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Another trip between Georgia and the New York farm

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Its unusual that I make the trip this late in the year. Although it is highly unlikely it would snow (and bring the road salt and all the other bad stuff). It is often rainy. I had excellent weather. The main objective was to bring the brush hog up and mow trails. The trails have been disapearing and there are a number of bush islands appearing everywhere a small finish mower can't do the job. The tractor worked well. Back up over a multiflora rose bush with the brush hog up and drop it down and take care of business --at least for another couple of year or so. I spent many hours years ago yanking these things out of the ground with tractor and chain which yields a more satisfactory long term outcome. I will be doing the same with the largest ones for sure. I understand that these bushes were originally planted as a natural fence. Animals and humans alike don't like the thorns. They are invasive.

Building Moving Day

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In working on the church Thriftshop we decided to move a small building. After a couple of attempts I got it done. We had to take the building out onto Holcomb Bridge Road. Don't tell any one and I aplologize for the extra traffic congestion it caused. We used some interesting equipment made by Cardinal manufacturing to move small buildings.

Snow in Atlanta

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It is snowing in Atlanta. It is pretty close to the forecasts. Best not to drive for sure, not because of my driving skills, but other's lack of skills. It is almost funny. Living in Upstate NY, especially in the rural hilly area I can appreciate what we did on a normal basis in NY, other folks not so much.

The Pandemic

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The following is personal advice I received from a trusted colleague (MD). I think it is so well written it belongs here. "Bottom line - this virus isn't going away, but it seems to be getting milder with the newest variant, though more transmissible / contagious. GET VACCINATED and BOOSTED! Even if you still catch the disease you can survive it with mild to moderate symptoms. Continue taking REASONABLE precautions but don't live in fear." New cases--- Have you noticed a lot more testing going on? We have. Angie works next to a drive up testing location. The surge in testing caused our recent vacation fail. More tests means more positives. New deaths--- I am not seeing the need for panic. Why is there a push for panic and making things worse than they are? I have two theories, ask me and I will answer. Certainly, I would like to see more ratios in the stats.

Yearly Goals

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The weather has been nice in Georgia being in the 70s the last week of December. However, the air has been unsettled. Not much flying going on this week. I am working on my annual personal goals. I did good with last year's goals. Better in some areas than others, but the progress is clear. It is becoming harder to decide what is next-- what do I want? Health should always be a priority although it hasn't always been in the past. I took on a project at my church. We are moving the thriftshop to a new building about 1000 feet away. It is a great new space. It is satisfying seeing the project come to completion.

Sometimes You Have a Significant Fail-- like today

Our 2021 Christmas trip has been scuttled. We had so much preparation for the very complicated trip. It's very disappointing, but we no one is hurt. The biggest factor was our PCR test results were not available when they were promised and no availability of rapid PCR tests. No negative test results --no flying to Egypt. It was also the first time I have been in an accident in an Uber. Again, no one was hurt. It was a very complicated trip. But it was the first link in the chain that was the one that was broken. We were at the Airport when our flight left, but could not board because we were waiting on PCR results. We will try again soon.

Balkans 2021

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Our vacation planning is coming to fruition. We took a year off with Covid-19. But we are moving ahead. Here is the schematic of our current trip plans. Wish us luck. We are going to need it, 11 countries in 14 days. Christmas in a monestary in North Greece.

Thanksgiving vacation 2021

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We are back from our Thanksgiving vacation 2021. We spent most of the time in Ireland and then to cap it off we participated in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. It was 7 hotels different hotels in 8 days. We spent one night on the plane of course. I drove 1300 km in Ireland and North Ireland, concentrating on what side of the road I should be on and uttering my self-talk -- "Lefts are easy. Rights are hard". The Parade People ask us... "How did you get the opportunity to walk in the Macy's day parade?" It was in the works for a few months. Angie works at Macy's and they sent out a corporate email canvassing for volunteers. She applied and then again applied for me being a family member. We were eventualy approved for the role we asked for --"Banner Carrier". Neither one of us have any parade experience, nor band, nor theatrical, nor anything to do with "entertainment". We thought being in this incredibly iconic American event ...