Proof that there are signs of life on our property. The lilac has buds.

I’m not all that into astrology, though I do follow a couple of people on YouTube who are quite insightful. One thing I do know: Mercury is retrograde now and one of the consequences of that is tech problems. As you know, I’ve been dealing with tech problems with the blog for about 3 weeks. And yesterday? A new one.

I took our car in to be inspected. Don went with me. We waited quite a while and then the manager called us over. There was a problem getting the emissions part of the inspection because – get this – when my battery was replaced in January, monitors in the car had to be recalibrated. This apparently takes time, driving time. Something about 5 recalibrations and two of those have not completely recalibrated and until at least one of them does, they can’t run the test on the state’s computer system. What the ????? I have never heard of this before. The deadline to have it inspected is on Monday, the last day of the month. (I had to have them explain all this a couple of times because my non-tech brain couldn’t take it in.) It’s supposed to be taken care of after 100 driving miles, but it’s taking longer with our car.

So now, we have to drive the car over the next couple of days and stop by the service center every day to see if one of them has finally done its thing. My next question was “What if it doesn’t?” Then they have to wait until Tuesday to ask for a 10 day extension. Apparently they see this with older cars and our car, though low on mileage, is 13 years old. And, of course, we’re trying not to add too much mileage because we want this car to last and here we are, doing exactly that and spending money on gas in order to get the inspection completed.

I have to tell you, I was so over all of this that I lost it when we got home. It’s just been too much. I feel like I’ve been dealing with so much tech stuff that I haven’t had time to just be and mourn Jan’s death.

I think cars were better when they weren’t controlled by computers. The problems with Don’s car also involve computers.  I don’t want a computerized refrigerator or car or anything other than an actual computer.

Anyway, that’s what we’re dealing with. Don is going to drive it up the thruway this morning – he likes to get out for a drive – and then stop by the service center on the way home. Cross your fingers. I’m going to do some laundry and work outside. I desperately need to do that after the past couple of weeks. I need to get out there and do some clean up and get away from all the crap.

I did a little tour of the china cabinet in the den about a week ago. If you’re interested, here is the link.

Okay, my friends.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

I’ve spent the weekend mourning my dear friend Jan. So many memories. I had a long conversation with Joe yesterday. He cried and cried. Bless him, he took care of everything from the moment Jan called him on Christmas Eve to let him know she was in the ER. Everything. And he’ll do even more this week. He’s exhausted, he’s not sleeping well. I wish I could wrap my arms around him right now.

The weather here is a bit colder than it’s been and it looks like it will be that way throughout this week. March is always a crap shoot. I haven’t opened the blinds yet, but I can hear the sound of tires on wet pavement, so I guess it’s raining again.

The blog crap continues. I tried a newer theme temporarily, wondering if maybe that might be the problem. Nope. Still couldn’t leave a comment. The database is definitely a problem and hopefully the security company will be able to fix that in the next few days. That’s all I can do for now. Making a decision on the future of the blog depends on many factors, most of which are concerned with its viability.

For those of you who are leaving comments via email, thank you! I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your taking the time to connect with me. I miss the comments as much as you do. So thank you, thank you.

It actually doesn’t take any longer to send me an email by clicking on that envelope icon than it does to leave a comment on the blog. I’ve timed it.

Don has been great. He patiently listens to me when I need to vent or talk about the latest about the blog. It’s been such a hard time lately and, thankfully, he understands.

I’m really looking forward to getting outside in the next week or so and starting to clean up after a long winter. So is Don. I think we’ll feel better when we can lose ourselves in those chores and feel like we’re accomplishing something – anything.

The other day in the midst of high winds, we saw a hawk land on one of the lower branches of the maple tree right outside our den. The evening sun was setting and his feathers had a gorgeous golden glow. Truly stunning. A moment of beauty that we sorely needed.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

My friend Jan passed away at 2:30 am this morning. From the day she was admitted to the hospital until today was just under 3 months. Joe had said that she slept a lot yesterday, but at one point, she opened her eyes and said “Thank you.” He started crying.

I’m so glad he had that private moment with her, that moment of acknowledgement and love. He has been there for her every step of the way, as she was for him. I’m still numb, as I was sleeping when the text from Joe came through.

We all called her Aunt Jan back in the late seventies and eighties. When both Joe and I were living at her place, we called it Aunt Jan’s Home for Itinerant Artistes. She loved people and they loved her back. She was the daughter of a Presbyterian minister, and Joe was the son of a Methodist minister – PKs, both of them. She was generous and kind and funny. I’m very grateful to have been her friend. When I started feeling trapped in Detroit, feeling that I had to stay there to watch out for my sisters, both Jan and Joe encouraged me to audition for graduate school, to make the move that would change my life. They knew I had to make that change even before I did. I’m forever grateful to them.

May she rest in peace. I know that heaven is celebrating a new angel.

Stay safe.