It’s been quite a transition from blue skies and t-shirts to darkness and a hooded rain coat. I’m also getting up an hour earlier, dealing with the 3-hour time shift from East to West Coast. The TV is again providing background noise as I busy myself with taxes, writing, finances, and phone calls. We met with our home finance representative yesterday with instructions to file more forms and received a delay notification on a closing date with our Florida home. This interferes with a cruise planned for early April, so we’re panicked on establishing a move date and whether or not to cancel these trip plans. 

Today, I have to see a notary at the bank, go to the dry cleaners, take my I-Watch in for repair, and have my new front tire checked for a leak. I’ll also take my wife to the grocery store, so I’ll be out and about, further exposed to the dreaded virus. The Miami terminal and our flights home were very crowed, while only eighty-year-olds are eligible for vaccines in Oregon. It will be awhile before we can feel safe, and in the meantime we’re keeping our distance from friends and family. We both feel fine after two weeks in Florida, but a bit depressed by the rainy weather. 

As far as sporting entertainment, I was able to watch a live You Tube streaming of my niece’s Team Illinois victory in the Mrs. Hockey tournament championship, going undefeated against seven other national contenders to bring home the hardware. Tonight, it’s I.U. Basketball against Illinois. Hopefully, they’ve been practicing their shooting during the last two idle weeks as opponents have cancelled due to Covid.  They need a victory to stay in contention for a tournament berth, but I still don’t have high hopes for their success. The televised game will at least buy me a delay in my night to cook. Superbowl Sunday, I.U. vs. Iowa, and a possible baseball card show are also on my sports menu for the remainder of this week.   

Yes, we’re back to the hassles of reality after a couple weeks of paradise. It’s time to face the bills, the boredom, and the bleak forecast. My Florida glow is starting to fade along with the ink in my printer. Important decisions about our move, cruise, and budgeting will need to be made in the next two weeks. I also want to take the time to recognize the 100th anniversary of my parent’s birth (born one day apart), although they are no longer here to celebrate. Thoughts of them are a nice distraction from the decisions that need to be made. It hurts to use my brain again after lazy days on a sunny beach. Here’s to our future, the love of my parents, and hopes for some I.U. basketball wins, as we once again deal with reality!