I am Now Fully-Vaccinated - Thank You Walgreens for Your Efficiency

 It took many attempts to get an appointment, but I finally succeeded at the end of February.  I thought I would get an appointment at Citi Field which is a mega site, but I got my two appointments at Walgreens.  My first appointment for the Moderna vaccine was at the Walgreens in downtown Flushing which is a 20-minute walk for me.  I arrived at 2 PM and got my shot at 2:25 as my appointment was for 2:30.  The only problem was that I had a slight fever for a few hours the next day.

My second dose was scheduled for today at 2:30 at Walgreens in College Point which was a 10-minute drive away.  I received my shot at 2:20 PM.  I must admire Walgreens for its efficiency.

I have read that if 70-90% of the population is vaccinated there will be herd immunity.  Hopefully, this will mean a return to normalcy with everything open at full capacity with no masks or social distancing.  Unfortunately, there is a group called Anti-Vaxxers who refuse to be vaccinated.  Hopefully, they are a very tiny minority.

Just Like Old Times - Problems on the #7 Train Changed My Plans for the Day

 

Today at about 11 AM there was a track fire at

103rd Street on the #7 Line

I still have a blog https://nynjcommuting.wordpress.com/ where I documented my horrors commuting from Flushing to Newark.  I stopped adding to that blog when I retired at the end of 2017.  

Anyway, today I thought I need some diversion and wanted to walk along the Highline on the west side of Manhattan as I have done several times in the past.  I left home at about 10:30 and walked to the Main Street station of the #7 line.  The train proceeded to the 111th Street station where it stopped.  After 10 minutes the conductor announced there was a track fire at 103rd Street.  He suggested that passengers wanting to go the Manhattan should backtrack and take a westbound train at Willets Point which would bypass the track fire.  I didn't want any further aggravation so I decided to return home.  I could return to the Highline on another day.

I spent some time cleaning out the apartment.  Oh well.

Every Day Should be Unwrapped Like a Precious Gift

 

Harry Harrison must have said "Every Day Should be Unwrapped Like a Precious Gift" thousands of times during his career as a radio personality.  This quote has meant more to me since Karen passed away at age 65,  I am 6 years older than her and always thought she would outlive me, but that didn't happen.  I have a precious gift as I awaken in the morning while Karen does not.  I have thought of some acquaintances who passed away at younger ages:

• Patrick H - 30
• Jack D - 46
• Barry L - 46
• Veronica C - 50
• Estelle D - 50
• Dana K - 53
• Dan G - 60
• Mike F - 60
• Alan B -61

May they all rest in peace.

I Suggest that my Readers Listen to the Acoustic Storm, a syndicated Radio Show

 

Here is a description of the Acoustic Storm taken from their website:

"The Acoustic Storm is an internationally syndicated radio program, featuring the best variety of acoustic-based rock. With an emphasis on acoustic guitar-driven songs, Audrey Parets presents the full spectrum of acoustic rock, including rarely heard “unplugged” versions of classic tunes in their purest form."

Very often you will hear acoustic versions of classic rock songs.  I actually discovered the show several months by accident as Pirate Radio from Key West, Florida added it after dropping another syndicated show.  It is not heard on any terrestrial stations in NYC, but there is a list of stations that carry it.

I think it would be a good fit for WFUV to air it on weekends.

There Have Been Enough Mass Shootings - It is Time to Repeal the Second Amendment to the Constitution

 

I usually don't like to comment on controversial issues, but after hearing about the mass shooting in Boulder, Colorado something drastic needs to be done.  There are too many "gun nuts" out there who think that everyone has the right to bear arms.  There are just too many conservative thinkers in our government who would do everything to preserve the Second Amendment to the Constitution that gives everyone the right to bear arms.  This document was written over 200 years ago as so much has changed.  I suggest you read this article by David S. Cohen, Professor of Law at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Drexel University.

Random Thoughts of the Day

Just for the heck of it I looked at the website for Parents without Partners.  I sent an email asking for more information.  Someone responded that the local chapter is not active now.  I must assume that the pandemic has precluded them from face-to-face meetings.  Perhaps I'll try again when things return to normal.

I spend more time these days doing errands.  I have to do things that Karen used to do.

My local bank said that to convert joint accounts to solo accounts I would have to close those accounts and open up new ones.  The bank officer suggested I wait for 6 months.

 

Lord Protect My Child - A Bob Dylan Song That Is Now Meaningful to Me

 

Susan Tedeschi performed Lord Protect My Child at Farm Aid in 2005.  I could not find the Bob Dylan version on YouTube (I checked on April 11, 2026, and found the Bob Dylan version.  See below)

On the March 21 show of Definitely Dylan Laura Tenschert discussed the sessions for the album Infidels that was released in 1983.  She played Lord Protect My Child that was recorded during those session but did appear on a CD until the Bootleg Series, Vol 1-3: Rare & Unreleased 1961-1991 (1991).  This song has taken on significance for me.

Lord Protect My Child

WRITTEN BY: BOB DYLAN

For his age, he’s wise

He’s got his mother’s eyes

There’s gladness in his heart

He’s young and he’s wild

My only prayer is, if I can’t be there

Lord, protect my child

As his youth now unfolds

He is centuries old

Just to see him at play makes me smile

No matter what happens to me

No matter what my destiny

Lord, protect my child

The whole world is asleep

You can look at it and weep

Few things you find are worthwhile

And though I don’t ask for much

No material things to touch

Lord, protect my child

He’s young and on fire

Full of hope and desire

In a world that’s been raped and defiled

If I fall along the way

And can’t see another day

Lord, protect my child

There’ll be a time I hear tell

When all will be well

When God and man will be reconciled

But until men lose their chains

And righteousness reigns

Lord, protect my child

Copyright © 1983 by Special Rider Music