Zoom Hmmmms and other Pauses in the Pandemic '20 at 1142

Today I heard "the current moment" as a way to inquire about "these times" or instead of saying during the Pandemic.  I'm not sure the official or appropriate nonmenclature for now...I tend to go with COVID19 - easy to type.  I took my lunch with author Ann Patchett, thanks to NYT's Pamela Paul and Denison VP, Julie Houpt- what a treat.  The problem is I have not wanted to do any real work since! All I've wanted to do is read book reviews, find more about the books Ann recommended....all this "current time" stuff takes time and the days fly! I had been wanting to explore more about the bookstore Patchett co-owns and is very involved with, in Nashville: Parnassus. Today was the day. I'm now following both author and store on Instagram and rested from a blood donation binge watching the Instagram videos.  FYI- Ann's ball gown/cocktail dresses are fab!

Funny story....I had a big Zoom call this week, it involved the Denison president, important enough that my colleagues and I practiced and we felt good.  I wanted to use the Denison virtual background which meant using a more up to date computer- Clare's.  I didn't want to be disturbed so I took Clare's advice and used her room, the set up that works best for her (sitting on the bed, in the corner for the right lighting and plain wall- I felt so professional, not!) I logged in early (thank goodness) and while setting up with key staff partner Brenda this terrible music starts playing.  I mean B-A-D- not just one word you never want to hear but two!  I heard it and said- "Brenda- do you hear that- oh my?" She said "oh yes."  I said- "where is it coming from? Clare's computer?" She said- "I think so." I said in a flustered voice "I'm logging off- I'll be back."  I logged off Zoom. And yes the music was from the computer.  Could I figure out how to turn it off- no! EEK.  I called Joe- right to voice mail. I called Sally- right to voice mail. I knew Clare was on her own zoom call on my computer.  I put out a text- to the family text-come help me now- help help help, probably in all caps. I had told them I was on a call, to be quiet, not disturb me, and that I was in Clare's room.  Peter came to my rescue, Clare even came.  They got it off. We made sure it would not come back. No one understood how I did what I did to make it play.  I logged back into Zoom- in time to greet everyone and execute a great call.  Sigh..Comic relief but oh my...a story for the blog and "current times".  Oh and for those that want to know...like my colleagues....the song was: Let's Go by Trick Daddy
don't listen to this in public or around the kids.  Sigh.....

To get ready for the zoom call I also followed some input from a friend about coaching to have a good zoom call- set-up, better to wear, etc....I logged in and found this:

Sure enough 9 out of 10 zoom or google meet calls- guess the look I've been sporting? Oh well. I'm enjoying the longer hair and quick up-do and I like my new glasses, I see well! But keeping it real I had my hair down for the call mentioned above.

Life on Newark-Granville Road in current times- real, and really not that bad.

Granville High School- Class of 2020- Graduation- Check!

Sunday, May 26 was a lovely day- thank you Granville High School   For the archives:
-Saturday we celebrated Cate and Peter's high school graduation at Apple Valley. Family time is important time. We threw in Caroline's birthday in June- just in case we do not see them!  Peter placated me, better word may be appeased me by donning a blue graduation robe (not his) and jumping into the lake for a photo op.  It was quite liked on Facebook!!

And then Sunday was all about Peter- 10:30 am- duct tape, balloons, crepe paper, and a convertible add up to festive transport to the drive-thru graduation! Sally and Clare were happy to sit up and cheer him on and spotted the photographer for the paper that rewarded their cheer! Home to Wendy's lunch (Peter's choice), dessert on the lawn with his "adopted family" and then an incredible 2 pm virtual service with fantastic speeches.  The night ended with cocktails with neighbors outdoors (a toast to Lily! and transferring to DU Charlotte), a very special visit by DU '20 Ali Gak! and a family dinner. Oh yes, we did a stop by Grandma Shirley since it didn't work to take her with us to the "ceremony".  THANK YOU to all involved, wishing Peter well and taking us to this day!

Mrs Sharp is a big part of his succe
s

Adopted Family- THanks Roberts!

By Lily Mattimoe- sprinkles from scratch! Light and delish!

snapped by the Newark Advocate! In line to drive-thru graduate!

Such a beautiful way to honor the Senior Orchestra students...I'm sobbing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwTUscERnpc

And then the choir, I started my morning with it- a slow trickle of tears...
https://youtu.be/aKKqmEFhAj4?fbclid=IwAR38BtCwCk2kPtLZTy9TJMoLa3q-GDhNhcv_t4L3CJS6U_ycNBBf6DPPkiE

No tears with this, just deep gratitude and contentment- thank you Joy, thank you, thank you!
FPC's daily devotion and senior Angel Choir recognition- you'll see Peter is included here!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn-BggbRvK0&feature=youtu.be&utm_source=Granpres&utm_campaign=80012f5f2e-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_08_22_06_46_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_dbc54d5c69-80012f5f2e-137336105

The time has arrived in our life on Newark-Granville Road to really honor Peter and his classmates.  Sunday is the big day- virtual graduation (will share link when I get it to those that have asked!), a parking lot show-up to walk across a stage and a family dinner.  The town is organizing a long drive by but we may be social distance appropriately celebrating the Leithauser family graduates...and a birthday.  Family time matters.

Peter, Peter, Peter- our smiley, happy, sweet, optimistic, don't stress, like what you like, maybe get in to some trouble but own it and learn, relationship building, sports kids- we love you so much and are so proud of you.  A few pictures and the mode of the blog these days- stay tuned, more will be shared as the week progresses!

To all those that have helped, shared, celebrated, coached, taught, hired, honored, cared, mothered, driven, hired, mentored, liked and loved Peter- we are so very grateful. It matters and has made a difference. We have all done this together in Peter's life on Newark-Granville Road!

To all those in the Class of 2020 GHS- congratulations, you make us #granvilleproud and we have loved watching and being with you in this special community!

 

 

 

 

 

Class of 2020- Denison

 
How sweet is this- I was able to attend the degree event in VA- I love it Missy- thank you- and well done on the creative celebration for beautiful Haley! I'm going to miss you so much.  I've realized that each year I grieve as we say farewell- not goodbye to the families of our graduates. Sigh...we are proud and grateful to have shared their time on the hill and played a small role in the strength of the relationship.  5-20-20

Updated on 5-16-20!!  Congratulations and THANK YOU to those that sharing special pictures and celebrations- I LOVE IT.  I really miss you but love the energy and creative approach to 2020Dension!





  

 
Okay- that was a pretty amazing morning- well done Denison- I'm so very #denisonproud of my colleagues, our new alumni, their families and yes Steve Carrell and President Weinberg!  Wow!  Check it all out here (DU 2020)take the time to listen to some amazing advice and insights from all the speakers.  The music is outstanding as well.

GHS and beyond will get their own post, this one is for Denison's seniors. They have, we have their Conferral of Degree event tomorrow!!  I'll be watching and no doubt crying..maybe... tears and emotions are interesting these days. I'm crying as I type this.  I am sorry to be not seeing these folks in person. I just texted with a dear friend. She'll send me a picture of her in her cap and gown tomorrow- I'll post it here.  I've asked for some others and will continue to update in this post.

In the meantime please join me in thinking about our wonderful Class of 2020 Denisonians and their families.  Chin up- you're doing this pandemic thing with style and grace and as Adam says so very well- The Denison way! Life on Newark-Granville road is grateful for the relationships and Denison is such an important part.  And Class of 2020 families- you are such an important part of not only my life, but Denison, Granville, Licking County's...we miss you and are very proud of you!  I could go on and on- I've opened the flood gates of memories over the years- such a very very special class with incredible, generous, fun parents and families!!! #Ihavethebestjob!  I am so grateful for the class of 2020 families!  #denison2020  I look forward to watching the photos and posts on social media tomorrow.

Time to wish Sanaya all the best!

COVID-19 hug! Class of 2020
Lucky us to have our classmate's daughter as our international host daughter during her four years! Congratulations Sanaya- we're proud of you.

A Good Day in my Life on Newark-Granville Road for all the Senses.

It was a good day.    Days like this deserve blog posts and for the goodness to be shared!

Granville is Open!  My morning started with a Granville Chamber of Commerce meeting- we are working to spread the word and support Granville business. So happy to see retail coming back to life. Please wear your mask and shop local!!  Details here:  https://www.granvilleoh.com  Take out continues too, the Famer's Market and so much even beyond Granville into Licking County!

Work included exploring Arts@Denison, listening to fabulous music.  Did you receive the email with the updates and links to art at Denison?  If you did not sign up Here, you'll be glad you did!  

Speaking of the arts and GREAT music from Denisonians! A new album from Denison Bluegrass, learn more on the Facebook page and sign along like I did! A treat for the sense of sound! https://www.facebook.com/DUBluegrass/  It is a tribute to Hank Williams and was quite the effort to produce during a pandemic! Congratulations to all involved and thank you.

Special delivery- my new Mission 34 Candles! I lit the candle tonight to help shine a light on mental health awareness, education, in honor and memory of Sean Bonner and his family and all those who support and struggle.  #endthestigma and take care of yourself please!  https://www.facebook.com/Mission-34-2918953168177533/  And the aroma...beautiful for my sense of smell!

Exercise is so important and I was happy to take my mother's day gift for a spin!! Thank you Amanda for joining me and providing a great way to catch-up!

The day ended with a drive in the convertible, feeling the breeze in my hair. I had an errand to run at Buckeye Lake so all three kids joined me. We found Weldons ice cream to delight the sense of taste and saw the new dam.  The picture below is the three heading out to see what they could see- saying they have not really been to Buckeye Lake much...Clare has one story!  This is a sight that makes me smile.  I know my Dad is smiling too- bluegrass and country drives!

Life on Newark-Granville road is calling it a day, a very good day.  Thanks for sharing...and don't forget to sign up for arts@denison emails!! Link here:  here

Mother's Day 2020

Mother's Day Eve....2020...we started the day with coffee and beautiful condolence cards and catch-up. Then we went to Wooster so Mom could see Clare's school. We had a lovely day- a drive in the country, picnic lunch of creative sandwiches, in the car.  A Mission 34 walk on the bike path and delicious dinner- steaks on the grill. Life is good.   So good to have Mom here in Granville with us!

A silver lining of our April was reviewing old pictures and I found this gem!  My sister and I believe it is 1990- I was visiting Granville from Michigan, it was Sarah and Matt's parents weekends at Denison- this was dinner at the Granville Inn.

Honoring those that made me a mother!!  Hard to find pictures of me with my three?!! Oldie but a goodies!

Love and peace to all mothers- those missing theirs, those with so much on the plate-we juggle a lot.  Everyone has their own paths and approaches.  I know how lucky I am to have my Mom, had my Mom and Dad's love together and their partnership and to have Joe parenting with me. Mother's day is a complex day and a beautiful day to pause and say thank you and soak in the love that is there for us.  In my life on Newark-Granville Road we'll embrace brunch, church, hopefully a hike and more time in the kitchen together and around the table.

Moving forward in May

For the record books- on the first Saturday in May in 2020 there was indeed festivity in our life on Newark-Granville! Thank you for those that viewed the videos celebrating Peter and our efforts to keep the day special.  Like so much happening during this pandemic there are silver linings and I am impressed and grateful for all the creativity and innovation.  It was actually fun to sip a delicious julep and watch the 2015's coverage of the Derby- something we don't do when we host a party with more than five!  The great race simulation placing the triple crown winners against one another was pretty cool!

Other happenings in our life....I have to document the fabulous Works and the fun we've - okay- I've had with the Mastodon.  I titled this one- not now Mommy is putting!  Follow the works on social media and #attheworks to learn more and see all the other great places the Burning Tree Mastodon is visiting!

I'll keep this one simple- I highly recommend the book by Jason Fagone, The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies and the Unlikely Heroine who Outwitted Americas's Enemies.   It was great company on my drive to and from Maryland and then I had to finish it for book club discussion.  I took a glorious long long walk around Granville yesterday to wrap it all up and was completely pulled in to the unknown history of Elizebeth Friedman- a smart, brave, independent woman- scientist.

Thank you to all that have shared their condolences and support. We're doing okay, we're processing- just as we all are for so many situations right now.  It feels as if my father's death was an extra shroud pulled forward at this time in our lives.  We're remembering and honoring his legacy and finding comfort in conversation, memories, and special happenings centered around the things he loved most- family, exploration, learning, and creativity! See above.

Derby 2020- Joe blog take-over- the Bourbon Histories!

Joe here, this is a Life on Newark-Granville Rd blog takeover!  Something great happened to me this week, something I’ve never been able to do pre-coronavirus.  I bought a bottle of Blanton’s at the IGA.  For those who are new to bourbon, Blanton’s is an excellent wheated (the mashbill contains wheat instead of rye) bourbon from Buffalo Trace.  This is the same distiller that blessed the world with Weller, Col EH Taylor, Eagle Rare and Old Rip and Pappy Van Winkle.  

So I thought I would write about the history of bourbon at the Derby party…the last couple of years we have been using Evan Williams to mix in our juleps, but it was not always that way.  One thing to note, I married into this party – some grooms get a dowry, I got a Derby Party – I will take that trade any day of the week.  When Susan and I were living in Grandview, we had a make-your-own-julep bar.  We had a big poster board with the instructions on how to make a julep and all the ingredients on a prettily decorated table.  About halfway through the party I asked one of my friends how he liked his julep.  His answer surprised me, he said it was the worst drink he ever had.  I asked him how he made it and he said he just poured it from the pitcher – the pitcher contained the simple syrup – he was 2/3 of the way through a glass of sugar water!  I do admire his determination.  

When we moved to Granville, all of our friends drank Makers Mark, Susan and I drink scotch we weren’t really bourbon drinkers and we were use to paying more than $50 for a bottle of single malt, so we mixed our juleps with Makers Mark.  About half way through the party my good friends Pat Ford and Craig Baldwin started to question my judgement – why waste Makers by mixing it in a julep.  I also noticed that a bottle of Makers Mark migrated from the bar to a table surrounded by my dear friends.  Since then we went with better blending bourbon and settled on Evan Williams, usually imported from Maryland (hopefully I am not breaking any laws).  A fine $20 bourbon.  We also provide a jug of Makers Mark on a table surrounded by our cigar smoking, bourbon drinking Granville friends.  We also enjoy when Laura Hills delivers her bottle of Heaven Hill every year and we mix a batch of juleps with this whiskey (FYI, Heaven Hill distillery also makes Evan Williams).  One thing I learned is never let the mother-in-law pick the bourbon, one year we couldn’t make it to MD to purchase our bourbon, so we let Susan’s mother buy it for us.  I thought the instructions were clear, evidently they were not, we ended up with smaller bottles of Evan Williams single barrel – we ran out of bourbon so I had to raid my personal stash – this did not save us any money.  I’d be remiss without giving a huge shout out to our amazing bartender these past few years- Emily.  Executing the party has been so much more enjoyable with your partnership. You always follow Susan’s number one rule- the bar must be ready by the time the first guest arrives!  Even for the early arriving Parson boys.

I hope you enjoyed this short report on the history of bourbon at the Leithauser Derby Party, we have enjoyed having you all attend over the years and will miss you dearly in 2020.