I'm loving this weather!!! Record breaking temps! Sleeping with the windows open! Waking to birds singing and the smell of spring flowers! I have a ton of yard work to do but need help getting winter things (snowblower a.k.a the beast) put in the shed and my deck furniture out. I also need to make a decision about the dogwood tree that was damaged in the November snow storm. The weight of the snow pulled half of the branches to the ground, splitting the trunk. I have to decide if I need to cut off the broken part or cut down the entire tree. I will need help either way. I've hinted to the kiddos but they aren't taking the hint. Sometimes, Senior housing looks mighty good. Freedom from house repairs and yardwork responsibilities. Then I remember that in 7 years I'll be mortgage free - with senior housing the rent goes on and on and on. Besides, senior housing doesn't offer a garage for Miss Behavin' and they don't have french doors for me to bring her inside for the winter. And there are probably noise restrictions which would prevent my friends with Harley's from visiting. . . better stay put, I guess.
I rode about 120 miles yesterday and about 80 today. Today what I saw from a distance and thought was roadkill turned out to be a big ole turtle poking along across the road. I checked my rear view mirror and there wasn't anyone behind me so I'm pretty certain he made it ok. Nothing like 2 lanes of asphalt and the wind and sun in your face . . . I pretty much stick to back roads . . . highways get you there quicker but all you see is concrete and cars. On the back roads you experience God's creation with most of your senses. Yesterday as I approached Geneva on the Lake (looking for an open ice cream shop) I felt the exact moment the air cooled - It was right at the Lodge and Conf center. It stayed that way as I rode through the strip (no ice cream places open) and onto Carpenter Road. The air got warm again. You don't feel that in a car. That's just one example. When you're driving you don't smell folks grilling burgers . . . you might never see them, but you know there's a family having a Bar-B-Que! Kind of helps you understand why dogs prefer to ride with their heads hanging out the window.
Ciao,
