It’s been a little over a week since I’ve been sprung from my cell and allowed to once again be outdoors and among people.  I can enjoy the sunshine!   I can now start enjoying spring!  Except ~ spring is hiding. It snowed the other day.  And then we had a monsoon for about a week.  Then more snow.

I’ve noticed that the bad weather has affected people’s moods.  They walk around complaining.  They walk around with a look of aggravation and disappointment on their faces as if they had never seen a bad spring before.  It makes me wonder how their dispositions would be if they had just spent the past 2 weeks in prison, like Moi!   But I digress….

I didn’t care!  I was free!  I was going to go out and enjoy my freedom!  I talked Clark into going to the store and looking at some new patio furniture.  He reluctantly agreed.  So we grabbed our winter coats and hats and an umbrella for good measure and off we went!!

We pulled into the parking lot of the local patio furniture store.  It looked abandoned.  Where was everyone?  Didn’t they know it was spring?  We got a good parking space almost in the first spot of the row!  I took this as a good sign.  Yes, this was a good way to start my freedom!  If I closed my eyes and blocked out the fact that the snow was coming down in mid April, I could almost visualize myself sitting on my back porch on a new patio chair.  Feet propped up on an ottoman.  Waving to the neighbors!!  Maybe even with a fruity summer drink in my hand.

We walked in and headed toward our destination.  Patio conversation groups.   From across the showroom floor, there was one that immediately caught my eye.  We walked over to it.  It was perfect.  We tested it out and liked that it felt sturdy.  Clark was surprised at how quickly I picked one out.  Typically when making a big purchase, it takes me a long time to research.  I want the best deal!  We were in and out fast.  The new set would be delivered to our home the next week  Hurray!

OK, confession time.  I had been secretly looking online at new sets for the past couple of months.   I had actually been doing a lot of online shopping while going through treatments and in isolation.  It was a great way to pass the time!  I had gotten used to weekly deliveries.  My ears became in-tuned to the UPS and FED EX truck barreling down the street.   From my bedroom, I could hear the sounds of the large truck rounding the corner near my house.  The sound of squeaking breaks and a large vehicle coming to a stop in front of my house was like music to my ears.

I’d wait for the doorbell to ring and moments later the engine of the truck would spark back to life and away it would go.  The delivery man was on to his next destination.  I was on my way down the stairs to open the front door.  I had the orchestration down beautifully!!   I’d open the door and drag in whatever new parcel was left for that day.  Joy!

The day the Patio set came was a particularly frigid spring day.  It was a Saturday and Bruce was home.  We opened the large box and there inside was our new set.  In about fifty pieces.  Hmmm.  OK,  an afternoon project!  This was going to require tools.  And patience.

We sat in our garage to put it together that day,  well,  because it was snowing outside.  It took most of the afternoon.  Clark and I work together like a well oiled machine.  He points to tools.  I bring them to him and every once in a while tell him what a fab job he’s doing.  He likes to put on a good show.  Straining loudly when a particular part of the assembly is challenging.  I encourage him and tell him he is brilliant!

All in all we enjoy being together and working on projects.  He always takes the part of project manager.  I am the lovely assistant.  This day was no different.  The set came together nicely.  Success!  No extra parts.  Now we just need some spring weather.

As I sit in my kitchen this morning looking out the window at the wintery~spring weather, I wonder how much longer these unseasonably cold tempts are going to last.  In the grand scheme of things, it really does not matter.  Spring will come.  Warm tempts will follow.  My new patio set will eventually make its way from our garage to its new home on the back porch.

Mother Nature has a way of keeping us all on our toes ~ of letting us know who the boss is.  And I, for one, would have it no other way.  Patience is a virtue.  The new season always eventually rolls around the corner.    That’s the beauty of living in a part of the country where the seasons change.  Just when you think you can’t take anymore, you are blessed with a spring morning that you are sure is the most gorgeous one you’ve ever seen.

And before you know it, everyone will be walking around with looks of aggravation on their faces because it’s just too hot outside to do anything.  And the cycle starts all over again.  Go Mother Nature!  Show us who’s boss!