February in the Keys

 They say timing is everything and once again our escape from Ohio in February was well timed. The biggest winter storm to hit the United States left the entire country with the exception of the tiniest tip of Florida in the deep freeze. While we fished, swam and sunned in 80 degree weather our ring doorbell showed us the 19 inches of snow in our front yard in Perrysburg. 

We had 3 sets of visitors. The Kehres and Smith visit was first which included a bike tour around Key West. Second set was neighbors the Ehlers which included a fishing trip and a Key West tour of the Hemingway House. And finally the Mereus. Granddaughter Sophia was quite the traveler and kept Mimi and Grandpa busy but entertained with all of her cuteness.

We were able to FaceTime with Mike everyday so even though he didn’t get down to Florida he was included in many of our happy hours.

A New Year

 Wow 2020 was a year to be remembered but not all in a good way. Since the last post about a baby shower and a pandemic much has transpired. Covid-19 became a standard term. A monthly recap follows with a few of my favorite pictures.

March in Arizona was the very beginning of the pandemic which included an economic shutdown of society. Only essential businesses would remain open. Schools went to remote learning models and businesses had most working from home. Borders between countries closed. We stayed home and started a major spring house cleaning.

April remained much the same as March. Everything began to change. Sporting events were cancelled including The Masters. Social gatherings were cancelled...people were told to stay home except for getting groceries or medical care. 

May brought the birth of Sophia Stanford Mereu. We debated but went to Boston to welcome her. It was a unique drive with hardly any traffic on the roads. Turnpike rest areas were only used for refueling and rest stop. Mask were worn and lots of hand washing and sanitizer became standard practice. We loved our newest addition to the family.

June was an almost normal month in that golf had been approved to be played during the increasingly rigid pandemic rules. We could walk or ride in separate carts and outdoor dining was approved if the 6 foot social distancing rules were followed. The saddest news in June was that cruising would be cancelled for the remainder of 2020. That meant our October cruise of the Greek island with a transatlantic conclusion was not going to happen. 

July brought us back to Boston to celebrate Marco and Steve’s birthdays and see how Sophia was growing. FaceTime calls and zoom meetings had become standard by this time but being able to see family and hold Sophia was special. Our drive again was without significant traffic and minimum contact with people. 

August/September/October

The country continues to suffer through medical and political crisis. We start talking of a kitchen remodel and have found a designer and approve a plan. Another road trip to Boston to check in on how quickly Sophia is growing and advancing. Air travel is still being discouraged so plans are made to celebrate Thanksgiving in Boston which will mean still another road trip. Mike isn’t happy about the change of venue for Thanksgiving but he is anxious to meet his new niece.

Thanksgiving 2020

As the world was warned not to gather for holiday festivities we drove to Boston. Our family pod has been very careful to follow all of the masking and social distancing rules and feel safe gathering. Marco and Jessica host a great meal and on Friday we turn from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Steve and I have played Santa and Mrs Claus for RCO party for a couple of years and know the costumes are available. We borrow them so that Sophia can have her first visit with Santa. Something that would not happen in the real world this year. She happily sat on Santa’s lap. So many changes since our last visit.she has developed some real personality. Sophia and Uncle Mike become best buddies.

December 2020 

 A new president has been elected and a vaccine for Covid has been developed and rushed through approvals. Christmas is quiet as is the New Year celebrations. No parties this year and only take out food. The hope of 2021 is that the vaccine can be delivered in a timely enough manner that it  will take us out of the lockdown and travel will resume. 

More Pandemic News

As we enter our third week of social distancing it is apparent this virus scare is not going away any time soon. The curve of infected people has a sharp rise in several areas. Fortunately not here in Wood county or Perrysburg. We have been continuing to deep clean a room at a time and I have been participating in a KAL (knit along) that is being podcast by Arne and Carlos, a knit team from Norway. We will be completing a pillow of various patches we are knitting and it will be a rememberance of this very unique time in history. My biggest concern is Jessica and being able to be present for the birth of baby girl Mereu. They are still not discussing names.
So for today all I have is a picture of my squares.

Pandemic

Well vacation has ended and we got home from our cruise and extended days in Buenos Aires. A quick turn around in February with a baby shower for Jessica and then we were off to Arizona to meet up with Mike and Kim for a few nice days of hiking and golf. However by the time we were ready to leave Phoenix, the world had been alerted to the fact that the Corona Virus from Wuhan China was beginning to get a foothold in the USA. The stock market was falling as the economy prepared for a complete lockdown. Toilet paper was being hoarded. By March 22 we were ordered to shelter in place. All restaurants, bars, retail stores everything but essential businesses were told to close for 2 weeks. It is truly an unheard of time.

Fun times on February 29

Buenos Aires Sunday

The Paris of South America.
We arrived Saturday evening and got off the ship this morning. Sad to end the cruise but anxious to explore a new city for a couple of days. Fortunately our hotel room was almost ready so we were able  get checked in unpack a bit and then we were off on a walking tour.

First to the Colon Theater. We didn’t take the tour but enjoyed the architecture of the building. As we walked up to the Recoleta Cemetery we noticed the since it was Sunday much of the city is closed. It is strange to see all of the retail and even some of the restaurants closed. The Recoleta cemetery is where Eva Peron is buried. It is probably the most unusual cemetery in the world. It was very interesting to wander through. Here are just a few pictures.

See my reflection in Eva’s mausoleum. 

The Sunday outdoor market in Recoleta was next. All kinds of local artists and crafters had booths with hand made things for sale. We added a few souvenirs and enjoyed seeing the local people out on for an afternoon.

After a short break at an outdoor cafe we headed back to the hotel for the traditional siesta and a swim in the roof top pool. Tonight we are going to dinner and will try the local beef and some local Argentina Malbec. Outside the cafe where we stopped was this statue and Steve wanted to be photographed with the soccer player.

Ohh the end is coming but today Puerto Madryn

As much fun as we have been having we got our dis-embarkation papers today and luggage tags. 😟😟.

We are in port today at Puerto Madryn, Argentina and had a lovely day walking the city and visiting a museum dedicated to the sea and sea life. We had a great lunch with a bottle of Mendoza Malbec wine 👌🍷. We are back on the ship now with a final sea day tomorrow and then Buenos Aires where we dis-embark on Sunday. We have a hotel in Buenos Aires for 2 nights and will be flying home on Tuesday night into Detroit on Wednesday morning. Steve is perhaps more ready to get off the ship than I am. I have really enjoyed meeting the people and forming some new friendships. We met a delightful couple from New Zealand who have given us a personal itinerary for visiting their country.
   As much as the menus on the ship have become somewhat repetitive I have to remind myself that someone else is cooking and cleaning up everything and my menus at home get repetitive too. I guess I have not missed my kitchen at all this trip and grocery shopping is another area that I have forgotten needs to be done when we are home preparing our own meals. I had better start gearing up for that too. And probably in the cold weather to make it even less inviting.
Some pictures from our day in Puerto Madryn,

                                           
                                               The Historic Center which never opens

The Plaza de Armas which seems to be in every SA town and of course with a monument

                                     
                               The Puerto Madryn skyline from the ship at the pier

The penguins at the museum

                                       Wine with lunch?? Of course it is vacation!

New sunglasses needed for Steve.