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  2021-02-28T10:55

  No shots for you!

  This picture shows what I get when I try to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination through the Arizona Department of Health Services website. I'm basically out of luck for the time being. It is good that a vaccine is available now and the end of the pandemic is in sight, but the process is frustrating. While I understand that our state agency had to develop their website in a short time, they've known for months that vaccines were on the way. Their site is needlessly complex, buggy, and non-informative. I initially got hung up on a page that required me to enter my health insurance information; it took several tries and a few phone calls to figure out exactly what I needed to enter in each of the fields. Once I get through, I can't find an open appointment. There is no indication on the webpage, but it seems that the system returns no open appointments for me because I am not yet eligible. My mother who is more than 75 years old has managed to get an appointment and get her first shot. I'm concerned that many other people, particularly the elderly who need the vaccination more than others, will not get access to them because they will not be able to navigate through the website. I have read a number of media reports about this. It seems like poor planning to set up a process that relies on individuals to use the internet without offering an alternative.
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  2020-04-22

  Finally Getting to that 1,000-piece Jigsaw Puzzle of the Battle of Trafalgar

  Now that we are well into our second month of social distancing and isolation at home, we need to look for new ways to amuse ourselves during down-times. I'm getting tired of television programming and streamed videos. In our household, we've found that working on a jigsaw puzzle is a good way to relax for a few minutes between work, chores and other activities. I got this puzzle for Christmas a year or two ago, and it was forgotten in a closet until I discovered it and put it to use the other day.
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  04/14/2020

  Kids' Coronavirus Driveway Art

  With the stay-at-home order and school closures in effect, we see more children and youth playing outside. A popular activity in our neighborhood in South Tempe is to make chalk drawings on driveways. At this house, the kids chalked out their message to stay home and stay safe (along with an Easter egg).
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  2020-04-06

  Gone Fishin'

  Fishing continues at the lake at Kiwanis Park in Tempe, Arizona about midday on Monday, April 6, 2020.
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  2020-03-26

  Golfing Lives On

  Residents of Tempe, Arizona continue to enjoy golfing at the Ken McDonald municipal golf course during the pandemic.