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. 

Eleven Days Left in South Bend

I haven't written a blog post for over a week.  I think that is a sign that the novelty of being here at Notre Dame has worn off.  These days I have a sense of being neither here nor there--as if I don't know where I belong.  This may be a reason for my unsettled feeling.  I really looked forward to this stay in South Bend and it has been good to see family and friends. But I am also counting the days now until we go "home" to Princeton.  Our accommodations have been less than ideal but we have coped and soon we will be back in our lovely Barclay Square apartment. 

This past week we had dinner with others three times.  This coming week we will have dinner with others three more times.  The last week here has still one more dinner date scheduled.  This is far more sociability than we have had for two years and it has been good.  Although I brought a scale along to keep track of my weight, I haven't even lifted it out of the box we brought it in.  I am afraid to check because I know we are not eating as healthfully as we do at home.  I have cooked very few meals--hamburgers, eggs, chicken salad, tuna melts--and that is it.  I plan to do a chicken stir fry but had to buy olive oil, rice, and soy sauce--just for one meal.  Those items will travel well enough to bring them back to Princeton with us.  

Mercado Stripes
(Sloan)

I played the church organ once and really don't have a strong desire to try to do it again.  That is one more thing in my life that is coming to an end.  I visited the Snite Museum this past week and enjoyed seeing some of my favorite works and was reminded of the stories I told the third graders when I was a docent there.  I hope to return to museum visits in Princeton and even in New York City but I have no desire to be a docent again.  Another chapter is closed in life.  I pulled books off the shelves at the Francis Branch Library and even downloaded an ebook thanks to the fact that my St. Joseph Library card was still valid.  I loved that library but I like the Princeton Library too and don't see myself as a volunteer again.  My short stint at the Plainsboro Library as a volunteer was back breaking literally so that is another door closed.  

Taos Skies (Huggin)

We worshipped at Church of the Savior this morning again and will have one more opportunity to do so next week.  I looked at the worship bulletin for Nassau Presbyterian Church this morning and thought that maybe it was a sign that I was thinking of that church as "our church" too.  But at CotS we know everyone and if we don't know someone, we are pretty sure they are visitors and should be greeted and welcomed.  That feeling of belonging is not the primary reason to worship, but it is a joy and may never be possible in a big church like Nassau Church--and one where we will never be as involved in music or leadership.  However Jim is teaching an adult class in late October so more folks will know him.  

I will be happy to be in our Barclay Square apartment again.  I will revel in two bathrooms with one very pleasant shower with room for my personal items next to the sink. I will be happy to use the sink without feeling like I need to put the top down on the toilet lest I drop something in it!  There will be counter space in the kitchen and storage space for food in the cupboards.  It will be great to see the sporting events Jim likes on a larger TV.  I will be glad to get the exercise we get going up the 14 steps to our second floor apartment and our daily walking to get the mail or to get rid of the garbage or recyclables.  

Yesterday's email brought an opportunity to make an appointment for the Covid booster shots very near our home in New Jersey.  The slots available were before October 11 when we will be at home and free to sign up.  So I will wait a few days to peruse the site.  However, it is encouraging that it may be easier this time around to get an appointment and to hope that we can continue to feel safer in our area.  

This post is a recording for our memories of this time.  We don't regret making the effort to be here.  Jim's class has gone well and the students have been very appreciative of his being here.  He is beginning to get the usual requests for recommendations which have always been a part of his work and it is affirming that his name and good word mean something to others in his profession. 

My sister wondered when we would ever see each other again.  Jim's siblings expressed gratitude to me for initiating our meeting for dinner.  It's a long trip to Princeton so it is very good that we were able to make those visits when we were all in good health.  

I think this blog post shows that I am anticipating a return to what has become home for us in Princeton. We are thankful to be closer to our children and grandchildren and thankful for a very comfortable place to live without the concerns of home ownership.  

It's Beginning to Feel Like Home

Our house as seen
from Douglas Road

It's our fourth week at 53730 Juniper Road and the last few times we walked into our little house I thought that it was beginning to feel like home.  Thanks to Steve's care (head of maintenance) of us the first week, things are much better than they were.  The second window air conditioner has made cooling the bedrooms possible.  Plus the weather is cooler. The worst of this place is the little bathroom with no exhaust fan and a very feeble shower.  

This weekend's news was of a fatal shooting at a party house in South Bend.  It took place at a house of Holy Cross undergraduates and the neighbors said that there were often loud parties until the wee hours in the area.  That made me thankful for our quiet house where the only real noise is the toll road traffic but that is far enough away that it is not disturbing to me.  

Three roundabouts 
to our house

I am also thankful to have a washer and dryer in the kitchen.  I have to use the top of them for counter space but it is so good not to have to go to a laundromat.  Right now the bath towels are spinning in the dryer where I put them after our showers lest they get all sour smelling in the bathroom where they cannot dry out.

So three weeks from today we will leave for Princeton.  We have two dinner dates scheduled and at least three more in process.  I hope to practice the church organ soon but told David I would rather not play for Sunday's service.  

Yesterday I had visits with three friends or groups of friends.  It was good to have in person glimpses into their lives.  That was my most social day so far and today nothing is scheduled.  Although Jim suggested we think about our weekly grocery trip so that we avoid the football crowd this weekend.  Actually I have been so disorganized that I went to Martin's three days in a row earlier this week but but it is a quick and easy trip--easier than our grocery trips in Princeton.  (although every trip seems to involve three times of negotiating roundabouts!)

We turned on the TV last night to watch the Cubs without any drama of wondering which remote we should use and which button we should press.  The Marquee network is part of our package.  Sadly the Cubs lost on a passed ball in the bottom of the 9th but the loss was to the Phillies which I consider my team on the east coast. 

Maybe I'll go shopping at Talbott's or Chico's today.  Maybe I'll stop in at the Francis Branch Library.  Or maybe just sit on my lawn chair in the back yard and read a book.  Jim will meet his class this afternoon.  I am glad he is enjoying his students and the word from others is that they are enjoying the class.  So that is the most important takeaway from our seven week time away from Princeton.  And Princeton really is our "home." 

-------------September 21--Steve came by today to change the showerhead which will probably make our showers a better experience. I told him how much we appreciated him. I asked about his days off last week and he said they were spent playing golf which got our conversation going to courses in the area. Then he said that he tried being a professional bowler for a while in his youth but couldn't make a living at it so he got into maintenance. I had Jim tell him about his honorable withdrawal card from the Teamsters-probably one of the very few professors who can say that (thanks to summer jobs at Eckrich Meats in Kalamazoo). I told Steve he is the only former professional bowler we know! And what fun it is to know that. Now, if the shower is improved too how good that would be-even if we only have two weeks and two days left here. Yes, I am counting!

Notre Dame Football from Juniper Road

 

NBC did not broadcast ND's first football game of the season.  It was streamed on Peacock and we chose not to subcribe just for that game.  So I listened to ND radio on my phone  in the bedroom while Jim watched other games on TV in the living room of our South Haven condo. 

 At 5 pm, he asked if I wanted a glass of wine and I declined to have it alone in the bedroom.  Jim said I could bring the radio broadcast into the living room.  He hates listening to games.  I think it is because he feels a loss of control!  Later I found out he was not happy with my exclamations of joy and disgust emanating from the bedroom.  

ND pulled it off in a game that should not have been so close.  The new quarterback was sacked six times.  It was not pretty but it was a W as Jimmy Valvano used to say during his Wolfpack days years ago.  (32-29 over Toledo)

We were concerned about getting back that night into our rental house on Juniper Road which is usually one way traffic heading out of ND's campus post game.  So we stayed in South Haven until 7:30--1 1/2 hours after game time--and then headed home.  There was no problem heading towards campus at 8:30 so we were fine.

Sunday we observed chalk lines on the neighbor's lawn where they must have sold parking places.  The lease for our house specifically said that we were not allowed to use our lawn for football parking.  

Preparations for the home game were underway early in the week as we saw rows of Joy's Johns at the edge of parking lots all over campus--not just near the stadium.  There were signs telling people how to access their mobile tickets--a first game without paper tickets.  I wonder if the usual scalpers were at their places on Angela Boulevard this year.  Apparently the stadium was not full--60,000 in attendance instead of 80,000.  

We will see what happens next week when Purdue comes to ND.    We have a special hang tag that is supposed to allow us to move around campus streets but if the streets are one way into campus pre-game and one way out of campus post-game that will not make it easy to make our usual Saturday grocery shopping trip.  We will be able to watch the game on NBC and we might take in some of the pre-game excitement and rituals on campus.  

Go Irish! ---------------I walked outside to get rid of the garbage and heard music. It was the ND band practicing in the fields across Douglas Road and it was the Irish Fight Song I was hearing!