Colds Don't Matter Too Much

What matters is that it is just a cold. I've been miserable for a few days now and my internet search "how to treat a cold" tells me that the average length of a cold is one to two weeks. Seriously, I played librarian and searched for ways to treat my cold - it's been years since I've had one! Which leads me to retirement - it's much easier to treat a cold when you are retired. You just stock up on tea, crank up the cold mist vaporizer, spray the sheets with lavender chamomile from Bath and Body Works - and get into bed. And you stay there for as long as you like! If you have to cancel plans, you can just reschedule for next week.

Even without a cold, this has been a difficult week - actually, the past few weeks have been. When I started a blog I had no idea death would get so much coverage. C has two friends who have recently lost their mothers, just at that time in life when mothers and daughters have attained complete comfort in their relationship. And yesterday we attended the funeral of a young man who grew up across the street from us. J and his brothers played with our girls and then went on to become a wonderful husband and father to his own sweet children. His death, at 31 reminds us of what matters. And it's NOT a cold, or the complications of financing a new kitchen in these tough economic times, or the broken hot water heater that ruined all the carpeting in the rec room.

What's Wrong With This Picture?

My poor tulips are reaching for the sun this morning and finding only snow. It's hard to believe that it's April 5! Having an early April birthday, I am very aware of how fickle the weather can be this time of year; most of my memories are of the first warmth of spring on my day, but these snowy days sneak in too.

J is so restless as he awaits real spring. He has had his bike and lawn mower tuned up, he has been cleaning out the basement and the garage, and he is "playing in the dirt" as best he can by experimenting with starting garden plants in milk containers. As for me, I am just itching to switch to my spring and summer wardrobe. I keep looking at my favorite purse - a beautiful green bag I used last season but I am waiting for solid evidence that spring is really here before I switch from my current bag. And I need a pedicure! I want to be really ready for the first day I can wear open-toed shoes!