Bye Bye Birdies; Deck

 Well, it happened.  The wren nest was getting crowded.

Then they fledged.  Once again, I was lucky enough to see it (from the first one leaving the nest to all of them gone takes 15-20 minutes, so I don't often catch it).  I always feel a little twisted up when they go.  They are so impossibly tiny,  fly like Snoopy's pal Woodstock, and it's such a big world.

I miss them.  For two weeks I tiptoed every time I left the house while Mama Wren was brooding on the eggs so as not to disturb her.  Then after they hatched and she was off catching bugs all day (along with Dad) I would allow myself one peep a day.  I loved the way the parents would yell at me any time I was on the porch.

Now the porch just seems empty.

I *finally* got the deck painted (well, stained).  I pressure washed it and bought the stain in early March.  Then came a couple of storms - and you need to let the wood dry out before you paint.  After that, spring sprung, so there was a constant falling of leaves, oak tassels, and pollen thick in the air.  Saturday morning and evening I got the two coats on the deck, and Sunday I painted the railings.

I have to admit feeling a little hypocritical Sunday.  It was a pretty day, and I was having one of those moments I get sometimes when I wish that someone would reach out to me.  An offer for lunch, or to go hiking, or go throw tomahawks, or something.  But just before I got started on the railings, I checked FaceBook, and my friend Joe had posted "Hey!  Anyone want to go get brunch?"  Sort of generic, but there was my chance.  I pondered it.  Joe is fun, but what one friend describes as "a lot."  He's also very ADHD. He's the one a couple of years ago who was supposed to meet me at the circus - and then took a nap instead.  I also pondered the wisdom of trying to find a place for brunch on Easter Sunday.  And I could see myself getting dressed, driving into town, facing a packed restaurant, only to find that he had been distracted by something shiny and forgot to show up.

I painted my railing instead.  In the afternoon I got a note from John asking if I wanted to come take a walk.  Direct invitation to me, and the lake near his place is very pretty.  But I was tired from the painting, and it's about a 45+ minute drive there (and back)  I opted to put the second coat on the railings instead.

So apparently I wasn't *that* interested in getting an invitation.  And the deck looks good.  

I have spent time in the evenings at the edge of the wood with the fireflies.  Of course, I can't help but be a little wistful thinking of the times that Bob and I would take a blanket down there to watch them, and then end up making love in that magical flickering light.  At least I have memories.

I did get a social outing - the museum had the annual volunteer thank-you party.  It's fun to see people I haven't for awhile (we all seem to work on different days) and eat food that I haven't cooked.  It was a pretty evening and OMG I stayed out until 9:00.

Feel like I should have some sort of closing line, but I don't.