by Mary Wakefield Buxton –
URBANNA —
The trouble with taking winter months off and heading south is the painful realization that finally hits paydirt proves that warmer weather does not solve problems. You can’t run away from troubles. They have a way of following you exactly like your shadow on a sunny day.
I remember as a child growing up in Ohio trying to escape my shadow. This challenge was probably triggered by watching the movie, “Peter Pan,” which I understand is no longer considered politically correct because it demeans pirates and Indians. Probably even the fairies have complained that little “Tinkerbell” was portrayed as immature, jealous, spoiled and snarky, especially when Peter was too attentive to Wendy, and they also are highly offended with the movie.
Sigh. How silly is this politically correct world we have created when artists, writers, anyone and everyone, are now supposed to conform to a new set of mob inspired rules.
Reminds me of Shostakovich, composer in Stalin’s Russia, being told by government officials what kind of music he could write. I hope freedom of individual expression we know and cherish in the U.S.A. is not headed in such dire direction.
But I digress. True, we skipped the horrible ice and snowstorms raging throughout the north, but the challenge of trying to dodge COVID-19 was with us every single day of our vacation. It was a bit like trying to relax and have fun with a rat in your pocket.
The question was not Shakespeare’s famous “to be or not to be?” my favorite question, but how to protect ourselves from COVID-19, a problem magnified for seniors who are especially vulnerable to this virus and even to the point of death.
Even though Florida was “open” for business and schools and state and local government offices were open, (even DMV offices, imagine!) we knew we needed to wear masks when in public, keep social distance and … get the vaccine as soon as possible.
I have previously written how, despite Florida’s early vaccination program for seniors, because there are millions of seniors in Florida, it was exceedingly difficult to line up shots. It took six weeks before we were able to drive to another county and get the first shot. Looking back, it seems a bit odd now how stressful this was.
Then, we had to wait 28 days for the second shot, which resulted in our vacation mainly consisting of staying isolated in our condo simply watching Brit Box mysteries, working puzzles, walking, biking, swimming and reading books. I wish I could say I caught up on my writing projects, but I did not.
My passion for isolation was due to an innate fear of becoming sick, going to the hospital and being intubated. I know it’s a lifesaving procedure, but it seems a bit to me like having a vacuum cleaner hose thrust down my throat in order to breathe. Of course, such a fear is irrational, but no amount of rationality will calm it.
The other major problem was getting my husband, just retired from many years in the practice of law, to relax and enjoy a new stress-free life all the while not mingling with others. I learned there is no such thing as a stress-free life. Except maybe death but then, who knows?
It’s difficult for someone who had worked since 1956 to suddenly stop working. I introduced him to fishing, bird walks, trips to the library, writing his memoir … but what he really wanted to do was talk to his clients. And they kept calling. I’m hoping in time calls will fade and bird walks will catch on.
I would like to thank those who took care of problems at home while we were gone. Dennis Prior, who lives across the street, helped with feeding feral cats on our end of Kent Street. Katie Daughtry also came every day to feed cats, birds, squirrels, water plants and check the house. My daughter, Liz, took our dog “Dandy” into her home in Baltimore and he enjoyed playing with her two labs, “Raven” and “Apollo.” George Longest came by to pick up some bar chairs that had legs that needed to be shortened, the post office kindly forwarded our mail, Geanie Longest at the Sentinel forwarded messages and Debbie Longest opened the house for our return.
There is always some sad news on return to Urbanna. I am sorry to hear of the passing of such fine Middlesex citizens as Norton Hurd, Otis Ryman, Betty Page Bristow and others. They will be missed.
In the meantime, we have only a few more weeks until spring. Let us be ever thankful for life, love and hope that provides optimism that our circumstances will soon improve. It’s good to be back.
© 2021
