Slippery Rock Gazette

Bob Murrell 

M3 Technologies

Photos by Bob Murrell

It is now mid-April at the time I am writing this and, according to the President’s COVID19 panel and many state governors, there’s evidence the curve is starting to flatten. 

Like some of our older readers, I’ve lived through many major disasters and crises including the assignation of John F. Kennedy, the Civil Rights movement, the Vietnam War, Watergate, the 1970’s Oil Crisis, the Cold War, September 11, 2001, SARS, H1N1, and Ebola. I don’t recall the government ever shutting down the economy like it has during this current pandemic. I’m not saying the economy shouldn’t have been closed, it is just something that we Americans have never had to deal with before. I have never seen anything like this pandemic in my lifetime, and I’m sure most – if not all – of you Slippery Rock readers can say the same.

However, based on the President’s latest COVID19 Panel requirements, Texas Governor Greg Abbott just re-opened parts of his state economy, which some argue is too soon, including much of the medical community. I have heard that roughly 29 states may be re-opening their economies too, in varying stages, by May 1. 

I say, “Thank goodness,” providing we can be cautious, as I am ready for this shutdown to be over! I do not like being forced to hunker down at home, most all of the time. I mean, I may be considered a homebody in my older age now, but I still want to be able to go wherever I want, when I want, if I feel like it. That’s one of the biggest individual liberties that make America great, ya know?

My fellow company employees at M3 Technologies, Inc. have all been working remotely from home, with one person who lives near the office coming in to box and ship orders. This is not the most efficient method of operation, but we are doing our very best to keep those customers who can work, supplied. So, we have been shipping a few supplies here, there, and yon. There are many contractors who work in commercial settings who have continued on, and in fact are able to take advantage of the empty buildings to do thorough maintenance and restoration. 

We also received confirmation of our Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) approval today. M3 Technologies, Inc. is a small American-owned company with only a few employees and exactly who this program was meant for. This money was manna from Heaven, as we weren’t sure how to keep going if they stretched this thing out for months on end. I mean really, the government would have to pay either way, unemployment or the PPP. This way we keep people on staff and are ready to hit the ground running when the economy opens back up. It’s a no-brainer, really.

I am usually a very positive-thinking kinda guy, and even in this crisis, I’m sticking with that theme. I am perfectly confident that the economy will roar back even bigger and better than before COVID-19. But in the meantime, I will stay as upbeat as possible with family, chores around the house, and work.

I am an avid CrossFit junkie and haven’t been to the gym in three weeks now. I am hoping my gym will re-open by May 1 (in Tennessee), even though I’ve put on an extra 8-10 pounds and I am dreading the first week back. I probably should’ve been walking or biking some every week, but instead, I’ve been sittin’ on my butt watching Netflix, many nights. Oh, and btw, Peaky Blinders, Yellowstone, Better Call Saul, and Fauda – are all must-watches!

I have also been taking my two daughters fishing on the beautiful Clinch River some, too. I wanted to expose them to trout fishing while I’m still physically able, as these are skills I was taught and always enjoyed while growing up. 

Our Governor, the Hon. Bill Lee, declared that fishing and hunting were essential activities (bless his heart), so I’m covered here. So far, we have not been that successful, as Norris Dam has been sluicing for much of the time. Sluicing means they are running the hydro generators and lowering the level of Norris Lake, above the dam. Just so you know, sluicing means the water is going through the dam sluiceways and/or generators. Spilling means the water is going over the top or a spillway. So far this year, we’ve had quite a lot of rainfall here in East Tennessee and they have to lower the lake levels to prevent flooding- one of the main reasons the TVA system of dams was created.

How did you stay busy during the quarantine? My oldest daughter Logan and I transferred a new nucleus honeybee colony to their permanent home. We were fortunate to have public areas still open to cautious use. Here, we’re heading back up from trout fishing on the Clinch River, below Norris Dam.

Taylor, my youngest daughter, doing her schoolwork via remote, with her current four-legged classroom peers, Buckley and Bailey supervising.

Another passion that I am sharing with my daughters is my beekeeping hobby. As you may already know from previous articles, I am an avid apiarist and have kept bees for many years now. Now that my oldest daughter, 24 and in the music business in Nashville, has temporarily moved back home for the pandemic quarantine, I figure it is a good time to stay busy around the house. So, teaching her trout fishing techniques and the art of beekeeping are both useful skills she can use for the rest of her life. This part of the COVID-19 pandemic I am most thankful for. How else could I have this much time with my kids? Lemonade from lemons, right?

My youngest daughter, who just turned 16, is doing her school online from home, during these trying times. I think of her missing her friends at school, the prom being canceled (after we had already spent $$$’s on a dress, btw), and not being able to attend her sports activities (she is on the tennis team and swimming team), and it breaks my heart. Those years were some of my most fond memories growing up, and like so many active teenagers she is really missing them this spring. I just hope that I can give her some good memories that she can look back on with her family one day. You know, “What we did during the Great COVID-19 shut-in of 2020”...

I hope that all of you are comfortable, with the ones you love, and healthy. If you get the chance to enjoy your family like am, I pray that you take advantage of it. My wish for all of us is that we come out of this crisis with a better love for life and become closer to our family and friends. As Americans, that’s what we do. 

As for me and my family, we’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, and we will come out of this stronger than ever! 

As always, I recommend submitting a test area to confirm both the results and the procedure prior to starting a stone or hard surface restoration or maintenance project. Also, the best way to help ensure success is by partnering with a good distributor, like Braxton-Bragg, that knows the business. They can help with technical support, product purchase decisions, logistics, and other pertinent project information.

I pray that everyone stays safe and healthy.

Bob Murrell has worked in the natural stone industry for over 40 years and is well known for his expertise in natural stone, tile and decorative concrete restoration and maintenance. He helped develop some of the main products and processes which revolutionized the industry, and is currently the Director of Operations for M3 Technologies.