Patti's Perspective: August 2020

The past few months have been challenging to say the least as the Covid Pandemic has affected every facet of our lives. I have missed the hugs from family and friends, but am grateful for social media that allows me to still see loved ones faces. I've learned how to "Zoom" as we've had church meetings and family times over the internet. Working from home and doing school work online became the new reality. I was able to continue to walk almost daily with friends as we spread ourselves out to "social distance". The walks and talks have kept us connected.
I have taken fewer pictures of people, and more of the landscape around me. I've been blessed with good health and enjoy life in spite of all that's happening around the world.

My Backyard, March 26, 2020

To help us stay connected, my neighbor organized a chalk drawing on our driveways. It was fun to see the creativity of everyone. My effort was entitled Garden of Hope. I invited neighbors to add to my "garden"

I am definitely not an artist, but wanted to participate

Neighbors adding more flowers to the Hope Garden

I loved seeing a little neighbor boy on the curb, not wanting to go another step, and his mother coming to the rescue.

My neighborhood observations following an April 2nd snowstorm. It's always beautiful to see the trees covered in white and to see the majestic Mount Timpanogos .

My walking friends and I paid a visit to Suzanne to give her some virtual "hugs". She walked with us for as long as she could. We miss her!

Me, Shirley, Maxine and Suzanne

One of my church callings involves helping new mothers and their families. Maxine and I shop for materials, and she sews the quilts and then we deliver them. It's a fun task!

Sarah and her new baby with the quilt

Spring finally comes to my neighborhood.

An "egg" tree

A beautiful tree in bloom

My walkway and the daffodils

My flowering plum tree finally blooms the end of April

This spring was also an opportunity to make masks for healthcare workers. The goal was to make 5 million masks, and when that was completed they made another million. I only made 120 but I was happy to participate.

This was an interesting year for gardening. We have participated in a neighborhood community garden for several years. We planted in early May, and then the middle of May, we received notice that the property owner was going to build on the lot and we had 30 days to move our crops. So...thence began a huge relocation. I bought a couple of fabric grow boxes and several pots, tore out all the ground cover on the north and south side of my back yard. I had some help from Alisa, and good neighbors, and we got it all moved. One neighbor took a zucchini, and a couple of other squash plants; another neighbor made room for the peas and 5 tomatoes plants. The rest went into my backyard. Beans and onions on the south side, tomatoes, a zucchini, and a Crenshaw melon on the cement pad, and more tomatoes, peppers, watermelon and cucumber on the the north side. Nearly everything has survived but I feel like they do better in a larger ground area. I did install a drip system for some of then. It's a grand experiment, but we've had lots of beans, and a few tomatoes with hopefully more to come as they ripen. (These pictures are from August, so the plants have grown a lot since they were transplanted)

Tomatoes, melon and squash

Beans and Onions

Tomatoes, peppers

Watermelon and cucumber

I gathered flowers and with the help of Maxine made this arrangement that I took up to the cemetery.

Me up at Eastlawn Cemetery

My friend, Shirley, wanted to ride up in a balloon, which was one of her bucket list items. We were happy to see her off on her way.

Me, Shirley and Maxine on June 22, 2020

Early in the morning when we walk, the sky often offers up wonderful cloud formations.

July 1, 2020

A group of friends gathered to celebrate birthdays and connect for a moment, properly distanced and masks on except when eating.

In LaRetta's backyard, July 2

One of the wonderful old homes on Center Street in Provo, the Knight-Mangum home had been renovated and was open for a free tour, so Maxine and I decided we would take a look.

Maxine and me in front of Knight Mangum home

Queuing up and social distancing

Beautiful stained glass reproduction at top of stairs

Artifacts on display from the time period of the home construction

When things got too hot in Arizona, Rob and his family ventured to come to Provo for cooler climes and I was so excited to see them. We took a trip up to the cemetery on July 5th. Burke stayed at home in Arizona doing his MTC (Mission Training Center) training, and Truman was off playing when the picture was snapped. Burke has now reported to his area of missionary service, Salem, Oregon...our old "stomping grounds"!

Hewitt, Tosh, Rob, Tamsen, Liv Peterson

Another group of friends decided to get together every couple of weeks just to keep in touch and stay connected.

Marian, Mona, Linda, Vickie, Pam, Doug, Mary

Joyce, Sally, Gayle, Norma, Gloria, Me, Pat

One of the young missionaries from the Federal Way Mission, Brianna Peterson, was getting married, so good friends, Robin and Brian Avery, came to town to participate in the activities. I was lucky enough to have them stay with me for a few days. Robin was the Olympic Branch Relief Society President, and Brian was the Branch Mission Leader when I served there. It's been over five years now since I returned...hard to believe!

Me, Robin, and Brian on my front porch

Most of the Brewer family (minus Sue who was working getting ready to teach art this coming year) came up to Park City to stay for a week on August 2nd. I picked up Sue at the airport on the 6th and we joined the family for a few more days. It was so great to see them in person, play some games, a little tennis and a bit of shopping, too!