Thursday, August 27th

5:59 a.m.  Hurricane Laura hit Louisiana overnight, and it still is moving north as a hurricane.  I'm glad I wasn't in its path, because it appeared very impressive.  Today is yet another day of "preparation" for next Monday, but honestly I'm running out of things to do to get ready.  Yesterday, Mrs. Kline, Mrs. Mueller, and Mrs. Macke helped me complete a curricular display, which was a big help.  It's the best one that I know has ever been crafted from what was supposed to be my creation.  I'm not a real creative person, so their help was great.  I didn't exercise yesterday, so my weight creeped up a little, but that's okay.  I did stay in my eating window, which lately seems to be getting away from me.  I need to draw that mental toughness back in my life, or I will gain the weight I've been able to keep off.  I have to establish a better routine in the morning too - maybe an earlier routine is more specific.  I must admit that an ability to start a morning whenever desired since pretty much last March has been nice, but I need to start getting myself up earlier so I can get some exercise in.

5:35 p.m. - Today went by fast, and I feel a few steps closer to being more prepared for the school year.  After school, I just sat in the pool with my mom and we discussed all the world problems.  Those are quiet times that won't shatter the world with excitement, but my mom is one of the people in my life that has more importance than many other things.  She is an amazing person with a will of still and heart of gold.  I don't agree with her about everything, but there aren't many other people on this planet I respect as much as her.  So I can stop the world for a couple of hours and spend time chatting with mom - anytime and anywhere.  Maybe tonight I'll run down have have Amber whip up a shake at Shivers and throw some money at a slot machine.  Then I can try to tackle a Friday tomorrow.

Things that I NOW think about with the coronavirus. (8/27)

• Stats
• February 29 was the first reported positive case in Illinois. 
• March 20, there were 585 reported positive cases.
• As of May 29 (3 months), there were 120,260 positive cases and 5,390 deaths.
• As of June 29 (4 months), there were 142, 461 positive cases and 6,902 deaths.
• As of July 31 (5 months), there were 178,837 positive cases and 7,495 deaths.
• As of August 29 (6 months), there were ______ positive cases and _____ deaths.

• ILLINOIS PREVIOUS DAY
• hospitalizations - 345
• ILLINOIS YESTERDAY
• hospitalizations - 350
• ILLINOIS TODAY
• hospitalizations - 390

• ROCK ISLAND COUNTY
• YESTERDAY - 2,071 positive cases; 52 deaths
• TODAY - 2,094 positive cases; 52 deaths

Things I Could Do or Need to Do In the Future

• volleyball test - Illinois
• volleyball test - Iowa
• Paint the shed.
• Continue working on restoring the channel of the ditch.
• Replace seals and gaskets in the pool motor.

Things to do for Ms. Mitola

- by second week of September - Ms. Mitola takes over advanced sections

- by end of September - Ms. Mitola has all sections

- by second week of December, I take over all sections and Ms. Mitola wraps up

Things to do for school

- form Khan Academy groups of students for sections

- update Association records and work on membership stuff

Prayer for My Heart

Holy Spirit...

Help me have... 

    a pure heart, that I may see;
    a humble heart, that I may hear;
    a heart of love, that I may serve;
    a heart of faith, that I may abide in the spirit. 

                                                                     Amen