It’s “Hey Rene J” Today!

I see her in the solitary snowflake 

captured on my mitten, 

and the first drop of rain

chasing a dry, dusty day.

I have glimpsed her in a sunset,

gently putting the day to rest.  

Once, she visited me in a 

sun-speckled afternoon, 

when I forgot my obligations. 

We sat together, 

inhaling Autumn for a moment.

She lives in the dawn, 

just before my eyes fully open, 

before I remember the body

I am connected to.  

Though I have betrayed

her in my worries, 

doubts and fears, 

she has remained 

steadfast in our friendship.

Hope.  

I need only be, and she will stay.

Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower; 
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf,
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day
Nothing gold can stay.

Robert Frost

After the holiday rush I update the old address book – and I mean “old.”

They are still directories in my cupboard from my adult children’s school days, when personal information was just made public for the world. It sure made play dates easier. Those old books have come in useful many times so I keep them. My address book drives a few people nuts when they have to find something in there, but I understand what the arrows and corrections are. Additionally, I enjoy reading how many times my sister has moved. She afforded me many travel opportunities!

Thus, this gave me a chuckle. Perhaps today I will actually throw out the old Christmas cards that I still have adorning my countertop? It’s good to have a goal.

My favorite Van Gogh painting. Painted as a gift for his brother on the arrival of his son, “Vincent,” it has been attributed to being a symbol of new life. Isn’t that what spring is about anyway? I didn’t think the analogy was too far off.

This subject came to mind for two reasons. I noted rain for our forecast. Spring is upon us! I also opened the dress I ordered via Amazon which – surprise! – appears to have an almond blossom look to it. I knew I liked it for a reason. Maybe those goofy shoes I had to have and have worn once will match enough to pull off a coordinated look one day?

Alas – hope does spring eternal.

My Android will no longer update the apps or add new ones. This is just wrong – as I still get two days of life out of the battery!

Yes, we’re going on eight years, but I think it should be a forever thing? Anyway, I’ll be shopping for a new device – well my husband will be since he likes this kind of hunt. Just biding my time for the best deal.

How I miss that first green Nokia flip phone.

Some people are just too creative and clever. This lovely gem appeared on my doorstep in honor of this auspicious “Year of the Hedgehog.”

Yes, we are having fun with these crazy themes, and “Parbara” took everything to new heights. Of course, “Panita” chimed in with an adorable mini-wallet adorned with hedgehogs. My sister and I were considering retiring the theme-of-the-year business, but then, I fear my friends would suffer from withdrawal each and every year?

So like good hedgehogs, we will continue to noisily forage for new themes annually. Rest easy.

It’s my new phrase after watching the Olympic Ice Dancing event. “Don’t mess up the Twizzle!”

Yes – major points deducted. “Don’t Twizzle it,” could be another interpretation. “Hey, you really twizzled that.” This is how new terms get added to the lexicon – by armchair judges interpreting unfamiliar terms. “Whew! You really did a Twizzle!” I guess it could now be a noun or a verb? Perhaps a Jeopardy question one day?

I’m to the next Olympic event. Maybe another fun phrase to use will be discovered?

…although it was the woodpecker. A sure sign of spring!!!!

Every year that little guy shows up and rat-a-tat-tats on the metal surrounding the chimney. I’ve become accustomed to it and rather like it as a harbinger of the changing seasons. All of this being said as I stare at the garden hose and dread dragging it around again.

Time to get the servants working for us – dishwasher, washing machine, sprinklers. (All of the water modes at once.) Oh, Margaret Craven is the author. I had to actually research it after I used her title. And I did read the book back in my children’s grade school years of required reading.

Monday musings…

Of course it was my own fault – to a degree. The fact that I never received the email telling me I had to get a new photo for my driver’s license, or the follow-up email canceling my driver’s license online renewal, was a slight contributing factor. Thus, I spent two days driving illegally, one of which was on vacation in a rental car.

Oh – I don’t get away with much anymore. My willingness to flirt with danger didn’t really want to go into the next month, but it was a possibility. Fortunately, I was able to secure a cancellation appointment this morning rather than waiting for my March appointment. It took tenacity and continual online perseverance for an hour, testing the website.

Good for another five years.

Okay – don’t know about this as it appears to be a little out there. The facts of this February are true, but I don’t think it’s anything like a miracle? It appears to be mathematical.

I had never heard of a miraclen, but if something only happens every 823 years, I kind of liked that thought. Little old February has got to have something to be proud of aside from the birthdays of presidents and the coolest people on the planet? It’s got to be tired of that groundhog show, too.

Thankfully, it’s a kind month as it shortens itself for our mental well-being. February rocks!