I am back walking outdoors. I know, it doesn't sound like much, but after my fall, I was afraid to walk outdoors in Vancouver for a long time, and when it did stop raining long enough for it even to be possible to walk outdoors, I wouldn't do it without a walking stick, for fear of falling again. It feels good to be striding outdoors again. I go the first thing in the A.M., when it is still quite cool. It feels so good, and I have been averaging 5 miles a day.
I walk every street in my complex, so the pictures are all close to home....
At that time of day, there are very few people out - a few dog walkers, of course - but even outdoors, everyone is wearing masks and distancing. This in the land of the free and the home of the brave. And it certainly was not my experience in Canada...
Because everyone - certainly everyone in my social circle - has been vaccinated, and because it is gloriously warm and being outdoors is so pleasant, the opportunities for social interaction are multiplied.
Neighbor Michael and I went to dinner to celebrate his birthday on March 5. This is Miro's, previously talked about in these pages, an Eastern European restaurant which is a favourite. As you can see, they have done a great job with outdoor seating, and the food and service are still marvelous...
...this bunny is one of hundreds to be seen on my walks....
Friend Norma came to visit Palm Springs, and invited me to a lovely dinner at LaVallerois, an old favourite here, but new to me. It is located down town, near the art museum (which is opening next week!!!), and the lovely old trees were planted by the original owner 40 odd years ago. The service, food and conversation were all charming; it felt as though I were back in the land of the living.
So, I've been walking, socializing with my neighbors and friends, and reinstated another daily Desert ritual....
.....squeezing a glass of grapefruit juice or orange juice, from fruit just picked from the trees, every day.... it is a little piece of heaven.
I am still playing bridge, on line, of course, but because I am playing with people from the club here in the Desert, it feels downright cozy. And this week, three more social events, dinners with friend Sue, with John and Ron, and an encore dinner with Michael. Still no gym (it is actually open, but I am not feeling quite comfortable going there, in spite of being totally vaccinated), or library, or classes, or zumba, but it is a start.
Without work to draw me back, I am feeling precious little pull to go back to Vancouver.....
I am reading as well. I've reread any number of P.D.James mysteries, and am in the midst of rereading all the Sherlock Holmes stories. And I am hooked up to getting audio books from the Palm Springs Library, most recently: Agatha Arch is Afraid of Everything by Kristin Bair (a very strange but strangely enjoyable novel); The Girl of His Dreams, by Donna Leon (part of a mystery series which takes place in Venice and which I quite like); and Hot to Trot, by M.C.Beaton (a piece of fluff which was surprisingly enjoyable to listen to). Best of all was Conduct Unbecoming by Randy Shilts, about gays and lesbians in the US military. If the name sounds familiar, he also wrote And The Band Played On, the definitive book on the start of the AIDS crisis in San Francisco. Shilts died of AIDS in 1993, and I was amazingly affected to learn that. He was such a talent....
In short, I am very content, and am looking forward to open borders and friendly visits.
