Did the Javascript Gods Destroy Manual Input on the JQuery DatePicker?

I've used a JQuery datepicker for some time now.
I've never had a problem entering the date manually instead of using the datepicker.
I have jquery-ui-min.js on my server - so jquery has not changed.

I recently found that I can no longer enter dates manually when I install the datepicker on a field. I tried to manually set the attribute "disabled" to false on the input immediately after setting the datepicker: $("#TaskMgrTaskSchStartDate").datepicker(); .
When I did that the datepicker stopped working.

It appears that the Javascript GODS have taken it upon themselves to FORCE the use of the datepicker (a jquery ui function, not theirs) and not allow manual entry.

Not long ago I tried to replace the jquery datepicker by making the input type 'date'. That forced users to use their date picker and could not enter dates manually. I went back to the JQuery datepicker because of that. Now I see that neither will let me enter dates manually (again my JQuery version has not changed).

Am I delusional? Is there something I missed?
Now I have to strip every case in my app that uses a datepicker and FORCE my users to enter dates manually.

 

Maybe there’s a small setting or conflict you missed, but if it keeps acting up, going old school with manual entries might not be such a bad idea after all.