Springtime in the ‘hood

I planted seeds in a mini-greenhouse in my living room and within a few days they had grown into baby plants! They won’t have flowers for a little while yet, but I am in love with them, with their fragile yellowish-green stems and mini leaves. A few days ago I also planted tomato seeds so I’ll see how those turn out.

The warm weather has increased pedestrian traffic on my condo block - specifically, a few mentally challenged individuals from a few houses down. I’m not just saying that – they are in fact mentally challenged. One particular individual named Terrence has developed a crush on me so he feels it is necessary to come to my door at least once a day to say “hi”. Or follow me from my car to my door, and try to follow me inside my house. If I am in the backyard, within five minutes he drives up on his bicycle and lets himself in through the gate.

Now don’t get me wrong. I am nice to him and my roommates and I let him hang out with us sometimes, but once is all it took for him to feel welcome enough to barge in any old time he wants. So now we are faced with a dilemma: how do we set boundaries without being mean about it? We’ve told him nicely a few times, “not today Terrence, we are just about to have dinner,” or “Nicole isn’t home right now,” but he is very persistent.

Even when big ol’ Monte said in his naturally intimidating voice, “Terrence, it is time for you to go home now” and Terrence hung his head in disappointment and slowly walked out of the yard, he was back the very next day with the same hopeful grin on his face.

Sigh. I guess that’s what happens when you live in the ghetto. I'm an educated fool with money on my mind… okay, enough of that.

The delicious smells of barbequed hamburgers and steak in the neighbourhood that we all envy are now coming from my house. No longer will my roommates, The Boy and I sit in the backyard breathing in the mouth-watering scents of these delectable foods with discouraged attitudes – I am a new barbeque owner! The Boy bought me a kick-ass meat-cooking machine for my birthday and I actually learned how to use it! The push-button flame starter is a gift from heaven, as are the tasty meals we have been cooking up ever since.

Add to all this the disappearance of snow and fresh smells in the air, then subtract the amount I’ve been working lately, and all-in-all it’s been a great spring so far.

And we all lived happily ever after. The End.