We weren’t expecting this. Last summer we expected things to be cancelled: school, sports, the Olympics, the Hollywood Bowl season, the Rose Parade. Now we’re approaching fall with caution and contingency plans. Yes, we plan to meet in person, the first email says. A few weeks later, it’s yes, but. . . maybe . . . no, not yet.

Throwing away the crystal ball has turned out to be unexpectedly liberating. When you admit you don’t know what’s coming next, you are free to speculate. And it looks like everybody is joining in the game.

Back in 1956 when my family was about to travel from Iran to India we had to get a series of shots. Some, like the series for plague, were new to me. Others, like cholera and tetanus, were booster shots. The first booster shot hurt more than I expected

Last Friday was my second pandemic birthday and I’m through making predictions. I’m not making any more travel reservations either. I’m taking a wait-and-see attitude on both.