I’ll just take photos and put them together into a collage. Maybe I’ll post it — we’ll see. For a while, it was all Liz Barrett doing this and Liz Barrett doing that. Then others contributed and it became more interesting.
Ed, know that you are a respected honorary member of the Class of 1961. Liz Webfoot
2/21/21 — Here’s a photo of Liz and famous honorary class member Ed Thornton visiting us in Annapolis quite a few years ago — don’t remember when but think it was a year or so after our 50th reunion. Liz, do you remember? He is always popping up in photos and stars on our webpage. Cheers — Liz WF
END OF PART SEVENTEEN
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