How I long for the days when I can again grocery shop without feeling like I am on a scavenger hunt. The stress and complications of everyday life in 2020 turn my thoughts to isolation possibilities. And I am in luck because there is a nearby facility where isolation has been studied in depth. For a more scientific approach to the problem of survival, I decide to visit Biosphere 2. This facility constructed in the late 1980s was used to conduct research on the ultimate in self isolation – surviving on other planets.
Biosphere 2
Curious to learn just how well creating an alternative to Earth living worked out, I use my phone to hear the self-guided tour of the Biosphere site. Now run by the University of Arizona for research, this former home to eight inner space adventurers is a very pleasant place to spend a few hours. Spoiler alert – the original experiment did not work. Something about too many microbes/people and not enough oxygen. From what I read about this, things may have gotten a little ugly there at the end.
Too bad this project wasn’t undertaken more recently. If it had been undertaken in the 2000s, scientists could have converted it to a reality show using challenges to decide who got to keep breathing the remaining oxygen. Talk about the “ultimate” survivor series!
I am on a Winning Streak
After my startling win at the 5K a couple of weeks ago, I do not expect another prize to come my way anytime soon. In the meantime, I happily agree to play my banjo on a float in the RV park Christmas parade. I spend a couple of hours with my musician friends (as opposed to my off-road friends) riding though the park on a trailer. In order to social distance, we sit too far apart to hear each other well which creates a unique, musical echoing effect not achieved by just any band. Our float bounces off a few speed bumps challenging our performance abilities. But like the consummate professionals we are, we play on seamlessly even when airborne.
At the parade’s conclusion I learn that our float won first place. We split the grand prize of $32 forty-eight ways. Let’s see, we split our windfall to pay the truck driver, my neighbors who I tricked into decorating the trailer for us, bribes to the judges and of course the musicians. I am thrilled to get my share!
I am not able to get any pictures/videos myself because I am picking and grinning the whole time. Some kind friends (Jane, Jan and Pete – thanks guys!!) share their videos with me. I compile their contributions into the short movie below. Hope you enjoy it!!
OMG…..I am thoroughly entertained! You guys are a spirited, unconventional and totally unique bunch! Great Christmas spirit! As always, I love the post and I love the uplifting messages I get from them. Now my Christmas will be complete!
Merry Christmas to you from your fans in Seaford Delaware.
Merry Christmas Stormy….I am thinking of you this holiday season….you would be so proud of Sunny. I know you are keeping tabs on her!
Peace,
Marcia Legates
Thanks Marcia! So glad you enjoyed our “antics!” I hope your holidays are filled with love and joy. Thanks for keeping Storm and me in your thoughts.
Happy Holidays to you and all the wonderful folks in Seaford!!
Loveeeeee!!!!!
Thanks for the update and songs Deb. It’s great to see you smiling and relaxing. Merry Christmas!! 🙂
Hi Deb! So good to hear from you. Hope Christmas in Florida is warm and bright. Hugs to you and best wishes for a Happy 2021!
Hi Deb! Loved watching “the Band” and thought you all played beautiful music together. Loved seeing you play. Merry Christmas my friend!??
Theresa – so great to hear from you. I am still holding out hope that we will again get to volunteer together and I can bask in your happy glow.
Merry Christmas to you and your family. Tell your Mom that I still serve her 24 hr salad recipe at every potluck I am invited to – so delicious!
Merry Christmas Deb! I love your spirit ??!!
Ruth Morgan
Thanks – Merry Christmas to you!
Merry Christmas Deb. Keep the spirit going and the posts coming. Miss you here in NC.
David
Great to hear from you, David. Happy Holidays – hope I can get back to the east coast next year and see all my friends there!
We’ll have to get some of the ORIGINAL Dawson Gang together and maybe arrange a “ride to eat” !
Now THAT sounds like a plan!
First place, eh? And were there any other entrants in this “parade”? Love the post Deb and hope Christmas was great and pray your New Year is blessed as you bless ours with your posts.
Keep them coming, please.
BTW your musicality is improving leaps and bounds. Stay with it, Grand Ole Opry is always looking for new talent.
Larry and Cecile
There were a few others, but not many! Thanks for the encouragement, I would be happy if people would just stop running away when they hear me play!! 🙂
Happy New Year to you and Cecile.
Somehow I cannot imagine how my baritone saxaphone could have added anything pleasant to that Christmas hayride. I thouroughly enjoyed it the way it was, and wish you all a Better 2021.
N. Clement Weathers
Well if you ever decide to join us, we do allow the playing of spoons and plastic buckets with strings and sticks for bass playing. Heck, for a instrument similar to the sax you could even bring a jug to blow into 🙂