New Year’s Eve

There are years you remember forever, seared into your memory, etched in stone, unforgettable; e.g. President Kennedy's assassination (1963), the moon landing (1969) and the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon (2001). 2020, the COVID year, is one of those years. People began stockpiling toilet paper, hand sanitizer, bottled water and food. …

Turkey Day

Wild Turkey - 2015 Happy Thanksgiving, 2020! The COVID-19 pandemic has overshadowed everything since March, and made even more frenetic the recent presidential election. Another spike of recent COVID cases is driving dramatic changes in our observance of this truly American holiday through city and state mandates; e.g. mask wearing, limiting the number of people …

Shadows

Shadows Shadows was the theme for the Iowa State Fair's 2020 Photography Salon, which was also cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus has impacted the entire world; it has reached every nook and cranny of each person's "normal routine". Nothing is as it should be. Not that I would have entered this photo …

COVID Graduation

High School Graduation A month later than planned, this 2020 class of high school seniors attended commencement ceremonies in their football stadium. Social distancing for the 300 students required the entire field. Each student was allowed only four guests (tickets checked at the gate) and they were assigned to certain areas of the bleachers to …

Social Distancing

US Senior Open - 2013 This past weekend, June 11 - 14th, was the first PGA (Pro Golfers's Association) tournament held since the COVID-19 pandemic halted play three months ago. It was played without fans. The next three scheduled tournaments will also be without fans. In a typical year The Masters, US Open and PGA …

Memorial Day

Sarasota National Cemetery The first Memorial Day (called Decoration Day) was in 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery to commemorate the sacrifices made by both sides of the Civil War. Over 620,000 men gave their life for what they believed in, a number too large to comprehend. Memorial Day became an official national holiday over 100 …

Darn It!

Ooops This will be a summer to remember; COVID-19 has turned everything upside down. Things we took for granted have been closed, cancelled or removed -- even little league baseball. Parks are closed, social distancing prevents players from practicing, and games aren't scheduled to start until June 18th. Even if games are played a whole …

Fashion Trend

Virus Masks The world is learning to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. Closed schools, libraries, bars, restaurants, movies, public parks, and cancelled activities that draw crowds; e.g. sporting events, concerts, weddings, funerals, etc. have become the norm. Wearing masks in public places is becoming more common. We only leave our house once a week, but …