So much has happened since I last posted here.

COVID-19 has assaulted the country. Vaccines have been rolled out, nearly 100% effective for the general population, but only 17% effective for those of us who have organ transplants and a compromised immune system. Looks like I will continue to wear a mask to stay safe, though at least the vaccine should keep me out of the hospital if I do get sick. My leg cramps have decreased somewhat; I think the van driver’s seat may have been to blame.

In October 2020, I sold the house in Saugus, and bought a 1935 Cape that fits me like a hug! It’s a snug house with lots of light, good neighbors, near everything I could possible need, and just a few miles from friends. It’s only 25 minutes from camp, too, which means I won’t have to take as much with me during the summer. Going home to cut the grass, do laundry and gather mail and packages with be much easier than it was when I lived in Saugus, which was 1.5+ hours away.

Early in 2021, my dog Spice succumbed to heart failure secondary to Cushing’s disease. She became ill during the fall of 2020, and didn’t tolerate medication well at all. I had hoped she would get better, but she was simply too sick. She was only 9 years old.

The RV I was so excited to buy turned out to be a rust bucket, unsafe to drive, and with a ceiling full of black mold. It was a total loss. Big Moose RV took it off my hands, with the promise of paying me for whatever they could salvage, though, honestly, there isn’t likely to be much. Big Mike, the owner, sat me down and tutored me for an hour on how to use the NADA (similar to Kelley Blue Book, but includes RVs) to determine whether the RV was priced right or overpriced. When he and his son, Young Mike, looked over my van, they suggested I let them redesign the interior to make it more useful, as well as comfortable. They have just started the work. I’m really excited!!!

I plan to resume my cross-country trip later this fall, though I’m not certain of my launch date yet. There is so much to do! Please let me know if you would like to keep informed of my journey.