There are only 13 teaching days left until the end of the school year. My plans for the weekend: to attend the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival. I thought about going to the Day at the Docks Festival in Holden Beach, but I still haven't made up my mind yet.

This morning, I left the water boiling too long on the stove and some of the water evaporated. Thus, I have managed to mess up instant grits.

I am wheezing today because of the allergens floating in the air. The pollen arrived a little early this year, and cars were coated with a powdery yellow film (tree pollen). I remembered to take a Reactine this morning but it isn't helping much. My throat is a little scratchy and I am experiencing some breating difficulties. But I know that in a couple of weeks, this sensation will pass, and I will feel better.

Well, it is the end of our spring break. I found the time this morning to complete my N.C. income tax return, and to cut a check for $306, payable to the N.C. Department of Revenue. Well, there goes my savings...

A couple of days we were well over 25ºC, and I went for a lovely stroll at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden. However, we have a frost warning for the end of this week (yes, that is below 0ºC, in April!), and I guess they will need to cover all of their plants.

In the NHL last night, Montreal won their game against Boston, while Carolina was defeated by Tampa Bay. And so, for the first time since the NHL took control of the Cup in 1927, neither finalist will return to the postseason, the Edmonton Oilers having long ago been eliminated. Of course, the story might have been different if they hadn't traded away Ryan Smyth...the Oilers have earned a total of 3 points (1-15-1) in the 17 games played since then.

Things I hate about being a motorist:

- oil changes and tire rotations, especially getting them done for a car that's not even going to be yours in a few months' time.
- red light cameras, particularly if you later get a ticket in the mail showing the fact that you were one second too late entering the intersection that day.
- gasoline prices going up 10¢/gallon in one day when the price of crude oil increases by a dollar, and then taking forever to go down by that much after the price of oil has fallen.
- driving on a two-lane highway at night with the possibility that the car headed in the opposing direction is being driven by a person who had been drinking that night and doesn't know better.
- contributor to global warming and climate change. Think about the penguins! Unfortunately, it is hard to get around without a vehicle if you live in a rural area.