tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15243616575671789342024-03-05T16:12:35.907-05:00The WhomptonsKSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13187688424539380660noreply@blogger.comBlogger485125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524361657567178934.post-15901937334050963072023-10-20T19:10:00.005-05:002023-10-20T19:11:51.392-05:00Mastocytosis: Five Year Review<p>October 20 marks the general anniversary of my
diagnosis of <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/systemic-mastocytosis/" target="_blank">Systemic Mastocytosis</a>, and is also <a href="https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/october/international-mastocytosis-mast-cell-disease-awareness-day-october-20" target="_blank">Mastocytosis and Mast Cell Disease Awareness Day</a>, so I inventory and demarcate my health developments and changes
year-to-year on this day. I had 27 mast cell reactions in a 6-months span (May – October
2022) and I cut that reaction level in half this past year (26 mast cell
reactions from October 2022 – October 2023). So, what’s changed in the past
year to create such improvement?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I quit multiple volunteer leadership commitments to reduce
stress and in the hopes that would allow me to stay in my chosen career of
teaching. That didn’t quite work, unfortunately. I controlled the trigger of
stress but was unable to control the environmental triggers of perfumes and
chemical smells. I was hauled out of campus in an ambulance twice in the first
two months. Samantha and Eric bore the burden of being my emergency health
advocates, Lola received insensitive questions like “Your mom’s not at work –
is she dead?”, my colleagues had to cover my classes while simultaneously being
worried for me, and I had to reveal deeply personal parts of me to students. I
came back after the second major reaction and, in September, told MICDS that it
would be my last year of teaching. I wasn’t certain what I would do next,
exactly, but I knew physically interacting with a whole lot of people each day
was no longer safe for me. My disease emotionally and mentally affects those
who love me, and it was too much of an ask for them to bear that heavier burden
when I could limit that load. There had to be something else I could do; I would
either find it or retire. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Making the decision in September gave me a school year to
grieve leaving my chosen profession. I was so damn sad about what I had lost because
of this disease and directly acknowledging what was happening was heartbreaking.
I was too emotionally raw to write a reflection post last year; I wanted to shield
myself from facing that reality. Time heals, so they say. After winter break, I
had another job lined up and I told my students I was leaving. I had to answer
the question “Oh no, you’re leaving!? Why!?” so many times. My students
understood – they had seen me collapse or had heard stories about it – but not
all adults in the community knew. How honest was I supposed to be when they
asked? People made all sorts of assumptions about why I was leaving and the
reality – being there was literally killing me – was a challenging one to say
out loud. I committed to regular therapy to help navigate through that grief
and loss, and that helped give me space to find the positives in the change. (I
want to be clear that MICDS was fully accommodating and made many modifications
so that I could stay; my leaving the school is not an indictment of them. They
did everything right.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I switched careers to a 40 hours-a-week, work from home with
flexible hours scenario, and it’s the best thing I could have done for myself.
For example, I met with my mast cell expert earlier this month – he’s in Ann
Arbor, so it’s a production to see him – and I didn’t have to take time off
that week for the appointment. I just worked in the airport and hotel and made
up my hours otherwise. If I’m feeling badly, I make up the time when I’m
feeling better. This flexibility eases my anxiety about possibly being unreliable,
means that I don’t have to lean on colleagues to cover my workload, and allows
me to be a better employee as a result. My mast cell doctor wants me to have some
medical procedures done up there, and so I’ll work from Ann Arbor for a week in
the spring, probably. I am so grateful to have this level of flexibility and
employer support and I am much safer working daily in my household-controlled
environment. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have, on the whole, identified my anaphylaxis triggers. I’m very reactive to smells, and this is the primary reason
I had to leave teaching. If there’s alcohol, cleaning agents, hand sanitizer, or
strong fragrances involved, my body is probably reacting severely. Cleaning the
house is something I can no longer participate in and, frankly, it is not safe for
me to be around when someone else is cleaning. I schedule times to be out of
the house so that other family members can do essential household maintenance things
like clean the bathrooms or scrub the kitchen sink. I’ll be out having fun and
visiting with friends, and then I’ll come home to a cleaner house. I’m so lucky
to have such supportive family members!<o:p></o:p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-mjHs39r9C-qLgJaT_a7DjqZZgufl1B4JQ90Tbl_zze5lZzLV5rzXafhEztWjrKXBdY40uw0dYzzFthypKuBH6015lmob42GisRqcmwdC2V___im70EvRjh-u6AWxoyRjm1mLEawxrJtGX2bK7kIhy4eJqdMeaG_oWsYTc5CMHFrBOeQaVNKbBy2m27Z/s1024/Mast-Cell-Disease-Triggers-Infographic-1-1024x1024.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl-mjHs39r9C-qLgJaT_a7DjqZZgufl1B4JQ90Tbl_zze5lZzLV5rzXafhEztWjrKXBdY40uw0dYzzFthypKuBH6015lmob42GisRqcmwdC2V___im70EvRjh-u6AWxoyRjm1mLEawxrJtGX2bK7kIhy4eJqdMeaG_oWsYTc5CMHFrBOeQaVNKbBy2m27Z/s320/Mast-Cell-Disease-Triggers-Infographic-1-1024x1024.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">infographic courtesy of <a href="https://tmsforacure.org/" target="_blank">The Mast Cell Disease Society</a></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal">I also changed my medication regimen. I am maxing out the
antihistamines – transitioning to 4 daily Zyrtec was a woozy week – and I added
a monthly injection of Xolair. I never imagined self-administering shots but
that’s a skill set I have now developed. I also added in more consistent
twice-a-day H2 blockers, which have been effective with some of the
cardiovascular impacts when I’m having a disease flare. I now drink a mug of
veggie broth each day to get more salt in me and to boost my blood pressure. I’m
finally out of historic 90/50 or lower range and into a much safer 110/60 range;
keeping my blood pressure higher helps prevent the lightheadedness and
dizziness that is so debilitating.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I broke my foot 6 months ago and that substantially limited
my physical activity. Cardio exercise is one of the last triggers that I
willingly subject myself to, so not running or doing aerobics classes certainly
put me in a less reactive state. My compromise was to buy a treadmill, and I
log multiple miles a day at my walking desk. If I log too many miles in a
single day or if I walk too quickly, I start to get lightheaded and dizzy, so I’m
trying to find the right combination that allows me to both be active and safe.
Unfortunately, I do think that limiting cardio exercise is a key reason why I
have had fewer reactions in this past year, and it’s something to reflect on and
probably further grieve on as time passes.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At this five-year diagnosis anniversary, I am finally using the word anaphylaxis when advocating for myself and, occasionally, I will use it to describe my own mast cell reactions. By definition I have had far more anaphylactic episodes than I have been willing to admit to myself; if a reaction affects two or more body systems then it's anaphylaxis, and mine generally affect four systems simultaneously. I am getting there in acceptance -- both in acknowledging the severity of the situation as well as using more medical interventions to make the situation better. I’m grateful to have all the information I have, access to caring and knowledgeable doctors and the financial means to connect with them, and to be in a place where holding steady at a comfortable baseline is still possible. I’m able to work full-time in a
meaningful way, volunteer with purpose, engage in activities that bring me joy,
and connect deeply with friends and family. My life is full and worthy of celebration.
Thank you for checking in with me with this annual inventory and for acknowledging
Mastocytosis and Mast Cell Disease Awareness Day!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>KSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13187688424539380660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524361657567178934.post-70801849799017905152022-06-20T21:38:00.004-05:002022-06-21T07:54:52.011-05:002020 - 2022 Pictures<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We haven't inventoried our collection of pictures in almost two years now, which means we're significantly behind in documenting the ups and down of Whompton life. Here's a snapshot series recap.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvDsC1Ysdlp_7nbKz6u1NJudZVnsD73jxAbTg3abhAgX-N3sctee8AD-r2ToY1-A3_MKPZrNCzF7P5p0mChJk405HmDvRyUuxNXwaougtB1S3DA7rWkrLAxCsmaB5rAXZOhlMMrLL2vYSQK5uTBnxgiTITCy0ZPZzCsK5O0Ev7DcNZAFDCFrekLCtLw/s4032/PXL_20201107_173707708.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvDsC1Ysdlp_7nbKz6u1NJudZVnsD73jxAbTg3abhAgX-N3sctee8AD-r2ToY1-A3_MKPZrNCzF7P5p0mChJk405HmDvRyUuxNXwaougtB1S3DA7rWkrLAxCsmaB5rAXZOhlMMrLL2vYSQK5uTBnxgiTITCy0ZPZzCsK5O0Ev7DcNZAFDCFrekLCtLw/s320/PXL_20201107_173707708.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The maple tree in the backyard was sick and came down. It made a tremendous BOOM when it smashed into the ground. We're very grateful it did not smash into the house instead.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4fZjJuz7aUTy5fDFjZxQ0Q4YZJXOTZ9tBRRhT54Dsjdi-Vw-xXEfSwWTxXdcsqd7ADXa2gHYl60dcwFs2gWnAKkD683Ro7Epeithg7Y0zzdcc-dHQADU84uuL44RxmVpAwmfPckLHs6LeR9oGqidk1ar5g29gSD3x6rBmJMinYZ-8LUDqKhXU_N6Bw/s4032/PXL_20201219_175840471.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_4fZjJuz7aUTy5fDFjZxQ0Q4YZJXOTZ9tBRRhT54Dsjdi-Vw-xXEfSwWTxXdcsqd7ADXa2gHYl60dcwFs2gWnAKkD683Ro7Epeithg7Y0zzdcc-dHQADU84uuL44RxmVpAwmfPckLHs6LeR9oGqidk1ar5g29gSD3x6rBmJMinYZ-8LUDqKhXU_N6Bw/s320/PXL_20201219_175840471.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">COVID Christmas was spent at home, which may be the first Christmas in the girls' memory that we did not spend in Nashville. They need not have worried. Papa Bill still managed to share silly gifts from a distance! :)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8OA_W1a-PXkHrP6f8XVluSr4idka_TZ__q2gTUvZmWRvIhk-bBLZfN1GHtBYwTuMUSAgxsGbhX0aT4YkIUFj5hbHkTdbGWBilEVbyioz4U1X10QaLZ0qZPp90bD4gi-1rpQglBo39fGvBHkGeBx31DAxcHWRj_s8VnJhX2ZX9Gu4Iq2V98B3-K1-Qg/s4032/PXL_20210111_152314954.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8OA_W1a-PXkHrP6f8XVluSr4idka_TZ__q2gTUvZmWRvIhk-bBLZfN1GHtBYwTuMUSAgxsGbhX0aT4YkIUFj5hbHkTdbGWBilEVbyioz4U1X10QaLZ0qZPp90bD4gi-1rpQglBo39fGvBHkGeBx31DAxcHWRj_s8VnJhX2ZX9Gu4Iq2V98B3-K1-Qg/s320/PXL_20210111_152314954.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handsome headshot of Eric showing his distinguished silver fox status.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWh4cP-yZMLlD0ve7o4z9Xlg7lXEK3xsVInCyG2Oov-XyoQq5_fcj1SPv61Q3We-RNI8busgtIDCYPECGd3bbj7IXH0irDTQQuSAdb1FjitXsBeoKgd8i4R0oK5mbUXxGtm2j-aOUutpDzYw9XeFaH7dw1BbopZY5Rhnh9-JsP5jvKgphRrEUyfbi_Q/s4032/PXL_20210529_154357945.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWh4cP-yZMLlD0ve7o4z9Xlg7lXEK3xsVInCyG2Oov-XyoQq5_fcj1SPv61Q3We-RNI8busgtIDCYPECGd3bbj7IXH0irDTQQuSAdb1FjitXsBeoKgd8i4R0oK5mbUXxGtm2j-aOUutpDzYw9XeFaH7dw1BbopZY5Rhnh9-JsP5jvKgphRrEUyfbi_Q/s320/PXL_20210529_154357945.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We spent summer 2021 vacationing in Missouri and we camped at multiple state parks that summer. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRhNklSIFw2d80dg1bPHbGjdwtv5rtEWwwSixYf32XQAFTQ-yBqSdB3f37MN2QbR2JhmUFQtC3tx4q1ggZ1TiqltmQjRI4DmDqaW78QgMJtHPKewd4GC1aOMSaVswSXh6ZU7s2HdFPhjBs97pPWOQV6iKczehQ16P4nQNCDAQRt58YU3G8pMLYyItKA/s4032/PXL_20210529_230937645.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRhNklSIFw2d80dg1bPHbGjdwtv5rtEWwwSixYf32XQAFTQ-yBqSdB3f37MN2QbR2JhmUFQtC3tx4q1ggZ1TiqltmQjRI4DmDqaW78QgMJtHPKewd4GC1aOMSaVswSXh6ZU7s2HdFPhjBs97pPWOQV6iKczehQ16P4nQNCDAQRt58YU3G8pMLYyItKA/s320/PXL_20210529_230937645.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We routinely attempted and failed to make a fire large enough to cook our dinner on. Cold hot dogs and raw sweet potatoes were dissatisfying meals, for sure. We later learned to heat up pre-made vegetarian chili from home and then celebrate if a fire was made separately.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLPSe1DhFzZUsqsLfGWwlwqGTMZNfvzqifSV8YeISEKSBwwE6cEO6EsNei2hVenW-yK_QfrQHmPiIdYiAMMHv0-CFHLYD0-3zpFeFhCTNyCCgtgoHRMJG9FFW1Yb7EXRrEF4RrlEyewABPA7LFoxkN2sooKkNdgGE1QEswci1Gy4c2wVdV-hS5nSz-w/s4032/PXL_20210619_153631638.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkLPSe1DhFzZUsqsLfGWwlwqGTMZNfvzqifSV8YeISEKSBwwE6cEO6EsNei2hVenW-yK_QfrQHmPiIdYiAMMHv0-CFHLYD0-3zpFeFhCTNyCCgtgoHRMJG9FFW1Yb7EXRrEF4RrlEyewABPA7LFoxkN2sooKkNdgGE1QEswci1Gy4c2wVdV-hS5nSz-w/s320/PXL_20210619_153631638.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being silly at the Butterfly House. Eric is surrounded by hissing cockroaches, which feels very similar to his old Southwood apartment. ;)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcMM4_mxbHX6P01f2FO0QUylUzyvR8qYsM0HS8zRXCt9ULP0RzcTReAhqen219e-JpQTAyxvQohoJjov3fU1KsGh_q0dYKlgbaWWMXB7E67gdsjaN91DybA5UcP94d7gO_QgETdk9DDXCZpINKSCVdMN6tXwB6ZBQVq7uI3aS734mD9vTKAdC2TOtdQ/s4032/PXL_20210619_153804808.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcMM4_mxbHX6P01f2FO0QUylUzyvR8qYsM0HS8zRXCt9ULP0RzcTReAhqen219e-JpQTAyxvQohoJjov3fU1KsGh_q0dYKlgbaWWMXB7E67gdsjaN91DybA5UcP94d7gO_QgETdk9DDXCZpINKSCVdMN6tXwB6ZBQVq7uI3aS734mD9vTKAdC2TOtdQ/s320/PXL_20210619_153804808.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When the girls were younger, we spent every weekend at Faust Park and we closed each trip with the girls clamoring all over this sculpture. They're both adult sized now and had zero difficulty whatsoever.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOs6ms-i2-kt8XMPcnoidUvtAT7cb278oCrhmKtJfrhlaoMnS1s80fu1xfb8656jjctVprpya2gSNEgckB8EtKDa0xdVX_Qd7g-G8HcIk693vj7srAqIm5q5s6-oU547v54XRGfnIBocksMZgzOu49TY7D2jMw5EkLEhFrHfsU8O63FDwQ0vJCFnkuoA/s4032/PXL_20210704_141520279.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOs6ms-i2-kt8XMPcnoidUvtAT7cb278oCrhmKtJfrhlaoMnS1s80fu1xfb8656jjctVprpya2gSNEgckB8EtKDa0xdVX_Qd7g-G8HcIk693vj7srAqIm5q5s6-oU547v54XRGfnIBocksMZgzOu49TY7D2jMw5EkLEhFrHfsU8O63FDwQ0vJCFnkuoA/s320/PXL_20210704_141520279.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Finney family joined us for a south-western Missouri + Arkansas trip. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DBn0MTGsQmqbrDb0ad6MjK6nhwqZHX9Cxuyh0Hd8B443i3W3gBLfRV4INAhJwlAJRnF1PepF3MyUo74h_Gxcv7zXulA9ipR9Sa7Ksa9J20i06hHXVKemvJS3s71CFV-iUax2ElN6KiwGTeAW2WffRUUFBfArIZCwYltRdhi_6hTTbvJf3ZrAdYK5Hg/s4032/PXL_20210704_191832488.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DBn0MTGsQmqbrDb0ad6MjK6nhwqZHX9Cxuyh0Hd8B443i3W3gBLfRV4INAhJwlAJRnF1PepF3MyUo74h_Gxcv7zXulA9ipR9Sa7Ksa9J20i06hHXVKemvJS3s71CFV-iUax2ElN6KiwGTeAW2WffRUUFBfArIZCwYltRdhi_6hTTbvJf3ZrAdYK5Hg/s320/PXL_20210704_191832488.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raina rejoiced at the amazing art and architecture of Crystal Bridges Museum in Bentonville. They have an entire Frank Lloyd Wright house on property!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NxNOJJ8up1TWv3jXickrfKlCN1DyN-Rlo3FB_G5DTd0-nKc67fTWxKdm7vdbl3RrJIsEYPfi5pWUBopvygBcZQNjx8Zk39HXjZNWzpdbhCUfe4r99ej1dBJxYlMN2CEg8uFFUVEej4FUdMPiUGKMpPqnfxXJqv6PQrYn6w5KpGubWTsPGgGc2Gq3Wg/s4032/PXL_20210705_124841378.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NxNOJJ8up1TWv3jXickrfKlCN1DyN-Rlo3FB_G5DTd0-nKc67fTWxKdm7vdbl3RrJIsEYPfi5pWUBopvygBcZQNjx8Zk39HXjZNWzpdbhCUfe4r99ej1dBJxYlMN2CEg8uFFUVEej4FUdMPiUGKMpPqnfxXJqv6PQrYn6w5KpGubWTsPGgGc2Gq3Wg/s320/PXL_20210705_124841378.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When they were much younger, the Finney kids + our kids went camping together with the Navigators. Now they are old enough and responsible enough to take care of the dishes independently. Parenting win!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7d-bDpnNaFeU71pj8Ve7rQEk9dEEKST8ArDjh037kfRoK4yGemQqUkqnPbiAsNBYkIff2Bhoy9pILd6TaG0b_UZpSyaUQd1OqdyAe6C3__Jt8fE94VeS8ZXnBliXqU69tkOCL4mUYALUuTk9usRIAn60tf9lU-1Q5HUlE0iMFXvNmRAuuzmy-2WAiWQ/s4032/PXL_20210705_191418506.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7d-bDpnNaFeU71pj8Ve7rQEk9dEEKST8ArDjh037kfRoK4yGemQqUkqnPbiAsNBYkIff2Bhoy9pILd6TaG0b_UZpSyaUQd1OqdyAe6C3__Jt8fE94VeS8ZXnBliXqU69tkOCL4mUYALUuTk9usRIAn60tf9lU-1Q5HUlE0iMFXvNmRAuuzmy-2WAiWQ/s320/PXL_20210705_191418506.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every drive through Rolla, MO, merits a stop at A Slice of Pie. :) </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHwyqxwuPWewl_HtXDCvY7A7OSkEWJuEvKV7EFWL7eIXlD1NdokDNbqxgcfCfu2Jn_d_9NH6-sEw7dtYVzhgEJPUTLbYArBkNAj1ZnRs4qJ2vjLGkNMAnlDbhNafvynq5s5DjGaejI3wsjEZKwRQWz5-fDSnHJe993D0ri0O5yx21YMPB7fVQboeIcg/s4032/PXL_20210718_130515147.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHwyqxwuPWewl_HtXDCvY7A7OSkEWJuEvKV7EFWL7eIXlD1NdokDNbqxgcfCfu2Jn_d_9NH6-sEw7dtYVzhgEJPUTLbYArBkNAj1ZnRs4qJ2vjLGkNMAnlDbhNafvynq5s5DjGaejI3wsjEZKwRQWz5-fDSnHJe993D0ri0O5yx21YMPB7fVQboeIcg/s320/PXL_20210718_130515147.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous girls in gorgeous country.<br />Smoky Mountains, hiking near Cosby Campground</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6y6x9WKQyrNywhihKCJlyp40lbgdac36TK6zcXAFW0Ap4-kwgdKgdQB_RoTYtDgljAmUIQY5zIaK5nt9k2Flqi4lSF8zrXAY6iq6LBqWCranLLf3N3fiCZqAADeM-EYt3ci8rnP0Y2rm54EqlAo9HlRCEDrdFg8hn9rJRIknDgP-vRZM1fLwzn5opxg/s4032/PXL_20210718_130610705.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6y6x9WKQyrNywhihKCJlyp40lbgdac36TK6zcXAFW0Ap4-kwgdKgdQB_RoTYtDgljAmUIQY5zIaK5nt9k2Flqi4lSF8zrXAY6iq6LBqWCranLLf3N3fiCZqAADeM-EYt3ci8rnP0Y2rm54EqlAo9HlRCEDrdFg8hn9rJRIknDgP-vRZM1fLwzn5opxg/s320/PXL_20210718_130610705.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoky Mountain, nearby Cosby Campground</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPt0laWvnaXRbmKET5D2oSUTo0wNFRNY8lZG1pVhw-pvRRh_SubtUgIY6dvYNd74IhdJQxnszRryNXZf2impr2NH1cgIPqxfck83JHgQeFlgicBtsZMJcSqzvQwclHd0aF6uX8PLVnFBzfxWYYzjBCq0n_A_7ANRRA39faDLf_FKzqWk_JJo2m3xm9cw/s4032/PXL_20210719_131935254.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPt0laWvnaXRbmKET5D2oSUTo0wNFRNY8lZG1pVhw-pvRRh_SubtUgIY6dvYNd74IhdJQxnszRryNXZf2impr2NH1cgIPqxfck83JHgQeFlgicBtsZMJcSqzvQwclHd0aF6uX8PLVnFBzfxWYYzjBCq0n_A_7ANRRA39faDLf_FKzqWk_JJo2m3xm9cw/s320/PXL_20210719_131935254.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoky Mountain, Cosby Campground</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-S6GvI8P4xnlGHT5OdeEPzVPqZWBzOtAVC33QyP8166WGz_vbKtwmrrubPBStW2Z2FtdLp-POz4ZGYfQz56ORX5XRqCKRjaJHm1V7du9ohvf4tzymYoNWeqKAECct5JwCeOmp-PWHOVyWIQVborfspEAPvsw0XNNMwPOKwzNAAFMUIxbwFc25IOhJAA/s4032/PXL_20210719_131938865.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-S6GvI8P4xnlGHT5OdeEPzVPqZWBzOtAVC33QyP8166WGz_vbKtwmrrubPBStW2Z2FtdLp-POz4ZGYfQz56ORX5XRqCKRjaJHm1V7du9ohvf4tzymYoNWeqKAECct5JwCeOmp-PWHOVyWIQVborfspEAPvsw0XNNMwPOKwzNAAFMUIxbwFc25IOhJAA/s320/PXL_20210719_131938865.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoky Mountain, Cosby Campground</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2s1dMR8aEyEP6sh-Zww-zkpUkeLWQaYND_oslUMxX0gJxyj4VLfysm5cKIfzcqVzPgfsOz6KxKksAiYuwyR0iEwJICqFtkA3bFyLYf-XnrB3ZSu80NhG7vM0d-umyAcMjp8xjpfmI-xC5bwjZRGMhxPqM8hwi5Pdm8aRKDWvsIRPW1JgaY9PnU0yNQQ/s4032/PXL_20210719_133205063.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2s1dMR8aEyEP6sh-Zww-zkpUkeLWQaYND_oslUMxX0gJxyj4VLfysm5cKIfzcqVzPgfsOz6KxKksAiYuwyR0iEwJICqFtkA3bFyLYf-XnrB3ZSu80NhG7vM0d-umyAcMjp8xjpfmI-xC5bwjZRGMhxPqM8hwi5Pdm8aRKDWvsIRPW1JgaY9PnU0yNQQ/s320/PXL_20210719_133205063.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoky Mountain, Cosby Campground</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fNlp-DN8ZC8cB9VNorItf4yDXXiJv9SJywxnpj3ITrdG82-kYjRHB9W2nu0MmGM8tvTYpPSq8Q46Ez0Kzf2x-ccdy0rRVSewmAQVrSmQw48EQqeoOAH47OYTbZV4kXbqljn5TCaFGtBYTbqZ9mxKia6Ez6hUzZNnohpuiyKEVlb5DLeQpiukBWd4nQ/s4032/PXL_20210719_205504679.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fNlp-DN8ZC8cB9VNorItf4yDXXiJv9SJywxnpj3ITrdG82-kYjRHB9W2nu0MmGM8tvTYpPSq8Q46Ez0Kzf2x-ccdy0rRVSewmAQVrSmQw48EQqeoOAH47OYTbZV4kXbqljn5TCaFGtBYTbqZ9mxKia6Ez6hUzZNnohpuiyKEVlb5DLeQpiukBWd4nQ/s320/PXL_20210719_205504679.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why go to a National Park if you're not willing to do the Junior Ranger work?! <br />Smoky Mountain National Park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhaOJQCGmihPOxMOW0fkp3JOwhRVeJzEMgUMiL9ekbzxZZggJY5J8LRfoknR4zpziQvTiilIauJh7MmwPP1hmthXlN8C2O2pThqG7E4srtr-bPxgkti8hNeSkw-3CBHKDO4wvZ7FGKCjeZ3h_aVU11Zn1Va1Gfrm5UIBVi7AbFNiBNNAFsr_N_CoHaw/s4032/PXL_20210720_201038227.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhaOJQCGmihPOxMOW0fkp3JOwhRVeJzEMgUMiL9ekbzxZZggJY5J8LRfoknR4zpziQvTiilIauJh7MmwPP1hmthXlN8C2O2pThqG7E4srtr-bPxgkti8hNeSkw-3CBHKDO4wvZ7FGKCjeZ3h_aVU11Zn1Va1Gfrm5UIBVi7AbFNiBNNAFsr_N_CoHaw/s320/PXL_20210720_201038227.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily and Atticus joined us for part of our Smoky Mountain camping adventure.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhra-TwhVHm65SyMQ8SoIqfjAO_WSo1VmVlH43FevMkJhUAzdRGDx9W2j2lN7Y5RGhwsL6pOEGi-d5pudHK8bA248ACbm3mUy-XtubqxZ4udQNvGb7KMKBJnSfU9SQx6QtrYqc8QyvfwEokMRLQBkfNoinkua7zeX3KJjFESHHLbSyeJFuqwhFaJzEmww/s4032/PXL_20210721_193753172.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhra-TwhVHm65SyMQ8SoIqfjAO_WSo1VmVlH43FevMkJhUAzdRGDx9W2j2lN7Y5RGhwsL6pOEGi-d5pudHK8bA248ACbm3mUy-XtubqxZ4udQNvGb7KMKBJnSfU9SQx6QtrYqc8QyvfwEokMRLQBkfNoinkua7zeX3KJjFESHHLbSyeJFuqwhFaJzEmww/s320/PXL_20210721_193753172.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily definitely relished the opportunity to be out and put her tent to use on new ground. She was all smiles the whole trip. :)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjd65RCVCKco52AASdtkUkayxxxJLJhQfZu4Bwjo8v2RlGZnhzq83W4Bb2MTBRGhtlqEMXXDD0EF_yNUaD8brz02Ev9Gn3dukQW-shoIeYwSL-pCCPOSPAt7-FR1eZBJR25mDmDNeQNJaLGol4GRnQzhnvzISKU43HO7nHYRpUzgxU5zGRhY4fhpjIQ/s4032/PXL_20210721_200417219.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcjd65RCVCKco52AASdtkUkayxxxJLJhQfZu4Bwjo8v2RlGZnhzq83W4Bb2MTBRGhtlqEMXXDD0EF_yNUaD8brz02Ev9Gn3dukQW-shoIeYwSL-pCCPOSPAt7-FR1eZBJR25mDmDNeQNJaLGol4GRnQzhnvzISKU43HO7nHYRpUzgxU5zGRhY4fhpjIQ/s320/PXL_20210721_200417219.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoky Mountains</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZPd9FT4rhN1y7rCOpBMF_lz3MlJgd8MiphI7aPZn_kBGlxriwp1m4KoBrdT1BC3DakWVN2wmHcKpFkMbjgM5ylhn2IEiVoaB-bthlB_6F7aVsPuqRoT9onnTXSuiQfmtcBpC9_AwNni-_IgI1O7k1mEx87NFl8Nqhvp9ZFBQbVnOpt61Wgyb3EltAw/s4032/PXL_20210721_204755571.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZPd9FT4rhN1y7rCOpBMF_lz3MlJgd8MiphI7aPZn_kBGlxriwp1m4KoBrdT1BC3DakWVN2wmHcKpFkMbjgM5ylhn2IEiVoaB-bthlB_6F7aVsPuqRoT9onnTXSuiQfmtcBpC9_AwNni-_IgI1O7k1mEx87NFl8Nqhvp9ZFBQbVnOpt61Wgyb3EltAw/s320/PXL_20210721_204755571.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whomptons @ Smokies</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CAoBEI1ndObZIacVLNP3ClteDpJszn3RhJyV-XDgimjW_Uu1TloSSncC2qH1Pb29zptt0nm4-2heI0GbF_rD3K2WqnCcPrxKizZWIMTHkUHskwQWZVn3E_ORKCaYBH76cDtPEiCpZIQpOtHYCsyvwLZLS-loN8a4fRKzxppud_e9c7hZFwTl-VDoig/s4032/PXL_20210721_204803702.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5CAoBEI1ndObZIacVLNP3ClteDpJszn3RhJyV-XDgimjW_Uu1TloSSncC2qH1Pb29zptt0nm4-2heI0GbF_rD3K2WqnCcPrxKizZWIMTHkUHskwQWZVn3E_ORKCaYBH76cDtPEiCpZIQpOtHYCsyvwLZLS-loN8a4fRKzxppud_e9c7hZFwTl-VDoig/s320/PXL_20210721_204803702.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whomptons @ Smokies</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgOu6zI0U9PgalFXqS80t5bEJe6dop9332iIf-vwg6ILQ3wT8tilxAGYjy95IX0GOIlsLQeeBiNdgohByIHKVdoki4bRPnftayObXF6yd24AJhnFMb9gjH5MdVm9a-2AtX4AfK9cXo2chUMQ3VkGd2uDeE9-NWQCkJm-MQ-IpvjCZlsvbqH_UI9NSEQ/s4032/PXL_20210722_153327253.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgOu6zI0U9PgalFXqS80t5bEJe6dop9332iIf-vwg6ILQ3wT8tilxAGYjy95IX0GOIlsLQeeBiNdgohByIHKVdoki4bRPnftayObXF6yd24AJhnFMb9gjH5MdVm9a-2AtX4AfK9cXo2chUMQ3VkGd2uDeE9-NWQCkJm-MQ-IpvjCZlsvbqH_UI9NSEQ/s320/PXL_20210722_153327253.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruby took us white water rafting! Here Emily and I are working our muscles to shove just a little more air into the raft.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmYJ3ncbKaC8e2IRIdA4jfCKpc1oHnPVvWbW1qqJR5szqiZORPmebV4d4T1zd2tLJIvpm_k3A6rYWnR7CEKH1ZH8NrZl7F_oqtDHcz8dvd8fncMrrWUl5-PLVh234y9ucKSPaLPgEpEg2fh2CaEGixL8oCdWpD-zpSr5RBoj4dvHXmZB_cdBx_4JLpQ/s4032/PXL_20210722_235001365.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmYJ3ncbKaC8e2IRIdA4jfCKpc1oHnPVvWbW1qqJR5szqiZORPmebV4d4T1zd2tLJIvpm_k3A6rYWnR7CEKH1ZH8NrZl7F_oqtDHcz8dvd8fncMrrWUl5-PLVh234y9ucKSPaLPgEpEg2fh2CaEGixL8oCdWpD-zpSr5RBoj4dvHXmZB_cdBx_4JLpQ/s320/PXL_20210722_235001365.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balsam Mountain campground, Smoky Mountains<br />Sometimes, all you want to do is read. :)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnm6okrzVyx9YRsAya7HGDggTKOW6Iw32UFwtm_2tWHMJNYVtv4zCh7eznqs2vLrOSba-0DaiJ1qfb-MDZNR0S4dqw8ft4NSk3Ng1H13yxk9LirzQ24m5Au40iImxS-TWRmshROXcmPJIymUuH3RLEaBqOgtYuXpNM1bUH6PT89Hue6VGtxhz59mxRA/s4032/PXL_20210808_193837588.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnm6okrzVyx9YRsAya7HGDggTKOW6Iw32UFwtm_2tWHMJNYVtv4zCh7eznqs2vLrOSba-0DaiJ1qfb-MDZNR0S4dqw8ft4NSk3Ng1H13yxk9LirzQ24m5Au40iImxS-TWRmshROXcmPJIymUuH3RLEaBqOgtYuXpNM1bUH6PT89Hue6VGtxhz59mxRA/s320/PXL_20210808_193837588.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying Shaw's Garden, Fall 2021</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibySnekbD5QSRN3J7dQVL9KrMFLuHe_60qo6u3CCVTbrHb79g5jkeLMReDJmw8EA088LLBk6WYaXdPukPlsTVcrEpd6LceQyHwxivuTsOo6-m3dw5eWNzCgETJATGEUzuC_UpIJfSWuuNvqWmCGVUYeH5Sb3edV3fjcML8oEhXHXrCnkBBao69uyFxkQ/s4032/PXL_20210821_232444485.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibySnekbD5QSRN3J7dQVL9KrMFLuHe_60qo6u3CCVTbrHb79g5jkeLMReDJmw8EA088LLBk6WYaXdPukPlsTVcrEpd6LceQyHwxivuTsOo6-m3dw5eWNzCgETJATGEUzuC_UpIJfSWuuNvqWmCGVUYeH5Sb3edV3fjcML8oEhXHXrCnkBBao69uyFxkQ/s320/PXL_20210821_232444485.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill and JoLynn celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in August 2021. The vow renewal ceremony, conducted by Stephanie, was incredibly moving.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXp06EUwBgNOs-VhXaGIetqtztR5OrCoiErd5iyp13jUEi2AwCQmpck1iZRG9hkvbm8NGyngRdUWUE9AJhv9WmyZObYgp4b6fH-By1P4iV-bh009cN8ESYC48KIZwuoWhy-bviiY0VavhSd3g018aF-sBXZlU6n2_2Cm0gZXVySNzGv_fXUwHUYLt3g/s4032/PXL_20210821_232851539.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLXp06EUwBgNOs-VhXaGIetqtztR5OrCoiErd5iyp13jUEi2AwCQmpck1iZRG9hkvbm8NGyngRdUWUE9AJhv9WmyZObYgp4b6fH-By1P4iV-bh009cN8ESYC48KIZwuoWhy-bviiY0VavhSd3g018aF-sBXZlU6n2_2Cm0gZXVySNzGv_fXUwHUYLt3g/s320/PXL_20210821_232851539.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They also shoved cake in each other's faces, like at any wedding. :)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvf99HxuyYjiHNJ-nr_s7q20l3nu76BM4ul-7rNFwgtHa1ST2E9XO6QMKrj3teXIXtFVNwkATL4ViSO6hYx8un0mRMEohdEXDFhRKRVAiwBfrh3pcEE9FcaMxzw_uycQpQC6RNEuHXEJVyyeibLOMfJsH-F1cnAsI7fKmdgJ3YViyM3TS5qlIGwYVhUA/s4032/PXL_20210823_125519674.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvf99HxuyYjiHNJ-nr_s7q20l3nu76BM4ul-7rNFwgtHa1ST2E9XO6QMKrj3teXIXtFVNwkATL4ViSO6hYx8un0mRMEohdEXDFhRKRVAiwBfrh3pcEE9FcaMxzw_uycQpQC6RNEuHXEJVyyeibLOMfJsH-F1cnAsI7fKmdgJ3YViyM3TS5qlIGwYVhUA/s320/PXL_20210823_125519674.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lola is big enough to sit in the front seat. It was a hallelujah moment!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMK4ikZJACFuEYtO2-fLTcmJ-QRiTxtHip3p-oVF1ShKCay68rsPbvu8hGxC-oPcdmrkHc5RopTm0bA50u8l_Ogpi_5yIC-80U9Rgg8LRilZ3NYZQDTP1zdkkcskN7eSw9WfzfBr5H1s9HH5dyfhL81yMdjRsKSrLMVZ5X_PWkFGIDtePwmJy57YSQw/s4032/PXL_20210827_213309207.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMK4ikZJACFuEYtO2-fLTcmJ-QRiTxtHip3p-oVF1ShKCay68rsPbvu8hGxC-oPcdmrkHc5RopTm0bA50u8l_Ogpi_5yIC-80U9Rgg8LRilZ3NYZQDTP1zdkkcskN7eSw9WfzfBr5H1s9HH5dyfhL81yMdjRsKSrLMVZ5X_PWkFGIDtePwmJy57YSQw/s320/PXL_20210827_213309207.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The STL Zoo opened up a new primate exhibit, in which the primates and people can climb around together. We explored it the first time at the Zoo Parent Picnic.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL27OUyV_ArmiRUkAaP4NkXTZMgwtZSx2Hb5-o4tWI1JdpHTQK9xfh71Agkm7hsPTVmjfCGgL3D9rtj26cJQA7hFokQ8v7tU3o1galXRcP-9me56ZekfMyprLZzSwqMn9XPv4SsesG5xjGjzQ1Grh6BvF_8yRwMcUpucL4z3yMcwaJUrLNn6Y9oGwJFQ/s4032/PXL_20210827_223539145.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL27OUyV_ArmiRUkAaP4NkXTZMgwtZSx2Hb5-o4tWI1JdpHTQK9xfh71Agkm7hsPTVmjfCGgL3D9rtj26cJQA7hFokQ8v7tU3o1galXRcP-9me56ZekfMyprLZzSwqMn9XPv4SsesG5xjGjzQ1Grh6BvF_8yRwMcUpucL4z3yMcwaJUrLNn6Y9oGwJFQ/s320/PXL_20210827_223539145.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We see the Sea Lion Show once a year, at the Zoo Parent Picnic. Always an enjoyable good time!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG771b_BD1m7VJwPKqJsOiTGPDIfAb9R0izPN_lTBPm5M-vO6V326dvJVz3VB4hIbtZhNHVOMPaQKpaxkDQEK9mbetHch5E27baUAIUrEgUZdymecFq30BVoVOYB5qdEEqmh0JjZSAmepmDATvdMv562SnZAWXrMVHrPaGq3d0toWjZLLht-G68V5l2g/s4032/PXL_20210922_115552929.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG771b_BD1m7VJwPKqJsOiTGPDIfAb9R0izPN_lTBPm5M-vO6V326dvJVz3VB4hIbtZhNHVOMPaQKpaxkDQEK9mbetHch5E27baUAIUrEgUZdymecFq30BVoVOYB5qdEEqmh0JjZSAmepmDATvdMv562SnZAWXrMVHrPaGq3d0toWjZLLht-G68V5l2g/s320/PXL_20210922_115552929.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lola returned back to MICDS for 7th grade. <br />All four Whompton women geared up for Spirit Week!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OVbraGw1iWQ4cRwefptCZm1GOg459cSh40QzM8haalYm4xiz-C_PmWrGzZxe-Cn76XCv0xmLzWkeTLU6BAkurLFy78Biq8H-x6SNqRd3JG4c8QhKbg_EFnPyq1tynPsvXwDE5BzgSNxBwbbwXvnfVxfdFiJI1Jy3uXvCr_LDIK8jBIQKbvYYX1CFVw/s4032/PXL_20211014_225105788.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OVbraGw1iWQ4cRwefptCZm1GOg459cSh40QzM8haalYm4xiz-C_PmWrGzZxe-Cn76XCv0xmLzWkeTLU6BAkurLFy78Biq8H-x6SNqRd3JG4c8QhKbg_EFnPyq1tynPsvXwDE5BzgSNxBwbbwXvnfVxfdFiJI1Jy3uXvCr_LDIK8jBIQKbvYYX1CFVw/s320/PXL_20211014_225105788.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They accidently dressed in matching attire, down to the same MICDS athletic shorts. :) </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AjFR34ZMG8yTXrLx53BI3Z1DdeILtmOLUo-fNrR0OCUpHZ0GA8Cev-IqzRklw8JJo88ZZWMVfFu2svQQ_aEAEJ_be5YDHnoCUjRPpw1QjfxEQ6K1c4AyCElHSdbzwj-RASAqj9NADkwcCTsE6hOv2VUkPQyr49SHc-biBkXUPU4-NzP8bwex3JOFsA/s4032/PXL_20211017_001027667.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9AjFR34ZMG8yTXrLx53BI3Z1DdeILtmOLUo-fNrR0OCUpHZ0GA8Cev-IqzRklw8JJo88ZZWMVfFu2svQQ_aEAEJ_be5YDHnoCUjRPpw1QjfxEQ6K1c4AyCElHSdbzwj-RASAqj9NADkwcCTsE6hOv2VUkPQyr49SHc-biBkXUPU4-NzP8bwex3JOFsA/s320/PXL_20211017_001027667.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raina worked all three theatre shows this year. The first was <i>Dancing at Lughnasa</i>, in which she was Lighting Designer, Master Electrician, and logged the most hours in set building. This was the first time her name was on the front of the playbill for a show. (It happened again and again this Junior year.)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-aWND_La6CaCoXxMRgCKx7UYHQoJEjGhyTDQTYEJ3h-L0_I4FAdeJ-eiXoFFVNW9VjgNJu6MATk3na399Y0BmxjPXPHfm0j5_vYK_YKXbpikCwelpfATU4qk8Gg8l9QeoY-tkHI4b-Ltjy_RbJpIcqlTm0bwFfSLV3-_lxOvu4GDY7u1LffoKKlMWw/s4032/PXL_20211124_150510273.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-aWND_La6CaCoXxMRgCKx7UYHQoJEjGhyTDQTYEJ3h-L0_I4FAdeJ-eiXoFFVNW9VjgNJu6MATk3na399Y0BmxjPXPHfm0j5_vYK_YKXbpikCwelpfATU4qk8Gg8l9QeoY-tkHI4b-Ltjy_RbJpIcqlTm0bwFfSLV3-_lxOvu4GDY7u1LffoKKlMWw/s320/PXL_20211124_150510273.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking on Thanksgiving, a family tradition.<br />I love these girls so much.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLl-QbYSUzyibDk_FQkTf9mZiPVMkwWIsivhrJoGcWrH-wR0lcX6GVx_U90cXyPZnESNxXMiaGxw-RNxZtmbX0fdGDcbzFhNm6-N4IGZ8onAZ2Oji6iqbsF_k0nOgpVjdQ0T1MuUvKRJc0vHWLVm_Nx5oIy1_EsYTiJXVptkTyl1o0rsVS0ce73Vo1A/s4032/PXL_20211124_150523588.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLl-QbYSUzyibDk_FQkTf9mZiPVMkwWIsivhrJoGcWrH-wR0lcX6GVx_U90cXyPZnESNxXMiaGxw-RNxZtmbX0fdGDcbzFhNm6-N4IGZ8onAZ2Oji6iqbsF_k0nOgpVjdQ0T1MuUvKRJc0vHWLVm_Nx5oIy1_EsYTiJXVptkTyl1o0rsVS0ce73Vo1A/s320/PXL_20211124_150523588.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just barely hold them off in height now. :) </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMHHd_KuCWjMFtxI4AoS50ZhIAnB7r7Gw2LzeBouPoF2CeWXnBASKTDGHot0rtpBM-65fKtRq4T64OQoj1zGHv_dWuiigfu9MIkieR8yhD6zpaoO-KFQGQIDShdCQ-9OMDg81CEcnRdu-l79mcq7YqU9gucDwPCPn7_-c3azxShpgSqKLa7qtCNkPJg/s4032/PXL_20211125_005402964.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMHHd_KuCWjMFtxI4AoS50ZhIAnB7r7Gw2LzeBouPoF2CeWXnBASKTDGHot0rtpBM-65fKtRq4T64OQoj1zGHv_dWuiigfu9MIkieR8yhD6zpaoO-KFQGQIDShdCQ-9OMDg81CEcnRdu-l79mcq7YqU9gucDwPCPn7_-c3azxShpgSqKLa7qtCNkPJg/s320/PXL_20211125_005402964.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We picked a beautiful weather night and explored Garden Glow at MOBOT. <br />I think the colors in this picture are really fun.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdHb0Ew6R9e4pUO9Bf1wPFiNQS4cn5n9eBXznwkFCh3J5lIu3Vkm4mFpow_g4u-6UoKP0sur2P_-xQAPhrGDmYmkjzeqBARIFBiI0rKezmXGdTlwQ3xOvfsmhzm-lmx7-AuqgIxtF2aZm7Sl62v7z8Ia_7gs9PvfAob5w0v3zYs2FQVRmkzNiRQy9MQ/s4032/PXL_20211125_013254415.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdHb0Ew6R9e4pUO9Bf1wPFiNQS4cn5n9eBXznwkFCh3J5lIu3Vkm4mFpow_g4u-6UoKP0sur2P_-xQAPhrGDmYmkjzeqBARIFBiI0rKezmXGdTlwQ3xOvfsmhzm-lmx7-AuqgIxtF2aZm7Sl62v7z8Ia_7gs9PvfAob5w0v3zYs2FQVRmkzNiRQy9MQ/s320/PXL_20211125_013254415.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Requisite family photo. The closest thing we have to a holiday photo!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ol3c1xunJYt9SHWj__JRyNx7Xe5Pvb19HApJ0rbCJptb6Rvr2l9B_WrE6jrBCAFcHc-L_S4iK_6g2G-6BEd49ZOoRFOlkkq3ojeIRtS3lVqqmdIShK1dVxEmqHXoPAlqYe-VzPijq5p4IxcJFOxG10oqV1VBPCWooOxrjs5bhx7mNzlNbOxl8KmKAQ/s4032/PXL_20211125_015836815.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ol3c1xunJYt9SHWj__JRyNx7Xe5Pvb19HApJ0rbCJptb6Rvr2l9B_WrE6jrBCAFcHc-L_S4iK_6g2G-6BEd49ZOoRFOlkkq3ojeIRtS3lVqqmdIShK1dVxEmqHXoPAlqYe-VzPijq5p4IxcJFOxG10oqV1VBPCWooOxrjs5bhx7mNzlNbOxl8KmKAQ/s320/PXL_20211125_015836815.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister sleigh!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIoqdywDbL2X0k6XEuLm3fKhQc0lpRKukFptUQcZaBaVCEjOy-AW3uiuxMHxHlcsBw_3rmnKGm3QiVXZS5CS_Zh5hZD28grO05JVzC3K_G8T31QxUZZ7i2fB5LFWv-AXX0JmVDkkJgtEcrHxjTloonm6ITUU5ie1IC9CBeumYA-M9qm21NaOn13ClDSw/s4032/PXL_20211219_202737832.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIoqdywDbL2X0k6XEuLm3fKhQc0lpRKukFptUQcZaBaVCEjOy-AW3uiuxMHxHlcsBw_3rmnKGm3QiVXZS5CS_Zh5hZD28grO05JVzC3K_G8T31QxUZZ7i2fB5LFWv-AXX0JmVDkkJgtEcrHxjTloonm6ITUU5ie1IC9CBeumYA-M9qm21NaOn13ClDSw/s320/PXL_20211219_202737832.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lola has played basketball for years and years, but this was the first time she played for the school team. Putting on that MICDS jersey was an emotionally powerful moment. We're looking forward to cheering her on for multiple years to come.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVgqJjzxWhXIb0-OK2YpvthkpaChbnd55ycNaz3riz8eyqalX48cxtMJZrfXaEhB_t1y0kufQV7IeBK66FCSuWz3Qa48-L3ha4iw7ZkRUzehltx1JYDvVJLjuQG5gahI4xJGDhrQNo6op3-5AE0293t4UOLj1LDR2ANzySlCuoybgh-9HFElgPCl0Kg/s4032/PXL_20220215_013655858.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVgqJjzxWhXIb0-OK2YpvthkpaChbnd55ycNaz3riz8eyqalX48cxtMJZrfXaEhB_t1y0kufQV7IeBK66FCSuWz3Qa48-L3ha4iw7ZkRUzehltx1JYDvVJLjuQG5gahI4xJGDhrQNo6op3-5AE0293t4UOLj1LDR2ANzySlCuoybgh-9HFElgPCl0Kg/s320/PXL_20220215_013655858.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a normal day, working on homework</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0x600D-6uOu6p0EEn-Eb6CU6qLRAIPp0clBuFjPJaKEmYD-7FBXs77_KWGBVtuDrNR4nm9kTGUWTDG-nujBGEHmbiIf2aqAdJGUINl30Jc4epUHfIx1tu_ulEdvUNDAkc0M9_bgJiKR_g_1bk_z6GPlN-IhtsjqvbNDbNZ8prNZQBAqTfWkscfrXxIw/s4032/PXL_20220219_204950622.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0x600D-6uOu6p0EEn-Eb6CU6qLRAIPp0clBuFjPJaKEmYD-7FBXs77_KWGBVtuDrNR4nm9kTGUWTDG-nujBGEHmbiIf2aqAdJGUINl30Jc4epUHfIx1tu_ulEdvUNDAkc0M9_bgJiKR_g_1bk_z6GPlN-IhtsjqvbNDbNZ8prNZQBAqTfWkscfrXxIw/s320/PXL_20220219_204950622.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last day of the season. She worked incredibly hard this season and followed the coach's instructions. She progressed mightily in her shooting guard role and begrudgingly in the point guard position. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrM-LEDOgL6wr4xCvkccMpfiaQwQ0hJg_m9ose_8kzwv_kY7NofOfPxTh29-pmdq4WlpLOy8AdMpunHQdPm7MFastN7RGfXApfzwAmRXm5hoVaijBGFT2-0RZm_j2px_Po4u6zBOLUENR4KUw3qa6nfLUG-r4T9TZnijfKAW5winkXo4jxRH-zDcsVg/s4032/PXL_20220219_205012376.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrM-LEDOgL6wr4xCvkccMpfiaQwQ0hJg_m9ose_8kzwv_kY7NofOfPxTh29-pmdq4WlpLOy8AdMpunHQdPm7MFastN7RGfXApfzwAmRXm5hoVaijBGFT2-0RZm_j2px_Po4u6zBOLUENR4KUw3qa6nfLUG-r4T9TZnijfKAW5winkXo4jxRH-zDcsVg/s320/PXL_20220219_205012376.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama Jo and Papa Bill were here for the last game, which also was the MICDS-Burroughs game played on the Burroughs varsity court. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBLIx5yyd-uOn9D5AzgpCYcvMSCHySIyvxvLSHtjGMS9JiqsKqwrbqhbPEA5R7xrug56qDaWr4oW_ba2MzJLeJRpAfjSGbDuuRP58jcgeYyhjiRBgWJrImj6bBG4FArB-3zF9oCnwAgkf08DGHAhTOzo2PMgEGxYz9hm3CB1qyjq2KUU82dypruUMiA/s4032/PXL_20220219_205640187.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBLIx5yyd-uOn9D5AzgpCYcvMSCHySIyvxvLSHtjGMS9JiqsKqwrbqhbPEA5R7xrug56qDaWr4oW_ba2MzJLeJRpAfjSGbDuuRP58jcgeYyhjiRBgWJrImj6bBG4FArB-3zF9oCnwAgkf08DGHAhTOzo2PMgEGxYz9hm3CB1qyjq2KUU82dypruUMiA/s320/PXL_20220219_205640187.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MICDS crushed them. Lola had an incredibly solid game.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULtN1y0nxWvDfNrC2iZf092o5YKPslqt6GMgIneWGpwF2V26_C99xQtMhcviJ5ZcSdmREr9GM6St-qljbNVlt7lv2JyIXWt6zj6sl8DFyww1cifBB3IAzpwXWCInlXMlaxemnapAU6TO-puG29k_-XhicFi5ZGXGhxhGxQOf-X41l8eVO7hvN2gbI4A/s4032/PXL_20220227_001737163.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjULtN1y0nxWvDfNrC2iZf092o5YKPslqt6GMgIneWGpwF2V26_C99xQtMhcviJ5ZcSdmREr9GM6St-qljbNVlt7lv2JyIXWt6zj6sl8DFyww1cifBB3IAzpwXWCInlXMlaxemnapAU6TO-puG29k_-XhicFi5ZGXGhxhGxQOf-X41l8eVO7hvN2gbI4A/s320/PXL_20220227_001737163.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raina teaching Lola the lightboard in Mary Eliot Chapel. <br />Lola wants to do lighting. It's all sorts of adorable seeing her showing similar interests as her older sister.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigO6sYauNqZqahAmNmy6o3X3uWUENXjxArD_KQleZ2BW9mBIyFTZmHXu8wYFHf6ejStLj80JsWhxxUcnoZBDUuvjEwe6ZOsm-Lw9IVdzJ_osHgIlm9gbWHDWGbo5WW2UgTfCOq60O8Vvf_frWMpKjDbbe_p0Vw6yWUahrbHpivO6d_jSPUTXs1PvcDfg/s4032/PXL_20220227_014857803.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigO6sYauNqZqahAmNmy6o3X3uWUENXjxArD_KQleZ2BW9mBIyFTZmHXu8wYFHf6ejStLj80JsWhxxUcnoZBDUuvjEwe6ZOsm-Lw9IVdzJ_osHgIlm9gbWHDWGbo5WW2UgTfCOq60O8Vvf_frWMpKjDbbe_p0Vw6yWUahrbHpivO6d_jSPUTXs1PvcDfg/s320/PXL_20220227_014857803.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As the head lighting student on campus, Raina is tasked with all lighting design for student events. This year, in addition to the theatre shows, she did the lighting for the Upper School Dance Concert, the Lower School Choir Concert, the Upper School Choir Concert, the Middle School and Upper School Band Concerts, and the Middle School and Upper School String Concerts. <br /><br />Here she's answering crowd questions about her lighting design.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHy4Cy-dkt2j_QKKxDvhpjPlsKHvko0fvzpKusWK5lGmXybSTY1uJ4Vi206RjDOdQ1Oe3e99av1djHBSg2hbcqxdqDKWDo5krHB5s5Zq6WgingIZlc2tgQbz43Nmbbqp0RAsUDL8W_K9XplsKEIbpGWe2JHE7T3pUj797-wMRZocwreDtP8uP6ZE2Y2g/s640/Lola%20Play%20Cast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHy4Cy-dkt2j_QKKxDvhpjPlsKHvko0fvzpKusWK5lGmXybSTY1uJ4Vi206RjDOdQ1Oe3e99av1djHBSg2hbcqxdqDKWDo5krHB5s5Zq6WgingIZlc2tgQbz43Nmbbqp0RAsUDL8W_K9XplsKEIbpGWe2JHE7T3pUj797-wMRZocwreDtP8uP6ZE2Y2g/s320/Lola%20Play%20Cast.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lola was tech crew and lighting board operator for <i>Story Theatre</i>, the 7th/8th grade play.<br />She's been bitten by the theatre bug as well.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCx-X9OgmUIWIZGtqewygY5yEKD3jO2oRZCgLo6LkANzn8oX9OcxXeJVSQU7IdHliE5vdnIbfue10WjJFtzctCZDGNZWvPqBlziZ46RGVFtr8ghz_TRHI0ysybEBTMsfmtmVzGUTVbkcj6uZjrEPXhaUdBEUx0UmHkMBzOOzPDRIUhcxbdamHXxrCVA/s4032/PXL_20220317_162447745.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCx-X9OgmUIWIZGtqewygY5yEKD3jO2oRZCgLo6LkANzn8oX9OcxXeJVSQU7IdHliE5vdnIbfue10WjJFtzctCZDGNZWvPqBlziZ46RGVFtr8ghz_TRHI0ysybEBTMsfmtmVzGUTVbkcj6uZjrEPXhaUdBEUx0UmHkMBzOOzPDRIUhcxbdamHXxrCVA/s320/PXL_20220317_162447745.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Junior year, Raina started visiting some colleges to get a feel for their campuses. We toured the University of Tulsa as stop #1 on our Spring Break 2022 adventure.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAd1MOMxOQR6kYzlebYAUS-n7iR1qVgxW_NOc0oPQpV9mAQxQDOgbqqpvDeOLVZZ4qlOBctPS5XCMGp4qCWuhY-Hxoty2vS4siTv4RZS-KK-cce23qSHQzUddM9Uvh80JqUj1ihy0G2dP5WsqfhKc4HN21on7SqpPQjYuYgSlv4Y2lAsXrb_8sRUn0eA/s4032/PXL_20220317_163315543.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAd1MOMxOQR6kYzlebYAUS-n7iR1qVgxW_NOc0oPQpV9mAQxQDOgbqqpvDeOLVZZ4qlOBctPS5XCMGp4qCWuhY-Hxoty2vS4siTv4RZS-KK-cce23qSHQzUddM9Uvh80JqUj1ihy0G2dP5WsqfhKc4HN21on7SqpPQjYuYgSlv4Y2lAsXrb_8sRUn0eA/s320/PXL_20220317_163315543.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's ready to dominate this theatre program!<br />(Post-note: they have since ended their theatre program. Raina is no longer considering UTulsa as a candidate.)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbUr4U6MhOpwRPqPb71aTW9OTIXxntQcXYH5I3BCAYN2_N4VIsEKEO1Za1a2BmKJp4vZZC4lDykEltZZHdwgS6bck0uL4iaX6xhOphIKgync3wxH8s8AnENAk6aakOWPIt-K_i4hT72k45AnFiTto9lrE6310O7E5Mtp9Qvui8uRpPG49pt0A-fmujg/s4032/PXL_20220318_212222841.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbUr4U6MhOpwRPqPb71aTW9OTIXxntQcXYH5I3BCAYN2_N4VIsEKEO1Za1a2BmKJp4vZZC4lDykEltZZHdwgS6bck0uL4iaX6xhOphIKgync3wxH8s8AnENAk6aakOWPIt-K_i4hT72k45AnFiTto9lrE6310O7E5Mtp9Qvui8uRpPG49pt0A-fmujg/s320/PXL_20220318_212222841.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Junior Rangers, Petroglyph National Monument, New Mexico</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BDKjlasYgisYFkbMy2Wmugutup6BQdHB4VR9OyHhNMPXKEF_1M41DtR1S_C7KDhO2JP6okzSXYt6nlCeA-x-FvIfLY2il5gzzOps56CChdunJdmqLKD9bGuUc7tE1IXdEJoJGhLnBdArSYE0hKTTXD55Vxl7UUR9neQf0-XWyMkf9GPFu3z_x97IZA/s4032/PXL_20220318_234103746.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BDKjlasYgisYFkbMy2Wmugutup6BQdHB4VR9OyHhNMPXKEF_1M41DtR1S_C7KDhO2JP6okzSXYt6nlCeA-x-FvIfLY2il5gzzOps56CChdunJdmqLKD9bGuUc7tE1IXdEJoJGhLnBdArSYE0hKTTXD55Vxl7UUR9neQf0-XWyMkf9GPFu3z_x97IZA/s320/PXL_20220318_234103746.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">El Malpais National Monument, New Mexico</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRJJ4JDHgjdBXGjBHAv_QJzRABn-zg3vo11z2DJrctKIDOs1vrnX2SiIMD-NE7kCmBZW8oeKwTvD86bcFd6NQB4PFduX5n606a34cNt9no2SyYM-k02xM_Ttfmhl6ml6O6HWDIDlx20rYU67oVkmxl8SI5WDPjom6p1y-vE47A-J3YHdeVmqNofVxdQ/s4032/PXL_20220319_161243789.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRJJ4JDHgjdBXGjBHAv_QJzRABn-zg3vo11z2DJrctKIDOs1vrnX2SiIMD-NE7kCmBZW8oeKwTvD86bcFd6NQB4PFduX5n606a34cNt9no2SyYM-k02xM_Ttfmhl6ml6O6HWDIDlx20rYU67oVkmxl8SI5WDPjom6p1y-vE47A-J3YHdeVmqNofVxdQ/s320/PXL_20220319_161243789.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Desert, Arizona</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXruXr9bg8wf7S6H9y54K85AMyYeqgt_kbPU7wVVuQH9Q95G7CjmxK7xmbdb6IHzhQ3gBaPI7mfVoOov2EgAREtjAbCwa2sXqMDDgDntDG6S7JL-JGkRRmbMq8UOjjiljS1s_H4MGV-vh68h68A0Oe0ZM1mIo6z8Kdr3ca6fcmckBV0ld_YCGiCHYUA/s4032/PXL_20220319_163609370.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXruXr9bg8wf7S6H9y54K85AMyYeqgt_kbPU7wVVuQH9Q95G7CjmxK7xmbdb6IHzhQ3gBaPI7mfVoOov2EgAREtjAbCwa2sXqMDDgDntDG6S7JL-JGkRRmbMq8UOjjiljS1s_H4MGV-vh68h68A0Oe0ZM1mIo6z8Kdr3ca6fcmckBV0ld_YCGiCHYUA/s320/PXL_20220319_163609370.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Desert, Arizona</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTEtz_4IiPXhDU-Di5QoJJljV3LN7514a9R33_hIIdOUve3UJW2Z_i9O28uZplnQqsqZxlYxx912N5bYxddTGMWbAyooRh-R2-oUCgj8uG-hHFmqsbxmLkGm3EKjdpdPMwuMfYRafFtuCCQL789wIxr7k8H9tH6_JThHO2x8LvATuLc1WYFlWNYHDZw/s4032/PXL_20220319_225442611.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwTEtz_4IiPXhDU-Di5QoJJljV3LN7514a9R33_hIIdOUve3UJW2Z_i9O28uZplnQqsqZxlYxx912N5bYxddTGMWbAyooRh-R2-oUCgj8uG-hHFmqsbxmLkGm3EKjdpdPMwuMfYRafFtuCCQL789wIxr7k8H9tH6_JThHO2x8LvATuLc1WYFlWNYHDZw/s320/PXL_20220319_225442611.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've wanted to take the family to the Grand Canyon for years. I finally got my wish.<br />Can you see that I am beaming with joy? I was so excited to share the majesty and grandeur with them.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3b1jkEmDatTSRJbd477QXXrk3OukPDZ4XlMJd9DHAEMBdL5EmgI1RItaOQBdi6c1QVAr2f8tjEfu5hYCTvwt4lvnzRy26KVJvjkiOgc_YfGgESr31CJaoACF2k96qgRdBDRx17aGpuBtYR_geEQvmpyth0nObrC4jTZxU3cbMQwutf2Fsh5oaRT0tbw/s4032/PXL_20220320_014419877.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3b1jkEmDatTSRJbd477QXXrk3OukPDZ4XlMJd9DHAEMBdL5EmgI1RItaOQBdi6c1QVAr2f8tjEfu5hYCTvwt4lvnzRy26KVJvjkiOgc_YfGgESr31CJaoACF2k96qgRdBDRx17aGpuBtYR_geEQvmpyth0nObrC4jTZxU3cbMQwutf2Fsh5oaRT0tbw/s320/PXL_20220320_014419877.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We arrived in time to watch the sun go down.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvDMw549OkBUTrfvJSgzKlBBVSzO_Su3X5rWrooHjk1Pb5SwD5kdjSzyxQSiBLzoC92SwuiFFZyJjWqWJ42eDhVdyfE06kHfmhah7AnEiDNGAxT5ZxXIhQwjEZ586xgd8mmbEaoSu34L4oTs8pKYKt-G5IR9IAuSwOwETfFgzSOj_71jPteYHp7N7nw/s4032/PXL_20220320_014843052.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvDMw549OkBUTrfvJSgzKlBBVSzO_Su3X5rWrooHjk1Pb5SwD5kdjSzyxQSiBLzoC92SwuiFFZyJjWqWJ42eDhVdyfE06kHfmhah7AnEiDNGAxT5ZxXIhQwjEZ586xgd8mmbEaoSu34L4oTs8pKYKt-G5IR9IAuSwOwETfFgzSOj_71jPteYHp7N7nw/s320/PXL_20220320_014843052.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Canyon, South Rim</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlXzd_o_hxuq9O0O39Tsr3Cd4lcBFBxc4kpyM2s1uKGLy2Do3Ash9Eqq6pbT2EaDinoboydy5Ct8bIrMalIHvbYXpqlFITfqsRniOVj0AVB3aSK5uCEMYDmLsuSggbHyOMB56G_PgVXZe6wRw2O-NBzgPhaF3yNTng-cx1WrDBHExgFTeDRuyF7e4-Q/s4032/PXL_20220320_134513979.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlXzd_o_hxuq9O0O39Tsr3Cd4lcBFBxc4kpyM2s1uKGLy2Do3Ash9Eqq6pbT2EaDinoboydy5Ct8bIrMalIHvbYXpqlFITfqsRniOVj0AVB3aSK5uCEMYDmLsuSggbHyOMB56G_PgVXZe6wRw2O-NBzgPhaF3yNTng-cx1WrDBHExgFTeDRuyF7e4-Q/s320/PXL_20220320_134513979.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We watched the sun rise on the rim the next day. It was unbelievably cold and snowed on us while we waited.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyLSgV2XBAQLphGK0DKqCudD1xOvydQASIHE9UxOlwdKAgNM3KFgMYPnP_XuvsbUQTAYcd74UQnlLUgDPKX5r7mfyMy-DfcaFLsGl37Q_2HXdLCzRc5Tblg843TGZppECukb_Vkhxk6rAOOIRYib_m0bYU-vVnZlnW8aUKccPoL_D3oKnKaQNCeoGMQ/s4032/PXL_20220320_135124247.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyLSgV2XBAQLphGK0DKqCudD1xOvydQASIHE9UxOlwdKAgNM3KFgMYPnP_XuvsbUQTAYcd74UQnlLUgDPKX5r7mfyMy-DfcaFLsGl37Q_2HXdLCzRc5Tblg843TGZppECukb_Vkhxk6rAOOIRYib_m0bYU-vVnZlnW8aUKccPoL_D3oKnKaQNCeoGMQ/s320/PXL_20220320_135124247.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow clouds + sunrise</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiSopkvzorRZeEA2RfbWyhk-Wt1o3Lp8BfxmbUmqB2PHKQYGqHvtX06_uLkTazlLpHi3eCPC7h6zN6JUPy24IM-wotXIzjl9hpHf8Hw9HycRTTf2lbN2HVohWaPFeyxND_TwCeLju7I5fpmG9yzAeJAwXIPTI1jbgs9iyPTFVxL6h8lcnnPw4BMUKoA/s4032/PXL_20220320_155207945.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiSopkvzorRZeEA2RfbWyhk-Wt1o3Lp8BfxmbUmqB2PHKQYGqHvtX06_uLkTazlLpHi3eCPC7h6zN6JUPy24IM-wotXIzjl9hpHf8Hw9HycRTTf2lbN2HVohWaPFeyxND_TwCeLju7I5fpmG9yzAeJAwXIPTI1jbgs9iyPTFVxL6h8lcnnPw4BMUKoA/s320/PXL_20220320_155207945.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We embarked on the Bright Angel Trail with full confidence. Our previous hiking experience had set us up for success, for sure!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7XGDpthrIJYapNAkpvRh0V49oWxN4iy5k3wiLxv9ts8nB_F3GtOfRx3qI2FKVSm-Losr-YI_JucxhIPeohSWYcoIk0rh3T6zcApB7uqmGlggaFMAmknQmI36DRfSrO93suuZoqsDBUJiXjXAxkWF43RRnmvH5-rtRw01YClA1iJhydwq8o27dCz0zQ/s4032/PXL_20220320_160833243.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7XGDpthrIJYapNAkpvRh0V49oWxN4iy5k3wiLxv9ts8nB_F3GtOfRx3qI2FKVSm-Losr-YI_JucxhIPeohSWYcoIk0rh3T6zcApB7uqmGlggaFMAmknQmI36DRfSrO93suuZoqsDBUJiXjXAxkWF43RRnmvH5-rtRw01YClA1iJhydwq8o27dCz0zQ/s320/PXL_20220320_160833243.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The signs made it clear that maybe we had overestimated the situation.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyLD6MJYjED2mZpwov3bRmctfy2tPvVmiORGgI50POzdFVykAgDFZHwpaxwsVWaQCNok5S9ZifKKxVYh9u0EidJNCopT0ssWKI3GmyDkzgfHhTNgbR3b1G_JA1HYZef--hZgH_Qf7vdmO2TRFS2fBalGWqDdg-j49VQCw2uI0lEu0mt9pI53khfIxuA/s4032/PXL_20220320_163038579.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyLD6MJYjED2mZpwov3bRmctfy2tPvVmiORGgI50POzdFVykAgDFZHwpaxwsVWaQCNok5S9ZifKKxVYh9u0EidJNCopT0ssWKI3GmyDkzgfHhTNgbR3b1G_JA1HYZef--hZgH_Qf7vdmO2TRFS2fBalGWqDdg-j49VQCw2uI0lEu0mt9pI53khfIxuA/s320/PXL_20220320_163038579.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the icy trail without crampons made it clear that we didn't belong on this trail. We slid down the trail on our butts and we did four-point-of-contact crawling back up the trail. Now I know what the "mountain climber" exercise is in real life.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwpC_vQNMN_9CNmkEbx6u5hbSu5G3PoSrg8Iyq08Ism9At4VEOHYlM7zGZEbDJqbFdzs-h6KDL_KGim26VKLa-Cu8LhfPx7OWLjB-yZqnB_aWaZP9b8-FRrVHANHxa4J5bb4zrZrzNLXctCpRCWnaLSmOvDj9Ff8-vIW8AFCpgwGNPLmo2FZMnus-dg/s4032/PXL_20220320_165119016.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCwpC_vQNMN_9CNmkEbx6u5hbSu5G3PoSrg8Iyq08Ism9At4VEOHYlM7zGZEbDJqbFdzs-h6KDL_KGim26VKLa-Cu8LhfPx7OWLjB-yZqnB_aWaZP9b8-FRrVHANHxa4J5bb4zrZrzNLXctCpRCWnaLSmOvDj9Ff8-vIW8AFCpgwGNPLmo2FZMnus-dg/s320/PXL_20220320_165119016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We chose to walk the Rim Trail instead. It was significantly less scary!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3il0rnnhYSObcMkXJWvpEUiDJyOkni6OgGYl9XJ-cjEyW4yzmtRVMzu7UhTmgNFpJXDYXBdaSCBxoW-WF9XB5xwZ-yeO0EFFQFH-vBQrBOOv6S8arT-i-ggFiXwqnDsVk0M0zpmBxeSEbzl7NDhqleIxWhBbxSIYIzj81DMl2IjtGcwLBAYutJDAjg/s4032/PXL_20220320_194026016.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir3il0rnnhYSObcMkXJWvpEUiDJyOkni6OgGYl9XJ-cjEyW4yzmtRVMzu7UhTmgNFpJXDYXBdaSCBxoW-WF9XB5xwZ-yeO0EFFQFH-vBQrBOOv6S8arT-i-ggFiXwqnDsVk0M0zpmBxeSEbzl7NDhqleIxWhBbxSIYIzj81DMl2IjtGcwLBAYutJDAjg/s320/PXL_20220320_194026016.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shoshone Trail</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPY9RsY0u2lmnOOn1jeANgnw6zpWwnX0Q0vEDDlA_5WjIqr4LrVDRNE7pkd3UqTr27vKSgrMOxM4K7tSqzVlpfUw_MGoWJ_s3a4nSX-ycVf4-XWLExsGPlqbT9tCDhMdBinC1cLxqvyUtV5J5U6lUI5VFVGTgU7p-5rYxByCy4jz3qttiedSzoeoWZ3Q/s4032/PXL_20220320_194548952.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPY9RsY0u2lmnOOn1jeANgnw6zpWwnX0Q0vEDDlA_5WjIqr4LrVDRNE7pkd3UqTr27vKSgrMOxM4K7tSqzVlpfUw_MGoWJ_s3a4nSX-ycVf4-XWLExsGPlqbT9tCDhMdBinC1cLxqvyUtV5J5U6lUI5VFVGTgU7p-5rYxByCy4jz3qttiedSzoeoWZ3Q/s320/PXL_20220320_194548952.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We marveled at the view for so long. We would have sat there all day, if Eric had let us.<br />Shoshone Trail</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZXGF2ZdW0DDbwS5a9oG8-S009Jqpea5DQMNczW1pHQUx8_CeD0NMOUUhqhZ2aFJl_k7O786qdG-kdb198pNvu6gcF8ANakLiLIu3GLLYIsvRU0CEIiyoj4Z4X2GJMU9luV9-G8-4UUOUDmniW5KqCcHZt-kAqHzVhu4-Siy6Bpo-iaV9eN1XqfeUzA/s4032/PXL_20220320_200502220.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ZXGF2ZdW0DDbwS5a9oG8-S009Jqpea5DQMNczW1pHQUx8_CeD0NMOUUhqhZ2aFJl_k7O786qdG-kdb198pNvu6gcF8ANakLiLIu3GLLYIsvRU0CEIiyoj4Z4X2GJMU9luV9-G8-4UUOUDmniW5KqCcHZt-kAqHzVhu4-Siy6Bpo-iaV9eN1XqfeUzA/s320/PXL_20220320_200502220.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eric took photos of us while we checked out the view. Can you find us in this picture?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDD7QiQF9DFRvQYjnIHd8OoAfC8OIYn5zeqXHogxkxkMQqAVXp7II21wxzdYDbCRGSbiSFczXul4ovS2a4YomjLr1IsooRMIV25KwKS05jStnVvnkBY9Nxv26VHhKvyChvxDRhAG1DGvyydhLMyOmFEj8Uav0L1fe54_n79iRWOgsHI48kadAz64Smiw/s4032/PXL_20220320_200512081.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDD7QiQF9DFRvQYjnIHd8OoAfC8OIYn5zeqXHogxkxkMQqAVXp7II21wxzdYDbCRGSbiSFczXul4ovS2a4YomjLr1IsooRMIV25KwKS05jStnVvnkBY9Nxv26VHhKvyChvxDRhAG1DGvyydhLMyOmFEj8Uav0L1fe54_n79iRWOgsHI48kadAz64Smiw/s320/PXL_20220320_200512081.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look closer. Can you find us in this picture?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rrzWooCgRgtmqY58emdFGOcALmcq98aBDeLNxlMzr0GgsZdv7Y-3mDhs1DTM_8q4lpatcAqtiIeTU7jPxLQxkVap_P__HOSRKtD63AaQpY1lAGDCisROKtNVGLoZ3Ex0O6u0FP46hLhYMx5RmhFwvK60l4nLE1OVWenGQxw4hps1AYyQJza2bSV1kg/s4032/PXL_20220320_200816449.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rrzWooCgRgtmqY58emdFGOcALmcq98aBDeLNxlMzr0GgsZdv7Y-3mDhs1DTM_8q4lpatcAqtiIeTU7jPxLQxkVap_P__HOSRKtD63AaQpY1lAGDCisROKtNVGLoZ3Ex0O6u0FP46hLhYMx5RmhFwvK60l4nLE1OVWenGQxw4hps1AYyQJza2bSV1kg/s320/PXL_20220320_200816449.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeF4N7w4AYDkWiIhBdaNki0lw7C5gBq_Ab-aolQmH4B_NawvE4nVEIlDN7BIFrcCYX-bBCOXRH-dGAUL21iIAcP4Y823HcEZozcP87w4-dxqz8zx7T4wnAt3gXrA-tMf4lCPvK0MfdAMrpg81B2PYofOoTneJZdGbiW59DL49jWxEoDd2PnFOFAUrqwQ/s4032/PXL_20220320_202411551.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeF4N7w4AYDkWiIhBdaNki0lw7C5gBq_Ab-aolQmH4B_NawvE4nVEIlDN7BIFrcCYX-bBCOXRH-dGAUL21iIAcP4Y823HcEZozcP87w4-dxqz8zx7T4wnAt3gXrA-tMf4lCPvK0MfdAMrpg81B2PYofOoTneJZdGbiW59DL49jWxEoDd2PnFOFAUrqwQ/s320/PXL_20220320_202411551.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It started to snow on us when walking back on the Shoshone Trail.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYR5um_eP9SLsmAc7K9tz3cWByQiG1-4B-PoED4h6OpJdeF6JZutKhby1X3W60A-AEkYMHbxJ-RCwqZxKRoxs5fubiP87CIM7G_5iNxje3TMKeRhYX-_9Ab2nXoK8zJ8Y28dExuE-oobLux0rCzHTQj4i-dep-DaKUjX4sJa13lWd-jybvVTBUmLGAzw/s4032/PXL_20220320_215216653.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYR5um_eP9SLsmAc7K9tz3cWByQiG1-4B-PoED4h6OpJdeF6JZutKhby1X3W60A-AEkYMHbxJ-RCwqZxKRoxs5fubiP87CIM7G_5iNxje3TMKeRhYX-_9Ab2nXoK8zJ8Y28dExuE-oobLux0rCzHTQj4i-dep-DaKUjX4sJa13lWd-jybvVTBUmLGAzw/s320/PXL_20220320_215216653.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Junior Ranger, Grand Canyon National Park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-heXCvNQ336eMb2J3UtCArqqPphegGwzCLyxKC12xrEUNTBAhA4gwOwxb5lG-C0Mj3Qnkw8BjxOxaq4y3p1rh1ylECXszYxm46p4xX1D50SEZjonxrctdC01OE4SdcrlCd61Zxn_NeqNtwTDkyTgUYhhKd4Y_QwDXTkXtMTdQB2FgaRS3A_ywjirqw/s4032/PXL_20220320_222525023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-heXCvNQ336eMb2J3UtCArqqPphegGwzCLyxKC12xrEUNTBAhA4gwOwxb5lG-C0Mj3Qnkw8BjxOxaq4y3p1rh1ylECXszYxm46p4xX1D50SEZjonxrctdC01OE4SdcrlCd61Zxn_NeqNtwTDkyTgUYhhKd4Y_QwDXTkXtMTdQB2FgaRS3A_ywjirqw/s320/PXL_20220320_222525023.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An absolute blizzard came though, whited out the entire canyon from view, and at moments caused a rainbow (snow-bow?) to form in the sky. The flurries are just beginning here.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTEF0xTxUJjE_91RfcceAJ5UqXSnZXEqcJpIKQj8BT36igvdg55S8PoNyG9PmQiSXdk4r_r5B-r6UL98bpqT-fsNrEgObVNiSjx6MBA7BzMn_O87iaJcnNSJg2ZfILwS6g1TMwzeylMzqMrUKqtitI8YVsXYR9TPaUH2nTJ5DULC_FRjDtNoeLeAhRw/s4032/PXL_20220321_201105121.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTEF0xTxUJjE_91RfcceAJ5UqXSnZXEqcJpIKQj8BT36igvdg55S8PoNyG9PmQiSXdk4r_r5B-r6UL98bpqT-fsNrEgObVNiSjx6MBA7BzMn_O87iaJcnNSJg2ZfILwS6g1TMwzeylMzqMrUKqtitI8YVsXYR9TPaUH2nTJ5DULC_FRjDtNoeLeAhRw/s320/PXL_20220321_201105121.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking in Canyonlands National Park, Utah</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZoEKKrNwr266Jw55n7AZlfy6U3hXWxBI5ixuFcDePfIYpm5eGpfqKSIgGqANzuXAthchFrmNgWAUTW9CsbGXKBLxVLzrXDWykln5dNmHSgit6x24HgNLTzXfnJa2ifo8QOVchRhFLImxINnIqnjKwpqa30sBm97Yfr6Tof6esTmUY9bj_WnqxskQDg/s4032/PXL_20220321_203631953.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimZoEKKrNwr266Jw55n7AZlfy6U3hXWxBI5ixuFcDePfIYpm5eGpfqKSIgGqANzuXAthchFrmNgWAUTW9CsbGXKBLxVLzrXDWykln5dNmHSgit6x24HgNLTzXfnJa2ifo8QOVchRhFLImxINnIqnjKwpqa30sBm97Yfr6Tof6esTmUY9bj_WnqxskQDg/s320/PXL_20220321_203631953.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking in Canyonlands National Park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDhfD-4zv84h9OD9XxuxLpgrhM2kKPps3CCeYUmeSPtDIVUtNCnLKqAlKACdJ2b4KqW1ExFRF8dJZ4qjeq3mSZ-GedsQQXUOTOF5n-dOX5GjcqG9c1YbuikrcBLMBYmvWh6nKNPUMOSASLJzemg4Zg6EJkSKQRuSIIFx5WXFdV2VErEx7Gcu_vyj6Iw/s4032/PXL_20220321_205037804.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigDhfD-4zv84h9OD9XxuxLpgrhM2kKPps3CCeYUmeSPtDIVUtNCnLKqAlKACdJ2b4KqW1ExFRF8dJZ4qjeq3mSZ-GedsQQXUOTOF5n-dOX5GjcqG9c1YbuikrcBLMBYmvWh6nKNPUMOSASLJzemg4Zg6EJkSKQRuSIIFx5WXFdV2VErEx7Gcu_vyj6Iw/s320/PXL_20220321_205037804.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking in Canyonlands National Park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1bJb7uY3Mo9Tf8DzMvIKwa3Qt2ovcHRRoyBDtBw63h2CSQyZUtyhubKE4TApghnji1DaXApMKGMKo4w2rciXc5aodQQWdJKaNAaosg7UdXKkl1mUAsiReVUMnS-R1f58P2CIn6hCaMDWHPET-xLhNhloUzxXaPTgNb0WhVRuNHSYXIvGqk70OpuYGg/s4032/PXL_20220322_132443468.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1bJb7uY3Mo9Tf8DzMvIKwa3Qt2ovcHRRoyBDtBw63h2CSQyZUtyhubKE4TApghnji1DaXApMKGMKo4w2rciXc5aodQQWdJKaNAaosg7UdXKkl1mUAsiReVUMnS-R1f58P2CIn6hCaMDWHPET-xLhNhloUzxXaPTgNb0WhVRuNHSYXIvGqk70OpuYGg/s320/PXL_20220322_132443468.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise at Arches National Park, Window hike, Utah</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtU7ImE3YY5mvvgIEV1-oTZXbJlE94Zr3qP4I-P99Rc0DuiUhBUHdZcskdKry8T2l7HbUhZBQ-I9erCw7CGgN45WhjU72V734sZt6M2b_kCuYx_QSyLFS7KdcqNvxVwIROhoKPQWMIp75evpllYrxPUYpiNR-TnfytAfwmxT0L-mJ_7FH6rzGYcCG6Qw/s4032/PXL_20220322_133836936.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtU7ImE3YY5mvvgIEV1-oTZXbJlE94Zr3qP4I-P99Rc0DuiUhBUHdZcskdKry8T2l7HbUhZBQ-I9erCw7CGgN45WhjU72V734sZt6M2b_kCuYx_QSyLFS7KdcqNvxVwIROhoKPQWMIp75evpllYrxPUYpiNR-TnfytAfwmxT0L-mJ_7FH6rzGYcCG6Qw/s320/PXL_20220322_133836936.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise at Arches National Park, Window hike</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lc6fRSLf8MXvysAxbmaogmk8e4VeI0u1E4b38EJYx5JP5s1DJJiLgUH1air7utVcxneiZ8nMEvQ33q_eTNgjrJwVz_elBGXmURy7ahk3JjjJ0T_-ytjknnSjH2vRox2VMEUIgQho94TM4UbR7AV__snrR-eViYDK3cMKBjdAPWBP6Q-FXFuX9jlVfw/s4032/PXL_20220322_143053071.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lc6fRSLf8MXvysAxbmaogmk8e4VeI0u1E4b38EJYx5JP5s1DJJiLgUH1air7utVcxneiZ8nMEvQ33q_eTNgjrJwVz_elBGXmURy7ahk3JjjJ0T_-ytjknnSjH2vRox2VMEUIgQho94TM4UbR7AV__snrR-eViYDK3cMKBjdAPWBP6Q-FXFuX9jlVfw/s320/PXL_20220322_143053071.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arches National Park, Delicate Arch</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8F--Qa853Fg11FLYp3DBlizq_VSAcC-wc67Fr03ZISDmLbbPQd72knwSZcegWGIYL84MgcWF-GfzRk8hURLGtH96nN6Z85Vo5cEZxCiATeG06basMr45AZl9DBbyK53eYJVHC-J2isMC2kcAXQsqSzsULOYLPxtYoUSKypUpGRD1d3Qm21CcanlGcxg/s4032/PXL_20220322_165037132.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8F--Qa853Fg11FLYp3DBlizq_VSAcC-wc67Fr03ZISDmLbbPQd72knwSZcegWGIYL84MgcWF-GfzRk8hURLGtH96nN6Z85Vo5cEZxCiATeG06basMr45AZl9DBbyK53eYJVHC-J2isMC2kcAXQsqSzsULOYLPxtYoUSKypUpGRD1d3Qm21CcanlGcxg/s320/PXL_20220322_165037132.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Junior Ranger, Arches National Park</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlvr1NzAGBbHk4hfcMZnNVI-x3dhnnjWhAv6HdbyoYkcxoEk2SBj8W3BN-ap87Cuy2VlVmcROVzx2-_oNR-aaghZa3kUB_tEcGE6Tn8Dc5gd382f54KZF3bTu2if3y9bweQzmgudOPdHMWpcl9d7ESOtvO1tyWHZuvg9tWwPw4RWqKZjv6UK5Y8s8xg/s4032/PXL_20220323_151650097.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtlvr1NzAGBbHk4hfcMZnNVI-x3dhnnjWhAv6HdbyoYkcxoEk2SBj8W3BN-ap87Cuy2VlVmcROVzx2-_oNR-aaghZa3kUB_tEcGE6Tn8Dc5gd382f54KZF3bTu2if3y9bweQzmgudOPdHMWpcl9d7ESOtvO1tyWHZuvg9tWwPw4RWqKZjv6UK5Y8s8xg/s320/PXL_20220323_151650097.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">College Stop #3: University of Colorado-Boulder</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIrdljwJ--kzizuzYr6tW7chlnj3PYKtKvb2PTi0fdkXCFqollqtxUYfDPEy-NyCurIx29ijkuXegxDCW7eNhz15qVdKfpko9w8rYZI96jr7-M79gIuqTg6xKms2Uy8YAA5MkKVdyMdmqqulfsFeflAWzti_DyGEuxsD_XtGbs-HPlJOyqNL_NN8Usg/s4032/PXL_20220323_181721420.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIrdljwJ--kzizuzYr6tW7chlnj3PYKtKvb2PTi0fdkXCFqollqtxUYfDPEy-NyCurIx29ijkuXegxDCW7eNhz15qVdKfpko9w8rYZI96jr7-M79gIuqTg6xKms2Uy8YAA5MkKVdyMdmqqulfsFeflAWzti_DyGEuxsD_XtGbs-HPlJOyqNL_NN8Usg/s320/PXL_20220323_181721420.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boulder is pretty, y'all.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEvQfNrFJWW2gbp6dpVFVtsZKQa2vkNSxvRpWymEaL8HiEYe77f4KIj6mvSnFnVWbAS5E7e2UmpeD8DlcZNLaF_k4IWxgGAyu9zePo6VjgsHWopC0zt8Bxlf7Iqf1YbwHKQIwIr7K7ckrqtI9a0SlfYjkwwrgLN-JH_yUQGnDl5noYdhfvPJk3NbrJQ/s1024/MammaMiaPhotoCall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1024" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEvQfNrFJWW2gbp6dpVFVtsZKQa2vkNSxvRpWymEaL8HiEYe77f4KIj6mvSnFnVWbAS5E7e2UmpeD8DlcZNLaF_k4IWxgGAyu9zePo6VjgsHWopC0zt8Bxlf7Iqf1YbwHKQIwIr7K7ckrqtI9a0SlfYjkwwrgLN-JH_yUQGnDl5noYdhfvPJk3NbrJQ/s320/MammaMiaPhotoCall.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Troubadours production is normally staged right before spring break. This year, due to COVID, it was postponed until mid-April. Raina and her tech buddies are hiding in the black.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQK8MS_4KG1vYSCBKWSbkm5ZEhi8eDTZNErv9Q1Daz5hZcwYLK5Tktkz4Rl0BKFAZldsGP9XDCNe5PCtSBZahOLjWN9pM_LFNVBx3Fgc_okaungoGO3KaEzHd_5o0AOTi6T81CI6h_avmaYInu_a3Wn3kCNMMSa3KWYtmB50hAS8zFeqamUk2R5-9ow/s1024/MammaMia-Tech.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="682" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbQK8MS_4KG1vYSCBKWSbkm5ZEhi8eDTZNErv9Q1Daz5hZcwYLK5Tktkz4Rl0BKFAZldsGP9XDCNe5PCtSBZahOLjWN9pM_LFNVBx3Fgc_okaungoGO3KaEzHd_5o0AOTi6T81CI6h_avmaYInu_a3Wn3kCNMMSa3KWYtmB50hAS8zFeqamUk2R5-9ow/s320/MammaMia-Tech.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raina designed the lighting for this show, which included a fun disco ball and window lights. <br />This is what it looks like during tech week.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlpe7ESsdVTLcZuAK_9xfkAM5Kubv_T206wXofj-490zRBUDsQYBqh74n4TW5MLumFoIMg6cUSMORLK3OYSEEfUaPTdr_1TPit9mUQ7ikw7E76ht11-Vnwl9o2Bo-iNt2zeRpuU5B-h4OM8wQz8VXnApFP2k2dwkGFr3eFLFozWSrJVl2nVm8rzsu2Q/s4032/PXL_20220416_235635255.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSlpe7ESsdVTLcZuAK_9xfkAM5Kubv_T206wXofj-490zRBUDsQYBqh74n4TW5MLumFoIMg6cUSMORLK3OYSEEfUaPTdr_1TPit9mUQ7ikw7E76ht11-Vnwl9o2Bo-iNt2zeRpuU5B-h4OM8wQz8VXnApFP2k2dwkGFr3eFLFozWSrJVl2nVm8rzsu2Q/s320/PXL_20220416_235635255.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raina went to prom! It was also Tech Week, so she went shopping in Samantha's closet for a dress as a definite time-saving method.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrSDmOGIxifdomeFKeB-fynt4DaFy1-KcXSPntsCPqDFQqF136hLgiBpLAC-rPEpmRqbjkwW35xBhN2PoevZ2e7skks2dHwKSTKGjHlO1fapawdNG5XZr4pmQRcnhZRd1xjUydyDqj1ybWpFdckk4v5iMbO6oCKYXGJNIMvOHHTjrzBfsYPr8YsJhOA/s4032/PXL_20220416_235638856.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrSDmOGIxifdomeFKeB-fynt4DaFy1-KcXSPntsCPqDFQqF136hLgiBpLAC-rPEpmRqbjkwW35xBhN2PoevZ2e7skks2dHwKSTKGjHlO1fapawdNG5XZr4pmQRcnhZRd1xjUydyDqj1ybWpFdckk4v5iMbO6oCKYXGJNIMvOHHTjrzBfsYPr8YsJhOA/s320/PXL_20220416_235638856.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's beautiful through-and-through.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEz-AR3XTcprBQqhsgMjSL5Ol31kj6DyM4dUCxqr0uIuurL5cDsJDIZlAYwBEJGMyQ4QiL-vtfitsf3fqaLzMIiU9MBDhEzkfeKj3-pBhOb285iQu9KjJVRRhCbJcbM7S_0uE-tCrZki-FjBiCLGZqALMiUl8TqdeSj7DSHNTTKW-RVcx83uDHzCC1pw/s4032/PXL_20220417_052410620.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEz-AR3XTcprBQqhsgMjSL5Ol31kj6DyM4dUCxqr0uIuurL5cDsJDIZlAYwBEJGMyQ4QiL-vtfitsf3fqaLzMIiU9MBDhEzkfeKj3-pBhOb285iQu9KjJVRRhCbJcbM7S_0uE-tCrZki-FjBiCLGZqALMiUl8TqdeSj7DSHNTTKW-RVcx83uDHzCC1pw/s320/PXL_20220417_052410620.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raina and her friend were inseparable for the night.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uUBeWB3zv2px4Mz2v8O6-Vllrlpjb1VMDjhXKvQk58KGdAe5ZHqG5qzWm8vO2yPJPmS4lPc1OwfvAGSg02b12gRWN9TIdRowVWarGMs4R4eIxro5CmLmvPBkTh3C4aJ3NOjF-utjBA2db1EuRpJ506AVUpnN2rDDENh8K9ee5chrqvOFG8b_E_OeTA/s4032/PXL_20220417_062428620.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uUBeWB3zv2px4Mz2v8O6-Vllrlpjb1VMDjhXKvQk58KGdAe5ZHqG5qzWm8vO2yPJPmS4lPc1OwfvAGSg02b12gRWN9TIdRowVWarGMs4R4eIxro5CmLmvPBkTh3C4aJ3NOjF-utjBA2db1EuRpJ506AVUpnN2rDDENh8K9ee5chrqvOFG8b_E_OeTA/s320/PXL_20220417_062428620.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eric and I tried not to bother her too much as parent chaperones, but we still snapped a few photos of the After Prom party. Dance-Dance-Revolution is still a thing. Who knew?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrf03N_texvgtnq10UOsMpjIaWwiQJtv5VotVL4A4flu0MExwtMNPnjMJcfhidcfcSdcQnXp33sspjpGZDDRk-cGBuE5IUuwr9DzuSskmO04l1u8ub3eTKQEq0EVUoYZ7Sb9W8Dfc2lyPiUIa2neyc7QmuVWgrOdossDaVpBCMyT9G0LTNlIKgUO2smQ/s4032/PXL_20220427_214108881.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrf03N_texvgtnq10UOsMpjIaWwiQJtv5VotVL4A4flu0MExwtMNPnjMJcfhidcfcSdcQnXp33sspjpGZDDRk-cGBuE5IUuwr9DzuSskmO04l1u8ub3eTKQEq0EVUoYZ7Sb9W8Dfc2lyPiUIa2neyc7QmuVWgrOdossDaVpBCMyT9G0LTNlIKgUO2smQ/s320/PXL_20220427_214108881.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lola joined the Middle School Track Team. She ran the 100M and the 4x100M relay.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gstu0f77NinSc_4_ykzfAvB_nR9-o2Bfe_vGecnHWlNwS4pWkgeaf4761Sc5hB_qY2xDQ5auZbf9jtHaXCO2InCguZp5jFiHfVswOp3WuW2k1i704B2mfP2iMUneCoYp2kpkO8gvismAjywmfnCMXZPEgekKftN53s55GYwY8OGgKQ-AOXtTSFT3jw/s4032/PXL_20220427_215959030.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gstu0f77NinSc_4_ykzfAvB_nR9-o2Bfe_vGecnHWlNwS4pWkgeaf4761Sc5hB_qY2xDQ5auZbf9jtHaXCO2InCguZp5jFiHfVswOp3WuW2k1i704B2mfP2iMUneCoYp2kpkO8gvismAjywmfnCMXZPEgekKftN53s55GYwY8OGgKQ-AOXtTSFT3jw/s320/PXL_20220427_215959030.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She also put her notable strength to use and threw shot.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoiemrwLk-oVjix_mDZ3jKrBa29VDCyUSECOxOeHY2WdBAtnKYDc9eXGx9EQnI1Q-yMp5-RTw4r9oD4lVfJ5VRlwV8o7caUJ3b-HAG4hMuK8ilLFf86tw7A15O4_GWnbSnJfu-1kfBeQaYPpuN2IILbwnC-GAKxQiHt0T6H3Dl4Qhkr6R69ST77trNA/s4032/PXL_20220430_143212783.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheoiemrwLk-oVjix_mDZ3jKrBa29VDCyUSECOxOeHY2WdBAtnKYDc9eXGx9EQnI1Q-yMp5-RTw4r9oD4lVfJ5VRlwV8o7caUJ3b-HAG4hMuK8ilLFf86tw7A15O4_GWnbSnJfu-1kfBeQaYPpuN2IILbwnC-GAKxQiHt0T6H3Dl4Qhkr6R69ST77trNA/s320/PXL_20220430_143212783.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our baby girl is officially a teenager.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPkL5HDllSKZ9tQ4Tl8Gecx8mVom9Q61qpKFax_E0EiX6mxEHGFyX7tTLC-kebfUtZsrhyGpfn7fGt4Pd1ht8l0w-dD0Roa5spTSTrrhg9eW2WZTmONGv1E5tIMQJ05KIUf0ts0hfENHGFZf0FBCYVeDtPuqtiquM-35iG55RBzP5qInTeSxvFShN8Q/s4032/PXL_20220430_143318939.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAPkL5HDllSKZ9tQ4Tl8Gecx8mVom9Q61qpKFax_E0EiX6mxEHGFyX7tTLC-kebfUtZsrhyGpfn7fGt4Pd1ht8l0w-dD0Roa5spTSTrrhg9eW2WZTmONGv1E5tIMQJ05KIUf0ts0hfENHGFZf0FBCYVeDtPuqtiquM-35iG55RBzP5qInTeSxvFShN8Q/s320/PXL_20220430_143318939.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4/5 of Whomptons shown. Raina is setting up a Art Scavenger Hunt in the Museum behind us.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaTwQEHw_vF8V96ee3yOTKSLVEtEo2B_I74Zuj1Zwh11DWHA7t9xaFEpPCXTCtCP6rYtNY1K-vumtr2eDuDFUSawBjBvX5xfDvHdQEIEzC-Dy6hMCo_DhU-Lr7Oc1k7ip7UjtH0_igBM0hF6yubdLb02IQgJNH_fiUXQcVqtvxsTH11zo5EUS6fNz_A/s4032/PXL_20220507_210602793.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEaTwQEHw_vF8V96ee3yOTKSLVEtEo2B_I74Zuj1Zwh11DWHA7t9xaFEpPCXTCtCP6rYtNY1K-vumtr2eDuDFUSawBjBvX5xfDvHdQEIEzC-Dy6hMCo_DhU-Lr7Oc1k7ip7UjtH0_igBM0hF6yubdLb02IQgJNH_fiUXQcVqtvxsTH11zo5EUS6fNz_A/s320/PXL_20220507_210602793.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Finneys have chickens, chicks, guinea pigs, and a cat. Lola is in animal heaven each time we visit.<br />This is photo #1 of 35 of her + a different chicken in her lap.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcprEeT6b1E-TwnEcTCRatoPKTwA-hO3kuHPk7VG0blp01bveGtL5G16EfAe7E-Y7t9qVD7zFJXy1kHHf-V-Uq0baGZxG_oXeMCUbpqkPalxzNAmh5XwvukTsicvyGESmrazEOjLr69E-bHkzdYOC1G9wZn4Vm9AoclkSrJ9yEy_wflFx0bVA4UKBcgQ/s4032/PXL_20220508_003035092.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcprEeT6b1E-TwnEcTCRatoPKTwA-hO3kuHPk7VG0blp01bveGtL5G16EfAe7E-Y7t9qVD7zFJXy1kHHf-V-Uq0baGZxG_oXeMCUbpqkPalxzNAmh5XwvukTsicvyGESmrazEOjLr69E-bHkzdYOC1G9wZn4Vm9AoclkSrJ9yEy_wflFx0bVA4UKBcgQ/s320/PXL_20220508_003035092.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lola + Leia</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuiRW0F5_znktbs8tO8P2JqZkA5NYiZlmxFkKnaptM_falXO5ca2kZKGxQbZ_CMmPvgJzqXtNvRJlbGyEd7byuJnFuSbzXFzQuUvLeHuhi7vYAgHuzMpMwvAlsE2oC9MOrrCkpK_Avg8BpHZ9WN1lyBDtcggPs8koW69Fo6nhnycCmpS5N8I9o-SkNg/s4032/PXL_20220508_003539500.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuiRW0F5_znktbs8tO8P2JqZkA5NYiZlmxFkKnaptM_falXO5ca2kZKGxQbZ_CMmPvgJzqXtNvRJlbGyEd7byuJnFuSbzXFzQuUvLeHuhi7vYAgHuzMpMwvAlsE2oC9MOrrCkpK_Avg8BpHZ9WN1lyBDtcggPs8koW69Fo6nhnycCmpS5N8I9o-SkNg/s320/PXL_20220508_003539500.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lola kept capturing chicks, cuddling them, releasing them, and then capturing other chicks to cuddle. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuTE3EG9cf0ZCwhTWcZQRdRM1lJy1DoUZYE6TUJUzLFN0Yqi-6dtBRFhi98ABYzpOa8_qDeaMuu-quGR3yhXuHv5aOLejX3FkVzc1ie9FX_WIELq0prgtEdbnuM7nHU3CCxD-frd6lc3uuAHWCJRNELpsoPCA2ZU4XPdbpvC5PQYPseitvwVCLS6FlQ/s4032/PXL_20220513_234245282.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuTE3EG9cf0ZCwhTWcZQRdRM1lJy1DoUZYE6TUJUzLFN0Yqi-6dtBRFhi98ABYzpOa8_qDeaMuu-quGR3yhXuHv5aOLejX3FkVzc1ie9FX_WIELq0prgtEdbnuM7nHU3CCxD-frd6lc3uuAHWCJRNELpsoPCA2ZU4XPdbpvC5PQYPseitvwVCLS6FlQ/s320/PXL_20220513_234245282.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pulitzer Art Museum has an exhibit titled "Assembly Required." We went for a Family Friday Fun Night and interacted with the art.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN76qTIfB5R8MHXCmQo_yEdkiiagHB8ogc0h87V12vS1UrPXrH-RAN_d3T_kwpzEIpqX4TN-24rDkLw0rzlEZzj-Hti0uTnElC-8n_P5aS8dMDhva6HcUIfICkrHk-SNo_vWJV8nI6PV-KnrjGCpyZ03mJVVHK7NFsqxYiov95oQMm82_BNLzUqjkx1Q/s4032/PXL_20220514_000113502.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN76qTIfB5R8MHXCmQo_yEdkiiagHB8ogc0h87V12vS1UrPXrH-RAN_d3T_kwpzEIpqX4TN-24rDkLw0rzlEZzj-Hti0uTnElC-8n_P5aS8dMDhva6HcUIfICkrHk-SNo_vWJV8nI6PV-KnrjGCpyZ03mJVVHK7NFsqxYiov95oQMm82_BNLzUqjkx1Q/s320/PXL_20220514_000113502.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ctjtslGUKyEKB9TPh_9Jk9NPwh2zfawbI72GdY8rO1eJq27Rn8DAdDfVCzXAES4aji_MkHT_8V-8-w1E5slhwsfYV4lNK4K8RA4Yx7SVyN32c8suqelkOFSSn5fSGmk_pyEaMWZT8SKxLjiTHbz2VWSLIUkDtWGLQASEuoZmFZf6lxQicPAEt1x3Ng/s4032/PXL_20220514_000116118.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0ctjtslGUKyEKB9TPh_9Jk9NPwh2zfawbI72GdY8rO1eJq27Rn8DAdDfVCzXAES4aji_MkHT_8V-8-w1E5slhwsfYV4lNK4K8RA4Yx7SVyN32c8suqelkOFSSn5fSGmk_pyEaMWZT8SKxLjiTHbz2VWSLIUkDtWGLQASEuoZmFZf6lxQicPAEt1x3Ng/s320/PXL_20220514_000116118.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3elVwnpEYcJj5yK5VkG5qv0sGZ5815-5d3zVZdmchTWOG1gGFYemoVsuREQOf2WbdDnFW5Ex0jTdAtqwyBY7AA_ruTCfrmDXpiJiZuZRRw1mDof-XO0ncogICNPzg5ch7I-mZq3tqSroCbFonrS9ibROeI3_Tfi43AISN_esRuu4HP-Kaq-JbGCu9Q/s4032/PXL_20220516_115947061.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3elVwnpEYcJj5yK5VkG5qv0sGZ5815-5d3zVZdmchTWOG1gGFYemoVsuREQOf2WbdDnFW5Ex0jTdAtqwyBY7AA_ruTCfrmDXpiJiZuZRRw1mDof-XO0ncogICNPzg5ch7I-mZq3tqSroCbFonrS9ibROeI3_Tfi43AISN_esRuu4HP-Kaq-JbGCu9Q/s320/PXL_20220516_115947061.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All dressed up for Recognition Day (Middle School) and Prize Day (Upper School) Assemblies</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0HxGfHNm9tJhKxuzTi08vLwlXoWOHYWnj5f1TJdXxfzRsYvyIQsjdmJIg71e_cSgEAP9UOIfSNg2y-jPlAgo0PqnGBf9uPUwBf-bHcmGWY5g8TwLYrJJAZ-npslk_2YkgxwZnTsPTE7Ta6X0PovDDXKWqr83uN6o_oawlToiOrci1O9SrTTO1zLk8g/s4032/PXL_20220516_134419267.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0HxGfHNm9tJhKxuzTi08vLwlXoWOHYWnj5f1TJdXxfzRsYvyIQsjdmJIg71e_cSgEAP9UOIfSNg2y-jPlAgo0PqnGBf9uPUwBf-bHcmGWY5g8TwLYrJJAZ-npslk_2YkgxwZnTsPTE7Ta6X0PovDDXKWqr83uN6o_oawlToiOrci1O9SrTTO1zLk8g/s320/PXL_20220516_134419267.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raina won a Prize Day Award!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYL0vWU_JZlyWD3OImzQ2WjPTSz3308lPker_LLDJqXrtP6GWQV4S0CDCA1aXSFTRd7T7oZuMfHbHl2hkUef-cNpvaMk-NMhXYFR7k98qGTDDeopo4jCuRDB7Icf5w7lNR7r3LjiUnW5l_Pbu-xrJlB9tDSp4KTadyi6v8FaKW5RPfaQeF5t2lv_2FA/s1690/Full%20Prize%20Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1690" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoYL0vWU_JZlyWD3OImzQ2WjPTSz3308lPker_LLDJqXrtP6GWQV4S0CDCA1aXSFTRd7T7oZuMfHbHl2hkUef-cNpvaMk-NMhXYFR7k98qGTDDeopo4jCuRDB7Icf5w7lNR7r3LjiUnW5l_Pbu-xrJlB9tDSp4KTadyi6v8FaKW5RPfaQeF5t2lv_2FA/s320/Full%20Prize%20Day.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So we didn't know in advance which award she was winning, just that we should come to the ceremony. As a teacher of some many of the recipients, I spent the majority of the assembly saying "Oh, yay!" and then crying my eyes out. I didn't come prepared with enough tissues. These kids are special and I love them lots.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2X7yrXZC3_u8zMBrn4dvRMT7Q1_0mx8GxuqGi_GVFmEdje0iKSriebPFJtbi1yyI11bpIfdAhmwy2SCEXC_NAnTe5rBG9IbsZJHkEqhggLl--absUpr-VCQ8AZPuGwVfIslixk6FLQYNux_2818p8EiTETQKN9xET2CcMwPc2NpPIyo8LMBpP_z1mw/s4032/PXL_20220520_010022546.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2X7yrXZC3_u8zMBrn4dvRMT7Q1_0mx8GxuqGi_GVFmEdje0iKSriebPFJtbi1yyI11bpIfdAhmwy2SCEXC_NAnTe5rBG9IbsZJHkEqhggLl--absUpr-VCQ8AZPuGwVfIslixk6FLQYNux_2818p8EiTETQKN9xET2CcMwPc2NpPIyo8LMBpP_z1mw/s320/PXL_20220520_010022546.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She also earned a Lighting Theatre Award for her work in <i>Romeo and Juliet</i>! And a Set Building Award for most hours spent at Seldom Scene! And a Latin Book Award for five years in a row of Summa Cum Laude on her NLE tests! It's awesome for her awesomeness to be recognized by others. <br />(Technically the black ball of tape set award is shown if you look hard enough. Latin book not pictured.)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqSeeHE0A-ZC_hQbt4OvSgBGrOAmwkrOOo2KEbKDgn2gWTim9AR04IQDJYnYgzWYq0BL35EBZmkSdXZOtic9QgmWhTr6sZMUd8OYUaIOvGBxqgm84vx2TT0mfTxT-RaulB_RoBp_Rh-8wVX6DqxJOP2doViVCsN7Rnm5y1P_eQ3qpQ7lnwFhxBFmCGQ/s4032/PXL_20220603_170109516.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqSeeHE0A-ZC_hQbt4OvSgBGrOAmwkrOOo2KEbKDgn2gWTim9AR04IQDJYnYgzWYq0BL35EBZmkSdXZOtic9QgmWhTr6sZMUd8OYUaIOvGBxqgm84vx2TT0mfTxT-RaulB_RoBp_Rh-8wVX6DqxJOP2doViVCsN7Rnm5y1P_eQ3qpQ7lnwFhxBFmCGQ/s320/PXL_20220603_170109516.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More college visits. This one is the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I believe.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdXa-FoMqakVPlk4J13mNO9rE8FqGOFj3zTH7gR0kAwwOLWet7dkvLBMrMdfXi1iIdpLxyX8JywPtUFpe6NuI84A47Tb7Kg4gdrS469ocnCxnm-SFX8qBF287e8oJti2-rHBG6Fip_RSeg7trvRl1WX3cGhvRj5MryoCK__Za-exsWePulh1NfliQBQ/s4032/PXL_20220604_232042316.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdXa-FoMqakVPlk4J13mNO9rE8FqGOFj3zTH7gR0kAwwOLWet7dkvLBMrMdfXi1iIdpLxyX8JywPtUFpe6NuI84A47Tb7Kg4gdrS469ocnCxnm-SFX8qBF287e8oJti2-rHBG6Fip_RSeg7trvRl1WX3cGhvRj5MryoCK__Za-exsWePulh1NfliQBQ/s320/PXL_20220604_232042316.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raina cheered on her friends as they won their very first State title in soccer! The head coach of the team had been Raina's advisor for the past three years, so many of her advisory showed up to celebrate a great end to his last year at MICDS.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>KSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13187688424539380660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524361657567178934.post-51357221636828486582022-05-15T09:10:00.000-05:002022-05-15T09:10:24.552-05:00Trees in the Whompton yard<p>When we moved into our home 20 years ago, the house came with a "professionally landscaped" lawn. That really meant there were a lot of bushes I didn't really like plus an accent Dogwood tree on the corner. The previous-previous owners had planted three maple trees that were strongly established (two in the front yard, one in the backyard) and those trees were gorgeous. They provided this beautiful dappled shade for our south-facing front yard. Over time two of those maples became sick and had to come down, so the last hold out is Treebeard. (Yes, we name our trees.) Treebeard is not leafed out yet but you can get a perspective of scale here. It's a big tree.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIpBBp2vSY5F738k9f2A_94adBRErCmyQyp8zH3M-U2-jQgZpfPtQ6T_WvE_2804V5DdYwy89dt429wV0XD5ymC28--6bxXAJJarYD4kpRqJhmcz46jKmlV83FNSb9dNH6p5wCzQbJ6dzGiJ9jMsW1J4YwbADPyTv1axJ24EK4WydD68EO4Nu91cM0A/s4096/IMG_20220515_075304621_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIpBBp2vSY5F738k9f2A_94adBRErCmyQyp8zH3M-U2-jQgZpfPtQ6T_WvE_2804V5DdYwy89dt429wV0XD5ymC28--6bxXAJJarYD4kpRqJhmcz46jKmlV83FNSb9dNH6p5wCzQbJ6dzGiJ9jMsW1J4YwbADPyTv1axJ24EK4WydD68EO4Nu91cM0A/s320/IMG_20220515_075304621_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treebeard, the Maple tree</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgem67PHO00xb3SeCoSCAcpxVirOft7NJ9u50ZMHOYvY_7rVfOm2pzG3DTfnRrqRbyyOvLbhQJJaEzw-m3UWnvToMz6r2K2ovCXs5biK3ZeOW9jf-c4XRbnKpcDopJs81pVaqmU1i10LSiv88wCPYBurtlo810u18vAf5Xv7bof907GZjVGFH5p-fKgGw/s4096/IMG_20220515_075336012_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgem67PHO00xb3SeCoSCAcpxVirOft7NJ9u50ZMHOYvY_7rVfOm2pzG3DTfnRrqRbyyOvLbhQJJaEzw-m3UWnvToMz6r2K2ovCXs5biK3ZeOW9jf-c4XRbnKpcDopJs81pVaqmU1i10LSiv88wCPYBurtlo810u18vAf5Xv7bof907GZjVGFH5p-fKgGw/s320/IMG_20220515_075336012_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Above is the Flowering Dogwood that came with the house. For the longest time it was incredibly shaded because our next door neighbors had a massive oak tree on the edge of their property and the dogwood was lucky to get any sun. Most of the oaks in the neighborhood are grappling with a gall wasp infestation, and our neighbor was convinced to remove his tree last fall. Suddenly a whole half of our front yard opened up to regular sunlight.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimV3XOJ_UFgAu-ZLXlh7p-9DScYXXbtdcNl8cePzpGLWCq223xbkucPV2GT8WawFUlG4Oo2dpEhBlh0EBZbLGd_bZEf0EfVl9sqCIBLp2aG34bGqBLEvQGi_b14fFdRoLB5469Upxb0ZbZs7AcKEckFkJJdLrGDBSbf7BmEIr7c9TmnYif3lTC8zlfmA/s4096/IMG_20220515_074801725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4096" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimV3XOJ_UFgAu-ZLXlh7p-9DScYXXbtdcNl8cePzpGLWCq223xbkucPV2GT8WawFUlG4Oo2dpEhBlh0EBZbLGd_bZEf0EfVl9sqCIBLp2aG34bGqBLEvQGi_b14fFdRoLB5469Upxb0ZbZs7AcKEckFkJJdLrGDBSbf7BmEIr7c9TmnYif3lTC8zlfmA/s320/IMG_20220515_074801725.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here you can see the Dogwood next to the corner of the house and also the two Prairifire Flowering Crabapples we put on that corner of the yard. All three trees bloom pink.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFHzuvZfBy6ztXF7f_q8R9KtrT3TxW05C6upxKYS_F1CTdj_my-8zRezNla3zPssKqJxESQjY7oeF6ReR0hD26Wy9oe424flGYipjF_nWI01UzCb8ewg697mawLzeN-zpk9d13Xq68SJ_qXE4zl3ZESA1jSzeMS2rUeIJgKuhhj64lFhXEWwE2PtD2g/s320/IMG_20220515_074822280.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet Beaumont, one of the two crabapples in the front yard. Although planted at the same time, Beaumont is smaller than its partner so I often think of it as a younger sibling.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9b1KDJ_ZkDUyOc6DM6xVvrsYjlhyMT4rsO_0d2WPlBC10vHN72KySHfEBcGa10bE2FPEbQ6afLwHhM8I8oVO73g8fz9bOkuzqCP3UFqn8sgZ8XSy41S4iBIFuBECJ6UiYEL3qK-YJ15V1Jb3A569sGU2bvGo6eUrZlpsva1K_gHeFnmvFO6kUDvomPQ/s4096/IMG_20220515_074819135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9b1KDJ_ZkDUyOc6DM6xVvrsYjlhyMT4rsO_0d2WPlBC10vHN72KySHfEBcGa10bE2FPEbQ6afLwHhM8I8oVO73g8fz9bOkuzqCP3UFqn8sgZ8XSy41S4iBIFuBECJ6UiYEL3qK-YJ15V1Jb3A569sGU2bvGo6eUrZlpsva1K_gHeFnmvFO6kUDvomPQ/s320/IMG_20220515_074819135.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This tree's name is Brooks (short for Brookings). Yes, we named the trees after WashU buildings. Both Beaumont and Brooks have a purple-green mix of leaves and bloom a shocking hot pink.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />And now it's time to move to the backyard. When Eric and I moved into our home in March 2022, the backyard had two components: a large maple about 15 feet from the house and a ridiculously large honeysuckle bush -- with some poison ivy thrown in for fun -- separating our yard from our neighbor's. (It took a LOT of effort to get that honeysuckle removed.) Within the month we went to the Earth Day Festival in Forest Park and they gave us three tiny trees. We planted all of them and one survived.<div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3GEi8tlXmQLS8Gw0AbCkfpfTM8rqYbdKHVBtOh74WqpEawaMu-CmrOVMmySshZOArEXZiw6uDdkJH2rObchzK72vgzb4O9KW0BrKy6Q7e-P13r24Fi3y7XcKhMyFKHKDawxpZjOPdgkq1Dkku1CQQPjSZacBkPAe4mQaerdGf392oN8DndL4w22XqQ/s4096/IMG_20220515_075158978_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX3GEi8tlXmQLS8Gw0AbCkfpfTM8rqYbdKHVBtOh74WqpEawaMu-CmrOVMmySshZOArEXZiw6uDdkJH2rObchzK72vgzb4O9KW0BrKy6Q7e-P13r24Fi3y7XcKhMyFKHKDawxpZjOPdgkq1Dkku1CQQPjSZacBkPAe4mQaerdGf392oN8DndL4w22XqQ/s320/IMG_20220515_075158978_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Fred. He was advertised to be a Ash tree but, friends, he's actually an American Sycamore. He's 20 years old and is the tallest of the trees in the yard. When it comes to interesting bark and leaves, the Sycamore wins, no contest. I love him.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>For the longest time, the backyard was mostly open space that seemed endless because our property adjoins to common ground. It's a long way from our house to the neighbors on the other side. Eric had visions of endless games of frisbee and T-Ball and flag football in the backyard -- and some of that happened -- but mostly it was a large open space that was rarely utilized. I finally wore him down and he agreed that I could put some trees in. I think he envisioned I would get one or two. I came back from the nursery with three and then I sent Samantha back to get one more. </div><div><br /></div><div>Shopping at Schmittel's Nursery was really fun. I prefer trees with interesting bark and/or leaves so, with that approach, we bypassed lots of options. I frequently said "that's a nice tree but it's not my tree." In the end, we acquired a Merlot Redbud, a Wildfire Black Gum, a Dawn Redwood, and a Bald Cypress tree.<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9y4Hh3yVes77blmzAlaS4YII2mPx90p71z0FMohVB2sfqgvbylEm2U_BD33KWcAxiTmxefvHJuhKqa6wAb6osBKBKsjNv63wgKdrumpuQvDwfqJGJU2e2s_BAy_sAXnjUc9MReM25sT33Wl0X286RNTZWaPW7bR9PSwI4RpxbCTSQaF9epxf9Dif7A/s4096/IMG_20220515_075127812_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9y4Hh3yVes77blmzAlaS4YII2mPx90p71z0FMohVB2sfqgvbylEm2U_BD33KWcAxiTmxefvHJuhKqa6wAb6osBKBKsjNv63wgKdrumpuQvDwfqJGJU2e2s_BAy_sAXnjUc9MReM25sT33Wl0X286RNTZWaPW7bR9PSwI4RpxbCTSQaF9epxf9Dif7A/s320/IMG_20220515_075127812_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Bald Cypress is A-Knee, pronounced Annie. Bald cypresses sometimes grow knees, which stabilize the tree, so the name is a pun. That corner of the yard gets a lot of water, and A-Knee has been really happy in her location. She initially came with only five branches and, well, she's made up some ground in the past year.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKgznNFWoDNKOL0lyJMqq4wGMUAXTHsQ7dGa8T0rdDz5TR4Vqypd4A-xft57w4r6esTIxGkeHNl2waY7m7QoPrO5STk_XE61wc1QMFNslxfvLctV03_xVbrDc3k3FEvu4I-x--cndxTyrfc_6VkdB3ahzN6uw3jRzrGPsYxMorORtlJCRmz8JJxzGXg/s4096/IMG_20220515_075144787_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4096" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKgznNFWoDNKOL0lyJMqq4wGMUAXTHsQ7dGa8T0rdDz5TR4Vqypd4A-xft57w4r6esTIxGkeHNl2waY7m7QoPrO5STk_XE61wc1QMFNslxfvLctV03_xVbrDc3k3FEvu4I-x--cndxTyrfc_6VkdB3ahzN6uw3jRzrGPsYxMorORtlJCRmz8JJxzGXg/s320/IMG_20220515_075144787_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bald Cypress is Samantha's favorite tree and you can see the delicate feathering nature of the branches and leaves here. </td></tr></tbody></table><br />My birthday tree is Sunny, a Dawn Redwood. Initially I had hopes for an Eastern White Pine but through lots of thinking I came to the realization it wasn't well suited to where I wanted it to go. When I let go of that, I opened up my eyes to another water loving tree with visual and texture attributes that are similar. Actually the Redwood and Bald Cypress have a lot of attributes in common, but the Redwood seems to have a more compressed visual appeal (for right now). Sunny had more lower branches initially but the neighborhood deer aggressively went after my tree -- we kept coming home and seeing more and more limbs broken as they eat my tree! -- so we installed a very unattractive blockade to help it survive the winter. Sunny seems to have thrived overall. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPEhhS5qDaaT5ZourZ5YKDuAzu2utZnNoj0tu9zuer_WYUmH4P2Pspc9CQTJMcV1fnUVHETKyGjPagBu5UIC3qwYbb6ixPppa7w5ek-m5Ipv1v3T5yM003O6QrX0BAIeWXahBYxo0KSRbcZx8ISqZQ-MfNnWwtJjXQEw2pOa9jbEslI-MU4psCNtuSg/s4096/IMG_20220515_075025031_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMPEhhS5qDaaT5ZourZ5YKDuAzu2utZnNoj0tu9zuer_WYUmH4P2Pspc9CQTJMcV1fnUVHETKyGjPagBu5UIC3qwYbb6ixPppa7w5ek-m5Ipv1v3T5yM003O6QrX0BAIeWXahBYxo0KSRbcZx8ISqZQ-MfNnWwtJjXQEw2pOa9jbEslI-MU4psCNtuSg/s320/IMG_20220515_075025031_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunny, a Dawn Redwood</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRVysPlkPbNKzDQVekGTQBP-lAVCEK2-mqb0QrQxwM6h_19XW_-jBRYS2AUykyb7BbQlV6BjtdVzeLv4uyM8Raj7kl4Wq1M-9P6fESyPm2VBCH_NYPY7K9_srci2D11nmVGp-UmfBZ3MxmdWEV6MjS2UycKxvFOYngTeIXtQOJn9jXaqPfI4mNsQEJQ/s4096/IMG_20220515_075114998_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4096" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRVysPlkPbNKzDQVekGTQBP-lAVCEK2-mqb0QrQxwM6h_19XW_-jBRYS2AUykyb7BbQlV6BjtdVzeLv4uyM8Raj7kl4Wq1M-9P6fESyPm2VBCH_NYPY7K9_srci2D11nmVGp-UmfBZ3MxmdWEV6MjS2UycKxvFOYngTeIXtQOJn9jXaqPfI4mNsQEJQ/s320/IMG_20220515_075114998_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunny also has a bird nest in it! We are beyond thrilled about this development.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The last of the three trees on the back row of the property is the Black Gum. Black Gums are not like Sweet Gums -- no pokey balls to clean up here! Instead we got a native tree that loves water and sun and has beautiful color in its leaves all year long. The Black Gum has the capacity for substantial growth, about 1 - 2 feet per year, and I think ours had about 2.5 - 3 feet of growth in the past year. This tree is very happy in its new home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8e9LKWoNPeECY4sNWJrf42ZCuC7fwl-dROYKIiY8E-ClOfwxFhj0y-NTDX4rqRhKjYDFFibcqAID-92eBZiQR7fvX5ypMi4U3Jx-0fveGs3sViDW2hdB65MIKX_4detbAiil7sT_66Gw0KJ2vaZ6eGRUwb5Xf3PDXVEJHHsPOXDkI3RbJn0QTOhfuA/s4096/IMG_20220515_074936977_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8e9LKWoNPeECY4sNWJrf42ZCuC7fwl-dROYKIiY8E-ClOfwxFhj0y-NTDX4rqRhKjYDFFibcqAID-92eBZiQR7fvX5ypMi4U3Jx-0fveGs3sViDW2hdB65MIKX_4detbAiil7sT_66Gw0KJ2vaZ6eGRUwb5Xf3PDXVEJHHsPOXDkI3RbJn0QTOhfuA/s320/IMG_20220515_074936977_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were not creative with this tree's name. It's a Black Gum Tupelo, and we call it Tupelo. <br />Also, this picture gives some perspective on how large the common ground actually is. Tupelo is very close to the edge of our property line.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkqiDjoEHg7mErWs0WK8O81d-Ou92yykTB10vyi0ifdKyZyMzC5qWl5nR37xZvIE6MJ2-p8_Wc8_hTdbbrLOHFmAKkba6zG4zKZTIjcVa9i06AQ2ej2iQVUlnciQQFKSzK_jBS-JcGmJpTWYsh-10EfaLq9XVzKsFxcdC9dIQd8PmFz2mHcmPvBOUAw/s4096/IMG_20220515_075007086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4096" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkqiDjoEHg7mErWs0WK8O81d-Ou92yykTB10vyi0ifdKyZyMzC5qWl5nR37xZvIE6MJ2-p8_Wc8_hTdbbrLOHFmAKkba6zG4zKZTIjcVa9i06AQ2ej2iQVUlnciQQFKSzK_jBS-JcGmJpTWYsh-10EfaLq9XVzKsFxcdC9dIQd8PmFz2mHcmPvBOUAw/s320/IMG_20220515_075007086.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tupelo's leaves in the spring and summer are this mix of neon green and orange. In the fall it turns bright red.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We placed the Merlot Redbud, named Merle, in line with Fred on the property. Merle gets a mix of sun and shade as a result. We purposefully put in a smaller tree in that space because tree trimming to protect the roof is a tedious affair.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEtZu7oebbpoxn6beGDlls2sfV9dQf96TTXHdLsA-r60I8mAK_IPD3wXI2VYmm7K_-kDr8Ti4jG1Y3XtpHKLuTc2v8z2vBLqksalmiPzOENQAkgyWDDUIjm2Ji78NApbvdVVCVPTJIm19Sb-uJbx_i3eJYFp4B7-2wKJ_FuFe3fhQtZ0hOSKqjo2ICA/s4096/IMG_20220515_074918130_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEtZu7oebbpoxn6beGDlls2sfV9dQf96TTXHdLsA-r60I8mAK_IPD3wXI2VYmm7K_-kDr8Ti4jG1Y3XtpHKLuTc2v8z2vBLqksalmiPzOENQAkgyWDDUIjm2Ji78NApbvdVVCVPTJIm19Sb-uJbx_i3eJYFp4B7-2wKJ_FuFe3fhQtZ0hOSKqjo2ICA/s320/IMG_20220515_074918130_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merle, a Merlot Redbud. Merle had gorgeous purple flowers in the spring.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6xoBmpEjjyo24MK4VRF6IOwHxudvf6nE86mq5fBg8p_4JEp9jtM4bQK-iUWtUQrecn_ijVoAgFtQP_Fos9lEV_x3zC9lsEOWYYnrwlupgU48qFLTAx7R1IMGs3iAe0NlotgWJ7NlDIL6SIIAfE3hyxXvNoCnCBpWCzDAVBzCB7JkS0gOJX8kPFL2uA/s4096/IMG_20220515_074911807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt6xoBmpEjjyo24MK4VRF6IOwHxudvf6nE86mq5fBg8p_4JEp9jtM4bQK-iUWtUQrecn_ijVoAgFtQP_Fos9lEV_x3zC9lsEOWYYnrwlupgU48qFLTAx7R1IMGs3iAe0NlotgWJ7NlDIL6SIIAfE3hyxXvNoCnCBpWCzDAVBzCB7JkS0gOJX8kPFL2uA/s320/IMG_20220515_074911807.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just appreciating its leaf color here.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And now comes the decision point. We have two more spaces where another tree might go: next to the driveway in the front yard and in between Merle and Fred in the back yard. Also, technically, if I'm willing to claim some of the common ground for my own I can put trees there too. I very much want a <a href="https://www.fast-growing-trees.com/products/tulippoplar">Yellow Poplar tree</a>. I planted one in my yard back in Owensboro and it's a beautiful tree. However, I don't realistically have the space for it to grow wide, and so I will have to let that dream go. Instead, I'll continue to visit with the ones in my neighborhood and appreciate their beauty there.</div></div></div>KSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13187688424539380660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524361657567178934.post-35376586505723321642021-08-08T19:11:00.000-05:002021-08-08T19:11:10.228-05:00Black Lives Matter<p>August 9, 2014, was a hot Saturday in Saint Louis and, with
the murder of Michael Brown that day, the heat intensified dramatically. Our community
cried out in horror, frustration, and rage, our city burned, and our police and
national guard showed just who they intended to protect. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Neither Raina nor Lola remembers ever trusting the police –
how could then when they have grown up seeing cell phone and bodycam footage of
incredibly flagrant acts of police violence – and twelve years-old Lola does
not remember a time before we had Black Lives Matter signs in our yards and our
family regularly participated in BLM vigils.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We have pictures of little Lola making a sign with the awkward
penmanship of a small kid; I think her first BLM vigil was when she was 5. We’ve
been rather consistent since then: on a monthly basis, 1 – 5 Whomptons stand on
sidewalks, hold our various signs, and spend an hour reminding our local
community what it should already know.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAC4Mqsb88w2MPK6c3ZFULHx8ePscoZu3qLS8vu7ozMc2cENY-K4BrAHk7sarsGzC8tqZXc9EjUkm7Vm_W7gHM9xlu6HqYpgHLHynVilEXato0gJ21FEH0VaiLJ4dvSP9t0mLxX79cMMsm/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="1200" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAC4Mqsb88w2MPK6c3ZFULHx8ePscoZu3qLS8vu7ozMc2cENY-K4BrAHk7sarsGzC8tqZXc9EjUkm7Vm_W7gHM9xlu6HqYpgHLHynVilEXato0gJ21FEH0VaiLJ4dvSP9t0mLxX79cMMsm/" width="320" /></a></div><br />Response from drivers-by has been mixed over the years. Back
in 2014 – 2016, say, there were significantly more generally negative responses
than positive ones. Folks would thumbs-down, or give us the finger, or shout
things like “All lives matter” or “Trump for President.” One particular man was
particularly incensed by us, and each month he’d stop on Clayton Road so he
could yell “Michael Brown was a thug and he deserved to die.” That sentence
still punches me in the gut.<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In some ways, our sheltered kids learned a lot at these
vigils. I remember a passer-by giving us the middle finger and then seeing my
young daughter return the same gesture. When I asked her to stop, she replied
that the other person had been waving at her, so she wanted to wave back in the
same way. I then had to explain what raising a single middle finger actually
meant, what that person was trying to communicate. Until that moment, she did
not realize that it was anything other than a friendly gesture.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Over time, though, responses became more supportive: lots more
people waving back, honking their horns, giving us a thumbs-up. After George Floyd
was murdered, we attended a vigil on Clayton Road and the positive response was
consistent and constant. It’s been over a year since Mr. Floyd’s death, 7
since Mike Brown’s death, and unfortunately memories are short.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today’s vigil had more negative responses than we’ve had in
recent times – maybe 5 or so middle-fingers and thumbs-down – and it also had
some extraordinary invective. One man drove by slowly, pointed his finger at
each individual person, and said “Fuck you! Fuck you! Fuck you!” He also
liberally insulted each person that he drove past, and occasionally stopped to
throw even more pointed insults and threats of violence. He spared no one – he even
included all four children present. I never prepped my girls on how to respond
when an anonymous angry male says to them, “Fuck you, you cunt!” but, since
that happened at today’s vigil, it’s clearly time for that conversation. Later,
a different person sped past and hurled an open beer can at a few vigilers. We’ve
experiences lots of threats of violence over the years but never had someone follow
through (albeit in a cowardly fashion). I’m grateful that no one was hit by
anything worse than liquid splatter. Overall, it was not a great day of
community response, but was a good example of how important it is to continue loudly
proclaiming BLACK LIVES MATTER.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Rest in Power, Mike Brown. May your memory be a blessing.
May your memory be a revolution.<o:p></o:p></p>KSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13187688424539380660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524361657567178934.post-434276855273110402021-07-29T21:15:00.003-05:002021-08-08T19:12:38.795-05:00CoderGirl<p>By the start of 2021, the feeling of COVID lockdown had
permeated in the Whompton household. Raina and Lola schooled from home, Krystal
taught from home, Eric worked from home …. We hardly ever left our house except
to walk around in the neighborhood. We had a lot of free time on our hands. We
weren’t antsy, per se, but those conditions usually lead to my taking on a new
project.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TEoYFQLegTomK6VbxcQftYrAzysuGaQLnKbytXgPFt1smJ2-LAIBhD3vQn74YXMLinZjHIxgvtnkWBLY88bfCcN3z3OUH8a32dWp_iFYhp-niTYWocT_qM2MUofd7JW2_VFMKMoJVIh7/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="111" data-original-width="455" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TEoYFQLegTomK6VbxcQftYrAzysuGaQLnKbytXgPFt1smJ2-LAIBhD3vQn74YXMLinZjHIxgvtnkWBLY88bfCcN3z3OUH8a32dWp_iFYhp-niTYWocT_qM2MUofd7JW2_VFMKMoJVIh7/" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The new project of 2021 is learning how to code. In January,
I applied and was accepted into <a href="https://www.launchcode.org/">LaunchCode’s</a>
CoderGirl program and I have spent 8 - 30 hours a week learning how to
code: first in Python, then JavaScript, then HTML and CSS, then TypeScript, and
now Java. The course design is simple: students are provided with an online
textbook that has concepts detailed, sample problems displayed, and coding
exercises within, and each student is expected to work through one or more
chapters a week and attend the 3-hours class on Wednesdays. We have a lead
teacher for the Wednesday class, Teaching Assistants to guide us through as
needed, and an active Slack community to assist. The weekly homework is all for
practice and students can work with each other – and are actively encouraged to
do so – to better master the concepts and skills. The real assessments, called
graded assignments, are coding projects that the students complete
independently; in all, the graded assignments are scaffolded and designed to
teach the fundamentals of coding and to make each person job ready. Remarkably,
this entire bootcamp experience is funded through grants and so is absolutely
free for me!</p><p>Most everyone doing LaunchCode is hoping to use their newly
developed skills and transition into a tech career, but that’s not my primary
goal of completing the course. If I successfully complete the course then I can
apply to their Apprentice program, which is in essence a job placement opportunity.
We’ll see if that has any interest for me once my CoderGirl course ends in Jan
2022. </p><p>Learning how to code was a mental saving grace for me in
2021: it filled up my time with something more meaningful than watching even
more television and it used my brain in ways I haven’t pushed myself in quite
some time. I’ve always been a good student, so this combination of independent learning
with external accountability has been a great combination for me. I also have
developed some lovely friendships with other women and non-binary folx who I
would never have encountered during this COVID time. All in all, it has been a
win-win. </p><p>I’ve done a little bit of everything, it feels like, and mostly I’ve grown an appreciation for the complexity and beauty of logic and syntax. CoderGirl is not easy and I certainly have questioned whether I’ll make
it successfully to the end, but I’m working really hard to learn, to improve,
to finish. </p>KSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13187688424539380660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524361657567178934.post-24290764739191158772021-02-07T15:24:00.001-05:002021-02-07T15:24:13.677-05:002021: A year of doctor appointments<p>The fingers on my right hand have developed strange, itchy, varying-in-size,
red bumps that respond painfully to pressure. After two weeks of itchy bumps I
got a new development: my index finger and middle finger started swelling at
the joints and refused to bend. My PCP diagnosed me with cellulitis and hooked
me up with a course of antibiotics. (NOTE: I already take a high-powered antibiotic
daily. For this 10-day period I took 4 antibiotics and then supplemented with 1
probiotic daily. Taking 4 pills to kill bacteria and then 1 pill to return bacteria
back to me was an irony I appreciated and one my family regularly mocked.)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The antibiotics knocked out the cellulitis infection and
reduced inflammation but, within hours of completing the course, the bumps had
returned in force. Currently I have about 25 bumps on the fingers of my right hand.
After consulting with my PCP again she sent me off to dermatology and
encouraged me to ask for a biopsy. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My dermatology appointment was a hoot. First, she looked at
my right hand and proclaimed she had never seen anything like it in her life. She
immediately grabbed a camera and started documenting my strangeness. I then
shared that my PCP thought the bumps might be related to my mastocytosis and
that a biopsy might be worth considering. Her eyes lit up in wonder as she
asked “You have mastocytosis? What type? How does it manifest? What triggers you?”
I definitely felt like a novelty in her office – in a good way – and I so
appreciated that she expressed curiosity about the condition rather than being
dismissive. I told her that the items that trigger me the most are exercise and
surgery; she giggled, proclaimed “That’s great – everyone wants a reason not to
exercise and you actually have one! I don’t exercise and I don’t have a reason at
all!”, and then looked abashed when she realized I actually did want to exercise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">After talking it through she agreed to the biopsy and we
selected one of the bumps to remove. She injected my finger, asked how it felt
(cold, I thought), and then immediately started into the biopsy before the painkiller
could numb the area. It hurt! She apologized a few times that it was painful,
but she kept right at it. After the procedure was completed, she explained what
had happened. Apparently, lidocaine can cause mast cells to degranulate so,
to ensure the best biopsy results, she hit me up with saline instead. I got a
painkiller placebo, ha!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We’ll find out this week what the biopsy says and, if I’m
lucky, my frequency of doctor appointments and consultations will lessen. I have interacted with a doctor at least one time every week thus far in 2021. Seven
times in as many weeks is enough to begin 2021!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>KSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13187688424539380660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524361657567178934.post-77875309103745235952020-12-25T22:09:00.001-05:002020-12-25T22:09:44.013-05:00Whomptons Got Talent!<p>For Good Cheer 2020, the Ethical Society hosted a talent show, in which members were encouraged to send in short videos of their many talents which would be shared out with the wider community. I immediately started thinking of all the talents the Whomptons might showcase and badgered the family until we got them done. We all know that Krystal's talent is overcommitting, and that's exactly what we did. While Raina is not featured explicitly in many videos, her handiwork is in almost all of them, either as the videographer or the Adobe Premiere expert. We asked her to put together a video of her visual artwork and she repeatedly said no. Alas.</p><p>Here are the entries we submitted in order of their creation.</p><p>1. Samantha broke her "number of books read in a single year" record and it was worthy of celebration. 200+ books is a lot of books, y'all. Eric read a record number of books in 2020 too. Honest to goodness, he's voluntarily choosing to curl up with a book in the bed. We're rubbing off on him!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxagGc6oVqtRCBDaa5Gx5JWl24FdSR8AGykyseiOUD_0xSKlQ4GIOutSbxmK6qOeML75gqTt4ihaKfDdfmSBA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>2. We have a silly habit of breaking out into song in response to most any opportunity and, even more silly, it's with a set of spontaneously adapted lyrics to a song's melody. Imagine a much less skillful Weird Al and you've got the Whomptons. We debated sharing some of those songs and then decided no one would get it. Instead we went for a song that we sing frequently during the winter months: "Suzy Snowflake." </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzzRTnBAEqkQpLc7JbcEfrwMozEwDLkdMeLUG33tutKeBvKNz-qBWfJfzN4X709dCELdqd7hZOu-PE2fYlWZQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p>3. Samantha and I frequently sang songs together as kids and definitely as adults in the car. Two years ago, she had two surgeries on her throat and one of the procedures damaged her vocal cords rather significantly. Initially it was challenging for her to talk at her normal volume and she was unable to project her voice with any authority; she finally regained her ability to sing (with a more limited vocal range) within the past year. I wanted to have a video with she and I singing together, if she was willing, and we tried multiple songs until we found one that fit within her range and was within our collective skill set. Our first pick was Reba McEntire's "Fancy" but we decided that a song about prostituting one's daughter probably wasn't appropriate for an Ethical Society holiday special, ha! "Lean on Me" was easily shortened and it had the fewest number of sustained notes which Samantha needed for breath support. In the end, we submitted an outtake because it amused us to no end. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwx4VEzZasZtsD12uL8OnKVe0PKf-CEIlZp20TQqahQ_M5DeV5jkRZwPyPqIUiwPhyQAb5Yzv4zdYS5SHH0Ew' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />4. Eric has incredible singing talent and he casually mentioned that he *might* put together a video. He asked the Whompton women to take a walk and give him 30 minutes in the house by himself; by the end, he had recorded this rendition of Queen's "Somebody to Love." Eric has missed doing music -- it's one of the things that COVID and Kate Lovelady's retirement have shuttered -- so it was really exciting for him to pull out a Freddie Mercury cover. <p></p><p>True story: his workplace had a talent competition at the same time, Eric submitted his video, and came in 2nd place!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eeTuOdMbfnA" width="320" youtube-src-id="eeTuOdMbfnA"></iframe></div><br /><p>5. Lola has been a basketball sabbatical for the past 9 months and she wasn't certain whether she still could make her shots. On a nice weather day, she and Eric claimed an outside court and tried it out. Turns out that she retained more skills than she had thought. This video is a single take, with the instructions to keep making shots until she missed one. It took her a while. :)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyY8-quplnrPLQdk3Hd4FcY5D6c4slrvQkwcsKxbp0DNspx29LrvJeApS518bKl8u7YruHuasP4ikTjpHCaow' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>KSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13187688424539380660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524361657567178934.post-59975428053454219062020-12-25T21:18:00.001-05:002020-12-25T21:18:36.190-05:00Laundry<p>When Eric arrived at college he did not know how to do his
own laundry. It’s actually one of my first real memories of him: he was walking
around Beaumont 3 with his basket of clothes and looking for advice. I bailed
him out with the easiest instructions ever – just wash everything on cold, it
will be fine! – and wondered how someone could be 18 years old without having
done their own laundry before.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Fast forward multiple years: it is no surprise that, in our
house, each person is responsible for their own laundry. To build that capacity
in Raina and Lola required an escalating set of age-appropriate tasks: put
everything in the basket, bring your basket out of your room, take your basket
to the washing machine, toss everything in the machine (for a while at this
stage they were not tall enough to start the machine themselves), and then they
were 100% responsible for their own laundry by age 10. They would need
reminders to do their laundry and especially about washing their own sheets and
blankets, but they have the routine down now and they are competent with the
skills.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What would end up happening, though, is every Whompton would
wait until the weekend to do their individual laundry and suddenly we’d have 10
loads of laundry to do. Even worse, people would forget on Saturday, and then
there would be 10 loads of laundry needing to be done on Sunday. Even worse
than that, Krystal is notorious for forgetting to progress the laundry, so one
of her loads would pause the system and slow the whole process. (In our house,
not moving laundry out of the washer into the dryer or neglecting to pull your
last load out of the dryer is known as “pulling a Krystal.”)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">All in all, the system needed improvement. A month or so
into the pandemic shutdown we devised a new method and it has worked
wonderfully. Each person has their own designated day for laundry and, on that
day, no one will fight you for the laundry machines or nag you to progress your
laundry. (Community laundry has its own day too and Lola has that individual
chore on Mondays.) Each person has 24 hours to get the job done that week and
you can run as many or as few loads as you need. At this point, we each have a
strong association of which day is ours and there have been very few hiccups.
There is no nagging, no frustration about running out of time, and fewer
instances of yelling at Krystal; devising this plan for laundry has done
wonders for improving overall happiness in the house. Clear expectations work!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>KSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13187688424539380660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524361657567178934.post-80253435966400715942020-12-19T16:39:00.004-05:002020-12-19T16:44:35.317-05:002020: A Whompton Recap <p>The continuous meme storm of 2020's horribleness are amusing and can be one way to approach a 2020 recap. Despite all the ups and downs of 2020, the Whomptons had a good year. Here's a recap of our life before COVID (pre mid-March 2020) and after.</p><p><b>STEM experiences</b></p><p>Both Raina and Lola embraced STEM opportunities in 2020. In February, Raina participated in the <a href="https://chemistry.wustl.edu/outreach#:~:text=Catalysts%20for%20Change%20is%20an,women%20in%20the%20STEM%20disciplines.">Catalysts for Change</a> program through Washington University as well as continuing the lead programmer role for the Rampunzel robotics team. Rampunzel had a rough season: they competed once and then had the remainder of their meets were snowed out, and this new season has a rocky start due to COVID. It's hard to build a robot in a shared space in a socially distanced way, especially with so many of the students doing remote learning. </p><p>Lola also had a series of STEM Saturdays in February, where she did introductory coding, construction, and other engineering challenges. The program was offered through Parkway and it was awesome for her to connect with other 5th graders at other schools. Lola wears Raina's Catalysts for Change shirt, her own STEM Saturday shirt, and a funny Math Counts t-shirt each week. </p><p>Over the summer all of Lola's summer camps were cancelled so we searched for COVID safe alternatives. The Girl Scouts offered a series of virtual camps, where they sent all the materials to your house and then you zoomed in with everyone else to do the activities. Lola did multiple STEM oriented Girl Scout camps this summer and they staved off the boredom just a little bit.</p><p><b>Eric's Knees</b></p><div>Two-plus years ago Eric tore his ACL and meniscus playing basketball, and the doctors didn't catch it. After time and rest the pain would ease some, he'd go out and play again, and then reinjure himself. As a basketball coach for Lola's teams, there were multiple opportunities for this to happen! Eventually he went out to get another opinion and they determined that he did, indeed, have a rather serious injury that would require surgery to repair. </div><div><br /></div><div>Because the surgery puts the patient out of commission for so long, he planned on doing it immediately after our planned beach trip in July but, of course, COVID shifted those plans aside. He rescheduled the surgery for September and, despite some extraordinary swelling issues, has come out of the procedure and recovery process quite well. He progressed from being horizontal nearly all the time, to painfully using two crutches, to confidently using two crutches, to using a cane, to gingerly walking, to walking the length of our street, to walking over a mile. Eric has diligently performed his PT exercises -- he hates a blue water filled ball, just ask him! -- but it has paid off because his doctor has now cleared him to lightly jog on a track! He's weeks ahead of schedule and it's remarkable the transformation 3 months has made.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRXhq1pBpfDSlFerfGV_7g7jUo8jICxNzcOktfKnj8q2st4Fe9ZB0s_ublLVrBbkrhm6zDWQjudmaInt_rMBUTvfC3eIkCWHT2kdpdqmVQ9jq0baTpPHMAgmEywRVpOZCyskWf4iPQrLI/s2048/IMG_20200906_090940.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRXhq1pBpfDSlFerfGV_7g7jUo8jICxNzcOktfKnj8q2st4Fe9ZB0s_ublLVrBbkrhm6zDWQjudmaInt_rMBUTvfC3eIkCWHT2kdpdqmVQ9jq0baTpPHMAgmEywRVpOZCyskWf4iPQrLI/s320/IMG_20200906_090940.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We took our final full-family hike two weekends before his surgery.<br />Bootleggers Trail in Creve Coeur Park</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwFVowOGfaWS2wcUIZ3O0QjoM7Z4ESQsp2gpdEBdNSr9_Bt7MQbQQEUUOZhRcoBFcqQOcP8zgTlyLpJ2wXJURhC3oqlIeLmv9J_kBYqsSYRBMCU21fEGaN85ZdIyFemwr0fJJ_kQNsoE9/s2048/PXL_20200928_194308091.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzwFVowOGfaWS2wcUIZ3O0QjoM7Z4ESQsp2gpdEBdNSr9_Bt7MQbQQEUUOZhRcoBFcqQOcP8zgTlyLpJ2wXJURhC3oqlIeLmv9J_kBYqsSYRBMCU21fEGaN85ZdIyFemwr0fJJ_kQNsoE9/s320/PXL_20200928_194308091.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eric took a series of photos to document the swelling of his knee. Just over one week in here.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><p><b>Lola and Basketball</b></p><p>Lola is/was a three season basketball player -- spring, summer, winter -- and she played for her 5th grade team as well as playing up at 6th grade. She further developed her step back shot, her 3 point shooting, and left handed layups. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwYoksnGKR-eM17IMU439DNAteli2jbJJQ1wHu19pbmcuWkqOeuqvh5_NbKpdpvU-BWk-UtwIVOVqh8tKqX5KNGrrdOQLk1Y64v9WQkXy8LZmLpjfB8aoZf6etMN4ThrFve4tin7Bi87n/s2048/IMG_20200126_105456.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwYoksnGKR-eM17IMU439DNAteli2jbJJQ1wHu19pbmcuWkqOeuqvh5_NbKpdpvU-BWk-UtwIVOVqh8tKqX5KNGrrdOQLk1Y64v9WQkXy8LZmLpjfB8aoZf6etMN4ThrFve4tin7Bi87n/s320/IMG_20200126_105456.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lola was selected as MVP of her team and her team placed second in her first travel tournament!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b>Lola's Knees</b><br />Lola battled knee pain off and on in 2019 and early 2020. We tried knee braces and focused strength training to improve the situation, but it wasn't enough. Sweet girl was diagnosed with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osgood%E2%80%93Schlatter_disease#:~:text=Osgood%E2%80%93Schlatter%20disease%20(OSD),a%20few%20weeks%20to%20months.">Osgood Schlatter disease</a> -- somewhat like growing pains centered in the knee -- and rest, physical therapy, and time are the only things to improve it. Theoretically once Lola stops growing in height the pain will stop. It's a catch-22 situation though. She cannot really play basketball or run or even walk long distances because it hurts too badly -- Lola has spent the past 9 months mostly sedentary as she waits to heal -- but she wants to keep growing taller so she will have a longer basketball career and so she can be taller than Raina. As we approach the end of 2020, her knees have improved enough that she can walk 3 miles and she doesn't need to ice her knees afterwards. This is a notable development, and we're hoping for further healing!</div><div><br /></div><div><p><b>Raina and the Theatre</b></p><p>While in Middle School, Raina worked lights and/or stage managed multiple times a year: the Middle School Talent Show, the 7th/8th grade play, and Summer Stock. The Upper School presents four shows a year and Raina was queued up to work two of them: the all school musical <i>9 to 5</i> and the 9th/10th grade play <i>Romeo and Juliet</i>. She did all the tech and lighting work for <i>9 to 5</i> and it was supposed to open the first week of March. Due to illness within the cast, the show got postponed and rescheduled, postponed and rescheduled, and then finally was closed due to the COVID shutdown. Raina did multiple tech weeks where she was at school until 11 PM and it was so sad that the show never got to be seen by an audience. <i>Romeo and Juliet</i> was the spring show and it, too, was cancelled.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNzJA8hCDfrGofeS5AQYfBTq1zUvQXwR0Dzi1erF4pt7XRuj8T_TiMYb3FJH8HoO4WGtYwsG4-jv5LhGjD8xgRLFiijFXyTTPPyi7Ve7RHnmBDQ37eCyUbZmDitGs8OYGuRILzDdkfrLf0/s2048/9to5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1426" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNzJA8hCDfrGofeS5AQYfBTq1zUvQXwR0Dzi1erF4pt7XRuj8T_TiMYb3FJH8HoO4WGtYwsG4-jv5LhGjD8xgRLFiijFXyTTPPyi7Ve7RHnmBDQ37eCyUbZmDitGs8OYGuRILzDdkfrLf0/s320/9to5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raina with the <i>9 to 5</i> tech crew</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />This fall, Raina joined Seldom Scene, an activity group that builds the sets for the Upper School shows. She's really enjoying hanging the lights, using the saws, and hanging out with a friend in a socially distanced and productive way. She's planning on doing tech for whatever shows actually happen in the 2020-21 year.</p></div><div><div><b>Lola and Music</b></div><div>As a 3rd - 5th grader, Lola stopped playing the piano and took up the violin. She also sang in the Ross Elementary and All District Choirs. She had a month long illness that really knocked her out in February, so she missed this year's All District Choir concert, but she did perform in the All District Strings Ensemble, which was a really cool performance experience. The video is of "Ode to Joy."</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiQPwOSye-wPGthyphenhyphenMi0x1rbIglfqBzvC4mw53FI2qwUV0NBXmNoxt9h4sxqyz1VDlg8U05-wfI6h6Rs7n5VpeYkDquXsk2B6DslNhcQJwVux9Us1xsOXlUnAe4Z1Cc0yy3bW0Q8-cLsld/s2048/IMG_20200310_183720969.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiQPwOSye-wPGthyphenhyphenMi0x1rbIglfqBzvC4mw53FI2qwUV0NBXmNoxt9h4sxqyz1VDlg8U05-wfI6h6Rs7n5VpeYkDquXsk2B6DslNhcQJwVux9Us1xsOXlUnAe4Z1Cc0yy3bW0Q8-cLsld/s320/IMG_20200310_183720969.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lola finds her seat in the Family Arena for the All District Strings performance.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyhHHTNeg3wvfNCsVPHKWrKTm3pPLTdgw-UUPY300OkEC8-bKexUcqvjRiwVTn3a8n4QCZs4KsQCQvhqO6bRw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />As a 6th grader, Lola was forced to narrow her arts focus to a single music, which was an agonizing decision for her because she enjoyed choir and orchestra and she wanted to try band. She decided to pivot and join the Parkway NEMS band as a flautist. Raina handed over her flute to Lola and spent time this summer teaching her essential elements of the instrument; Lola has improved steadily this school year and she uses Samantha's bedroom as her practice space. It's interesting how we've made virtual school work!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJH-IlksE1q8qZ0_ySvYA5bXtY4SQ8_k5rAc8Z66gJOHEsR9uCuzPjqN_5F4brvRGxi15gH5TgWy1TEi5pjlu1aiP5c5TExD9_4EuHVh5aVhGL5KG9p_FrDA09hOwOlbgh6zgr-TDh87h8/s2048/IMG_20200321_124309.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJH-IlksE1q8qZ0_ySvYA5bXtY4SQ8_k5rAc8Z66gJOHEsR9uCuzPjqN_5F4brvRGxi15gH5TgWy1TEi5pjlu1aiP5c5TExD9_4EuHVh5aVhGL5KG9p_FrDA09hOwOlbgh6zgr-TDh87h8/s320/IMG_20200321_124309.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raina teaching some fingering to Lola<br />Also check out the jam-packed and cluttered nature of our dining room and kitchen! :)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b>Making Masks</b><div>When we went quaranteam, Lola's school day opened up dramatically: she had maybe 2 hours of work to do and then a whole lot of freedom. The incredibly generous and thoughtful Casey Gardonio-Foat lent her a sewing machine, fabric, thread, ribbon, and pattern for mask making. We deployed it all to the kitchen table and Lola made masks for about a month.</div><div><br /></div><div>We've received many compliments on the masks -- especially the polka dotted ones -- and Eric always proudly responds that Lola made them. :) She also shared masks with our elderly neighbors so that they would be protected from COVID too.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUa9sa5rqOzsMapcjM9PneVLR_bT8VQxyeAz6d9Bo1d1VMfYnZ2aJxhWA9tGHwcd2hyyfPptWlAcO1Ib6Sb1Fn_XH7A3z-wmwDlduSy7qlZQf7rnlEZ23dpwLqyBb6KZMJDcLzsrn_WzHP/s2048/IMG_20200330_125606118.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUa9sa5rqOzsMapcjM9PneVLR_bT8VQxyeAz6d9Bo1d1VMfYnZ2aJxhWA9tGHwcd2hyyfPptWlAcO1Ib6Sb1Fn_XH7A3z-wmwDlduSy7qlZQf7rnlEZ23dpwLqyBb6KZMJDcLzsrn_WzHP/s320/IMG_20200330_125606118.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Testing out the sewing machine foot pedal</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZz07Eqt6PtPYXFepApOcRfBU947dP4c5RmD_ulIVt1wXLl_jnIYGsbhZGXXOciMQDQ8GCfjNQMcx5NFziCfoGvpDzNxfXR1cOe3Ck7UcWoAKx8D-DUynqBZggSpXRotsmWeK-hZ9J-Hdc/s2048/IMG_20200405_164546884.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZz07Eqt6PtPYXFepApOcRfBU947dP4c5RmD_ulIVt1wXLl_jnIYGsbhZGXXOciMQDQ8GCfjNQMcx5NFziCfoGvpDzNxfXR1cOe3Ck7UcWoAKx8D-DUynqBZggSpXRotsmWeK-hZ9J-Hdc/s320/IMG_20200405_164546884.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOohH_VkDny27708JZHMRVjSAFrLspzYRViI0rPWs42IT0HdbCvjPdcgUWR34y8v9BO53rSM6Vo7j1wtL4hYmMKE7AOiao8QG8KidllAaIaM0ONamFIgV2oYbE1RogDJotsJDcO3aQjcTd/s2048/IMG_20200407_164252147.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOohH_VkDny27708JZHMRVjSAFrLspzYRViI0rPWs42IT0HdbCvjPdcgUWR34y8v9BO53rSM6Vo7j1wtL4hYmMKE7AOiao8QG8KidllAaIaM0ONamFIgV2oYbE1RogDJotsJDcO3aQjcTd/s320/IMG_20200407_164252147.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some finished products!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b>End of 5th grade</b></div><div>Lola did not have the traditional Ross Elementary 5th grade graduation experience. That's okay. Instead, she submitted photos of herself as a 5th grader for a memory book (selections below) and had a farewell parade. Frankly, it was a low key and nice way to end the year. The downside is that she doesn't have her handprint permanently painted on the Ross Elementary wall.<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6lhsdeOiZlxDWFtAhlBVJMUo1a8n7eG2OJgVomi3DFxBOxzrdC8IrPBvGvYWUyOhRW_epxDuO01Zc2g8i0PfbMa-PPEKIeok7WhC_3bGuhypUiZil4BAqu2pwHiDcGe7EiqaA7eD7y3V/s2048/IMG_20200428_174905.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6lhsdeOiZlxDWFtAhlBVJMUo1a8n7eG2OJgVomi3DFxBOxzrdC8IrPBvGvYWUyOhRW_epxDuO01Zc2g8i0PfbMa-PPEKIeok7WhC_3bGuhypUiZil4BAqu2pwHiDcGe7EiqaA7eD7y3V/s320/IMG_20200428_174905.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's grown tremendously -- physically, mentally, emotionally -- this year. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUD7LTi2JbFzNyEYbonGeJO9vP5rAsSkW-qaluAobGJuqu_y2fQ3oLH21_0ujRhm0w02x365tBy3NvjXHt9fL2hF0Sh6yGG7u10af5mJ9eb7O668DSgqp_ylVcbhFtLsf0AHbGiRKe5Ig/s2048/IMG_20200520_130759.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUD7LTi2JbFzNyEYbonGeJO9vP5rAsSkW-qaluAobGJuqu_y2fQ3oLH21_0ujRhm0w02x365tBy3NvjXHt9fL2hF0Sh6yGG7u10af5mJ9eb7O668DSgqp_ylVcbhFtLsf0AHbGiRKe5Ig/s320/IMG_20200520_130759.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We suited up in our Ross Elementary gear for her 5th grade graduation parade.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq13DuN7zgxWxlWZSRNyzzceTen74PxIvuh1Z4XytQH-GBmxMxcGrOC7USOWEt6vIdIfp3MNWRntaE0kX19bfFstHYZsuBkgjOqwkTchoyiMwooXV3lxeOpRNhPl-bYIkbUtltEYGY6V4e/s2048/IMG_20200520_131327.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq13DuN7zgxWxlWZSRNyzzceTen74PxIvuh1Z4XytQH-GBmxMxcGrOC7USOWEt6vIdIfp3MNWRntaE0kX19bfFstHYZsuBkgjOqwkTchoyiMwooXV3lxeOpRNhPl-bYIkbUtltEYGY6V4e/s320/IMG_20200520_131327.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And we watched proudly as she said thank you and goodbye to her elementary school. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b>School Year 2020-21</b></div><div>The Whomptons intended for Lola to attend Ross Elementary so that she could develop friendships with people in the neighborhood and then for her to return to MICDS at 6th grade. The trade-off, of course, is that Lola wouldn't want to leave her new friends or the new community she was a part of, so by 5th grade we were questioning that initial life plan. Maybe she should continue with her Parkway classmates and attend Parkway Northeast Middle for 6th grade. We still had her apply to MICDS just in case. Midway through her 5th grade year we learned there was a Parkway Academy for gifted students and her Gifted Teacher thought she would be a good fit. Suddenly, Lola had three schools she was considering: MICDS, Parkway NEMS, and the Mosaics Academy at Parkway West. </div><div><br /></div><div>To say she was stressed about the decision would be a monumental understatement. Honestly, the stress of this decision combined with a month-long illness in January/February broke her emotionally. It was rough. In the end, she chose to attend Parkway Northeast and she was excited about the new opportunities and new paths she would chart for herself. She got into the Project-Based Learning team at NEMS and she looked forward to doing interesting and real-life projects (Her parents were super impressed by the NEMS principal!) <br /><br />Lola was absolutely distraught when we came back to her in July and told her she had to make another school decision. She could attend a Parkway Virtual School for the entire year OR she could attend NEMS in person and do the back-and-forth and uncertainty of COVID protocols, quarantines, and shutdowns. After weighing the decision for a while, she committed to Virtual School for the year. We redesigned her bedroom to make it a classroom space and prepared for the virtual year. It hasn't been perfect, but it has been much better than last year, and she has thrived on the predictability of her schedule. </div><div><br /></div><div>Raina had a similar decision to make: return in person to MICDS or do a remote learning experience. The in-person offering was to have a week on-campus and then a week off-campus on Zoom, and the week was determined by grade level. Raina's response was immediate and without hesitation -- she was doing virtual learning, end of story. Her course schedule is atypical: she has only 3 traditional 10th grade classes, and she refused to come to campus on the 10th grade week only to have to zoom into her 11th and 12th grade classes. </div><div><br /></div><div>Both girls admit that virtual school is not ideal but there are aspects of it that they really, really like. They love sleeping in, making their own lunch and eating when they want, wearing whatever they want, having their "free" periods actually being free time, and not having to spend their time waiting on other people for transportation purposes, etc. Lola in particular loves that the teachers can mute disruptive students. </div><div><br /></div><div>Krystal had a fair amount of uncertainty about whether to return back to teaching this school year; the COVID impacts were vast and the health risks did not seem worth it. We worked the numbers and determined that if MICDS didn't offer other alternatives I could quit and we'd still financially be okay. Thankfully it did not come to that, and I successfully negotiated to work/teach from home for this school year. There was a pay reduction that accompanied working from home and negotiations for that took months, which did not help my stress level at all. I'm grateful to continue to be at MICDS and, while it was a notable adjustment, I have enjoyed working from home this year.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Raina's first AP test</b></div><div>Raina took the AP Calculus AB test in the spring and she earned a 5 on it! WOW, Raina! She repeatedly assures me that it's not that big of a deal since she's taking the BC test this year, that the BC score is what colleges will look at with emphasis instead. Who cares?! Earning a 5 on any AP test is wicked impressive!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Raina's social life</b></div><div>Raina has an amazing group of friends who are intelligent, curious, and compassionate, and who push her introverted self to try new experiences. She attended the winter formal in early 2020, and that is not something Raina would volunteer to do on her own, for sure. (She refused to let us take pictures, so no documentation on our end.) They have gathered together in socially distant ways for birthdays and holiday celebrations over the past 9 months. It's been wonderful.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Raina can drive!</b></div><div>Raina turned 15 in May and, after the shut-down order was lifted, she took her learner's permit test. She now has the legal authority to get behind the wheel, but she has close to zero desire to do so. We have pressured her to drive in multiple parking lots (they were empty during the shut-down, which helped a lot) but she has refused to drive on actual roads yet. Some of her friends have now turned 16 and they are driving on their own. It boggles my mind that Raina is old enough to drive, and is totally unsurprising that she sees the possible risks and has decided to pass for right now. There's still plenty of time to further develop this skill. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Summer jobs</b></div><div>Both Raina and Lola had summer jobs! Raina interned for a start-up company Neptune; she learned how to code with React and she built the general framework for an app. She went to work at 8 AM each day by going downstairs and opening the computer. :) Lola helped our friend Bob Heck with his lawn, pool, fence, and general clean-up tasks. Bob was wonderful; giving Lola this basic framework for her day got her out of the house with purpose. There were enough tasks for one of Lola's friends to join, so they worked together daily for a good month or so. Lola and Bob developed a really sweet relationship and she has walked over to Bob's since just so she can visit with him and see their cutesy pup Bailey.</div><div><br /><b>Regular ways to stay occupied</b></div><div>Once the quarantine went into effect, all Whomptons shuttered in the house. Each person had a designated space in the house -- Krystal in the upstairs living room, Eric in the dining room or bedroom, Lola in her bedroom, Raina and Samantha in the downstairs living room -- and we strived to occupy ourselves within those restrictions. You'd think that playing board games would happen in this scenario but we didn't have any more table space to devote to it! Instead, we deployed the card game Set and played it frequently as a single-to-five player game. We're now planning <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cooperative-Adventure-Kosmos-Missions-Trick-Taking/dp/B084GP7X3P#:~:text=A%20modern%20twist%20on%20the,players%20win%20or%20lose%20together.">The Crew</a>, which is an awesome adaptable cooperative card game that has occupied us after dinner each night for a month. We did multiple puzzles. Sister Strolls became a regular occurrence: Krystal and Samantha walked together usually twice a day, Raina and Lola walked together once a day. We kept accounts of surveillance kitties and the baby deer in the neighborhood. Krystal gave frequent reports of seeing triplet fawns but Samantha refused to believe such amazingness existed. :) </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7H30HfqA17oCpFXxxx5Rcvcg5FMj5qQnrg2NjMfdzU8nNvhhXxgyIY7ywAYRGBv-lOHZlsx9GNcTuHSWHsdYSqMo5zLCUkGjRV1Vjsck1dsxaDYOyvau1dQUQ55s_g1_7OU_tfyJV4Peu/s2048/IMG_20200610_061134709_HDR+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7H30HfqA17oCpFXxxx5Rcvcg5FMj5qQnrg2NjMfdzU8nNvhhXxgyIY7ywAYRGBv-lOHZlsx9GNcTuHSWHsdYSqMo5zLCUkGjRV1Vjsck1dsxaDYOyvau1dQUQ55s_g1_7OU_tfyJV4Peu/s320/IMG_20200610_061134709_HDR+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got close and personal with this sweet one on a daily walk</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Samantha and Krystal joined a walking challenge and logged hundreds of miles over two months. I had no idea that walking in Saint Louis summer heat could be so pleasant! After traversing the same streets over and over again, we aimed to put our feet on streets we'd not explored before. We've now walked through many of the neighborhoods within a 3 miles radius of our home and have an ever deeper appreciation for the amazing place where we live. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Showing our values</b></div><div>On the whole, we chose not to interact with people and to stay away from crowds. We broke that general rule to participate in multiple Black Lives Matter marches and vigils this summer. The Parkway Schools and MICDS held events and we marched in solidarity as members of both communities. This summer marked the first time we really saw other neighbors putting Black Lives Matter signs in their yards and, additionally, was the first time a BLM march passed by our street. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YLZ5qEzWA9MFp2YiKyq9jII48GaWbwm2lZqh1vpvXnZxMV4J8aTzsKmDXbfkKkCRg6xBleuBUAIIP2XpdLmRGnTjE5zWjqQrWAc01-_bEDTl_zfw-alzdbomvfxwsVCsoo7qWbLXaRzD/s2048/IMG_20200620_112538.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3YLZ5qEzWA9MFp2YiKyq9jII48GaWbwm2lZqh1vpvXnZxMV4J8aTzsKmDXbfkKkCRg6xBleuBUAIIP2XpdLmRGnTjE5zWjqQrWAc01-_bEDTl_zfw-alzdbomvfxwsVCsoo7qWbLXaRzD/s320/IMG_20200620_112538.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The majority of our signs stay at the Ethical Society, so we had to make new ones. Raina did a remarkable job creating the BLM fist. We're congregating with the Parkway North community here.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLaXWq0YCz64R4Ic7IzTi2rG2yOLsAMCQInM5rpm3suZ9paQ2iXHpO01DgC27HGvMcA2TS2SaGJZLPlgubfnP6v_f9QYNdPogY9fL51-QrdKRh0wPIJ1Qo7xfDkHImTmZpl4N1-ZN6W_q/s2048/IMG_20200620_124412.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLaXWq0YCz64R4Ic7IzTi2rG2yOLsAMCQInM5rpm3suZ9paQ2iXHpO01DgC27HGvMcA2TS2SaGJZLPlgubfnP6v_f9QYNdPogY9fL51-QrdKRh0wPIJ1Qo7xfDkHImTmZpl4N1-ZN6W_q/s320/IMG_20200620_124412.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marching on Ross Avenue, just about to pass our street</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE3XGEtabTMSfSJ35Lw0fEgYZCWe7weJ_2fvNXPTdnmahtRQZOJ2OlL0O8hpdJQCugAM5lFsJyBnDjdnGUQ7tUNj9srVYSHS6yNVJRjAUJCzzhGun-KIlQNE0Ueqndd_lqyZlVbqK9vTx6/s2048/IMG_20200719_132730.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE3XGEtabTMSfSJ35Lw0fEgYZCWe7weJ_2fvNXPTdnmahtRQZOJ2OlL0O8hpdJQCugAM5lFsJyBnDjdnGUQ7tUNj9srVYSHS6yNVJRjAUJCzzhGun-KIlQNE0Ueqndd_lqyZlVbqK9vTx6/s320/IMG_20200719_132730.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marching on Warson Road with the MICDS community<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>June and Pride Month arrived and Raina inquired why we didn't have a pride flag up at our house. We rectified that situation quickly and then didn't take it down for months. Why should we? That rainbow flag brings joy each time I see it. We do not have a trans pride flag yet so that's the next one to acquire. <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2etcPMQnprvuVk-KX68sbev5nBJIYa8UFK6wacAJ8cEMhICJJO1EjCQ3D1ss-I0kUKMj5dZAYWQOP3lk3crQ_qX2lOU3UJWQ0gqjJ8Bn74_o55tEZgoOancCepB9-VngyimZIrwHMz5Y/s2048/IMG_20200712_152159428_HDR+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc2etcPMQnprvuVk-KX68sbev5nBJIYa8UFK6wacAJ8cEMhICJJO1EjCQ3D1ss-I0kUKMj5dZAYWQOP3lk3crQ_qX2lOU3UJWQ0gqjJ8Bn74_o55tEZgoOancCepB9-VngyimZIrwHMz5Y/s320/IMG_20200712_152159428_HDR+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>On the Ethical Society front, Krystal concluded her Board service, helped revise an American Ethical Union resolution about racial injustice, and fundraised for the Uganda Humanist Schools Trust. Unfortunately, due to stress causing Krystal to have anaphylactic reactions, she had to step down from various responsibilities as a way to minimize stress, which included stepping down from the NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri Board. It was incredibly disheartening but was the right thing to do. </div><div><br /></div><div>The other main way we put values into action this year was with political activism. Together, Krystal and Samantha wrote 200 letters to voters in Texas, 300 postcards to voters in Florida and Georgia, called thousands of people to encourage voting for Medicaid expansion and Jill Schupp for Congress. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGw7YQCdh86KVPKYxBOvbWSW9HcIxFoy4TFNo7Mf7xgUK7fWHvmhM9q5hY3c9Oa3he2cskDqYNMSaj3bdtWGZ6uTPcFIszpLhoTvcCpGQEXf02mF0QscLI2I6pBl82ma6RXP3UIwAWpv_/s2048/IMG_20201017_091429936_HDR+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGw7YQCdh86KVPKYxBOvbWSW9HcIxFoy4TFNo7Mf7xgUK7fWHvmhM9q5hY3c9Oa3he2cskDqYNMSaj3bdtWGZ6uTPcFIszpLhoTvcCpGQEXf02mF0QscLI2I6pBl82ma6RXP3UIwAWpv_/s320/IMG_20201017_091429936_HDR+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What 200 get out the vote letters looks like</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEB6yG47SP6qNMstmi3Fi0_5ClbfpWHO7r7T7wWmyXHhvKDkOxs-PI0eRBNcH9zhC_GtVa_EM4y35PUS4uWhoSL_NGEtGsv4I0QO6nZJLBJSn3gHSbsoSf9QWxrH8LYDXv4eDSUS9veTR8/s2048/IMG_20201016_073624568_HDR+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEB6yG47SP6qNMstmi3Fi0_5ClbfpWHO7r7T7wWmyXHhvKDkOxs-PI0eRBNcH9zhC_GtVa_EM4y35PUS4uWhoSL_NGEtGsv4I0QO6nZJLBJSn3gHSbsoSf9QWxrH8LYDXv4eDSUS9veTR8/s320/IMG_20201016_073624568_HDR+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We've had this magnet for over 15 years now and it felt very relevant this time around.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><b>Neighbors</b></div><div>We have three sets of elderly neighbors who live directly across from us: Susan and Clarence, Eileen and Mickey, and Dolores. Over the years, we've claimed various tasks for them to make life just a bit easier and to help them be able to age in place. This year saw us saying good-bye to some of them. Eileen passed away in March, and we were uncertain how long Mickey would last without her. His health has declined and he spent some time in hospital and rehabilitation facilities this fall. He's back home now with 24 hour care, which is more intervention than he wants probably, but is a reasonable compromise between living at home and being in an assisted living facility.</div><div><br /></div><div>Dolores moved out earlier this month and is now in an assisted living facility. We were grateful to have the opportunity to visit with her again before she moved and we hope to be able to see her at her new place once the COVID risk has lessened.</div><div><br /></div><div>Susan and Clarence's daughter Kelly has battled brain cancer off-and-on for years, and these last three years have been especially rough for them. She moved back in with Susan and Clarence and, as the disease progressed, she required significant care. The entire situation was heartbreaking. Kelly passed away this month and her parents are grappling with the relief they feel that she's no longer suffering and the overwhelming grief that she's no longer with us. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Finding Joy</b></div><div>Our family has the tradition that the birthday person gets to choose the special birthday meal. Eric requested Derby Pie and homemade bread for his birthday and we aimed to please. Samantha somewhat successfully made the pie but I had to throw away the bread dough because our oven died. Luckily Eric was able to revive it by ordering parts online and watching YouTube videos so we could avoid random people in our house at the start of the COVID shutdown! </div><div><br /></div><div>Raina's and Krystal's birthday celebration was take-out from our favorite Thai restaurant and homemade s'mores bars. (We get takeout from MICDS everyday in the pandemic, but Thai takeout is a special treat.) Eric and Krystal celebrated anniversary #19 by visiting the Mississippi bottoms and joining the sunflower selfie club. :)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkiyyR1eDYqNhrINueDRM6iJWnw9sSlagRKcZuXMlfxPn4b5-XU_QjNU-frXQhktUr1tYCSMhQETLhRz7cIQbsI4fKl2ECEVCSSQXzWLLnz72Azo_T4lFVNLAzEA9rIZqGV8FP74u5rxt/s2048/IMG_20200802_191224.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkiyyR1eDYqNhrINueDRM6iJWnw9sSlagRKcZuXMlfxPn4b5-XU_QjNU-frXQhktUr1tYCSMhQETLhRz7cIQbsI4fKl2ECEVCSSQXzWLLnz72Azo_T4lFVNLAzEA9rIZqGV8FP74u5rxt/s320/IMG_20200802_191224.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Diggity Dog</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Whomptons have spent an inordinate amount of time with the dog in these past 9 months, which means that we have trained him to 1. go into his kennel each time he barks and 2. follow people around every time an apple appears. Krystal slices up an apple with breakfast, and Raina and Lola make peanut butter and apple sandwiches each day for lunch; with that type of repetition, the dog has associated hearing the apple drawer open and soon after a small piece of apple for him. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One day an apple rolled off the table and Keyboard immediately snatched it up just like a ball. The poor pup couldn't figure out how to eat the apple on his own but he was also unwilling to let it go. He literally bit off more than he could chew. :) He walked around for quite a while as we laughed hysterically at the situation. Eventually we convinced him to drop it and we sliced it into bite-sized chunks. He definitely had earned it! </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMc-5cejgLxEW0w37Rrd7HmtVZkBWWMazfRAhh7u7j4pZJ950zVkfQQcxxDRinam8Og7LrBuYqJ1Pg3OlMbtozSOxvclgdROP1nl6QM58krpEb2kKkqrhyphenhyphenZ6m4sQQ53QMDaCMnpxjRjnQ5/s2048/IMG_20200830_072554822.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMc-5cejgLxEW0w37Rrd7HmtVZkBWWMazfRAhh7u7j4pZJ950zVkfQQcxxDRinam8Og7LrBuYqJ1Pg3OlMbtozSOxvclgdROP1nl6QM58krpEb2kKkqrhyphenhyphenZ6m4sQQ53QMDaCMnpxjRjnQ5/s320/IMG_20200830_072554822.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keyboard's furtive look </td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div><div><b>Mast cell issues</b></div><div>Krystal learned that she had mast cell reactions to more foods but, more notably, that she had them in response to exercise, stress, and routine blood draws. The disease narrows down life, for sure, and it is disheartening to cross possible life experiences off the list for fear of how my body might react. So it goes.</div>KSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13187688424539380660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524361657567178934.post-21049739008270153592020-12-16T05:43:00.001-05:002020-12-16T05:47:19.564-05:00Adapting Thanksgiving Traditions<p>The Whomptons have few family traditions but our
Thanksgiving tradition is well established: we go on a hike (usually at
Castlewood State Park) and then we have lunch at the Indian buffet (usually
Flavor of India). Last year we had to audible part of this tradition because
Flavor of India permanently closed (!) so we tried a different Indian
restaurant instead.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This year we had some obstacles to overcome to make our
Thanksgiving tradition a reality. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Eric had his ACL and meniscus surgically
repaired in September and he has been slowly regaining full mobility and
strength in his knee. While steady improvements have been made, he is not
anywhere close to hiking yet. So we needed to find a trek that was relatively
flat and short.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Then it rained for four days straight in Saint
Louis. We needed to find a trek that was relatively flat, short in distance,
and was paved. No one was signing up for a mud hike!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>For COVID safety reasons, we’re not eating in a
restaurant, and we certainly are not eating in a buffet restaurant! Double
contagion risk! Also last year’s Thanksgiving buffet meal caused me to have
vomiting mastocytosis reactions and I didn’t desire having that experience
twice.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We arrived at the perfect solution: we would hike in Powder
Valley with the awesome Finney family and I would make the Indian buffet
myself. Unfortunately, Powder Valley never opened for us – although we waited
quite patiently – so we audibled to walking Tilles Park instead. Tilles Park
with the holiday lights was not quite a hike, but it was attainable by our
injured and healing family members, so we’re going to count it. Tradition #1
adapted.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Tradition #2 required substantially more work. I know that
all the Indian aunties make their delicious meals with a pressure cooker, so it
became time for me to get one too. I ordered an Instant Pot to be delivered the
Saturday before Thanksgiving, and I spent an entire evening browsing through
online recipes. In the end, I decided to make at least one entrée a day so that
by Thursday there would be enough leftovers and variety in options that it
would be like eating at the Indian buffet.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnt7bwtKn-j5UDFXDeogU8bXt_Cgfx6HHAaIZS680LMDB0twFWctPKfYhtWQ1cjp0I9hELdDqs-0a7EJWIxrpZUgHD6znY6_-tbfxqh4MocSlFHmTDshZJ0hqFcv7Yw8KP_yydvLqmp5D/s2048/PXL_20201126_225050475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnt7bwtKn-j5UDFXDeogU8bXt_Cgfx6HHAaIZS680LMDB0twFWctPKfYhtWQ1cjp0I9hELdDqs-0a7EJWIxrpZUgHD6znY6_-tbfxqh4MocSlFHmTDshZJ0hqFcv7Yw8KP_yydvLqmp5D/s320/PXL_20201126_225050475.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">So the Whompton Thanksgiving dinner menu included samosas
(store-purchased), naan, vegetable curry, aloo saag curry, aloo gobi, lobia
curry, rajma curry, and chana dal. I’ve had tremendous fun playing with my
Instant Pot; it’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed cooking this much. I also
made naan for the first time; I really enjoyed kneading and rolling out the
dough and I was delighted to see the naan be devoured by the household. I never
would have pushed myself to get an Instant Pot and experiment with all these
recipes without 1. the pandemic and 2. a 9 day Thanksgiving break so it was the
perfect confluence of circumstances.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We’re being COVID adaptable over here and the Whomptons experienced Thanksgiving 2020 without any sense of loss or missing out. I'm proud of us.<o:p></o:p></p>KSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13187688424539380660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524361657567178934.post-57250099349740448872020-10-20T18:10:00.003-05:002020-10-20T18:10:45.385-05:00Systemic Mastocytosis: Reflecting on Year 2<p>On this day, the international day of awareness for mast cell diseases,
I post about my disease status and what has changed for me in the past year. It’s
good for me to keep account of how I’m doing and what growth I’ve made. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Two years ago, I received my indolent systemic mastocytosis
diagnosis (SM) and I have spent these past two years trying to figure out my
body. Mostly, my body communicates back to me through r<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">eactions with a range of severity. M<span style="background: white; color: #222222;">y low-level reactions involve itchiness,
headaches, GI discomfort, and joint pain; in between might be temperature
imbalances, lightheadedness, dizziness, and GI distress; my high-level
reactions cause my pulse rate and blood pressure to plummet and I go into </span>anaphylaxis
and shock<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What I have learned over these past
two years is to view my body’s mast cell capacity like a bucket. Each trigger
(heat, stress, food, whatever) causes my body to react varying amounts and,
most importantly, those inflammatory responses are cumulative in filling my masto
bucket. If the bucket reaches max capacity and starts overflowing, then my body
becomes hyper reactive to every stimulus; my mast cells are already inflamed
and on high alert and result in extreme reactions. Something that caused a
minor headache yesterday could be the final thing to fill today’s bucket and
then send me into shock. My various medications are like a hole in the bottom
of the bucket, slowly emptying it out, but the draining process is slow, and it
can take multiple days to dampen a disease flare. It’s much better to just stop
filling the bucket in the first place! Figuring out what fills my masto bucket
has been the major challenge of these past two years.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Through dietary and medication changes, I have mostly
eliminated joint pain, persistent swelling, and inflammation. I can now step
out of bed without having to take multiple wincing attempts to make it from the
bedroom to the bathroom and I can walk long distances essentially without limit
or constraint. The absence of pain is a wonderful gift; it comes from ample
sacrifice, but it’s absolutely worth the trade-offs.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">As a child, I frequently heard the cliché “You are what you
eat.” Now that I have a quicker cause-and-effect response from ingestion of
food to bad reactions, I am absolutely convinced that my individual health is
tied up with what I eat. Through trial-and-error and lots of self-observation,
here’s what I know about myself:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Dairy leads to immediate GI distress, headache,
blood pressure drop, and becoming faint. Eliminating dairy was not too
challenging; as a pseudo-vegan, I rarely ate dairy products anyway. This
summer, we purchased Boca burgers that we assumed were vegan but actually had
cheese in them. My body alerted me immediately that I had ingested dairy, and I
spent the next few hours suffering from it. Now we are extra careful about
which Boca box we grab <span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span> and that dairy is not included in prepared
foods. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Sugar causes immediate headache, inflammation,
and next-day joint pain. The sugar in fruit does not seem to impact me, but white
sugar, honey, molasses, etc., in desserts, jams/jellies, in peanut butter, or
in any way added while cooking causes reactions. This summer I stopped eating a
cereal I had eaten daily for about 10 years because I pinpointed the sugar in
it was causing reactions too. Overall, giving up traditional desserts was
frustrating, but attainable. Instead I switched to just eating chocolate chips
with pretzels as my evening dessert and figured that would be sustainable for
the long-term.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Unfortunately and unsurprisingly, I started
developing reactions to chocolate too. Chocolate leads to immediate headache,
acid reflux within the hour, and delayed joint pain. Additionally, it causes my
right eye to twitch for hours. So weird! I tried to hang onto chocolate by
convincing myself that some other trigger was causing reactions. But once my
body started twitching within the first 2 minutes of eating a chocolate chip, I
could not deceive myself any longer. I gave up chocolate too.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->I had strong suspicions about bread consumption
causing inflammation and joint pain. I don’t react to bread I bake myself, probably
because of carefully limited ingredients (flour, salt, yeast, water), but I
swell up in response to our family’s preferred sandwich bread. It’s highly
possible that this is a sugar reaction but I have not experimented with other
sandwich bread options to test this theory out. (I have not found a
shelf-stable sandwich bread that does not have added sugar, brown sugar, or
molasses in it. If you know one, let me know too!) The worst thing here is that
a standard PB&J sandwich is no longer an option. This meal was a vital one
in my mostly-vegan diet – it’s quick, easy, nutritious, transportable, and
lasts for hours – and losing it has resulted in the greatest amount of
hardship. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: .25in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Eating at restaurants is a risky proposition for
me. The Whomptons traditionally eat at an Indian buffet for major holidays. I
had serious GI reactions to our 2019 Thanksgiving meal, so I have not eaten at
an Indian restaurant since. My favorite Thai dish at my favorite Thai restaurant
betrayed me three separate times in 2020. (I keep hoping that reaction will
change; instead, it just starts earlier and earlier in the meal consumption. So
sad!) It’s not worth experimenting with different food combinations at
different restaurants to figure out what individual ingredients are causing
reactions; instead, it’s easier, safer, and significantly less expensive just
to cook everything at home. At this point, our family has not patronized a
restaurant in months, and I look at meals made outside of our home with
suspicion.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Besides losing PB&J sandwiches, the other most disappointing
loss is losing strenuous aerobic exercise. I can walk, but can no longer run,
jog, do step aerobics, etc., for any sustained length of time without
triggering lightheadedness and, if I really push it, going into shock. As
someone who LOVES to exercise, who has said for years “The best part of
retirement will be exercising for as long as I want each day,” this one is a
soul-crushing blow. On the positive side, COVID meant I wasn’t going to
patronize a gym anyway and, because I now get all my exercise in by walking, I
have explored and appreciated my greater neighborhood area even more.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am on serious antihistamines, so my sense of smell has never
been stronger. The lilac bush season in the spring was simply magical; I could
smell the lilacs from a significant distance away and I rushed to shove my nose
in even closer. I never actively noticed smells before, so this has been an
incredibly happy benefit. Unfortunately, I am also reacting to strong smells
and odors, and I have determined that I react to the smell of rubbing alcohol,
hand sanitizer, and other alcohol-based cleansers and products. This is less-than-ideal
during a pandemic, for sure, and it’s even more reason for me to stay home to
stay safe.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am incredibly grateful to be able to work from home this fall. Keeping
myself and my family safe in this way has greatly reduced my stress load, which
has helped keep my masto bucket from overflowing so frequently. I’m enjoying
family time, daily walks, homemade meals, sleeping in, and being productive in
ways that I want – all items of self-care for me.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Although my life has more limits now than it did two years ago, I
am choosing those limits for myself rather than my body forcing me to accept
them. I am so very appreciative that I have answers and explanations for my body
and that, physically, I am in a much more stable state than I was before. Thank you, modern medicine! Thank you, internet discussion boards! Thank you, MastAttack.org!</span></p>KSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13187688424539380660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524361657567178934.post-71538484178509517532020-09-05T10:19:00.005-05:002020-09-05T10:26:19.179-05:00Appreciating the Beauty Outside<p>COVID-19 has shut down the Whompton engagement with other buildings that are not our own house. An adult enters the grocery store once a week and Target once a quarter; otherwise, we have not physically entered many other buildings since March. Eric is working from home, Krystal is teaching from home, and the girls are schooling from home. Samantha chose to physically return back to school in August, so she's getting out and about much more than the rest of us.</p><p>We're all getting out, though, and the primary mechanism is by foot. Samantha walks the dog twice a day and, pre-COVID, other Whomptons would occasionally join her for one of the walks but it was not a high priority. We'd all get our exercise in other days. Now, during quarantine, we've converted to being daily walkers or runners. </p><p>I average 60 - 65 miles a week of walking, which is one long morning walk and an evening walk with Samantha. In addition to seeing amazing wildlife in my neighborhood -- bunnies, bats, owls, deer, possums, raccoons, and a few times even a coyote! -- I also enjoy many more sunrises. To be fair, in the past, I would often drive to school during sunrise time, but I now have much more time to appreciate them than I did before when zooming past them in my 10 minute drive to MICDS each day. </p><p>The camera on my phone is crap so the colors and lighting are not as gorgeous here as they were in real life but, even so, the pictures are still beautiful. I'm glad that in this stressful time I can still find beauty in the everyday.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQNIr4raOh0cg9iGKWE_g00LP-NBsjrHup42u7dN68mUT2f_LExsgDjGjNEuLgWpJcIds-W1Bed2Nm3vvBaHTE-AVKcf9F23-5NId8RHLZ4KQLMEAYK6zx1yT6DahSaYXaa9vfDiEenx6/s2048/IMG_20200902_062909861_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQNIr4raOh0cg9iGKWE_g00LP-NBsjrHup42u7dN68mUT2f_LExsgDjGjNEuLgWpJcIds-W1Bed2Nm3vvBaHTE-AVKcf9F23-5NId8RHLZ4KQLMEAYK6zx1yT6DahSaYXaa9vfDiEenx6/s320/IMG_20200902_062909861_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1ZzrdvgvO62TBkzboU4JzrCwzD7GhyjHoLWRiW3M09C2W_DSw41jcQVbOZf_8Qfb4dqzgqVE-RcoBGWqgznkuwmGphHbqeCErq94bfuBFP044jRTVqc6f5tYmu95LdGazsQJgSZsEFAu/s2048/IMG_20200611_061351509_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrC_M-SUp96meyxMUhramcQSggTGgife_eg77ScXJKA9uno_zk5l22Uy6JdD7XTQr7iYtqSONe-whdG66iX0FKvElOzwmSVuaFZkqqoQh2_McV2Ufu2w9mb-ynobK-cwhVNFQQaAybrzmw/s2048/IMG_20200610_061134709_HDR+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrC_M-SUp96meyxMUhramcQSggTGgife_eg77ScXJKA9uno_zk5l22Uy6JdD7XTQr7iYtqSONe-whdG66iX0FKvElOzwmSVuaFZkqqoQh2_McV2Ufu2w9mb-ynobK-cwhVNFQQaAybrzmw/s320/IMG_20200610_061134709_HDR+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgro14obfAZPHs5jVeXHIhSr_Jgo_p5IA6U88uMcAuG7sEwLlVvJF_KfknkAPTKGvBEPkfPGUM4UregfOgV7MIXKKvehD-exTa162qEkBFGcHpn5BI0Bl5IwgOvCzFDC-Jc3tDnFwWxCe_V/s2048/IMG_20200610_063933651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgro14obfAZPHs5jVeXHIhSr_Jgo_p5IA6U88uMcAuG7sEwLlVvJF_KfknkAPTKGvBEPkfPGUM4UregfOgV7MIXKKvehD-exTa162qEkBFGcHpn5BI0Bl5IwgOvCzFDC-Jc3tDnFwWxCe_V/s320/IMG_20200610_063933651.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>KSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13187688424539380660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524361657567178934.post-610732696234223432020-08-06T16:34:00.007-05:002020-08-07T08:52:38.610-05:00Brain v. Body: A Conversation<p class="MsoNormal">The weather was absolutely glorious this morning: high 50’s with
a light breeze, which is my favorite running weather. Now, I’ve mostly given up
running of any distances because of joint pain and my suspicions that elevated
heart rate triggers my mast cell reactions. But I’ve been experimenting, just a
little bit, with jogging super short distances and assessing how I feel
afterwards. On the whole, it’s been okay. So, this morning, I mentally prepared
for a nice, long walk, stepped outside in the 56 degrees temp, and thus began a
battle of wills between my Brain and my Body. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Body: <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This weather
is AMAZING! It’s the PERFECT running weather.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Brain:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yep, I agree, it’s really nice. But SHUT IT
on the running talk. Remember, we’re just walking faster today. We’re trying to
beat the pace from the other day and that’s it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Body: <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Okay, okay, no
running. Certainly not on the uphills, anyway. But what about the downhills?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Brain:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>That still seems bad, we shouldn’t do that.
We’re just walking faster! … But walking quickly downhill is kind of irritating
AND our pace would be a bit faster if we weren’t walking for all of it. Maybe a
little jogging would be okay to try?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Body:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>YES! I’m on it! …. See that wasn’t so bad!
That short distance was fine. I feel GREAT!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Brain:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yeah, yeah, I hear you, but that’s all the jogging
you get. We’re speed walking the rest of the way!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Three-ish speed
walking miles later …<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Body:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I’m still feeling fantastic over here AND we’re
on a downhill. That went so well before, you wanna try it again?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Brain:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Well, it *did* feel amazing to run some. Okay,
let’s do it, maybe for a little bit.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Body:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>WHEE! We’re running! I’ve missed this so
much! Let’s keep going, okay?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Brain:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>All right, all right, we’ll go until we reach
the cross street or until we get tired. Sound good?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Body:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>YES, I’m all over this!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">One jogging mile
later …<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Body:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I feel GREAT! Let’s keep going!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Brain:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No, no, no, we reached the end of the street
AND it’s all up hill next. We’re done running today. We need to take it slow
and see how it goes, right? That’s the smart thing to do.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Body:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Right, right, right. And, if I’m being
honest, maybe our feet bones and joints are hurting a *little* bit. Speed
walking up hills it is!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Brain:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Excellent. Let’s speed walk all the way home!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">At home, four walking
miles, and three hours later …<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Brain:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hey Body, did you notice that? Are our legs
a little wobbly?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Body:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Um, maybe a little? But remember we jogged
some today, so maybe they are just a little tired.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Brain:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yeah, you’re probably right. Let’s hydrate
more and put some calories in; let’s see if that makes a difference.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">One sitting hour
later …<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Brain:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hey Body, what do you think? Did it make a
difference?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Body:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Um, not much. To be honest, I’m not feeling
so good over here. I’m cold. Like really cold. Like goose-bumps cold.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Brain:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>But it’s 80 degrees in the house! Okay, let’s
put on a fleece jacket. Not enough? Okay, let’s wrap up in this quilt too.
Better?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">One wrapped up hour
later …<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Body:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>All right, I’ve warmed up. I don’t know what
was going on there.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Brain:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sure, I get you. You know our internal temperature
gauge is always a little off. No big deal. How are the wobbles?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Body: <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Legs are still wobbly. Actually, the head
feels wobbly too. Oh no, the head is all wobbles. SHIT, we’re getting motion
sick from moving our head! This is not good.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Brain:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>SHIT! Gulp some more water now! Sit down, stay
upright, see if that helps.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Body:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Um, it’s not helping much. How long should
we wait before trying rescue meds?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Brain:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I don’t know, a little bit at least. Let’s
give the water a chance to fix it.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Thirty minutes
later …<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Body:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I still feel unsteady in the head and I’m so
SLEEPY. Maybe we should take a nap and we’ll feel better?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Brain:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No, no, no! No naps! That’s a really bad
idea. Let’s try the rescue meds instead and see if that helps.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Body: <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As long as we can lie horizontally while we
wait, I’m cool with that. Lying horizontally gets us in the right position for
an easy slide into napping anyway.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Brain:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>No, no napping, meds only! We cannot tell if
the meds or the napping make a difference if we always do both! Stay awake and
we’ll reassess in a little bit, okay?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Body:<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Got it. Okay, you’re right, no napping. But
I am cold again …<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">And now we’ve reached the current moment in the timeline. I’m
lying on the couch, wrapped up in a blanket, waiting to see if rescue meds make
a difference, and feeling super bitter at my body and brain for deciding that jogging was
a good idea today.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Conclusion: Our running and jogging days are over, it's just not worth the risk. DAMMIT! <span face="" style="font-family: "segoe ui emoji", sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">☹</span></p>-------------------<div><br /></div><div>Follow-up: I wrote this post while waiting for rescue meds round #1 to have an impact. Whatever impact they had wasn't enough. I continued to progress along the anaphylaxis pathway, which for me causes a dramatic drop in blood pressure and a launch into circulatory shock. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was, in a word, scary. I couldn't lift my head off the floor, I was panting with the effort of it and with an inability to get oxygen throughout my body in an effective way. We debated using the EpiPen but didn't want to have to go to the hospital after administering it. You know, COVID and my immunocompromised status make that a bad combination all around.</div><div><br /></div><div>My amazing doctor guided us through the process and suggested a different array of rescue meds at much larger doses. These meds made an immediate difference and, after a little bit, I was able to sit up without notable effort. My amazing family watched over me all night to make certain I wasn't sliding back into shock and I happily let my exhausted body sleep for multiple hours.</div><div><br /></div><div>This morning, I feel absolutely normal. Huzzah for rescue meds!</div><div><br /></div>KSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13187688424539380660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524361657567178934.post-67289121770366027222020-07-07T11:04:00.002-05:002020-07-07T11:05:25.952-05:00Health Care Rigamarole <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, readers of this blog know that I have a rare disease,
systemic mastocytosis (SM), and it affects nearly all parts of my body with
different levels of severity. As a result, I have a whole bunch of doctors who
are managing care for the various portions of my body: primary care, allergist,
dermatologist, hematologist, and a disease specialist up in Michigan who takes
the holistic view. (In my past hunting to figure out what was wrong with me, I
also met multiple times with a cardiologist and rheumatologist.) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the past 6 months or so, my disease has either progressed
enough or flared enough that I’m having frequent GI issues as well. My primary
care physician, upon learning all the GI issues I’m dealing with, immediately referred
me to a gastroenterologist.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Okay, here starts the most recent health care rigamarole.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Technically I have met with this GI doc once before and I
didn’t much like him. He seemed overly confident about his knowledge base,
yeah-yeahed when I talked about SM, and assured me that my issues would resolve
by increasing my fiber intake. (Not true.) I tried calling a second time and I
was told I’d need a colonoscopy for further diagnostic reasons. (Also, not
true, and I would suffer tremendously from a SM flare as a result.) I walked
away feeling that this particular doctor didn’t fully listen to me and he was
falling victim to the Dunning-Kruger effect about my condition (thinking
himself an expert while actually having a very limited knowledge base). For
this guy to be a good match for me would mean that I would need to continuously
feed him information about my disease (over multiple appointments, probably)
and hope that he would be open to learning more so he could provide me better
care. I would need to invest in him and hope that he would be willing to invest
back.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It would be easier for me, frankly, to meet with a GI doc
who already has a substantial knowledge base about my disease and how it
affects the GI system. Turns out, there is a single such doctor in Saint Louis. As
if the stars aligned for this match, this doctor practices ~2 miles from my
house AND is in network with my insurance company. I called his office and
hoped, hoped, hoped he would take me on as a new patient. I have to jump through a variety of hoops to be accepted and, unfortunately, it
does not look likely that he’s going to take me because I already have a
relationship with a specialist for SM (my doc in Michigan). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, I called my doc in Michigan and asked whether they would
treat me for my GI issues too. It looks like he will, at least for the SM
portion of it, so I played telephone relaying my symptoms. I told a nurse who
is telling a doctor who, if she deems it bad enough, elevates it up to the SM specialist
to hear. The nurse anticipates that the specialist will want me to set up an appointment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Again, this doctor is an international expert in my disease.
His name is all over the research and experimental drug trials. He is a VERY
busy man and is in high demand; to be honest, I’m simply lucky he accepted me
as a patient. I have never felt more understood by a doctor than when I met
with him; I walked away from our appointment feeling reassured and, frankly,
optimistic about my future. So, if he was going to manage my SM GI issues too, I
figured that I would take whatever appointment time he could give me virtually
and I would make it work on my end. Every doctor is doing virtual visits now,
right? Apparently, though, there’s some regulation that says Michigan doctors
can only meet virtually with Michigan residents. As a result, if he wants to
see me, I need to make the 1000+ mile round-trip from Saint Louis to Ann Arbor.
Of course, this trek would be during COVID, when I’m already immunocompromised.
And, since we’d most likely be tinkering with various medications, food
restrictions, and the like, I’d need to make multiple trips – all subject to
his availability and not anywhere on my own timetable. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, here’s where I’m stuck. I can try to resolve this
situation somewhat soon by doing multiple trips to Michigan. (I say somewhat
because there’s no telling when the expert would be available.) OR I can try to
manage the condition on my own until my already scheduled appointment with him
in March where follow-up visits would probably be in the summer and maybe COVID
will be more resolved. In both of those options, I get to stay connected with
the international expert and research trials. OR I can give him up as my doctor
and hope that, as a result, the St. Louis based SM GI doc will take me as a
patient. I would lose the holistic perspective of my treatment and would have
to hope all my other local doctors can sufficiently manage the rest of my body’s
care AND that this guy is actually worth the hype. On the flip side, I will gain tremendously in convenience and possibly
get care earlier IF he agrees to take me on as a patient. OR I can try to train
up the first GI doc who would be starting from essentially no knowledge about
my disease, while simultaneously trying to convince him that a colonoscopy is
an unnecessary and risky procedure for me. Ugh. Just thinking through these
options makes me exhausted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hivemind, what option would you choose?<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />KSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13187688424539380660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524361657567178934.post-17791107651014124022020-06-15T11:27:00.000-05:002020-06-15T11:32:57.640-05:00Rust Bucket Body<br />
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In October, I’ll reach the milestone of two years since my
indolent systemic mastocytosis diagnosis. I cannot overstate how grateful I am
to have a diagnosis, to have information and online support available at my
fingertips, and to have some guidance about what to do to prevent my condition
from deteriorating substantially. Because, frankly, I am deteriorating now. My
long-term goal is for my health decline to be a slow one rather than a rapid
descent and, unfortunately, that is only partly under my control. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I prefer to always be in control. If our family is traveling
somewhere, I am the driver 98% of the time. Occasionally, on 12+ hour driving
days, I will permit someone else to take the wheel for an hour, but I don’t
like it much. The lack of control makes me really nervous. I do not drink
alcohol nor smoke any substances and, before my diagnosis, I generally did not
pop pills either. Menstrual cramps, headaches, post-surgery recoveries: I did
not fill prescriptions for pain meds nor did I use over-the-counter meds like
ibuprofen or Tylenol. With Raina’s birth, I endured 30 hours of labor pain and
only then did I take a Tylenol PM – not because of the pain, but because I had
been awake over 48 hours and I was told it might help me sleep. Summary here: I
handled a fair amount of pain and I refused to medicate because I was generally
unwilling to let something else have some control over my body. I learned to
deal with pain, to appreciate it for what it was, and to recognize that
temporary pain was just that: temporary.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And then the pain was no longer temporary. It was sustained,
perpetual, and extraordinarily limiting. After Lola’s birth, I developed
incredible joint pain that felt like it was happening everywhere: small joints
like my hands, feet, wrists, and ankles, large joints like both my hips, just
everywhere. I could not pick up my newborn baby without hurting. I could not
grip a doorknob without wincing and wanting to let go. At that point, I began a
relationship with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). A doctor
friend assured me that I could take up to 4 ibuprofen pills at a time and I
began doing that, in the hopes that the ibuprofen would mitigate some of the
pain. It didn’t really do it. My primary care physician prescribed me the
arthritis medication meloxicam, which took the edge off but never eliminated
the pain completely. Various tests and scans showed that I did not have
rheumatoid arthritis, which was good, but nothing explained the root cause of
my pain in the first place. I couldn’t figure out what behavior to modify to
make the pain go away, and I now knew the pain was not temporary. At age 31, I
committed to long-term medication and gave up some control over the path I
wanted for myself and my body. Nowadays, post diagnosis, I take 14 pills a day
in the hopes of controlling the symptoms of my disease, and I have an additional
8 prepared for emergency situations.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It’s ironic. A quick scan of my vitals indicates I’m in perfect
health (normal weight, low blood pressure, low cholesterol) and then doctors
see my drug list and they do a visible double-take. I’m not healthy at all or I’m
really healthy while also being really sick. I cannot control the disease
itself – my body will keep making defective and over-reactive mast cells until
I die – so now I’m trying to control the severity of my symptoms through
medication, diet, stress management, and daily behavior changes. The highlighted symptoms I deal with daily. I fear the onset of more.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlbWydFGYpL__KBEGt9Bi2XeqirXvjFD0S_Wd7GHSu5MNqdVZw26jxAdAOHvhDHRkdojRP41qGw06a4cM8PMhMRoPILNPw1Mrno-tXNtOPwVtTYtlGKzyEkmfkRR7hqim-UqVXj0z3pvk/s1600/symptoms.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="694" data-original-width="683" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlbWydFGYpL__KBEGt9Bi2XeqirXvjFD0S_Wd7GHSu5MNqdVZw26jxAdAOHvhDHRkdojRP41qGw06a4cM8PMhMRoPILNPw1Mrno-tXNtOPwVtTYtlGKzyEkmfkRR7hqim-UqVXj0z3pvk/s320/symptoms.PNG" width="314" /></a></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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One of the frustrating aspects about this disease is that it
causes my body to be unpredictable in its response. A stimulus that caused mild-to-no
reaction on one day might launch into a full-blown attack on another. It can be
challenging to draw cause-and-effect conclusions. For example, here’s what
happened this week.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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On Tuesday, I had a blood draw at my hematologist’s office
and I had no notable reaction. On Friday, I had some more blood drawn and my body
raged in response. Historically I am a very difficult stick: I have small veins
that like to roll and, due to my low pulse rate and blood pressure, not much
blood pumps out if a stick is successful. It’s not uncommon for the
phlebotomist to stick me multiple times before successfully hitting a vein and,
once there, sometimes my veins blow or stop giving all together, which requires
another stick of another vein. Friday continued this pattern. The phlebotomist
dug around in my left inner elbow for a few minutes and she finally gave up on
that spot when I could no longer keep my body from shaking. She then tried another
spot on my left arm. After digging a bit, she successfully pierced the vein and
then disappointedly sighed once she saw that my blood was just leaking out
rather than aggressively spurting into the vial. That vein gave 3 half-vials
before it quit. She asked permission to do a third stick attempt and that too
was unsuccessful. In the end, I walked away from that experience with 3
half-vials of blood, 3 notably bruised spots on my inner elbows, and instructions
to return the next day to draw 5 more vials. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I got home Friday morning, ate my oatmeal breakfast, and
immediately started having escalated reactions. My belly started hurting and
then my GI system forcefully evacuated everything inside of me. I developed a
raging headache. I became very light-headed, I struggled to stand upright, and
I wobbled when seated down. It was safest to lie horizontally, which is what I
proceeded to do for the rest of the day. Exhausted, I went to bed at 8 PM that
night and slept for the next 10.5 hours.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I felt great when I woke up, so great that I went for a walk
outside that Saturday morning. Not wanting to push myself too hard, I mostly
lay horizontally all Saturday too and waited for my body to stop flaring and to
calm down. By Sunday morning, I felt mostly back to my baseline. I was having
mild GI issues, but I felt good enough to exercise vigorously for 30 minutes.
Exercising resulted in some pre-syncope symptoms an hour later but I was
determined to push through. I had three main items on the Sunday plan – NARAL Zoom
call and two Black Lives Matter vigils/marches – and I was determined to do
them all. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The Zoom call was fine and the 1 PM vigil was not. In retrospect,
I really shouldn’t have gone to the vigil and/or I shouldn't have exercised. Since I felt a little queasy after eating lunch, I debated backing out of the vigil, but I really, really wanted
to go. I had backed out of three different vigils and protests in the previous
week – ones I had intended on attending but my mast cells felt differently – and
I am a lead organizer for this vigil so it felt even more important to me to
go. So, I did. Twenty minutes into the vigil, I felt close to collapsing –
light-headed and dizzy – but with social distancing there wasn’t safe space in
the shade. About 10 minutes later, Samantha vacated her spot, so I moved out of
the sun and into the shade. Cooling off in the shade wasn’t enough to halt my
reaction, and I needed to lean into the fence to stand upright. I sat on the
ground to make it easier for blood to be pumped to my brain and to relieve the
pressure and headache. That wasn’t enough. I began to feel nauseated and I felt
close to vomiting. I mentally noted that it would really suck to vomit while
wearing a COVID mask and I wondered how close I was to a system-wide body
shut-down. I pulled out my Epi-pen in case I went full-scale into anaphylaxis
and I waited – either for my mast cells to calm down or for them to push me completely over the edge.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Six hours later I’m still lightheaded, still have a raging
headache, still having GI symptoms. I don’t feel as close to anaphylaxis, but
even so I cancelled the rest of my Sunday plans because I’m now spending the rest of
the day lying horizontally. Sunday’s reaction was triggered by having a blood
draw on Friday morning followed by exposure to heat on Sunday. Once my body
went on high alert, I really couldn’t lower it from DEFCON-1; suddenly my body
viewed every stimulus as a threat, and even something as benign as plain oatmeal
resulted in an escalation of symptoms. As the above infographic shares,
“symptoms can be sudden and unpredictable in onset.” Again, I had a blood draw
three days prior without a reaction at all, but clearly my body struggled to
manage the stress of Friday’s draw. I cannot wrestle control from my body
or my mast cells; instead, I must submit to their whims and how they respond to external and internal stimuli. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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My rust bucket body limits my choices and actions, as I try
to guess what is safe, what might cause a reaction, and how prepared I am to
deal with the possible consequences. I mostly feel like a complainer and a
burden all the damn time. I look at most everything with hesitation and suspicion.
I absolutely fear social events. Not only are there potential triggers but they come with
a side of guilt. At a dinner party I know that I should not eat the food, but I
don’t want to have to explain why to the host <i>especially</i> if they have gone
to the explicit trouble to try to include some of my dietary restrictions. Potlucks
are a full-stop hazard. I don’t eat if I cannot figure out the ingredient list,
so I continuously graze on the celery sticks on the single requisite veggie
tray. Alcohol is high-alert dangerous. Just the smell of red wine – from a glass,
from someone breathing on me – is enough to cause a near-fainting reaction. But
what am I going to do, tell people not to drink what they want? It’s someone
else’s party! Instead, I slowly step away until there’s a safe radius around me
where I cannot smell the alcohol. So, in the end, I look like a picky vegan wallflower
who turns her nose up at what’s offered, puts herself on the outskirts, and acts
like she doesn’t want to be there. Realistically, being that person is always the
safest thing for me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My invisible disability rears its head frequently and forcefully.
And while I accept that this disease is mine, I’m continuously in battle with
it, in battle with myself, and I sit in anger, frustration, and grief of what
it has taken from me and what it will continue to take. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />KSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13187688424539380660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524361657567178934.post-54121647364586298372020-05-10T12:37:00.000-05:002020-05-10T12:39:16.861-05:00Girls on the Run 2020<a href="https://www.girlsontherun.org/" target="_blank">Girls on the Run</a> is an empowerment program for young women, which culminates in a 5K race. For some girls, this may be their first athletic endeavor in which they trained for multiple weeks as a team, and it's always an emotionally powerful moment to see thousands of 3rd - 5th grade girls assemble, be celebrated, and achieve a goal for which they worked so hard.<br />
<br />
Lola has volunteered at GOTR races multiple times and, even though she loves to run, she has never participated in the Girls on the Run program or run the designated 5K race before. She was not of age when attending MICDS and then, when she was of age, she had switched to a school without a GOTR team. Ross Elementary hosted its very first GOTR team this spring and, of course, we immediately signed Lola up. It would be a fantastic way to conclude her time at Ross and to recognize the end of her 5th grade year.<br />
<br />
COVID-19 dashed those plans, as the school year effectively ended one month into the training program. Lola tried to do training on her own. Distance running combined with a lot of basketball led to her developing Osgood-Schlatter Disease and prolonged exercise (running, jumping) exacerbates the condition. For the past month or so, she's done hardly any cardio exercise because doing something as mild as walking a mile caused her knee pain.<br />
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The cancelled 5K race was originally scheduled for Saturday, 9 May. When she got up Saturday morning I asked her whether she'd like to try walking a 5K as the equivalent for her race. Excited at the prospect, she helped map out a 3.1 miles route in the neighborhood. Then four Whomptons donned matching Girls on the Run shirts and we set out.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJ6F_xUcVTnx66ASelf0uiyU_Wh_Sl_ryEhyphenhypheniFqr-Bo7iFfTGcuN2BwJYGgGL8i2siV2bQ4tDHSbNSA9G51Tk61V5b5emjem_XIxVLy27Da7wEqYuP5ZOnU6urAGd-80goZCg9ftJeuus/s1600/IMG_2165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJ6F_xUcVTnx66ASelf0uiyU_Wh_Sl_ryEhyphenhypheniFqr-Bo7iFfTGcuN2BwJYGgGL8i2siV2bQ4tDHSbNSA9G51Tk61V5b5emjem_XIxVLy27Da7wEqYuP5ZOnU6urAGd-80goZCg9ftJeuus/s320/IMG_2165.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shirts were from volunteering at a prior race. We really are a GOTR family.</td></tr>
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The weather was glorious: sunny, breezy, 60 degrees. We tried to imagine what parts of a typical GOTR race Lola was missing and fill in those parts.<br />
- GOTR plays loud upbeat music the entire time to motivate the girls to run and to have a fun dance party at the end. Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Beyonce, and Lady Gaga are heavily featured on the rotation. Our singing <i>Party in the USA</i> was as close as we got but, apparently, the <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7mzEHztzZ3RwoLUbLeMBNG" target="_blank">actual playlist </a>is available on Spotify so we turned it up when we got home.<br />
- GOTR races have "Sparklers": volunteers whose sole job is to ramp up the energy and get excited. Lola knows that I always want to be a Sparkler and, when I started being exactly that on our 5K walk, she shut me down hard. Almost-middle-school-aged Lola is a lot more embarrassed by my antics than she used to be.<br />
- She had cheering and supportive family with her each step of the way. The distance got hard for her at the end -- our neighborhood is full of hills and her knees were hurting -- so we pulled out the stops to help her to the finish line.<br />
- Samantha surprised her at the finish line (our house) with the requisite finish line items: supportive sign, a cup of Gatorade, granola bar, and a GOTR finisher's medal.<br />
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The medal was actually Raina's first GOTR medal. It was awesome to see Raina immediately jump onto the idea of giving the medal to Lola and Raina made certain that Samantha had it for the full finish line experience. Lola's smile was huge. She loved the cold Gatorade and especially loved icing her knees once she got inside.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-GUwDr_SPpMW4sdNUYYTZ9MEuIX59pyLqo06Rn9Tw0mYgwkIxAVHJX_WMOZiUXnIUMaZ0J1c2KQxON2izzBG_v67_Q9IMEDm2BFerYkh4lp_zbzh-CVNd0C94NKsZmOQKc0BEopery9u/s1600/IMG_20200509_112755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC-GUwDr_SPpMW4sdNUYYTZ9MEuIX59pyLqo06Rn9Tw0mYgwkIxAVHJX_WMOZiUXnIUMaZ0J1c2KQxON2izzBG_v67_Q9IMEDm2BFerYkh4lp_zbzh-CVNd0C94NKsZmOQKc0BEopery9u/s320/IMG_20200509_112755.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In many ways, our COVID-19 quarantine life is pretty routine. Taking the time to do something special like this, albeit a small act, was a lot of fun and I'm so glad that we were able to have a special celebration for Lola.KSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13187688424539380660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524361657567178934.post-52639046229205600252020-04-24T15:26:00.002-05:002020-04-24T17:04:58.090-05:00Summer Plans 2020 and 2021The Whomptons had elaborate (for us) summer plans.<br />
<br />
Last May, we made Raina's year by agreeing to send her to Greece with her best school friends for 10 days. She's never been on a plane before, and she's super excited and, honestly, nervous about hitting that life milestone. No Whompton has ever been to Europe (unless Samantha's single afternoon at the Rock of Gibraltar counts), so she's thrilled to be the first one to explore this continent and soak up all the history and culture with her fellow Latin friends. It's what she has been looking forward to the most this entire year. And now, due to COVID-19, the trip is not happening and it's uncertain when, in the future, it will be an option for them again.<br />
<br />
I had applied for a three-week math teacher program, stationed in Park City, Utah, which was the best combination of having professional development during the day and hiking in beautiful scenery in the afternoons and weekends. I was doing this trip on my own, my very first trip by myself, and I had plans to explore multiple national parks that are on my bucket list. I learned weeks ago that the Utah program has been cancelled too.<br />
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The other item on this summer plan is the Compton family beach trip. Eric's family has gone to Litchfield, South Carolina, almost every summer for the past 45 years. The Whomptons join every other year, and take an epic national park trip on the other summer. 2020 is a beach-trip summer -- assuming things settle down by July / August -- and 2021 is a national park summer. I keep eyeing all our camping gear, neatly organized in the basement, and I get itchy for a camping trip.<br />
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Planning the big trips takes some time, lots of planning, and I usually book everything a year in advance. Raina's Greece trip, my Utah program, and a national park adventure are all being considered for a future time if/when we return back to normal. I honestly don't know whether to contemplate the world being "normal" in the next few years. It seems overly optimistic to plan on vacations for summer 2021, at this point. Even so, a girl can dream.KSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13187688424539380660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524361657567178934.post-63449618281412868412020-04-11T09:27:00.001-05:002020-04-11T09:58:32.823-05:00Confession: The Whomptons Hoard Food<br />
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Each breakfast on our honeymoon, Eric and I ate delicious
toasted English muffins, slathered with butter and jam, and then discussed where
we’d eat for lunch. At lunch, we’d
brainstorm where to eat for dinner. As Eric clearly revealed then, “I like to
know my next meal is secure.” We’ve
operated under that mindset our entire marriage: that we should always have the
next meal planned out and have the ingredients for it, etc., ready to go. Once our household grew to five people
strong, our food supply need increased dramatically and, therefore, so did our
food stockpile.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Certain foods are considered staples in the house and we
never run out of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quantities of
those items (dried beans, chocolate chips, canned tomatoes, peanut butter,
oyster crackers) are closely monitored and, when numbers run low, we stockpile
more to replenish our household supply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eric
eats only Special K for breakfast; if that cereal goes on sale, we do not hesitate
to buy all of it in a given store and then return back the next day to buy all
of it again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, it might be a
six-months supply of Special K, but he’s going to eat it so we might as well
have it at the cheapest price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not
shop at Costco or Sam’s Club -- all of these supplies come from our neighborhood
grocery stores -- and it just seemed like smart shopping to buy more of what we needed and have it available when we wanted it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Our kitchen has a standard sized fridge/freezer and a
traditional sized pantry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Storing
six-months of Special K became an overwhelming challenge with that limited
space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Initially we erected a huge
pile of cereal in the unfinished portion of the basement but once Samantha and
Krystal started stockpiling 6 months’ worth of their cereals too a new strategy
was needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Did you know that at Trader
Joe’s you can special order a whole case of cereal?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>24 boxes at once!) Storing ~60 boxes of cereal at once merited a better system.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This past summer, I invested some time at IKEA and I came
home with five sets of storage racks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
my anniversary gift to Eric, I redesigned and organized the unfinished portion
of the basement and put together multiple racks worth of food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now we have a kitchen pantry that stores what’s
in immediate use and a walk-in storage cellar with our stockpiled
reserves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s glorious and has been
such a gift to our household.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can buy
large reserves of our commonly consumed shelf-stable food items and organize
and store them for the long haul. We have been inadvertently preparing for the
current apocalypse.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dHodisQfIEw_WgxmzbUqNyjLtB57rexIcfMvIG0tpvL9qaNubCaEz6YdldZIzYlEO3I3bpLWsSy888uZqEBVWFERH0t5e-ve8XzplKcfhWuUF06ZvX81s3gu95yJKE6A6M9cynfeT2qz/s1600/IMG_20200411_093035328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8dHodisQfIEw_WgxmzbUqNyjLtB57rexIcfMvIG0tpvL9qaNubCaEz6YdldZIzYlEO3I3bpLWsSy888uZqEBVWFERH0t5e-ve8XzplKcfhWuUF06ZvX81s3gu95yJKE6A6M9cynfeT2qz/s320/IMG_20200411_093035328.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of two food storage shelves in the basement</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I admit it, I never considered these actions out of the
ordinary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grew up in a household where
we canned our own food and froze incredible amounts of homegrown produce and
meat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To give perspective: the top shelf
of my bedroom closet held 20+ quart jars of canned green beans and tomato juice.
I wasn’t allowed to put any of my stuff on those shelves, because food was
always stored there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My aunt and uncle
bought a shed that, instead of storing lawn equipment, stored months’ worth of
pantry staples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whenever I’d stay
overnight at their house, I frequently heard “You want that cereal?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, go get it from the shed!” I was raised
with the mindset that having a large personal stockpile of food was normal and
encouraged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a way you
demonstrated you were caring for and taking care of your family. And, growing up, it wasn't easy for my parents to create that food stockpile; it was something they could point to and know that they were doing best by their kids.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s only now, in this age of quarantine, that I’m realizing
it’s not normal. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When news reports are
accusing people of hoarding, they are talking about me and my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reality is, though, that we’re not doing
any shopping now that is different for us than it was a year ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the community response to my
shopping feels different now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I certainly
get lots more dirty looks if I buy 10 pounds of dried beans, for instance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a mostly vegetarian household we eat 5
pounds of dried beans a week, so purchasing 10 pounds is only a two-week
supply, but it certainly looks selfish and maybe extreme when I’m piling them
on the grocery conveyer belt now. I'm down to a single box of my cereal. Is it remarkably insensitive right now to order my standard 24 boxes? Or should I be making multiple trips separated over multiple weeks. I honestly don't know. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We Whomptons are in a place of extreme privilege:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>we have the physical space, the permanent security,
and the economic means to stockpile these reserves. I did not have full
perspective on how privileged we really were until this current crisis hit;
having that outside perspective mirror our home situation back at us has been a
helpful frame for building more understanding. I never considered us to be hoarders until now and I'm ethically conflicted about what to do next.</div>
KSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13187688424539380660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524361657567178934.post-8807461690476255342020-04-04T18:30:00.001-05:002020-04-04T18:30:32.099-05:00Control what I can control<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I tend to worry. Growing
up, I worried about whether my family would have enough money to pay our bills
and feed everyone. I worried every time
my father made impulsive financial decisions and I saw my mother sigh in
response. I worried each time I
witnessed my dad drinking and then getting behind a wheel; I just crossed my
fingers, tried to stay as quiet and non-distracting as possible, and then hoped
we’d make it home safely. As a young
teacher, I worried about getting my work done professionally, that I would be
judged inferior to standards that were not clear to me. Perfectionist tendencies, right? I worried that I wasn’t holding up my fair
share of being in a marital partnership and, once I became pregnant, I worried
continuously about being a parent and being responsible for another human
being. I worried I wouldn’t love a
second child as much as I loved the first one.
I worried that I said the wrong thing or hurt someone’s feelings
inadvertently. Some of those things I
had absolutely no control over and, frankly, those were the things that worried
me the most. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eventually, in my adult life, I realized this statement to
be true:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I fear being out of control and
that would begin my worry cycle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would
agonize over situations that I had little to no control over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Changing that mindset has been critical to my
overall happiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I frequently
chant to myself “Control what you can control, Krystal, and let the rest go.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I have control over it, then I can work
and work and work to make it be the way I want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If I don’t have control over it, then I shouldn’t worry about it because
it’s not mine to control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I feel
anxious and worried, I ask myself the essential question “Do you have control
over this, Krystal?” and then let that response be my guide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Control what you can control, and let the
rest go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKowqKa02IIrM5RL1ExPKyYRaipP7RYtwFNVjc7tloaCKcnNP9D3pKEdlCI55oHQmKCZ3hxA-pj-k0TuNQ5n2uwlLCipN7Cs2RUNmo4RF328sr9buJxe-d0SUA0sUImtjMU41BgG74RTH/s1600/control.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="910" data-original-width="689" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKowqKa02IIrM5RL1ExPKyYRaipP7RYtwFNVjc7tloaCKcnNP9D3pKEdlCI55oHQmKCZ3hxA-pj-k0TuNQ5n2uwlLCipN7Cs2RUNmo4RF328sr9buJxe-d0SUA0sUImtjMU41BgG74RTH/s320/control.jpg" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have this posted outside my classroom door. Click to embiggen.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
With my mastocytosis and leukopenia diagnoses, I have come
to grips with the reality that my disease may kill me quickly and unexpectedly,
there may be a long slow spiral, or I may be just fine and live the normal
lifespan. I’m working hard to be just
fine, by the way. I have some control
over this – what I eat, the medications I take, the exercise level I choose,
how I care for myself – and then a lot of it is simply out of my control. I cannot control my mast cells. I cannot make myself have more white blood cells. With my condition, what works and is safe on
one day may not be safe the next. I’ve
had to work through letting go of that as well as accepting my own
mortality. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Letting go of a fear of dying has been remarkably freeing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s especially true right now during the
COVID-19 pandemic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My family is taking many
of the precautions listed to make certain we stay healthy and safe: social distancing, limited exposure to other people, frequent hand-washing. However, I
can run the exponential growth numbers just like any math teacher and there’s a
good chance at least one of us is coming down with COVID.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That caused me to panic for a bit until I
reminded myself to breathe and control what I can control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I might get this virus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s possible I will be just fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s possible that my immune system cannot fight it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either way, my body’s response is out of my
control.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Right now, I worry about being a burden to my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve responded to that by carefully
monitoring myself (my symptoms, the foods I eat and my response to them, my
joint pains, etc.) and preparing for a variety of possibilities so that my students
and family would be well positioned to move on if I’m incapacitated or no
longer here. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Obtain additional disability insurance?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></li>
<li>Update Durable and Medical Power of Attorney documents?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></li>
<li>Clearly communicate expectations of my medical needs and
wants?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check.</li>
<li>Update beneficiary information?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check.</li>
<li>Guarantee usernames and passwords are shared with the
appropriate people?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check.</li>
<li>Prepare for disposal of my body after my death?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check.</li>
<li>Share ideas about a memorial service?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check.</li>
<li>Lesson plan to the end of the year?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check.</li>
<li>Prepare all the material so it would be easy for a
substitute to implement?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check.</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Taking these steps makes me feel calmer and more in
control. I personally have a lot less
anxiety about COVID now that I’ve taken these measures to prepare. I’m controlling what I can control and letting
go of the rest. </div>
KSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13187688424539380660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524361657567178934.post-36305725243928216552020-02-01T19:50:00.003-05:002020-02-12T19:08:44.418-05:00Cape Girardeau basketball tournament<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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In January, the basketball club that Lola plays ball for
(Purple Rain) participated in a basketball tournament in Cape Girardeau. This
was Lola’s first travel tournament (or tournament at all actually). Lola and I
drove down to Cape Girardeau on Saturday morning for a full day of basketball
starting at 11:00am. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Apparently, the Drury family is based in Cape Girardeau. So,
in addition to a fancy hotel and convention center, they also built a massive 6
court sportsplex in Cape Girardeau. This allowed them to run a tournament with
10 different divisions across boys and girls over a couple of days. </div>
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The team we were supposed to play in the first game didn’t
show up . . . which set in motion the tournament organizers scrambling to
reschedule. Our first “game” ended up being a one quarter scrimmage against a
pretty good 4<sup>th</sup> grade team. Lola (#26) and her team did well in this <a href="https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPdK968cEMhvcQCDSCWaS9aHw8fRlD2VZkdRhDl61kIzxYoKMjmCAdqm8symsXPuA/photo/AF1QipNK5KYyDLMGpmxyPeyQewiGIOlAlsimeBo3j3kK?key=WTZyaU92NUpZWmdTVWY0clFsbHhVTVhOOFR4NGFn" target="_blank">warmup including Lola converting a 3 point play</a>: <a href="https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPdK968cEMhvcQCDSCWaS9aHw8fRlD2VZkdRhDl61kIzxYoKMjmCAdqm8symsXPuA/photo/AF1QipNK5KYyDLMGpmxyPeyQewiGIOlAlsimeBo3j3kK?key=WTZyaU92NUpZWmdTVWY0clFsbHhVTVhOOFR4NGFn" target="_blank">https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPdK968cEMhvcQCDSCWaS9aHw8fRlD2VZkdRhDl61kIzxYoKMjmCAdqm8symsXPuA/photo/AF1QipNK5KYyDLMGpmxyPeyQewiGIOlAlsimeBo3j3kK?key=WTZyaU92NUpZWmdTVWY0clFsbHhVTVhOOFR4NGFn</a><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We hung around the gym and watched a couple of other Purple
Rain teams play before our next game against a really good team from St. Louis
called Phenom. After a close first half, Phenom went on a run in the early
second half leading to a 24-10 loss. Our team struggled a fair amount with ball
pressure and aggressiveness from the other team. This was compounded by the
refs calling the game even looser than our team was used to. It was good
experience for the team as anyone playing basketball has to learn to accept
that sometimes they get fouled and it doesn’t get called. Lola had an ok game,
but definitely had numerous turnovers (as did the rest of the team). She ended
up scoring 8 points and getting 4 steals and 5 rebounds. Below are a few
highlights. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lola hits a floater in the lane on a fast break</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPdK968cEMhvcQCDSCWaS9aHw8fRlD2VZkdRhDl61kIzxYoKMjmCAdqm8symsXPuA/photo/AF1QipN17pZW-EPdQcoHNmRtHpbE_X3GBBm-IA9wbu0b?key=WTZyaU92NUpZWmdTVWY0clFsbHhVTVhOOFR4NGFn">https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPdK968cEMhvcQCDSCWaS9aHw8fRlD2VZkdRhDl61kIzxYoKMjmCAdqm8symsXPuA/photo/AF1QipN17pZW-EPdQcoHNmRtHpbE_X3GBBm-IA9wbu0b?key=WTZyaU92NUpZWmdTVWY0clFsbHhVTVhOOFR4NGFn</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lola hits a nice turnaround jumper at the end of this clip
after a bit of messy play before that:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPdK968cEMhvcQCDSCWaS9aHw8fRlD2VZkdRhDl61kIzxYoKMjmCAdqm8symsXPuA/photo/AF1QipMQ8xdAO5OvZj4yjIiFLa3dbV4eiQwDCRhvs8MN?key=WTZyaU92NUpZWmdTVWY0clFsbHhVTVhOOFR4NGFn">https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPdK968cEMhvcQCDSCWaS9aHw8fRlD2VZkdRhDl61kIzxYoKMjmCAdqm8symsXPuA/photo/AF1QipMQ8xdAO5OvZj4yjIiFLa3dbV4eiQwDCRhvs8MN?key=WTZyaU92NUpZWmdTVWY0clFsbHhVTVhOOFR4NGFn</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lola hits a 3 pointer:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPdK968cEMhvcQCDSCWaS9aHw8fRlD2VZkdRhDl61kIzxYoKMjmCAdqm8symsXPuA/photo/AF1QipOUeKb7SvTCg6SPCL6-Zj6Y4LqRj60ittia8x4Y?key=WTZyaU92NUpZWmdTVWY0clFsbHhVTVhOOFR4NGFn">https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPdK968cEMhvcQCDSCWaS9aHw8fRlD2VZkdRhDl61kIzxYoKMjmCAdqm8symsXPuA/photo/AF1QipOUeKb7SvTCg6SPCL6-Zj6Y4LqRj60ittia8x4Y?key=WTZyaU92NUpZWmdTVWY0clFsbHhVTVhOOFR4NGFn</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The kids were pretty frustrated after the first game. But
they recharged with a visit to Panera and a trip to pool at the hotel. The
Drury Plaza Hotel also served a happy hour which included drinks, but more
importantly they served a bunch of food: pasta, hot dogs, nachos, popcorn,
salad, and turkey chili. All “free” with the hotel. Lola hadn’t had much chance
to just casually hang out much with the kids from her basketball club, so it
was nice to get that opportunity and Lola had a great time. Ultimately, if you
ask Lola about the trip, she’ll spend all her time talking about the hotel
hanging out with her teammates.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lola’s next game ended up being scheduled for 8 pm. The opposing
team had a reasonably well organized zone press that a lot of the team
struggled to move the ball against and so we had a lot of turnovers. The other team
also had the uncanny ability to hit shots, particularly free throws. Shooting
~80% from the line in 5<sup>th</sup> grade is borderline absurd. After going
down 8-0 to start the game, our team rallied to tie it at half time only to
eventually lose 27-20. It was a good solid match-up. Lola’s stat line was 10
points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals, and 1 assist.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She was able to consistently find ways to just blow by the
press. She shows this in the first 20 seconds of this video while finding a
teammate for a shot before putting one in herself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPdK968cEMhvcQCDSCWaS9aHw8fRlD2VZkdRhDl61kIzxYoKMjmCAdqm8symsXPuA/photo/AF1QipMSiyWzYvEgVsmghQM1ZRIdGZYr2JzfiTc_L1f3?key=WTZyaU92NUpZWmdTVWY0clFsbHhVTVhOOFR4NGFn">https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPdK968cEMhvcQCDSCWaS9aHw8fRlD2VZkdRhDl61kIzxYoKMjmCAdqm8symsXPuA/photo/AF1QipMSiyWzYvEgVsmghQM1ZRIdGZYr2JzfiTc_L1f3?key=WTZyaU92NUpZWmdTVWY0clFsbHhVTVhOOFR4NGFn</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lola busts the press again, misses the layup but then knocks
down a nice shot early in the video</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPdK968cEMhvcQCDSCWaS9aHw8fRlD2VZkdRhDl61kIzxYoKMjmCAdqm8symsXPuA/photo/AF1QipPXEQcdQ2AYeUwPIGmlm8vWtyXePoTgumNRhrOR?key=WTZyaU92NUpZWmdTVWY0clFsbHhVTVhOOFR4NGFn">https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPdK968cEMhvcQCDSCWaS9aHw8fRlD2VZkdRhDl61kIzxYoKMjmCAdqm8symsXPuA/photo/AF1QipPXEQcdQ2AYeUwPIGmlm8vWtyXePoTgumNRhrOR?key=WTZyaU92NUpZWmdTVWY0clFsbHhVTVhOOFR4NGFn</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of my two favorite plays in the tournament at about 25
seconds into this video. Lola is on a fast break and just decides that she
wants to back out and shoot a 3 pointer, and she knocks it down.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPdK968cEMhvcQCDSCWaS9aHw8fRlD2VZkdRhDl61kIzxYoKMjmCAdqm8symsXPuA/photo/AF1QipNTcwTwEM-6nvT0-yKwmVfWGD0GM5JLQvMqfADX?key=WTZyaU92NUpZWmdTVWY0clFsbHhVTVhOOFR4NGFn">https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPdK968cEMhvcQCDSCWaS9aHw8fRlD2VZkdRhDl61kIzxYoKMjmCAdqm8symsXPuA/photo/AF1QipNTcwTwEM-6nvT0-yKwmVfWGD0GM5JLQvMqfADX?key=WTZyaU92NUpZWmdTVWY0clFsbHhVTVhOOFR4NGFn</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next morning, Lola and I had breakfast and were off to the
final game. Lola's division was supposed to be four 5<sup>th</sup>
grade girls teams playing a round robin with the best 2 playing for the
championship. As noted earlier, one team didn’t show up to the tournament at
all. Another left after the first day. So that left just two teams to play in
the finals. Fortunately, it was the best match-up we had played the previous day. Again Purple Rain fell down early 12-0 butrallied back to be
within 5 with 10 minutes to go but couldn’t quite fully close it out. Lola had
some really great plays in the game and had 11 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks, and
3 steals in the 21-15 loss.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lola hits another nice 3 pointer here right at the start of
the video. She shot very well from behind the arc in this tournament hitting 50%
of her 3 point attempts.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPdK968cEMhvcQCDSCWaS9aHw8fRlD2VZkdRhDl61kIzxYoKMjmCAdqm8symsXPuA/photo/AF1QipMllkjQo9aPNrMekhUvvqQ79Bpi7biHaJMagr6j?key=WTZyaU92NUpZWmdTVWY0clFsbHhVTVhOOFR4NGFn">https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPdK968cEMhvcQCDSCWaS9aHw8fRlD2VZkdRhDl61kIzxYoKMjmCAdqm8symsXPuA/photo/AF1QipMllkjQo9aPNrMekhUvvqQ79Bpi7biHaJMagr6j?key=WTZyaU92NUpZWmdTVWY0clFsbHhVTVhOOFR4NGFn</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not uncommon for Lola to just pull down the rebound and
outrun the other team to the basket on a 1 person fast break. (30 seconds into
this video)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPdK968cEMhvcQCDSCWaS9aHw8fRlD2VZkdRhDl61kIzxYoKMjmCAdqm8symsXPuA/photo/AF1QipOIN4cR8rGuiFaz1CSHblRDY45Vs1vSV32cOQWy?key=WTZyaU92NUpZWmdTVWY0clFsbHhVTVhOOFR4NGFn">https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPdK968cEMhvcQCDSCWaS9aHw8fRlD2VZkdRhDl61kIzxYoKMjmCAdqm8symsXPuA/photo/AF1QipOIN4cR8rGuiFaz1CSHblRDY45Vs1vSV32cOQWy?key=WTZyaU92NUpZWmdTVWY0clFsbHhVTVhOOFR4NGFn</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She hits a nice jumper from the corner here . . .almost
another 3</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPdK968cEMhvcQCDSCWaS9aHw8fRlD2VZkdRhDl61kIzxYoKMjmCAdqm8symsXPuA/photo/AF1QipN6Vqu7DAYgxYlD00w5d5mSKvUJfm8EfSBRcsNb?key=WTZyaU92NUpZWmdTVWY0clFsbHhVTVhOOFR4NGFn">https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPdK968cEMhvcQCDSCWaS9aHw8fRlD2VZkdRhDl61kIzxYoKMjmCAdqm8symsXPuA/photo/AF1QipN6Vqu7DAYgxYlD00w5d5mSKvUJfm8EfSBRcsNb?key=WTZyaU92NUpZWmdTVWY0clFsbHhVTVhOOFR4NGFn</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My other favorite play from the tournament. She just powers
this ball into the basket on a foul. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPdK968cEMhvcQCDSCWaS9aHw8fRlD2VZkdRhDl61kIzxYoKMjmCAdqm8symsXPuA/photo/AF1QipN0FF0Z3DBkfwUotK1GGbCxSqZzNXkmn7xosM_y?key=WTZyaU92NUpZWmdTVWY0clFsbHhVTVhOOFR4NGFn">https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipPdK968cEMhvcQCDSCWaS9aHw8fRlD2VZkdRhDl61kIzxYoKMjmCAdqm8symsXPuA/photo/AF1QipN0FF0Z3DBkfwUotK1GGbCxSqZzNXkmn7xosM_y?key=WTZyaU92NUpZWmdTVWY0clFsbHhVTVhOOFR4NGFn</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So technically, we didn’t win any games, but the girls had
fun and enjoyed being able to take home some hardware for getting second place
including Lola getting the MVP trophy for her team.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECKgJ1_WIhu3tJe18Mm-IVBhvz2fPwx6PjRQdUvFK4YU-fK3cpuBrW6tpbMrEW9xmGPQjcOfIEBF7dbTdLK0ORhj5jhvcCKiMUadmMHGJDXP6Wtqin3-OUEUVQts-gfObYzZyCRwBfEau/s1600/IMG_20200126_105412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECKgJ1_WIhu3tJe18Mm-IVBhvz2fPwx6PjRQdUvFK4YU-fK3cpuBrW6tpbMrEW9xmGPQjcOfIEBF7dbTdLK0ORhj5jhvcCKiMUadmMHGJDXP6Wtqin3-OUEUVQts-gfObYzZyCRwBfEau/s640/IMG_20200126_105412.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrr072xm1u0iRu4auyOx0545tsj4K1Sgwp2njOsjSGoYQDNhETLE1vhRhr_vTVdqTmIcbo6ipZc-4FAJCEyUFV3XWAA7EH9jjbFrEkzaelBo99JyM0jBecuFceiQpZmTPAqe51uKL2jtt/s1600/IMG_20200126_105455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrr072xm1u0iRu4auyOx0545tsj4K1Sgwp2njOsjSGoYQDNhETLE1vhRhr_vTVdqTmIcbo6ipZc-4FAJCEyUFV3XWAA7EH9jjbFrEkzaelBo99JyM0jBecuFceiQpZmTPAqe51uKL2jtt/s640/IMG_20200126_105455.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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EWChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06349674682198718603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524361657567178934.post-37778173962887396762020-01-17T22:01:00.000-05:002020-01-17T22:01:05.227-05:00Vacation 2019: Upstate New YorkWhat's in New York besides New York City? Waterfalls. Lots and lots of waterfalls. And Harriet Tubman's home. And an Olympic facility at Lake Placid. And Women's Rights National Site. And did I mention the waterfalls? Buttermilk Falls, Lucifer Falls, Niagara Falls, and all the cascades at Watkins Glen and Treman State Parks. Each New York State Park we visited had its own natural swimming pool with its own natural waterfall / water slide. Epic!<br />
<br />
We camped at these state parks: Wilmington, Treman, Four Mile Creek. We visited these state parks: Buttermilk Falls, Watkins Glen, Niagara, Whirlpool. Returning to the Finger Lakes region is on my to-do list.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnYhpSAxACMe2Q58cECEZou5KKjU_J_K5klnj0BeLVTyoQ3bpXGXP2-Y2OUzAm5JtL1MNizr1W-romaC33plpeVcE2SxUMs6X70g2mneT1GdEMXI6SIHxg2sU1rDotIAbjYjhbubq3BeN/s1600/IMG_20190709_161815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnYhpSAxACMe2Q58cECEZou5KKjU_J_K5klnj0BeLVTyoQ3bpXGXP2-Y2OUzAm5JtL1MNizr1W-romaC33plpeVcE2SxUMs6X70g2mneT1GdEMXI6SIHxg2sU1rDotIAbjYjhbubq3BeN/s320/IMG_20190709_161815.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfall next to our campsite at Wilmington State Park, near Lake Placid.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bQARFJSXA0ixEVAK7nMosRD6AogArS6qC4lo1NTNg3tSyKpgR_G-ArMsdqExqbaaGxdxDWzXVQO_YlMpJPLjyu8dKjluFUYWrM0PRHWJDLdEGZztXAUjhs9R6X4_r2dm2RI6FOEghVzW/s1600/IMG_20190709_162505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bQARFJSXA0ixEVAK7nMosRD6AogArS6qC4lo1NTNg3tSyKpgR_G-ArMsdqExqbaaGxdxDWzXVQO_YlMpJPLjyu8dKjluFUYWrM0PRHWJDLdEGZztXAUjhs9R6X4_r2dm2RI6FOEghVzW/s320/IMG_20190709_162505.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Legit, this view was a 2 minutes walk from our campsite. The sounds of rushing water ushered us to sleep. AND there were no mosquitoes. Upstate New York for the win!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVDiqJ0zTqXiPsL43yyCB6z7UuTbzthXwTIUM4dlWszjZHcyTMxPnZY-Filcy4OtsHXd6wM9mb6iPoepa6UTpSfWpLCMqnTq0LhUs5kxzM6Ar48bVafwVa7PFo3OjjYZGuDmSY46IZ_PI/s1600/IMG_20190709_163053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVDiqJ0zTqXiPsL43yyCB6z7UuTbzthXwTIUM4dlWszjZHcyTMxPnZY-Filcy4OtsHXd6wM9mb6iPoepa6UTpSfWpLCMqnTq0LhUs5kxzM6Ar48bVafwVa7PFo3OjjYZGuDmSY46IZ_PI/s320/IMG_20190709_163053.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsA7wfgDbvPhwiCyLZiCIwXytGaF51CQw3SCVAt8hX0eEAQJ8zNYEenMBeIfaNuAEKMVO5Vg7aOOKUG9zPeHiJNBaYU6dTFfkaqBugSvi57itDkFio4aEjRUiyhccUZUJqkGLvyN_ouMQ/s1600/IMG_20190710_172134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPsA7wfgDbvPhwiCyLZiCIwXytGaF51CQw3SCVAt8hX0eEAQJ8zNYEenMBeIfaNuAEKMVO5Vg7aOOKUG9zPeHiJNBaYU6dTFfkaqBugSvi57itDkFio4aEjRUiyhccUZUJqkGLvyN_ouMQ/s320/IMG_20190710_172134.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treman State Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DWjlvdMX8o5E96EZvmil4BXAIrvLYOST-O0dvZ0m05eAlreiD4HrUpSpcCZQqV1pvCC4K2hCCDDKmeF9aFkjtE4JjlYaIXSYcxwZNjRC8yxdbk0NRi3LwQycAzo4EJWPlXMdnMmhOOX4/s1600/IMG_20190710_180814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DWjlvdMX8o5E96EZvmil4BXAIrvLYOST-O0dvZ0m05eAlreiD4HrUpSpcCZQqV1pvCC4K2hCCDDKmeF9aFkjtE4JjlYaIXSYcxwZNjRC8yxdbk0NRi3LwQycAzo4EJWPlXMdnMmhOOX4/s320/IMG_20190710_180814.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucifer Falls, Treman State Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The next set of pictures are from Watkins Glen. This place has to be experienced in person to be fully believed because its majestic beauty seems unreal. The waterfalls and cascades have eroded the rock and created a stunning landscape.<br />
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We explored Seneca Falls and toured Harriet Tubman's home. Lola still daily wears her necklace: "Well-behaved women seldom make history." Did we become Junior Rangers here? Of course we did! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5MBUnvw3dpECbxAZLXBCRo3y6ZP8ZpdZlpqYOVDVB9xB6v8-LZuEV4WX-nH7bKJFFip1ZcXOSAJBp4tXE3amc1dZYZxouEaPXv-yVzumTVIUA3tJugUF2w5EOWac2K_AUQZxSJv7g2X4g/s1600/IMG_20190711_172849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5MBUnvw3dpECbxAZLXBCRo3y6ZP8ZpdZlpqYOVDVB9xB6v8-LZuEV4WX-nH7bKJFFip1ZcXOSAJBp4tXE3amc1dZYZxouEaPXv-yVzumTVIUA3tJugUF2w5EOWac2K_AUQZxSJv7g2X4g/s320/IMG_20190711_172849.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treman State Park, which is where we stayed while in the Finger Lakes region, had a magnificent natural swimming hole with its own waterfall. Lola was the first of us to jump in! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSQMelT1iAmKEHJGtBGSzXAbKEjiS2ey-yk2F7YybK6Oq2sbH2p0B0WdziplCJ9wEXhQnspDnkA4w4Eh-PXYaNv9UqBM8Qacang_c1E8e2pLkU_JBaQDa4jojwVgMo9OsegbsushZJVuJ/s1600/IMG_20190711_173311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSQMelT1iAmKEHJGtBGSzXAbKEjiS2ey-yk2F7YybK6Oq2sbH2p0B0WdziplCJ9wEXhQnspDnkA4w4Eh-PXYaNv9UqBM8Qacang_c1E8e2pLkU_JBaQDa4jojwVgMo9OsegbsushZJVuJ/s320/IMG_20190711_173311.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samantha and Krystal tried it too. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6OR0SY_IihIiMcSu-4g_b4liYEEQyUHSKzvRzkkXFCqEPfImYcs_iP8pvKTbG6wajvLjoHHrnTjWobm8MkTFijsS1-Y2UOKq_T7o8wDnMaKvWZzbgQhOnAROwTcxVnkh0X6rygs-jCpO/s1600/IMG_20190711_173338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6OR0SY_IihIiMcSu-4g_b4liYEEQyUHSKzvRzkkXFCqEPfImYcs_iP8pvKTbG6wajvLjoHHrnTjWobm8MkTFijsS1-Y2UOKq_T7o8wDnMaKvWZzbgQhOnAROwTcxVnkh0X6rygs-jCpO/s320/IMG_20190711_173338.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After jumping from the diving board, each of us also successfully swam against the current and planted ourselves at the bottom of the waterfall and had the cascades pound us. It took Lola and I about an hour's worth of attempts before we successfully managed getting to the base of the waterfall. We were exhausted by the end.</td></tr>
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The conclusion of our summer trip was going to Niagara Falls. I won't lie, the area surrounding Niagara definitely has a commercial feel. The Niagara River and the Falls, though, astonish with force and beauty. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxlRCnnkG0COdchJvmN_Og2X3wNPhbarmJeJ8RA8jpz27y67u8_H7NOw6qSNxzX5z0S3pskjRxKUs7hSQELsXZwUL1GVzrPOiRQBFbpwc9C09-9jOXBvYRuFaOS409MUbNDoCRIuTQbEH/s1600/IMG_20190712_145219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkxlRCnnkG0COdchJvmN_Og2X3wNPhbarmJeJ8RA8jpz27y67u8_H7NOw6qSNxzX5z0S3pskjRxKUs7hSQELsXZwUL1GVzrPOiRQBFbpwc9C09-9jOXBvYRuFaOS409MUbNDoCRIuTQbEH/s320/IMG_20190712_145219.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you tell I'm excited? I don't think I've ever smiled so hard.</td></tr>
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We camped at Four Mile Creek State Park, which was a few miles away from Niagara, on the bank of Lake Ontario. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our last night on the trip, we sat and watched the sun set over Lake Ontario.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And we were up early enough for the sunrise the next morning. Lovely.</td></tr>
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<br />KSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13187688424539380660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524361657567178934.post-1738466583786622902020-01-17T21:20:00.001-05:002020-01-17T21:23:42.702-05:00Vacation 2019: Acadia National ParkThe Whomptons have been planning an Acadia National Park trip ever since Jessie moved to Maine. It's been on the list FOREVER (or, at least, for five years) and we finally made it happen in July 2019. Islands, Schoodic Peninsula, large granite boulders, steep inclines, gorgeous views at every turn, and mosquitoes swarming at every opportunity: Acadia hit all the emotions!<br />
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I don't remember which picture corresponds to which hike, so rather than captioning each picture I'll do a synopsis of our jaunts here. We took advantage of the shuttle service -- highly recommend!<br />
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- Stayed at Seawall Campground and Blackwoods Campground<br />
- Hiked these trails: Gorham Mtn, Beehive, Bowl, Champlain South Ridge, Gorge, Cadillac South, Dorr, Schiff Path, Henlock, Beachcroft, Champlain North, Ocean Path, Great Head, Perpendicular, Mansell Mtn, Great Notch, Beech Mtn, St. Sauveur Mtn, Valley Cove, and Ledge Trail. We did not do the Precipice Trail due to nesting peregrine falcons.<br />
- Add popovers at Jordan Pond House and walked the Jordan Pond Natural Trail<br />
- Checked out the Wild Gardens of Acadia and the Nature Center multiple times<br />
- Walked a bit of a Carriage trail<br />
- Marveled at Thunder Hole<br />
- Drove around Schoodic Peninsula, went to Frazer and Schoodic Points, and the Schoodic Institute<br />
- Was disappointed by the Hulls Cove Visitor Center<br />
- Ate a lobster roll in Winter Harbor<br />
- Saw the Bass Harbor Head Light<br />
- Tried to look for tidal pool creatures and wait for sunset views but the mosquitoes ate us alive<br />
- Tried to impulse buy a new tent with more mosquito netting but in the end did not<br />
- Lounged and dipped our toes in at Sand Beach<br />
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The hiking situation was very different than out west. Since the mountain elevation was pretty low (500 - 1200 ft above sea level) we were able to ascend many of the mountains in a single day. Also it certainly helps when the mountain trail is massive step-up on boulders or literally ladders rather than using switchbacks.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First hike ever in my life that involved climbing a ladder as part of the ascent. This is relatively common in Acadia and one hike we did (the Beehive) was essentially so steep that it required climbing ladders for much of it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Schoodic Penisula drive -- so lovely, hardly any crowds, lots of scenery</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoztnl5968If64B9nuedu9kWGO4ZDr5OgCZJ6fOw9bN0y5qcmg5bdzn9W0B4KlWAeW9_YHPFYLX1WNMvaNhfI2nPbc2QR_gQ6IdJWVeMlGenLNl672X5rvgLo1X7EVbcgljplMv6t2JoaR/s1600/IMG_20190705_163603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoztnl5968If64B9nuedu9kWGO4ZDr5OgCZJ6fOw9bN0y5qcmg5bdzn9W0B4KlWAeW9_YHPFYLX1WNMvaNhfI2nPbc2QR_gQ6IdJWVeMlGenLNl672X5rvgLo1X7EVbcgljplMv6t2JoaR/s320/IMG_20190705_163603.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Massive step-ups at every turn.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMZ7PZ5TCH3xusMTSTWHSWhEg-6RLELq7xWnBJo-vmBFl855x3RSTw-7Q_HeHj4e_1rfFHrdKqZpclm0hj3mb127q9XkaMuc7SQgq2d8SZ7uCV3gUBYoNQIg8MhyphenhyphenB4eHcr_o-UUkfgcZH/s1600/IMG_20190705_202058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBMZ7PZ5TCH3xusMTSTWHSWhEg-6RLELq7xWnBJo-vmBFl855x3RSTw-7Q_HeHj4e_1rfFHrdKqZpclm0hj3mb127q9XkaMuc7SQgq2d8SZ7uCV3gUBYoNQIg8MhyphenhyphenB4eHcr_o-UUkfgcZH/s320/IMG_20190705_202058.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at Seawall campground</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Junior Rangers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahCVKbpMYw8HIbFOFOSKY2w-vlHzayu9aZTRfbpJzutFb86RBn2wuZ68ZEpGyFE41QlMHUSFAthKYEcXawHAizdLX_Ns1OYdJNzrpRKlpM1zjhC98576UudVue3F8Qy_hzenbT4CE6c5x/s1600/IMG_20190707_105720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahCVKbpMYw8HIbFOFOSKY2w-vlHzayu9aZTRfbpJzutFb86RBn2wuZ68ZEpGyFE41QlMHUSFAthKYEcXawHAizdLX_Ns1OYdJNzrpRKlpM1zjhC98576UudVue3F8Qy_hzenbT4CE6c5x/s320/IMG_20190707_105720.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every view was worth stopping for. We have hundreds of pictures of blue skies, blue ocean, and mountain.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQ2cmTn984X5myie2j04TqjaibvFHLY8WADq4WFFgpY6BtPjkMp06fVBxtzfPysVG5blFX2Op-QefWJWCgU1G5XktnyJcN_N-XfYRCHRN3iNr4ytieQFyayJ7yeXtN3UqG8DZ3StmKRwa/s1600/IMG_20190707_133102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQ2cmTn984X5myie2j04TqjaibvFHLY8WADq4WFFgpY6BtPjkMp06fVBxtzfPysVG5blFX2Op-QefWJWCgU1G5XktnyJcN_N-XfYRCHRN3iNr4ytieQFyayJ7yeXtN3UqG8DZ3StmKRwa/s320/IMG_20190707_133102.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We took an off-the-beaten path. Eric was certain it would kill us but, once the kids and I made it down, he made it down too. It does not help that Eric has a healthy fear of heights.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDyGjHFQUbwDr5CxCov6LSmaFrmqVZKgYX2x0Q9FRgP_aBILYoIxvio5e3KK0-xn3Stz4Kxm8mgfX7vKAoOgsw9XkKWQ4vmZb2wN9SbiyMuuppRQyWH5k8KZZ69KVykDuMoLmX2KtPEnx/s1600/IMG_20190707_133449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDyGjHFQUbwDr5CxCov6LSmaFrmqVZKgYX2x0Q9FRgP_aBILYoIxvio5e3KK0-xn3Stz4Kxm8mgfX7vKAoOgsw9XkKWQ4vmZb2wN9SbiyMuuppRQyWH5k8KZZ69KVykDuMoLmX2KtPEnx/s320/IMG_20190707_133449.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For perspective, here is what we climbed down.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqqz6GrruJUoML_Z1xDZBYYmDyic5Ar91xu1VdOnldCv_yPxp2CEPS4R82CTFJ6eCRjsLuanVx1blaYqN2EC6bsHK94tu6NgljWYLsKUFwHLTRxzsltDZAb4LfamENOtXkjax2ax5jWt7/s1600/IMG_20190707_184623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqqz6GrruJUoML_Z1xDZBYYmDyic5Ar91xu1VdOnldCv_yPxp2CEPS4R82CTFJ6eCRjsLuanVx1blaYqN2EC6bsHK94tu6NgljWYLsKUFwHLTRxzsltDZAb4LfamENOtXkjax2ax5jWt7/s320/IMG_20190707_184623.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0_3iXH06dc3ptwxYfQTppLdj7cFQJLx1sAF66rdXYRQ-J__my8fvVzUPBQ0P85WH25BCExhMY4IbIHflI1jWqIERm8-VWdRzyXCAQBrAvusXQJp3q15Vk9ZLk-WVirtFGNPOgtnWMZBl/s1600/IMG_20190708_083942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0_3iXH06dc3ptwxYfQTppLdj7cFQJLx1sAF66rdXYRQ-J__my8fvVzUPBQ0P85WH25BCExhMY4IbIHflI1jWqIERm8-VWdRzyXCAQBrAvusXQJp3q15Vk9ZLk-WVirtFGNPOgtnWMZBl/s320/IMG_20190708_083942.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKTQwWlqOOr0RtPekCusf8v3souKABRn9cvIfdTYzaLmt2JAfaV3nW80Ly_Fhs71IfsUFQ68x0MGiEQ2VIk632dDraWDmRZkurPPYAo2J139ruVOMKidklrxU7BXSLR0C4bZfTjdv4wI-/s1600/IMG_20190708_095153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKTQwWlqOOr0RtPekCusf8v3souKABRn9cvIfdTYzaLmt2JAfaV3nW80Ly_Fhs71IfsUFQ68x0MGiEQ2VIk632dDraWDmRZkurPPYAo2J139ruVOMKidklrxU7BXSLR0C4bZfTjdv4wI-/s320/IMG_20190708_095153.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thousands of people drive up Cadillac Mountain to get this view. I highly recommend doing the hike up to the top instead. So worth it. Also, one of those islands in the distance is named Porcupine Island. Awesome.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzxsdj4R9y10gMmUrret5wt0L3poG1fiMrnr7Q-7iqrM9H6kzlGB0QMuIoRBw7LLH4RrCYI-FfqZvV-3Yfnpf9QhULJxCHcgeHdUuerifrkHGFPsmc6BYwonGtNeZR3FQNOX8mJlqlDH3/s1600/IMG_20190708_123301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzxsdj4R9y10gMmUrret5wt0L3poG1fiMrnr7Q-7iqrM9H6kzlGB0QMuIoRBw7LLH4RrCYI-FfqZvV-3Yfnpf9QhULJxCHcgeHdUuerifrkHGFPsmc6BYwonGtNeZR3FQNOX8mJlqlDH3/s320/IMG_20190708_123301.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We joined the beach-goers one hot afternoon and lazed around a bit. Note: Maine ocean waters in July are still REALLY FRICKEN COLD.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzV0aJv-jznw9lH2W5-WYxZNfVvCkCsonHbebIkjTbQ_cULYo2wnjPH-cSR71Z27GWSB994PEnA2SP3z1Jb7mnWRckVcPF0lwH2M5Rs2iGLheEcI4EI5IYNgzujCmgYTLpgA9BttoS5Ua/s1600/IMG_20190709_095356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibzV0aJv-jznw9lH2W5-WYxZNfVvCkCsonHbebIkjTbQ_cULYo2wnjPH-cSR71Z27GWSB994PEnA2SP3z1Jb7mnWRckVcPF0lwH2M5Rs2iGLheEcI4EI5IYNgzujCmgYTLpgA9BttoS5Ua/s320/IMG_20190709_095356.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We departed Maine and drove through Canada to make our next stop in Upstate New York. Do we speak French? We do not. Ordering our lunch at a Quebec restaurant was quite the adventure.</td></tr>
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<br />KSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13187688424539380660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524361657567178934.post-29678433335176506302020-01-17T19:55:00.002-05:002020-01-17T19:55:17.577-05:002019 in Numbers<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
1: call to Child Protective Services about children in cages
on the Texas / Mexico border.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
200: pounds and my personal record for the deadlift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recovering from surgeries has made this peak difficult
to regain and sustain.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6: number of desserts I made for the NARAL Pro-Choice
Missouri Auction<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
139: books I read authored by women and/or folx of color<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
10: Black Lives Matter vigils<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
33: number of doctor appointments for Krystal (includes 3
surgeries)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
6: days I spent caring for little Auggie over spring break<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
20: number of states through which I drove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky,
Tennessee, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North Carolina, West Virginia, Pennsylvania,
New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Quebec,
Michigan, Alabama<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2: number of shows I saw Raina stage-manage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>Bulling, Ink</i> and one-acts from Summer
Stock<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2: musicals at the Fox. <i>Come Away with Me</i> and <i>Dear
Evan Hansen<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
5: shades of teal on the walls in our home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We added 2 additional in Lola’s room.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
17: bags of items donated due to the great purge of the
basement (my anniversary gift to Eric)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unknown: Lola basketball games attended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eric’s number is at least quadruple mine.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
18: hours spent volunteering at the St. Louis Area Foodbank –
the leadership changed at the Foodbank and this number is down in 2019 as a
result<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
96: Individual Ethical Society meetings attended (not including
platform addresses) – For my own sanity, I hope this number decreases in
2020.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />KSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13187688424539380660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524361657567178934.post-57573342053032274102019-12-29T18:53:00.001-05:002020-01-17T20:03:14.229-05:00Whomptons' Fall 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This fall, the majority of our traditionally allocated time was devoted to doctor appointments. Samantha was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and underwent two surgeries in April; her radiation treatment kicked off the beginning of the new school year. Early into Raina's cross country season she injured her hip and she had lots of physical therapy to repair and strengthen the area; she also was declared anemic and there were multiple appointments trying to determine the root cause of her anemia. Krystal added three surgeries to the schedule, in addition to meeting with a number of doctors to manage the mastocytosis. Eric and Lola managed to stay healthy, thank goodness! </div>
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Lola took the fall season off from basketball (she played winter, spring, and summer ball) and focused on running, recuperating, and reworking her shot. Eric's cell phone is filled with videos of Lola on the court; they often spend time reviewing her videos to improve her play. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The start of the fall season, for us school folk, begins in August. Highlights of August: </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- Krystal won the MICDS Employee Uno tournament with a clutch play at the end, which caused lots of gasps from the crowd. My reward was a ginormous TV!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- Raina began her Freshman year at MICDS and Lola began 5th grade at Ross Elementary.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- Raina began her first cross country season, with 5-6 two-hour practices a week. Running cross country for two hours in 95 degrees is absolutely brutal and I'm impressed that she kept with it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- Eric's company (no longer Thomson Reuters, now Refinitiv) had a company party at Grant's Farm. We fed the goats, ate ridiculous amounts of food, rocked the dance floor, and did our best to not embarrass Eric too much! :) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
- We began watching <i>Jane the Virgin</i> on Netflix. The five seasons of <i>Jane</i> occupied a fair amount of free time this fall.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8zA0ZKG4PcyzTrr-kJnjieupDedQe7CREFUF9NfHFqddWoHZMPu72UXG63uzKkdUUSC11XOhGw_y3p53MFQl0BgNZa3NQL9VPEm9Tvlqg9kIMszJxzRb9DI7YY8lH8CIuDuxV45oDEOh/s1600/IMG-1170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8zA0ZKG4PcyzTrr-kJnjieupDedQe7CREFUF9NfHFqddWoHZMPu72UXG63uzKkdUUSC11XOhGw_y3p53MFQl0BgNZa3NQL9VPEm9Tvlqg9kIMszJxzRb9DI7YY8lH8CIuDuxV45oDEOh/s320/IMG-1170.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a great shot capturing the moment at the Uno tournament. My favorite picture of 2019. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-l1NjPgYVhLW8ccHZQ0Pt1C6-Wo_-66XGjfbgysaDUbKpwfUNig_uB3M7Lx1_TCj5jJAzQ_9KfitShoaxK0jFNCxcjJACyKOyBDJtXZEtevX49i1eK_kf0ibYtIlLtqNmaru62NZLupF/s1600/IMG_20190810_183734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-l1NjPgYVhLW8ccHZQ0Pt1C6-Wo_-66XGjfbgysaDUbKpwfUNig_uB3M7Lx1_TCj5jJAzQ_9KfitShoaxK0jFNCxcjJACyKOyBDJtXZEtevX49i1eK_kf0ibYtIlLtqNmaru62NZLupF/s320/IMG_20190810_183734.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutest kid(s)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ5uFolBMBmlPN4HGbi2tI6J6-TUbxzhnnvAl9W6-q_hAhrlKqfNiIu-WAD5Yb9i1hZ5TuLW7pJht2lOCdvPHXUznQRVcWxQERlK5Og8wkCzaAPoxqJxCvbvPWNQrypk-UU_xQWnqJaCw/s1600/IMG_20190810_202447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ5uFolBMBmlPN4HGbi2tI6J6-TUbxzhnnvAl9W6-q_hAhrlKqfNiIu-WAD5Yb9i1hZ5TuLW7pJht2lOCdvPHXUznQRVcWxQERlK5Og8wkCzaAPoxqJxCvbvPWNQrypk-UU_xQWnqJaCw/s320/IMG_20190810_202447.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family photo with a Clydesdale. The horse is better attired than we are! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Highlights of September:<br />
- The Whomptons became "those people" and became Six Flags season pass holders. We went over Labor Day weekend (along with a HUGE amount of people) to try to get our money's worth. Eric and the girls enjoyed riding roller coasters; Krystal rode one coaster which immediately broke her and -- no joke -- required that she take a nap at a picnic table to recuperate.<br />
- Architecture takes the lead in Raina's favorite classes -- overtaking Latin, nudging aside Calculus -- and reveals a whole new way to view the world.<br />
- The Zoo Parent Picnic -- always a great time!<br />
- Krystal chaperoned Lola's class field trip to the Science Center.<br />
- NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri Gala<br />
- Homecoming weekend, with the Fun Run and Carnival. Due to my surgeries, this was the first Fun Run and Carnival celebration I missed in 12 years. On the plus side, Raina's "brother" made it to the Fun Run family photo.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgez1pbj9KHDuM_cIxzPq8YwRIT7r2y9Ax1Jx_8R81IZj8UniYMlrr5YJ4NphoXZoAQflrQKONefIgJUJGrUQ3vPHMuZQK8SHEfwrkgVyQnin8wkLViLDSKzfnn8L4Cbwohql3prEsjHz2E/s1600/IMG_20190906_185131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgez1pbj9KHDuM_cIxzPq8YwRIT7r2y9Ax1Jx_8R81IZj8UniYMlrr5YJ4NphoXZoAQflrQKONefIgJUJGrUQ3vPHMuZQK8SHEfwrkgVyQnin8wkLViLDSKzfnn8L4Cbwohql3prEsjHz2E/s320/IMG_20190906_185131.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zoo Parent Picnic means everything at the zoo is free. The girls immediately gravitated to grooming the goats.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyrmlE9QLkhYflCd6uUBY4EU0SB-rE6WDlR03r14h0EKK0DsfNONYt5NrpukLswhBGX0bId9Cy9EPe44LTb8pPhUV1fGJXYaBOmC0aVfiUNWc9lMQJyMYNZcTe17DvAATN7NjhN7lvU1-/s1600/IMG_20190928_075907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyrmlE9QLkhYflCd6uUBY4EU0SB-rE6WDlR03r14h0EKK0DsfNONYt5NrpukLswhBGX0bId9Cy9EPe44LTb8pPhUV1fGJXYaBOmC0aVfiUNWc9lMQJyMYNZcTe17DvAATN7NjhN7lvU1-/s320/IMG_20190928_075907.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lola and Eric were the sole Whomptons at the Fun Run</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
October highlights:<br />
- Lola and Krystal joined a Mommy-Daughter Book Club.<br />
- The family spent a lovely evening exploring the Delmar Loop.<br />
- We saw <i>Dear Evan Hansen</i> on tour.<br />
- Krystal chaperoned Lola's field trip to Cahokia Mounds.<br />
- We attended MICDS Open House as a prospective family. Raina showed everyone all the ins-and-outs of being a high schooler.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFJxFSj3nalSJDGBv38Kg9I7rsJBtOxUDNdcxmJ6LchbaD5Y5SXbfQ2c6ks0yZQRoo-QDUAqscK_8mQgAM6saUJTpFhIkqXaafyoXbaXMLKLOWmy3gDEYlo-8CET4-Hud-vbGM_eM5453/s1600/IMG_20191005_103714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzFJxFSj3nalSJDGBv38Kg9I7rsJBtOxUDNdcxmJ6LchbaD5Y5SXbfQ2c6ks0yZQRoo-QDUAqscK_8mQgAM6saUJTpFhIkqXaafyoXbaXMLKLOWmy3gDEYlo-8CET4-Hud-vbGM_eM5453/s320/IMG_20191005_103714.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attempt #1 to reach Howell Island for an afternoon hike. The Missouri River had overrun the land-bridge, so we bailed and went shopping at the Columbia Outlet instead.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmcWDHx-oOEDEXEdGlYs5CVQ_lCCD_0SKvCVPPNVBP5b6aAIN0LOSmYv0kuS_RdhA0tUqOmsPPsxEDhO3hf6kVXXGym-UVXliF5mfLzh9aXIDmTHp3aYbYgsCarNDa_AxNzdUmH8_C6tm/s1600/IMG_20191012_125030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmcWDHx-oOEDEXEdGlYs5CVQ_lCCD_0SKvCVPPNVBP5b6aAIN0LOSmYv0kuS_RdhA0tUqOmsPPsxEDhO3hf6kVXXGym-UVXliF5mfLzh9aXIDmTHp3aYbYgsCarNDa_AxNzdUmH8_C6tm/s320/IMG_20191012_125030.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Family Friday Fun Night (actually a Saturday afternoon) at a high ropes course</td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizc44jtitvxRJKSjLSt91WyOfgdcUukbXX_a3oaBbflvFmA0yIeL1R5Ee6471NU2l6ubkFDHtWTDIDtyF4YKv4RhIoJC9Rw2wLF41TlwnKz23lt0TrPkymY7Ue09M8RV2IL4ARF8-1vIBD/s1600/IMG_20191031_195355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizc44jtitvxRJKSjLSt91WyOfgdcUukbXX_a3oaBbflvFmA0yIeL1R5Ee6471NU2l6ubkFDHtWTDIDtyF4YKv4RhIoJC9Rw2wLF41TlwnKz23lt0TrPkymY7Ue09M8RV2IL4ARF8-1vIBD/s320/IMG_20191031_195355.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lola continued her annual tradition of using Raina's homemade Halloween costume from a few years prior. Here she is, in Raina's Mistborn costume. I believe this was Raina's last homemade costume, so who knows what Lola will choose to do next year!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
November highlights:<br />
- Raina's braces went back on. She was a high level of bitter about it.<br />
- We staffed the Girls on the Run 5K.<br />
- We saw <i>Noises Off!</i> multiple times.<br />
- Lola performed in an All-District Strings session.<br />
- Krystal met with an international expert about her disease.<br />
- Lola's basketball season began. Suddenly the weekdays and weekends were even more jam packed!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitz998YHMGe6RHsYHRdNUBlNsJzucoTCYL1Ai9imfo0cPr_8jyLOQc3qmUbEUZXJMRHSlJKIjF34_b1wf1o5HNuvD1GfQcE5d8u0PO-5Z6CnbFDwt3Yznk6C2B0dchUyt8fCUWKzZCLqjW/s1600/IMG_20191108_194615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitz998YHMGe6RHsYHRdNUBlNsJzucoTCYL1Ai9imfo0cPr_8jyLOQc3qmUbEUZXJMRHSlJKIjF34_b1wf1o5HNuvD1GfQcE5d8u0PO-5Z6CnbFDwt3Yznk6C2B0dchUyt8fCUWKzZCLqjW/s320/IMG_20191108_194615.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Whompton adults attended a <i>Dia de los Muertos </i>fiesta. We paid tribute to our grandmother (both wearing her cardigans), to Roxanne, and to Dr. Stern. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqIRH_ULcAHqpj8TgOBVOX9GzSigT3JtepEUfDCcrM_b7D1k_jxmEGzfSA0d9lsgYrGvI6ZEbGi0U6B1NwhvYH5g3zun7_AOLoi9k4Wls6FblEVlkhu5Pngv98x8lkrkrXZ-HquucK37E/s1600/IMG_20191128_085311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqIRH_ULcAHqpj8TgOBVOX9GzSigT3JtepEUfDCcrM_b7D1k_jxmEGzfSA0d9lsgYrGvI6ZEbGi0U6B1NwhvYH5g3zun7_AOLoi9k4Wls6FblEVlkhu5Pngv98x8lkrkrXZ-HquucK37E/s320/IMG_20191128_085311.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving hike at Castlewood State Park with family friends, followed by our traditional Indian buffet meal. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
December highlights:<br />
- Raina's Robotics team -- of which she is a lead coder -- had their first competition of the season. It was stressful and meant a lot of concentrated robotics time in that week, but they learned a lot and are excited for round #2.<br />
- Lola finished her MICDS application, took the SSAT, and the full family had our interview. She also registered for 6th grade courses at Parkway NEMS AND her parents completed the application for Parkway West. Having multiple schooling options is a great thing but it's stressing us all out.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
- Eight inches of snow meant TWO snow days in the last week before winter break. WOOHOO!<br />
- We celebrated Christmas in Nashville with Eric's family.<br />
- All the Whomptons plus many Comptons did a Civil Rights tour of Montgomery, Selma, and Birmingham, AL. This will have to be a separate posting, because it was so powerful.<br />
- Raina's braces came back off. Permanent retainer for life!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbqbsvfzpv9pTgDZ87asiiCnXO7RztHqk71v60WpqZKnsUcr-DEOc3LiIcDuSQmjZktGLPaeKswTjR2nuBiy7OnC_W-2hty4p4sJrITYwHN75H6R2OCiZvxZs8Wq0E-oUdNpf2fjoSpr_/s1600/IMG_20191222_142933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbqbsvfzpv9pTgDZ87asiiCnXO7RztHqk71v60WpqZKnsUcr-DEOc3LiIcDuSQmjZktGLPaeKswTjR2nuBiy7OnC_W-2hty4p4sJrITYwHN75H6R2OCiZvxZs8Wq0E-oUdNpf2fjoSpr_/s320/IMG_20191222_142933.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attempt #2 for the Howell Island hike. We could at least see the land bridge this time. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rNCmTyztmAyQv9kIN3d3VOx3kHjHlHD3xz6l4m3oyvcDAWZ9XwAMk4RpoB9ImlRQ15r-mCDWrznxBeqN-jyaOYQ9Hg2qTblFw-3hb9vAG8xx2WfahwsGQVBsZJYC4Wf8F_JGB_iOptrl/s1600/IMG_20191223_081631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4rNCmTyztmAyQv9kIN3d3VOx3kHjHlHD3xz6l4m3oyvcDAWZ9XwAMk4RpoB9ImlRQ15r-mCDWrznxBeqN-jyaOYQ9Hg2qTblFw-3hb9vAG8xx2WfahwsGQVBsZJYC4Wf8F_JGB_iOptrl/s320/IMG_20191223_081631.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We unintentionally dressed in matching opposites, down to our white socks and black shoes. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dZCdXUpbIGu8_TqxySH-e5vyKbuSjWmbfSeNkW8Vue7IAa_KilRjX1NSX_Xdxh9j_-QoVZxsi686iqFWO69gd6uAG_2H9WG_IWoH2mggXofkmTEXjdwL1P8s0rBby_8mOFwSa33fNiJk/s1600/IMG_20191224_191936_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dZCdXUpbIGu8_TqxySH-e5vyKbuSjWmbfSeNkW8Vue7IAa_KilRjX1NSX_Xdxh9j_-QoVZxsi686iqFWO69gd6uAG_2H9WG_IWoH2mggXofkmTEXjdwL1P8s0rBby_8mOFwSa33fNiJk/s320/IMG_20191224_191936_1.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We never take pictures in front of a holiday tree. Here's our best attempt.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzfhOOPPLON70wui74294koNptNStGqxoIYJzRpRoSFC3Wj0OKhMCwI_Ll2EiwI9T89E1j1IAJdaTof5nTNinCzNYVolE0zpHeKOw9ldB4exmoDJrkA_owtOkV3ESbk0vmO8kp1hskw3l/s1600/IMG_20191224_192208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzfhOOPPLON70wui74294koNptNStGqxoIYJzRpRoSFC3Wj0OKhMCwI_Ll2EiwI9T89E1j1IAJdaTof5nTNinCzNYVolE0zpHeKOw9ldB4exmoDJrkA_owtOkV3ESbk0vmO8kp1hskw3l/s320/IMG_20191224_192208.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even more family.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXgRNwYitHNWWuo0NJ7hmt-mKpivCvQsJiG6N1RdEHFknOWchysg1HsU4PAgvgGfulcyYb0hWhPimmJ2HSWzRAM0qS-EPcty4WzaOlJYWyROoh7X3mvbtNQ-CG1GvV-KiSlPcGk8cM4nF/s1600/IMG_20191227_104711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXgRNwYitHNWWuo0NJ7hmt-mKpivCvQsJiG6N1RdEHFknOWchysg1HsU4PAgvgGfulcyYb0hWhPimmJ2HSWzRAM0qS-EPcty4WzaOlJYWyROoh7X3mvbtNQ-CG1GvV-KiSlPcGk8cM4nF/s320/IMG_20191227_104711.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The church from which Dr. King organized the Montgomery bus boycott.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrPnLzGJEyebbsdhMF7-faeZNrranHzRH-pUk-L6rxgRUnfOgKt-O3bA4VN1Xy0bEz_qnVeQJk65V_1-dNNj86m5ZIn0v9ezjafYL_5rv6j9mvDO9mxmDHko4u_PjDoLDmjeULWawXdXa/s1600/IMG_20191227_153305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGrPnLzGJEyebbsdhMF7-faeZNrranHzRH-pUk-L6rxgRUnfOgKt-O3bA4VN1Xy0bEz_qnVeQJk65V_1-dNNj86m5ZIn0v9ezjafYL_5rv6j9mvDO9mxmDHko4u_PjDoLDmjeULWawXdXa/s320/IMG_20191227_153305.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the Pettus Bridge from Selma</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLtYhh4CO0ksH_cmKOEtIoYl-b0qAOTYzzyRr5vxt4Ne82Nghhd51hsBRp7f7PGBm4P_jg6aRaU1kAdbsAq5vyE1sKU6GE9-s-9SCJ_p__0GHpD9rqeNBjrj8HpsD-470ris3YEuwQfym/s1600/IMG_2097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLtYhh4CO0ksH_cmKOEtIoYl-b0qAOTYzzyRr5vxt4Ne82Nghhd51hsBRp7f7PGBm4P_jg6aRaU1kAdbsAq5vyE1sKU6GE9-s-9SCJ_p__0GHpD9rqeNBjrj8HpsD-470ris3YEuwQfym/s320/IMG_2097.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing in the footsteps of everyday heroes. Conclusion of Selma to Montgomery March, near the Capitol building</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5Sw3cRsFRyt-NJl9ejL0Z8pGnOmk-0RV1BHKNk33uZvdXFPpkGKkIP7fZTv0SC9ctsIGr9wNqdjABnHDRCegCD8jsyhlRp3kN7BrIE11W3V1xR7xj2UuFhDyhelu9INXTS_ehrMIjVeG/s1600/IMG_2094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5Sw3cRsFRyt-NJl9ejL0Z8pGnOmk-0RV1BHKNk33uZvdXFPpkGKkIP7fZTv0SC9ctsIGr9wNqdjABnHDRCegCD8jsyhlRp3kN7BrIE11W3V1xR7xj2UuFhDyhelu9INXTS_ehrMIjVeG/s320/IMG_2094.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Legacy of lynching in my home county</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />KSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13187688424539380660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524361657567178934.post-3117839111184571502019-10-20T15:04:00.000-05:002019-10-20T15:04:45.904-05:00In "good" health<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
In July 2018, MICDS switched the base level insurance plan;
as a result, many of my doctors were no longer in network.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could pay substantially more to upgrade my
insurance to keep them, or pay out-of-network expenses, or find new
doctors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a fiscally responsible gal,
so I decided to find new doctors, which included a new primary care
physician.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I met Dr. Sturm in late July 2018 and I immediately liked
her no-nonsense attitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came to her
for three reasons: 1. Establish a new relationship, 2. Get a routine check-up,
and 3. Discuss my ever worsening joint pain and swelling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My joint pain was so debilitating that I had
progressed from crying while running to not running at all to feeling pain each
time I walked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I immediately was
prescribed a regimen of arthritis meds (the same set I had used 8 years prior)
plus turmeric and a stretching routine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She sent me out to do blood work – checking for rheumatoid arthritis,
among other things – and ordered me back soon.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I saw her on a Wednesday, had my blood draw on that Friday,
and she had me in to see a hematologist/oncologist on Wednesday, exactly 7 days
into our doctor/patient relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
white blood cell count was low – uncomfortably low, in her estimation, and had
been for a long time – and she wanted answers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Within a week I had a new primary care physician AND a new specialist.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I won’t lie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meeting
a doctor in a “Cancer Care” ward was more than scary for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dr. Wilkes and his staff were amazing,
though, and Dr. Wilkes framed the process for me: since my white blood cell
numbers were historically low there was likely a root cause and he was
determined to find it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d cast a wide
net and hope it popped up in the first try; if not, then he’d keep narrowing
and narrowing until he found it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found
this systematic problem-solving approach reassuring and I greatly appreciated
that I was yet another puzzle he was going to solve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We started the process with the wide net, and that wasn’t a
match.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had imaging done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had another appointment with more blood
draws and tests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a match.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet another appointment with more blood draws
and tests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a match.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At my fourth appointment, he told me that we
had eliminated out all the easy options and so it was time to talk a possible
blood cancer situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I immediately
began my deep breathing to keep my mind in the game and listened intently to
everything he had to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was going to
do a bone marrow biopsy and he was looking for cancer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My bone marrow biopsy occurred on 19 September 2018 and I
waited two weeks for the results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
scheduled my “results” appointment with Dr. Wilkes to occur 1.5 hours before a
full day of parent-teacher conferences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That probably wasn’t the best professional move I’ve ever made, but I
certainly didn’t want to wait any longer than I needed to get a definite yes or
no on the cancer situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On October 4<sup>th</sup>,
I checked into the Cancer Care office and hoped, hoped, hoped that I didn’t have
cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dr. Wilkes walked in without a
smile on his face and my hopes sank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
face was emotionally flat; it had to be the face he used when delivering bad
news to patients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me straight: I
didn’t have cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I burst into happy
tears because I was just so relieved and then I realized Dr. Wilkes was not
celebrating with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked closer at
him, saw that his expression had not changed, and my stomach sank again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then shared my actual diagnosis of
indolent systemic mastocytosis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
remember struggling to wrap my brain around this condition, because it has a
spectrum of severity with the most severe being a type of cancer with a near
100% mortality rate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He kept reassuring
me that I didn’t have cancer, which was a significant relief but, since the
condition is a rare disease, he had never treated someone with the condition
before and he didn’t know how to predict what my future would look like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I walked away from that appointment with a condition I could
google, a prescription for an epi-pen I should carry at all times, instructions
to get a medical alert bracelet, and with more medical tests scheduled on my
calendar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next up:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a CT scan and a DEXA bone density scan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Systemic mastocytosis is a bone marrow /
blood disorder, in which my body keeps making warped mast cells instead of the
appropriate number of white blood cells I actually need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those mast cells have to go somewhere and,
depending on their location choice in my body, my disease complication level might
increase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The CT scan showed that my mast cells were not targeting
organs yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My bone density scan – a
test normally given to women 65 years and older! – showed that I was within
normal parameters but close to being in the osteopenia range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I immediately upped my calcium pill intake
and doubled-down on my weight-training regimen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wanted stronger bones!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YvULCIf7XnEyLrC5UpDM6Q7fZZM5aO-apKF4zj5MR_LJrQNhPawR4nt4_Ydn_Fkt05nE7oEJMkcXN3jIZKQC-vNc_2u53VBHMjjlKb8NPOmyYJxys2MpOY-1ID3Q4BbyhHtHAwLAKzX8/s1600/osteopenia.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="491" data-original-width="711" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YvULCIf7XnEyLrC5UpDM6Q7fZZM5aO-apKF4zj5MR_LJrQNhPawR4nt4_Ydn_Fkt05nE7oEJMkcXN3jIZKQC-vNc_2u53VBHMjjlKb8NPOmyYJxys2MpOY-1ID3Q4BbyhHtHAwLAKzX8/s400/osteopenia.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
I spent the next few months reading everything I could on
mastocytosis and mast cell disorders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The more I read the more horrified I became, because there are so many
people who are truly suffering from this condition and I became fearful that my
condition would worsen to their levels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dr. Wilkes encouraged me to keep a food diary and try to
track if certain foods affected me by flushing, swelling, heartburn, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From June to present day I’ve been on an
elimination diet, in which I eliminated everything I thought might be a trigger
and slowly reintroduced items to see if I had a reaction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Initial conclusions: My body has poor
reactions to dairy and sugar in its non-natural forms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t react to apples, but I do to apple
pie, for instance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a result, I’ve
eliminated sweet items like cookies, cakes, donuts, chocolate, and jelly from
my diet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m currently trying to
determine whether bread is a trigger; signs are pointing to yes, but not as
severe of a trigger as sugar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alcohol immediately
causes a reaction – that one is so extreme that I react when breathing the red
wine fumes from other people’s wine glasses!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I haven’t figured everything out yet, but I do feel so much better since
eliminating sugar from my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more
I learn the better I hope to feel in the long run.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other medical items of note include being diagnosed with
hypothyroidism and having three surgeries in the space of two months: IUD
removal, hysteroscopy, skin cancer removal, and facial repair to do the
previous surgery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve learned that my
mast cells really do not like my body to be in stressful situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Painful GI responses join the joint
inflammation fun!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the weeks
post-surgery anything I ate caused immediate and prolonged heartburn (a
condition I had experienced only one time prior, due to a stressful launch of a
fundraising campaign I was chairing).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
learned to love matzo and applesauce.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol-ext; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: "Segoe UI Emoji";">😊</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, it’s a Whompton mantra that drinking
water fixes most problems and, not surprisingly, drinking more water
substantially helped me flush out the anesthesia and recover faster post
surgeries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The quicker I can do that the
quicker my mast cells calm down and the quicker I feel normal again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the positive side, I have learned so much about myself
and my health, I’ve not had to use my epipen yet, my joint pain is considerably
lessened now compared to 1.5 years ago, and I can better anticipate how to
preserve those positive trends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Today is International Mastocytosis and Mast Cell Disease Day and, right now, </span>I’m
feeling so very grateful to be in "good" health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />KSWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13187688424539380660noreply@blogger.com0