" UN BEL DI, VEDREMO"

(Today is that day, Elaine will be coming home this afternoon!)

This indeed is an interesting time here in the old-folks paradise that I call home.

1. "Lookie, lookie,lookie, here comes Cookie"

It looks like hibernation is over for the tiny creature that lives under my bathroom molding. I call "her" Cookie.

She finally reappeared the other night and stayed there so I could admire her shiny blackness.  But, wait! Nearby was an even tinier creature with the same coloring.

Did she give birth during her hibernation?

Is my bathroom her universe? A small Garden of Eden for other God's creatures?

2.  A Maryland Delicacy

For years, devoted Maryland crab-crackers have relied on Old Bay seasoning to make their crab repasts even more delicious.

Sometimes bartenders have sprinkled Old Bay into alcoholic drinks to make them more spicey, so this had to happen.

Ads are now appearing for Old Bay Flavored Vodka and Old Bay Bloody Mary Mix.  Vodka would kill me, but I think I might like the Bloody Mary mix.

3.  TV Heaven

For a few years we have been paying for TV movies and documentaries that should have been free based on what we were paying to a provider.

My clever daughter, Diane took the steps necessary to fix our account so we could get free what we have been paying for.

Now we have access to 861 TV channels!

4.  Taxation

Anon says: "I believe we should all pay taxes with a smile.  I tried, but they wanted cash!"

Michelle Singletary said today in The Washington Post: "So far in the 2022 tax season, the average tax refund is more than $3,300."

This 88-year-old owes Uncle about that amount!

5. Noon-time Musings

Weather

As I watched the world through our kitchen window, I saw the sunshine go away and the temperature drop from 70 degrees to 54 degrees and a gusty wind begin anew.

Music

As I ate my lunch of a cheese pizza slice, followed by pistachio nuts and a nice cold beer, I listened to part 3 of L'enfance du Christ.  Nice vocal solos.

This reminded me of when my son, Chris and I were members of The Baltimore Opera League.

 We indulged in some remarkable luncheons at exclusive area clubs as we listened to vocal renditions.

These were usually given by the current star of the opera being showcased that week.  The singer stood next to a grand piano and "belted it out!" The Director of the Lyric Opera usually accompanied the singer on the piano.

In my opinion, there is no better way to listen to opera artists sing than to hear them as they stand within three feet away from you.  So much better than on discs and records and in movies or on You Tube.

After luncheons the Guild would have tables set up to sell overpriced opera memorabilia.  I bought opera-themed jewelry for Elaine and once I bought a very expensive opera-themed necktie. I loved that necktie!

One day I gave a class at the Eldersburg Senior Center and part of my schtick was to throw off my jacket and tie, "to get down to business."

After the class I found my jacket, but my beloved tie was missing.  It never showed up.  It was hard for me to believe that the Center was harboring elderly thieves.

................................................................................