Springtime Giddiness

We made it. It's warm out. That felt like an especially long winter - but I reckon it's because winter doesn't foster lots of hopeful dreaming, and a lack of that sort of thing just leaves you wallowing around with  your stuffy nose and dry, scaly skin.

There was that limbo moment when the sun was hot but the outside temperature was still chilly. That was about a two week period, so both dogs, both cats, and I set up shop in the bedroom where the sun comes into the window and heats up the floor to a most excellent temperature. All the pets tolerated lazing in such close proximity to each other presumably because we all understood the yearning for a comfortable outside temperature and the universal luxury of sunbathing.

Now that it's warm out, all the people and animals are coming out from our hovels with our disheveled fur and pasty complexions, and the world feels full and busy again. It's fun being in an actual neighborhood because you get to track and monitor the activities of your neighbors. All the Spring, Summer and Fall joggers are definitely not Winter joggers - so months pass without seeing them. It's nice to see that they've survived for another go round. Friends start leaving for long weekend adventures, the flowers bloom, lawn care reignites, traffic builds, restaurants fill up... what a busy little anthill we live in. 

Brett and I are no exception and we've been outside as much as possible; visiting all the parks, public docks, and outdoor cafes with friends.

That reminds me. This is Ned Cricket. He has a broken foot and an ornery disposition. He's my latest rescue mission but he won't let me too close. I'll keep you posted.

I found a bunch of old seed packets in a storage bin while I was cleaning so I somewhat haphazardly sprinkled them into some dirt and now we have more seedlings than we know what to do with. This is photo is about 25% of them. I didn't think they would even sprout. Surely they won't all survive right? That will be too many tomatoes. Either way, the thrill I've been getting watching these grow might be unreasonable. 

A blog post of substance will be coming soon. I've overbooked myself for the month of April and am floundering around juggling things. I hate when I do this to myself. It usually only happens once or twice each year but it comes on so fast you can't stop in. 

In the meantime - Liv and Dad at Easter lunch. 

Another "Almost" Post

It's almost warm out. Which means it's just about time to watch all of the movies I love that give me Spring Fever - I have found that it is devastating to do this prematurely. It's almost time for shorts, and warm sun on your pasty white legs, and floral breezes, and sitting on the porch after dinner. 

I'm almost finished with Grad school. There's just about four weeks left. That doesn't feel real or good to me because I finally found "my people" in my school program and since we all live in different states, not seeing them every week will make my life a little less shiny. I've decided that I would recommend animal advocacy (as an interest, as a career, as a volunteer effort) to any gentle people who haven't found other humans to be very validating. There's a whole big spectrum of personalities in there, but one thing everyone shares is a powerful ability to step into other peoples (and animals) shoes, and feel life through their soles. (Souls?) I am consistently amazed by the compassion, intelligence, and selflessness of my school peers. 

I wish the program could go on forever.

I might have almost gotten a job but I can't tell you about it because of the cosmic sabotage. In any case, it's almost time to decide on my next chapter. 

I've almost built up enough arm strength to do some new acrobatic stunts up against the wall by the front door.

Nora is almost comfy enough to fall asleep next to me in bed. (This is shockingly rewarding.)

Most importantly, the biggest "almost" in the Guy/Ray family has officially moved into "it's here" territory after an agonizing years long countdown. 

Uncle Dave has retired! Happy adventuring to Big Dave!!!

Gigs hosted a gut-bustin' semi-surprise retirement party with lots of familiar happy faces. 

Though this is my favorite photo from the night...

More good things to come.