Time MARCHes On!

The neighborhood is getting greener, more colorful, with longer days that seem brighter and clearer. It is stimulating to finally feel the freshness of Spring, and everyone is outside enjoying it. Of course, as with all good things, there are the drags. In our case, it is the pollen. It covers everything - outside furniture, cars, sidewalks, etc. There are even spots that look like someone has taken a handful and splashed it on the driveway. This has been going on for several weeks and I can tell by the pine trees in my backyard that it is not over yet.

(3/16/21) It was in the middle of this month that I realized I had done nothing about my taxes. So, the better part of the last two days was spent with that. This seems like something I should be able to do for myself, but I fear tackling it in the event I might do something terribly wrong! I can’t imagine that my taxes are that complicated! In any case, I have everything ready and this afternoon will deliver them to the CPA, mail my passport renewal, and stop by my bank to find out if they have notary services. This is one of those pet peeves: There are two phone numbers listed for my bank and both appear to be local numbers. One can’t be connected and the other connects you to what appears to be a central answering location, not my local bank. So, there is no real way to just quickly call the bank! You can hold forever or leave a call back number, which did not happen. That really doesn’t seem like good business practice to me.

Some good news from my friend Pamela, whom I mentioned a few posts ago. She is now in San Pancho, Mexico, which looks lovely (I Googled it!). She plans to be here at the end of August and it’s wonderful to have something to look forward to. I’m very eager to learn all about her adventure and how it developed. It sounds like a 5-year plan with about 8 months spent in Mexico and then traveling around the States or other parts of the Americas in her RV. I admit to being more than a little envious. There is nothing as energizing as a new adventure. Melodee, who also plans to visit in the fall, mentioned that a friend of hers is moving to La Paz, Mexico, so there much be a trend. 

Tippy came out on Monday (3/22/21) and we went to Ruan for lunch – we Thai-ed one on! They have set up their porch to accommodate several tables. We were the only ones there for most of our meal. When someone else came in, they were seated at the other end, away from us. It was a lovely day and a comfortable setting. Then, on Tuesday I went to Drinking Liberally for the first time in a long time in a restaurant (Chow Daddy’s). It, too, was at an outside area, but it was a long table with about 10-12 people. The person I sat beside said, “Come on. Sit down.  We’ve all been vaccinated!” That didn’t make me feel any better. Tom was kind enough to help me add another table and extend the distance a bit. I think it will take us a while to feel comfortable with close encounters with others.

With the change of season, it looks like Rosie is changing our morning routine. Beginning winter before last winter, I developed the slothful habit of getting up around 7:30 AM, grabbing a cup of coffee and then returning to bed to listen to Morning Joe while checking emails and FB. That often lasted much longer than it should because Rosie made no effort to get up either! This morning she hopped out of bed right after the alarm went off and while I was still contemplating the possibility. So, I got up, gave Rosie her medicine, had a cup of coffee, and Rosie appeared for her walk. So, we were out the door for an earlier than usual walk. It was a perfectly cool morning and Rosie actually walked briskly. Maybe the weather was her reason for wanting to get out so early. She doesn’t like warm/hot weather at all and summer is a struggle for us both. We’ll try to take advantage of these spring mornings while we can. They will fade all too soon.

My friend David, who sometimes comes over for some Rosie time, sent me this cartoon. Needless to say, I loved it and it's too close to the truth. Many people in the neighborhood know me via Rosie or as the lady who walks the little dog. She welcomes everyone and I'm just her loyal attendant!