The 5th post in this sporadic series featuring the pandemic — 6th if you count the Christmas post.
Life continues to continue — no complaints from me. Like the Christmas post there is generally upbeat sentiment in here. My internet usually works just fine. The sun usually shines … and so on. The Washington Post header from Dec 15, 2020, as the first COVID-19 vaccinations were happening, is even more appropriate: “We interrupt your doomscrolling to bring you a glimpse of hope.”
One year on I still say my cataract surgery has left me with spectacular vision (i.e., my vision without glasses is “normal”). I use low cost drug store cheaters/readers for close up. My hearing aids, also about a year old, also are still wonderful. Excluding my house, they are the most valuable items I own. (Actually, now that you ask, more valuable than my car PLUS my computer!) It’s nice to know what I’m getting for my money. They bring my overall hearing up to mediocre, a big improvement.
Two additional huge improvements recently. (We’re using a plethora of big words today, aren’t we Paul?) My guys won the election in November, and I’m now two weeks past my second COVID-19 vaccination. Life looks better.
ABOUT IMAGES If I’ve followed my intentions completely, every image in this post can be enlarged by clicking on it. If the image is part of a gallery, what at first displays as a collection of thumbnails, then clicking on it enlarges it and puts you in slideshow mode. If there’s a caption for the image, it will appear or disappear when you click anywhere in the image.
Celebratory bowl of cereal
Oat crunch, peanut butter granola, banana, frozen raspberries, greek yoghurt, chocolate covered almonds, blueberries, chocolate chunk ice cream, soy milk
The election and inauguration
pearls for Kamela 
Vaccinations — Michelle 2, Paul 2, Chris 1
her hospital work put Michelle high on priority list for vaccination; this is January 11 in Seattle 
my appointment, the hardest part of the whole process!
a common experience as I understand things
entrance to the drive-through vaccination;
VERY efficient! paperwork, verification, the actual vaccination, 15 minute wait, all happened within 25-30 minute period
local newspaper photo gives some flavor of event 
my 1st shot; I was choked up through most of the event and barely able to answer questions 
Chris’s 1st, in Santa Maria, a 75 minute drive;
she has appointment for 2nd on March 12, same place
my 2nd, Feb 18, in same hospital parking lot in Goleta 
… and finally:
face mask of the week; guy who did it drove up as I was admiring the installation; he liked his work being appreciated; 
when Kate saw this photo she said it made her feel like a 3-legged robot! 
this non-stick pan was no longer providing joy; we are improving our lives in many little ways;
>>>>>>>>>>End of post