Magnolias, social distancing, &tc.

I'd expected to have another installment of "the Rambler's" 1894 travels around Lucas County for this morning's post --- but ran out of time (a lot of transcription is involved). So that will come tomorrow and instead here's a weekend photo, already posted to social media, of blossoms on the small Merrill Magnolia located on the Lucas County Historical Society grounds in west Chariton. It burst into bloom over the weekend, a hopeful sign of spring.

I've been mistakenly referring to this as a Star Magnolia for some reason, and do know better. Three varieties of magnolia bloom in Chariton --- Saucer (or Tulip Tree) Magonlia with dramatic waxy pink blossoms the most common, followed by a few Merrill Magnolias and, yes, Star Magnolias --- similar in some ways to Merrill but fuller and with a pinkish tinge.

All are beginning to bloom this week --- so watch for them. The most dramatic of the Merrill Magnolias is located in front of A. Jensen Enterprises on the south side of Court Avenue a half block west of Casey's. Its blossoms were about ready to pop yesterday.

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My principal social outlets during this season of plague consist of twice-weekly trips to Hy-Vee, which has been doing an excellent job of keeping us fed and supplied, and brief strolls around the cemetery when I drive out there to take a couple of tombstone snapshots for use here.

Kathleen is handling necessary tasks at the museum from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday although of course we are closed to the public. I generally check in there daily, then work a couple of hours in the office or elsewhere Friday-Monday.

Appropriately distanced volunteers --- Kathleen, Kylie, Jennifer and Trae --- are working gradually to get the museum grounds in shape for spring. The garden fence came down over the weekend, so we're ready for the tiller.

We'll postpone all scheduled April activities, including the annual membership meeting planned for April 21. Whether or not we open to the public as scheduled during early May remains to be seen.

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As of yesterday, no one in Lucas County or our neighbor to the south, Wayne, had tested positive for COVID-19 --- which is a positive thing for us.

But yesterday's rogue trotting horse sale/moving auction at the Ura Gingerich farm south of Seymour certainly is a cause for concern. Sponsored locally by jackasses, it drew some 600 other jackasses, both non-Amish and Amish alike, from as many as six states.

Wayne County Public Health tried to prevent the sale, but ran into an exemption for livestock auctions built into the patchwork of COVID-19 regulations (livestock auctions were considered part of the "food chain," although horse is rarely on Midwest menus). Gov. Kim Reynolds tightened auction-related regulations late yesterday --- after the auction was over. Public Health did try to screen arrivals, but of course had no way to detect anyone who might have been infected but remained asymptomatic. Now, we'll wait and see.

In the meantime, stay well, keep your distance and stay tuned for the "Virtual Museum" and such other amusements as I can devise.