We have at least two more nights – Tuesday and Wednesday – with temps potentially reaching 32 degrees. Then we’re done. This Spring has been the Non-Spring. Thankfully, I got a day and night off yesterday. We put all the plants back outside and last night it only went down to 40 degrees so I didn’t have to schlep the plants back in the house.

I did, however, wake up at 4 am and never got back to sleep. So there’s that. It’s a rainy day so I plan to sit around and work on the puzzle. I did a lot of chores inside the house yesterday – I think I was so happy to see the sun that it supercharged me – so I can lay low today.

Don brought me three handpicked bouquets yesterday, in honor of his mom, my mom, and me, former mom to three beautiful dogs. I teared up. I had just been thinking of my babies and how I miss them and I’d been missing my mom and regretting that I never got to meet Don’s mother.

Rest in Peace to the great Jerry Stiller, who had the most amazing career, spanning decades. I remember watching his comedy routines with his beloved Anne Meara on Ed Sullivan. I had him pegged as a stand-up comedian at the time, but he was so much more. I loved his work in The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3  and on Seinfeld, of course. But I think his best work was on King of Queens, where the character as written and performed by Stiller was outrageous and crazy and touching and much more nuanced than his character on Seinfeld. Frank Costanza was basically a very funny blowhard who appeared only occasionally so that’s all he needed to be. But the character of Arthur Spooner was a regular, allowing time to develop the character and to add layers to his storyline. Anyway, just my thoughts. I’m very sad at his passing. He will be missed. I was watching some clips this morning and couldn’t stop laughing.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

More difficult, slower going, but a good challenge. This one will take longer than my previous forays into the 1000-piece puzzle world. I will say this, I’m really learning about Van Gogh’s brush work!

I spent what seems like way too much of the day yesterday trying to figure out what the low would be here. One forecast said 31. One said 33. Another said 32. And yet another said 34. As you all know, the difference between these numbers is huge when you’re talking about plants. Should I try and cover some of my perennials? Or should I just let go and hope for the best? I went with the latter and, as far as I can tell this morning, all is well. I did cover the potted hollyhock and geraniums again, but that’s all I did. It looks like it might go down to 32 on Tuesday and Wednesday – hopefully, that will change – but after Wednesday the weather should be back to normal.

After I finish this post, I’ll begin lugging all of the plants back outside. And I’ll be able to get to the vacuum again, as it’s currently blocked by big pots of pansies.

I just found out that one of my colleagues from Boston University died. Bill Young was a marvelous actor, a wonderful teacher, as well as being funny, eccentric, and a joy to work with. Rest in Peace, dear Bill. Thank you for everything. There are legions of students (and colleagues) who adored and respected you.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you moms. And to my sister, who is a devoted mom to all her boys, human and animal. It’s always a bit of a difficult day for those of us who have lost our mothers, of course. I sure miss mine and would give anything to be able to see her again.

And Happy Birthday to Fred Astaire, who is and will always be my favorite. I’ve been a devoted fan since I was 12 years old. I just had a conversation with reader Kay about our shared love for Mr. Astaire.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.