I don’t know about you, but for me this year has been flying by at an insanely fast pace. I have no idea why. I mean, time seems to zoom when a person is busier than usual and/or is having more fun than usual. But those conditions haven’t applied to me. And yet, boom! Just like that, seven of 2021’s months are over and done, and month number eight is nipping at their heels. What the hell is going on?
(Sunset viewed from Willow Grove, Pennsylvania)
So impressed am I by 2021’s fleet-footedness, I think it’s only right to offer up an essay that photographically honors its seven departed months. One photo from each month. I took six of the pictures and would have taken all seven if such had been possible. However, seeing that it would have been a major no-no for me to snap a selfie while being inoculated against COVID, I asked my wife Sandy to document the event.
I’ve decided against using any of the dozens of 2021’s photos that I’ve already placed in this publication’s stories. As for the seven included herein, only two hold any special personal meaning, and I’ll get to them in a minute. The other five just look good to my eyes, and would have been mad as hell at me if I’d not deposited them on the internet. The parking lot scene, for example, which contains a lady so wrapped up in her thoughts that she’s oblivious to the sharp red car doing its damndest to get her attention. Hey, the car threatened to sue if I gave it the cold shoulder!
Now, on to the two pix that, plain and simple, had to be presented, and about which I’ve got a few things to say.
Sandy and I frantically and tirelessly tried to schedule appointments for COVID vaccinations when vaccines became available early this year. Basically, it was an exercise in frustration. But then, five or six weeks later and from out of the blue, appointments for March 19 fell into our laps. I tell you, it was a powerful day for me, one I ain’t going to forget any time soon. As the needle entered my arm I breathed great sighs of relief and shed some tears of joy.
Four weeks later my second dose of Moderna was administered, and since then I’ve felt free. Yes, coronavirus remains a major concern, but far less so for the vaccinated as opposed to the unvaccinated. Man, vaccine refuseniks, brimming with loopy and misguided beliefs, astound and annoy me. The common good is suffering because they won’t grab hold of the lifelines being tossed their way. I tell you, we reside in a world that too often is surreal and disappointing.
Due to the f*cking pandemic’s intrusion, the fireworks event that Sandy and I attended on July 4 was the first impressive show of any kind that we had been to in 16 months. (In the USA, July 4 is a holiday that commemorates the states’ declaration of independence from Great Britain in 1776.) It took place on the sprawling grounds of a public school, in a town a couple of miles away from our suburban Philadelphia home.
We walked and walked on the school’s ball fields and lawns till we were very close to where the explosions would originate. And then we waited and waited as the skies grew dark and the time advanced to 9:40. At that point I got up from my chair to try and find someone who might know the scoop, as the show should have begun no later than 9:20. No luck, natch. So, I walked back to where our chairs were set up, looked at my phone to check the time, and said to Sandy, “It’s 9:49. I don’t think the fireworks are going to happen. We should leave.”
Three seconds later I was proven wrong, as the skies lit up with wonderful shapes and colors and thunderous sounds erupted. For the next 25 minutes Sandy and I oohed and aahed. In the end, we were in the right place at the right time.
(Please don’t be shy about adding your comments. Gracias.)
Yeah, Another Blogger 
Lovely photos, as always. This year, for me, has perhaps been the most challenging yet (stressful, depressing, and a plethora of other adjectives of the non-positive variety). But, I’m going to do my best to believe that next year will be a better one . . . for us all! Here’s to more wonderful pics, stunning fireworks, amazing friends and family and partners. Here’s to brilliant bloggers and awesome authors.
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Hi, Tyler. You have an excellent attitude. Take care. All the best.
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Morning–almost noon (here)–to you too, Neil.
Hmm…dusk. I never thought about it consciously.
I think it’s the soft orange/yellow colors, the muted lighting everywhere, how the lowering sun shines in the tops of the trees…the day’s chores and duties are usually done (except for dinner, for us lucky ones) and the energy of the world just feels soft and gentle and winding down…
to me, at least. 🙂
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You described it beautifully.
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Oh, yes! The relief I felt when all of the Fixin’ Leaks and Leeks Team was fully vaccinated! Now, for scheduling booster shots when we’re eligible. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. Cheers!
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Hi. Being vaccinated takes a load off our minds. The people who developed the vaccines deserve a Nobel Prize.
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I agree with you that 2021 has flown by, and I share your delight/relief of being double vaccinated. I’m glad that you and Sandy got to see the fireworks…a bit of normalcy in an otherwise crazy time. Our July 1 Canada Day celebrations were marred not just by pandemic restrictions but the continued grizzly discoveries of young victims of our devastating Residential School. But, on a more up note, I like how you’ve selected a photo for every month…I’m sure not an easy task.
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Hi. The fireworks remain the most exciting event I’ve been to so far in 2021. I’ve been to two concerts, too, but they weren’t as good as the fireworks. Take care. See ya!
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I think the older we get the faster time goes. I’m always telling my kids they’ll regret the time they waste, but secretly I’m jealous that I am not similarly situated. ;0)
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Morning, Pam. I don’t remember when I started noticing that the years seemed to be going faster. Maybe when I was in my 40s.
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Definitely started for me watching my kids grow up, Neil. Now that the youngest is 21 I don’t notice it with them but with me and how fast my own days, weeks and months fly by. 😳
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Enjoyed your pix. And yes, getting your jab produces a feeling of enormous relief – well, it did in me. Sorry to report, but here on the southernmost tip of Africa, we also have the Anti-Vaxxers; so selfish and so misguided. Grrrrhhh. Don’t get me started!
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These fools seem to be just about everywhere in the world. It’s sad, disgusting and very troubling.
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Fabulous fireworks photo. I can never get them just right, so I admire those who can. (Fireworks never get old, hey?)
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Hi. It’s hard to beat a good fireworks display. Great entertainment, for sure.
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Good One.
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Neil, two very special photos to finish the post! Yeah, the fireworks must have been amazing and this is a beautiful shot. As for the vaccines, I saw so much relief from everyone at the centre. It’s been a joy to get out and about and see people this summer!
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Hi, Annika. It’s pretty miraculous that the vaccines were developed as quickly as they were. The people who worked on the vaccines did an incredibly huge public service.
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I’m reading this when EIGHT of the months have already slipped past. I feel your pain.
I love your “vaccine refuseniks”. Where I am, our head-in-the-sand premier has decided to pay people $100 to get the vaccine. No words.
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it’s going to be Jan 1, 2022 before we know it. Happy New Year!
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You crack me up. Happy Easter!
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My favorite pic is the one with the lady looking into the gazebo. I always love those outside looking in type of photos. I can relate with feeling relieved once you got he vaccine. These are scary times for sure!
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I know what you mean. Coronavirus just won’t go away.
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