There is one thing for sure that is not new and that is death. There! We’ve discussed that! Now we can move on to more enlivening conversation about what’s really new. Seriously though, how much needs to be said about death? How often must we be reminded of its inevitability, the impending precipice before which – as some would have it – we’re about to fall up or down. Certain of the commentary is at least tolerable, even comic; viz., one attributed to flamboyant Louisiana Governor (D) Edwin Washington Edwards several days before he died at age 93, “We each know that all this fun has to end at some point!” Not every allusion to death is quite so fervent. The utterances of the organized spiritualists for example abound in daemonic metaphor. At times death is personified in the most dreadful manner such as serpents, witches or horn-headed devils. Really!  I hardly see the necessity to make death more gruesome than it already is. The articulation becomes at times sadistic when some virtuously observe, “You’d think there’s no tomorrow!” as though until then the brakes should be applied. Or that living life wholeheartedly is somehow an abuse.

On the other hand I see considerable merit in dancing until the music stops. Certainly it’s all a vapid distraction until then but so what? What isn’t?  It contributes to life’s only other certainty; and that is, if we do what we like, then we’ll like what we do. Call it overt colouration of my Epicurean posture if you will; but otherwise I see no objection to its patent logic.

It is in this spirit of imminent regard that we’ve undertaken a peregrination unlike anything before. The novelty if I may call it that arises from the COVID-19 border crossing restrictions which continue to affect travel and availability at this late stage of planning for the upcoming winter season. The result has naturally been compromise of accommodation for lesser durations, the further consequence of which is perpetual motion and discovery. Nor is this at all undesirable. The vulgar truth about six-month sojourns is that they can soon translate into something closely resembling one’s previous domesticity.

We expect the border obstacle to be removed before the end of August. Until then we’re keeping our cards close to our chest primarily to avoid contractual obligation in the event of extended lock-down. We are of necessity open to alternatives.  Americans are now seemingly more devoted to travel within their own country which means lodgings are being scooped up quickly. Nonetheless the prospect of a Nomadic existence this season is oddly invigorating. As tarsome as it is to complain about six-month relocation, our frank admission is that seeing other resorts is strengthening.