1938-2020

"Look, she is all eyes," is what the Dad told the Mom when their little girl was born. She was a tiny, skinny baby with huge eyes, is the story she heard about her birth. That little baby grew up and she can remember grade school, junior high school, high school and time spent at Regis College. Some of the high lights she recalls are:

Family Picnics
May Crowning
Queen of Valentine Day Dance

Graduation from high school

Moving to Denver.

First job 

Getting married

Moving to Arvada.

Birth of two children.

Divorce.

Death of parents and brother.

Volunteering in Mexico.

Daughter leaving to join the Peace Corps.

Traveling.

Dancing every day of the week.

Loss of a best friend.

Grandchildren.

Death of her son.

Trips for groups.

Retirement.

Fourteen Presidents

Coronavirus.

Of course, there were many more exciting and memorable moments that could be listed but these are what she remembers as highlights. What she is going through today is probably the scariest because there does not seem to be any set pattern. People with no symptoms fall ill and are dead within weeks. Isolation is required and everything is closed other than grocery stores or essential places. Friends catch up on news on cell phones or the Internet with u-tube, e-mail, messenger, face book, etc. The news is filled with stories about shortage of medical equipment, deaths from the virus, politicians fighting on the best route to take, and the latest was that nurses and doctors are also getting ill with the virus and no one to replace them. 

Yes, that baby born in 1938 had no idea what her life would be like. Today, in 2020, she still has no idea what life will be like in the future!

 "The future starts today, not tomorrow."
Pope John Paul II

Someone I Knew Has Died From COVID-19

In the 1980's, after a day's work at the Legal Aid Society of Metropolitan Denver ended, a few of us would go to a bar about half a block away.  Friday was a fun time to sit around, drink, gossip and discuss cases at the bar. Some times a few of us would head to the Chapultepec to listen to jazz. I would go with a friend whose husband was a musician and we would drive to a place on Market Street (1962 Market St.), a place called the Chapultepec Jazz Club. I remember it was a long room, with a long dark bar and the musicians would play at the far end of the room. Freddy Rodriguez was introduced to me by my friend's husband. My friend's husband, who also played the saxophone, would sometimes be asked to sit in with the band. It amazed me how he could sit in with any band, be it Mexican, jazz, popular, or religious music and be able to join them as if he had been practicing with them all his life! He had known the lead player, Freddy Rodriguez, for many years and it was fun listening to them talk during breaks. They had fond memories of when and how they had gotten started music.

The place was always crowded and at times we waited outside before we could enter to listen to the band. They didn't always entertain with jazz numbers, but sometimes it would be dancing music and people would boogie in front of the band. I recall the Chapultepec as being a fun place with great music!

Photo by Even Semen Photography

Last night, on the news, I heard the sad news that Freddy Rodriguez has passed away from complications of COVD-19.  He would be, and I hope the last person I know, to die of the virus.

From the Internet I learned that the Chapultepec had opened in 1933 and it was a gathering place for many musicians. In 1942, Freddy Rodriguez attended Baker Junior High School and the school would lend instruments to poor students who could not afford to buy their own instruments. He began playing the clarinet and then moved to the saxophone. In 1948 he went into the service and played in a military band.  It surprised me to hear that he was on stage three weeks ago at the Chapultepec doing what he loved. He would say, "I will play as long as I live!" He believed that jazz was a projection and reflection of his life. He died at 89 years old on March 25, 2020. 

"Let's play this next song
not too fast and not too
slow --about half-fast."

Freddy Rodriguez

Being There Without Being There

Celebrating my granddaughter's birthday from afar! I received a text from my daughter telling me there would be a Face Time phone call so we could sing Happy Birthday to my granddaughter who  would be twenty-three years old. The Face Timing would take place at six pacific time and seven my time. At 6:45 I began to get ready for the party; hair, makeup, and sweater. I did not know what to expect but I was excited that I would be able to see them via my phone.

We hooked up and there they were with their smiling faces. The cake looked beautiful and because of the Coronavirus, they had ordered the cake and then my son-in-law picked it up. I watched as my granddaughter blew out the candles while we sang Happy Birthday. They sliced the scrumptious looking cake that I was told was raspberry, chocolate and mousse. It did look delicious and my mouth did water but there is only so much one can do on Face Time! She then opened her gifts and before  telling my family I loved them, my daughter took a picture. I had no idea how the picture would turn out but what a wonderful surprise when I saw it! It looks as if I am in a picture frame on their I-Pad.  After I told them I loved them, we hung up. I virtually celebrated with them!

Modern technology is wonderful as it keeps us in touch with family and friends. I do not know how I would survive being in lock down if it weren't for my phone and computer. They sure do help pass the time as we isolate ourselves and stay in our homes!

"Wishing you a Happy Birthdays from afar 

and may you enjoy your day. 

Sending lots of love always

and especially on your 23rd birthday"

Grandma 

Solidarity

When the world comes together to pray the Our Father with Pope Frances, it is quite a moving experience. For people in the Mountain Time Zone, that meant waking up at five in the morning to join the rest of the world in the prayer. It was a comforting feeling when I posted on Facebook that I was ready to pray with the Pope and got responses from friends that were also joining in the prayer. Of course, different time zones had people joining in at different times.

If anything is going to conquer the Coronavirus that has spread world-wide, it is going to be a world- wide prayer. I remember the  Aids epidemic and how bad it was, but not as bad as this current one. With Aids, only certain persons seemed to be affected. With this virus it is hitting everyone! No one seems to know how or when it will strike.

When I read about movie stars, athletes, travel, grandparents, children, teens, and the latest report was that Prince Charles had been tested and found to have the virus, I realize there does not seem to be any rhyme or reason. People are isolating themselves and nursing homes, churches, movie theaters, gambling casinos or large gatherings are no longer happening. Grocery stores have certain hours allotted for at risk people. Banks and credit union lobbies are closed. People are depending on the Internet to do their business. I wonder what would happen if the Internet system went down. I get a sick feeling just thinking about how scary that would be not being able to communicate by phone or computer. Being alone, the Internet is my source of connecting with others.

When I got the message that the Pope was asking everyone to join him in prayer at a certain time, I was ready.  As I prayed the Our Father, knowing others were also praying, I was filled with emotion and tears came to my eyes.  May God hear our joined plea for help! May this nightmare soon end. May family and friends stay safe and healthy. Amen

"We have therefore made the

assessment that COVID-19 can

be characterized as a pandemic."

Tedros Ghebreyesus

Director-General of the World Health Organization

Feeling Special

After a horrible night with no sleep I went to bed this morning and slept until noon. When I woke up I felt energetic and when I saw what a beautiful day it was with the blue sky and bright sun, I decided to go out. I had some letters to mail and I needed gas. I dropped off my mail at the out door mail box and slid my water bill into the Arvada box. That saved me fifty cents!

There weren't too many cars on the road and when I arrived at the Costco gas pumps, I drove right up. This was a first for me because I usually have to wait my turn to get gas. That was the first inkling that gave me a feeling of being special. A young man came by and sprayed the front of the pump. How neat, disinfecting the pumps was a special touch! The Costco parking lot had cars but I have shopped before and had to drive around looking for a spot. I decided to do some shopping at Costco. Outside the store I waited with about ten people. They let in about fifty persons at a time. When I got my grocery cart to enter the store, a lady was spraying and wiping it down. I thanked her as she continued her job of making sure the carts were sanitized. Hey, that also made me feel special!

I entered the store after showing my card to the lady at the entrance. Nothing had changed, displays were pretty much like they had always been. I noticed there weren't any people buying clothes but as I neared the food section there were more people. Everyone looked healthy. No one was wearing a mask. Everyone kept their distance. I knew what I wanted and picked up what I needed plus other items that were on sale. They were out of cleaning supplies, especially the disinfectant wipes and Lysol. I saw about four workers in different parts of the store with spray bottles cleaning handles and displays as they kept everything disinfected. There were no sample food people and I was glad. Costco really is trying to keep everyone safe from the Coronavirus. Maybe shopping will change in the future and it will be our new way of shopping!

There was no one at the check out line so I walked up and a clerk scanned everything in my buggy. There was no need to place anything on the conveyor belt. I paid and I headed toward the door. When I arrived at the exit the friendly clerk checked my items and with a smile sent my on my way. Wow, shopping at Costco made me feel special! I now have items that will last me a long time so I can hibernate for as long as it takes!

"I go to Costco every weekend. 

It's my favorite part of the week."

Jimmy Kimmel

An Exciting Day

On Sunday, March 22, 2020, I felt as if I was going on a first date. That excitement of doing something I had never done before! I set my alarm and went to bed early because on Monday I was going to go shopping after being in my home for almost two weeks! This was a first for me, to go shopping during the Coronavirus self-quarantine. The alarm went off at 6:00 a.m. and I got myself ready for my venture out of doors!

King Sooper's store would be open at 7:00 a.m. for the elderly or high risk persons and I wanted to be one of the first customers. When I arrived, I noticed that the parking lot was full. Many people must have had the same idea! I was disappointed that there were no sanitizing wipes to wipe down the cart and when I asked I was told, "We are out of them."  I found that odd, because that would be the first line of defense against the coronavirus but maybe King Soopers did not believe the importance of having the wipes available to their patrons.

I found pretty much what I needed but Lysol, Clorox, or Disinfecting Wipes were not available.  The shelves where those items should have been were completely empty. I did find sugar-less cough drops, Vicks, and cough medicine just in case I ran out of my supply at home! I overheard one man say he had been in the lot at 6:00 a.m. waiting for the store to open so he could get some toilet paper. Evidently about twenty persons found toilet paper before the store ran out of the TP necessity! Since I was not in need for toilet paper I felt bad for those that might need some and couldn't find it.

It seems to be, if Seniors are given an early time to shop that the store should also have been stocked. Maybe they are running out of certain items and are not able to restock!

The line to check out was about fifteen or more people waiting in line. I patiently waited for about forty-minutes before I was checked out. The clerk told me she had been working for fifteen hours straight with no lunch break. Even with all the time she had been working, she was cheerful, peppy and friendly. Behind her, on an empty counter I saw a container of disinfecting wipes. I asked, "Is that container of wipes behind you, is it empty?" She turned and opened the container and pulled one out and gave it to me. I wiped my cart, my keys, my car door handle, the steering wheel, parking brake, shift gear, and any thing I may have touched or was intending to touch. When I got home I wiped my door knob and my garage door opener.

My journey to the grocery store ended in about one hour and now I am safely home. Hopefully, I have enough food to last me a few weeks and maybe by then the quarantine will have ended.

"You've got bad eating habits if

you use a grocery cart in 7-Eleven."

Dennis Miller

An Interesting Question

This morning as I watched Sunday Morning on television it seemed as if most of the segments were about the Coronavirus. Of course, watching the news all week and reading headlines on the Internet I was pretty much aware of what is happening in our government and the medical field. I have read what we should do, and not do, to try and stop the spread of the virus. And then I heard Ted Koppel on Sunday Morning and a new fear entered my mind.

His question was that if a young woman and he were in need of a ventilator, who would get it? My first thought was that the young woman would get it and the old man would not. Then I switched my thinking and thought the old man would get the ventilator because he is famous and the young woman was not. My thought then moved to whomever had more money or was famous would have a better chance of getting it. What about a homeless person, would that person even be considered? The doctors would be playing God and I was filled with sadness that some would die for lack of medical equipment or supplies.

It used to be that first come, first served was the way to handle deciding who got medical attention. In 2011, The Ethics Committee of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention came up with Priority is given to those most likely to survive. The pandemic we are in now is causing some rethinking of how the equipment will be used. It's a scary thought that one or two persons can decide who lives or dies! I happened to see a speech by Bill Gates made in  2015 about not being prepared for a pandemic and the quote below, by him, rings so true today!

"The fact that there was no catastrophic

pandemic in recent history does not

mean there won't be another one.

And, we are certainly not prepared

for the next pandemic."

Bill Gates

Odd Cough

My cough began on February 28, 2020, as I was traveling  with forty-four passengers on a bus. We were returning from San Antonio, Texas. About fourteen persons were also coughing or complained of sore throats, colds, headaches, and not feeling well. One person had a fever for three days and she stayed in the hotel and doctored herself. The report from her roommate was that the fever fluctuated between 102 to normal. On the third day she joined us on our activities and she was perfectly fine! Some of the other ill passengers went to Urgent Care and were diagnosed with having the flu or a cold. Another said that gargling with hot water and salt helped his sore throat. Many wore masks and I had the bus sprayed with Lysol before we got on the bus and after everyone left the bus for the evening. I squirted everyone with hand sanitizer as they left the bus on an excursion and when they returned they got another squirt.

The evening of February 28, I doctored myself by smearing Vicks on my chest, neck and the bottom of my feet. That night I coughed quite a bit and woke up with my pajama top soaking wet from sweating. Since I did not have a thermometer with me I do not know if I had a fever. Cough drops, with sugar, became a steady diet but I was happy when a friend gave me some of her sugarless cough drops. Two of the passengers helped me by getting the Bingo game going, putting the movie into player, passing out goodies, and announcing what we would be doing next. I sat and looked out the window and felt sorry for myself!

I continued to cough, off and on, for the rest of the week after we arrived home on Sunday, Mar 1, 2020. I wrote to my doctor and told him about the cough and his response to call him after two weeks if I was still coughing. Tomorrow I will call the doctor again and tell him about my cough that comes and goes at will!

There can be two whole days and nights without once coughing and then on the third day I find myself coughing. Yesterday, I not only coughed but my nose dripped most of the day. Gushes of fluid would come out of my nose without warning. I had to carry a tissue with me all the time. Today I have a mild cough and no nose problems. That is why I call it an odd cough; and I never know when it will stop or start!

My cough seems to be a dry cough, not bringing up any discharge and some friends have suggested that it might be allergies. What ever I have, my bathroom sink looks entirely different than before the cough. Instead of makeup, facial creams, lipstick, lotions, etc. I now have alcohol, cough medicine, soap, tissues, Lysol, etc. My sister-in-law told me about a vinegar, honey and water recipe that might help my cough so I am trying that this evening.

Cough and Cold Remedy

1 tsp. Apple Cider Vinegar
1 tsp. Honey
1 tsp. warm water
Take three times a day

Mass In My Pajamas

March 15, 2020 was a first for me. As long as I can remember, no matter what is going on in the world, there has always been Mass. Most functions at our church were cancelled, including Mass, due to the Coronavirus.  The church prepared a video by the priests celebrating mass over the Internet. I was surprised to see how nice it was to be so close to the action and to hear every word because sometimes, in person, I do not catch all the words. I missed seeing familiar faces, yet, isolation seems to be the best way to keep the Coronavirus from spreading. Not dressing was also a plus and my pajamas were okay as I prayed along with the priests!

The Archbishops sent out notices to all the parishes in Colorado about what precautions should be taken and the let us know that Masses would be cancelled. I heard how some airlines have cancelled flights, ski resorts have closed as well as schools, libraries, parades, attendance at sport's events, and large gatherings will not take place.  Stores are being depleted of goods, especially sanitizing items, toilet paper and meat. I happened to be at a King Soopers store and the meat counters were empty. I would have liked to purchase a few cans of Lysol but there were none. Who knows how long this epidemic will be around and it is even scarier when it is called a pandemic. (Pandemic is an epidemic the crosses international borders and affects large number of people).

On a recent trip to San Antonio, I took forty-four persons on a bus for nine days. The bus driver and I tried our best to keep people from falling ill by spraying the bus with Lysol every morning and every evening plus giving everyone a squirt of hand sanitizer as they left or entered the bus. Even so, about thirteen persons became ill with a cough, cold or sore throat.   Whatever the illness was, it hit people differently and many wore masks to protect themselves or the rest of us. I began coughing three days before we were to arrive home and have isolated myself until I get over my cough. Today is my 18th day and I feel fine with coughing once or twice a day. Other than the infrequent cough I feel fine. When I wrote to my doctor his advice was that if I was still coughing in two weeks, to call him! The scary part came after we began to hear about the seriousness of the Coronavirus. As far as I know, the travelers are all fine and that is good news!

Mass over the Internet is a good sign because it makes me feel as if I am not extremely isolated since I know that many of my friends are watching the mass on their screens and probably in their pajamas also!

"After all, it really is all of

humanity that is under threat

during a pandemic."

Margaret Chan

Torch of Friendship

As we drove through San Antonio, a large red monument peaked out from between buildings, trees, or streets. No matter where we were in San Antonio I would catch glimpse of the red sculpture. It is the Torch of Friendship by Mexican Artist Sabastian. The 65' tall sculpture weighs 50 tons and it was given to San Antonio to symbolize the friendship between San Antonio and Mexico.

The artist is Enrique Carbajal and he is known for his monumental works of steel and concrete. Pictures of his work I have seen are colorful in red, purple, yellow, deep blue and green. To me, some resemble knots of steel.

Photos taken from brochure.

I saw his recognizable works of art on the River Walk and the Museum of Texan Cultures. His work will be displayed throughout San Antonio until May of 2020.

"It is not hard to understand

modern art. If it hangs on a wall

it's a painting, and if you can

walk around it, it's a sculpture!"

Tom Stoppard

Our Last and Final Day of our Trip

We said the Stations of the Cross, the Rosary, played Bingo and watched My Big Fat Greek Wedding on our way home. Our bus driver has a steady foot and hand and is an excellent driver. I enjoyed his sense of humor and how he was always ready to help!

Our last meal together was in Goodland, Kansas at Maria's Mexican Fast Food and we picked it by chance. I called and was told there was room for my forty-four persons. The restaurant was small with about forty-two chairs and the three persons were able to feed us in record time. I heard mixed reviews but the majority liked the food and commented how fresh and tasty it was. The negative was that the burrito was dry. I asked the young man at the counter how many people were in the back cooking and he said, "My Mom and Dad."

A quick stop at a McDonald's in Limon, Colorado for an ice-cream cone but what a disappointed that they did not have an ice-cream machine. I purchased cookies instead!  We arrived home around 5:30 p.m., hugged our new friends, unloaded the bus, said our goodbyes, and even though many were ill, it was a successful trip because we visited many places and saw many things!

"To Travel Is To Live."

Han Christian Andersen

Day Eight of Our Nine Day Journey

Oklahoma History Center

Driving up to the Oklahoma History Center we passed the Capitol and, for me, it was one of the most beautiful domes I have ever seen. An Indian is on the top and it made me happy that an Indian  symbolized the Native American! It is called The Guardian and it was dedicated in 2002. The statue weighs three tons, is 17 feet tall and the spear is 22 feet tall. Represents the thirty-nine tribes in Oklahoma.

The museum has a pamphlet with these words: World-class museum exhibits, a research center, and special programs, the OHC is a place where people can search for their roots, discover their history and celebrate a sense of community.

We were ready to go explore and everyone found something different. I found out that Patti Page is from Oklahoma and I enjoyed the set of the play, Oklahoma. I heard that some of the travelers actually got on stage and acted! The Native American section had dwelling places I had never seen before! The was a space section and just seeing what NASA has done and is doing left me amazed!

We left the museum and headed for Salina, Kansas. The last night we would spend away from home!

Day Seven of Our Nine Day Trip

WACO

Our luggage is tagged and ready to be put out and loaded on the bus. We are on our way to Waco, Texas, home of the Magnolia Market by Chip and Joanna Gaines. When we arrive at the Market, our first stop is the Bakery where everyone is treated to a sweet and fancy cup cake.

 Two huge silos are on the property, a large play area with large pillows, food trucks with pizza, barbeque, hot dogs, hamburgers, etc. and wooden picnic tables and stripped shade coverings surround the area. I took a trolley ride and saw Magnolia Table, a restaurant with over an hour wait!

The jolly trolley driver pointed out the various points of interest; Dr. Pepper came to Waco before Coca Cola, there is a Dr. Pepper museum, a suspension bridge from the 1870 still in use today and spans the Brazos River, convention center, ALICO (Amicable Life Insurance CO) building is the tallest in Waco with 22 stories, shopping and dining areas, Baylor University (A huge campus) and other points of interest that I can't remember!

After lunch we began our journey to Ardmore, Oklahoma where we would spend the night.

Day Six of our Nine Day Journey

Even though some of our travelers were coughing, wearing masks, and not feeling at 100%, our tour continued. Some took a few days off by staying at the hotel and doctoring themselves. A few visited Urgent Care and some went to Walmart to purchase medicine. Vicks was a popular purchase. The remainder of persons continued on the sixth day of our tour.

Somewhere along our trip we took a walking tour of King William Historic District and saw beautiful and rich looking homes. It may have been on our 4th day of traveling; same day we visited SAS.

MISSION SAN JOSE

The sixth day we visited Mission San Jose and learned that it is known as the Queen of the Missions,  established in 1720.

The Mission is enclosed by a huge stone wall where Native Americans lived away from hostile Indians.  The Spanish tried to get the Native Americans to assimilate them to the Spanish way of life. It became more of  a military sanctuary than a religious center. They farmed and built Acequias; irrigation canals for water to the mission.

 The Mission continues to celebrate mass after three hundred years minus a few years when there was renovation. One outstanding feature is the Rose Window and it is considered to be built in 1775
in  Baroque architecture. Many rumors surround the window but the one we were told by our guide is about Pedro Huizar who carved the window for his sweetheart Rosa and when she was sailing over to be with him she was lost at sea.  He completed the window and it now represents enduring love. Many copies of the window are in buildings in San  Antonio.

INSTITUTE OF TEXAS CULTURES

After leaving the Mission area we arrived at the Institute of Texas Cultures to spend time in a large museum displaying the many cultures in Texas. Most went to their nationality and of course, I went to the Tex-Mex display.

Some of the other displays were interesting also but the place is so large and it was difficult to see all of them.

The Alamo

The sad story of The Alamo was shown to us at the IMAX Theater in a documentary about the battle. Mexican president Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana abolishes the constitution and there is fighting. He is determined to take the Alamo and defeats the Texans at the Alamo. David Crockett and James Bowie

 are among killed at the Alamo. A month later the Texan troops defeated Santa Ana. The grounds at the Alamo have many bronze statues depicting scenes from those involved at the Alamo.

Dinner at the Old San Francisco Steakhouse

 Old San Francisco Steakhouse had every wall covered with memorabilia of the past. While eating we had a chance to read and reminisce about many of the wall decorations!

We have a saying in Spanish: Panza Llena, Corazon Contendo, which means Full Belly, Happy Heart!