Several noteworthy events happened this past week, but getting out first COVID-19 shots tops the list. Here is the week in review.
We had been on a vaccine list through our local clinic, but didn’t know where (what #) we were on their list. Given my impending prostate cancer treatments, I investigated further and was referred to the regional health center, keeper of ‘the County list’, to see what might be done to speed up the process. I explained my situation to the vaccination coordinator and she called back with an appointment date of this last Friday for both of us.
It turns out Howard County vaccinations are being scheduled by birth year; Howard County had worked their way to 1947. Given our birth years are ’52 and ’53, bumping us up wasn’t much of a jump, but enough so that a board had to consider the request. Now I/we will be fully vaccinated before my next trip to the Mayo Clinic. Second shots are scheduled for April 15 and my next Mayo appointment is on April 19th.
Here we are getting our shots. We received the Moderna version of the vaccine.
Both of us had a mild reaction — sore upper arms for a day or so and fatigue — but nothing more than that. We’re pleased to have this protection in place and moving forward to full immunization.
Earlier in the week Pam finished the west wall of the library. Here are a few photos of the work as it progressed. The plan was to repaint the wall and add artwork to it.
In addition, the three east-side windows received wall paper in the panels below them.
And, if that wasn’t enough, Pam started working on the walls in the ‘snug’ which is the room off the library. There will be more on that project as it progresses.
My big project of the week was snow removal. Monday saw an all-day snow event which dumped about 5 – 6 inches of heavy, stick-to-your-shovel spring snow. I kept the walk between the house, catio, and garage open on Monday but decided to wait until Tuesday to do the rest of the walks and garage access.
The effort utilized shovels, a broom, my Toro snow blower, and the blade on the John Deere rider. As I also clear the snow from around our mailbox row, and a neighboring bank of mail boxes, the job took several hours in total.
Today the snow is almost gone, and will be totally gone by tomorrow night as temps have warmed up again and upper 50 degree days are on tap. Rain is to move in early next week so even the deepest ditches will be clear of the white stuff by my next post.
The next few weeks promise to be busy as well. Pam will continue to work on the snug, I am reviewing paint colors to repaint the upstairs (my) bathroom, I have an appointment with the Mason City Post Office to renew my passport, and Jake the Electrician called and put us back on his work list.
Bob the Builder will be coming by at some point to give us an estimate on re-siding the south wall (kitchen end) of the house. It had been on my ‘to-do’ list for this spring but given the anticipated side effects of the radiation treatments we decided to farm out the work. The project will include replacement of the existing window and trim. Pam and I will still take care of painting the new siding and other painting around the house as summer projects.
It was another busy week with some projects completed and others begun, typical of our calendar. Getting the first of our two COVID shots has improved our mental health, though. We will continue to wear our masks and social distance when in public places for the foreseeable future or until health experts say it is OK to abandon those practices.
Photo Archive
This first photo is one of my favorites of Pam reading to the kids. “Katy and the Big Snow” was one of their favorites. Early ’90s.
That’s it for now. Thanks for looking in!
Pam’s Penny
What are the odds the nurse giving me my vaccine “jab” in Cresco would turn out to be the granddaughter of a past resident of Heart House? And yet that’s exactly what happened. After I handed the vaccine paperwork over to her, she saw the address in Elma, there was a short discussion, and Ann Sullivan identified herself as the granddaughter of Clara Boyle. Clara lived at 702 Main in the 1990 time period. Ann remembered her grandmother’s stained glass windows and clawfoot tub from her childhood. I invited Ann to stop by 702 sometime on a future trip to Elma (after this COVID crap is history). Small towns…
Be well. Happy Trails.