At the start of June, I took on a job doing some renovation and remodeling a beach house in Neskowin Oregon. After doing a few hours of work I started feeling sick and getting cold symptoms. I took a rapid test the next day and tested positive for covid. This was disappointing since I thought being vaccinated twice would help prevent severe covid symptoms. I spent the next 6 days in bed with full blown covid with continuous coughing and fever. My throat was so sore and swollen, it was almost impossible to swallow. It took all my strength to get over this sickness. I took a few days to recover and get back to work. I spent the next 3 weeks doing flooring, painting, foundation work, siding, and much more. I put in roughly 120 hours of hard manual labor. It took a toll on my body and my hands. It also to a toll on my musicianship. This was the longest break that I remember. As a professional musician, I have practiced almost every day. It felt like I lost three years of piano skills. My fingers are cut up and wrists are sore. I am not sure this work was worth it. I sometimes have to take on dirty low paying jobs to pay the bills. Despite my sickness and work schedule, I was able to get a few pictures of sunsets and local wildlife. I am hoping that one day I can focus on music and nature photography.
