This year started out like any other with one exception — we were unemployed! I retired on my birthday in November 2019 and Marilee retired on 1 January 2020 (not her birthday).
In January and February, we enjoyed two cross-country ski trips; the first took place in Casper, Wyoming where the photo here was taken. The second was in northeastern Pennsylvania.
We had just unpacked and were ready to plan the rest of the year, which was to include local motorcycle rides in our tri-county area, long rides to motorcycle rallies out of state, and the grand tour of historic Route 66. Automobile travel was to include trips to visit friends and family near and far. We were ready for an exciting year. And then all of those plans were summarily canceled due to the pandemic.
We got both more and less than we expected. Less travel but more local exploring. And most of it right in our own backyard. Really!
While we took solitary hikes and played in the garden, I took lots of photos of birds, bees, flowers, and trees.
We also became connoisseurs of hand sanitizers and very interested in what kinds of masks provide both protection and fashion appeal. Yes, I’m serious. We wanted to stay safe and look good. Hey, just because we’ve been married fifty years doesn’t mean we’re going to let ourselves go.
Yes, folks, you heard right – we celebrated fifty years of wedded bliss on 11 April 2020, right in the middle of lockdown. (So let it be known that not all of 2020 was bad.) Our children sent us flowers and a gift card to our grocery store, with strict instructions to get the *expensive* steak for a change. We did not argue.
At this writing, the rest of the immediate family are healthy but feeling the affects of the pandemic just like the general population of the working world. Nevertheless, they are doing their best to maintain their health and keep up their spirits.
Tabitha — In January, she notified the American University in Dubai that she would not renew her contract when it ended in June. She planned to spend the spring semester exploring career change options and promoting her book, Conduct Books and the History of the Ideal Woman.
- Available now in hardcover and ebook. Visit your favorite bookseller now.
- Search for it by title or by ISBN-13: 978-1785273148
- Or just click here.
Switching to online teaching was somewhat distracting, and the pandemic’s impact on the job market didn’t help. Consequently, she is currently camping out with us while she looks for work in New York City, London, or another major city.
Seth & Jess are hunkering down in New Zealand. Seth works from his home all the time anyway, so that routine is a familiar one for him. (You can read one of his articles here.)
What changed for Seth was travel. We’re usually able to see him when he comes to the US for an annual conference, but it was virtual this year, so like most families right now, we rely on email and video chat to stay in touch.
Blanked out video is because I don’t have explicit permission to display their faces here.
Jess has been volunteering at their local museum, which seems to have needed some devoted attention. Jess has been cataloging the collection, arranging exhibits, and preparing educational material for school tours if ever crowds are permitted again. (Perhaps I can talk her into providing a link to some of the curious articles she has handled and restored to display. When she does, I’ll include the link here.)
Joanna & Doug are working from home intermittently in Maryland. While Joanna has adapted easily to the much shorter commute, she was not willing to give up their annual anniversary trip to Jamaica.
Doug agreed and bravely tackled all the paperwork and procedures required by the Jamaican government, so with face masks, hand sanitizer, and suntan lotion, off they went.
Getting there was not half the fun, but enjoying a bit of normality in this crazy year was worth the effort.
We also had reports that Joanna won the resort’s costume contest! (The exact nature of the costume was not revealed to us. Hmm.)
William is in Washington, DC, teaching online for universities in DC and Maryland and giving private lessons. Leading music classes virtually has provided many unexpected moments of teaching and learning, such as discovering how to caption his recorded lectures for hearing-impaired students. He continues to compose and be part of the new music scene in DC; we recently enjoyed a concert that included one of his compositions via Zoom.
You can see and hear more of William’s work on YouTube and SoundCloud.
So what is to be said about this year? News outlets around the country have taken turns using phrases like “in these challenging times,” or “in the midst of unique circumstances,” or “under the restrictions of our current situation.” All those descriptions of what we are experiencing do not change the fact that God sent Jesus to be born of a virgin, die on a cross, and rise from the dead. No matter our current condition on this earth, God is sovereign, Jesus saves, and the Holy Spirit comforts the believer.
It is His comfort that we pray for you during this Christmas season and in the new year. Be of good faith and know that God is not challenged by these unprecedented times.
In closing, from all of us (including the cats)
Tigger 
Patches
To all of you:
Happy 2021 !!!
You guys look great
Thanks for sharing
Congrats on 50 Years