Barbara J. Hamby

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Early Spring Thoughts

For the second day in a row, I can open windows and doors and let the warm air in, as opposed to turning on heat. Our next-door neighbors are industriously planting gorgeous, bright flowers for us to enjoy as well. I hope we don’t lose them anytime soon; they love to garden. My joints don’t like that kind of work anymore. I did buy a nice hanging basket yesterday for the front stoop and have some pansies blooming alongside the steps. I will put in a few more flowers and possibly replace the dying strawberry plants in the planter out front. I planted a tomato and some Lobelia in pots on the deck yesterday, also. The primroses in pots are blooming well, although somewhat beaten up by all the rain.

The two basement neighbors who were in the apartments below us when I moved in have left. They took all their lovely plants with them and the new neighbors are not replacing them. One of the new tenants is in a wheelchair so can hardly be expected to do yard work. I don’t know much about the other one. 

The reluctance of my eyes to focus together is slowing down my computer work somewhat. In order to do much on-screen reading, I have to enlarge the print, and rest often. Eye drops don’t help much. I have an ophthalmology appointment later this month, but even if they agree to correct the second eye then, there will probably be a several-month wait for the surgery. But, as I have often noted recently, time passes more quickly every day, and eventually the problems should be worked out.

More and more interesting people turn up at the swimming pool to keep life from being boring. One, formerly employed at a mental health institution, has some harrowing stories. Her friend, a former cab driver, can probably even top her. I look forward to hearing more from them.