Birthday #12

 

Despite a global pandemic, we had a good birthday.  Went to Big Bloomers nursery in Sanford and bought plants for Henry's room.  Then got a big 

Mount Mitchell

The only time we left our isolated, COVID-free retreat was to take a drive to the top of Mt. Mitchell, the tallest peak east of the Rockies.  The dashboard screen shows the insane drive we had to the summit.

Mount Nebo NC

We did a "quarantine vacation" in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Somewhere about an hour east of Asheville.  We had that house to ourselves on a big three-acre property.  Lots of hiking trials in the neighborhood.  The last two shots are from the Blue Ridge Parkway just north of where we were staying.  Western NC is stunning!  

Blue Boy

The teachers have been really good with online learning.  This was a fun project to recreate a classic painting with a silly twist.  Thomas Gainsborough "Blue Boy", but with tube sox.

Crazy Hair

Since we're probably not leaving the house for the rest of the year, Henry dyed his hair purple and I grew a beard.  At least we can have a fire pit in our giant yard for fun.

Facial

Liane forces Henry to do skin care!

The beginning of the Quarantine

Connie and John visited on their way home from Florida.  During this hike along the Haw River on a mild March Sunday, I got an email saying my company was going virtual until May 31.  Within a week the whole country was on conronavirus lockdown.

Just before the lockdown

Liane and Henry taking artsy photos.  Three days later my company shut down (March 8), and by the end of the week (March 13) all NC schools shut down.

High Honors

For the second quarter in a row, Henry got STRAIGHT A's!!  He's having a perfect year.  Liane and I both made it to the award ceremony.

Trump Protest

Henry stayed home.  We went to an anti-Trump protest in Raleigh with Dean Wilcox and Sherry Lyon.  The good old days before the Plague!

Self Portrat

Henry took this himself with his iPhone.

Social Studies

Henry has always had a huge interest in geography and cultures.  It's paying off since he is the #1 student in his Social Studies class.  Look at this postcard he got in the mail from Mrs. Smith!