At first, I thought I might be over the bronchitis today.

George drove up with Leah in the golf cart while I was at the outpost. She ambled up to the house to entertain Mary, leaving me and George to talk a while. I talked too much. It roused up my cough.

Chicken breast for my lunch, with sweet peas, carrots and corn on the cob.

Deborah came by to check the mower battery. Just then, the technician from Medical Necessities arrived with my new nebulizer.

From what Deborah tells me, I can't see Mother living alone a year from now. She's lost the will to get out of bed on her own. Has stopped walking outside. Tries to get Deborah to bring her meals to her. Only Deborah's stubborn patience keeps Mother going.

I spent more time outside.

58.1 °F, rain.

Weighed in at 118. I've lost two more pounds.

First day I could face food or the office.

Cod fish for lunch, with stewed acorn squash and steamed asparagus. It tasted good.

New theory. Some kind of allergy is causing a steady and continual post nasal drip. It's fine enough I hardly notice it. This would also explain not only the bronchitis but the soreness in the back of my upper throat and the day, after a night of swallowing sinus drainage, my stomach was really messed up. I have begun taking some of Mary's Allegra.

I hope I get over this before the antibiotic plays out.

71.5 °F, scattered clouds.

Mary was entertained early by two gobblers out back in a bloody fight over a turkey hen.

Mary removed a tarp that mysteriously appeared yesterday evening covering the tomato plants. Against the expected 30 °F? George? The plants are shriveled now, dead apparently.

More of the chicken for lunch today, with okra pickles, corn on the cob and a mix of snap peas, carrots, black beans, barley, corn and red bell pepper.

Mary spotted George outside looking over the wilted tomato plants.

Anna dropped by with Leah on the golf cart. Wanted to see how Mary was doing.

Mary and I watched Red Lights (2004) from Netflix. French, with English subtitles. A meek family man goes bad after too many drinks. A thriller deliciously played out in the French manner.

After taking the movie to the mailbox, I spotted the golf cart abandoned on the woods path. Mary, worried, had me make inquiries. Turns out it just quit on Anna who then walked home with Leah on her shoulders.

53.7 °F , clear.

Partied with Daniel Barenboim last night. Beethoven Sonata N° 29 'Hammerklavier' on YouTube.

Balmy, but overcast most of today.

After Mary returned from mass, we had Progresso and Campbell's soups for lunch.

I avoided the house most of the afternoon. Too somber inside. Noted that our Iris opened their first blooms today.

Narcissus surprised me, displaying their first flowers also.

The Dahlias have taken well to their new home, opening new buds.

Stayed out as long as I could. Brisk winds don't go well with short sleeves.

Mary's cough hangs on. She begged off keeping Leah tomorrow.

71.3 °F, clear.

Mary feeling a good deal better. Only a nasty cough remains.

The Pacesaver was on its best behavior all day.

We deposited checks at First Farmers, then lunched at Sonic. Grilled Asiago Chicken sandwiches. A mess to eat, but pretty good.

Before shopping for groceries at Walmart, we bought two Lantana plants in the garden center. I think I spotted Maricruz whizzing by.

Quick stop at Kroger.

Mary was putting up the groceries, when Marcelino drove up. He installed a larger doorknob assembly in the office-garage door. $30.

While he was busy, I noticed the iris were beginning to show color and the daffodils had begun to head out.

In fact, spring is breaking out all over.

The weather was fine. I spent some time at the outpost. Not as much as I wanted, but it was getting late and I had things to do before tonight's "party". (If Mary is agreeable.)

A noisy thunderstorm just passed through, temporarily depriving Mary of her DirecTV. I hope the tomato plants appreciated it.

121 lbs.

65.2 °F, overcast. (835 Yell Rd 1/8 mile S downtown)

I forewent my scheduled Wednesday night party and treated Mary to extra rasquitas instead. It seemed to calm her.

Mary had a rough night, nevertheless. We missed Marion's birthday breakfast at Huddle House this morning.

For our lunch today, she heated up the last two Salvadoran tamales and fried some plantain. We had planned to restock groceries yesterday at Wal-Mart.

The office door to the garage opens on its own now. We have to stop it with a box of books. That, together with Mary's gripe and the scooter's current unreliability, made enjoyment of the fine weather problematical.

Mary prepared us afternoon coffees. Must be feeling better.

I risked a little outing, careful not to get to far from the house with the Pacesaver. Mary's in no shape to make distant rescue expeditions. I decided make a study of wild violets. Now's the time, before the little fellows are overwhelmed by other flowers.

I've found a place in Nashville where I can get the Pacesaver worked on. Mary has called Marcelino about the door. She coughs and sneezes less. Things are looking up.

74.4 °F, clear. (City)

Chicken gizzards and noodles for lunch today, topped off with Mary's usual concoction of tomato, avocado and jalapeño.

Town run. Mailed tax payments at the post office. Deposited a Cosmolab check at First Farmers. Saw to Antonio's business at First National. Bought tomato plants, dahlia plants and a new rosemary at Walmart. On the way home, stopped at Kroger for Mary's insulin. Think I spotted Aubrey Duncan in the parking lot there. Hard to tell for sure after the passage of time.

Mary was setting out the tomato plants when brother George drove up on the golf cart with his granddaughter Leah.

Leah gladly offered to help Mary. Has a lot of expertise in moving things around, especially sand and dirt.

Mary is really suffering from her cold-induced allergy. No remedy seems to work.

I just reviewed Cosmolab payments. As I suspected, they sent a late check for the 3-1-14 invoice, but skipped 2-1-14. Designed Conveyor pulled the same trick last year and have yet to pay their 7-1-13 invoice. How do you make an angry smiley?

On George's suggestion, this morning we oiled the PaceSaver's key and key hole. Mary used the oil she has for her sewing machine, Singer Machine Oil. No problem with the scooter all day. Fingers crossed.

51.2 °F, scattered clouds.

A healthy Leah was more than a handful today.

Sautéed cod-fish, seared sweet potato, stewed butternut squash and steamed okra for lunch.

Mary finally got Leah to eat and take a little nap, but made the mistake again of giving her the pacifier to make her sleep. After nap, Leah didn't want to give it up. Made us what seemed a long afternoon till 3:00 pm when Denise picked her up.

Needless to say, there were enough funny antics to give us laughs till next Monday.

54.2 °F, mostly cloudy.

Mostly overcast.

Rotated the knee pad on my right brace, so one of the badly worn straps won't wear out as quick. Don't need a trip to Huntsville just yet.

Arby's Turkey Swiss sandwich for lunch.

The contact of the scooter switch key has become so bad, I'll have to do something about it soon.

Stayed in and fermented, except for a moment to take bills to the mailbox and to snap redbuds.

61.4 °F, clear.

Rain during the night. Just right for those morning-glory seeds.

Call from the at&t agent this morning. More negotiating. I had him send his offer in an email.

Chicken gizzards, hearts and mushrooms for lunch, with Brussels sprouts and cornbread.

Marion didn't make it for cards again. I called him. Turns out he had some meeting at the Social Security office. He agreed to join us for a birthday breakfast in his honor at Huddle House next week.

After Mother left with Deborah, I headed for the outpost.

I saw brother George in the distance checking out his garden plot. On his way home, he stopped at the outpost for a wide-ranging chat.

We parted as it was getting chilly.

123 lbs.

54.4 °F, overcast.