Geez Louise, the weather has been amazing up here in Mahoosuc Mills! Sure, we had that snowstorm, what, a couple of weeks back. Snowed just enough to remind us what season this really is. Then, poof! It all melted away, just like that! Can’t ever remember having a winter like this. And after last year, with all them blizzards and power outages, it’s some relief, let me tell you!

Thank goodness I started Weight Watchers in January, ‘cause who knew we’d be breaking out our spring clothes in March? By now you’re probably wondering how I’m doin’. Well, I’m proud to say I’ve lost 10% of my body weight, which has increased my life span anywhere from 10 to 120 years, depending on which health expert you listen to. No really, 10% is a big deal: lowers your cholesterol, your blood pressure, reduces your risk of Type 2 diabetes, gives you more pep, makes your bed in the morning and sings “hallelujah!”

That’s all well and good, but the real benefit is that I just got into some jeans that haven’t fit me for two years! These aren’t my old skinny jeans, which I threw away ‘cause let’s face it: those were relics of a bygone era. No, these are my new skinny jeans, formerly my old fat jeans until I had to buy bigger fat jeans. (If you’re a guy readin’ this, you’re probably lost by now, but ladies, you know what I’m talkin’ about.)

So, I celebrated with a “non-food reward,” to use WW lingo. Meaning, I bought a new exercise DVD. I did one of the workouts the next morning, and Jimminy Christmas! I spent five days hobbling around like Walter Brennan, I was so sore! What was I thinking? The fitness guru on the cover couldn’t have been more than thirty. If you’re of a certain age, it’s best to look for a DVD that features a solidly middle-aged exercise instructor. “Cause these youngsters do too many lunges. Stop it with the darn lunges, people! Yes, we’re working our largest muscle group, but it’s also our gimpiest. My knees can’t take it! Cripes, I’m thinking, this was supposed to be my reward. Should have bought myself a new pair of slippers, maybe some underwear and called it a day.

Anyhoo, daylight savings time is here and as of this week, it’s officially spring! Which means, if you still got your Christmas decorations up, like our neighbor with the brown wreath on the front door, wake up and smell the coffee, will ya? Those little containers of daffodils, tulips and hyacinths are flying off the shelves down to the A&P, and folks are feeling kind of frisky, you can tell. Seeing kids riding their bikes, people jogging (God bless ‘em) and couples walking together holding hands; ah, it does my heart good.

I love livin’ in a place with seasons. A change of season marks time and brings back memories. It gives you something to look forward to, to plan for. It changes your mood. It gives you a reason to clean out your closet and drawers, switch your clothes over and start fresh.

Oh, look at that! I just saw a groundhog running in the yard. Well, more like a fast wobble than runnin’. There was a blue bird on my feeder over the weekend, and get this: it’s March, and all three bird houses are occupied! That’s a new one on me. Everybody’s feeling frisky! Hope you are, too!

That’s it for now. Catch you on the flip side! Listen to Ida's podcast.

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