Thinly veiled optimism
If only you had seen me: outside dressed in a tee and shorts, using the shovel to clear those last, pesky traces of snow from the deck. I could have been barefoot, except… well, you know, snow. But my hope is restored. I think we’re ready to call spring started. Haven’t found the mud, yet. Just a dose of thinly veiled optimism.
Had a friend come to visit, this afternoon. Another sign that the season is changing. It also gave me a chance to try that skill in atrophy: conversation. Sure, I’ve got the spouse and the dog, but we know all the words to our respective songs. This was a new listener. I restrained myself, not wanting to show just how long the winter had been. Even in an absence of storms.
This week is “spring break”, for the schools. I’ll imagine that the malls are full of liberated spirits. What do (other) people do for fun, if they haven’t flown off to warmer islands? This isn’t a big ski destination (note the decline in snow depth on my deck, even before the shovel sprint). I’ll soon have to drag the BBQ back into view (no in-garage cooking, yet this winter). The deck furniture can come back upstairs. I can pretend to tan, in preparation for parka-off and summerwear-on. Perhaps put the road tire back on the bike, and start looking at where I can go in 1/2/5 hour sorties. Just wait! I’ll be ready for the tourist trade before the tourists are. Maybe I’ll get a Streetview moment. Anything is possible.
