Normally, Johnson is a misspelling of my last name, missing the all important “t.” However, yesterday two Johnsons came to my rescue with a potentially life saving shot in the arm. The single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine was a true convenience, as well, since the wasn’t enough time left to get a second shot before we leave for Florida in three weeks. It does not require refrigeration, allowing pop-up clinics like the one at Rise Church yesterday. It only took about 10 minutes from sign-in through administration. There was a little bit of pain during the injection but the soreness soon went away. So far, the have been no aftereffects. 

I got out my erasable bracket board yesterday, in preparation for filling out this year’s NCAA field. As I went to wipe it clean, it struck me that the last time I used it was 2019. Last year’s event was cancelled. This year the entire tournament will be held in Indianapolis, with only one Indiana team to cheer for – Purdue. I can remember years when there were as many as six – Purdue, Indiana, Evansville, Valparaiso, Notre Dame, and Indiana State. The state of the State is in sad disarray when it comes to basketball – once a proud identity. There will not be much of a home court advantage when the tourney carves a historic path through Indiana from West Lafayette to Bloomington and via several venues in Indy. 

 Today we head to the Oregon coast for the last time as residents. We’ll probably be back to visit in the future. We’re headed to Netarts, the Oregon oyster capital, to pick up some of our possessions stored at a friend’s home.  Tally, our schnauzer, will get one last visit with her giant Labradoodle buddies “Q” and “Z.” The Friday Leadership Meeting will take place there, followed by a farewell lunch at a nearby restaurant. I will definitely feel more comfortable being around people again now that I’ve been vaccinated.