COVID-19: The Journey. Chaper 12, We shovel snow, shovel snow and shovel again

We shoveled through some big snow drifts in the backyard, 

hoping to encourage runoff to go down the hill rather into the home.

Granddaughter Myla is such a cutie!

Steve, Myla and the dog, Buffy, intently watch
"Frozen," Myla's favorite movie.

    While the month of February has only 28 (or 29) days, it often feels like the longest month of the year.

    This was quite true in 2021-- after the endless year of 2020, and a cold January, we in Iowa faced February with record cold and copious amounts of snow. Snow piled up in six-foot drifts both in the front and back yard.

    This exercise enthusiast does not mind shoveling snow but it was unusually heavy this year. In addition, our house is located at the bottom of a hill in our neighborhood and melting snow can cause indoor flooding.

    We have done much over the years to mitigate flood damage. But it's a concern.

    In the continuing pandemic it was this outside exercise that dominated the lives of the author and husband in rural Scott County, Iowa.

    The rest of the extended Baker family was, in baby steps, getting the the COVID-19 vaccine. We have five "essential workers" among the six adults in the next Baker generation and most every one of them by now has received at least one of the valuable shots.

    February started by watering the plants at a neighbor's home. This smart couple headed off to see their daughter and her husband in California, hence missing most of the bad weather in Iowa. They were away for several weeks so we made a habit of this, every Tuesday.

    The rest of nearly every day of the month was spent in one of the following indoor activities: Working out on the treadmill, lifting weights, doing yoga online, scrapbooking, cleaning the house and watching television. 

    We did go out to a Bettendorf restaurant for Valentine's Day. This was shortly after Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds lifted the state's mask mandate (she one of the first governors in the nation to do so.) It was understandable that this restaurant would add back the tables it had closed off previously, as owners tried to keep customers spaced safely apart.

    We managed to nab a booth away from most everyone. We did seem to be about the only folks inside wearing masks that day. The waitresses always wear masks so that's a plus. 

    Steve had a cell phone visit with his doctor, who was following up on previous calls. Unfortunately this adept physician also said he'd be leaving Davenport to practice at home, closer to his ailing father in Illinois. He will be missed.

    I had to go to the dentist after a cap broke on a tooth. These medical offices follow all kinds of safety measures during the pandemic. That was a quick visit; we'll follow up in April. The cap is still broken and jagged but it's bearable. 

    We made a quick visit to Ankeny, Iowa, to see our precocious two-year-old granddaughter. We also helped out a second daughter during a meeting about a Davenport home. I had my hair cut and colored in Eldridge.

    There were a total of four photos taken in February. Thank heavens that month has ended.

    Now it is early March, a year from when the first COVID-19 case was diagnosed in Iowa. Our family has gotten the virus and recovered, and now is in the process of getting vaccinated. 

    We are counting our blessings.