A month ago I was ecstatic to find a Covid vaccination available at our local hospital. I had been searching the internet for weeks without success. I had heard stories of people who had driven to pharmacies fifty miles away and others who had waited in line for hours, and I was ready to sign up for any appointment I could find, regardless of inconvenience. I secured appointments for my husband, my friend and myself and we eagerly awaited the date, about a week away. All went according to schedule, we were vaccinated, bragged about our sore arm and minimal side effects, and began counting down the days until our next scheduled appointment to get the booster shot.
Spirits soared with the anticipation of some return to normalcy in our lives. I booked an appointment with my hairdresser for a long over due hair cut (I’m still debating whether to go back to coloring) for April, and I purchased airline tickets to attend my great-niece’s wedding in June. And best of all, I anticipated a camping trip to Valley of Fire with family and friends.The relief was startling to me since I hadn’t thought that I’d been that preoccupied with the limitations Covid had placed on my life.
Immersed in preparing the garden for spring planting, the days passed happily, until the day before the anticipated booster shot. Then, a call from the hospital informed me that they didn’t have the vaccine available and would have to reschedule the second shot. I was devastated. Everything I had heard and read, indicated that all available vaccines would be managed so that everyone who had received the first shot would be assured of having the booster available when needed. I’ve found no information about the repercussions of not getting the second one within four weeks of the first. I’m trusting that supplies will be available by next week when we are scheduled again and that five weeks will be good enough. Meanwhile, back at the ranch…
So, it’s back to the garden for some renewal therapy. There’s something about watching seeds turn into little green sprouts, indiscernible from weeds at first, that can’t help but inspire hope. The joyful blossoms on the apple tree, tell me that all will be well. The marble-sized nectarines promise a sweet, juicy treat in a few scant months. And the piles of dog poop tell me I have immediate purpose.
judyrutrider 
Everything I’ve read has said that an extra week — or two or three or several –between shots make little difference. You’ll be fine!
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I was really hoping for some assurance of that. Thank you! I’ve worked so hard to get to this place in my life, that I would hate to lose it all now. My young niece thinks I’m silly to be so careful when I’m just about ready to die anyway. Remember how we thought about old people when we were young? It may look painful to the youngsters, but life is actually better than ever after retirement!
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I hope you can get that booster shot soon! I am so glad that you have been able to get your first. We are eagerly waiting for enough doses to arrive where I live. Your garden is lovely!
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I once thought I was beyond the age of impatience…but then there was Covid ~sigh~ I miss being able to all pile into one car to drive to the trailhead. Once on the trail, it’s all good but the more distant trail go un-hiked for the time being.
Thanks. I’ll be posting more photos of the garden transformation. Each year, I’m again amazed at the way it becomes a tangle of fecundity in just a few months.
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Good to learn that you have had your first jab. In the UK the govt decided to extend the period between 1st and 2nd hand to 12 wks, rather than the 4 wks that was used in trials (Pfizer and Astrazenica manufacturers).
Thus way they could save more lives as the 1st jab gives 60 or 70% percent protection.
Now, they are claiming that the vaccines are even more efficient against the virus if there’s a 12 week period between inoculations!
Good to see your garden. Boulders are always useful for rockeries. I envy you your climate (full, cloudy, cold here in the UK this week)
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Ours was the Moderna but I would assume they all offer about the same protections; so, I’m in full agreement with the UK government to spread it around as much as possible.
Yes, this is the time of year we brag about our lovely winter weather, though today you might think we were in the UK as it’s overcast and drizzly. Yay!
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We had our first and now I’m worried about the availability! I was assured that our 2nd dose would be there in 4 weeks… I am a little envious that you have big plans. Our big vacation (to BC, Canada) was cancelled Aug 2020 and rescheduled for Aug 2021. We just found out that the organizers have postponed it again – to Aug 2022!
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Oh, Val — that’s disappointing that your big vacation has again been postponed, but I think in the long run you’ll be happy that it happened that way — you’ll be freer by 2022 to run around at will, and we’ll all know more about immunities and precautions and maybe even booster shots. I don’t think I’m ready to travel very far this summer yet, and there are many places I’d love to go!
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I suspect that our generation may have seen the last of carefree travel. With the rate at which the Corona virus mutates, along with many others that haven’t yet emerged, we may need to take precautions the rest of our lives.
I think the shortage is temporary, probably weather related, due to transportation interruptions. Did you read Stephanie’s comment above. Sounds like we don’t need to worry about the second jab, as she put it.
~sigh~ August, 2022 sounds a long way off. Anticipation is half the fun but this could be too much of a good thing.
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Good that your have your garden to focus on during the wait. Those are big rocks! You must be in good shape. Best of luck in the coming year.
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LOL If I wasn’t in good shape before, I am now! Actually, it doesn’t take as much strength as it takes patience. It’s just a matter of levering a bit of dirt under the rock, bit by bit, until you have it raised to the surface. Then you start all over again, digging out the dirt around the next rock, and filling it in under it. My mom did it until she was in her eighties, with nothing more than a pry bar…and a stubborn constitution. Thanks for the good wishes – if you lived within walking distance, I would provide you with fresh produce all summer long.
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You are a fine gardener Judy ( and husband ? ) . I am admiring you sow seeds of tomatoes . Did you succeed with that on the previous years?
I was a fan of gardening but now ????
Love ❤
Michel
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My husband does the hard part. He installs sprinkler systems and builds whatever I ask. I did start some tomatoes from seeds last year and I was successful for the first time. I’m hoping this year they will thrive too. I’ve started three heirlooms, Pink Brandywine, Golden Jubilee, and Purple Cherokee. I’ll probably buy some plants from the local nursery to add red to the mix.
I’m sorry to hear that your health prevents you from enjoying your garden. You may find that remains of last year sprout on their own this summer.
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Congrats, Judy . Gardening is an excellent activity good for the health.
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Congrats on getting the first jab, and best of luck on the second. I’m low on the priority totem pole, being 52, relatively healthy, and not in a front line occupation. Happy to wait my turn and continue to be careful when I’m out shopping. Craving normalcy but it still seems a long way off, even for those who’ve been immunized. Love your seedlings! Too early to start that here. And those rocks are huge! Do you have a garden tractor/bulldozer? 🙂
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I have a good sturdy pry bar that enables me to lever rocks to the surface little by little. It requires more patience than strength.
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The garden brings you a blow of hope and freedom . Dion’ t worry with the second shot, Judy,. it will be always on time ! Don’t hurry! ::)
Love ❤
Michel
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