Today. Right now. Unfortunately, the pandemic forced me to cancel my annual 3 week trip to the Alaskan backcountry for wildlife photography. So my goal has been changed. Will life ever be normal again?

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Although I’m stuck at home, I haven’t been bored. I’ve been learning a lot about groundhogs this Summer. Thank you, Missouri Mabel, for sharing your litter with me. This particular little one really likes getting high and standing tall to get the sweetest berries on a tree.

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In the National Coronavirus news:

“Missouri has seen a significant spike in coronavirus infections this month, averaging 854 new confirmed cases per day last week. At the same time, Missouri Governor Says Kids WILL Get Coronavirus In Schools, But ‘They’re Going To Get Over It. These kids have got to get back to school.'" Forbes

Scientific Response:“We worry about those in school who are not children—teachers, support staff and volunteers. Many of those people will have a much more serious response to the virus, and that is what we want to avoid," said Dr. Alex Garza, incident commander of the St. Louis Metropolitan Pandemic Task Force. “These children could also come home and spread the virus to others in their household who could also be at a greater risk of a serious outcome.” Forbes

“Parson’s comment on the coronavirus signaled that the decision to send all children back to school would be justified even in a scenario in which all of them became infected with the coronavirus.” St Louis Dispatch.

Missouri governor’s comments on kids and COVID-19 stoke firestorm of criticism on social media: https://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/coronavirus/missouri-governors-comments-on-coronavirus-mccloskeys-raise-eyebrows/article_aeac1f42-9460-5605-9fe5-73ca3ca72b2f.html St Louis Today

I worry about my friends who teach school in Missouri. I worry about my friends who have school age children and grandchildren in Missouri. Many teachers (not just the very old) are currently writing their wills as they face the new school year…