Basil in my kitchen window.
My last post was December 1 when I posted a poem by Ron Koertge to mark World Aids Day. So it seems I have experienced my usual winter blogging slump even though it has been a very mild winter for us. March has arrived and tomorrow will be in the 80s again so I have no valid excuse. Here is my offering of random ramblings.
“If voting made any difference, they wouldn’t let us do it.” – Mark Twain
Texas is now one of the fourteen states that holds its primary elections on “Super Tuesday,” March 3. In Texas if you are over 65 years of age you are allowed to mail in a ballot. Husband and I decided to take advantage of our senior status and voted by mail for the first time. At first we were reluctant; mailing in a piece of paper was too easy; it was our duty to go down to the polls even if we had to stand in long lines (we seldom had to do that!); we would miss the civic pride being there with our neighbors as we cast our votes at the community center. Of course, during a primary election, the Democrats would line up for the room on the left: the Republicans went to the right. At least that is the way it works in the booming city of Portland. Yes, we vote on the left. One advantage in voting by mail was that we hadplenty of time to see who is on the ballot and research any candidates down ballot that we were not familiar with.
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Yesterday I finally planted the herbs (basil, oregano and cilantro)I bought a week ago in pots for the patio. Part of my death cleaning was getting rid of some pots. Most were in the process of passing peacefully, but some I simply had to abort. All of my plants are on the patio and under shade and usually only get nothing but rainwater until about late August when sometimes my rain barrels run dry.
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Have you done your taxes yet? I am volunteering again through United Way of the Coastal Bend for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA). Last tax season I went in four days a week. This year I am only volunteering one day a week and am grateful to be able help provide free tax preparation for those with a certain level of income.
“In an age of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” – George Orwell
CHEERS!
About a week ago Husband and I drove to Freer to visit my brother-in-law on a cold, wet and dreary day. Winter seemed to be winning over spring in the seasonal tug-of-war that often plays out in South Texas this time of year. Cardinals were grateful for the treats provided in a bird feeder in the his back yard as we watched from the warmth of the house. As we left we stopped to enjoy the Texas Bluebonnets that appeared to have been scattered carelessly by the side of the dirt road and clustered together as if to defy the 39 degree temperature. Perhaps it was a sign of an early spring and a good year for wildflowers.
and saved her ashes to be scattered on a warm sunny day. April 20 was the perfect day. Near the back fence there was a small patch of dirt where the grass has not grown back yet and near where other cats are buried. We toasted her with wine as she joined the other angel cats. We will miss her.
restaurant called 
with the memory of a happy experience that turned dark. In March of this year my son attended an Ariana Grande concert in California; a few years ago he attended a concert in Manchester. Somehow it seemed very close to home as if it could happen to any of us. Queen Elizabeth visited survivors in a hospital. 
THE COASTAL CRONE 
