New Growth and Glasses

Wrapping up January with a highlight--got to spend some time with mom! So glad she will be getting her second dose of the vaccine soon and perhaps in a few months we can have more regular, new-normal visits. Steven had his eye examination and we picked out new frames at Lens Crafters. Julia's plants continue to grow. I am pleasantly surprised that the mushroom box is working!

  

Ice Skating and Orbital Cellulitis

 Julia's semester is in full swing, with classes and TA-ing. Benjamin and Jules went ice skating outside; the ice is amazingly smooth. It looks like so much fun. Julia has a real greenhouse going in her apartment. She even ordered a special heat lamp for all of her new plant babies. And no matter the weather, she's still drinking iced coffee every day. 

Back on the home front, Steven's eye infection went from bad to worse, from urgent care visit, to the ER, then following up with a Zoom video call with a PA. The infection wasn't responding to the first round of prescriptions. And though he hated to go to the ER, it was absolutely necessary to ensure via CT scan that the infection hadn't spread to behind his eyeball. They put him on 2 stronger, more broad-based antibiotics and new eye ointment. It is still not back to normal, but everyday it looks slightly better. He's lucky that 99% of his work calls are without video! :)

Three-Year Anniversary Sweetness

Julia and Benjamin celebrated three years of dating on January 15. He got her some cool looking cactus plants. They are so supportive of each other. It will be interesting to see how Julia's semester goes with being a teacher's assistant (TA). And Benjamin has some possibilities in the works for flying. Check out the video of them on the St. Paul sidewalks--yikes! Meanwhile, the District is locking down in preparation for the inauguration on Wednesday. The Mall is completely closed off; National Guard troops are patrolling the streets and the U.S. Capitol is surrounded by fences topped with razor wire. 

Exiting the District

Julia packed up the Buick and headed west. She picked up Lia and then met up with Benjamin and Mike in Ohio. They had some old favorites--Hot Chicken Takeover, Buckeye Donuts--and made it back to St. Paul. We all miss her!

Launching into 2021

Ringing in the new year was low-key, with champaign/Bai and a charcuterie board. We've tried to squeeze in some favorites before Julia leaves, such as Compass cold brew coffees, Rocklands, puzzles, and just hanging out time. Wednesday, January 6, thousands of President Trump's supporters were in DC to protest the outcome of the 2020 election. Hundreds stormed the US Capitol as Congress met to certify electoral college votes for President-elect Biden. It was shocking and sad to watch this behavior. As if there isn't enough going on in the world right now...