Not according to my plans

My final week of May did NOT go as planned. Because who plans to test positive for Covid?

I did not think I had Covid, but after I tested positive Friday, it seemed like it should have been obvious. I WAS SO TIRED!!! It didn’t really hit me until after I drove 2 hours to the farm in Texas on Wednesday to help Gene with some things. Instead of helping him, yes, I probably spread Covid. Fortunately for Mom & other Texas relatives, I felt too miserable to come see them. Even feeling sick & tired, I enjoyed a Texas sunset & a farm bunny!! I also enjoyed a top-down sunshine ride Tuesday, before sickness settled in. 

Mother’s Day

A throwback to pre-1968. I’m calling this Mom’s first family, the 5 kids born in a 7-year span (if my math is correct). Amy, who came along 7 years later, might call it something different. This may be the first time ever we were all together at Whaley except for Amy. We continued the celebration afterward at Danny & Brandi’s house. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!! 

I was grateful to sing “My Mother’s Faith,” even though the recorded accompaniment was too low for my voice. Just very grateful to celebrate my Mom. 

May I post belatedly about my friend

Somehow I made it to mid-May without posting anything on my blog. It’s no surprise, really, because the transition from April to May was a bit of a whirlwind. The first full week included time at Lake Fork — including singing The Anthem at the Day 1 launch — before returning to Oklahoma on Friday to attend this special event: 

Love & congratulations to my amazing friend Ellie Sutter on being inducted into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame! We experienced so many things together after we met on my first day at The Oklahoman in September 1982. She was my mentor, encourager & accomplice(!), & our friendship stayed strong after her retirement. Five years since her death, there’s still a great void in my life. I felt her lively presence as I spent time with her son Doug & granddaughter Maribeth at Friday’s induction banquet. I’m grateful her life & legacy will endure at the OKJHOF! ❤️🙌🙏❤️