Day #417 – Adjusting slowly

Pileated Woodpecker on a log

As the weather warms, the leaves unfurl and flowers bloom, the sounds of spring fill the air: depending where you are, it could be the drone of weed wackers and lawnmowers or the calls and songs of birds. Bunnies chase each other around raggedy lawns filled with dandelions. Nesting cardinals make their way around the perimeter, flitting from tree to tree. Bumblebees do their pollinating thing in their slow, ungainly way. The wasps have somehow made their way inside the screened-in porch. The neighborhood cat just strolled by, looking fairly lean; probably scouting for small birds to eat.

This morning on my hike through the nearby preserve, my companion and I were deep in the forest on one of the muddier trails when we heard a very loud call, followed by wing flapping. Up ahead, on one of the fallen trees, was a pileated woodpecker – beautiful in its contrasting white stripes and bright red crest, like a punk-rocker’s mohawk. It began its rather loud pecking of the trunk as we snuck in for a closer look – I had my phone’s camera at the highest zoom I could manage before we got too close and it flew away. While we were making our way toward it, we could hear what we assume was its mate answering its call a little bit further in the trees. 

We weren’t graced with any other fun wildlife this morning, and we only passed two people on the trail. But there was a rather large group gathering in the preserve’s parking lot, appropriately masked, looking like there was going to be a group hike in the making. It was such a welcome sight after 14 months of not gathering, or gathering in super-small, hyper-vigilant groups. 

As more and more people get vaccinated, it is a slow walk back to re-entering society. Restaurants are filling more tables, schools are gingerly stepping back into things like proms and graduations, people extend tentative invitations for dinner parties (albeit small ones.) Families plan reunions, friends plan outings. World travelers watch airline and travel agent reports to determine if their plans for the autumn are likely to come to fruition. 

I’m patiently waiting for my 14 days post-vaccine to be up. I want to throw a party! Invite the neighbors! Play loud music and dance in the yard! Notice I said yard – that should tell you where on the side of caution I am sitting. Sadly, the kids are slightly behind me in their vaccination schedule, but they will be ready come Memorial Day. 

Everyone I talk to is thrilled to be resuming social activities, but understandably cautious about crowds, unknowns and going mask-less. Some folks I know intend to maintain masking even if they are told they don’t have to: fewer colds, less allergy symptoms are the primary positives of masking. No one is in a hurry to go back to buffets or bars (at least no one that I know.)

It is so liberating to know that I’m protected from certain death from COVID. It is a huge relief to know that, at least for the next year, I can go about my business and pop in on vaccinated neighbors and friends without fear. That, finally, after fourteen months, the grocery store is not my only option beside the backyard and nature preserve. That my kids may actually be able to have a normal school year in the fall, with normal in-person classes and structure. I’m hopeful rather than fearful, for a change. 

It’s slow, but we’re adjusting.