Forcing forsythia. It is still wintery here, but I derive a sign of hope from cutting early forsythia branches and bringing them indoors. This is called forcing, because it causes the branches to bloom weeks earlier than they will outdoors. One year ago I did the same with many vases of blooming forsythia placed around my apartment. This marked the beginning of the pandemic, and I hope that the flowers now mark the beginning of the end.
March 17, 2021
This week I saw my oncologist and was able to do some planning as to where we go from here. Having finished chemotherapy, I am able to finish the chemo cycle and look forward to scheduling an appointment for a Covid vaccination. This will give me some reassurance abut gradually dropping some of the restrictions I have been following for the past year. However, for me, as for others - perhaps more in my age range - that 'return' will probably be gradual. I see large crowds of people - mostly much younger than I - out at the restaurants downtown, and think that I don't have any desire to be in the middle of that. In truth, though, even before the pandemic, that's not a scene that I would often join. But because of the season, being outside is appealing, and I think that sort of restaurant setting would be acceptable. I am encouraged to see the number of vaccinated people increasing, and also the desire by so many more to be vaccinated. It's a good trend and seems to signify a real turning the corner in attitude and aspiration.
March 27, 2021