Signs of Spring

This makes me happy.

I've been watching this tree every day for weeks now. I noticed it had wee little buds awhile back -- long before anything else seemed to be moving toward spring. Gradually, they have grown and opened into catkins.

I've also been hearing songbirds in the mornings around here. Not Canadian geese, not crows. Songbirds. I know that winter is an important part of the natural cycles of the Earth, but I am so happy to see some signs of spring.

Mr. Robin Redbreast hasn't shown up yet, the slacker, but I'll keep you posted.

Maiden Aunt Explores The Great White North

Yesterday, the Army Dude and I decided to go snowshoeing in Greene, Rhode Island. We suited up and then the Army Dude began blazing the trail, as army dudes do; I took five steps and tripped over a wire. I had not yet adjusted to my new foot size. The Army Dude said, "You're not very athletic, are you?" I replied, "Shut up and take my picture."

Where I grew up, nobody had ever heard of Title IX and very few girls participated in organized sports. I danced instead -- and I don't recall Anna Pavlova getting rave reviews for doing her Dying Swan performance while wearing 25-inch flaps on her feet. But ha, ha, Army Dude! Just look at my skiing skills!

And now for some Extreme Snowshoeing! Note the level of danger and difficulty, my friends. I could plunge at least two feet off that precipice. Not athletic, my ass.

Report From Old Maid HQ

The view from my desk.

It's about ten o'clock on a Tuesday, and I'm sitting at my desk looking out the window at the snow on the ground. Rumor has it that there is a lot more to come. A little while ago, a flock of wild geese flew by. Birds come to the feeder -- little chickadee-type birds, I don't know exactly what kind -- and my cat is sitting in the window making chirping noises at them.

I'm drinking tea and thinking about doing yoga. Later, I think I'll run a couple of errands and then maybe read a book. I might do some cleaning. I might not.

Gentle readers, enjoy your workday. I'm busy holding down the Fort of Doing Nothing In Particular And Enjoying It. Just thought you might like to know.

And Rob, if you read this later today, I hope you enjoyed that cold ocean water. Thinking about it is making me feel chilled. Good thing I'm sitting in the sun.

Happy New Year 2011

Happy New Year to all my gentle readers. I hope 2011 brings you plenty of fun, happiness, and joy.

I'm starting 2011 unemployed, so you'd think I'd be feeling serious and philosophical right now. Oddly enough, I'm not. I've got a Route 66 road trip to plan with Monica of 5 Cats Shy, I've got creative projects that have been sitting on the back burner for ages, and I've even got another exciting possibility or two for the foreseeable future. None of which falls under the category of Serious Endeavors or Efforts To Find A Job.

So far, I'm okay with that. I paid my dues for a really long time. Right now, I'm not turning down anything that sounds fun unless I absolutely have to.