Spring and other things

This is probably my favorite season, next to summer, for a couple of reasons.  Although the spring equinox was a couple of days ago, you wouldn’t know it here yet. We’ve had blustery weather with blowing cold wind and sand.  This isn’t the best thing around to experience but it’s still pleasant most of the time.  The new leaves on the trees and the early blooms are proof the new season is upon us. 

 Spring in Central Park NY from Pinterest

 

And I know when spring arrives that winter is a long way off.  That alone gives me reason to cheer.  I can see things growing overnight.  The new leaves are a soft, tender green.  Later they become darker and more leathery.

Life goes on with work and everything else that goes with daily life, so I haven’t had the chance to really relish in it yet.  But you can be sure I will.  We have had some magnificent sunsets lately.  There’s really nothing like sunset in the desert.

 Spring in Central Park NY from Pinterest

 

Today I was demonstrating laundry detergent at work so it was nice not to have to don the hairnet and gloves.  And I could give out samples to people who were so appreciative that you’d think I just gave them a winning lottery ticket.  It was a fun day even though not near as busy as handing out food, which I’ll be doing tomorrow.  I still made it fun for all of us, I hope, and ended up selling 39 large bottles of laundry soap in the process.  That’s pretty good considering there were four to five other brands on sale.

Tomorrow I do marina sauce and that promises to be messy and a lot busier. This job is challenging but a lot of fun.  At times like this, I’m glad I can wear black because I’m sure I’d ruin a white shirt.

 Desert Sunset

On another note we came home to discover the neighbors renting the property next door dug a large trench next to our wall.  They want to put a fence up we’re told.  What will go in this fence we don’t know yet and I’m afraid it will junk up the neighborhood.  As it is he works on rebuilding cars in his spare time.  They usually sit everywhere for weeks at a time.  We intend to keep an eye on this situation.  I went out to take photos of the whole project tonight to send to the property owner, who is a friend.  Of course the wife sticks her head out the window wanting to know what I’m up to.  I was on my property so it was none of her business, although she sent her husband over later to talk to us about it.  I guess we’ll see what comes of this.  I really don’t believe a thing they say and will be glad when they move.  Their lease is up in June.

 Desert Sunset

 

I guess some of you must face similar dramas during the course of your own lives.

Have a happy spring everyone. Get out and enjoy this nice time of year when we don’t need A/C or heat.  It won’t last long.

Neighbors

Sunni's Photo's

At my age, I have to admit that there isn’t a lot to surprise me, but I was a bit stunned about a conversation that my husband had with the neighbor two doors down.  This neighbor has a cat that roamed outside in his old neighborhood, so of course things haven’t changed here.

We love cats and other animals as well.  We also feed a lot of birds, quail, pigeons, doves, chipmunks, etc. around here.  They have a real haven in our backyard.  Our cats are indoor cats and always have been.  I have never understood people who can let their cats run lose especially with a busy street so close by.

Since moving in, the neighbor has acquired two more cats.  After some complaints of his cat hunting in people’s yards, he did install an underground fence last fall.  The cat is over here daily filling up on birds, or whatever it can catch, which makes my husband quite disgusted.  Even with the underground fence, this cat still gets out.

About a week or so ago my husband got a picture of the cat in the act and marched down to confront the neighbor about this again.  Usually the guy never opens the door, but this time he did.  My husband told me the story after he returned.  It isn’t as if we would miss a bird or two because we must have at least a hundred over here at any given time.  However, it is the principle, I guess, even though the cat is only using his inbred instincts.

Sunni's Photo's 

Anyway, after denying he even had a cat, the neighbor had to fess up after my husband showed him the cat’s mug shot on his camera.  The guy said he won’t stay in the $2,000 fence he had installed and he didn’t know what to do about it.  He suggested my husband shoot the cat.  Can you believe that?  Of course, there is no way we would shoot a cat.  My husband told him to take care of it by keeping it inside or taking it to the pound.  We have a “no kill” animal shelter here.

Well, after this incident, we didn’t see the cat for over a week.  I suspected the worst, thinking perhaps that the guy shot the cat himself.  I felt relief when I saw it hunting in the yard again yesterday.

Sunni's Photo's 

My husband said the guy would never shoot the cat.  He was only trying to get some reaction by saying that.  Why do people do that?  I guess I tend to be blunt and just come out with it, not say something to see what kind of reaction I’ll get.  The world is full of all kinds of people though.  This guy and his wife are not very friendly with anyone.

Meanwhile, the hunt goes on for a place to move.  This move has nothing to do with this neighbor, although most of the people in this state are not very welcoming.  I love the scenery and my house and even the cost of living when you are retired and have to consider that, but the weather is a BIG drawback.  Nine years is long enough to put up with that.