A happy place

Today I worked my my first shift this year at Ogden Point.

I volunteer at the cruise ship dock for Destination Greater Victoria, greeting visitors, handing out maps, and directing people to the many great things to see and do in Victoria. 

Usually by this time of year I'd have put in a half dozen or more shifts but, for a variety of reasons, today was my first.  It had been so long that I wondered if I should even bother anymore, maybe volunteer elsewhere.  But as I approached Ogden Point, I began to remember why I like this job so much.  

When the folks get off the ship, they're smiling. I smile back at them, and they smile back at me.  It's such a happy place to be! 

The Disney Wonder was in port today with 2,700 passengers disembarking for an exciting day in Victoria.  

And I have a sunburned nose, sore cheeks, and a bounce in my step!

Both sides now

When the Covid mask mandates were introduced, I was undergoing cancer treatment.  With a compromised immune system from the chemotherapy, wearing a mask in public was a no-brainer for me.  It was vital to protect myself from catching Covid.  Even now, some 4 years after the start of the pandemic, I still mask up on the bus and (mostly) in the mall. 

But now I'm masking to protect others from my Covid infection.  

Thank you to all those who masked up to protect me when I needed it.  Happy to return the favour.

HealthLink BC

I tested positive for Covid this morning.  At first I thought I just had a cold, though that would have been  equally surprising as I haven't had a cold in over 4 years.  AND I've had 8 Covid shots AND I'm still masking on the bus and in the mall (though I will admit that I have been shirking a bit in the mall). 

I called 811 and spoke with a Health Services Navigator who told me how to look after myself and protect others, and then redirected me to a nurse to see about my eligibility for Paxlovid.  She then connected me with a pharmacist who reviewed my health status and my medications.  He determined that I was not at high risk for hospitalization, and that the Paxlovid would interact negatively with another medication I am taking.  

So here I am, masked in my own home to limit Tom's exposure and taking Tylenol.  (I also had a nice nap this afternoon.)

And that is why I'm happy to pay taxes.

Under the bridge

Before Covid (and before Penny moved to Victoria), Tom and I would go to Vancouver for Christmas. One of our traditions was to go to the Sandbar Restaurant on Granville Island with Penny and Bill. We would sit on the outdoor patio, under the heaters or beside the fireplace, wrapped in blankets, and revel in the magic of the Christmas lights on the boats in False Creek and the apartment towers in the West End.  

Pat and I went there for dinner tonight.  Even though it's June and not dark, the magic was still there.

 

Beaches

In all this time I never thought to tell Pat that Vancouver has beaches.

Silly me.

Guys and Dolls

Pat lost one of the lenses in her reading glasses yesterday, so our first trip this morning was to London Drugs to buy a pair of cheaters.  The cashier was sympathetic to Pat's plight, confessed to his own failing eyesight and advanced age, and removed all the tags from the glasses so that she could put them on to read the credit card machine instructions.  When Pat thanked him for his great service, he replied, "That's what we do at London Drugs - heal the sick and cure the blind!" 

Later we stopped at the Ecco shoe store where the clerk not only remembered me from my visit two months ago, he even remembered what shoes I bought! He knew exactly what style would fit Pat's sore feet and she walked out with a funky (and comfortable) pair of Soft 60's.

Then off to see Guys and Dolls at the Stanley Theatre, a first time for Pat.  The story was funny, the music was great, and Pat agreed that our seats were the best in the house!

Sisters redux

Pat had her first helicopter ride today. It was, as she described it, both terrifying and exciting. 

We are in Vancouver for a few days to see a play, eat out a lot, and do a little shopping.  I confess, though, that it is only 7:30 pm and we are both in bed watching movies on our tablets. Such is the life of the senior jet-setter 😁.