Today is almost balmy at 48°. It rained during the night, and rain is predicted for today. Everywhere is wet from the melting snow. My kitchen floor is hidden under layers of paw prints. I think the dogs need boots.

My fifth uke event of the week is today, a concert. We are still playing songs of the 60’s. After next week we switch to Irish.

It still astonishes me that I can play the uke. My rhythm band triangle career ended after the first grade. That was the last time I played an instrument. I now own three ukes. This is getting serious.

I get to be a sloth this whole weekend. I have been far too busy so I will lounge. Next week I have a doctor’s appointment and three uke events, practice, my lesson and a concert, so I need to conserve my energy.

When I was a kid, I loved school. My favorite subjects were English and geography. That love never left. I became an English teacher and traveled to many of the places I remembered from my geography book. I was astonished standing underneath Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado mountain in Rio. When I learned about the Equator, it was described as an imaginary line. I wondered. How did they know where it really is if it’s imaginary. I stood on that imaginary line, taking them at their word. My geography book had come to life, and I was on the pages.

When we had recess after lunch in grammar school, we girls often just stood in groups and talked. Other girls jump roped. The boys played at the two basketball hoops. After I started playing CYO basketball, I asked if the girls could use one of the hoops. I got turned down and was told hoops were not for girls. I politely balked but the nun was adamant. She and I came from different worlds.