Observations from my Backpack

  Not sure at the age of 2, I would have remembered my beloved Aunt Sarah placing me on the hood of a 1949 Chevy! The photo here I am most certain was taken for my Aunt too, as she really loved me and often was known to "spoil" her little niece.  This photo was placed in my 'Baby" book by my mother, Aunt Sarah's sister, and I treasure it. Yep, that was me - all grins, and standing on top of a car with my favorite Aunt, holding me tight.  Lots of subliminal messages in that photo as she continued though my life to always be there for me, until she lost her ability to take care of herself, and then I took over for her before she passed on.  Sharing it now helps me speak to the importance of taking and archiving photos throughout the life of a child.  Photos record a person's growth and travels through life.  So a child is borne, the pictures show the baby, so what's next helps a child to gain a sense of self and their own personality in development.  "

  Mama's Birthday is today, December 4.  She was borne December 4, 1925 in Blenheim, SC. Had she lived she would have been 96 years old.  Willie Jean Bruce was the middle child of three sisters.  Her older sister Sarah has long since gone, as is Margaret the youngest, when Mama passed. Both brothers passed also.   The picture here is of her standing on the Myrtle Court Fountain during World War II - Columbia SC. She loved this picture and I share it now to honor her "Fun" side of her self.  Often missing as she grew old with life's challenges, but at one time she was the one with red lipstick, and high heels, and climbing on the edge of a fountain for a picture.  Reflections now bring bright joy to me and Mama wishing you a restful time now. Willie Jean was borne right during the Depression, and within a few years, her beloved father died in a Model A car crash.  She often talked about him, reaching back for the only memories she had coming from stories from her Mothe

                                                  So how was it? Once is was the weather that we all talked about. You can remember when it was the humidity/the heat, the King Tide and the flooding. Now it's Covid. The media and government told us - it's a bad one virus, and one to be wary of.  We were told we needed a vaccine to help protect us, and work was underway to get it out soon. Then it was whether to take the vaccine or not?  To wear the mask or not.  Which medical spokesperson is right, or wrong? To many politicians are involved.  Countries around the world started reporting in, lots of conflicting reports. Where does one place trust in information? I remember vividly the day that Covid, that virus from China, took over as I was in the classroom sharing the beauty of Ocean Alliance's 4K footage of whales by Christian Miller.  The students loved the films, and fast became Ocean Conservationalist.  That day in March 2020, the classroom teacher said quietly, we are