Wow, been a while

As we approach the second full year of the COVID-19 pandemic, I extend my heartfelt prayers for the continued well-being of all. Remarkably, a few years have elapsed, and I find myself contemplating the need for updates. Are there any significant developments that warrant attention?

In the spring of 2020, I decided to stop using Facebook. The divisive nature of interactions with friends and the emotional intensity they evoked were detrimental to my mental health. I made a political joke, which prompted several friends to express extreme reactions, including blocking me. The joke I made was as follows:

We call a "Gigantic" dinosaur "T Rex"

So why isn't "T Rump" a "Gigantic ASS"

It was a joke! The country's political polarization is affecting personal relationships, a concerning trend. This situation is a result of misinformation and the gullibility of some individuals, and it appears to be worsening.

In November 2020, I stated that I would not cut my hair or shave until I was vaccinated. However, in early April 2020, I was vaccinated, and I shaved and had a haircut. Here are some images that may provide some amusement.

3 Weeks before a haircut

Probably an automatic search by TSA?

My son thought there was a resemblance.

During the summer, I endeavored to ride a bicycle as often as possible. However, due to my remote work arrangement and my schedule, I was able to ride approximately twice a week. Since last summer, I have successfully lost 10 pounds. Notably, I visited my doctor for my annual checkup on the day I experienced a bicycle accident. Unfortunately, this was not an ideal time for a yearly checkup, as I sustained a minor concussion and severe bruising. I was disoriented and required several days to recover from the head injury. The accident occurred when I veered off the handlebars, causing the rear tire to follow me. A detailed account of the incident is beyond the scope of this summary, which was rushed and had limited visibility.

To the right is an image of my left leg, which appears more severely affected than my right.

Some things I miss and learned along the way.

• I no longer see Maria Barton strolling by the house on her morning runs. I hope she is still doing well.
• I no longer see the people in the neighborhood as much as we all crawled into a cave.
• The bullying and divisive tactics of the past President have created a divide among friends.
• I never imagined families who once were great friends would hate each other over a vaccine.
• I do not see events where old friends can catch up and enjoy a day.
• Cancel culture has us all afraid to speak. I even had someone chastise me for opening a door for a female. They said I was calling her a weaker person and that it was an insult. So, that is not appropriate.
• I was told that complimenting someone's literacy was a microaggression and that I should never repeat it.
• I miss people caring for one another instead of making themselves look better by bringing others down.

After losing over 120 hours of vacation from March 2020 to April 2021, I took some time off. In April, I flew to Houston to help my son and his girlfriend relocate to Cary, North Carolina, a city I now find more appealing than Houston. These were challenging yet enjoyable two weeks.

My girlfriend, Shelley, experienced a challenging year. Her life was filled with joy due to the proximity of her two daughters, who allowed her to visit her granddaughters and grandsons whenever she desired. However, her oldest daughter moved to Nashville, Tennessee, approximately nine months later, followed by her youngest daughter’s move to Fayetteville, Arkansas. This has resulted in a significant loss of happiness for Shelley, who often cries. Despite her outward composure, she has undergone a profound transformation, albeit not for the better.

It is unclear whether her daughters will ever comprehend the pain they inflicted upon their mother. I doubt it and intend to convey the negative consequences of their actions. Shelley’s current state of sadness deeply saddens me.

I could say so much more, yet it may get too long. As I assume many do, I see more downsides from COVID-19 and the politically divisive atmosphere than upsides. The main point is that despite highs and lows, we are still alive and taking each day as a gift.

Carry on my friends, carry on!