Pfizer Booster Shot

Before we even left South Bend, we were getting emails from the New Jersey Department of Health inviting us to sign up for our booster vaccine.  We were past 60 days from our previous two shots and were over 65 so we qualified.  I waited until we got into Princeton and then signed up easily for shots within 5 miles and the next week--not within 50 miles and a few weeks out as we had to do for our earlier shots.

Monday we drove to the Plainsboro CVS and waited in a short line to get our vaccines from a technician behind a curtained section of the store near the pharmacy.  Quick and easy compared to our last sign-up and trip to Rowan College South Jersey.  Typical of shopping in Plainsboro was that we appeared to be the only native English speakers in line.  A daughter-in-law was there to assist her husband's parents with the process.  

However, the follow up was not so easy.  Around 11 pm I started to feel cold.  By midnight I could not get warm.   I found a heating pad and an extra blanket.  Finally when I got out my down bathrobe and wrapped it around me under the covers, I felt warm again.  All day Tuesday I was tired and had no energy.  Food tasted fine but I had little appetite.  By Tuesday evening I felt better.  Jim had no side effects other than a slightly sore arm.  

Last night I slept for hours without any coughing spells like last week or without trying to stay warm.  I feel fine today.  In fact, I keep saying that I feel great!  I'm sure it was just a reaction to the booster shot and I hope a sign that it was effective! 

On the Road in Three Hours (posted ten days later)

 October 16  I wrote this blog before we left South Bend.  I didn't want to share it because of the worry about Covid exposure.  Ten days later we know that we were safe.  We had heard earlier before the wedding party that Jim's golf partner had a second negative test.  So now I think I can post this after a week at home.  My next blog will be one of gratitude to be home and enjoying our lovely apartment again.

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October 7

I thought the next blog might be from Princeton but it has been a somewhat stressful 24 hours and may be worth recording.  Jim is teaching his last class.  The house is vacuumed and mopped and dusted.  I have to empty the refrigerator but am waiting until the last half hour so I can put some items in the cooler.  Sadly, I will have to throw out some food even though I tried not to waste anything.  I cooked chicken and will make sandwiches for our supper.  

I just had my hair cut and blown dry so if it lasts, it will look fine for the wedding party on Saturday.  It was good to visit Salon Rouge again.

The third green at Warren

When Jim comes home, we will give the house one more walk through to make sure we haven't left anything behind.  

Yesterday the crown that Jim was worried was loose fell out.  At least he did not swallow it.  He hopes that the root canal that was done under it means that he won't have pain.  So that is something he will have to deal with soon when we get home.

Yesterday, the man with whom Jim shared a golf cart let us know that his wife tested positive for Covid.  We wondered how much danger this put us in.  Jim emailed the theology department to ask for advice.  Googling it made us think that because we were vaccinated we didn't have to quarantine.  Plus the golfers were outside. Later we learned that the gentleman himself had a negative test so that was a relief.  At first I was wearing a mask in the house but gave that up after a while.  There is no point in getting tested because any positive results wouldn't show up for at least five days. 

 We have been fortunate thus far to have had no contacts with anyone who had Covid or tested positive for Covid before we were with them.   This was the closest we had come to exposure; the timing was bad for our trip home and Dan's wedding party on Saturday.  The wedding party will be outside.  The forecast is for a high of 57 but at least it is not supposed to rain.  If we go inside, we will wear masks. 

These weeks have definitely been a change in our routine. Change is good although we wondered at times about the confusion and disruption of these weeks.  Jim's class went well from his perspective and also from what we heard from others who had talked to students in the class.  He was pleased with the students' presentations and now will await their written papers.  We have been glad that we could see our siblings and many friends from church and the neighborhood.  We worshipped with our friends at Church of the Savior for six weeks--outside twice and then in the sanctuary.

Our long driveway-
the former Juniper Road

 It has been very good to have others enter into our lives more.   We have missed that in Princeton and need to work harder to make more contacts there.  Covid has not made that easy!  But now we can begin to invite others into our apartment and to enjoy meals in restaurants again.  

Our living arrangement in this rental house was something we got used to.  However after seven weeks here, we will really enjoy our lovely apartment at Barclay Square.  Two bathrooms, a large TV screen, a dishwasher that doesn't need to be hooked up, counter space in the kitchen--what luxuries! 

So, maybe the next post will be about the wedding party.  I hope so--that travel is uneventful and the party is awesome! 

A Catskills Wedding Party

M

Dan and Alex were married on December 12, 2020 in a Google Meets ceremony. So they have had a wedding and are married for several months.  People were joking about this being the second wedding in a year--but the same marriage. But this time they did have a ceremony complete with a processional, readings, vows and a kiss. Alexandra had a beautiful dress and Dan looked wonderful too in his suit and floral tie that matched the bodice of the wedding dress. 

 Their friends came from as far as Seattle and San Francisco. Many friends and colleagues were there from New York City. A few new friends and neighbors came from Aumick and Decker Roads. I thought it was a special joy that Dan and Alex could introduce their friends to their lovely location at the foot of the Catskill Mountains.

Alex said that she stopped looking at the weather app because the weather was out of her control. It was not warm but it was comfortable enough. There were a few raindrops after the ceremony but not enough to ruin anything. 

 Jim and I walked Dan down the aisle and then he awaited his beautiful bride from under the arbor he and a friend had created for them. Dan had a wonderful smile on his face and for good reason! Their friend Jossie was the mistress of ceremonies. She said a few words about how Dan and Alex wanted to renew their vows in front of friends and family. There were two readings including Shakespeare's 116th sonnet read by Jim. They exchanged rings with their vows, kissed, and it was over. This mother of the groom wiped away a few tears from her eyes! 

 We had cocktails that Dan and Alex specially created for the occasion featuring apple cider and bourbon. Then on to the pizza truck for a choice of unusual pizzas which we ate at tables set up under a big tent. Lindsey and Max, friends of Alex and Dan, gave toasts. Martha, Alex's mother, toasted them with much love for her daughter. Jim and I said a few words about Dan--mostly memories of young Dan--and then we toasted their marriage too with our great happiness on this occasion. 

 And then we danced. What fun to see little Henry (21 months) dancing with great enthusiasm as well as Doris and Hal (neighbors married for 61 years) also dancing looking into each other's eyes. Jim and I even moved our bodies some--especially joining our grandchildren. 

 We didn't stay for s'mores but headed to our motel in Pine Bush before the front desk closed. It was a dark country road ride with many turns but fortunately our Apple Maps cell phone service worked and we did well. To add to a good day, Notre Dame beat Virginia Tech and we were able to watch the Texas A and M Aggies beat Alabama on TV. 

The party continued into Sunday with cider and donuts at Wilklow Orchards.  This was our treat with an open bar for hard cider and dozens of delicious donuts.  Some guests picked apples while they were there.  The grandchildren had fun taking polaroid photos of the guests and putting them in a memory book.

We are so thankful that Dan and Alex found each other and are making a life together. They are both treasures to us and we love them dearly. As we were out on the edge of the dance floor I looked at our offspring and  wondered if we would be able to celebrate more weddings with them.  I hope we can. 

 Probably not for little Henry.  At least we danced with him at this party!

Two Grottos

Yesterday Jim and I parked the car in the Libary Lot under a #5 lamp post.  There were very few places open; that made it easier to find later.  I walked to the Grotto for the second time during our weeks in South Bend.  The first time was the Sunday after a home game when many candles were lit and it was hard to find one to light and to find a place to secure it.  This time a few days before a home game, there were plenty available.  As always, there are some others kneeling in prayer and this time a military group was setting up for a service.

I have found a "grotto" in Princeton too.  There is a place along the Delaware and Raritan Canal path where someone has put a madonna in the rocks.  There are no candles to light but there are benches where one can sit and meditate while looking at the canal.  It is a lovely spot although lately it has been a bit overgrown and I fear poison ivy.  Just this week a young woman on the path was kidnapped and assaulted so I may be hesitant to go that way alone again.  Admittedly, a young woman is more vulnerable than a whilte-haired woman of my age.  

I know one can pray anywhere and I do but it is good to have a special destination for prayer.  I have lit candles at the Notre Dame grotto many times over the years.  The price has gone up a bit.  I say lots of prayers so my $3 could be considered a bargain!  I remember well the first time I prayed at the ND Grotto when we were despairing about our children's school situations when we first moved here.  I looked up at the statue of Mary and said to her, "You are a mother too.  You know how I feel."   Was that a prayer from this Protestant to Mary?  Maybe it was.  At least I was talking to her.  

In one more week we will be on the road heading home to Princeton.  I am ready to go.  We have the atmosphere of one more home football game to enjoy. We can worship at Church of the Savior one more time.  We have three more dinners next week  with friends.  Jim has two more golf matches scheduled.  He will teach two more classes although at this point, his students are presenting their own work.

We will look back on these weeks with some fond memories and other memories that will make us chuckle.  Just yesterday I tried cleaning the very slow coffee pot with vinegar purchased at Dollar Tree.  Yes, they even had apple cider vinegar!  Today, Jim bought us Starbucks coffee for breakfast and it was great.  I guess he gave up on the 20 minute brew.  

Maybe the next blog will be posted from Princeton.  I am almost hesitant to write that because it would be good if the coming week is routine and goes by quickly.