Category Archives: COVID-19

Apr12

Missing John Prine

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This week we lost John Prine to COVID-19. Most of the people who attended our wedding 58147_1584758455057_4483357_n1remember that In Spite of Ourselves by John Prine was our wedding song. I lost count on how many people have sent us text and video when this song randomly played and how it reminds them of us. There were tributes from the late night show hosts honoring this legend this week, who my husband and I are sad to admit that we actually don’t know most of John’s songs. We’ve been listening to him more this week.

But, this death is sad to me in more ways than one. I’ve thought about whether if he just died for any other reason like heart disease or cancer if it still would hit me as hard. But, the truth is we heard our wedding song at a hole-in-the-wall bar with my dad on Father’s Day back in 2009. When my husband and I heard it playing on the juke box, we knew it was ours. And, I remember my dad giggling over the silly lyrics because it was just a  funny joke to him (and he LOVED silly, dirty jokes). Dad approved when I told him it was our wedding song. John dying is like dad dying all over again.

So today, on Easter Sunday, as I sit and listen to a John Prine station on Pandora, cooking a roast, and enjoying the beautiful sunshine and cool wind blowing through our windows, I know dad would’ve enjoyed this day visiting with family, talking about his newest grandson just born on Friday, and enjoying a good day. We miss you dad!

Here’s a video of John Prine on Austin City Limits in October 2018. It’s a fitting tribute to him.

#johnprine #inspiteofourselves #covid19 #dad

Mar22

Hello?? Anyone out there?

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Well, we’re in the thick of it and what a better time to start writing again! COVID-19 is taking over the world and I have been reading and reading and READING all the comments and thoughts about it. So much so that I had to delete my Facebook app from my phone for about 3 days until I realized I needed it to keep connected to another writing group.

Everyone’s thoughts from social distancing and home schooling to playing outside in public and still running to the grocery store. Some people don’t want you to step foot outside your house and some can’t be contained one minute longer. I get it. I see it from both ends. We want to be safe, but we want to be outside, too.

So, I am technically on day 5 working from home and keeping my little at home, too. The hubs gets to keep going outside to dig in caves since he’s isolated to working with only 1 or 2 other people. We’re keeping busy with dance parties, work out sessions, puzzles, and LOTS of movies. We’re not going to stress over school work, but we’re going to keep an interest in learning by watching intellectual shows or listening to a book on Alexa.

We’re counting down the days since there is no end in sight. Personally, I think we’ll be better for it. Hug your people, take a break in any way you can, and be nice to one another.  We’re going to make it.