Today is rainy and gusting, but it is also 60 FREAKIN DEGREES!!! I am delighted to feel 60 degree raindrops being blown against my face by 60 degree wind gusts.

I can never seem to remember how changeable March can be. This year, it passed in a blur of snow-rain-sleet-sun-fog-cold-warm. I am glad to see April.

Even my alarm clock's failure to alarm me this morning could not shake my relieved ebullience. I finally unloaded the dark secret of my failure(s) to get into grad school to those I hadn't yet told. I feel so much better now, though the future looms perilously close.

This weekend, I will travel to Connecticut to visit my parents and see my sister and brother-in-law. I think it will also be an early birthday celebration for my Mom. Additionally, we'll be using the time to say goodbye to Willie, the sweet, elderly Cairn Terrier who has lived with my parents for the past 5 years. They have decided to have him put to sleep next week, after months of wondering and watching his decline. Blitz's rapid aging before her death reminded my parents that waiting until the animal is pain, paralyzed from a stroke, or completely incapacitated is not always the kindest path. Willie's infirmity over the last several months has prevented my parents from being away from home for more than a day at a time. His sphere and capacity are rapidly dwindling, though his spirit is not. We talked a bit about their decision, which mainly entailed