I am Thankful for FaceTime!

Talking with Suzie

Sharing my yogurt & mango with Ruthie.

Playing "Sleeping Human" with Clemmie.

Social Media and the online world in general have some pretty important drawbacks. There is no doubt in my mind that a treacherous charlatan like Donald John Trump could not have been able to claim the presidency against the will of the American people without the tremendous boost he got from social media -- both the above board nonsense that he and his minions produced in the open and the secret multiplication of lies and filth produced undercover by his comrades in Russian basements.

BUT -- as a storyteller online telling has kept things going during a pandemic.

BUT -- as executor of my Mother's estate Zoom meetings have allowed seven siblings to fairly cooperate to fulfill Mother's wishes even though we are separated by many miles and assorted health issues.

AND -- through those heath issues my seven siblings have been able to support one another at a distance.

AND as a grandfather separated from his three wonderful granddaughters by an entire continent, the miracles of online visitation via FaceTime ain't the same as a real visit, but it sure beats nothing! 

Yesterday my babies called me from Vista, California connecting with my high-resolution brand-new MacBook at my kitchen table. There were no actual hugs, but it was just about the next best thing as we participated in about thirty minutes of tele-silliness. 

When we visit there Clementine likes to invent games/improvisation which must be recreated repeatedly with only occasional variation. On our last trip - last December - she came up with the "Sleeping Human" game. Clementine is the unquestioned Director and must occasionally stop the action to explain how the scene is to proceed.The cast includes:

Sleeping Human - me (GrandShaw)

Alarm Clock - Sheila (Granny)

Cat - Clemmie

Puppy - Ruthie

On the phone last night one new character was added: At nine months of age Suzie has been cast as Kitten.

Sleeping Human yawns, stretches, and goes to sleep, snoring softly. Cat and puppy find secluded spots to curl up and sleep.

(A few beats)

The Alarm Clock sounds.

Sleeping Human rises stretches, yawns, opens imaginary pet food and calls cat and puppy and kitten to breakfast. Cat and puppy crawl out of hiding and greedily devour imaginary food. 

The day passes very quickly and Sleeping Human is expected to sleep again. Repeat.

One month from today I will see these boogers in person!

Here are some screen shots from our FaceTime yesterday.

Suzie wants to look behind the cell phone.

Clem likes to get...

...up close... 

...and personal.

Suzie and I shared our food through FaceTime and our imaginations.

As Puppy, Ruth crawls away to sleep.

Ruthie with her Mommy

At one point Clemmie and Ruth decided to take me (the cell phone) right into their "circus tent".

Ruth & Clemmie love their little sister.

"What is this thing? Who is that guy?"

'plaining

Waiting for Alarm Clock Grannie...

...to wake the Sleeping Human.

All four of my Carlin girls.