Days With the Duerksens

For the first time in all of our lifetimes, we weren't together with extended family for Thanksgiving dinners.  Heeding advice from hospitals and other medical staff, we stayed put in our own homes this year.  Unfortunately, Covid cases are on the rise again - almost exponentially - across the whole country. And this is why we erred on the side of caution, missing our families, but thankful for everyone's health and trying to keep it that way! A lower-key Thanksgiving allowed me to try my hand at cooking thanksgiving meal all by myself - almost.  Grandma took one of our AGCO turkeys and baked it for us to share.  Otherwise, I made all of the usual since my Enneagram 1 self couldn't let me stray from tradition:  stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry Jell-o salad, zwieback, and our one variation - corn casserole. We gathered via Zoom on Thursday evening with the Epp clan and on Friday evening with the Duerksens.  It wasn't the same as meeting in person, of

 When the school year began, I didn't know what to expect, and I for sure didn't know whether we would be able to stay IN school for very long.  Actually, we have made it 12 weeks without too much disruption.  There have been students in and out of remote learning because of being close contacts to positive cases, but for the most part, we have been able to have school in a fairly normal fashion.  This could change soon because cases are rising exponentially around our state and the country.  Hospitals are full, and I don't know what that means for the upcoming winter.  If we've learned anything this year, it has that we have to be flexible! Google Meetings every evening with Quinli, who is quarantined while her mom recovers from Covid. Chelan, Caiden, and I made a trip to K-State for a college visit.  It is hard to believe that we are ready for this already!  We had a great day with a great tour guide - thanks, Cale!  We were able to visit the College of Ag.; specifica