Rain coming tomorrow-what a surprise. (I hope you can hear the sarcasm as you read that first sentence.) Today will be cloudy and chilly all day. I guess clouds and rain are the prices we have to pay for the two days of sunshine we had. The confirmation for my trip was e-mailed yesterday. I fly from Boston to Frankfurt to Accra and on the way back I fly Accra to Dulles to Boston. It’s amazing when dreams and wishes come true.

Bright male goldfinches are at the feeders, and the garden in front of the house is a riot of colors with yellows and purples and blues. They are from the bulbs I planted last fall. The spawns of Satan ate the tulips. From my window here, I can see buds on the oak trees in the backyard. The buds are still tiny but finally visible. The buds on the forsythia in front have tinges of yellow. I have to go and get the dog treats I didn’t get yesterday, and I know I won’t walk away from Agway without a plant or two. I can’t help it. Also, my herb garden needs to be totally replanted. That’s always fun and has to be done early as the herbs tend to sell and be gone faster than the flowers. The peepers are back, another sign that spring is here. Night sounds will soon fill the air. My neighbors came back from Florida yesterday, another sign of spring.

When I take a trip, I usually buy a few new clothes. Without travel, I’d probably wear nothing but threadbare pants and shirts which I really wouldn’t mind all that much. I ordered a summer dress which for me is an OMG sort of purchase, a shirt and a new pair of pants. I figured I’d have a couple of dresses made in Ghana, but I won’t have time before the festivities so I had to order one. A few more clothing items are on the list, but I’ll hold off until closer to the trip. I do want light luggage. Coming back from Morocco was a horror story as I had to haul the heaviest suitcase from one terminal to another. I figure it’s best not to start with an empty suitcase already heavy, and I know I’ll be buying gifts to bring back and add to the weight. So much to do!

Well, I’m having left over pizza for breakfast, and I’m hungry so I’ll end here.