Not Only the Ides of March

Thanks to William Shakespeare and Julius Caesar, we learned to "Beware the Ides of March". For me, I needed to beware the entire month not just the 15th. In fact I was looking forward to the Ides this year as that was the day we were going to help celebrate Brynley's 3rd birthday.

It was the first week of March when I started getting the watery, itchy eyes. I tried so hard not to rub them, but just like four years ago, I have had a month of dealing with spring allergies. Even before the Covid-19 crisis and the edicts to avoid crowds and self-isolate, I was already doing so. I made it to a grocery store three times - the 6th, 12th and 19th. I even quit going out on the deck for fresh air as the runny itchy eyes seemed worse afterward.

Missing Brynley's birthday party was the biggest disappointment. Thank goodness her mommy, granddaughter Katrina, sent me some pictures.

My eyes have gotten better the past three days; yesterday they hardly watered or itched at all. Early this morning I took the trash out and fed the birds. I felt SO GOOD to be outside again.

And to see how nearly ready the daffies are to opening. There are still no confirmed cases of the virus in our county (though there are some in surrounding counties) so I am considering going to the store for a few things tomorrow.

There were no St. Patrick's Day celebrations this year but I had a very nice surprise on the 17th when I received a small package from my niece Christine.

She sent me this beautiful scarf with illustrations based on the Book of Kells. Now if only I were adept at scarf tying!

This is the card and note she sent along with the scarf: "I found this scarf in a second-hand store & it made me think of you! It was less than the cost of a card so I thought I would send it your way to let you know you popped in my head & made me smile - I hope it made you smile."

The scarf was redolent with the most wonderful fragrance. In subsequent e-mails I learned that it was her favorite perfume, Egyptian Goddess Oil. I'm thinking of getting some and remembering how I always wore Coty's Wild Musk Oil back in the day.

Christine's gift and Brynley's picture were the bright spots of March. Last Tuesday when the phone rang my cousin Glen's name showed up on caller ID. I knew it was going to be bad news and it is. His sister Glenna had just learned she has cancer throughout her body - bones, lungs, brain. They have given her 4-6 weeks to live. This news has hit me harder than the pandemic news because it is more personal; more immediate. My cousins were my first friends. We grew up with one another. And now I won't even be able to attend her funeral or see her to say goodbye. I regret not going to see her those times she invited me to stop by her lake home. But that's the way, isn't it? We always think there will be time.
Until there isn't.