What's happening . . .

. . . in our neck of the woods:

Seasonal blossoms are springing up, the many daffodil varieties planted years ago, like an annual explosion of color in our woods.

However, even as the calendar officially announced the start of spring, winter was loathe to let go. That Sunday afternoon, the first of our stay-at-home imposed isolation, we tromped through the snow.

Where are all the birds? They must be social distancing as well.

Not all work has ceased. The tree trimmer/removal crew finally made it to our road.

Nor did churches stop worshiping. Now we gather virtually. And, thanks to live streaming, it is now possible to "attend" more than one service throughout the day or week.

A young cousin's wedding this week was also live streamed, reduced to only a dozen attendees.

My writers' group had our first Zoom meeting and hope to keep the momentum going.

Michael is back into riding his bicycle, when the weather is good. One beautiful afternoon, he biked to the shop in Matthews. Not till he got there did he realize he had forgotten his helmet. He called and I rescued him. 

These two mentors coincided at the shop that afternoon to pick up items they needed. You can't keep these guys away from robotics. Their minds are still working on problems, solutions and improvements, looking forward to the possibility of an off-season competition in the summer.

No more Monday night meals for a while. Last time we were at Stephan and Karen's was for a game night and birthday celebration, Stephan's 49th. It was a fun crowd, some we hadn't seen in a long time.

At home, Michael and I played a recent favorite--Splendor. He lost interest after I beat him twice. ;-)

What else do we do during quarantine? Our schedules haven't changed that much. We take turns cooking and baking. Basically, we each work at our own tasks during the day and watch something at night, only more than before. 

For me these weeks have been focused on processing Mother's death and dealing with what she left behind.

For days I sorted through things, sent photos to family and packaged items they requested or I had set aside for each person or family. My greatest joy was to distribute Mother's paintings.

After many months, I attempted to paint again. I wanted to finish what Mother had been unable to do toward the end due to weakness and confusion.

This is a favorite photo that reminds me of the times Mother and I spent reading the old letters together.

Now it's time for me to seriously get back to writing the stories of my early childhood based on that early correspondence.

What's been happening in your neck of the woods?

Mother

It's time to explain my absence from blogging.

 A week ago today, we laid our mother's tired body to rest.
We had said our goodbyes a week earlier.
Soon after the Grace Village Health Care Center was closed to visitors, we were informed that due to Mother's rapid decline we'd be allowed to spend time with her (after being checked and wearing masks, of course).
My brother Alan and I arrived there as soon as we could. From all appearances she did not have long. Like I had done with Dad in his last moments, I began to sing Psalm 23 and broke down after a few lines. I managed to finish the song. But Mother lingered long. We called our faraway siblings and together sang many songs and hymns from our growing up years in Argentina. With the phone close to her ear Ivan said his goodbyes. At that moment we saw the first response. She opened her one good eye and smiled as big as she could under the oxygen mask. Then we called Aldo and again she smiled. Alan was especially moved and grateful when Mother looked at him in recognition, no longer the glassy eyed look. Raquel was on the phone singing to her also. We treasure those moments of recognition and response. There were no more after that. Did her spirit depart at that time, we wonder? Her body took much longer to shut down.
We spent the night and the next day with her but there was no response. Slowly, so gradually her breathing slowed. We went home Sunday night and got the call Monday morning from the nurse who held her hand as Mother's breath faded away.
We rushed to her side again. It was time to call people, make plans for funeral and burial, and pack what was left of Mother's things. Death is NOT pretty. We focused on images of Mother's new reality--the joyous welcoming party in heaven and her release from all the frustrating limitations and infirmities. No longer would she mouth the words, "I can't walk; I can't talk."

Alan and I met with the overwhelmed funeral director--three funerals by noon, a record day! Even so, he was extremely helpful in sorting out the details and complex options of our times. Meanwhile phone calls and messages crisscrossed the country in an effort to put together a meaningful celebration of life service.

Obituary for Kathryn Ruth Hoyt

Aldo (sibling #3) and Alice were able to make flight arrangements from Denver, Colorado, and arrived Wednesday night. We had a day together to work on the program and enjoy their fellowship including a visit to meet our second great grandchild born on the same day as Mother's passing.
I've dubbed March 16 as K-K day - Kathryn went to her heavenly home, and Kalani entered his earthly family. There is another sweet connection between Skye and his great grandmother, they have the same birthday- July 29.

Meeting Kalani for the first time!

Kathryn Ruth Hirschy Hoyt's memorial service, Friday March 20th was unusual and memorable, the last public funeral for a while anyway. It was held in Alan (sibling #5)'s church in order to live stream for all those who could not be there. As it was we had only sixteen attendees, mostly family.
Each of us shared memories. As the oldest, I was first and spoke more about the beginning of her life and ministry. Ivan (sibling #4) and Kim shared via video.
My youngest brother, almost nineteen years difference, came along when I was about to leave for college. He told of difficult and stressful times in my parents' life.

Photo credit: Raquel Hoyt

We shared stories from different periods and perspectives, so many that the service had to be interrupted in order to proceed with the scheduled burial in a timely fashion (and avoid a stiff fine!)

Photo credits: Raquel Hoyt

The family pall bearers made up almost half the congregation! Pastor Aldo handled the committal service beautifully.

Pastor Aldo Hoyt (Photo credit: Raquel Hoyt)

And we headed back to the church to continue the program. No problem, we had plenty of time before the meal, except that the sound and video guys had to leave, so we do not have a recording of the last part--Aldo's memories woven into his pastoral message.

We had talked a lot about the music Mother would have wanted. We had great plans and ideas, but in the end they all fell through. I had found among my parents many papers, fifteen copies of Until Then and took them along. Perfect, just enough for everyone there so we sang together with Alice accompanying us on the piano. What a great message to carry us through until we rejoin our family members who've gone ahead.

We are so grateful for the way everything came together to honor our mother and learn from her life of faithfulness. Alice mentioned that as she was studying Proverbs 31 with a friend, she realized that all the qualities applied to Mom. And in keeping with verse 28, we all rose up and called her blessed!

Robots and much more

Monday, I visited Mother. In the last month or two she has declined noticeably. I wanted to join her in the ArtCare Studio which she's enjoyed so much since being in the Grace Village Health Center. Sadly, she no longer finds her way there on her own and seldom participates. I took her there to see the latest art pieces. 

Mother's last complete painting

 Michael Conley, who so faithfully and graciously leads the program, commented that recently Mother has been more able to color than paint. He pointed out her last completed painting. I commented on the light and shadow. He said she did that totally on her own. Her most recent attempt and incomplete painting shows signs of confusion.

Mother's final attempt

Next we went to the Monday Hymn Sing and joined the large table surrounded by dear elderly residents in varying stages of cognitive and physical ability, but all united in a love for the old hymns whether or not they could still sing.
My former professor, later president of Grace Schools, Dr. Homer Kent, is seated next to Mother.

~~~~~~

I have been enjoying an organic produce delivery program. These are my Misfits for the week.

For me the week was a series of appointments and commitments. 

For Team 1720 it was a race to the finish, to have a working robot and drive team ready for the first district competition Saturday and Sunday. Michael was at the shop most days and survived several late nights. Then Friday afternoon he trudged off on his way to Bloomington with the trailer carrying PhyXTGears' 2020 robot, Infinite Horse Power, along with all the tools and pit equipment.

Saturday was a very exciting day of qualifying matches for Team 1720 as they climbed from the bottom third to #1! Students, mentors, parents watched from the stands. Some of us who couldn't be there were home glued to the livestream.

Teams, fans, and playing field

Others spent a great part of the time in the pits, either repairing the robot or helping other teams with their problems. 

One of the strong points of the FIRST program is their emphasis on cooperation and gracious professionalism. An example of this occurred over the weekend when a team which had lost their funding could only send the coach and one student to the competition. Other teams rallied around them to make up the drive team and work on their robot.

In the pit

After watching the last match of the day, I went to Kayla's house for Destiny's little birthday celebration--a game night.

From this photo, you may not be able to tell that her baby is due in five days! But I have a photo of Destiny and her "Kalani" bump on the job at Ivanhoes.

Instead of getting involved in the big people's game, I enjoyed time with Rebecca. Here she is with the blanket I knit for her as a baby. I think she has a Mona Lisa smile. Which pose do you prefer? 

Sunday Moriah and I had dinner at the Taylor University dining commons then came home to a very exciting afternoon of watching the playoffs with PhyXTGears on the #1 alliance winning all six games!

Sam, Kristie and the boys were there for the amazing finale.
This is my favorite photo from the weekend.

Grandpa explaining the robot to Zion and Jude

Robot competition at Bloomington High School South

The winning alliance

There are two Kochs on the team. Can you find them?

Marching on

We've had several days of beautiful winter snow, but none that really hindered us much as the lane and roads melted it quickly and did not become icy, for the most part.

Mrs. Cardinal hiding. Mr. C flew away.

 Nor did the weather interrupt Stephan's sap gathering process from some 61 trees. Of course not, winter is his favorite season!

The syrup boiling continues even now with the amazing contraption he put together. (Don't miss the link to the interesting video.)  Here's a sample of the results.

We get updated reports every week. Speaking of Monday Night Dinner, here's an after-dinner Jiu-Jitsu move Jasmine is trying to show Stephan. She will soon be teaching self-defense classes and missing our dinners.

A  Memory Monday pic of the week goes back some 47 years to 1974 in Austria, a team excursion to Hohe Wand for some rock climbing. And there was little Leah in her stroller and big brother Stephan intent on something (?).

Perfect segway to talk about Leah's next health journey procedure Thursday--an exploration of the entire GI tract. This is the only photo she allowed. I think her little purse is so cute.

Leah did not feel a thing, except anxiety before the event, and went home with plenty of photos, not suitable for this blog ;-) Everything okay, only a couple areas that require further attention.

Meanwhile, the members of PhyXTGears are very attentive and busy preparing for competition, finishing and perfecting their robot.

Are they listening to one of Mentor Mike lecture on pneumatics or electronics, or watching a recent district match?

Mentors from a neighboring town came to observe our newly named Horsepower. Team 447 only has six students so they are working closely with our team #1720.  

You may have noticed that for lack of photos (only four I took), I borrowed a good many for this post. But let me close with one of my own--the calendar I put together for the family (that hangs in the beautiful frame Stephan made) now indicates the passage into a new month!

We have much to look forward to in March! Stay tuned!