A BUSY MORNING...

6-16-26: Out relatively late at 10.00 a.m. I wanted to get to the Department of Motor Vehicles to get my license renewed. 

I have been noticing the sunflowers driving out of the neighborhood. Someone had planted a line of them by their letter box. The last time I saw them they weren't blooming. Today there was quite a show, and it was time to take my cell phone out. They made a very pretty sight.

When we got to the DMV, the first thing I noticed was that the parking lot was not overflowing like the times I have been there before. There were many empty spots. I was surprised how quiet it was. When we got inside and signed in, I was still filling out the form they gave me when I was called. We were in and out under 15 minutes. My Real ID license will arrive in the mail. I can't remember how long he said, hopefully under two weeks. In the meantime I was given an official sheet of paper which will act as a temporary one. We noticed a sign at the counter letting us know we could have done all this online, which is probably why it was so quiet, maybe. 

Our next stop was at Wegmans. I had a notice a few days ago to say I was due for my second shingles shot. No appointment is needed, you just walk in and wait your turn, which usually isn't very long. 

I sat myself down next to this very nice couple about our age. They were also waiting in the small sitting area. The man heard me and said, "You must be from Texas?" I looked at him and answered with a big smile, "I'm from England." He said he knew that and assured me he was joking. Ah, a comedian! He, his wife and I had a chuckle. After 50 years you can still tell where I came from originally. I'm always surprised when people acknowledge my accent. I do have a different one compared to how I used to sound. I think I have mentioned before that when I have gone back to the UK, people think I am Canadian.

The man played a guessing game as to where I was from. Not from Wales, he said, not from Scotland, he said. You did say England right? Not from the North, and then the Pharmacist opened the door, and they got up and as they went into her office I told him I grew up near Birmingham, but moved to Devonshire when I was 15. He nodded sagely as he disappeared out of sight. They saw them again a few minutes later. Gregg had joined me. We had another short conversation about the man's time in England. He had been over there working for a while. It was a very nice conversation. 

When we joined the pharmacist she had heard my chat with the couple. After I received the shot, she told me she had vacationed in the UK with an aunt who lived in Reading. This was when she was young and remembered what a great time she had at a rock concert. I should have asked her whom she saw. I told her that when I flew into Heathrow, I would go to Reading to catch the train down to Devon. She was lovely and great at doing her job. I hardly felt a thing.

Gregg told me later he noticed a sign showing an award that Wegmans received, for being the best pharmacy in America. I can believe it. We have never had anything but the best service here and every pharmacist has been very professional and friendly. Most importantly, all the inoculations received have been painless. I was glad to get home, however, and found myself dozing off for a few minutes.

And they are back!

Hello there my little darlings! Got out again did you? 

I had a chuckle. These photos were taken in seconds as they heard Gregg’s voice calling them. He exited via the garage door in the front of the house, had already told me not to open anything, even though I badly wanted to fuss them. Last time they slipped through a crack, and one followed the other before I could blink an eye. After remembering the last time, good sense prevailed. 

Gregg said they were fast as lightning. They wouldn't listen to him and made their way further down the street to the corner house. Soon after, their human turned up and said to Gregg, "They got out again?" He apologized but Gregg told him don't worry, we love them. We do, but at the same time we’re glad they are now safely back in their own garden.

I made a concoction the other day but didn't take a photo of the finished product. There is no link. I got the idea from several similar recipes I've seen over time and put this together from memory. Definitely not a lot to remember and you probably do something similar.

In the blender I added 2 bananas, 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, 2 tablespoons honey and a splash of vanilla. Mixed until blended and poured into a freezer-proof container. It is supposed to take 1 to 2 hours before it is ready, but it took much longer I found. No, it's not ice cream but it satisfied a sweet tooth, and I enjoyed it very much. My dessert makes enough for 4 small portions and I ate it with blueberries on the side. I will be making it again. It will be a fun recipe to play around with, using different ingredients. If you make something similar, please share as I am always looking for good ideas.

It was a great day for weather. The high was 72 degrees F. and I didn't think it was humid. I hope the weather is treating you kindly in your part of the world. 

Have a great day!

WE GOT OUR VACCINATION SHOTS FIRST THING THIS MORNING

 Happy First Day Of October!

My dear other half got his shingles shot after a story our son told him about someone he knows well, who had a bad dose of shingles, so badly that he now has lasting nerve damage and is in constant, permanent pain. Neither of us knew this was a possibility, though we know shingles can get pretty bad and we are at that age where it is recommended to get the shot.

That was enough to spur Gregg on. His doctor told him a while ago that he should get it done.

We went off to our local supermarket pharmacy yesterday. He had his flu and covid shots a couple of weeks ago at his last doctor appointment. I was getting further behind, so today was the day to get mine. 

The young lady who gave them was warm and friendly and put us at ease right away, just like the gentleman we saw the last time. She was so gentle we hardly felt anything. I will go back and get my shingles vaccination in a couple of weeks. Gregg also has to go back for another, this particular shot being given in two parts, due to our age we think, though that would be a good question to ask. We have also been told by our doctors to get a tetanus shot. The year is whipping right along, and we are slowly taking care of things.

So anyway, I took a few photos of pumpkins…interesting looking ones there... 

different shapes and colors from the usual round orange. I liked all the multi-colored Mums also. I didn't buy any here but picked up one at another supermarket a few days ago, which I shared in yesterday's post.

I hope your week is going well. Thanks for stopping by.

ON MONDAY WE TOOK THE NEXT STEP...

and received our second Coronavirus vaccination.  We went to the same place as the first.  A lady coming out of the building asked us if we were going to get our 2nd vaccination and when we replied yes, she rather excitedly told us that we should not worry about any long delays, she said there are a thousand people in there and I was seen very quickly she said.  We thanked her for her kindness in letting us know, and we could also tell she was very happy and relieved to be going home.  We were happy for her.  

This wonderful lady looked after us.  I was surprised as neither of us felt the needle, not even a pin-prick of discomfort.  

She was warm, friendly and very communicative, listening to our questions and giving us all the information we needed.  She peppered her conversation with the most genuine and wonderful humor, which would go a long way to settling any nerves of the people she saw.  We made sure to thank her and tell her how very grateful we were to her, and many more like her who made this gigantean process go this smoothly.

I was happy to get this process behind us, and have great hopes for returning to somewhat of a normal life very soon.  I know we are all going to have to use our common sense.  It is going to be some time but perhaps we can see the light at the end of the tunnel now.

This lovely lady was joking how popular she had been, that she had been all over Facebook because you know, we asked her if she would mind us taking her photo as we like to record all important events and we considered this a very important event.  "Is this my good side?" she said, and laughed.  We told her both sides were her good side.  I asked her if I could use her photo on my next blog post.  She happily gave me her permission to do so.   

Just like last time we were in and out of the building within a short space of time.  This was the fastest, from the time we showed our ID, including the ten minutes we had to wait to make sure we had no adverse reaction.  We were in and out in 20 minutes.  

It has been two days now and neither of us have had any ill effects.  I am aware of my arm near the injection site, but there is no pain.  I slept all day yesterday and remember having very long naps with the first dose. "Good grief, this has been a very short day" I said to hubs, and we both laughed.  I had heard that being tired was one of those side effects, but no headaches or chills or fever.  Maybe I should touch wood.  Also a very dear friend gave us some good advice, from her own experience.  Stay hydrated and keep the Tylenol handy.  Thank you dear friend!  I think you know who you are.  We are both smiling in your direction.

We had Pfizer.  If you have had any experience with your vaccinations, maybe you can let us know in the comment section?  Just like each one of us is different, our experiences may be too.

A lot going on in our world.  I am watching the news now.  I am greatly saddened by such loss.  My heart is full for those who are left behind.  

Thanks for stopping by and please take good care of yourselves out there, be safe, be happy and be healthy.