Tweed afghan – from my trip to Ireland many years ago. Another afghan I couldn’t pass up – from a shop on Grafton Street.Thank you Mary Fitzgerald! You are a true artisan. The colors reminded me of heather. What tourist could resist a traditional Aran sweater….…or two! It was so cold that September they were both well used. Such excellent workmanship.Thank you Una O’Neill for keeping me warm during my trip! And thanks to the sheep for donating the wool! Traditional tweed caps and one summer one for golfing….my dad used to wear the gray one.My friend who went to med school in Ireland, has brought me back many lovely souvenirs as Christmas gifts over the years.including this Claddagh circle – the Irish symbol of love and friendship – and a blue Aran sweater,
a Waterford crystal vase, which weighs a ton, but which will hold spring daffodils soon, and some Irish coffee glasses for toasting Happy St. Patricks Day! The music box plays When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, which they are looking back at all these mementos of my Irish heritage.
Fun post! The last few years, I started working on family history. Even though my grandparents on my dads side were both full blooded German, I discovered several strains of Irish blood running through my mom’s side of the family. And on my wife side. wow..she herself has lots of Irish in her family tree, Now that I’m older and more well informed, I love our Irish roots.
I have one paternal great-grandfather who was German, and my mother’s side was Dutch., so I’m a mixture. It’s fun to do family history but it can be addicting also. The dead ends start to drive you crazy and you find yourself wasting hours looking for one obscure fact. I should pick it up again though, as there’s more stuff online now.
Joni, I know all about those dead ends in family history research. Yes, I can spend hours and hours . . . and can my sister. We often take a day to share our findings with each other.
Mary and Una made some lovely wool items for you. The only thing I have from my trip to Ireland is a little Waterford crystal pitcher. I managed to get it back home in one piece and enjoy it to this day. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
I think Waterford went bankrupt in 2009 when I googled, it said they are now owned by someone else, but no production in Ireland as the factory was closed. I vaguely remember touring it. I hope no one noticed the dust in on my glasses as it’s been awhile since I’ve dusted in there! Usually I do the china cabinet when the maid service is here, but they I haven’t had them in this pandemic year….
Lovely mementos. I love the sweaters and afghans. Ireland is still on my To Do Someday list. No ancestors of recent Irish vintage, but perhaps a few in the way back times. I do have a crystal vase that just might be Waterford – it was a wedding gift. Happy St. Patrickās Day!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day Eileen! When you do Ireland, go in the spring…..May is ideal, not September. Those Irish sweaters were the first things I bought. I worked with an Irish girl who told me that Sept. weather was just like it is here…..it was not…..and no central heating in many of the B&B’s either! Lots of turf fires though.
Beautiful sweaters Joni and yes, so nicely knit and of good quality. They will last you the rest of your life. You should wear them for walking in the dead of Winter to keep warm. The afghans are nice too – they do remind me of the color of heather from what I’ve seen in pictures. I remember you said it was cold and damp when you visited Ireland … that’s unfortunate. Hope you had some Irish coffee to warm you up!
It was way too cold to walk today, Irish sweater or no Irish sweater! I only got a block or two in and had to come home, as the wind just took my breath away. I remember seeing heather there, but just a patch or two, not like in England. I think it might have been the wrong season for it. Those sweaters were in storage but yes would be useful for walking. I can’t drink anymore, but a few years ago made Irish coffee without the whiskey, and it was good! Just sugar and whipped cream on top, of a strong brew.
I didn’t walk yesterday as it was raining in the morning and it was still windy when I get off work. I’m not a fan of walking at night, even in Spring through Fall. But when I’m retired, I will go out in the afternoon like you do to get my walk in if it is crummy in the morning. I’ve only had Irish coffee once. My boss (before Robb) was very Irish (Keelean was his last name) and he took me to a very small Irish restaurant one year. It was actually a house and the living room was the dining room, only about six tables. Very cozy and decorated with Irish motif. I had Shepherd’s Pie, don’t remember what else, but did try Irish coffee. I like strong coffee – I just have instant here but use a Colombian coffee so it’s strong.
PS. My mother uses this Irish Cream flavoured Skinny Syrup brand of flavouring in her coffee – just a teaspoon – and it’s good too. They have a whole range of flavours – mocha, vanilla, etc. I buy them in the grocery store if you like flavouring in your coffee. I tend to like mine plain.
I used to use the liquid flavored creamer in my instant coffee, but found I liked it too much and was putting in more than I needed. š I use a spoonful of regular powdered creamer and a spoonful of the Coffeemate Caramel powdered creamer. I like that. I used to drink my coffee black when I worked, but we had a coffee maker then.
This Skinny Syrup is calorie free I think, as it’s just a syrup with artificial flavouring, hence the name. They have a whole range of flavours. I think my mother got started on it because her favorite vanilla mix was discontinued and we happened to see a whole shelf of this brand in the grocery store. It’s $6 a bottle but lasts a long time and doesn’t have to be refrigerated as it’s a syrup. Most of it is way too sweet for me. I haven’t been on Reader since Thursday…sigh. It was a nice spring day for walking.
I have to look and see if we have it here – I’m sure Amazon has it. Maybe use that instead of the powdered creamer. I overbought coffee and creamer for the Winter … they don’t expire until the Summer of 2022, so no problem. Last night I went right to Reader and not comments, except one for a woman blogger who is anxious to get a shot because her/husband are joining their extended family in April for a get-together. She’s been trying for shots … they are both turning 65 later in the year. I walked 11 miles over the weekend and a long walk at Lake Erie Metropark yesterday … wanted to see my photos yesterday as I had some unique photo opportunities of some geese nesting and had some photos off the small camera. I got back late, looked at photos and then where was the day … over so fast. I had caught up Thursday night, but behind again three days. Caught up two days and couldn’t keep my eyes open. Have some news to share though. I registered at Meijer (my grocery store) in February) and got a call over the weekend for my Moderna shot #1. I was kind of hoping for the J&J one-and-done-shot, but our doctors/health experts are recommending to take the first one available and don’t be choosy, so Moderna it is … I’m hoping no side effects. I’ve never had any from other shots, but one pneumonia shot years ago I had a sore arm and couldn’t move it, but that’s the one/only time. I hope you are lucky getting a shot … they have approved AZ over here, just in the last few days.
Just new US data/study released today says Astra is now 79% effective, so I’ll probably get that when I can from a pharmacy when they get stock. Let me know when you get your shot? They used Moderna in the nursing homes here, but my mother got Pfizer two weeks ago, with a booster due in April. She did not have a sore arm, but felt a bit tired/fatigued on the 3rd post day. I have read of people having more reactions after the second shot, although not common. I just want a shot of any kind before the variants get worse – the health unit here said the variants are already 50% of our community spread. The Skinny Syrup is a clear syrup so it doesn’t give you a creamer effect, just adds flavor and (artificial) sweetness. I’ll have to look at the bottle ingredients when I go to mom’s. There are so many flavours I don’t know how you would decide….
The AZ vaccine has been all over our news as a potential fourth vaccine. I thought it was approved already, but I guess that will be very shortly. I would try to get that one if you can Joni. I go tomorrow and then it looks like four weeks later, I thought three weeks – I’ll see what they say … that second dose would be the day after my dentist appointment, but I should be pretty covered by the four weeks’ time. That’s good there were no big side effects for your mom. I hope they roll out soon for you and I am worried about the variants since they aren’t in this Moderna vaccine, so I will stay masked up with a double mask in the store when I’m done with the second one as we have another surge. Amazon does have the Skinny Syrup and people gave it good reviews except for the multi-pack which did not have variety, so I think I’d need to get single ones. I’ll let you know about the shot. We have a rainy week ahead – only rain-free day is next Saturday. I did walk a lot the last week or so while it was clear.
Mom’s 2nd dose is 5 weeks after the first, but anyone else younger than 90 or not in a nursing home it is 4 months later for the second dose, including the over 80 group they are just starting. So they are booking the follow up appt. in July. Not sure I agree with that much spacing, but it was a government decision as we don’t have enough vaccine. Tonight on the National news they said Ont. is only getting half of the Moderna supply they expected this week and we won’t get any Astra until April…..very frustrating. Lots of variants here too, and we are in 3rd wave already due to the variants and they can’t vaccinate fast enough. When mom went, they only had 8 immunizing stations, and were spacing the appointments 15mins apart, so only did 180 people that day and we’ve yet to open a larger area to do mass groups. Pharmacies here have no stock either, except for some in the Toronto and Windsor area which got a small supply, probably gone now. I’m beginning to regret cancelling my dentist and eye appointments back in Feb, as it’s worse now. Sat outside and read a book this afternoon for an hour – the sun was strong – first time this year for sitting on the deck.
That’s interesting how they are doing your spacing of the shots Joni. I thought I read or heard that the U.S. was going to have a surplus after the 100 million shots ordered a few weeks ago and would share with Canada and Mexico – I hope that happens to you. Four months is a long period of time between shots and my friend Ilene mentioned that to me as well. She is refusing to get the shot (any of them) but did not state why. They are opening the mass vaccination clinic in Detroit at Ford Field, the indoor stadium where the Detroit Lions play – that is tomorrow. They had a soft opening today with about 1,200 people and they were aiming for 6,000 shots administered daily by Air Force medics, but have now said for now it will be 5,000 daily shots. My shot went smoothly – had to fill out a short questionnaire and they did not take my temperature which surprised me. The questionnaire asked if you felt sick. I got the shot, had to wait 15 minutes and was free to go. My follow-up shot is four weeks from today, the day after my dentist appointment. Glad for that in case of any side effects – they say the side effects are worse for the second shot as to nausea or flu-like symptoms. I am now glad I didn’t cancel my dentist, but I am not totally covered until four weeks after the second dose and we also have a surge here too. And Moderna does not cover the variants. So I could still move my dentist appointment – wavering on it. I can’t get an allergy shot until four weeks after the last shot, so not til May 18th. I am going to mask up anyway, even during my walks as last year the allergist closed for two months and I never sneezed as I wore the mask and took OTC Alavert for allergies. My lens fell out of my glasses as they cut it too small and they have to send it out for re-cutting … been gone a month and still no glasses. They were brand-new glasses so I’m irritated with it as they are the ones I wear outside/driving as they are tinted and I’m wearing a pair with a old prescription now.
Yes, Biden said he was giving Canada 1.5million Astra and 2.5million to Mexico, but we’ve yet to see any, and now won’t until April sometime according to Doug Ford. Not sure what the holdup is. We got some Astra Zeneca in with short dating which expired April 2, but I think it came from India. It’s frustrating having to wait. I’m glad your shot went well, and you will get your second shot soon. Even if it doesn’t cover the variants, it’s still some level of protection. I’d take any kind at this point. I think there may be a lot of people like Ilene but I don’t understand it – maybe they don’t care if they die. I know they have not done all the over 80’s here in Ont. as 200,000 of them can’t get to the clinics, so Ford said??? So he’s going to spend 400million getting the vaccine to them? There may be some, who can’t take a taxi, but really, is it just an excuse for not wanting to. One neighbour said she was checking with her doctor first? Another is afraid of a reaction. People have such strange reasons.
I would be frustrated if I were you Joni. Now they were casting doubt on AstraZeneca’s track record yesterday. Ilene wrote me an e-mail today and said her family doctor has access to COVID shots and will be giving them to all his patients – she declined. She never got a flu shot in the Fall (which she usually does). She has family members from her extended family over at her house every day – they all stop to ensure she is okay, plus she goes to on-site church services every Sunday, so she is interacting with people, unlike me. I don’t get it. I do understand people being worried that they were rushed thru but all the health experts are saying to look at the big picture – you take a shot and take your chances or you take a chance you die from COVID. Our cases are spiking and every day they are closing schools after just reopening them a short time ago. People are still adamant they just plain don’t want the shots now or ever. Now, here is something strange happened to me … no side effects, except the sore arm, but I had that from the pneumonia shots as they go in the muscle – do flu shots go in the muscle? They never hurt. My arm is still sore, but that’s fine. It’s worth it. But I asked the pharmacist yesterday if I could get my allergy shots in between yesterday’s shot and April 20th when I get my next shot. He said don’t get a shot until four weeks after your last shot. So that would be May 18th. I e-mailed the office manager at the allergist office to advise that I would not be coming back until then and not to close me out as a patient (I have not gone since November 23rd and am supposed to go once a month and told the pharmacist that as it may make a difference in his answer. Also, one of the questions they ask is if you have had a vaccine of any type in the last 14 days. I handed in my form and said I get allergy injections and not had once since November 23rd, so she noted it on the form.). So this is what the allergist office says and this is my bad time of year as I have Spring allergies. I’m on OTC Alavert which I put myself on last week as there is tree pollen per “The Pollen Report” and my occasional sneezing, even in the house. This was her answer:
“Dr. Saad recommends only 24 hrs between the Covid vaccine and an allergy injection. There is miss information happening out there.. allergy injections are not a vaccine, therefore there is no wait period. If you are more comfortable waiting due to the Covid vaccine, that is perfectly fine, but you can get your allergy injection 24 hours before or after the Covid vaccine.”
I still think I won’t go … when I return, I’ll have to go to the allergist two weeks in a row, but I’ll do that rather than taking chances … I know an injection is not a vaccine, but not taking a chance on anything, misinformation or not.
Yes flu shots go in the muscle too, but I find some years my arm hurts and sometimes it doesn’t, depending on how much they have changed the strains – there are usually 3 or 4 flu strains in a flu shot. Mom said her arm was a bit sore, but not a lot. More reactions after the second dose. Best to do whatever you’re comfortable with re allergy shots Linda. Tonight I got an email from Shoppers (big pharmacy chain like CVS) saying anyone over 60 could preregister and they would contact you for an appointment when vaccine was available so I filled out the online form….not holding my breath though. Tonight on the news they said the European Union and India may both hold back exported shipments as they try to meet their own increased demand. Got groceries today, it wasn’t too crowded, as everyone was out enjoying the nice weather. I double-masked and went late afternoon.
You know I thought the flu shot went into the muscle … I always figured it was the person giving the shot and that was why, so I learned something. The allergy shots never bother me – I’ve had them so many years that I’m used to them. I believe they are sub-cutaneous shots and that is why … I’m repeating what the pharmacist told me when I got my first pneumonia shot. That is frustrating for you. Good you are on a list of some type though. I got groceries when I went to Meijer … it felt like a brand-new experience again. I will just go on a week day too … we have senior days two days a week (Tues/Thur), healthcare workers two days a week (Mon/Wed) and that is from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. and rest of the week anyone can go in those time slots. I was triple-masked as I was going to the pharmacy – pictured someone sicker than a dog coming to get meds. But the paper mask against my face slipped down causing the other masks to fall down … didn’t want to touch my face. Sigh. I don’t think I will go to the allergist … I’m sure they are right, they are not vaccines, but I’m leery.
Sometimes it does depend on technique whether you feel it or not when the needle goes in, how experienced the person it, and how fine the needle is, and how much volume is given. When mom had the Pfizer shot the volume was only 0.3ml, a very small amount, so over in no time. Posted, now going to bed. Good night Linda!
I did beat you to bed, not by much, but have been trying nodding off all day – very boring day at work. I have been trying for 7 hours of sleep a night and done pretty good, but last night I was later. It was a beautiful morning and got 4 miles walked and picked up my taxes. Tomorrow will be crummy. I Googled around and the allergist may be right. I think the pharmacist thought it was a vaccine I got, (but I said the word “shots”). I went on the website for allergists They say a different story, I will send the link separately – it may go to SPAM as it is a link; in the first paragraph is all you need to read.
Most pharmacists may not know much about allergy shots as it’s not something they would see/dispense, (including myself) and he was probably just thinking they both involved the immune system, so I would listen to your allergist, and do what you feel comfortable with. I don’t know that much about the new mRNA shots, as it’s a new technology. I read an interesting article a few months back with in-depth science information, on all four types but can’t find it. It was from a US newspaper. Usually I save stuff like that in my COVID files. After I shut the computer off last night I thought about you spacing them out, as I do know some people who had a reaction to the second shot and you wouldn’t want to have an appointment booked the next day if you were feeling unwell. I think one of the bloggers I follow said she crashed and slept for 12 hrs after the second shot. A neighbour was fine with the first, but had a fever and felt awful after the second one. It lasted about a day. So that’s something to think about too.
I agree with you and as I said, after researching a little yesterday and the American Academy of Allergy and Immunology said it was okay and a fellow blogger has mentioned her husband going for allergy shots, I asked her yesterday if John had to suspend them. I knew both of them had had their second shot already, so asked if he stopped at all – she said no and he went for his weekly shot like usual. So I booked an appointment. It used to be drop-in which I liked better and hope they return to that after COVID stats stabilize (not likely soon). I told the receptionist I had not been there since November 23rd, but had told them I was not coming during the Winter since my allergies are predominantly Spring allergies and I wasn’t going to risk getting COVID to get a shot since they were closed two months (except emergencies and testing) at the onset of the pandemic. So, she put me on hold and checked with one of the nurses or PAs who administers the shots. She said they have a women who comes in every Wednesday to bring the serum and she will have to dilute the serum they have on hand for me. If I never mentioned this, I have to get new serum every 16 visits. It is $150.00 for each container and I get two containers as I get shots in each arm. So, I was on maintenance phase which is every four weeks … I knew suspending my shots would cause me to have to come two weeks in a row. So I don’t know if that still happens or not. Diluting my serum was interesting. And, I wanted to wait until after April 1st which is when I go on Medicare – you start the first day of the month you turn 65. So the earliest I can get it is Tuesday, April 6th due to many people booking due to Spring allergies. The pollen count is already high and we’ve had a lot of windy days. My arm where I got the shot finally feels better, not entirely, but can reach up above my head again. I can deal with that but am not looking forward to the nausea, chills and flu-like symptoms they say you get and like your neighbor experienced.
The allergy shots sound complicated Linda, the diluting and all that. The only allergy shots we ever dispensed was the ragweed one, and that was seldom, and we just ordered it in for the patient. Not everyone gets those reactions after the second shot….I’ve only heard of two people so far.
I’ve never heard of diluting the serum to be honest Joni. Usually, if you are late a week or so for your regular shots, you have to go two weeks in a row. I only did that once and it was because I went on a Monday and the following Monday was a long weekend. I have been on maintenance, which is every four weeks, for a while. I was surprised about the diluting the shots. They are $150.00 for a shot for EACH and I have to get new serum every 16 weeks. Each shot has different “ingredients” in it. I hope Medicare does a better share of the $300.00 serum payment than Total Healthcare did.
Here is the link in the first paragraph Joni. Our cases, recently stabilized have risen 800 percent (not a typo … 800 percent) and second in the nation, just behind NY.
800% is crazy! We are bad here too in my county. We’re the only area in the same category as Toronto and Peel/Mississauga, and the mayor was on the phone to Doug Ford – the Ont. premier about why aren’t we getting more vaccine here when our stats are so high. I have one more errand to do tomorrow, then that’s it for the next two weeks, except picking up income tax. News tonight said a delay in 600,00 doses delivery postponed until end of next week. We are at the mercy of the supply chain. Also heard tonight they may be reversing the 4 month rule for seniors second dose as data show it’s not as effective – which to me is basic common sense for that age group, esp anyone over 80! I hope they don’t cancel mom’s second apptment in April.
Hopefully reversing the four-month rule means giving the follow-up vaccine quicker?! I hope so. Today they said we are fifth in the nation for cases. We had 5,030 new cases and 20 deaths today alone … yes, the 800% is scary isn’t it? We are the highest stats since December 1st. Today, the street reporter was at the airport interviewing people going away on Spring Break … these were not high school or college students on Spring Break, it was families taking their kids as they “simply had to get away” … you and I go on errands, double or triple masked up and hope we come home unscathed by COVID. My boss’ wife has been in Florida on vacation since the end of February, a few weeks after her second COVID shot. I sure hope they get it together with the shots for Ontario. Thank goodness your supply chain is not affected by the container ship … it’s a wonder, but they are saying that a lot of products are going to be going off shelves since the container ship is stuck and other supply ships must take a long, almost two-week journey now, so their supplies will be late getting to our ports. What a mess.
Well that’s depressing. Equally depressing is tonight I heard that the Brazil variant has shown up in Vancouver B.C. in larger numbers, and the vaccines don’t work well against that variant. I don’t see us climbing out of this anytime soon.
Yes, it is depressing. I know they said we may need a booster, but I was thinking of a booster like the TDAP which I just got again a few years ago. That’s what I thought the booster might be – even next year, but to say it’s only lasting that long. Now for sure I wish I had the J&J shot as it covers the variants. But we were also cautioned to just take what you could get into your arm ASAP. Not good to hear of all the variants circulating in Vancouver, B.C. and that’s a big tourist spot too. People here on their Spring Break adventure. What they are doing in Miami Beach and having curfews for those college/high school kids on Spring Break. These kids are our future – pretty bleak to me. I don’t see us climbing out anytime soon either. Ilene has written she may get the nasal spray. She said:
“They say Canada has developed a new nasal spray which is supposed to deal with COVID. It might be worthwhile looking into. They say to spray in the morning and at night each day – the bottle is supposed to last for one month.”
Here’s a link to the nasal spray, which contains nitric oxide, a disinfectant. It was my understanding that you just used it when you tested positive or thought you might be coming down with it, not for prevention, although they may be doing trials on that. Not sure where she gets her information, but doesn’t match what I read/heard. https://bc.ctvnews.ca/b-c-biotech-company-seeks-emergency-approval-for-covid-19-nasal-spray-treatment-1.5348503
That was interesting – I guess she misunderstood as she was looking at it as a preventitive measure only and in lieu of the shot. I don’t understand her reluctance and as a twice cancer survivor, I would think she would not want to take chances. I heard a health expert say that stress compromises your immune system so much that after the administration of the shot as well as on the day of the shot, stress could keep you from reaping the full benefits of the vaccine. She said people are worried about the vaccine the day of receiving it is not beneficial. I thought that was interesting … I was surprised. She stressed getting lots of sleep. I’ve been trying to get to bed at 10:00 p.m..
I could not stream in – I was happy that I was able to watch it for maybe 8 minutes, then it asked for my cable provider’s logon info.
I am sure it will be available on their website.
I was a little later and I have to try even harder to get 7 hours of sleep nightly. Not easy with Doberman on the corner who is put outside at 11:00 nightly and it barks then. I need to get some safe earplugs.
I pulled it up on the CNN sight, and there was a play by play written commentary with a few short video clips, but I went to bed too. I think they were all being very tactful.
I think that is what I saw too – if nothing else is available as a podcast, or on YouTube, I will just settle for that. They were tactful … imagine if you lost a loved one and heard that 400,000 lives could have been saved if action had been taken at the onset of the pandemic. Why the pandemic team, protocol was abandoned at the beginning of the Trump administration was a mystery to many.
I think Trump was trying to destroy anything that Obama had put together out of spite and jealousy, including the pandemic plan, and he just didn’t believe in science and take it seriously enough, and then it was too late to admit he made a mistake, so he just continued in denial. His coming out now and telling people to get the vaccine now is a joke.
I thought it was something that a month after he left office, the media discovered he got a shot, after his followers said “I don’t need a shot – it’s just like a cold.” I told you about the woman in the Park, the Trumper, who insisted that there was something similar to a microchip like you get for pets, so people (government) could track your movements. He was/is a petty man.
I guess Astra Zeneca is trialing their vaccine in a nasal spray too, but a preliminary trial with only 30 people. We had a flu shot administered as a nasal spray here in Canada a few years ago, but it was seldom used, more for people who don’t like needled.
I think with all the variants swirling around, they’re going to have to have a Plan B. I follow Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the Chief Medical Executive for our State and she is actually an E.R. doc and this is what she posted today. A little unsettling:
“Worked in ER last night. More COVID, stark contrast to a month ago. Younger people CAN get sick and be hospitalized or spread to more vulnerable. Michigan: #MaskUp, get tested, avoid indoor maskless venues, get your #CovidVaccine ASAP. Iām very concerned.”
Yes, here because they started sports back up (high school and college) and I was a little amazed about a band of mothers of athletes who gathered en masse at the Capital building here in Michigan to protest that there were no high school sports. I “get” that some kids were hoping for sports scholarships to college but in a pandemic you want your kids in sports? And, not only did they start sports back up, but school started up as well. Then they shut some schools down for a extra week after Easter due to the need to quarantine. The kids down at Florida were getting curfews while on Spring break as they were gathering in groups with not a clear spot on the beach to be had.
That’s promising that they will start as early as next week. I was just floored when I heard that the vaccine may not be good after 7-9 months. When I looked on CNN earlier to see if I could stream that show at 9:00 p.m., it was a banner headline, so I guess quite a coup to interview these docs who will tell all and how they were forced to tamp down the seriousness of the pandemic as to here. All of the docs except Fauci are no longer in those former positions. While on CNN, one of the top stories was Michigan’s top surge. People are worried we’ll go into a quasi-lockdown again. The Governor says “no” and no rollback to rigid restrictions. She has been doing a good job – I hope that the fact she is up for re-election next year and worries she is too strict and loses votes does not change what happens the rest of this pandemic.
I’m sure there will be a recap of the CNN show tomorrow. I don’t think an Astra nasal spray will be any big news, as I recall the flu shot in nasal format wasn’t as effective, in some studies and I think they may even have discontinued it this year in Canada, as it was such a small market share. It was called FluMist, but I don’t remember ever dispensing it.
I think so too – I will look again tomorrow. I have looked a couple of times, otherwise I’ll just look at the recap which looks pretty comprehensive. I remember that FluMist … I don’t remember ever having a choice, but I’m used to getting shots due to my allergy shots, so I would not have asked, but when I was a kid I hated shots. My pediatrician was a British, stiff-upper-lip-kind-of-guy. No nonsense and almost gagged me every time he did the tongue depressor and if I got antsy when he was about to give me a shot, he told me to sit down and calm down.
I am enjoying it and there are lot of Amazon Prime movies they are making which sound good so I’ve been jotting them down to watch after Mad Men. I only watch the two episodes every Friday night so it will be a while until I see them. I am halfway through Season 4 and there are 7 seasons. I will hate to see it end. Alot of the products that they are doing the advertising for are products that I can remember the ads (Life cereal, Vicks cough drops/medicine, Jantzen bathing suits and Samsonite luggage). There was an interview yesterday I was listening to about a biographical movie called “Conviction” about a young man, Jeffrey Deskovic, who, at 16 years old was convicted of the rape and murder of Angela Correa, a 15 year old high school classmate. He becomes a lawyer and ultimately proves his innocence. There was a similar movie by the same name but not related to this one.
Ah, Dublin. We were there several years ago too. I bought a sweater with a look very much like your afghans, just off of Grafton Street near Trinity College. My wife bought a gold necklace with a St. Brigid’s cross (her namesake) in that one indoor mall (can’t think of the name). We stayed in a beautiful B&B just off of Grafton. So many quaint pubs and restaurants in that neighborhood, and of course tranquil St. Stephen’s Green. We will go back again, just as soon as the world gets travelling again.
I have similar memories Dave…..Grafton St. was a great shopping mecca. I had a nice B&B, although it had 5 levels off to it, just off Grafton but close enough to it to walk everywhere, but my last few days after the circle tour, I stayed at a ritzy hotel on the main drag, which had plenty of hot water and heat!
Thanks Annie! Everyone seems to enjoy Ireland, although I would go in the spring next time. I could put up with the rain but not the cold, and no central heating in many of the B&B’s, hence the sweaters.
I’ve come to your blog several days late – I was too busy celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, I guess. Great pictures. With the weather we’re having this weekend, it won’t be long until you have daffodils in your vase. Cheers!
My father was full-blooded Irish so I carry plenty of it within my own veins. I have never made it there, though Marianne went with her family before we met. She has some Irish background too, which may explain our ironclad tradition of corned beef with boiled cabbage and potatoes every St. Patrick’s day.
Corned beef and cabbage – yuck! I’ve no use for the stuff. Those sweaters were warm – I wore them the whole three weeks I was there, and as I recently unearthed them from basement storage they may get worn this spring too, maybe for the snow on Thursday!
thehomeplaceweb 
Enjoy a very happy St. Patrick’s Day with a nod to your Irish roots š
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Thanks Anne! We’re getting takeout for supper so it won’t be anything Irish or green!
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Fun post! The last few years, I started working on family history. Even though my grandparents on my dads side were both full blooded German, I discovered several strains of Irish blood running through my mom’s side of the family. And on my wife side. wow..she herself has lots of Irish in her family tree, Now that I’m older and more well informed, I love our Irish roots.
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I have one paternal great-grandfather who was German, and my mother’s side was Dutch., so I’m a mixture. It’s fun to do family history but it can be addicting also. The dead ends start to drive you crazy and you find yourself wasting hours looking for one obscure fact. I should pick it up again though, as there’s more stuff online now.
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Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Joan! Tis a good day for soda bread and Irish stew!
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Thanks Debbie! The same to you! I didn’t post the Aran cape as my mother has it.
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Joni, I know all about those dead ends in family history research. Yes, I can spend hours and hours . . . and can my sister. We often take a day to share our findings with each other.
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I need to pick it up again. The library is offering free ancestry.ca access from home during the lockdown which was always my excuse before!
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Mary and Una made some lovely wool items for you. The only thing I have from my trip to Ireland is a little Waterford crystal pitcher. I managed to get it back home in one piece and enjoy it to this day. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
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I think Waterford went bankrupt in 2009 when I googled, it said they are now owned by someone else, but no production in Ireland as the factory was closed. I vaguely remember touring it. I hope no one noticed the dust in on my glasses as it’s been awhile since I’ve dusted in there! Usually I do the china cabinet when the maid service is here, but they I haven’t had them in this pandemic year….
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Lovely mementos. I love the sweaters and afghans. Ireland is still on my To Do Someday list. No ancestors of recent Irish vintage, but perhaps a few in the way back times. I do have a crystal vase that just might be Waterford – it was a wedding gift. Happy St. Patrickās Day!
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Happy St. Patrick’s Day Eileen! When you do Ireland, go in the spring…..May is ideal, not September. Those Irish sweaters were the first things I bought. I worked with an Irish girl who told me that Sept. weather was just like it is here…..it was not…..and no central heating in many of the B&B’s either! Lots of turf fires though.
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Thanks for the tip!
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Loved seeing your Irish things!!
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Thanks….it was nice to pull the sweaters out of storage again.
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Beautiful sweaters Joni and yes, so nicely knit and of good quality. They will last you the rest of your life. You should wear them for walking in the dead of Winter to keep warm. The afghans are nice too – they do remind me of the color of heather from what I’ve seen in pictures. I remember you said it was cold and damp when you visited Ireland … that’s unfortunate. Hope you had some Irish coffee to warm you up!
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It was way too cold to walk today, Irish sweater or no Irish sweater! I only got a block or two in and had to come home, as the wind just took my breath away. I remember seeing heather there, but just a patch or two, not like in England. I think it might have been the wrong season for it. Those sweaters were in storage but yes would be useful for walking. I can’t drink anymore, but a few years ago made Irish coffee without the whiskey, and it was good! Just sugar and whipped cream on top, of a strong brew.
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I didn’t walk yesterday as it was raining in the morning and it was still windy when I get off work. I’m not a fan of walking at night, even in Spring through Fall. But when I’m retired, I will go out in the afternoon like you do to get my walk in if it is crummy in the morning. I’ve only had Irish coffee once. My boss (before Robb) was very Irish (Keelean was his last name) and he took me to a very small Irish restaurant one year. It was actually a house and the living room was the dining room, only about six tables. Very cozy and decorated with Irish motif. I had Shepherd’s Pie, don’t remember what else, but did try Irish coffee. I like strong coffee – I just have instant here but use a Colombian coffee so it’s strong.
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PS. My mother uses this Irish Cream flavoured Skinny Syrup brand of flavouring in her coffee – just a teaspoon – and it’s good too. They have a whole range of flavours – mocha, vanilla, etc. I buy them in the grocery store if you like flavouring in your coffee. I tend to like mine plain.
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I used to use the liquid flavored creamer in my instant coffee, but found I liked it too much and was putting in more than I needed. š I use a spoonful of regular powdered creamer and a spoonful of the Coffeemate Caramel powdered creamer. I like that. I used to drink my coffee black when I worked, but we had a coffee maker then.
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This Skinny Syrup is calorie free I think, as it’s just a syrup with artificial flavouring, hence the name. They have a whole range of flavours. I think my mother got started on it because her favorite vanilla mix was discontinued and we happened to see a whole shelf of this brand in the grocery store. It’s $6 a bottle but lasts a long time and doesn’t have to be refrigerated as it’s a syrup. Most of it is way too sweet for me. I haven’t been on Reader since Thursday…sigh. It was a nice spring day for walking.
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I have to look and see if we have it here – I’m sure Amazon has it. Maybe use that instead of the powdered creamer. I overbought coffee and creamer for the Winter … they don’t expire until the Summer of 2022, so no problem. Last night I went right to Reader and not comments, except one for a woman blogger who is anxious to get a shot because her/husband are joining their extended family in April for a get-together. She’s been trying for shots … they are both turning 65 later in the year. I walked 11 miles over the weekend and a long walk at Lake Erie Metropark yesterday … wanted to see my photos yesterday as I had some unique photo opportunities of some geese nesting and had some photos off the small camera. I got back late, looked at photos and then where was the day … over so fast. I had caught up Thursday night, but behind again three days. Caught up two days and couldn’t keep my eyes open. Have some news to share though. I registered at Meijer (my grocery store) in February) and got a call over the weekend for my Moderna shot #1. I was kind of hoping for the J&J one-and-done-shot, but our doctors/health experts are recommending to take the first one available and don’t be choosy, so Moderna it is … I’m hoping no side effects. I’ve never had any from other shots, but one pneumonia shot years ago I had a sore arm and couldn’t move it, but that’s the one/only time. I hope you are lucky getting a shot … they have approved AZ over here, just in the last few days.
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Just new US data/study released today says Astra is now 79% effective, so I’ll probably get that when I can from a pharmacy when they get stock. Let me know when you get your shot? They used Moderna in the nursing homes here, but my mother got Pfizer two weeks ago, with a booster due in April. She did not have a sore arm, but felt a bit tired/fatigued on the 3rd post day. I have read of people having more reactions after the second shot, although not common. I just want a shot of any kind before the variants get worse – the health unit here said the variants are already 50% of our community spread. The Skinny Syrup is a clear syrup so it doesn’t give you a creamer effect, just adds flavor and (artificial) sweetness. I’ll have to look at the bottle ingredients when I go to mom’s. There are so many flavours I don’t know how you would decide….
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The AZ vaccine has been all over our news as a potential fourth vaccine. I thought it was approved already, but I guess that will be very shortly. I would try to get that one if you can Joni. I go tomorrow and then it looks like four weeks later, I thought three weeks – I’ll see what they say … that second dose would be the day after my dentist appointment, but I should be pretty covered by the four weeks’ time. That’s good there were no big side effects for your mom. I hope they roll out soon for you and I am worried about the variants since they aren’t in this Moderna vaccine, so I will stay masked up with a double mask in the store when I’m done with the second one as we have another surge. Amazon does have the Skinny Syrup and people gave it good reviews except for the multi-pack which did not have variety, so I think I’d need to get single ones. I’ll let you know about the shot. We have a rainy week ahead – only rain-free day is next Saturday. I did walk a lot the last week or so while it was clear.
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Mom’s 2nd dose is 5 weeks after the first, but anyone else younger than 90 or not in a nursing home it is 4 months later for the second dose, including the over 80 group they are just starting. So they are booking the follow up appt. in July. Not sure I agree with that much spacing, but it was a government decision as we don’t have enough vaccine. Tonight on the National news they said Ont. is only getting half of the Moderna supply they expected this week and we won’t get any Astra until April…..very frustrating. Lots of variants here too, and we are in 3rd wave already due to the variants and they can’t vaccinate fast enough. When mom went, they only had 8 immunizing stations, and were spacing the appointments 15mins apart, so only did 180 people that day and we’ve yet to open a larger area to do mass groups. Pharmacies here have no stock either, except for some in the Toronto and Windsor area which got a small supply, probably gone now. I’m beginning to regret cancelling my dentist and eye appointments back in Feb, as it’s worse now. Sat outside and read a book this afternoon for an hour – the sun was strong – first time this year for sitting on the deck.
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That’s interesting how they are doing your spacing of the shots Joni. I thought I read or heard that the U.S. was going to have a surplus after the 100 million shots ordered a few weeks ago and would share with Canada and Mexico – I hope that happens to you. Four months is a long period of time between shots and my friend Ilene mentioned that to me as well. She is refusing to get the shot (any of them) but did not state why. They are opening the mass vaccination clinic in Detroit at Ford Field, the indoor stadium where the Detroit Lions play – that is tomorrow. They had a soft opening today with about 1,200 people and they were aiming for 6,000 shots administered daily by Air Force medics, but have now said for now it will be 5,000 daily shots. My shot went smoothly – had to fill out a short questionnaire and they did not take my temperature which surprised me. The questionnaire asked if you felt sick. I got the shot, had to wait 15 minutes and was free to go. My follow-up shot is four weeks from today, the day after my dentist appointment. Glad for that in case of any side effects – they say the side effects are worse for the second shot as to nausea or flu-like symptoms. I am now glad I didn’t cancel my dentist, but I am not totally covered until four weeks after the second dose and we also have a surge here too. And Moderna does not cover the variants. So I could still move my dentist appointment – wavering on it. I can’t get an allergy shot until four weeks after the last shot, so not til May 18th. I am going to mask up anyway, even during my walks as last year the allergist closed for two months and I never sneezed as I wore the mask and took OTC Alavert for allergies. My lens fell out of my glasses as they cut it too small and they have to send it out for re-cutting … been gone a month and still no glasses. They were brand-new glasses so I’m irritated with it as they are the ones I wear outside/driving as they are tinted and I’m wearing a pair with a old prescription now.
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Yes, Biden said he was giving Canada 1.5million Astra and 2.5million to Mexico, but we’ve yet to see any, and now won’t until April sometime according to Doug Ford. Not sure what the holdup is. We got some Astra Zeneca in with short dating which expired April 2, but I think it came from India. It’s frustrating having to wait. I’m glad your shot went well, and you will get your second shot soon. Even if it doesn’t cover the variants, it’s still some level of protection. I’d take any kind at this point. I think there may be a lot of people like Ilene but I don’t understand it – maybe they don’t care if they die. I know they have not done all the over 80’s here in Ont. as 200,000 of them can’t get to the clinics, so Ford said??? So he’s going to spend 400million getting the vaccine to them? There may be some, who can’t take a taxi, but really, is it just an excuse for not wanting to. One neighbour said she was checking with her doctor first? Another is afraid of a reaction. People have such strange reasons.
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I would be frustrated if I were you Joni. Now they were casting doubt on AstraZeneca’s track record yesterday. Ilene wrote me an e-mail today and said her family doctor has access to COVID shots and will be giving them to all his patients – she declined. She never got a flu shot in the Fall (which she usually does). She has family members from her extended family over at her house every day – they all stop to ensure she is okay, plus she goes to on-site church services every Sunday, so she is interacting with people, unlike me. I don’t get it. I do understand people being worried that they were rushed thru but all the health experts are saying to look at the big picture – you take a shot and take your chances or you take a chance you die from COVID. Our cases are spiking and every day they are closing schools after just reopening them a short time ago. People are still adamant they just plain don’t want the shots now or ever. Now, here is something strange happened to me … no side effects, except the sore arm, but I had that from the pneumonia shots as they go in the muscle – do flu shots go in the muscle? They never hurt. My arm is still sore, but that’s fine. It’s worth it. But I asked the pharmacist yesterday if I could get my allergy shots in between yesterday’s shot and April 20th when I get my next shot. He said don’t get a shot until four weeks after your last shot. So that would be May 18th. I e-mailed the office manager at the allergist office to advise that I would not be coming back until then and not to close me out as a patient (I have not gone since November 23rd and am supposed to go once a month and told the pharmacist that as it may make a difference in his answer. Also, one of the questions they ask is if you have had a vaccine of any type in the last 14 days. I handed in my form and said I get allergy injections and not had once since November 23rd, so she noted it on the form.). So this is what the allergist office says and this is my bad time of year as I have Spring allergies. I’m on OTC Alavert which I put myself on last week as there is tree pollen per “The Pollen Report” and my occasional sneezing, even in the house. This was her answer:
“Dr. Saad recommends only 24 hrs between the Covid vaccine and an allergy injection. There is miss information happening out there.. allergy injections are not a vaccine, therefore there is no wait period. If you are more comfortable waiting due to the Covid vaccine, that is perfectly fine, but you can get your allergy injection 24 hours before or after the Covid vaccine.”
I still think I won’t go … when I return, I’ll have to go to the allergist two weeks in a row, but I’ll do that rather than taking chances … I know an injection is not a vaccine, but not taking a chance on anything, misinformation or not.
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Yes flu shots go in the muscle too, but I find some years my arm hurts and sometimes it doesn’t, depending on how much they have changed the strains – there are usually 3 or 4 flu strains in a flu shot. Mom said her arm was a bit sore, but not a lot. More reactions after the second dose. Best to do whatever you’re comfortable with re allergy shots Linda. Tonight I got an email from Shoppers (big pharmacy chain like CVS) saying anyone over 60 could preregister and they would contact you for an appointment when vaccine was available so I filled out the online form….not holding my breath though. Tonight on the news they said the European Union and India may both hold back exported shipments as they try to meet their own increased demand. Got groceries today, it wasn’t too crowded, as everyone was out enjoying the nice weather. I double-masked and went late afternoon.
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You know I thought the flu shot went into the muscle … I always figured it was the person giving the shot and that was why, so I learned something. The allergy shots never bother me – I’ve had them so many years that I’m used to them. I believe they are sub-cutaneous shots and that is why … I’m repeating what the pharmacist told me when I got my first pneumonia shot. That is frustrating for you. Good you are on a list of some type though. I got groceries when I went to Meijer … it felt like a brand-new experience again. I will just go on a week day too … we have senior days two days a week (Tues/Thur), healthcare workers two days a week (Mon/Wed) and that is from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. and rest of the week anyone can go in those time slots. I was triple-masked as I was going to the pharmacy – pictured someone sicker than a dog coming to get meds. But the paper mask against my face slipped down causing the other masks to fall down … didn’t want to touch my face. Sigh. I don’t think I will go to the allergist … I’m sure they are right, they are not vaccines, but I’m leery.
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Sometimes it does depend on technique whether you feel it or not when the needle goes in, how experienced the person it, and how fine the needle is, and how much volume is given. When mom had the Pfizer shot the volume was only 0.3ml, a very small amount, so over in no time. Posted, now going to bed. Good night Linda!
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I did beat you to bed, not by much, but have been trying nodding off all day – very boring day at work. I have been trying for 7 hours of sleep a night and done pretty good, but last night I was later. It was a beautiful morning and got 4 miles walked and picked up my taxes. Tomorrow will be crummy. I Googled around and the allergist may be right. I think the pharmacist thought it was a vaccine I got, (but I said the word “shots”). I went on the website for allergists They say a different story, I will send the link separately – it may go to SPAM as it is a link; in the first paragraph is all you need to read.
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Most pharmacists may not know much about allergy shots as it’s not something they would see/dispense, (including myself) and he was probably just thinking they both involved the immune system, so I would listen to your allergist, and do what you feel comfortable with. I don’t know that much about the new mRNA shots, as it’s a new technology. I read an interesting article a few months back with in-depth science information, on all four types but can’t find it. It was from a US newspaper. Usually I save stuff like that in my COVID files. After I shut the computer off last night I thought about you spacing them out, as I do know some people who had a reaction to the second shot and you wouldn’t want to have an appointment booked the next day if you were feeling unwell. I think one of the bloggers I follow said she crashed and slept for 12 hrs after the second shot. A neighbour was fine with the first, but had a fever and felt awful after the second one. It lasted about a day. So that’s something to think about too.
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I agree with you and as I said, after researching a little yesterday and the American Academy of Allergy and Immunology said it was okay and a fellow blogger has mentioned her husband going for allergy shots, I asked her yesterday if John had to suspend them. I knew both of them had had their second shot already, so asked if he stopped at all – she said no and he went for his weekly shot like usual. So I booked an appointment. It used to be drop-in which I liked better and hope they return to that after COVID stats stabilize (not likely soon). I told the receptionist I had not been there since November 23rd, but had told them I was not coming during the Winter since my allergies are predominantly Spring allergies and I wasn’t going to risk getting COVID to get a shot since they were closed two months (except emergencies and testing) at the onset of the pandemic. So, she put me on hold and checked with one of the nurses or PAs who administers the shots. She said they have a women who comes in every Wednesday to bring the serum and she will have to dilute the serum they have on hand for me. If I never mentioned this, I have to get new serum every 16 visits. It is $150.00 for each container and I get two containers as I get shots in each arm. So, I was on maintenance phase which is every four weeks … I knew suspending my shots would cause me to have to come two weeks in a row. So I don’t know if that still happens or not. Diluting my serum was interesting. And, I wanted to wait until after April 1st which is when I go on Medicare – you start the first day of the month you turn 65. So the earliest I can get it is Tuesday, April 6th due to many people booking due to Spring allergies. The pollen count is already high and we’ve had a lot of windy days. My arm where I got the shot finally feels better, not entirely, but can reach up above my head again. I can deal with that but am not looking forward to the nausea, chills and flu-like symptoms they say you get and like your neighbor experienced.
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The allergy shots sound complicated Linda, the diluting and all that. The only allergy shots we ever dispensed was the ragweed one, and that was seldom, and we just ordered it in for the patient. Not everyone gets those reactions after the second shot….I’ve only heard of two people so far.
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I’ve never heard of diluting the serum to be honest Joni. Usually, if you are late a week or so for your regular shots, you have to go two weeks in a row. I only did that once and it was because I went on a Monday and the following Monday was a long weekend. I have been on maintenance, which is every four weeks, for a while. I was surprised about the diluting the shots. They are $150.00 for a shot for EACH and I have to get new serum every 16 weeks. Each shot has different “ingredients” in it. I hope Medicare does a better share of the $300.00 serum payment than Total Healthcare did.
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Here is the link in the first paragraph Joni. Our cases, recently stabilized have risen 800 percent (not a typo … 800 percent) and second in the nation, just behind NY.
https://education.aaaai.org/resources-for-a-i-clinicians/immunotherapy-qa_COVID-19
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800% is crazy! We are bad here too in my county. We’re the only area in the same category as Toronto and Peel/Mississauga, and the mayor was on the phone to Doug Ford – the Ont. premier about why aren’t we getting more vaccine here when our stats are so high. I have one more errand to do tomorrow, then that’s it for the next two weeks, except picking up income tax. News tonight said a delay in 600,00 doses delivery postponed until end of next week. We are at the mercy of the supply chain. Also heard tonight they may be reversing the 4 month rule for seniors second dose as data show it’s not as effective – which to me is basic common sense for that age group, esp anyone over 80! I hope they don’t cancel mom’s second apptment in April.
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Hopefully reversing the four-month rule means giving the follow-up vaccine quicker?! I hope so. Today they said we are fifth in the nation for cases. We had 5,030 new cases and 20 deaths today alone … yes, the 800% is scary isn’t it? We are the highest stats since December 1st. Today, the street reporter was at the airport interviewing people going away on Spring Break … these were not high school or college students on Spring Break, it was families taking their kids as they “simply had to get away” … you and I go on errands, double or triple masked up and hope we come home unscathed by COVID. My boss’ wife has been in Florida on vacation since the end of February, a few weeks after her second COVID shot. I sure hope they get it together with the shots for Ontario. Thank goodness your supply chain is not affected by the container ship … it’s a wonder, but they are saying that a lot of products are going to be going off shelves since the container ship is stuck and other supply ships must take a long, almost two-week journey now, so their supplies will be late getting to our ports. What a mess.
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Finished two episodes and hopped onto the news site to see what I’ve missed. This did not make my day … sigh.
https://www.radio.com/wwjnewsradio/news/coronavirus-vaccines-could-protect-for-7-9-months-va-study?utm_campaign=sharebutton&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_term=WWJAM
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Well that’s depressing. Equally depressing is tonight I heard that the Brazil variant has shown up in Vancouver B.C. in larger numbers, and the vaccines don’t work well against that variant. I don’t see us climbing out of this anytime soon.
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Yes, it is depressing. I know they said we may need a booster, but I was thinking of a booster like the TDAP which I just got again a few years ago. That’s what I thought the booster might be – even next year, but to say it’s only lasting that long. Now for sure I wish I had the J&J shot as it covers the variants. But we were also cautioned to just take what you could get into your arm ASAP. Not good to hear of all the variants circulating in Vancouver, B.C. and that’s a big tourist spot too. People here on their Spring Break adventure. What they are doing in Miami Beach and having curfews for those college/high school kids on Spring Break. These kids are our future – pretty bleak to me. I don’t see us climbing out anytime soon either. Ilene has written she may get the nasal spray. She said:
“They say Canada has developed a new nasal spray which is supposed to deal with COVID. It might be worthwhile looking into. They say to spray in the morning and at night each day – the bottle is supposed to last for one month.”
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Here’s a link to the nasal spray, which contains nitric oxide, a disinfectant. It was my understanding that you just used it when you tested positive or thought you might be coming down with it, not for prevention, although they may be doing trials on that. Not sure where she gets her information, but doesn’t match what I read/heard. https://bc.ctvnews.ca/b-c-biotech-company-seeks-emergency-approval-for-covid-19-nasal-spray-treatment-1.5348503
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That was interesting – I guess she misunderstood as she was looking at it as a preventitive measure only and in lieu of the shot. I don’t understand her reluctance and as a twice cancer survivor, I would think she would not want to take chances. I heard a health expert say that stress compromises your immune system so much that after the administration of the shot as well as on the day of the shot, stress could keep you from reaping the full benefits of the vaccine. She said people are worried about the vaccine the day of receiving it is not beneficial. I thought that was interesting … I was surprised. She stressed getting lots of sleep. I’ve been trying to get to bed at 10:00 p.m..
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It’s 10:30 – hope you went to bed!
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I could not stream in – I was happy that I was able to watch it for maybe 8 minutes, then it asked for my cable provider’s logon info.
I am sure it will be available on their website.
I was a little later and I have to try even harder to get 7 hours of sleep nightly. Not easy with Doberman on the corner who is put outside at 11:00 nightly and it barks then. I need to get some safe earplugs.
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I pulled it up on the CNN sight, and there was a play by play written commentary with a few short video clips, but I went to bed too. I think they were all being very tactful.
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I think that is what I saw too – if nothing else is available as a podcast, or on YouTube, I will just settle for that. They were tactful … imagine if you lost a loved one and heard that 400,000 lives could have been saved if action had been taken at the onset of the pandemic. Why the pandemic team, protocol was abandoned at the beginning of the Trump administration was a mystery to many.
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I think Trump was trying to destroy anything that Obama had put together out of spite and jealousy, including the pandemic plan, and he just didn’t believe in science and take it seriously enough, and then it was too late to admit he made a mistake, so he just continued in denial. His coming out now and telling people to get the vaccine now is a joke.
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I thought it was something that a month after he left office, the media discovered he got a shot, after his followers said “I don’t need a shot – it’s just like a cold.” I told you about the woman in the Park, the Trumper, who insisted that there was something similar to a microchip like you get for pets, so people (government) could track your movements. He was/is a petty man.
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I guess Astra Zeneca is trialing their vaccine in a nasal spray too, but a preliminary trial with only 30 people. We had a flu shot administered as a nasal spray here in Canada a few years ago, but it was seldom used, more for people who don’t like needled.
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I think with all the variants swirling around, they’re going to have to have a Plan B. I follow Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the Chief Medical Executive for our State and she is actually an E.R. doc and this is what she posted today. A little unsettling:
“Worked in ER last night. More COVID, stark contrast to a month ago. Younger people CAN get sick and be hospitalized or spread to more vulnerable. Michigan: #MaskUp, get tested, avoid indoor maskless venues, get your #CovidVaccine ASAP. Iām very concerned.”
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I’ve heard that from several sources now, including our ICU – younger people on vents.
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Yes, here because they started sports back up (high school and college) and I was a little amazed about a band of mothers of athletes who gathered en masse at the Capital building here in Michigan to protest that there were no high school sports. I “get” that some kids were hoping for sports scholarships to college but in a pandemic you want your kids in sports? And, not only did they start sports back up, but school started up as well. Then they shut some schools down for a extra week after Easter due to the need to quarantine. The kids down at Florida were getting curfews while on Spring break as they were gathering in groups with not a clear spot on the beach to be had.
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https://news.yahoo.com/trial-study-delivering-astrazeneca-covid-133817971.html
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That’s promising that they will start as early as next week. I was just floored when I heard that the vaccine may not be good after 7-9 months. When I looked on CNN earlier to see if I could stream that show at 9:00 p.m., it was a banner headline, so I guess quite a coup to interview these docs who will tell all and how they were forced to tamp down the seriousness of the pandemic as to here. All of the docs except Fauci are no longer in those former positions. While on CNN, one of the top stories was Michigan’s top surge. People are worried we’ll go into a quasi-lockdown again. The Governor says “no” and no rollback to rigid restrictions. She has been doing a good job – I hope that the fact she is up for re-election next year and worries she is too strict and loses votes does not change what happens the rest of this pandemic.
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I’m sure there will be a recap of the CNN show tomorrow. I don’t think an Astra nasal spray will be any big news, as I recall the flu shot in nasal format wasn’t as effective, in some studies and I think they may even have discontinued it this year in Canada, as it was such a small market share. It was called FluMist, but I don’t remember ever dispensing it.
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I think so too – I will look again tomorrow. I have looked a couple of times, otherwise I’ll just look at the recap which looks pretty comprehensive. I remember that FluMist … I don’t remember ever having a choice, but I’m used to getting shots due to my allergy shots, so I would not have asked, but when I was a kid I hated shots. My pediatrician was a British, stiff-upper-lip-kind-of-guy. No nonsense and almost gagged me every time he did the tongue depressor and if I got antsy when he was about to give me a shot, he told me to sit down and calm down.
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PS. I hope you enjoyed your tv show!
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I am enjoying it and there are lot of Amazon Prime movies they are making which sound good so I’ve been jotting them down to watch after Mad Men. I only watch the two episodes every Friday night so it will be a while until I see them. I am halfway through Season 4 and there are 7 seasons. I will hate to see it end. Alot of the products that they are doing the advertising for are products that I can remember the ads (Life cereal, Vicks cough drops/medicine, Jantzen bathing suits and Samsonite luggage). There was an interview yesterday I was listening to about a biographical movie called “Conviction” about a young man, Jeffrey Deskovic, who, at 16 years old was convicted of the rape and murder of Angela Correa, a 15 year old high school classmate. He becomes a lawyer and ultimately proves his innocence. There was a similar movie by the same name but not related to this one.
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Ah, Dublin. We were there several years ago too. I bought a sweater with a look very much like your afghans, just off of Grafton Street near Trinity College. My wife bought a gold necklace with a St. Brigid’s cross (her namesake) in that one indoor mall (can’t think of the name). We stayed in a beautiful B&B just off of Grafton. So many quaint pubs and restaurants in that neighborhood, and of course tranquil St. Stephen’s Green. We will go back again, just as soon as the world gets travelling again.
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I have similar memories Dave…..Grafton St. was a great shopping mecca. I had a nice B&B, although it had 5 levels off to it, just off Grafton but close enough to it to walk everywhere, but my last few days after the circle tour, I stayed at a ritzy hotel on the main drag, which had plenty of hot water and heat!
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Happy belated St Patrick Day! Super photos!
We had a wonderful trip to Ireland years ago. Beautiful countryside and some of the warmest people weāve ever met,
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Thanks Annie! Everyone seems to enjoy Ireland, although I would go in the spring next time. I could put up with the rain but not the cold, and no central heating in many of the B&B’s, hence the sweaters.
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I’ve come to your blog several days late – I was too busy celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, I guess. Great pictures. With the weather we’re having this weekend, it won’t be long until you have daffodils in your vase. Cheers!
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Thanks Arlene! Spring is on it’s way!
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My father was full-blooded Irish so I carry plenty of it within my own veins. I have never made it there, though Marianne went with her family before we met. She has some Irish background too, which may explain our ironclad tradition of corned beef with boiled cabbage and potatoes every St. Patrick’s day.
Those sweaters look so comfy and inviting.
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Corned beef and cabbage – yuck! I’ve no use for the stuff. Those sweaters were warm – I wore them the whole three weeks I was there, and as I recently unearthed them from basement storage they may get worn this spring too, maybe for the snow on Thursday!
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