Helping Out

   Busy day today. Tennis this morning - I felt I played much better than recently and won one, lost one. Home just after noon and lunch before heading out again for book club. We had a very lively discussion as the book, "Bellevue Square" by Michael Redhill, was rather confusing and resulted in much controversy. 

   I had a short nap before going out again to help out at a retirement workshop for currently working teachers. There were well over 300 there! I hope some decide to join RTO. Lots of discussion, mostly around the medical coverage they can sign up for and also travel insurance. You can see where their interests lie once they retire. I'm certainly glad I joined RTO.

   

A Long Walk

   Almost a disaster today. I decided to join the Nordic Pole Walkers this morning as my Wednesday fitness class doesn't start until next week. They meet at 10:00 a.m. at the ravine system and I set off with them. However, at one point I was on my own and took a wrong turn.

    In actual fact I followed the wrong branch of the river and ended on a dead end trail that led out of the ravine. It took me an additional 40 minutes to find my way back to where I had parked. In all, almost a two hour walk! Needless to say, I am now aching all over. It was a sunny morning but very windy. We had a couple of short rain/hail showers but I was quite overheated by the time I finished the walk. No problem keeping warm!

Say It Isn't So!

   This is what greeted me when I got up this morning. It certainly looks like March is going out like a lion!

   
    Fortunately, as the day progressed it did get a little milder and there were a few blinks of sun, so the snowy stuff has largely disappeared. But it was rather a shock to the system to have to be out cleaning off the car and driving on snowy roads. I had hoped that was a thing of the past for this year at least. Back to boots and gloves!

Disappointing News

   First really Spring-like day with the house warming up nicely. No need for the furnace until the sun goes down. I took the cover off the A/C unit although we won't need it for a few weeks yet. 

   I also tidied up some borders although there are still patches of stubborn ice in shaded places. Here is the last snow bank to melt - another day or two like this should do it.

    This isn't the biggest one on my street but fairly substantial for the end of March.

  The disappointing news is that the Pool Maintenance company I have used for most of my 20 years with a pool, are cutting back on their clients and will no longer be servicing in my area. I am very sad as I have got to know and trust the main guys for all my pool problems (and there have been many). The good news is they are passing me on to another trusted company and have promised the service will be of similar quality and price. Fingers crossed!