For many years, my favorite season was fall. Now my favorite is spring, with warm breezes, longer days and the world turning green again. Tulips are lovely, the flowering trees are gorgeous. I had a nice dose a few weeks ago, with a day trip to New York City (which had an Earth Day parade) and since then much outdoor time today watching Steve put bricking along the front sidewalk and plant flowers. Alex, you showed me flowers and vegetables (including many pepper plants) that you got at Golomb's last week on an outing with Aunt Pam. We went for the first time yesterday, and as we drove down to the flats in Plains it seemed like stepping back in time about 50 years.
As an update, you are currently job hunting - after your contractor position at US Foods came to an end. In your spare time, you've been fishing with Taylor, painted Aunt Pam's back porch and yesterday called me to say you have COVID-19. Heavy sigh!! You seemed to have so many close calls with illnesses since the pandemic started, but only tested positive this time. Mild symptoms like head congestion and sore throat, let's hope it stays that way!!!! Taylor had it in January. Suspiciously, you had been at Mohegan Sun casino shortly before each of you came down with it - so think you likely got exposed there. All your aunts & uncles have now had it, but so far not Grammie or Grandad, Steve, Rob or I (that we know of at least). And no serious sickness or long-term consequences. Wisely, we are all fully vaccinated & boosted. You and Taylor have plans to spend next weekend at the finger lakes in NY with Aunt Pam and Dawn.
Rob, you are studying for finals. This is the end of your second semester at LCCC, going part time. You have been going Tuesdays & Thursdays, which include a weekly chemistry lab and tutoring a few students in math. It isn't easy with your headaches. I am encouraged because overall they are not as severe and your light sensitivity is reduced (migraine glasses do help). You are seeing a headache-specialty neurologist Dr. Chua, as well as Mark Kovalchik at the Saxon practice. You love time with Rambo and especially Oren. They've had a some fun over the last couple week catching 4 mice - to my distress. Oren growls when carrying a rodent about. I do appreciate your efforts in capturing them as soon as possible, though sadly the mousies do not fare well no matter how quickly they're taken out to the back yard. One particularly memorable situation resulted from Rambo bringing his prey upstairs, where it tried to hide until you caught him (her?) in the back-hall closet.
Going back how much I love this time of year.... Here's a hauntingly beautiful rendition of "For the Beauty of the Earth" that I listen to now and then. Absolutely magnificent.
