And more rain. I snapped this picture of our wee city garden this afternoon. Pitiful, isn’t it? It can hardly be called a garden, poor thing, but come summer it doesn’t look too bad. It looks a little forlorn today but it won’t be for long. The birds have already started to visit the birdbath again. And those are snowdrops in the back, in full bloom.

I popped out the other day to rake up some dank leaves and wrenched my back which has necessitated a trip to our stalwart chiropractor. The great benefit of this, apart from having the back set right again, is that she’s advising me on my birthday trip. She’s made some fairly exotic excursions herself to China and Thailand and other faraway ports. It all sounds like a lot of work not to mention moulah. But we suddenly started talking about Cuba—it’s close and cheap and crumbling in such a fantastic way, the old regime giving way to who knows what. Other friends have gone and have found the food is good, the people kind despite so many years of hardship and the architecture swooningly baroque. I think it would be a fine thing to witness the place while Castro is still alive so am putting Cuba at the top of my list. In fact, I’ve ruled out India which was my first choice.  It’s too much of a trek and too daunting for an out of practice traveler. I need to dip my toes into warm waters before I dive into hot ones. I think Cuba will do nicely.

I feel rather spoiled even to think of such a trip but children are grown and now is the time for such things. I’d like to see things I haven’t seen before. The summer may be too hot for such an excursion. I don’t mind the heat but my traveling companion does not do well with it. He can get a sunburn standing in the shade under an umbrella. So, the birthday trip may be halfway through the birthday year.

I was to go to Montreal tomorrow but I’m putting it off for a few days now. It’s snowing there again, most unusual for April even for that snowy city. I think I’ll wait for the sunshine—I’m done with snow for this year. I’m really not complaining about rain—it’s the kind of lazy day that gets you dreaming. And that’s how plans get made!  Cha, cha, cha!

April 4th, 2008 | Category: Dear Reader | Subscribe to comments | Leave a comment | Trackback URL