Friday, January 1, 2021
2020 went out with a bang last night—literally—a thunderous snowstorm rolled into North Texas around 9pm. 2021 crept in beneath a light blanket of snow. The snow melted but gray skies and cold temperatures lingered.
The cold suited my mood as I reflected on the past year and my writing. God in the Doggie Bag is not yet published. I’m working on my first novel after lifelong swearing that I’m not a novelist. And my screenplay and numerous picture book manuscripts remain rejected and discarded. Should I abandon my dream? Attend an online conference? Buy another how-to book? Get a real job? Stop dreaming?
Every year I ask myself these same questions. I set some goals—most are repetitive only the fill-in-the-blank titles change. And I keep trying to get to the keyboard to continue writing and hoping.
Wednesday, January 6, 2021
2021 is not off to a great start. Rumors indicate you can get the Corona Virus a second time and sometimes it’s more severe than the first time. Ray must wait 90 days before the fire department will administer his first vaccination.
President Trump made a public outcry for citizens to protest on Capitol Hill today about the election results. Protesters stormed and vandalized the Capitol building and four people were killed. They invaded the House floor before the official counting of the electoral votes took place resulting in an emergency evacuation. Washington D.C. called in the National Guard and issued a 6pm curfew.
Palo Pinto County has had 2000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 44 deaths. There is a new strain of the Corona Virus popping up across the world. It’s supposed to spread easier but is reported to be milder in most cases.
Sunday, January 10, 2021
It snowed most of the day and the ranch is beautiful. We got around five inches and made snow ice cream.
Many are trying to impeach or calling for President Trump to resign over Tuesday’s protests and rioting on Capitol Hill. Vice President Elect Kamala Harris is on the cover of Vogue magazine.
Palo Pinto County reports 2180 cases of COVID-19 and 47 deaths.
Friday, January 15, 2021
I started babysitting a one year old yesterday. She’s adorable, and we had a great time. We were both exhausted at the end of the day.
Capitol Hill is working on extra security measures for Biden’s inauguration. Authorities are hunting rioters from last week’s protest incident.
Experts are predicting skyrocketing COVID-19 numbers in the next few weeks due to holiday gatherings and travel. Hospitals across the country struggle with too few beds and personnel. We planned to go back to church since we had the virus in December, but due to information on getting it multiple times and scary predictions for the immediate future, we considered continuing to stay home.
Palo Pinto County has had 2255 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 48 deaths.
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the US yesterday. Donald Trump didn’t attend the ceremony and there was no protesting or rioting. The customary ball was cancelled due to the Pandemic, and all entertainment was pre-recorded. Fireworks lit up the DC skyline last night.
Yesterday in the rain, I went to the church library to work on my first novel. I plan to go every morning. Both mornings were rainy and it was very tempting to stay in bed. I’m making strides toward my goal and feel more like a writer as I research topics like insane asylums, weather forecasting, and when were Zippo lighters invented. The process has been way more fun than I ever imagined. I always said I’m not a novelist. I get too bogged down with description and screenwriting is easier. But with technology, everyone’s a writer and indie filmmaker, so I chose what I felt I could accomplish on my own.
400,000 Americans have died from the Corona Virus. 2.19 million Texans tested positive for COVID-19 and 33,631 died. In Palo Pinto County 2,389 have tested positive and 50 deaths have been reported.
Monday, January 25, 2021
Mineral Wells made the metroplex news this week when someone’s primate escaped. It wasn’t a baboon, but that’s what the reporter called it. Apparently, it’s not illegal to own monkeys in the Mineral Wells city limits. Who knew? I wonder what creatures my neighbors might have lurking behind their closed doors?
Palo Pinto County has reported 2441 positive COVID -19 cases and 52 deaths.
Today was the first sunny day in what seems like weeks.
Saturday, January 30, 2021
Massachusetts Congressman Stephen Lynch tested positive for COVID-19 after receiving two of the Pfizer vaccines. Of course the vaccine is not one hundred percent effective, and he exhibited no symptoms of the virus.
High winds occurred today causing a hazy sky this afternoon. Cooler weather is on the way.
2551 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Palo Pinto County and 54 have died.