Dahlia of Bliss

Today I had occasion to drive through some "nice" neighborhoods, and I noticed something I've seen before: now that spring is here, many people are placing the obligatory two matching Adirondack chairs in their front yards. Mostly these chairs are tidy colored plastic, not the old school rustic wooden ones. The thing is, I've never seen anyone actually sitting in these chairs. Maybe I just don't go through the neighborhood at the right time of day, but I suspect that no one ever does sit in the chairs. This is a puzzle. It reminds me of that line from "Romeo and Juliet": "Oh, I have bought the mansion of a love, but not possessed it. . . ." Oh, I have bought a place to park my ass, but not possessed it. If I were going to buy a chair, you bet I would sit in it.

In other news, some of the seeds that I planted and for which I bought a soil-heating mat to coax them to germinate have actually done so!!! I am beside myself with excitement and anxiety. They are so fragile, so teeny weeny, like hairless kittens born with their eyes shut. I stand above them squeeing and terrified for their well-being. As frail as they are, they are already turning their wee, hair-thin stems toward the light. I didn't buy a grow light, so when they are a little stronger, I may have to rearrange the furniture to place them near one of the south-facing windows, where there is a little bit more light. Right now the nearest window faces west, so they get good light in the afternoon, but it's not as strong in the morning. I guess it doesn't matter a whole lot right now, because it's too cloudy and there's no sunlight anyway. We missed the snowstorm, but it is frosting at night. I got that heating mat and moved the planter trays inside just in the nick of time.

I talked to Queenie today. It's her birthday! She continues to get better--drove herself to the doctor today. I want to send her birthday treats, but I have to wait until her sense of taste comes back.