Spring morning in Maine

My almost favorite time of year is here.  The scent of apple blossoms drifts through the open window and the birds are singing, chirping, twittering and whistling back and forth from the trees around our home.  A car drives by and the sound carries for a few seconds and from where I sit, I can see out the back patio doors to green. White birch, green leaves and green grass.  We won't talk about the dead dandelions that defiantly stand tall challenging any lawn mower or weed digger to best them.  They'll soon be gone.  A breeze blows across my face and the sun rests gently on the leaves of the plant I don't have a name for.  Given to us by friends when my father in law passed away, it has tripled in size.  I turn my chair to face the window.  I can feel the heat as the rays hit my shins and bare toes and nestle there, no where else to go.

A neighbor walks by with her black dog.  They could be Nellie and I.  The puppy pulling at the leash heading for the ditch, sniffing out all the scents that entice him/her, the "master" tugging, "c'mon".  I remember how worn out I would be after a 2 to 3 mile walk with Nellie just trying to keep her on the straight and narrow.  We'd start out, her pulling on the leash "let's go let's go let's go!"  Ok, so LET'S go.  Soon her nose was to the ground and there was no rushing her now.  I use to think I'd leave her home next time so I could get my walk in at a faster pace.  But then I could never leave her behind, her black nose pressed against the window, her brown eyes looking sorrowfully at me.  I miss her, I miss THAT, and suddenly I want a warm furry body pressed against my legs or curled up in my lap assuring me that I am the most important person in it's world. 

The flag lifts slightly in the breeze then falls lazily back down, curled around itself and the pole.  How proud I am to be an American, how sad I am to see what is happening in this great country.  But for right now I will  enjoy the perfection of a warm and sunny spring morning in Maine

Tavia and Hospital Stays

Got the okay to share with all of you who love my niece, Tavia.  She spent Monday afternoon 'til late this morning at the hospital in Augusta.Maine General Medical Center  I must say if you have to be IN a hospital that is one very nice one.  She has been discharged but still waiting on results.  In the meantime she'll be set up with a Rheumatologist and a new PCP to get to the bottom of this once and for all.  Those of you who know her best, picture her sitting there on the hospital bed with 3 docs and 6 residents around her. One young nice looking doc which made it a bit more bearable I'm sure. They find her case quite interesting.  Monday, when asked how she would describe herself she said "easy going"  The staff had to agree as she never pushed the nurses button unless her IV was beeping incessantly (and only because Pammy and I begged her to) Sitting there 'til 11:00 Monday evening and then through the day yesterday we couldn't help but think of those of you who have sat day after day in a hospital room or the waiting room down the hall .. eating hospital food and hoping the doc will be back soon with a report, a good one.  We've gone through days like that with others we've loved and know just how wearying it can be.  Thankful Tavia is back home now and hoping her new doctors will figure this all out.