Isn’t she lovely?

Fresh laundry on an almost summer morning

It happens every year. Sometime in mid April, we start hearing the peepers at night. Subtle at first, and then a loud screaming chorus long after dark. I never tire of this lullaby. Every year I make a note to self to notice when the transition takes place – the chorus stops. Mating season is over, and the peepers have grown and gone. And every year I fail to pinpoint that day.  Somehow it happens when I’m not paying attention. This year was no exception. I realized last night the peepers are gone, replaced by the sounds of tree frogs in the yard. The same is true with the birds singing before dawn as spring moves to summer. We are approaching the summer solstice – and dare I say it, the days start getting shorter again. One morning I will wake up and realize the birds have not been singing so early.  Watching the garden mark the seasons is a little easier – the rhythm of nature is visible. Snow drops to daffodils to lilacs and bachelor buttons  – indigo, sea holly, coriopsis, bee balm, queen Anne’s lace,  black eyed Susan’s, sunflowers, mums, and snow. Every year I tell myself to pay more attention, but really, it doesn’t matter what day the change takes place. More important to savor every sound and season for what they are. The seasons will change whether I’m paying attention or not.

It has been brought to my attention that my generation has completely ruined Facebook. The millenials are exiting in droves to find a haven from us baby boomers, aka, their parents. Since I am relatively a newcomer to THE FB,  I don’t really have a measure of what it used to be, but I am guessing it was an informal check in place to chill, and put up pictures of friends, parties, and activities. Once the baby boomers took over, it  became recipes, angry politics, silly cartoons, bazillions of pictures of pets and family,  and embarrassing personal information. Or so I have been told. For me, it’s like a new toy, and a fun way to touch base with people I otherwise wouldn’t.  But even this baby boomer, facebook ruiner has standards . During my sojourn into THE FB I have already gotten more selective on what I do or do not want to see:

Do’s:  Pictures of friends and their grandchildren. Pets included. News of activities, occasions, milestones. Pictures of projects – kitchen remodels, bathrooms, etc. Occasional pretty picture with uplifting message. Some recipes. Animal and garden clips. Photographs of beautiful scenery. Any reference to wine.

Don’ts: Inflammatory political comments. Too much fairy dust and unicorns. Promises of money if I share with 9000 people. Lewd pictures and comments of any sort. Instructions to type yes if I want to change presidents, religions, or other major events. Typing yes is not going to change anything. Sharing of people I don’t even know’s personal issues. It irks me to no end when someone goes off about how their brother in laws nephews mailman is in dire straits and needs 1000 likes in the next 10 minutes. Advertisements for products I will never want or need. The list goes on. 

Bottom line is that I use Facebook to relax, and to share a little humor or inspiration. I have learned to block out the people and sites that run contrary to these goals. And for whatever THE FB used to be, my apologies to the millenials.