THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES…

…AND GOOD RIDDANCE

This year has been difficult and humbling. It started with such promise and now ends with a gasp of immeasurable sadness and fatigue. Between the civil strife that has convulsed our cities and this ever-evolving global COVID pandemic that has taken so many lives and a Presidential election that despite the results shows this is still a deeply divided country, this 2020 has been rough. Usually, I’m good for a fatuous crack, wry humor and snarky comments, but 2020 has deflated my pomposity and I approach you fair reader as a simple man, a grounded traveler or, dare I say it, a “homebody”.

 T-SHIRT DESIGN

We did well to sequester ourselves during this pandemic, for it was the only modicum of control we could exercise over this laundry list of travails that 2020 doled out. We stayed home a lot. We kept our distance from others when we went out. We even got tested. We got our flu shots. We never ventured into any store without a mask. We paid attention and respected the science even when the facts changed daily as more and more about the virus was discovered. And, even when our reserve waned as we tired of this endless slog of fearmongering and uncertainty, we played it safe. Even when the siren call of grandchildren implores us to see them, we know we can’t for now.  We’re being safe.

We never wanted to be those people who say “oops”, so we play it safe.

THE ROADS NOT TAKEN

A long long time ago when the pandemic was still just in Wuhan, we went on a glorious trip to Costa Rica and Panama. Even then there were hints over the troubles ahead with questionnaires over our health and previous travels before we were able to board the Panorama with Variety Cruises. We had never considered Central America before and this sailing adventure along the Pacific coast of these two eco-friendly countries was shockingly wonderful. Hoping this pandemic would soon be settled, Janet and I considered a return to rent a house in Costa Rica for a couple of weeks. That was derailed.

We were hoping to take advantage of the summer season in Australia and New Zealand, but that’s been derailed.

 

Same too for a trip to Argentina.

 T-SHIRT DESIGN 2

PARADISE WILL HAVE TO WAIT

All have to wait until the coast is clear, but that may not be on the horizon any time soon. According to the famous Nostradamus predictions this is only the beginning of mankind's troubles. Next year, according to him, there's going to be an asteroid strike and a zombie apocalypse among other things. That really sucks, but on the bright side I won't have to continue making my mortgage payments... and... Janet continues to perfect her baking skills! Today she's making Pain au Chocolat. 

Smoke 'em if you got 'em and Happy New Year?

NOSTRADAMUS 2021 PREDICTIONS

Thanks for reading and hopefully all these troubles will pass and we all can get back to living and traveling again.

Love, Janet and greg. 

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS…

 …IS TO GO SOMEPLACE
This COVID pandemic is taking its toll on your favorite traveling team. It’s a big world out there and we ain’t getting any younger, but we certainly will get older because we are taking the necessary precautions. We are getting tired of this sitting around nonsense. Thankfully Janet is a brilliant chef and her cooking is expanding my COVID Circumference.

We may be well-fed, safe and healthy, but our global antics have been waylaid. There has been no requisite trip to England to see Janet’s grandchildren, and for that matter I have not seen my grandson since a brief drive by during the summer.

The virus has really put a damper on our traveling. Had things gone smoothly our tan from a week in Jamaica would have already started fading. Thoughts about renting a house in Costa Rica in February went bye-bye, as well as a trip to Australia, New Zealand and Bali or perhaps Argentina were squashed, replaced with a weekly sojourn to quaff beer at the outdoor tables at Troubles End Brew Pub down the street from us. That is the one shining moment for us this year that we now finally have a great, dog-friendly place to eat and drink within walking distance of the house, but now that winter’s here that viable option is gone, even with their much-appreciated heat lamps.

FLEAS NAVIDOG

We did manage to sneak out the house a few times to go on some trips this year. You can’t keep the VFH Team down for long. We drove to Tennessee, drove to Wildwood, New Jersey and flew to Austin, Texas for a long weekend.

Those were short trips to trusted places though and after Texas we negatively tested for the virus. We spent Thanksgiving by ourselves, and Christmas will also be very quiet. It sucks.

OPERATION WARP SPEED

Well, this shit can’t last forever. Thanks to the current administration the vaccines are starting to be doled out. Soon, we will be out and about again, going places.  Between you and me it can’t happen soon enough.

Be safe and Merry Christmas.

2020 sucks

If you need something to feel good about you can always visit the official VFH merchandise store. Just click the link to be brought there. Also, my two novels are still for sale. Just click on either book cover near the bottom of the blog on the right.