Weekend wrap-up

Summer has arrived...over 80 yesterday and today. Where was spring??? We have the accompanying spring pollen and it is doing a job on me this year. My rib-muscles are sore from coughing and my tissue supply is dwindling. When the pollen season is over, the mosquito season begins. I guess there is something with every season that is undesirable...I just wish I could pick and choose, smorgasbord-style, the qualities that I want. If that could be the case, I'd wish for temps no higher than 75, no insects, and a gentle cooling breeze. While we're at it, maybe, like Camelot, rain after midnight that ends before dawn.

On Wednesday, I attended the last of the (50th) reunion-planning committee meetings at Bridgewater State College. Now, I just have to finish up the PowerPoint presentation and go to the campus once more for a last conference on that before our big weekend in June.

On Thursday, my Massachusetts sisters gathered in Mendon for a social/sewing session. We've tried to do this once a month, but haven't met since November, partly due to unpredictable weather and driving conditions. We did make our plans for the May gathering.

Yesterday, Tony & I did our weekly trek to Putnam for baking, then home early for his 3 o'clock appointment at Milford Medical Center for a CAT scan...he's not been feeling particularly well for a few weeks and the doctor ordered this. Since they did not call immediately, we wait until Tuesday for results (Monday is holiday in Massachusetts (Patriot's Day)).

This morning I scooted up to Acton for Handbell rehearsal. Normally the trip takes about 45 minutes, but coming home today, it took 2 1/2 hours. There was a combo of construction and accident in the southbound side and we came to a standstill. I was looking to see which driver would be first to open trunk and take out lawn chairs. Gradually we began moving, but only at about 3-5 mph. The sun was getting hot and I didn't want to turn on the AC yet (gas-prices and all), so opened the windows. That was a mistake! When the fumes got to me, I closed them up again and resorted to AC intermittently.

We're losing another building in our town center. An historic old house on a major corner is being moved to make way for a new bank (for those of you who know Mendon, it's the Dr. Smith house on the corner of North Avenue). Now, we're a really small town and most of us do not know why our little town needs 3 banks (we already have 2). The opposite corner to this site has already lost it's houses, they were razed last year and the lot remains empty. Further on down the street we have 2 new car dealerships. Fortunately, the owner has erected attractive facilities that enhance the look of the street, but it's another indication that our Route 16, the main drag through the town, is going commercial in a big way.

The big flap in town is an article on the town warrant (annual town meeting is the first week in May) to create an overlay district for adult entertainment. My first reaction was a big NO!. However, it's not that simple. If we don't vote to create the specific district, then anyone can put up adult entertainment, book-stores, etc. in any of the commercial areas. By state law, we would not be able to prevent it. Oh, our state legislators certainly are looking out for us, aren't they?. By creating a small district, the rest of the commercially zoned areas are protected. Since we live in a commercial-zone, I have a vested interest in this (at least until we sell to an adult-entertainment business ;-)).