Blossoms: Redbud is in full bloom. We don't have many redbud trees here, but our neighbor has quite a lovely one. Tulips are blooming everywhere. They are such regal flowers, tall and graceful. Tulips remind me of a long-necked, beautiful girl.

Blue Jay Way

I spent this morning running errands and consequently feel as though I've accomplished nothing of value. Tab had a meeting in NYC today, so we dropped him off at the train station on our way to Daniel's school. Then we stopped at the Post Office to send photographs to Israel via Global Priority Mail. The clerk at the P.O. asked me to fill out a customs form declaring that I wasn't shipping any controlled or dangerous substances; if I were, would I admit it? Next we went to Best Buys because the first 100 customers to buy A Bug's Life received a free companion story book. Finally, we went to the drug store to pick up some things for Nana and Rita since Rita is still carless.

It was 11 a.m. when we got to Nana's, and I let the twins come in with me, expecting she'd want to see them; but when I opened the door I found the living room dark and quiet. Nana was sleeping in her hospital bed, and Rita was lying on the couch. Rita was awake but didn't get up. She said she had just put Nana in bed because she was tired. She thanked me for the drug store items, motioned toward an envelope of cash on the china cabinet, and told me to take out the proper amount. I didn't want to disturb Nana, so I kissed her cheek and then herded the boys out the door.

It was disconcerting to see Nana lying there so still and lifeless. The thought quickly flashed into my mind, "This is how I'll see her one day in her casket," and though I tried to suppress it, the image keeps haunting me.

It was raining this morning, but it started clearing up around lunch time. After I picked Daniel up at school, the boys and I went for a walk. Miss Anita came out of her house when she heard us talking to her dog, Wags. She pointed at a small pile of twigs on the floor of her porch and said, "You see that? Some blue jay is trying to build a nest in my porch roof!"

I looked up at the tall maple tree by her house and spotted first one blue jay and then another. "I see two of them up there," I said. "It must be the nesting pair."

"I couldn't figure out where this stuff was coming from, and then I saw the jay." She shook her head, exasperated.

Most people around here hate blue jays because they are aggressive and chase smaller birds away from bird feeders. I rather like them. They are one of the prettiest birds around, with their head crests and their blue, white, and black markings. I think they are plucky, and I admire them for defending their territory from other birds and even larger animals such as cats and dogs.

Tab surprised us by meeting us on our walk. He had taken a cab home from the train station and, finding an empty house, figured we were out walking. He knows our usual route and met us when we were halfway home, much to the boys' delight. We walked home holding hands. I was glad to have Tab home; I missed not being able to talk to him on the phone at noon today. We usually chat while the twins are eating their lunch, catching up on our respective mornings. I'll have to get used to his being away more frequently, however. Starting this summer he is going to be spending about one week every month in the city.

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