Thursday

A couple of ducks have been hanging around our yard all day. (The leaves are waiting to be raked up tomorrow when I've recovered from my vaccination shot.)

 

 

I got my second Pfizer shot today in Clearwater. This time they did it in the car. It was an amazing logistical operation. The people were so kind. Everything went smoothly. I felt a wave of emotion, best described as gratitude for finally being vaccinated and for all the people involved in making it happen. I thought to myself that this is why a competent and honest government is important. This is why we pay taxes and hold leaders accountable. They are elected to take care of us and tell us the truth, not to inflame us and make us hate each other.

 

If it weren't for John, I'd probably still be waiting my turn. He kept checking the web sites until he found my first appointment at the earliest availability for my age group. Today, he drove us there, an hour early. Even Toby came along for the ride. (We switched drivers before the shot to make it easier.) 

Toby made us laugh. He tried to be a guard dog by barking at the people all around the car as we went through the cue to the vaccination tent. The way he barks is hilarious. It's a muffled, squealy, and whiny bark that says, "I'm supposed to bark and sound ferocious but I don't want to bark too loud because I don't want anything to come get me." John and I have noted that the only time we've heard a full-throated confident bark was in his dreams. In his dreams, he's a tough customer. In reality, not so much.

The first time he woke us up with his dream bark, it scared the heck out of us. “Who is that?” we both wondered. His inner Toby, I guess. He is such an unusual and sweet dog. I love him more each day.

 We took an alternate walking route after my shot. I wanted to stick close to home, so we headed down Sturbridge, the neighborhood next to ours. This house, built in the Key West style, has the loveliest garden.

Toby spotted one of his friends on our morning walk and got down on his belly to wait for his arrival.

 

They ran in circles.

And did the obligatory sniffing.

Toby and I enjoyed the morning, squeezed into a chair and a half. 

 

After our walk, I took a nap and sort of lounged the afternoon away in bed. I had a bit of a headache and felt lethargic, both side effects of the vaccine, although it could have been general fatigue. The temperature was perfect today: 63 degrees this morning and 81 degrees this afternoon, clear skies, and low humidity. I hope I will be back to normal tomorrow.

It’s been a soothing evening sitting with Toby and listening to K. D. Lang and writing to you.

John got us a chicken burrito from Juan’s Mexican Grill that we split.

 

Miles walked: 6.8

Miles biked: 0