Really? I Have to Make an Appointment Now?

               The first time that Roland and I went for a vaccination shot we had to make an appointment as I recall.  We parked in a parking lot and went through a tented area and were led to separate rooms to fill out paper work and receive a shot – which I never felt at the time it was given.  My arm felt a bit bruised the next day, but really not a big deal.

          When we had gone to get our second shot I don’t think there was a designated time.  We drove through the parking lot and the health guides came out to us and gave us our second shot. 

          Jenna was not old enough to qualify for the moderna which Roland and I had received.  When Pfizer came out with a vaccination for those 12-18 we took Jenna to the fairgrounds to get her first vaccination and returned less than a month later to get her second shot.

          We all believed that we were fully vaccinated.  We didn’t think we would get COVID.  Then there was a scare at the theatre and everybody in the cast and their family members were all tested.  Once again, we just drove through to get tested.  I thought it hurt – like the health worker was jamming the stick up my nose.  She wasn’t.  But that’s how it felt.  More pain that the quick prick of the vaccination. 

          But then came Delta and now Omicron.  It was suggested that vaccinated people get a booster.  Roland and I drove to the Casino.  There was no line.  We received our booster within minutes.  We hadn’t taken Jenna but she currently has an appointment to get a booster with the Pfizer.  Meanwhile, we think that we all need to be tested – probably before she receives the booster? 

          I understand that we have to schedule an appointment.  Thus far I have not had success in getting us scheduled.

Polio Had Claimed Many Lives Back in the Day

    My brother posted an 11 minute video which he labeled as “ranting” but he had some valid points. One was that if you are purchasing a ticket to the place where he works you are agreeing to a contract to follow the rules – one being “Wear the mask”.  You DON’T have to purchase a ticket if you can’t wear the mask either by choice or because you are not medically able to.  It’s a rule.  The mask has to be worn.  The employees have to wear the mask the entire time they are at work – which is three to four times greater than those who purchase tickets.  Not a big deal.  At least it shouldn’t be.

Jenna and I have a mutual acquaintance who has decided to abandon her teaching career so that she doesn't have to get the vaccination.  OHMIGOSH!! Just overcome your pride and get the damn shot already.  Students are required to have certain vaccinations before they can be accepted into school - which I guess is one reason that some parents choose to homeschool.  Homeschooling doesn't require students to be vaccinated.

 Another one of Corey's comments was about our great uncle Reese who died of polio when he was only 17 years old. My dad loved his uncle.  He was only eight years old when Reese passed away.  More than 40 years later he still choked up about having lost him when they were both so young.

  The vaccination for polio did not come out until ten years later.  Polio was the COVID of the day. People then were probably excited to get the vaccination.  It prevented many others from dying.  We don’t even hear about Polio anymore.  We should be grateful for the opportunities we have to receive an effective vaccine and have it available without having to wait decades.

 How better off I think we would be if people could understand the seriousness of COVID as they did Polio or Measles or Scarlett Fever for example.  But  then again, those that think this whole COVID thing is a hoax probably don’t believe that Measles and Mumps were a real thing either. 

There are those who were against the vaccine who have chosen to follow the prophet and sadly there are so many others who most likely will learn and have learned the hard way.  Those (as the former educational instructor I suspect) that may lose loved ones that could have prevented it.  And sadder still, there are those who will never admit that they could have done something to slow down the disease to keep it from spreading.

Separating the Wheat From the Tares

          The prophet announced for church members to receive a vaccine and mask up to all of those who don’t have underlined health issues where a mask/vaccination would only jeopardize the underlined complications. Many who are capable of wearing masks and refuse vaccinations are upset just as there were some women upset about the revelation to stay home.  There were members finding it hard to believe black men would be able to hold the priesthood.  Each time we disagree with the prophet we are rejecting counsel from God. This act of rejection has been compared to those who shot arrows toward Samuel the Lamanite for preaching to the people a message that they didn’t want to hear.   

Mormonad by Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

 

         It isn’t just the prophet relating this message but many political leaders as well.  Several states are making it mandatory for health workers and teachers to get the vaccination or risk losing their jobs.  At first Oregon was giving instructors the option to get the vaccination or agree to be tested for COVID once a week.  But because the Delta Varient becoming so popular and flooding the hospitals out of beds, there is no longer the option of being tested once a week. Vaccines are now mandatory. The county where I currently reside had been reported to have the most cases in the state.  Of course there is only one hospital.  The most recent upset has been that a patient died in the waiting room while waiting for a bed. 

          Jenna has several friends whose parents are against the vaccination.  One of her best friends’ mother works as instructor in the school system.  I think her pride will cost her job.  I also believe that she will either organize or join a group of those who desire not to have the vaccine but wish to keep their jobs and sue the governor I guess.  I’ve said it before that I would not wish to be in the governors or other leaders shoes for anything.  What a wicked and prideful time which we live in.  

          My head is swimming with thoughts, judgments, offense, disappointment, betrayal, confusion.  I have attempted a post so often and it has always come out disjointed and as hard to follow as the media, opinions and misleading information of others.  Perhaps I ought to take an idea from each paragraph and try focusing on just that instead of trying to transition each one into the next. 

          Our schools seem to be short staffed as it is.  And while I agree with it, I think this mandatory vaccination is going to leave schools short staffed even further.  I predict that there are several people who will have to learn the hard way.  Sadly, there will be some that will never learn.

Back to the Children of Israel

          Moses had been raised as a prince in Pharaoh’s court.  We don’t know how many there were in total but at least one.  There was at least one raised along side of Moses who would become the next Pharaoh.  It is possible that he and Moses were friends many years before Moses killed an Egyptian while trying to protect a slave. Rumor has it that the Pharaoh at that time got wind of what had happened and sought to slay Moses and Moses fled.

          Forty years had passed before Moses returned to Egypt – a different man, a different Pharaoh.  Forty years is a long time.  The Pharaoh’s heart had hardened.  He no longer viewed Moses as growing up in the same palace as he.  He saw a poor shepherd and would not take Moses seriously – even with all the plagues.  Even with the killing of the first born.

          The Passover is so named because of the night when the Angel of Death had come to claim the first born from each household.  Those that had painted lamb’s blood on their doorway were passed over.  The Pharaoh did not have lamb’s blood painted on their door.  I wonder if any Egyptians did.  Even after 9 other plagues did they really view the “killing of the first-born” as a hoax?  Did they feel remorse about not having taken the signs seriously?

          And yet here we are today.  Some people have worn masks all along.  Some continue wearing them even though they’ve been vaccinated.  I always feel guilty when I am around them and not wearing a mask.  I have been vaccinated.  Jenna has been vaccinated.  Not many of her friends have received nor expect to receive the vaccination.  Some of her friends parents have made it loud and clear that “no one in the household will be getting vaccinated” and I wonder how many will fall victims to COVID – not necessarily that it will be the first born, but I think it could be a wake-up call for many that the “Angel of Cornona” isn’t passing them by.  Nor do I know if a shot will be as effective as the lamb’s blood so many centuries ago.  

    How often did Moses wish to throw up his hands against the children of Israel?  To try and shake some sense into them and tell them not to act like such big babies?  Did they not  remember the miracles either? It’s not over.  I wish I was wrong.  Sadness.

the "V" stands for vaccination

Just Stay at the Top of the Hill

         It’s been nearly a year since my first mention of the neighbor’s chickens.  They used to lean a ladder near the fence so the chickens could climb back into their own yard.  

At first it was just a few on the hill – not the 15 plus that have accumulated in our yard during that time.  Roland doesn’t want them under the deck and I don’t want them on the deck.  We don’t want them in the garden and so have been putting up barriers all over the yard. 

we had to add netting to the steps to prevent them from going through

 

I did find at least three of them on the inside; they had dug
under the wire to make it wide enough to go though. Roland
used some stakes for the bottom.  Hopefully that will work.

Despite our efforts the chickens have managed to dig under, fly over, or somehow manage to squeeze themselves into areas where we’d rather they not be. 

The chickens always stop near the deck and look longingly on how to get inside and have found ways to get in and will need to be chased out until we can plug up what we had managed to miss. 

a few of the chickens discovered they could enter through this hole

our temporary solution

It’s just a temporary fix at that.  We have wanted to turn the deck into a back room since we moved in.  We finally have the finances to do so (or good enough credit in order to borrow) but cannot find a contractor who will commit to any earlier than December.  Someday.  Meanwhile, we’re continuing to battle the chickens to certain boundaries – which doesn’t seem to be setting well with them.

I thought I could make some profound comparison to God’s commandments for us or certain restrictions that citizens may feel toward the mask or getting the vaccination (looking at the staff of Moses – Numbers 17: 10-12) and the reaction of the natural man.  Instead of belittling the laws or commandments and searching for a way to get back into our own comfort zone maybe take a moment to understand WHY the net is there, why the fence has been put up, why the commandment was given. 

When I saw the chickens at the top of the hill my initial thought was, “Oh, good.  They got the message.” 

They don’t understand and they return.  I think many of us do that.  We don’t understand.  We return to what was familiar – like Pre-COVID for example.  Circumstances change and often we have to change with it.  That’s just the way it is.  Hopefully we will come to terms and learn better than the chickens do.  But there will always those who disagree and voice their opinion – which they are allowed. 

We all have free agency to think of others or think only of ourselves and how the last year has affected us or our business or uprooted our personal lives without a thought of how it has been for others.  ALL OF US HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PANDEMIC but not all reactions have been the same.  I for one like to believe I have become stronger. 

I suppose I am like the chickens to some degree.  I was okay with staying home.  I don’t wish to go back outside because I know it will never be what it was pre-COVID.  We’ve gone (or are going through) another evolution.  There’s always been hate, disagreement, hostility, etc.  just as there’s always been kindness, love, service . . . but it just seems more obvious right now.  It’s a matter of knowing where to look and choosing to follow your peers or the example of our prophets and our God. 

I had the opportunity of adding a “Vaccine” frame to my facebook profile pic. 

I know it will open a can of worms from some of those I am facebook friends with – none of whom I’ve defriended but have unfollowed many. I KNOW that not everyone feels comfortable about the vaccination for reasons other than feeling forced into it.  Some people have had bad reactions to the required vaccinations for being in public education.  But I also believe that the exceptions are few and far between.  I also believe in personal revelation.  I pray about major decisions such as traveling or health.  Prayer works.

Every Day is Saturday: Days Two and Three

             Cow Creek was given a huge amount of vaccines for their tribes and those working at Seven Feathers.  By the first week of March it was announced that any friends or family of those employed at Seven Feathers.  The announcement said that candidates had to be at least 65 years of age.  But when we called to get Roland set up, it was learned that I could be vaccinated also.

Roland and I received our first shot on March 16.  We were given cards which provided a date indicating when we would be available for our second shot on April 13.  We hadn’t heard from the clinic and so went down to see if we could get in.  That’s when we learned that April 13 was not the accurate next shot date but the date of eligibility.  We still had to set up an appointment. The soonest we could get in was yesterday.

Now just to backtrack a bit.  If you are a faithful reader you will remember we spent Roland’s first day off washing cars.  The weather was HOT nearing 90 degrees.  Could anything beat the excitement of washing cars?  The next two days offered awesome weather.  Overcast skies, cooling wind.  Perfect yard work weather in my opinion. So here is a summary for the rest of days 1 and the start of day 2. 

Day 1

            After breakfast and a bit of TV, Roland went out to use whatever machine while I tried calling the bank and a pharmacy to see if we can schedule an appointment for Jenna to receive a shot as the state will now vaccinate anyone over the age of 16.  I felt like I was getting the runaround with machines talking at me and providing choices – but none applied and I wasn’t allowed to talk to a human.  Roland decided we would all pile in the car (except for Bonnie who we left at home) and drive to said places to talk to humans.

            Our first stop on the agenda was at the saw shop as Roland’s appliance needed fixing.  With mask over face, Roland went in while Jenna and I waited in the car.  It was small enough that the shop employees could take care of it without calling a specialized mechanic. They figured they’d have it ready for him within a day or two.

After that we ran to the bank.  Again, only Roland got out of the car while Jenna and I waited in the car while Roland knocked on the door of the bank to see if he could set up an appointment.  After that we went to Safeway Drug.  Roland took Jenna with him, but they returned in less than a minute.  Although Safeway does offer a vaccination drug, it is not that one that Jenna qualifies for and so we had another number,  name and website for another runaround.  At least we knew that we’d end up at the fairgrounds on Saturday but would feel better about getting that appointment scheduled rather than just show up.

After that Roland decided to treat us to A&W for lunch.  Enjoyed the rootbeer.  It’s been a while since I’ve had A&W.  No frosty mug.  Only 5 persons allowed to dine at once.  I don’t think the food was worth it.

 Day 2

The reason for our visit to the bank was to sign some paper work which required two signatures plus a notary.  We met our friends who were on their way to the coast for a few-day getaway.  I was grateful that they allowed us their time.  I’m certain that signing documents was not the highlight of either of our “va and stay cations”

I had told Jenna that I would take her out for a scavenger hunt as soon as I returned home (pictures to come) and Roland dropped me off in the driveway and backed up to the side and told me to take the Saturn as he would need the bigger car in the event that his garden tool was ready to pick up – which it was.  He left the house before Jenna and I got into the other car.

Most of the scavenger hunt could be done at home, but there were a few places that we needed to drive to.  I told Jenna to take different pictures from the ones that I took and we would each enter the contest.

Roland said he had knocked out some of what he had planned but was on the couch when we returned.  He took a couple of naps which I think is a remarkable way to spend a vacation.  I know he hasn’t slept well for whatever reason and so I am glad he is taking it easy. More to come.  Aren’t you excited?

Pandemic Continues Alongside Global Warming

 

            Randy really wants us to come to St. George – like now – which would be fine but the pandemic is far from over.  Almost half of all adults have received a vaccination shot – but there are still a high percentage that refuse.  They are too macho.  They are too proud.  They are determined NOT to let the government control them.  The same people who refuse to get flu shots or wear seat belts or have convinced themselves they are immune to any other law.

So I read this article from Yahoo.  I hope that Oregon continues with its restrictions and those that think we ought to reopen can go spend their summer in Florida and see how well that works out for them.  International Travel is still a rare occurrence.  Other countries don’t wish to let Americans in.  I don’t blame them.  Americans are spoiled and have attitude.  The entire world belongs to them and therefore we should do whatever the heck we want. No restrictions.  No consequences.  Some American attitudes make me ashamed to say that I am American.  Get over yourselves!  Think of others.

Even my oldest who lost his first wife, whose daughter was initially admitted to the hospital with COVID – who continues to visit the hospital as often as her mom – refuses to get his shot.  Great example for your daughter, Biff.  Nice to know where your priorities are.

We’re told that airfares have gone up to outrageous prices and I think are at full capacity now.  Fires have started already and it’s only April.  We use the heater and A/C in the same day.  What’s up with that.  If COVID doesn’t kill us, global warming will.

 Oh, and now they are now mentioning an increase in allergies and a new plus to the mask.  Roland had pointed out what we're breathing in as our cars continue to lose their shine. Pleasant thoughts.