I read this morning of new stronger variants in South America struggling with Chinese vaccines with sixty percent efficacy and assuming three shots a person at least, less than ten percent of any country vaccinated and the gifts of American vaccine not scratching the surface of need. I listen to conversations around me about returning to normal, Covid on its way out, and wonder what we are all thinking. The booster shot conversation is gaining in frequency and we hope Pfizer and Moderna are stocking up for the winter.
It seems saner and safer to reduce our world to Ojai with occasional visits to Santa Monica although we are both dreaming of having a home for a while in another country. Old friends have for years swopped houses around Europe with other families with great success and perhaps we should do that too. Someone must want a home in the Ojai mountains for a while.
John has reconnected with his brother and his old group of university friends spread throughout England and Europe and would love to see them again. My sister, a cousin and lifelong friend Carol and family are top of my list. I have had telephone calls that start with ‘I hope I get to see Ojai again’ and realize that our conversations about age and health begin to shape decisions as never before.
John and I started to talk about spending a month in England in the next year or so. Finding a temporary home somewhere quiet with a garden. A place to have those nearest and dearest come to share time, laugh while catching up and cooking a meal in the kitchen. Friends and family spending a night. John wants to be able to walk the streets of the London he grew up in, go to jazz clubs and lose himself in music at least that is what he imagines, his life when young. It is beginning to feel like the time to see those we have loved all our lives and tell them face to face what they mean, the beginning of the last ten-year journey but one at least we should start.
