Which is worse? Packing to move or getting a shot? My answer is simple. One’s a pain in the arm and other is a pain in the … you know.

Here in South Carolina—and, yes, I am still a resident until the move is complete—the qualifications for the COVID vaccination changed to aged 55 and over last Monday. My Ever Patient Partner in Life called up the local hospital’s hotline and, after only an hour on hold, secured both of us appointments.

We might have to wait on the phone for an appointment, but the process at the vaccination clinic was as smooth as could be. Large signs pointed the way (held in a largely vacant mall), pleasant volunteers greeted us, and we were soon receiving our shot. An appointment has already been made for the second shot.

Fortunately, side effects were minimal. My arm was a little sore the next day and I was a little tired the next evening, but overall the experience was much more pleasant than my recent shingles vaccinations. By the second day after, I didn’t notice any issues at all.

Exactly a year ago, the world felt dark and scary. The word “pandemic” was being tossed about. Restaurants sat mostly empty (and ordered closed on March 17 here). People hunkered in their homes. We all tried to figure out what was happening. We could only dread what would happen next.

Fast forward a year and today feels so different. Spring blooms with hope and possibility. Momentum is building to a golden summer. Yes, I’ll take a little pain in the arm to accomplish that.

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Books I’m Reading

Notice anything weird? Yes, this is the same book I was reading last week. Packing boxes in preparation for a move doesn’t leave much reading time.

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Interesting Links

I shared both of these on social media this week, but thought I would share them again in case you missed it. Well, that, and I blame moving again.

Daylight Saving: Spring Forward—A movie preview parody about the change in time.

An Early Tim Conway skit—A prison warden with creative ideas is shocked—shocked—a prisoner escaped from his fenceless prison.

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Gratuitous Dog Picture

Poor Landon’s naps on the couch grew increasingly complicated this week as we packed items and stacked things for the movers. Notice the blankets wrapped around fragile items in preparation of loading them on trucks. We can only hope Landon catches up on his sleep after all the inconvenience.

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Background title image courtesy Mehmet Turgut Kirkgoz via Unsplash