23 March 2009

Spring Has Sprung...or Has It?

Well, I know by the date on the calendar that spring has arrived but you could fool me this morning when the thermometer read 29 and holding! In general, the number 29 makes me smile. I remember being 29; married that year, a new house...my entire life ahead of me! When we're talking temperatures and spring is the word, it doesn't do anything to my step except make me walk faster to get inside! I am hearing the chirping as I type, I do see the bulbs forcing their way through the remaining mulch, just peeking out to check to see if it's safe. I say, go back to bed for a few. While waiting for the mercury to rise...and just a tad, I do LOVE summer but really get a jolt from springtime, I am going to pump up my bike tires and dig out my riding apparel. Other things that we tend to do while welcoming spring and warmer weather is clear out the flower beds of debris. I don't know about where you are but the March winds have been whipping and my yard is full of oddities. G-2 bottles, deflated snow tubes, newspapers, all promptly delivered overnight via the March winds. It gets trapped in my fencing so it's becoming a daily chore to clear out the beds. While I'm there I'll grab a bagful of dead leaves and such too. Might speed things up for me in a few weeks when the mulch arrives. Al Fresco dining is my favorite and there's a short period of time when my husband will join me. It's now. Once it gets too hot for this non-southern boy (being a southern belle, I thrive on the heat!) he's A/C bound 24/7. It goes on in May and stays on through October if he has anything to say about it, and, of course, he does. So I spend much of my time when I'm home out on my back porch. I start my day with my coffee and paperwork there. I usually will have a friend or two stop by for a chat and a glass of wine and then dinner will be served to the family al fresco. Meet me there or dine alone inside, doesn't matter to me! Early morning walks are again a possibility as it's not quite so cold and dark. With longer daylight hours I've been seen out back tossing a baseball with my sons, and even finessing a lacrosse stick on occasion after dinner. Love the early evening outdoor family time and I miss that in the dead of winter. I think the dog feels it too! She's definitely got the same spring in her step and enjoys her more frequent walks. She has her own little cleanup efforts, retrieving any bones she's buried over the winter months. I'm thankful for that happening before the mulching, not after! So, take advantage of the calendars' proclamation, even if it means adding a layer and mittens. It won't be much longer before we're sitting poolside sipping cocktails and these next few weeks shouldn't be missed. Enjoy the bloomin' day! Miriam

17 March 2009

Happy St. Paddy's....Ya'll!

Erin go Braugh to all my Irish and not so Irish friends and readers! I do hope that you are taking some time today to wear a little green and act a little Irish, even if you're not. I'm not. I'm Italian, English and Scottish, so I pretend. My husband is half Italian and half Irish....I know, I know, a deadly combination...and therefore, my kids are too! We need to go all out for their benefit. I have such fond memories of putting aside all responsibilities and ignoring the phone...unless it was a last minute party invite...and heading out to whoop it up on behalf of St. Patrick. NYC was the only place to be and I've marched in a St. Patty's Day parade or two, whether I was invited or not. And me and my posse did the crawl from one Blarney Stone to the next until we couldn't crawl any longer. Always respectable and never out of order...well, rarely. Not to the degree of being crass or rude. We just had to make sure we had the requisite fun and share the spirit with those around us. Everyone was a buddy on St. Patty's Day. Maybe that's a little idea we should take with us each and every day, not just the sacred holiday of March 17th. Be a friend, wear a smile and open yourself up to new adventures. Live your life fully and with verve. If you can only afford to do it on St. Patty's because on all the other days of the year you need to be buttoned up, that'll work for now. Enjoy! Top o' the Mornin' to ya! "May those who love us, love us. And those that don't love us, May God turn their hearts; And if he doesn't turn their hearts, May he turn their ankles. So we'll know them by their limping!" Thanks for reading, Miriam

13 March 2009

Did You Suffer DST Drag?

How did everyone adjust to the time change last Sunday morning? I understand from many that they are still dragging! Some suggestions for next time so that you continue to function at your optimum energy level follow. Try to plan ahead for this event as you do other calendar events. This might seem over the top but unless you travel coast to coast often and adjust well to time differences you probably are still feeling sluggish. Set your alarm clock 10 minutes earlier or later each day for a week, depending on whether it's fall or spring. Make sure you adhere to a regular bedtime the entire week before the change. Tend to your smoke detectors early because this is a chore that ties into daylight savings and will also remind you that you need to plan ahead for this calendar adjustment and be prepared. It doesn't have to make you late for work, church or an important meeting, it's not a good excuse anyway! We all know it's coming. Also, your workouts will suffer if you're low on energy! Get a grip and make sure you stick to it. It's also a good idea to take your kids along for the ride too...mine have been falling asleep on the bus this week...luckily they've all made it home! Make a mental note for October and see how it goes. Thanks for reading! Miriam