An unseasonably warm, moisture-saturated day today, we awoke to heavy mist with the lightest of sprinkles settling over every surface after a dawn rain. Light though the fall of minuscule drops were, as we drove out to do our weekly shopping, we needed the windshield wipers to clear away the mirage of a landscape dimmed by misty rain. When we left the supermarket the sun made a brief appearance, then acceded to gathering clouds.

 

 

Checking my email after breakfast there was a notification from the health clinic that our family doctor works out of, informing us that they had received this season's flu vaccine, and we would be well advised to make an appointment for vaccination. When Irving called, he was informed that the special 'super' flu vaccine mean for the elderly, the infirm, the immunity-compromised or people with chronic illnesses was not available. 

 

It was in short supply, the receptionist explained, difficult to come by, and they had not received any of it for their patients who fell into the category of those for whom it is recommended. The generic vaccine for flu would have to do. The next call Irving made was to our pharmacy, and yes, they certainly had the super flu vaccine and would make it available to anyone over age 65 or vulnerable to the virus because of a medical condition, on appointment.

 

Appointments must however, be made online. So don't ask how long it took for me to make those appointments. Where our doctor's office could offer nothing before the second week of November, the pharmacy could give us an appointment as soon as we'd like to come in. After of course going through the lengthy rigamarole of filling out an application and questionnaire online. We chose tomorrow at 1:10 p.m. After completing the necessary forms which took an interminable period of irritating time, we were informed through the app that someone had just taken that time slot. 

So, a repeat of part of the scheduling was undertaken by an increasingly annoyed me, and we were confirmed for 30 minutes later in the day. An email confirmed the appointment at our location of choice at the time that was most convenient for us. The pharmacy, at the same time offered the convenience of the upgraded bivalant Omicron shot for COVID, should we be interested. But we won't qualify until the second week of November, so we left that for another time. 

 

 

So much for general practitioners whose practice in the last several decades has become increasingly degraded in the types of health and medical services other than prescriptions for various types of tests and appointments with medical specialists, in comparison to what a family doctor once was accustomed to offering patients.

 

Annoyance set aside, we went off to the ravine on this warm, humid day. Where vanishing few leaves are left on the branches of deciduous trees of the forest canopy. Seeming to go in an instant from a glowing mass of bright shades of fall colour, to a sternly sere landscape of grey and black. 

A delightful landscape turned all too soon to 'bleh'! Not that Jackie and Jillie notice. Their attention is taken primarily by enticing odours that inform them plentifully of things that occur we have no knowledge of whatever. That, and the smell of approaching friends and/or strangers. All of whom merit a sharp volley of barks. High-pitched barks that can resonate with either 'Hi there, pals!', or 'What're you doing in OUR  ravine'?!