My state is now at about 20% of the population vaccinated with at least one dose! I’m now among the fully vaccinated. Poor Loved-One, he’s in the group of men most likely to die from COVID-19 (over 50,) yet in almost the last group to be eligible for vaccination.
My county has called in the National Guard to help get jabs into people’s arms.
Here’s a link to the tool developed by professors at Georgia Tech. Maybe it will help in your decision-making.
Chapter 40
My progress on May His Tribe Increase is floundering. Eldie and his brothers are so upbeat, I’m having a hard time keeping up with them.
I’m doing some technical writing for a pharmaceutical company and I’m helping two fun guys write their memoir. I wonder if I’ll get some time to paint the bathroom.
If you’re here for the first time, and you’re interested in starting at Chapter 1 of Rays of Hope, click here.
“When will we see Taedan again?” Ray and Marla are back in their apartment.
It seems so dark and quiet without the brightness of Taedan’s atrium and without the muted conversation of Trumble and Marla. As much as she resents their closeness and secrets, without Trumble, there’s almost too much space between her and Marla.
“Your father gave us work to do.”
Ray rolls Marla’s words around in her head and lets the “f” in “father” tickle against her teeth. She sighs through whistle-tight lips. It’s easier for her to think of Taedan as connected to her mother than it is to think of him connected to herself. Maybe it’s because her mother is a memory of a memory and today is real.
“Do your chores.” Marla says as she shaves pencil tips into a sharp point and tucks them into her satchel. “Today, you can add cleaning up the breakfast dishes, while I finish my notes. That way we can get outside quicker.”
As Ray folds her blanket and slides her cot to one side, she begins to sing softly:
I love the Earth, it is our planet
I love the Earth, it is our home
I love the Earth, it is our planet
I love the Earth, it is our home
She decides to tidy up Marla’s area too, before she dances over to clean up their breakfast dishes.
Hi, I’m a baboon
I’m like a man, just less advanced and my butt is huge
Hey, I’m a zebra
No one knows what I do, but I look pretty cool
Am I white or black?
“Where’d you learn that song?” Marla’s head bobs as she joins Ray’s repeat of the chorus. The twinkle in her eye gives away the false disapproval in her scowl.
“Didn’t you teach it to me?”
“I must have,” says Marla. “How else would you learn it?”
Marla grins as her arms encircle Ray and the two of them dance together.
So what we got this land for? What we gotta stand for?
Love, and we love the Earth (The Earth)
Oh, yeah, baby, I love the Earth
I love this planet
The two of them are still singing as they snug up their Outsiders and leave the apartment with a satchel full of sample containers and notebooks tucked under their arms.
This outing promises no destination. This day is for observations. Ray’s chest expands with anticipation.
Thanks for coming along for the ride.
Good Gracious! Sunshine and promises sure lifted my spirits.
I hope you are enjoying Ray’s journey.
Until next Friday, when we’ll both learn more.
I liked the upbeat nature of Lil Dicky’s song. Wow! A lot of people helped with this video. I’m pretty sure Marla changed some of the lyrics when she taught it to Ray.
Reading is like food for the soul. u003cbru003eWriters like to eat biscuits, too.
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