I finally bit the bullet and started working on my tax. For the past nine years, because I was paying tax in more than one state, I had my tax prepared by an accountant. But I only lived in one state last year, and hardly worked at all, so I figured I could do it myself. So far, so good, but I’m stuck because I can’t find all my charitable donation records. Somewhere I have a file with all that stuff in it. TOMORROW.

warm, gray and rainy; the sort of day you want to stay in bed. Instead, I have a full schedule. First, I’m taking Darcy to the groomer, about 3 miles east of me. Then back into town for my yearly mammogram. If that gets finished in time, I’ll go to lunch with Robin and Eli. In any case I’ll take Eli to the airport; his stay with us is finished. Then back to pick up Darcy and a date with my groomer for a haircut. Finally, a well-deserved Shabat dinner with Robin, Steve and Charna. The week has gone very fast.

I have been taking two radically different tai chi classes. One of them meets on Mondays and is part of the Osher program. The teacher is patient and methodical. We’ve been at it for about 7 weeks now and we have only covered 3 moves. This is fine with me. I’m learning it well enough that I can practice the moves by myself at home. The teacher says they are simple but not easy. He is certainly correct. I can really understand the benefit of these moves; they are particularly good for my balance, something I found has deteriorated with age.

I’ve written about the other class before. I haven’t been attending much since January. My Japanese art classes are at the same time; they come first. Today, because I had no Japanese art classes, I went to tai chi. It’s a very different class, lots of movement and a good workout both physically and mentally trying to mirror those right and left moves, but nothing I can take home with me.

One more difference: my neighbor does his version of tai chi in his backyard every morning. He doesn’t look anything like either of my two teachers. I don’t think it matters, but I find the whole thing somewhat entertaining.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we had spring, yesterday winter returned. Renee was supposed to come for the weekend; her plane never took off and she gave up. Eli, on spring break, arrived with only a small delay. Chicago never got this snowstorm. It really hasn’t been a bad winter, but I’m certainly ready for spring to come. It’s supposed to happen on Monday. I got to the fitness center this morning for the first time since I can’t remember when. I think I’d better keep track of my visits; it bothers me that I can’t remember the last one.

I’m still working on Grandma’s book. I ruined my cover picture yesterday when I tried to adhere it to another piece of cloth using a steam iron. The edge of the iron was wet and dissolved the ink and Grandma suddenly had a dueling scar across her left eyebrow. I’m starting all over again.

Spent the day organizing the mess I’ve been making going through all the stuff I accumulated about my grandmother. I managed to throw out about 10 pounds of paper, put most of the stuff back in the boxes and do some cleaning. I still have to organize all the papers I’ve accumulated from the classes I’m taking. Sometimes all the paper drives me crazy. I’ve never been good at keeping it in order and it’s not one of the things that’s improved as I’ve gotten older. I’ll be in class all tomorrow, thankfully, but I’ll get back to this on Friday.

I seem to find Japanese art where ever I go. I was amazed to find anything in Georgetown Kentucky. Since there is a huge Toyota plant I suppose I should not have been surprised. Evidently the impetus for the Japanese Garden was supplied primarily by one man, Milt P., whom I met. He told me there had been an exhibit of the work of Watanabe Kazan at Georgetown College in 2000 and then gave me a copy of the catalog. I’m sorry I missed the exhibit. The catalog is very interesting. I knew nothing about Kazan before, but I was able to find a lot about him on the web. I will bring the catalog to class this morning and see what my professor has to say about him.

It seems pretty funny to me now that I’m retired, that my days are structured by attendance at school. But that is the organizing principle of my life now. Since I am on a holiday from school I’ve decided to go away for a few days to Kentucky to visit an old friend from Chicago. She is showing her artwork at Georgetown College: I have to go and see it. You can read about it here. She has obviously been very busy with her artwork. I wish I could say the same.

Raja and I have been friends for many years. We have taken many art classes together, driven across the country, lived on a ferry in Alaska, and watched polar bears in Churchill. Now I’m looking forward to seeing her in Kentucky. Raja inspired me to start blogging and the woman who inspired her will also be visiting so we’ll have a blog meet-up.

It was spring today, at least for the day. Walking to the bus was a wonderful experience, until I got to the bus stop on Penn Ave. The walk wasn’t shoveled, not unexpected, but the ice, snow, slush on the ground was black, really black. I guess this comes from the traffic on Penn, but it makes me wonder what I’m getting in my lungs standing there and waiting.

But it was a wonderful day. I did a lot of walking in between classes, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I had a lot of energy and felt lighter, which I was; no heavy coat, hat or scarf. I missed all of my classes because of the weather last week, so it was nice to get back to them.

The groundhog did not see his shadow this year, so maybe we will have an early spring. That would be sooooo nice.

I spent much of this afternoon at the Apple Store, learning about some of the more exotic features of my new computer. One day I may be posting movies or audio here, but mostly I wanted to learn about iPhoto. Also, I had some other questions I wanted answered. They have something called a "Genius Bar." I made an appointment, and, sure enough, they were able to answer all my questions. I’m impressed. Usually my questions are far beyond what most help desks can answer.

My backyard is filled with snow. When I took this picture, a few days ago, my little tree was glistening in the sunshine with ice on all the branches. Unfortunately my digital camera doesn’t have the capability of showing sparkle.

for the second straight day. Last night my upstairs neighbors went out and shoveled the driveway, no trivial matter. They said they enjoyed the exercise. I think the landlord ought to be doing this.

My Tuesday and Thursday Japanese art class is not meeting this week, so I wasn’t unhappy about staying home yesterday. But then Charna called. Her school was closed and she wanted to go to the health club. I took the car out and drove in the snow. It wasn’t too bad, and I’ve certainly had plenty of experience, coming from Chicago. It’s always the other guys I worry about. Those SUV drivers think they will have no problems in snow. And I’m convinced that the worse driver you are, the more likely you are to buy one of those monsters.

I have another class this afternoon. Haven’t decided yet whether I’m going.