A Hero and

Now that my uninvited guest Covid has seemingly fled into the night seeking another victim, I have recovered sufficiently to reexamine my reactions to the attack.

I refuse to bore you with most of them. Yet one stands out clearly and I feel it imperative to make a public confession.

When I was too ill to make contact verbally with those who matter in my life, family, friends and fellow pilgrims, I reached out for another source of comfort, an unlikely hero.

This habit has throughout life provided momentary retreat from most things I cannot conquer and thus fear. I believe it began in a darkened movie theatre early in adolescence, That was when I met my first heroes, Jimmy Cagney and Humphrey Bogart.

Both gentlemen helped me to forget fear without providing any answers. Then they quickly retreated behind a darkened screen until again I sought help. That happened in later years when I found myself alone.

Both Jimmy and Humphrey were no longer available but I have recently found an able substitute.

His name is Jack Frost, and like my earlier heroes could never be described as a matinee idol.

Jack is borderline disheveled and not very tall.

He is always courteous, but totally self absorbed. Yet for the 8 days of Covid and the 10 days of recuperation that followed, he was constantly by my side.

Inspector Frost never left although I worried he would run out of time. However, now twelve days later he still shares my small residence.

He is an easy visitor. The good man arrives when I call and departs when I weary of listening to his adventures.

Now that I am feeling better I wondered how long I could expect his visits.

When I checked his itinerary, I learned Inspector Frost (who won BAFTA) is currently available for 15 seasons on Britbox.

Oh dear Jack, I am sorry to be so blunt, but I think perhaps it is time to take a brief hiatus from our time together.

15 seasons are far too many for me to even consider.