2020 was a very noteworthy year for Kathy (Katharina) and me. I won’t elaborate on two events; namely, covid-19 and some serious medical issues. However, we celebrated two happy milestones; namely, our 55th wedding anniversary and Katharina’s 80th birthday. Our 55th anniversary almost slipped by unnoticed due to covid-19 travel restrictions and most of our family living far away. We also had not planned any significant celebrations for Kathy’s 80th; however, two of our good neighbours had other ideas. They insisted that they come over on Kathy’s birthday to celebrate her milestone 80th in our garage were we could maintain social distancing. So I went to work, cleaned out and decorated the garage and ordered a nice cake. We had our first mini-party in the morning with four neighbours who brought goodies, champagne and lunch. In the afternoon we had our second mini-party with Kathy’s nieces, husband, our son and our two grandsons that live here. The following day we had two more mini-parties with friends. Following are seven images of the various mini-parties held in spite of covid-19.

Top image: a collage with the birthday girl concentrating on her Ipad, surrounded by images of her from yesteryears.


The party room in readiness.


First a little early morning Face-time with our son and family in Australia.


The first mini-party with our four neighbours. One, a bus driver, still to come.


A double celebration with Jim, on the right, also turning 80 this week and Sindi proposing a toast before we dig into the cake and other goodies.


The afternoon shift. Kathy's nieces, one husband (partially shown), our two Ottawa grandsons and their dad (not shown).


The next day shift. Kathy, Laura (our youngest grandson's Mom), Helen (a friend not shown) and me, behind the camera. Two more friends came later, again no pics.


Some festive lights outside to complete the celebrations.

All in all we had a good time in spite of the covid-19 doldrums we are living under.