Is This How It Starts? Part I (061622)

Reflections from my personal roller coaster entering the world again (sort of) and the number 823. What's on your mind today? (Substack #64)

The Snugs in Falmouth and The Bourne Bridge

1. A recent late-night and vino-infused phone chat with a couple of my dear relatives resulted in Mr. Snugs and I taking an impromptu trip to Cape Cod to visit my cousins at their beach home. At first we immediately rejected the invite just out of habit from the last two-plus years, but then we started weighing the pros and cons, and talked to my pulmonologist who said I could do small events safely outside. We planned and packed accordingly (bathing suits, tutus, and an empty bottle in the car to avoid stopping anywhere public, don’t worry it was never used). Being extra cautious is the normal for me now (and not just with Covid). With this safe space offered by loved ones, we took the plunge. It was as if the less time I had to think about it, the better. Does this make sense, and has it been happening to you more recently?

2. After four days in Falmouth filled with corn hole extravaganzas, glorious pool swimming, beach walks, late night feastings, Scattergories competitions, and endless cocktails, I returned home happy with my decision! I was feeling tired, sunburned, and had a short-lived low fever from the burn which dissipated after 24 hours, but nothing more. Back to the real world supplied me with a routine PCP appointment that I was incredibly panicked about. My husband could not accompany me, and I’m in desperate need of Lorazepam involving anything medical now. While myriad health issues were discussed, it ended with encouraging words that I’m positively taking to heart of being able to do smaller and even mid-sized events outside this summer. It’s all about if it’s worth the risk and many things won’t be, but ya know that feeling when the clouds are parting, and the sun is starting to peep through? It feels like that, like things are slightly changing...

3. So what is 823? My husband still does curbside pickup for all our produce and provisions, and yesterday I accompanied him to our local liquor store to get a few gifts. As we waited for the nice employee to bring our goods to the car, I watched three (unmasked) men in a row going in. Every one of them was either coughing, sweating profusely, and/or picking their nose. 823 is the number of days since I have done in-person shopping, and this won’t be changing anytime soon. But who’s counting?

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From travel and family drama to health woes and hangovers, what’s on your mind this morning? I’d love to read your comments if you’re so inclined to share, and happy Thursday, friends.