If life throws you lemons, look for the cherries -- is my take on it all. Here are a few plump juicy red things: the tornadoes that blew past here in recent days decided to take a few limbs off of farmette trees but left the house standing. And another, super important one: the kids are not sick. And we are not sick! Should I keep going?
But let me go back to the lemons, because they do stand for disappointment and and I am disappointed. A second year will pass without travel for me. I have to cancel my September trip.
I was to go to the Italian lakes, and climb the mountain that looks over olive groves, vineyards and lemon orchards. Then I was to visit my friend who lives in Parma. Afterwards, I was to fly to Paris and stay for a few days in my favorite room of my favorite hotel in my beloved city. I was picking up on my French again. I imagined picnics in the Luxembourg Gardens. A glass of wine looking out on the Place de l'Odeon. Yes, luxuries all. I would have paid my dues with ample posts on Ocean and careful attention to photography.
But I can't do it. The CDC posted a new warning recommending against nonessential travel to France and even for Italy I have concerns. My Italian friend was hugely dismayed: but why?? We are all vaccinated! Doesn't that count? -- she wrote. Well, there is the matter of the kids: they did their bit, sacrificing so much to protect us last year. It's our turn to do our bit and do everything possible to protect them. I spend ample hours with my grandchildren. Even if breakthrough infections for vaccinated people are still rare, they happen and I don't want to be the one bringing anything home -- from the airport, the long flight, the cab ride, the visit to the bakery. Community spread is still high in Europe and it is high once again here. I'm not going to mess with even one iota of the kids' safety. (Nor Ed's for that matter, but he is more protected than they are.)
I have always thought myself to be a bit of a travel writer and it is hard to watch these last years go by without trips to far away places. Very hard. I miss waking up in Europe and planning out the day before me. I miss taking street photos. I miss watching people who live life differently than you and me, over here, on this side of the ocean. I miss it very much.
But, I have grown weary of tracking COVID data carefully. Of reading all reports of all cross over infections. Of assessing risks, or reviewing trajectories. COVID has taken over my days and I've had enough of it. So last night I made that tough decision and I promised myself I would not waver. And this morning, after my morning walk...
(cats love elevation...)
(good morning, wet garden!)
(the last Francis Joiner lily: it has such beautiful, delicate hues!)
(hello, super froggie!)
(Again -- such beautiful colors!)
(Big Bed, from the side...)
(like the Impressionists' rendition of a garden, only better, because it's real)
And after breakfast on the porch (with sweet peas, dahlias and forget-me-nots from the farmette fields)...
I write sad letters to my little gem of a hotel in Gargnano, to Patrizia in Parma, to my Paris hotel. And I hang on the phone for TWO HOURS with Delta Airlines and slightly less time with Air France and get my next series of vouchers upon the vouchers that were already used to make these bookings. I am voucher heavy and my heart is heavy but, remember the cherries! Always, always remember the cherries!
And I do. Gratefully.
Say Ed, how about a quick getaway later this fall? Within driving distance.
Will you camp?
Maybe. I am that eager to wake up in an interesting place.
With love.
(late evening at the farmette...)
