BarretWallace

Well put, sir. There is no single "right" option, only a lot of options that suck to varying degree. I offer my prayers/best wishes/whatever you prefer for your great-niece's welfare, and the welfare of all front-line workers. On a quasi-selfish note, my baby sister and her hubby are both teachers. I think they just got their first doses of vaccine. Not to denigrate anyone else's sacrifice, but in my own mind, I can always appreciate a crisis more if I can put names and faces on it.

It's easier to see the proverbial speck in the other's eye vs. remove the log from one's own, I reckon.

"The Two Towers" audio book, narrated by Robert Inglis

Xenomorph!

Mr. Pool should be forced to work in a Covid ward for a few weeks, but that's just me. It just might open his eyes a little. Then again, medical staff have enough plagues to deal with that maybe adding Pool isn't worth it.

You ain't kidding. Any one of the things you just wrote about could prove overwhelming. You faced all of them and still have the strength to write about it, which makes you one tough gal in my book. I do hope that 2021 is better to you, and if I come up with any better words, maybe I'll put 'em here too.

I'm guessing that "herd immunity" will include a major thinning of the herd through sheer stupidity. I just don't understand humanity...maybe we've been too comfortable for too long and no longer have a collective understanding of sacrifice for the greater good.

We'll follow the old man wherever he wants to go Long as he wants to go opposite to the foe We'll stay with the old man wherever he wants to stay Long as he stays away from the battle's fray Because we love him, we love him Especially when he keeps us on the ball And we'll tell the kiddies we answered duty's call With the grandest son of a soldier of them all

For me, it pains me greatly to think of close friends and relatives who remain rabid Trump supporters, even after repeated data (indulging my inner scientist) showing his complete lack of regard for humanity beyond himself. I have at least one relative who is a rabid Covid denier, and will likely remain that way until it breaches their bubble--and perhaps even that would not be enough to break them of being a Trump zombie. Yeah, zombies...I can't think of a better word to describe people who support Trump in spite of his hard work to convince us how unworthy he is to hold office.

You had me at "whiskey." I've been sampling some locally-made whiskeys lately. It's amazing how many distilleries are located in and near the Twin Cities. Each year my friendly local liquor store also does a single-barrel purchase, bottles it, and uses the proceeds to support a local veterans' memorial park. Hmm, maybe conversations like this explain why so many whiskey ads show up in my Facebook feed. To get somewhat on topic, in 2016 I had the privilege of participating in the Michigan International Camporee (MIC). Our campsite held our Michigan host unit, our Min

Ugh...I'm guessing that was a necessary contractor visit, but still...ugh. I hope they recover fully and quickly.

This weekend the virus struck close to home, so to speak. One of the "kids" (I call them that even though they're adult and moved out) tested positive, and is in rough shape but recovering. My mother in law likewise tested positive; I'm a little more worried about her due to age (but will never say that to her face because she'd kick my @$$). Thankfully, my better half and I both tested negative. We've both been careful with virus precautions (masking, no unnecessary trips, keeping a tight bubble, etc.) and consider our negative tests to be a good sign that our habits are workin

I call this good news! It's a plus to have some continuity of key personnel through the pandemic.

I seem to recall Dr. McCoy saying in Star Trek IV, "It's a miracle these people ever made it out of the 20th Century!" Now we just need to navigate the 21st...or heck, just 2020 for that matter.

This is one case where I am not proud that my state ranks so high. Gov. Walz announced a slew of new restrictions yesterday (https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2020/11/18/coronavirus-restrictions-mn-gov-walz-announces-restrictions-on-social-gatherings-restaurants-gyms-and-youth-sports/). I can't say that any of his announcement comes as a surprise. What struck me the most about his announcements was the delivery. I found Walz to be eloquent and to the point. He also described how this is affecting his own family, so it's not like he's asking us to do something he's unwilling to do