Since I had no online classes to teach, I braved the never-ending rain shower and took advantage of a major chunk of free time I’m seldom afforded and happily slid from The Haasienda’s borders to the bus stop about 80 steps from my property to catch southbound No. 17.

My trail began with Elsa’s (on OH-48) for a delicious lunch, then back to my PNC branch at Town & Country, a stroll through Town & Country mall, and then across Shroyer Road to grab a few items from CVS and Kroger.

I’m still learning my way around and through this new world arrangement that I escaped for 14 months. While certain procedures are still somewhat foreign to me, I didn’t feel rushed or observed with any aggravation. Perhaps now that I appear to look more like a withered old man, no longer full-faced and fully-energized, folks took pity and allotted me my range of newbieness.

As I passed by Trader Joe’s, the gentleman associate stationed outside the entry way fielded several questions as I waited to pass around without appearing rude. One lady asked about the mask mandate and upon hearing the response, turned to those of us behind her with arms raised in victory and proclaimed she was not wearing a mask into the store. She looked directly at me as if wanting a response. I maintained a blank return stare, hoping she would simply move on. She did; however, I found the moment all too peculiar, slightly uncomfortable that she was expecting me to validate her moment of championship.

At Kroger, one man proudly boasted, upon entering the western passage where produce and flowers spread before you inanimate greeters, that he had never worn a mask into Kroger and was not waiting until the mask-freedom date established by Ohio’s governor. Again, another peculiar public display that seemed unwarranted.

With my business completed, I waited at the building’s corner beneath the shelter of the covered roof while waiting on the southbound No. 17 bus to arrive and deposit me across the street from my house, probably about 50 feet from my door.

I am back home, seated in my study. My four teaching companions are spread out across the room, napping. Erma is snoring.

My private teaching day begins at 3:00 PM and will end at 10:15 PM.

I started out with the intent of making it a great day and I’ve been on target, so far.