I think tomorrow is the day.

We've had a string of very nice days, sunny, 60 degrees, rain at night (how perfect is that?) I think tomorrow is the day that my daffodils will start blooming. They are bulging and looking increasingly yellow. Daffodil bloom marks the arrival of spring and I can't wait. Daffodils and the fact that today I delivered a series of commissioned glass pieces that had been the source of angst for at least three months have my outlook soaring.

An End In Sight

After weeks of cold wet weather we finally had a break. Yesterday it was nice enough that we were able to bicycle to lunch. What a treat! For me the best part of more temperate weather is that I have been able to get out to work with my glass. It feels great! The kiln is running right now for the fourth time in as many days and I have stowed all of my new treasures from the Bullseye glass sale last month. LIfe is good.

Vacation Learning

Recently returned from a nice winter break, a cruise along the west coast of Mexico. We have become frequent cruisers, I think we average 1.5 per year. Spoiled? Yes. Feeling guilty about it? No. I recall reading that the definition of stupidity or insanity or...name the affliction is to repeat something you have done before and expect different results. I have compiled a list of axioms that I hope to remember when preparing for future cruise vacations.

- I will not be happy with a pre-cruise stay at a Doubletree Hotel. They are part of the Hilton chain, for my job I spend many nights in Hilton properties and therefore have some free nights at their hotels. Haven't met a Doubletree yet that met my meager expectations, note to self: Don't stay at Doubletree.

- I will gain weight on a cruise. Despite the rigor of my pre-cruise diet I will succumb to the feeding frenzy that cruises evoke.

- I can adopt anon-ship activity level that matches my increased eating, but need to be sure to avoid things like the knee strain I earned on day one of our most recent trip.

- There are never enough sea days for me on a cruise, and also never enough time to do everyting I want to do on the ship.

- The Norwalk virus is way more prevalent than we are led to believe. We are three for three on our most recent cruises. We haven't gotten it, but the ship-wide endemic infection has happened on each of them, on tow different cruise lines. My strategy of washing my hands and using sanitizer at every opportunity and not touching anything I don't need to...railings, buttons, my face, etc. seems to work.

- I will pack too much. Fully half of what I took with me didn't see the light of day.

- January in Cabo San Lucas is NOT snorkeling season. Talk about COLD!

- And my final observation, that may become a photo essay campaign-- Speedos should be illegal. Every cruise and most ports seem to have at least one, a guy in his 70's or beyond who thinks he needs to grace the entire ship/beach with views of him parading around in his, my most recent example locked his hands behind his head as he strolled to be sure there was no blocked view. What are they thinking? Where are their wives?