A lazy Sunday

I was out with my camera this morning trying to capture some more pictures of daffodils while they are still at their peak. So, I got some good pix of those but the best was the swan I came upon. I have been hoping to get pictures of some herons that are around here but they're usually too far away to get a good shot. Well, this swan was so nearby it made it easy to get these. Pretty exciting for what has otherwise been a lazy Sunday.

Daffodils and spring cleaning

I so love this time of year and it is enhanced by how much I love daffodils. I have millions of pictures of these beautiful flowers but will only make you look at a few.

I've been doing major spring cleaning. It all began with a dinner party I had a couple of weeks ago and has since continued. I started by painting the enclosure for the washer/dryer that was put up two years ago. And then on to the railing on the front steps. 

I've since moved outside. I sprayed a wrought iron side table that is 50 years old and it looks brand new. Yesterday I tackled the wooden planters that I think I bought four years ago and they were beginning to look neglected. Well, little did I know that they are practically rotted through. I put extra thick layers of paint in the tricky areas and I know they'll make it through this season. But I plan to keep my eyes open to see how much fiberglass containers would cost. Probably a lot but they wouldn't require much upkeep. I have bought a couple of fiberglass pots in the past and think this is what I will stick with. They truly don't seem to age.

Ah, you say, she must be close to finished with spring cleaning. But, no, you know how it goes. Once you start you keep finding more and more to do. I think I'll spray paint the umbrella stands flat black.

Through all of this I have gotten quite handy with a palm sander. I think that's what it's called. I borrowed it from my brother. I sanded my basement steps (boy was that noisy) so that when it is cooler outside I will have an indoor project. I forgot to tell you that I had found a wicker table on the street for bulk garbage pick-up day. I sanded the top of that and put on a coat of white spray paint. One more coat and it will be ready for a new life as a bedside table in the guest room.

I have many more things to do. If I show you the list maybe I'll get to them: paint the basement stairs and the stairwell. It has looked awful for 15 years. Maybe paint the safety railings outside my four upstairs windows. Wash the screens. This is best done with a damp washcloth and it's amazing how great the screens look when you're finished.

In the meantime I found a stash of shells that were hoping for a project and I've been doing some votives with shells. I'll show pictures when they're done. It's kind of hard to describe them.

So for the past two days I have collapsed at about 4 and gone to bed very early. Today I have to pace myself as my cousins are coming out for dinner at the club. If you know me, you know pacing myself takes extraordinary effort. 

Oh, and I have been walking for an hour a day. I have had a bum knee for a long time and couldn't exercise vigorously but now seem to be able to start back with some walking. I am totally inspired by a friend I had dinner with who has lost weight and looks fabulous.

That's it for now. As you can see I have a lot to do!

Taken by Sarah L. last spring. I love the contrast in colors on these.

Love this.

I have a thing for daffodils and stone walls. So pretty.

I love these, mixed in amongst the birch trees.

The night sky

Venus and Jupiter are dancing. It's happening right now. And Mars is glowing red beyond Cassiopeia and the Big Dipper. This picture is from fb page Beautiful Things Go on line and take a look.

On the way home from dinner the other night my brother pointed out Venus and Jupiter to me in the sky. Left to my own devices I would have thought it was planes circling LaGuardia Airport. Anyway, it's worth venturing out one night to have a look.

Today's a so-so day. Good for taking a walk as long as you're bundled up. Also a good day to tackle those tax returns. Me? Sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for my refund. Tip: you'll get it very quickly if you file electronically.

I've just started a new book that I am liking a lot so far: The Cat's Table.  By: Michael Ondaatje.

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Spring is about to burst around here. It is so exciting and long-awaited,even though we had such a mild winter.

I had a dinner party last night so today I am going to take it slow. It's funny how hard I worked to bring the apartment up to "company's coming" status. I'll be searching for the things I stuffed away for weeks! We had great fun with surprise guests even. One point I must make before I forget. Always try to have friends who are younger than you are. You don't have to ditch your friends who are your age but try to incorporate some youth into the mix and you'll see how much fun it is.

Think I'll take it slow and work on my virtual photography class. I wonder if I'll ever feel confident enough to take pictures without that marvelous automatic focus/aperture setting on my camera. I spent all week looking for my battery charger and battery. I am simply going at too fast a pace to keep track of my belongings. I found the charger and may well go to Rye Camera and get a battery because that has simply not turned up, pray as I might to St. Anthony. Can't complain, he did a good job with the charger.

Here are some photos to remind you that spring and summer are coming. I love the one with the dogs.

Can you imagine living with this crew?

I love the light at this time of year.