Break away!

This is the building where I work. And for the past two weeks the AC has been out of order. They tore out something to be replaced but somehow the contractor forgot to order the part (!!?) and it will take an extra week for it to come. What happened to "overnight" deliveries? Anyway, we have been sweltering. Our director has encouraged supervisors to be very lax with the dress code for comfort and for us to get outside for a walk.

You can see there are no opening windows in this building so no circulation at all. Yesterday temperatures outside reached 91. Inside our office it was registering 83 degrees. How did people function before air conditioning? At least they could open windows. What were they thinking when they started building all these places, forcing dependence on AC?
Needless to say I enjoy getting out for my daily walk. Notice the contrast...






Much better view. We have an organized walking group. Sometimes it's only six; other times probably 20.

Snowballs in May

My backyard view What a nice time of year! This photo hardly does it justice. These bushes are just loaded with snowballs. It's so sad they can't stay like this all year. I'm still needing some forsythia and lilac bushes. I can't believe the previous owners omitted these spring essentials. I added a wisteria last year and it survived the winter and even bloomed this year. Having a yard/garden is a lot of work but it's so nice to enjoy in the spring and summer.

Spring Fever

MAY DAY! I'm so glad spring is officially here. I was even happy to be able to mow my lawn the last couple of weeks. It was great to be able to get out there again. Winters can be so long!

Today when I went walking as I usually do on my lunch break, I was feeling pretty high. The weather was perfect and I noticed especially how the breeze would create flutters of tiny round seed pods from the trees that almost looked like warm snowflakes blowing in the air. They would settle on the water and the river would quietly float them along. They covered the ground on either side of the walking path where they caught in the grasses and were so thick you could shovel them. How amazing - there were billions of them. It's a wonder we don't have a regular forest here! I guess only the lucky few really get to become trees. Surely they all aspire to such a fate! But even those that don't created a lovely sight for me today. I was grateful to not be plagued with allergies so I can always enjoy the spring without such a nuisance as many people must deal with. The trees almost all had leaves or blossoms - a few were still sparce, but looking alive nevertheless. The most amazing crop of wisteria lines the path. It has lavender grape-like clusters that are so thick and unbelievably fragrant. (I liked it so much last year I bought one and planted it in my back yard. I actually have one cluster on that little bush this year!) It was such a nice experience - hated to go back to work. What a shame to be stuck in an office on such a day as this. Enjoy!

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May Day

Sarah Teasdale

(1884-1933)

A delicate fabric of bird song
Floats in the air,
The smell of wet wild earth
Is everywhere.

Red small leaves of the maple
Are clenched like a hand,
Like girls at their first communion
The pear trees stand.

Oh I must pass nothing by
Without loving it much,
The raindrop try with my lips,
The grass with my touch;

For how can I be sure
I shall see again
The world on the first of May
Shining after the rain?