A Million Little Pieces Of My Mind

My daughter wanted me to fly to Arizona for my 70th birthday, back in April. However, I had not yet had both COVID shots and so was reluctant to fly. But now that I'm "fully vaccinated" I am willing to make that long flight.

Keith and I had car-camped the night before. We also got to Doordash during the day, since my flight didn't leave until after 11 PM. He and the dogs dropped me off at the airport in Kahului around 9:30 PM. I was lucky; on board, I had my row to myself and so was able to stretch out and try to sleep.

That wasn't easy; the plane was kept cold enough to preserve a corpse. Eventually I woke and pulled up the window shade to discover it was already dawn.

And before you knew it, the expanse of the Valey Of The Sun stretch out below us.

My son, John, picked me up at Phoenix's Sky Harbor Airport and drove me to his sister's house (where he also lives). I was, of course, seriously exhausted at this point and was happy to head for a nap in my assigned bedroom. On the way I got to see another familiar face: Milton The Cat, who my grandson Zach got when he was about 5. Zach is now 22, so that is not a young cat. Still, he recognized me and was happy to let me fuss over him.

So, for the first time since the pandemic started, I am in a state where masks aren't really being worn, and many people haven't been vaccinated.

I have been, but I will probably keep wearing a mask.