Emma’s art assignment was to find a famous painting and recreate it with real people. She enlisted you and Molly to recreate this scene of John the Baptist with his chopped-off head on a platter.
We couldn’t stop laughing. Hiliarious!
I don’t know what’s funnier, Emma trying not to laugh; Molly’s beard or your head (with winter hat) on a platter.
Thanks for the laughs, we needed this!
I’ve got big ears, but my coronovirus facemask is too small. Or probably more accurately, my head is too big. It makes my ears stick out even more. I look a lot like like Sloth from Goonies. Only he’s got better skin tones. Hey you guys!
It’s amazing how fast the virus spread. Nearly 200 countries around the world have been affected by the pandemic. China, Italy, Korea, and Spain were hard hit. The first U.S. deaths were in Washington State on March 1. Grammy and I were in Florida when things started getting bad. On March 7, the first East Coast coronavirus deaths occurred in Fort Myers. where Grammy and I were staying! What are the odds of that? Scary.
The Week of March 8, everything falling to pieces.The NBA season, then college basketball’s annual March Madness tournament (my favorite sporting event). Major League Baseball’s cancelled Spring Training, then came concerts, Disney & Universal and movie theaters.
Agent Orange (the guy in the White House who doesn’t deserve to be called President of the United States) declared a National Emergency March 13. Friday, Better late than never bozo. That same day ended up being your last in person school day. Crazy.
We were supposed to stay in Florida another two weeks but drove back home March 15, 16 & 17. Once we got to the D.C. and New York City areas, the roads were nearly empty. So weird, especially zipping over the George Washington Bridge in NYC; we would have normally been in traffic for a long time.
You started remote learning on March 18. On March 26, Gov. Sununu of NH announced a “stay at home” statewide policy. Restaurants closed except for takeout; all public events were cancelled; retail stores shut down.
Everyone is talking about – and most are doing – “social distancing,” keeping at least six feet between us and others. It’s become the biggest buzzword of the pandemic. We’ll all be glad when we don’t hear it anymore! People are constantly reminded to wash their hands and wear face masks.
Spring school sports? Gonzo. Proms and graduations? Bye bye. I feel bad for everyone who won’t get to experience never-forget moments. Ben – your Junior Prom (although it may be rescheduled to Fall). Emma & Camden, your eighth grade graduations. We’ll make the best of it and celebrate a different way!!
Grocery shopping is one of the weirdest things of all. Everyone is paranoid, thinking ‘Does that person next to me have the virus?’ Everyone’s wearing masks, you don’t want to touch anything, people look at you like you’re guilty. When you get home we have to clean each item with disenfectant towels.
There are super high levels of FUD – Fear, Uncertainty & Doubt. And Stress!
It makes you appreciate the good old days when restaurants were open, grocery shopping was a breeze and no one thought you were robbing a bank.
For the past month, you’ve been learning and doing school work remotely. I’m sure it’s weird and not ideal. You can’t see your friends in person and don’t get the same quality of teaching from your teachers. It’s harder for you to concentrate and get things done. We’re sorry you have to go through this and wish school – and life – could be normal again. I’m proud of how you’ve adapted. FaceTime and Zoom meetings have helped you stay in touch with your friends and family. It’s not like being there in person, but it’s better than not seeing anyone, right? From what you’ve told me, it’s been a saving grace.
A lot of people have filed for unemployment; millions have lost their jobs in a matter of weeks. Small businesses (which employ half of the country’s workforce) have been especially hard hit. The government is trying to help, but it’s not enough.
Grammy and I text, talk on the phone and use video to keep in touch. We’ve donated to local charities to feed the hungry. I continue to help out with various social causes. We stay on top of the news. On the weekends we drive to see you and your parents, standing six feet apart to catch up. The hardest thing is not being able to hug or give you a kiss. Easter was weird – no egg hunts, no Easter meal at our house. We sure missed having you around.
Everywhere we go there are signs on lawns and in windows encouraging people not to give up and be strong. That’s the spirit! 
The streets are either amazingly empty (see photo of downtown Durham) or have extremely light traffic. It’s strange going through downtown Dover on a typically busy Friday or Saturday seeing hardly zero traffic or people.
The good news? There’s a lot of good news!
The most important thing to remember is that a lot of brilliant scientists and medical geniuses are working overtime to create a vaccine = a cure – for this pandemic. They will find a cure and get it done. Until then we’ll be smart, as patient as possible and support each other. We can get through this, I have no doubt.
The other thing to remember is how lucky we are. Your parents are getting paid and have money to put food on the table and pay the bills. No one has caught the virus; no one is sick. You have nice roofs over your heads and are safe and sound. Family is close by who love you and watch out for you.
These are epic advantages, not to be overlooked, or taken for granted. Let’s remember to be thankful, kind and compassionate. While it could be better, it could always be much worse!
Many people are going through especially hard times. Sharing a smile, listening and lending a helping hand means so much. A giant thank you to all the people on the front lines, especially the medical workers bravely going into work everyday helping sick people. They are the true heroes!
Be strong! We’ll get through this together and life will return to a new (but different) “normal.” Keep smiling, it’s the best medicine. Love you.
I’ve always enjoyed the primary process, especially seeing Presidential candidates up close and personal. This year I saw my top three Democrats: Bernie Sanders; Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg.
Uncle Tim – aka Dad for you Beaupre kids – joined me at the big Bernie rally at UNH the night before the NH Primary election. It featured terrific guest speakers – including the highly influential young “AOC” – Alexandria Ocasio Cortez. The place was packed and there was such an exicitng vibe in the air.
After Bernie did his thing (amazing energy for a 78 year old man), The Strokes performed. It was such a hopeful event – father and son both voted for Bernie the next day.
Always treasure your right to vote. It absolutely does make a difference when one person expresses their viewpoint. Use your voice!
Laughter, magic, fun, love.
The Clickmans, Grammy & yours truly got together Feb. 21-29 for an epic winter getaway in Orlando. The Beaupre’s were on a cruise this time around so unfortunately it didn’t work out.
Highlights!
Friday, Feb, 21 – Grammy and I wore our winter parkas walking around Disney Springs before you arrived – it was that cold. As we suspected, this didn’t stop the Clickman kids from hitting the pool at our home-away-from home in Kissimmee.
Saturday, Feb. 22 – Our first full day; off we go to Hollywood Studios. Hot, sunny, a perfect blue sky.
Galaxy’s Edge, the brand new Star Wars theme park, greeted us first. The set designs were mind-blowing, way bigger than I envisioned. We ate a creative Star-Wars themed lunch at Ronto Roasters (I had the “Ronto Wrap” & “Tatooine Sunset,” both yummy). Stormtroopers were everywhere; I ran down the street to catch up with Chewbacca. My favorite setting was the Millennium Falcon (middle pic). We couldn’t get on any rides – super packed everywhere. Cool nevertheless.
Next up, the Tower of Terror. Here’s a funny photo of us on the ride (bottom right).
Ben and I got ice creams & water for everyone – a refreshing treat. We saw the 3D Muppet experience. Ben & I saw Star Tours while the rest enjoyed Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom. The highlight of the day was dinner at Maria & Enzo’s italian restaurant. A brightly colored, fun atmosphere; delectable food; musicians visited tables; you got custom painted Venice masks. Everyone loved it. We walked off our dinner afterwards, touring Disney Springs and buying souvenirs. 
Sunday arrived, Animal Kingdom beckoned; another steamy day. You always see interesting sights in Orlando!
Bug’s Life was dark and fun with its water squirts, 3D bugs up close, stink bug smells and cockroaches running across your bottom. Once again we celebrated Ben’s “birthday” at Rainforest Cafe where singing waitstaff and lava cakes with candles made us laugh. It’s what we do! We walked through Africa where your Dad & I went on our favorite ride where we saw Everest and Yetis in Nepal. That night we enjoyed Jersey Mike’s and went in ‘da pool.
Monday was an epic day, from start to finish. A fabulous buffet breakfast at Grand Floridian (where Poo Bear gave Ben the world’s longest hug); Magic Kingdom with Pirates of the Caribbean; Haunted Mansion; Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin; Hall of Presidents, Liberty Tree Tavern for snacks; people mover. The monorail still rocks. Disney World ended with ice creams on Main Street while the parade zipped by. At night, we enjoyed pizza at Capone’s, followed by wild times at a big Arcade nearby You managed to catch four giant, colorful balls with a giant claw! Grammy and I kept them with us for three weeks (no room on your flights!) and brought them back to New Hampshire!
To be continued – see part 2
What a beautiful Christmas holiday season (and good looking famliy)!
Thanksgiving 2019 was a blast! Here are some of the highlights:
I put the camera up close and told you to make a crazy face.
Here’s what you came up with:
it was party time at Margaritas for Molly girl – time for a sombrero! You are a spanish linguist so I will not translate the headline above. Que tengas un buen dia.
