Tuesday and Fresh Air

It was a little chilly taking the trash out Tuesday morning, but I wore a light coat to work, anyway. It's supposed to be a high near 70 degrees F. today!

I had a lot to do at lunch today. First, I swung by my old Rehab place and dropped off a box of chocolates and a St. Patrick's Day card to my physical therapist, Maureen. Now, I know from past experience she wouldn't be there, as she's as Irish as the Blarney Stone (see the Poetry section under "National Physical Therapy Month"). So, after the morning Mass, she will join her friends to visit various Irish bars and stop in occasionally back at her house, (which is open all day long) where she has an enormous spread of Irish food for guests who pop in and out all day.

In fact, the receptionist (a lovely, short black woman who always liked to dance when Ellen was dancing on the TV) urged me to stop by Maureen's house and get some food ("She always makes way too much!") I was touched that she remembered me after four years but I told her I was sorry because, being German, I had to work today!

Next I headed across town to the Laurel Park Place Mall, at Six Mile Road and Newburgh in Livonia. Why? Well, one of my missions during Monday's lunch was to stop in at the Waldenbooks by me and get a Border's gift card for my grandson Carl V's birthday this Saturday. Imagine my shock and dismay to find it closed! Sign of the times, I suppose.

Jacob found me a list of the nearest Borders and Border's Express and this one is the closest. It's quite the contrast to drive from Beech Daly in Redford to Newburgh Road in Livonia, BTW. In Redford, 7 Mile is a ghetto and yet, a few miles west in Livonia and its all huge, gorgeous homes.

So, I got to the mall and went to Max and Erma's. This is a restaurant I frequented often with my friend B___, back in the day. I sat in the bar (as always) which is a "smoking" area. Not that I was smoking, but it's the best way to ensure you are not seated next to some crying kid! The barmaid remembered me and brought me coffee and large water. She asked if I wanted the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with onion rings and I said, "Sure!" She asked how B___ was doing and I said fine.

When I had finished, I paid my bill and left a nice tip. Then I left and began the long walk to the bookstore. I picked up the gift card and then headed back to work.

At work, I put the gift card with the birthday card in the envelope I'd addressed last night, sealed it, stamped it and sent it on its way. BTW, if you have any conversions with Carl V, I would appreciate you not mentioning this. I am assuming he doesn't read this Blog.

When I got home at 5:10, it was 71 degrees. So, I turned off the furnace, opened every damn window in the house and turned on the kitchen ceiling fan! I filled in the Blog and then went out on the front porch with a roll of paper towels, a trash bin and some Windex spray. I cranked open the two side windows and washed them, inside and out, first. Then I washed the picture window. I probably took half a roll of the paper towels, but, I "got 'er done!"

I came back inside and shut the two front windows, and then I checked the temperature, It was about 68 degrees F, so I went around and closed (and locked) all the windows. What ever smells the winter had brought, they should have ether been eliminated or I will have to deal with later.

I warmed up the last of the pasta a la Carbonara for my dinner. Topped with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, it was still a treat. Then I wandered off to watch TV and, ultimately, go to sleep.