. . . considering that I rarely leave the house.

Barb came over and we went to church together in my front yard, left to our own devices and socially distanced.

What a blessing Barb is in my life.

This was the hymn. It was hard to sing with my mask on and tears streaming down my cheeks. Sibelius’s beautiful”Finlandia” with words for us today. Lyrics by Lloyd Stone. I’ve sung it a couple of times since then and cried both times.

Right after church, Joe and Harriet — known around the neighborhood as Hattie — came by with a few dogs to check out some books.

We had a nice visit. Sue is at home awaiting the imminent birth of Hattie’s sister, to be born in the safety of their home with the assistance of a couple of professional midwives. Barb, a retired public health nurse, opined that this is the best plan in this day and age.

I changed the flag on he front porch.

And added a note on the front door.

I like to do things like this on Sundays, to celebrate the beginning of a new week.

Today, Princeton University disclaimed Woodrow Wilson because of his embracing segregation. Good!

Is anyone left?

Christopher Columbus is out. Well, yes.

George Washington? What is true and what is myth. Certainly, he did not chop down a cherry tree.

This just didn’t happen like in this painting.

Of course, we need to condemn Junipero Serra. Good grief! What the “fathers” did to the California natives to get those missions built along El Camino Real in the name of God is god awful.

So, how do we proceed?

Should we tear down all the missions?

Maybe not.

Rename all the boys’ Catholic schools named “Serra”?

Maybe so, but I’ll lay money that’s not going to happen.

What is myth and what is truth.

Do the statues of Ancient Greece portray anything but myth? Maybe not. But we do respect them as art.

Certainly, Confederate statues need to be removed — but whence?

Some things are abdominal but we must never forget: The Holocaust

Maybe we do need role models — but whom? Hero worship — maybe we need to get over it.

Perhaps we no longer have anyone to look up to. All were flawed. Even our daddies were patriarchal. Perhaps the lesson here is not to “look up” but to look to ourselves.

Looks like someone made some smaller masks for the neighborhood children put them in the little library out front. Ahh.

It’s amazing the things I am finding interesting these days.

Most are acceptable. Some not so much.

I’ve been stalking the interesting lives of people I really don’t even know. Perhaps they might want to up their Facebook privacy preferences.

On a brighter note I have a new app that is fascinating. “Picture This.” I can focus my iPhone camera on any plant and snap! It is instantly identified. Finally identified the golden rain tree down the street that literally no one has been able to do.

I’m going broke buying books on Kindle. I have downloaded the “Kindle Unlimited” app but I can’t figure out how to access it. My Mac Guy is apparently back from vacation and will help me with that later this morning. I actually stalked this dear man’s recent vacation. Saw many wonderful pictures of my favorite national park. I go there every year. Now I’m looking online at motels to break up my next road trip there. Longing to put in on the Yellowstone River again.

I also got an app I’m now trying to get rid of. It’s supposed to identify birds like the plant app does, but you can’t really snap pictures of birds. Easier just to look in my little handbook of Birds of Oregon.

In moments of desperation, I have been watching candles drip.

You can get these drippy candles on Amazon.

Also been watching grass grow. Clover actually.

I am trying to incorporate clover into my lawn. Got some special seeds just for this purpose. Also from Amazon.

“The Wells Fargo is a comin’ down the street. I sure hope it stops for me.!”

The is actually my favorite kayaking run.

As you can see, it’s seriously dangerous right now. Cold. High. Fast. Full of strainers. Greens Bridge to Jefferson on the Santiam.

My buddies Jim and Dave and I are the official SOLVE team charged with picking up litter along this area. We’ve picked up kayaks full. Most of it is left by partying tubers who don’t wear PFD’s while hauling 12-packs, floating on devices meant for swimming pools. Sixteen of them had to be pulled out of strainers this week.

It’s a metaphor for life right now: Stay home whenever you can. Wear protective gear when you can’t. Find new ways of having fun.