Daffodils

Yesterday, one lone all yellow daffodil danced lazily on the soft summer breeze. Yes, it was so warm and amazing I was sure summer had come. Sugar, Drew and I started to take a walk, but the rain chased us off after a mere ten minutes.

Today, the whole perimeter of the building is laced with clumps of daffodils that have a deep orange center surrounded by a white lace bib. Tulip greens are shooting up and the bird song is tremendous.

I watched with intrepidation as the road crews took down all the (totally unnecessary) snow fences from along Elmgrove Road. I am almost afraid they will regret this move. That's just the kind of action to force us into a blizzard of frozen whiteness!

Everyone is talking about the jet stream being so out of joint that we are getting sun and warm while California is getting cold and snow. How unusual. For now, I will enjoy the beautiful flowers and birds and bask in the warmth of the sun. But I refuse to take off the snow tires until May.

A Not So Fond Farewell

My neighbor told me a week ago that they are moving. Said he found a nice townhouse over in Fairport that was better for them. I congratulated him on the upgrade. This makes the third neighbor in my side of the building that has moved out since I moved in - and there are only 5 units!

I never got to know the first downstairs people. They left within days of our moving in. Then the other downstairs people moved out. Now the neighbor across the hall. I felt a bit guilty that I had only gotten to know them on a surface level. Really I should have been more interested. I know the wife suffers with bad arthritis and bad health issues, and that the husband, an older skinny guy with long gray hair, smoked like a haystack.

Beyond learning their names (which took the better part of a year), I can't say as I really know much more about them. Imagine my surprise as I stopped to chat with our new downstairs neighbor who just had rotator cuff surgery. He told me they had been evicted and were being sued for money and all sorts of things I had no idea about. It practically made my hair stand on end. I am totally naive. And relieved that they moved out. Good grief.

Now I am trying to move beyond my selfish "Lord, send me fabulous new neighbors (or let the unit stay empty a long time)" to "Lord, send someone who needs a good neighbor and let me learn to be one." It is not an easy sell especially in light of what I just learned about the previous neighbor! We shall see.

Walking

Hooray! My friend is able to walk with me today. I hurry though my housework - dishes, laundry, dusting, scrubbing. I leave vacuuming the floors for Drew. I finish just in time, hook Sugar to her leash and head to HenPeck Park. The sun is glorious, the air warm and inviting without being searing. The mostly empty canal is oblivious to either weather or walkers, and there are many people out.

Most walkers are paired, a few single walkers sport dogs, and occasionally we encounter a threesome. My friend and I walk along impeded only by Sugar's ridiculous tendencies to sniff everything in sight, criss-crossing in front of us or lagging behind and entangling us in her leash. She whines to greet everyone we pass, especially the dogs. Bikers ring their bells to let us know they are passing. Two lone ducks float along beside us as we chat.

I remembered to wear a hat with a brim, but realize I should have slathered sun screen on my arms and neck. Imagine needing sun screen in mid-March! Today I manage to make it all the way to Manitou bridge before turning around. Still, I have to sit at the picnic tables that are almost back to the houses. It's not bad though. I still have energy to work this afternoon and my legs aren't giving me any complaints so far.

I could get used to this Saturday foray. I hope I do!