Here in the East, we’d be awaiting spring, our cotton khakis and polo shirts stacked in the wings.
The daffodils in the Park, who’ve just arrived like pretty girls, would delight us, knowing they’re emissaries, announcing her imminent arrival.
We’d shake out our rugs, squirrels their tails amid a chorus of cardinals singing.
Wow, you’d think, sounds a little like, That’s Life, or is it, Moon River, then realize it is Sinatra, crooning from a boom box in a bicycle basket, propped up against a tree.
More babies would be out, gushing and gurgling, moms preening with pride.
We’d notice a change, in just about everyone, as we shed layers, like skin.
The newsboy, the fruit man, vendors and cops. Truck drivers, hard hats, baristas and kids. Even dogs perk up, knowing better than we do, life doesn’t get much better than in warmer climes…grass to roll in, the sun on our backs.
We’d hear the cheerful chimes of Mr. Softee, nannies treating their charges to Double Cherry Dips dribbling down their chins, a rightful rite of passage, that comes in a cone.
There are no masks or gloves, nor the scent of bleach coating the subway steps, reminding you…
DON’T TOUCH THE RAILING.
No, we’d be smiling, scrolling our Tweets making plans for dinner, dancing, dreaming without fear, but alas…
spring will look different this year, making us appreciate her more next year, with all this behind us. 
SB
Susannah, I think it’s easier in the north country because of all the outdoor space. Although summer weather by the pool would have been ideal.
My shoulder surgery was cancelled, which is a pain in the … shoulder. Nothing life threatening, but it hurts constantly and I can’t use my left arm much. However, it could be worse. Luckily, it’s my nondominant arm.
I’m venturing out for ‘senior only’ grocery shopping tomorrow morning. We get a special hour from six to seven a.m. Instead of calling us seniors or elderly I wish they’d just say ‘over 65’.
A lot of us are getting all that reading time we wanted.
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We have that too, at Stop & Shop. Reading, yes, I’ve been doing my share. About to post my new reading list that felt a little frivolous but then thought, hey…keep going as if none of this were happening…right chapter, left chapter.
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Yes indeed. Be careful this year, make as if you have the virus and dont want to infect someone else and be sensible and thoughtful. There is a silver lining, the light is there but just over the proverbial horizon.
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I’m glad you too, see it that way.
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I dont really honestly see there is any other way. Everyone has to be careful, change their habits to ensure that when this virus spreads, it is somewhat more contained or is spread more slowly so the medical people can provide more help to those who need it.
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New York looks so strange with every store closed. Signs explaining…I just came from the Park where very few people dare to go. I ran, and was happy to still be able to. Every day, they take some grace away. I don’t know what else to say. I understand why just not why it happened. Why it couldn’t have been prevented. Doing our best.
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I enjoyed the recap of spring. It will only seem more beautiful once we return to normal. I think we all need to keep as much normal as we can in our lives.
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I so agree. I’m certainly trying even though life is very dreamlike right now.
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Yes it is. I think you would notice it more given the usual pre covid-19 hub bub in the city. Here in the burbs of Austin not much different. 😊
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I love Austin. Didn’t realize you were from there.
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We moved a year ago. We used to live on Mustang Island in the Gulf. (South Texas Coast.) Hurricane Harvey did us in so we move to the Austin area. We love it here.
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I had a friend who loved Austin too, introducing me.
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It is a super spot but is no NYC
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But it’s super in its own right none the less.
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Yes it is.
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My friend, Bil Hicks, spent a lot of time in Austin. He’s who introduced me to its chronic charm.
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I like the term “chronic charm.” That describes the area perfectly (and maybe why we like it here.). I have read what you have written about your friendship with Bill. Your writing is a beautiful way to keep his memory alive. I came across one of his quotes that seems to be relevant today. “I’m tired of this back-slappin’ “isn’t humanity neat” bullshit. We’re a virus with shoes.”
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It’s amazing how current it sounds considering how long ago he took flight.
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It does sound very current.
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🙂
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Your post is as poetic as prose can get. Fabulous!
We’re getting a new possible carrier this afternoon, Nathaniel. His university closed, and he is as homeless as David,$, and Rose. We’re going to be as careful as possible, but love will win. Hopefully love won’t kill us.
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Love always wins. God batting last. As far as my spring piece goes, my graces to you Anne, as always.
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It is different this year, for sure. But moreso in the cities, I expect. We just got a dump of snow last night after a lot of very warm weather. Out come the shovels!
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I’d love to see some snow. Here it rained hard, and now chilly and damp. Every other person is wearing a mask. I’m not. Just staying singular and safe, within reason.
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See? And just like that, you brought us spring! It’s a little earlier for you than for us up north but basically, you made me feel like it was ’round the corner.
While we are all told to stay home, it doesn’t mean we can’t take walks around our neighbourhoods, take in the seemingly fresher air…
Our snow is melting by leaps and bounds but it is only March 19th so I will not get overly excited…
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Today is the official day here, but it’s chilly and rainy. I just came from a late run and was so happy to be in the Park. Those daffodils, they have exploded everywhere. One of my favorite blooms. 🙂
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It is, you’re right! And the sun is kinda sorta shining here – I’m off to walk around the extended block with Zeke. We’ll see what, if anything, is sprouting.
They are so beautiful and happy looking, aren’t they?
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Nice to have such a handsome male escort.
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We get stopped all the time – and it ain’t for me… 😉 I’m good with that.
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We have 2 in the neighborhood, Ivy and Jack who live in the same building but snub each other. I told Ivy’s mother, it sounds like a kid’s book. She then snubbed me, so I know where Ivy gets it from. Jack, on the other hand, looks and acts like a matinee idol. He’s hot. I hear a French Poodle has her designs on him. Can’t say I blame her. Coquette is her name…WOOF! 🙂
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To be expected… That, whether two- or four-legged, they take on the family persona, if you will. Even their names give you an idea on their personalities. Who can resist a Jack? Can you blame Coquette?
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No, Jack is quite the guy. Coquette who looks better than I do, has it goin on so, I think Jack will give in to her charms. 🙂
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A guy can only resist so much… She has the four-legged advantage over you. You can’t let it get to you 😉
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I know, and I’ve always admired the French since, they do everything better than we do in the beauty department.
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They do have a certain “je ne sais quoi”…
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Wee Wee, so to speak.
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He he he…
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Relatively homebound as we are, you delivered a smile on the first day of spring. Well done … and good to see that you got out for a run today. Currently raining here – but in the big scheme of life, that’s OK.
Talked with one of my Italian cousins yesterday. Interesting hearing about what they are going through. Meanwhile, I don’t think I’d ever want to work in a truck labeled Mr. Softee – but I do like ice cream.
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Me too. Have a hankering for some now that you mention it. Thanks Frank.
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Good reminder. Mother Nature is NOT slowed by the virus. Fine post. Thank you.
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Mother Nature always has the last say.
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Beautiful. My spring days never looked quite like that, but I did watch movies where they did. I am an indoor person, so this virus only gets me because of Mom and in the few times I do plan to go out.
Thanks for those memories.
Scott
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It’s the writer in me run wild. I long for normalcy and what has always been, life as I’ve…we’ve…known it, imagination becoming the next best thing. 🙂
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Hoorah for imagination.
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Yes, they can’t take that away from us.
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Hey, interesting for a horror story…yes, indeed!
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How priceless are the simple thing, indeed. I love this hopeful piece of spring thinking, SB.
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Well, we just got sheltered a minute ago. I’m here feeling numb.
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You’re in lock down?
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As of Sunday. Nobody but essential people can go to work…no gatherings of any kind…AA out the window. I can still run, my one grace, but I have to tell ya Marc, I’m shakin in my Nikes.
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I want to read a post about one of your runs. Look at me, being so bold as to say such a thing. But even a mention of how it went, what is going through your head as you run. Those times when you write of it, I take great comfort in them. Just letting you know.
We’re all holding on SB. I don’t want to let go.
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I’m just amazed at it all. Who even would have thought.
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The people whose job it is to think about stuff like this. There should have been a contingency plan in place. Just saying.
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You just keep on, just sayin.
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Gonna read Heroes. Need a lift.
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Hang in there young lady.
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yeah yeah
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😉
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