Curious

One of the television sets is doing something quite strange. After it is turned off, it continues to show a picture, very dim and without color, but noticeable if the room is dark. I have never heard of a television doing such a thing. Could it be possessed? Is there a poltergeist in it? If the legends about ghosts are anything to go by, I think not. Ghosts are supposed to be accompanied by extreme cold, and this television remains hot. I suspect that it has something to do with the instant-on feature. I never did trust those things, and am inclined to trust them less since I saw the electric meter next door blow up yesterday. I have unplugged the set. I don't know if it can be repaired, or if it will need to be replaced. Television sets are cheaper than they used to be, and repairs are more expensive than they once were. And machines in general, it seems, are more evil than ever before. Sluggo's malign influence, most likely. I expect my CD player to grow legs and chase the cats about the room any day now.

Hello, Green Frank.

Last night the mottled sky of thin clouds and the breeze blown trees promised a pleasant day, and the promise was certainly kept. Walking along the shady street I caught the first whiff of spurge laurel yet this year. Daphne, as it is also called, is one of the most pleasing aromatic shrubs in the mountains, but quite elusive. You can be suddenly enveloped in a cloud of fragrance, or catch just the faintest scent on the air. A moment later, it vanishes. I think that it must be released in bursts. I must get a plant for my yard.

All afternoon, birds were chirping, and cats were sunning themselves on lawns and porches and rooftops. Bunches of little purple flowers are bursting though the grass in my back yard. But the sunset has lost its winter tinge of purple and has stretched a band of gold across the sky. I only hope that the cherry tree does not bloom too soon. I'd like to see a good crop this year.