Spring Song

I think spring is finally here. We haven't had a freezing temperature at night for over a week, and the days are reaching up into the mid- and upper-60s. The sun appears in the east around 6 a.m. or so and doesn't dip into the west until nearly 8 p.m.

We've had rains off and on over the last few weeks (even a couple of thunder claps, which send Patty shooting upstairs to hide under the bed), and the grass is getting scraggly enough that I'll have to seriously think about assembling the lawn mower. Also, I'd say it's fairly safe to put the snow thrower away until next fall.

Patty in the afternoon sun

Looking at the square footage of the driveway and walks versus that of the yards, I think it's about the same area I'll have to cover with the mower. There will be extra effort the first time around the yard, as the trash passers-by have tossed into the front yard over the winter will have to be collected. (The small stuff, I already did a once around picking up beer cans, tennis balls, fast-food wrappers and the like.)

I've had the house opened up on several occasions, but Patty doesn't seem interested in getting back into the window casements, staring at the outside world. When they stay open all day and night, I think she'll get back into the habit. By the end of fall, I'm sure she'll be slightly offended when the windows close up again for the winter.

She does have a wonderful time sun bathing in the living room, though. And with a plant growing in the window, she's sure to get that lovely afternoon sun, no matter how glaring it gets.

Homemade politics

We've had another election, this one for the city council. My new council member is Jessica Olson. I got one of her circulars in the mail and, once again, it encapsulates the reason I love it here in La Crosse. Instead of hiring a marketing firm to send out slick campaign materials, it was all done at the kitchen table.

You can see by the picture that the circular is handmade with construction paper and paper doilies, along with a photo of Jessica. A short letter outlining her positions was included. The envelope is hand addressed, and the stamp is licked and placed by hand. Even the return address sticker is hand applied. I'm glad she won.

The biggest news since my last entry is that my sister Kittie and her husband David are going with me to Paris for Le Salon Chocolat in October. We've got the plane tickets purchased, I rented a two-bedroom apartment in the Marais for us, and we're looking at what else to fill the week with, beyond the chocolate fair.

We just couldn't resist the temptation

David wants to see the Eiffel Tower. I want to hit some of the museums that I haven't made it to in my previous trips, and I'm trying to get them on an evening boat tour of the city. No one's really had time to pore over the information, as it's tax season for Kittie and David is very busy at work.

I do have time, so I'm online every couple days looking up potential eateries and orienting myself to this new neighborhood. I usually stay down by the Louvre in the 1st arrondisement, but I had a problem finding any decent apartments in that area, especially two-bedroom places.

The Marais is the gay district in Paris, although I didn't choose it for that reason. It was the cheapest two-bedroom apartment with double beds and a large soaking tub. It's also two short blocks from the Metro station and two short blocks to the Monoprix (think Target meets A&P). There are also many places that sell hamburgers, just in case we get a hankering for home. Also, there's a Starbuck's a couple blocks down the Rue Rivoli.

I've also coughed up some money to Rosetta Stone to brush up on my French. In Paris, just about anyone who deals with the public speaks English, but I'm going to be prepared at least to feel good about speaking with the natives if needed. I go to sleep every night with French swimming around in my head, which is a good sign, as I recall.

In a few weeks it's going to be warm enough to get started with spring cleaning. I really understand what that means now. After months and months of a closed-up house, Clearing everything out and polishing up the place is at least a necessity, if not a requirement.

As per usual these last few years, I waited until the last minute to do my taxes. They were fairly simple this year, so it took less than an hour, and I'm getting money back, which is nice. With my move to La Crosse happening in April, my car registration and insurance was due as well, followed by my homeowner's insurance in May.

So that's my post. I'm trying to keep up at least one a month. If my life ever gets exciting, their frequency might pick up. But I wouldn't count on it.