The road ends, but the journey continues...

Pandemic Potpourri #6

It’s been awhile since I wrote one of these posts.

t’s been awhile since I’ve posted, period.

I’m tired. I’m worn out. I’m wasted. Yet, excited to be alive.

Sounds paradoxical.

Perhaps the title of this should be renamed, Pandemic Paradox #1.

Just sayin’…


Three weeks ago, while standing in line for over an hour to get my first vax jab, my line-mates and I rejoiced that we ‘got this far’ through the Pandemic. We even fist-bumped as we each left the 15 minute sit area afterwards. I felt like dancing a jig and until the first stirrings of side affects occurred, I did enjoy a bit of rambunctious behavior around the house!

Today marks the day I received my second vax jab. I was delightfully surprised to see one of my first jab line-mates round the corner into the 15 minute sit area after my second jab today. We ‘caught up’ and reconfirmed our thankfulness for having gotten ‘this far’ and not taking anything for granted.

It did my heart good.

As I left, we fist-bumped a final farewell…and took care to resist the urge to hug.


Mama’s got a new bag of beans!
I opened a new bag of beans today.

(for me that refers to the only beans worth opening – coffee)
They are potent.
As if I’d been imbibing decaf these past weeks rather than the real deal.
The beans know.
🙂


While our latest Family photo (shown below) was taken during a not-so-recent ZOOM Thanksgiving in 2020 we continue to stay close.

I am hopeful that we will gather face-to-face during Family Dinner some day, some how in the months to come.

I wish the same for you and those you hold dear.

Thanksgiving Family ZOOM Time
The Fam, ZOOM Thanksgiving 2020 (l-r: new-to-the-family Lindsey & son Joe in Colorado, Hubby Terry in our living room, me in my studio, son-in-law David & daughter Michelle in Michigan)

Hope, I know, is a fighter and a screamer.

Mary Oliver

51 Comments

  1. thewheelchairteen

    Congratulations on getting your jabs! Over here in the Netherlands, the roll-out is happening very slowly. I don’t even know anyone here that’s had a vaccine yet, but after I have mine, I’ll definitely be fist-bumping my fellow jabbers too. 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing that wonderful Mary Oliver quote. It’s actually something I really needed to hear today. I’ve saved it so that I can read it whenever I need encouraging.

    • laura bruno lilly

      Here’s a virtual fist-bump to you for hanging tough!
      Thank you so much for stopping by and perusing my site, Ms wheelchairteen.
      Stay safe.

  2. Looks like there is joy in those family photos! Congrats on your second vax jab!

    • laura bruno lilly

      Thank you for saying that…joy – yessssss!
      🙂

  3. Lavinia Ross

    Glad you have had both vaccinations, and life is returning to a new normal. I do hope you and your family will be able to gather again soon!

    • laura bruno lilly

      Thank you, Lavinia. One step at a time, right?

  4. Annika Perry

    Yeah! Laura, great news that you’ve had both jabs and hopefully that will mean not too long until you can see your family again. It has been a long tough year … I love the Mary Oliver quote at the end! Sums it up exactly! xx

    • laura bruno lilly

      I love seeing you out and about again, Annika. The experimental music you’ve been showcasing has been nothing short of inspirational!
      😎

      • Annika Perry

        Thank you so much, Laura! I’m glad you enjoyed my two musical posts – not my usual type of posts but two topics that thoroughly fascinate me. Last week my husband and I took our first trip away for 21 months and I loved it! Pure bliss and some travel posts in the next month!

        • laura bruno lilly

          Looking forward to reading them!

  5. deborahbrasket

    I was super excited about getting my vaccine shots too. It was so easy too, in and out in 20 minutes, all the workers so warm and efficient.

    • laura bruno lilly

      Done and done feels soooo good, doesn’t it?

  6. Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet

    Laura, congratulations on being fully vacinated. My second shot is on the 29th. I will be relieved. 🙂

    • laura bruno lilly

      It really is a big deal and I guarantee you’ll feel more lighthearted than you’ve felt in a long time…Hubby’s second is on the 30th.
      Here’s a virtual fist-bump for us all moving forward!

  7. Ally Bean

    I like your happy post. You’ve hit upon something I’ve been wondering. That is, will I see the same people in line for the second jab that I saw in line for my first jab. I’ve a few weeks to wait until I know my answer. As for “The beans know” I rather like that line. No reason in particular. ?

    • laura bruno lilly

      Ahem, did you notice I repeated a line I wrote in your comment at the beginning of this post? BTW: It helped me to get out my ‘at least one post a month’ post seen here, thanks.
      🙂
      As for “The beans know” it hereby bequeath it for your personal use in whatever manner you so choose!

  8. zippyquilts

    Yes! We were so thankful to get our vaccine as well. We’ve even been able to hug a couple of also-vaccinated friends 🙂

    • laura bruno lilly

      Yippee for Zippy! Sounds like you guys are doing well even while straddling two homes. Maybe now your new home will move more quickly towards being finished.

  9. Chela's Colchas y Mas

    Thanks for the hopeful message. I am fully vaxed but still hesitant to venture out too far. I will feel more at ease as soon as my youngest grandchildren can get vaccines. Then, we can have a full family gathering in person.

    • laura bruno lilly

      My line-mate and I discussed this during our first jab. We both felt not afraid, but ‘cautious’…and decided that was a good place to be and remain: cautious.
      I’d love to be a fly on the screen door of that family gathering…here’s hoping for sooner than later!

  10. Katharine Weinmann

    Here in Canada, we get 1 jab, then need to wait 4 months for the second. Unhappy with government health officials’ over-riding the efficacy recommendations from the producers. And now to read Pfizer say, with variants – which are surging – we’ll all need boosters in 12 months. Yikes. And yet, we, too are grateful for health, for spring, for longer days of sunshine…holding the tension in it all being true.

    • laura bruno lilly

      (hmmm, my reply didn’t go through – will try to recreate it and send it on again, sorry!)
      It’s crazy isn’t it? Places like your country Canada are turning out to be slower in administering the vax than places like Israel that has most of its population fully vaxed…
      Indeed, vigilance is priceless during a Pandemic.
      Stay safe.

  11. L. Marie

    You have a beautiful family, Laura! So wonderful to see photos. And congrats on getting the vaccine. I have had trouble getting an appointment for even one shot! But I know God’s got this and I will eventually get one.
    Love the Mary Oliver quote. She is missed!

    • laura bruno lilly

      Even though we’ve been allowed to get shots early on – it wasn’t until now that we were able to actually land appointments. Geesh. So I’m not surprised at your difficulties in obtaining an appointment. I think it differs in each state. Joe’s company he works for in CO reserved timeslots for their employees (remember when health benefits like getting the flu shot at work were standard practise?) and even though he and his girlfriend are in their 30s, they got their first vax last week. Michelle and David got their first shot in Michigan after much persistent trolling the appointment sites during the darker hours! I know many (relatives and friends) who have ‘special needs’ kids that aren’t even on the radar… 🙁
      But like you say, one step at a time holding hands with the One who cares the most for us – you will get one, sister!
      About Mary Oliver: in case you didn’t know of her interview with ‘On Being’ shortly before she passed away…google it – fantastic.

  12. rl2b2017

    Hi Laura! The Zoom gathering, while it may not have been your first choice, is still an excellent option for actually SEEING each other. Oh, a good long {{hug}} sounds just wonderful. I’ve actually given and received two hugs so far since being fully vaccinated. It is tiring and the fight isn’t over but it is certainly more hopeful, don’t you think?! Here’s a virtual {{hug}} for you to have a wonderful Wednesday. ~smile~ Roseanne

    • laura bruno lilly

      Thanks for making my Wednesday complete, Roseanne. You’re right about the ZOOMing and Skyping – so fortunate to have those options available during this Pandemic Life we’re leading. Meanwhile give your littles an extra hug from ‘your Laura’.
      🙂

  13. LA

    ?

    • laura bruno lilly

      emoji heart back atchya (don’t know how to enable that feature on my site, sorry!)

      • LA

        ?

  14. marissthequilter

    It goes like that, but after that double shot things will improve. They must improve. Meanwhile, thank heavens for fresh coffee. Keep strong my friend

    • laura bruno lilly

      HeeHee – ‘double shot’ – what an unintentional pun you made, Mariss! Yep, double shots make everything improve!
      Hangin’ in there for sure.

      • marissthequilter

        Good to hear ?
        (Pssst … twasn’t unintentional)

        • laura bruno lilly

          Oh Mariss, you do have plenty of pun-iness up your sleeves!

  15. Andy

    I’ve had my first jab but not my second-the gap here between the two was extended to within 12 weeks to ensure more people got their first one. I should be hearing anytime now when my next one is appointed for. Steadying myself for Manflu.

    • laura bruno lilly

      Whoa. 12 weeks. I’m rooting for you and your fam to get fully vaxed in time to celebrate your landmark b-day this year in Paris – as you mentioned is your longtime desire!
      😎

      • Andy

        I’m holding few hopes for Paris-yet-as my birthday is in December and we all know how these type of viruses resurge in the winter.

        • laura bruno lilly

          Yikes – too true…but then who knows?

  16. Jane's Heartsong

    i have been slack with posting but am happy to say I got out to shoot birds with my camera and visited with the chipmunks down the hill. Congrats on your vaccine. I went to a center and got my first Pfizer shot and my next one is slated for July 19th, but I suspect a possibility that the date will be moved forward for the second shot.

    • laura bruno lilly

      I figured you’d come up for air and post some new photos soon (hint-hint) – glad to hear you’ve been out and about. This vax business has been a hard nut to crack for those of us trying to get vaxed! Geesh. I do hope your second dose gets moved forward.

      • Jane's Heartsong

        Me too, but still will wear mask and distance myself.

        • laura bruno lilly

          Absolutely us, too! There are too many truly vulnerable ones who ***can’t*** take the vaccine due to reasons such as special needs, certain medical limitations, etc. I like to think I’m helping them come back to the outside world in some form of ‘normalcy’ by lowering their risk in that manner.

  17. Laura

    I really like the Mary Oliver quote!

    There are a lot of negative things about the internet, but thank the Lord for the ability to communicate, not only through a long, exhausting pandemic; but when family doesn’t live close or any number of other reasons.

    Hugs will be so much more meaningful and special when they can be freely given again! 🙂

    • laura bruno lilly

      Laura, thanks for popping up here – us Laura’s have been strangely ‘silent’ on the blogging front lately. 😎
      Yeah, I agree, even though we’re all sick and tired of the internet being the sole means of communication (well, you know what I mean), thank the Lord it has been there for us during these Pandemic times.
      Stay safe & take care.

      • Laura

        What can I say? A bit of depression currently in the healing process as I am fortunate and blessed to be visiting children and grandchildren! 🙂

        • laura bruno lilly

          The key phrase here is: ‘currently in the healing process’. So glad to hear and so happy for you, too!

  18. Pat

    I also have days when I feel really worn out but excited to be alive. Others day I have to work so very hard to keep active and to accomplish things, and it almost feels like I’m not exhausted. Life sure has been strange living through the pandemic, but getting the vaccine has seemed to take most of the fear away – but not all of it.

    • laura bruno lilly

      It’s strangely reassuring that others, such as yourself, are feeling this sense of exhaustion at this stage of Pandemic life. Your being fully vaxed probably helps in your resolve to get back on the road to your ‘summer home’ in Michigan. Best wishes for a safe (and fun!) trip!

  19. piecefulwendy

    Well, things to celebrate! Fist bumps all around 🙂 And yay for the beans! On a sadder note, my post-Covid fun with loss of taste and smell is still doing a number. The current issue? Coffee doesn’t taste good and leaves a nasty after-taste. Really, really bummed about that. Hoping it rights itself soon, along with my off/on sense of smell.

    • laura bruno lilly

      I like your joining in on the celebration, Wendy! I wish for you a hastened recovery from the taste and smell lingering after affects from your COVID illness. As the world opens up, your Fika with friends must also!

  20. petespringerauthor

    Here’s a fist bump from California, Laura. My wife is fully vaccinated and I get my second poke in ten days. We’ve already booked a plane flight in May to go see our son and another in June for the Springer Family Reunion that got postponed because of Covid last summer.

    • laura bruno lilly

      Oh Pete, what fun to have that delayed 2020 Springer Family Reunion back on the horizon! My hubby will get his second jab the same day as yourself – cheers to us!

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